DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, A p r i l 22, 2026
1GN
Troy LeBoeuf
Darlene Denstorff
ASCENSION SPORTS
AROUND ASCENSION
Gators surge into second round of baseball playoffs
Ascension Public Schools job fair set for April 23 Ascension Public Schools will hold a teacher job fair April 23 to fill positions for the 2026-27 school year. The event is ideal for experienced educators seeking top positions, as well as upcoming graduates from teacher preparation programs in May, a news release said. The job fair, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., will be held at Bullion Primary School, 17005 Sills Drive, Prairieville. Candidates interested in attending should register and schedule interviews on the appointment booking website. Reach out with questions or concerns at (225) 391-7066. The starting salary for teachers in Ascension Parish is $52,033, with an opportunity to earn up to $1,100 in performance pay. Additionally, the Ascension Parish School Board offers supplemental pay for its schools located in Donaldsonville: Teachers with a highly effective or effective proficient rating can make $10,000 above base pay for teaching core subjects, $2,500 above base pay for teaching electives, and paraprofessionals can make $1,250 above base pay. To register and schedule interviews for the teacher job fair, visit book.appointmentplus.com/d7dm49l4/#/.
Garden club’s plant and bake sale for April 24 The Gonzales Garden Club will hold its annual fundraising plant and bake sale from 9 a.m. to noon April 24 at Gonzales City Hall. There will be plants, garden items, a cypress swing and baked goods. All proceeds are spent on horticulture interests for the residents of Ascension Parish.
Highway 621 Outdoor Market The Highway 621 Outdoor Market, 39275 La. 621, Gonzales, opens at 8 a.m. every Saturday until the end of July. Shop vendors’ booths and purchase locally grown produce.
‘Bright Star’ coming to Ascension Community Theatre
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Dutchtown High School students, from left, Mason Stutes, Ben Collins, Vivian Mall and Anna Blank sing ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ during Saturday’s rehearsal for the upcoming musical, ‘All Shook Up.’
‘All Shook Up’ in Dutchtown BY WENDY LOUP
he meets. Director Taylor Robinson and Assistant Director Melissa Goodwin hope the The Dutchtown High family-friendly musical honSchool theater department will have audiences “All ors Presley’s music while also Shook Up” with Elvis Presley introducing his style to a new nostalgia, while also introduc- generation. “Elvis’ music is timeless, ing his music to a new genand the arrangements for eration during its upcoming the play are different than musical from April 23-26. the original songs,” Goodwin More than 40 students are said. “However, we really singing, dancing, acting and working on technical aspects wanted his music to be reto give audiences memorable membered and sung the way renditions of “The King” Elit was meant to be while also remaining timeless.” vis Presley’s music. The cast, which has been Described as a heartfelt and hilarious musical loosely practicing since January, sing a variety of Presley’s based on Shakespeare’s songs, such as “Heartbreak “Twelfth Night,” the DHS Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and version of “All Shook Up” “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” features a guitar-playing For the students, the musiyoung man, played by Mason Stutes, who enters a 1950s cal has taught them what life town wearing blue suede looked and sounded like in shoes and changes everyone the 1950s, as well as the efContributing writer
fect Presley had on music for decades. “I watched videos of Elvis for my character,” said Stutes, who plays Chad. “I’m happy with how it’s turning out, but it’s not easy to imitate him. “He was a heck of a guy. He had moves people had never seen before. So, going back in time through watching videos and seeing girls pass out while watching him was interesting. He was the first mainstream singer.” Stutes, who is a senior, said learning Presley’s songs opened his musical abilities. “I’ve enjoyed connecting with the music,” Stutes said. “I’ve found something in my heart from the music, and I genuinely enjoy the message of the musical.”
ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G
Max the rat terrier stars in Louisiana-based children’s book BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
Get your tickets for the production of “Bright Star” set for April 23 through April 26 at Ascension Community Theatre, 823 N. Felicity Ave., Gonzales. From Steve Martin and Edie Brickell comes “Bright Star,” a sweeping tale of love and redemption set to the rhythms of bluegrass. Inspired by a true event, this musical follows literary editor Alice Murphy as she weaves between her youthful past and her present life, uncovering secrets that could change everything. With its soaring melodies, heartfelt storytelling, and toe-tapping energy, Bright Star captures the spirit of hope and the resilience of the human heart. For tickets, visit ci.ovationtix.com/35620/production/1251045. Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate. com. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday.
ä See DUTCHTOWN, page 2G
Entering the playoffs with a 18-16 record and a 22nd seed didn’t deter the St. Amant baseball team and coach Caleb Ricca from sweeping 11th seed Central and setting up a second-round match up with No. 6 Benton. “Entering the postseason, we really felt we were starting to play well in all areas and with added confidence, Ricca Ricca said. “We knew Central would be a challenge, a team coming in hot. Our kids were resilient and kept fighting, even when being down 3-0 early in Game 1.” The Gators won game 1, 8-7, and shut out the Wildcats 7-0 in Game 2. “In Friday nights game, we had so many kids step up. Central had some players step up as well. It was a great game to be a part of,” Ricca said. Junior Tucker Miller closed out Game 1 after entering in the seventh inning. Miller started and finished Game 2, shutting out the Wildcats and only allowing two hits. “Tucker Miller closed Game 1 and started game two for us. He was awesome and the defense was sound. Our hitters competed and put together some great at bats in both games,” Ricca said. Offensively, junior Cohen Robert and sophomore Cooper Templet led the way for the Gators. “Cooper Templet and senior Anden Millet have been incredible all year at the plate. They have set the tone for our offense and are extremely talented players. Both are hitting over .400 this season. Cohen Robert has come on
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
‘Saint Amant Max: The Cajun Puppy’ author Rob Butler, rat terrier Max, and Max’s breeder, George Snyder, left, attend Saturday’s book signing at Ascension Living and Outdoors in Gonzales.
Max, a rat terrier born in St. Amant and the star of a children’s book, is winning over readers with his spunky personality. “Saint Amant Max: The Cajun Puppy” was published in 2023, but is currently becoming known around Ascension Parish due to Max’s owner and breeder’s book signings and appearances. On Saturday, Max, his owner/ author, Rob Butler, and Max’s breeder, George Snyder, attended a book signing at Ascension Living and Outdoors in Gonzales. Surrounded by family, friends, and book lovers, Max took photos with his “fans.” “Saint Amant Max: The Cajun Puppy” is a heartwarming story featuring Max having fun in Louisiana riding in a boat wearing a life jacket, as well as cooking gumbo and red beans and rice. Max shares his adventures with his Grand-Pere and Grand-Mere. Butler bought Max from Snyder, owner of Snyder’s Standard Rat Terriers, in 2021 when he was a puppy. His love for Max, the rat terrier breed, and the Louisiana culture gave him the idea of writing a
children’s book. “I go on long walks, and the idea came to me organically to write about Max,” Butler said. Butler, who lives in Oakdale, set his book in southern Louisiana because of the rich Cajun culture. “The people here have a zest for life,” Butler said. “They love hunting and fishing, and of course, the food is good.” Published by Alligator Book Bites, “Saint Amant Max: The Cajun Puppy” was Butler’s first book. Butler, a geologist, recently released another children’s book, “Pirogue Princess.” “When I was a kid, I loved books by Ernest Hemingway and Gary Paulsen’s ‘Hatchet,’ ” Butler said. “I found a lot of inspiration to write because of those stories.” Butler is hoping Max and his book adventures continue to become popular with readers. He enlisted the help of Ross Waguespack to create an animation featuring Max with a Cajun song written by Rusty Bethley. Waguespack, who recently graduated from LSU in animation, worked on the project for three months.
ä See BOOK, page 4G