DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON -TANGIPAHOA
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, M ay 27, 2026
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Tristyn Piper, right, hugs classmate Madison Thomas as they step off the stage after receiving their diplomas.
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Seniors Zant Gurney, from left, and Elijah Hagans, Dylan Cannon and Josephine Mullins walk to their seats to start the Live Oak High School graduation ceremony May 18 in the University Center at Southeastern University in Hammond.
MOVING ON
Elliott Perkins looks over a graduation program.
Student of the year Rachel Henry gives a speech. Parker McEachern waves to family members before the start Principal Gary Jones, right, hands Gracie Husser her diploma. of the Live Oak High School graduation ceremony.
Calligraphy classes available in Walker Learn flat edge calligravolunteer or share your information with the phy during a Southeastorganizers, email daleern Lifelong Learning class at 10 a.m. June 9 in h76DS@gmail.com. Walker. Disc Golf Park opens Foundations of LetterDarlene ing is a beginner-friendly daily in Walker Denstorff workshop where you’ll AROUND learn the art of elegant The City of Walker LIVINGSTON Disc Golf Park is now lettering step-by-step. Sign up at southeastern. open daily. The park, at nbsstore.net/life-long-learning. 13620 Aydell Lane next to city Want to learn beautiful script? hall. Join the Introduction to Script: Stop by for a game of disc golf. Pointed Pen Calligraphy class Set up a game by using the disc at 10 a.m. June 11 at the Walker gold app at https://www.walker. center. No experience needed. la.us/sites/default/files//Disc%20 Sign up at southeastern.nbssGolf%20app.jpg. tore.net/life-long-learning.
Class of ’76 plans 50th reunion It’s almost time to celebrate for the Denham Springs Class of 1976 — my class. We were called the Spirit of ’76 class and everything was red, white in blue in addition to our high school colors. Adults tried to make us understand the importance of celebrating the country’s 200th birthday, but I’m not sure that clicked with a bunch of 17- and 18-year-olds. The event is planned for June 13 at Forrest Grove in Denham Springs. Reunion organizers are asking classmates to send photos from 1976 and now for a booklet. To
Heritage Camp for kids
Register your child for Heritage Kid’s Camp July 20-22 at the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church. Children age 4-12 will take part in arts and crafts, kifli making and learn Hungarian words, dances and traditions. The camp is hosted by the Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association. For more information, call Connie Olah at (225) 573-1400. Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 603-1998.
ä Live Oak graduates. PAGES 4G ä Other area high school
graduates. PAGES 2G & 3G
SLU and former Doyle player selected Hitter of the Year Former Doyle High baseball player Peyton Woods has adjusted nicely to playing at the next level, and it’s been hard to not take notice. A case in point came last week. Now a member of the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team, Woods was a big part of the Southland Conference’s postseason accolades that were announced May 13 just before the league began its postseason playoffs. Woods was named the conference’s Hitter of the Year and made the all-SLC first team as an outfielder. A look at Woods’ numbers shows why the recognition was justified. His .358 batting average tied Texas A&MCharles Corpus Christi’s Cade Sanchez for the Salzer best in the conference, and he drove SPORTS in 27 runs while scoring another 42. ROUNDUP He was one of the biggest performers for an SLU team that went 19-9 in league play, and won its second consecutive SLC title. Woods had 17 multi-hit games during the season, and was 8 for 17 in the Hammond bracket of the Southland Conference tournament. “If it wasn’t for my teammates getting on base and the coaches putting me in the right position, I wouldn’t have gotten (the award). It was like a blessing,” Woods said last week. “You have to not worry about the past, and worry about what’s in front of you at that moment.” If it seems like it was only a couple of seasons ago that Woods was leading Doyle to an appearance in the Division III nonselect championship game, well, that’s because it was. As a senior in 2023, Woods had a memorable season leading Doyle to the brink of the Division III nonselect state title before it fell in the championship. Woods was a dominant pitcher with an undefeated
PROVIDED PHOTO BY SLU STAFF
Southeastern Louisiana University baseball player Peyton Woods
record, and a force at the plate for the Tigers, where he batted .480. Woods earned just about every accolade he could that season, including being named the Class 3A most valuable player for the entire state. At SLU, Woods saw limited playing time as a freshman, and only got a break his junior year when starting first baseman Ryan Brome suffered a season-ending injury. Woods made his chance count hitting .333 as an infielder. At-large bids to the NCAA tournament are rare for Southland Conference teams, so its likely that SLU’s season is over. Woods plans on returning to SLU for his senior year, and the Lions appear to be on solid ground with him as a team leader.