DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Watch out for buses, students
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, Au g u s t 5, 2026
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Students return to classes Thursday in Ascension Parish Public Schools. Be sure to watch out for students at bus stops, walking to campus and entering and exiting school buses. And drivers should familiarize themselves with school speed limits and time.
A Taste of Donaldsonville The Donaldsonville Lions Club is hosting A Taste of Donaldsonville from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at Lemann Community Center, 1100 Clay St., Donaldsonville. Tickets are $35 at the door. The menu includes SmokeShack Park Street Tacos, crawfish fettuccine, pastalaya, toffee cheesecake and sweet potato Ooey Gooey dessert.
Gem show coming The Gem and Mineral Show is Saturday and Sunday at Lamar-Dixon Center. The Baton Rouge Gem and Mineral Society is hosting the show, which includes gemstones, minerals, fossils and fine jewelry. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Pro Wrestling 225 Saturday Pro Wrestling 225: Honor and Pride starts at 9 p.m. Aug. 8 at the VFW Post 3693 hall, 42430 Churchpoint Road, Gonzales. For tickets, visit prowrestling225.com.
Food distributions set Ascension Parish’s commodity distribution is set for the second Tuesday of each month in Donaldsonville and the second Wednesday of the month in Gonzales. Distributions are from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Frank Sotile Jr. Pavilion in Donaldsonville and the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. All recipients must be prequalified by visiting the Ascension Parish Health Unit, 1024 E. Ascension Complex Blvd., in Gonzales or the Donaldsonville courthouse, 300 Houmas St. Contact Layne Melancon at (225) 450-1006 or layne.melancon@fmolhs.org.
STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Jacob Achord practices glide steps with other section members during color rush night at the Dutchtown Sound band camp at Griffin Stadium on July 24 in Geismar.
ALL HORNS ONDutchtown DECK Sound
practices steps, music, formation during band camp
Mammography coach visits Woman’s Hospital mobile mammography coach brings breast imaging across the state. The coach offers advanced 3D mammogram technology at convenient times and locations across Louisiana. A physician’s order is required, and appointments are strongly encouraged. The coach will be at Assumption Parish Community Hospital, 135 La 402, Napoleonville, Friday, Aug. 28 Call (985) 369-4265 to schedule. 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.
A row of sousaphones rest along the field during a break in practice at the Dutchtown Sound band camp at Griffin Stadium.
Facing near triple digit temperatures, members of the Dutchtown High ä More photos. marching band, the Dutchtown Sound, have PAGE 2G been busy preparing for the upcoming season during band camp. Band members learned marching steps and practiced music. The band will perform at all Griffin home football games. School starts Thursday.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT Q&A WITH MARCELLO RIZZUTO
Captain of the defense ready for changes new season brings Dutchtown football has been a successful program since its inception in 2003. Last season, the Griffins went 5-5 and lost in the first round of the DI nonselect playoffs. Several of the starters were underclassTroy men last season, includLeBoeuf ing Marcello Rizzuto. ASCENSION Rizzuto is back for senior year, a captain SPORTS for the second year in a row and poised to bring the Griffins back to a deep playoff run under head coach, Guy Mistretta. Rizutto talked about last season, this upcoming season and what he wants
his senior season to look like. What are your measurables, GPA and any honors last season? Marcello Rizzuto: I am 5’10, 175 pounds and play safety. My GPA is 3.96. I earned honorable mention on the 5-5A all district team and was a team captain. Reflect on last season as a team and individual. Last season was tough; we lost a large senior class that had plenty of game experience. Several inexperienced guys got an opportunity to play early in the season. Last season allowed us to gain game experience coming into 2026. The talent is there and we have a strong foundation. Our consistency as a team needs to im-
prove, we won some big games along the way. I was honored to be selected as a team captain in my junior season, my goal is to step up even more this fall. What does the off season look like for you? Weights and conditioning along with 7-on-7 as a team. I play baseball as well which helps me with my conditioning. I also work out with Logan Scott at Ground Zero Performance for additional training. The summer was a great time to bond as team as we go into our fall camp. What are you looking to improve on from last year? I am always looking for ways to
ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G Marcello Rizzuto
PROVIDED PHOTO BY CAMDEN LEWIS