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, F e b r u a ry 25, 2026
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Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
East Ascension plans 13th mattress fundraiser Head over to the East Ascension High gym for its 13th annual mattress fundraiser March 22. East Ascension High School’s one-day Mattress Fundraiser is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For one day only, East Ascension High School will be transformed into a full mattress showroom. Shoppers will find 27 different mattress styles to try, available in all sizes and price ranges. The sale will also feature adjustable bases, luxury pillows, premium sheets and mattress protectors. Top brands, including Simmons Beautyrest, Purple, Helix, and more, will be available. All products come with full factory warranties, are made to order, and will arrive within two to three weeks. Delivery is available. Every purchase benefits East Ascension High School. Custom Fundraising Solutions, the company behind the Mattress Fundraiser, introduced this innovative program in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2005. For more information, visit bit.ly/beds4eahs26. To watch a video that explains how the Mattress Fundraiser works, visit vimeo.com/637591323 Contact: cfslouisiana1@cfsbeds.com or call (337) 991-5033 for more information.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ at ACT Tickets are on sale for the Ascension Community Theatre’s “Romeo and Juliet” on Feb. 28-March 1. The production tell the story of the classic William Shakespeare play. For tickets, visit ci.ovationtix. com/35620/production/1251043.
Rodeo coming soon The Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo starts Feb. 27 at the LamarDixon Center in Gonzales. Action continues at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 and 9 a.m. March 1. Rodeo athletes in fifth through 12th grades from all of Louisiana will compete. Admission is $10. A weekend pass is $15. Kids 5 and under are free.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
More than 150 vehicles participate Saturday in the Cruisin’ the Day for United Way at River Parishes Community College. The event was a Capital Area United Way fundraiser organized by Nova Chemicals.
EASY RIDES Cruisin’ the Day for United Way raises money for health care, basic needs and other programs
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
Mustangs, Trans Ams and Studebakers filled the River Parishes Community College’s parking lots Saturday during the inaugural Cruisin’ the Day for United Way. The event, hosted by Nova Chemicals and RPCC, raised funds for the Capital Area United Way with a car show, craft booths, raffles and silent auctions. More than 150 vehicles were on display for judged contests with 20 craft and food vendors on hand to help benefit the United Way. The day was a group event organized by Nova Chem, RPCC and the Capital Area United Way. “We are delighted to host the event here at RPCC for an incredible cause,” Landon Corbin, director of marketing and communications at RPCC, said. “Nova Chem reached out to us several months ago. Events like these are especially important for RPCC to host and participate in.”
Car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy Cruisin’ the Day for Capital Area United Way Saturday at River Parishes Community College. The event also featured 20 craft ä See RIDES, page 3G and food vendors.
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Dutchtown’s Lilly Johnson:
An undefeated champion with a special bond Dutchtown High freshman Lilly Johnson set goals going into the wrestling season — going undefeated and winning state. Mission accomplished. Johnson capped a perfect 43-0 season winning her match over Carmen Mueller of Baton Rouge High in the 114-pound Troy classification. LeBoeuf Johnson helped ASCENSION her team finish in SPORTS eighth place at the state championships in Bossier City. “I feel proud of myself, able to achieve goals that I set for myself. I put in the work, and it paid off,” Johnson said. What is unusual about Johnson’s situation is she gets to work
with her mom, Christina, and her outstanding coaches. “Having my mom as one of my coaches is special, she said. “She knows how to push me and support me at the same time. My coaches put in so much time with us. Thankful to Coach Johnson, Coach Eric, Coach Cody Hesser and Coach Macha. They put us in position to be successful, their support is amazing.” Girls’ wrestling has grown over the last two years, being sanctioned by the LHSAA. Ascension Parish had a good showing at state with East Ascension finishing fifth, followed by Dutchtown eighth, Prairieville 15th and St Amant, 19th. The popularity of the sport continues to grow, and Johnson loves to compete as an individual
PROVIDED PHOTO
Dutchtown High freshman Lilly Johnson holds her state wrestling ä See LEBEOUF, page 2G title.
Gonzales and Ascension councils approve baseball field agreement BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT
The agreement term lasts one year, with renewal options for two consecutive years. It allows the After weeks of uncertainty about parish and league operators to run an agreement between Ascension concession stands at the field, and Parish and the city of Gonzales the parish and city can exit the over the use of city baseball fields, agreement with 30 days notice. There were no public comments both parties have approved a modified arrangement that allows before the decision, although the parish to use four of the city’s Council Chairman Chase Melanfields. con thanked Ascension Parish RecThe Gonzales City Council had reation Director Brandon Smith twice rejected an agreement with for his work on getting the agreethe parish in January but narrowly ment through. passed a modified arrangement in a 3-2 vote during its Feb. 9 meet- Compromise reached last week ing. The parish baseball saga began On Thursday, the Ascension Par- in December, when the Gonzales ish Council unanimously approved city council deferred action on the the agreement, which allows the agreement. Council Members Cynthia Gray parish to use the four fields at Tee Joe Park for programming. The James, Tyler Turner and Terri vote ensures a way forward for Lambert in January voted twice more than 1,300 baseball players against the agreement, which participating with the privately would have allowed the parish to run AP Baseball, which maintains ä See BASEBALL, page 2G an agreement with the parish. Staff writer