DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
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W e d n e s d ay, M ay 7, 2025
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SENIOR SPLASH
Gospel in the Park on Saturday Jambalaya Park will be filled with music from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday for Gospel in the Park. The free event will include gospel music, food, crafts and fellowship.
State treasurer to speak Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming will speak May 15 at the May Ascension GOP Roundtable, sponsored by Ascension Republican Women. The Roundtable starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Clarion Inn, 1500 W. La. 30 in Gonzales. Fleming was sworn in on Jan. 8, 2024. A physician, businessman and military veteran, he is a former congressman from Louisiana’s fourth district. The lunch is $30 and a $5 room fee is charged for guests not eating. To pay in advance, visit paypal.me/ARW225 or at Venmo. To RSVP, call (225) 921-5187 or email ARWrUS@ aol.com.
ä See AROUND, page 5G
STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
A student celebrates after seeing a friend in the crowd during the annual end of year East Ascension High School pond jump after seniors finished their final tests on Thursday.
INSIDE
St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department provides water for the school’s annual water day party for graduating seniors.
ä East Ascension seniors take the leap after finishing high school career. Page 4A ä St. Amant celebrates with parking lot water party. Page 4A
PROVIDED PHOTO BY JAMES E. LEBLANC
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The inaugural Ascension Pride Festival is set for June 21 at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
Ascension Pride Fest plans underway
East Ascension’s Kiristen McGirt ready for state championship, leaving a legacy
Community news report An idea born less than three months ago has turned into Ascension Parish Pride — a grassroots organization committed to fostering inclusion, visibility and support for the LGBTQIA+ community, their families and allies. The new group is planning the parish’s first Pride Fest June 21 at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, and the idea has been well received. Mark Belgard Jr., creator of Ascension Parish Department of Memes, first floated the idea on his Facebook page and now
ä See PRIDE, page 5G
PROVIDED PHOTO
Kiristen McGirt
Kiristen McGirt is one of three athThe reigning Division I indoor and Class 5A outdoor champion in the shot letes who will compete at the LHSAA put is more than just an athlete at East state championships on Friday at LSU. Ascension, she is special. Joining her will be Katie Truett in Head coach Kacey Elphage, who 100-meter hurdles and Morgan Vincent knows a little bit about winning state in javelin. Troy championships, likes what she sees McGirt is defending her state title LeBoeuf in the shot put and looking to win the from her senior that has committed to ASCENSION discus as well. Her work ethic, as deTennessee. “Kiristen’s determination, SPORTS leadership and drive have not only scribed by Elphage, has positioned her earned her a track scholarship, but she for this moment. has also left a lasting impact on our “The coaching staff has been great; program. Her teammates see her relentless my throws coach is John Woosley,” McGirt pursuit of greatness and that inspires them to said. “He keeps me grounded and my spirits follow in her footsteps,” said Elphage. high, teaching more than just about throwing, Elphage, in her fourth year as the head track he has developed me into more than just an athand field coach at East Ascension, was a state lete. My teammates have been so supportive in champion as a high school athlete at Donaldson- every meet.” ville High School, later going on to compete at ä See LEBOEUF, page 2G Southwest Mississippi and Louisiana-Lafayette.
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