The St. Tammany Farmer 02-25-2026

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Habitat St. Tammany West prevails for 45 years

BY JESSICA SAGGIO

Contributing writer

It’s

has repeatedly overcome the odds. And even in a current housing market that Gage called “the worst” she has ever seen, Habitat, its volunteers and its home buyers are still pushing onward. As the organization celebrates its anniversary next week, it will host a community partners breakfast March 5 at 8:30 a.m. at the River Mill at Coquille and will feature a host of guest speakers. The

BY KIM CHATELAIN

Contributing writer

The Covington City Council seat vacated earlier this month by Peter Lewis will be filled on an interim basis by John Callahan. The council held a special meeting Feb. 18 to approve a resolution appointing Callahan to the District A seat on the seven-member legislative body Callahan served two terms in the City Council seat before being term limited in 2019.

ä See HABITAT, page 2A ä See COVINGTON, page 2A

Page 5A ä Spotlight on promoter as Krewe Du Pooch prepares for upcoming parade. Page 5A

Krewe of Bilge parade map. Page 5A

Scenes from the Mardi Gras parade in Folsom. Page 6A

Krewe of Kidz Wagon Parade highlights family participation in Carnival season. Page 7A

Lenten fish fries provide good food and fellowship

BY SUZIE HUNT Contributing writer

Ash Wednesday heralds the start of Lent. A delicious side benefit of the season is the return of the ever popular Fish Fry Fridays.

The Lenten dinners aren’t just opportunities to close the kitchen at home for an evening and get a delicious meal. It is a chance to be in community with others, whether you’re the men’s club members conversing over the bubbling fryers or the diners sitting down with friends and family in front of a take-out boxes filled with strips of golden fried catfish and Cajun-smashed potatoes. These fundraisers are times to connect with friends and support a variety of causes. On the northshore, these events can be found on various church campuses. Northshore congregations in the Catholic Diocese of New Orleans alone host 15 locations offering variety in their weekly menus. All groups serve their take on fried fish and French fries. From there, the menu diverges. Diners can enjoy crawfish pies at Most Holy Trinity Church in Covington, soft-shell crabs at St. Anselm in Madisonville, and Mary Queen of Peace Church in Mandeville offers a “Coop” special,

featuring crabcakes, onion rings and hush puppies. These events are not limited to Catholic congregations. The Village Church Lutheran in Lacombe and Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell also offer a fish fry dinner schedule during Lent.

The food isn’t the only thing on the menu. Time spent preparing the week’s offering is also time spent in community According to Louie Veillion Jr president of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church’s Men’s Club in Slidell, Fridays in Lent are a prime example. Many years working together is not only fun but has strengthened relationships within his church family

“There is a friendship forged between the three to four dozen guys

HABITAT

Continued from page 1A

event is free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to reserve tickets online in advance. Speakers will tell “powerful stories from Habitat homeowners” and share plans to expand services.

HABITAT STW COMMUNITY PARTNERS BREAKFAST

WHAT: Breakfast celebrating Habitat St.Tammany West’s 45th anniversary featuring guest speakers, success stories and plans for the future

that have been doing this for decades,” said Veillion. He also cited experience as part of putting together a successful fundraiser

“This group comes together once a year for five weeks, and everybody knows what they have to do to put out a consistent product. Pete Cavignac comes to make the potatoes. Paul Armand, Craig Corwin and Craig Oakman get on the fryers. The Knights of Columbus Council 2732 runs the drive-thru line. It goes all the way down to the prep people, the batterers, the sign team and even the dishwashers,” explained Veillion.

WHEN: March 5, 8:30 a.m. –10 a.m.

Gage said while the group celebrates it’s also navigating uncharted territory as the current housing market continues to be a huge obstacle for both the organization and its clients. She said it’s a multifaceted issue. Skyrocketing prices for both building materials and land have priced many Habitat homebuyers out, raising income requirements to a new bracket. Gage said before the pandemic hit and prices soared, a typical three-bedroom Habitat house would appraise for $154,000.

WHERE: River Mill at Coquille, 13505 La. 1085, near Covington

COST: Free, but guests are asked to get tickets in advance. SEE MORE: habitatstw.org

Homebuyers with Habitat pay the appraised value with a 0% interest loan from the organization. Now, that same house is appraising for at least $225,000.

Gage said while Habitat tries to subsidize the difference with various grants and funding, there’s only so much they can do.

“That is a massive difference and that has cut people out,” she said. She added that the clientele is shifting as those with a little higher income are now qualifying because “the broader market is so bad that we are their only option.”

On the other side of the coin are the current homeowners who are facing massive insurance increases, and Gage said Habitat STW now has staff assigned to solely help with insurance hurdles

However, it’s not all tough news these days, she said. The group has also successfully brought back a piece of its history that actually kickstarted its growth in the area: critical home repairs. Gage said Habitat STW, in partnership with the parish, brought back its home repair program in 2023. Since then, about 40% of calls coming in for assistance are from residents in need of new roofs, subfloor replacements, accessibility modifications or other urgent repairs. Just last year Habitat STW was able to do 60 critical home repairs

And really, this is how the group got its footing in the very beginning. The organization was first brought to the north shore in 1981 after Father Steve Holzhalb and late philanthropist Emily Diamond met with Habitat founder Millard Fuller. Fuller established what is now Habitat for Humanity International in Americus, Georgia. Seeing what he had created, the duo pioneered the nonprofit, making Habitat St. Tammany West or what was then known as “Covington Habitat for Humanity” — the first Habitat affiliate in the state and the 11th nationwide.

Its humble beginnings started with a flea market that raised funds for the cause. The group started by doing home repairs for those in need, and eventually in 1982, the group built its first house. What was once the flea market has since evolved into the Habitat ReStore, which continues as a funding source for the some 323 houses built and 250 renovation projects completed since then.

“Everything was super grass roots, all volunteers, just slowly building,” said Gage.

But the current housing crisis isn’t the only time Habitat has faced adversity The organization was overwhelmed with need after Hurricane Katrina tore through the area, leaving many homeless and others seeking refuge in St. Tammany More than 4,300 volunteers flocked in from across the world to help Habitat meet this demand.

“It was just a chaotic time and so many people were coming from across the lake with nothing,” said Gage.

This led to a record 40 homes being built and closing in 2007. Habitat STW typically closes on around 10 homes per year.

The Covid pandemic forced Habitat to pivot again, as homeowners couldn’t make payments and the organization had to make modifications, Not to mention, builds had to be postponed and “just getting materials was a nightmare,” said Gage. Habitat STW closed on only four homes in the fiscal year following the shutdown.

Add in Hurricane Ida and a number of other storms, and challenges continued, leading to the insurance crisis the organization is currently maneuvering and the high-cost market it must also face. However, its mission remains the same and its impact just as significant Volunteers are still hard at work. Homebuyers are still putting in their hours of “sweat equity” earning their housing opportunity, and critical home repairs are helping those with nowhere else to turn. Gage said Habitat STW has been installing fortified roofs as part of its repair program, which is helping some with their insurance woes. And best of all, the work being done is still life changing.

“For the families we serve, it’s everything,” said Gage, noting Habitat homeowners would not otherwise have an opportunity to buy a home. “Home ownership is the key to so many good things. Affordable, quality home ownership is stability and security for now, the growth of generational wealth for the future, all the benefits for their children.”

Losses are also felt, he remarked, when the volunteers gather together, especially this year One of the group’s founding members and longtime fish fry chairmen, Larry Chisholm, passed away in August.

“This will be our first fish fry without Larry It’s an end of an era, and he will be missed. It will take a lot of people to do all that he did,” Veillion said.

The sheer volume produced during one of these dinners, all by volunteers, is daunting.

St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church near Slidell serves an average of 900 fish dinners in a matter of a few hours during their weekly dinners.

“Occasionally, we hit the 1,000-dinner mark and we get really excited. We go through about 500 pounds of fish each week,” said Brian Clavin, a member of St. Luke’s Men’s Club and fish fry director They always have extra on hand, just in case.

“We never want to run out of fish,” he said. Cooking and prepping is an all-day affair, according to

MOST HOLY TRINITY CHURCH AND KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

COUNCIL 14614: 501 Holy Trinity Drive, near Covington, Fridays through Mar 27, except on Good Friday. Dine-in and drive-thru from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. $15 plates — catfish, shrimp, or combo — and each includes a choice of French fries or baked macaroni, coleslaw, hush puppies, dessert and drink. Boiled shrimp salad is $12. Seafood platter is $20.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH COLUMBUS COUNCIL

12072: 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; fried fish, shrimp or both, choice of two sides from fries, salad, mac & cheese or green beans, $12 adult plate, $6 child plate; also offers $20 “Coop Special” entree that includes a dessert, drink and a surprise side. Desserts include soft-serve ice cream, along with coffee, tea and lemonade. The special changes weekly OUR LADY OF LOURDES: 345 Westchester Place, Slidell, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., dine-in or drive-thru, $12-14 plates with fried fish or shrimp, crab-boiled smashed potatoes, salad, roll and dessert; grilled shrimp salad also available. Shrimp

COVINGTON

Continued from page 1A

Lewis was elected to the District A seat in 2019 and was reelected without opposition in 2023. In early February Lewis announced his resignation from the council “due to personal matters.”

Council members praised Callahan for his decision to once again serve the constituents of District A, which encompasses the north central section of Covington. The vote on the resolution to appoint him was unanimous.

“He has served in the past and he served exceptionally well,” Council President Mark Verret said of Callahan. City officials said Callahan will represent District A on the council until voters elect a per-

Clavin. The church’s Men’s Club and Knights of Columbus chapter work together to get everything ready for the doors to open.

“We have a morning crew that makes the potato salad and preps the rest of the food. That takes all day as we cook 300 pounds of potatoes each week,” said Clavin. “Between the two organizations, we have about 50 guys in our combined workforce. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy the camaraderie with them.”

The kitchen isn’t the only place where friends have the opportunity to visit. Jan Barbero and Patti Guidry have been regulars at the St. Luke

fish fries for almost 15 years

They are part of a group that gathers together every Friday evening during Lent at one of the round tables in the church’s Family Life Center.

The first to arrive grabs a spot to sit down in the crowded hall and another brings a bottle of malt vinegar to share.

“We don’t normally see each other very often during the rest of the year, and this gives us a special reason to make the effort to get together,” said Guidry “We catch up on everyone’s news that we’ve missed.” Family updates are shared as well as the information about new businesses opening their doors, plant

FISH FRIES

pasta will be available for the March dates. Contact (504) 7225610 for information.

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CHURCH AND COLUMBUS

COUNCIL 9240: 312 Lafitte St, Mandeville, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27; 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dine in/carry out. $12 adult dinners — two pieces fried fish or one whole baked filet; choice of three sides; bread, dessert and beverage. $7 child’s plate (10 years or younger) Onepiece fried fish; choice of two sides bread, dessert, beverage. Available sides: French fries, green beans, coleslaw. Accepting donations of canned and dry goods to be donated to the Samaritan Center.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS: 28088 Main St., Lacombe, March 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; $12 plate, fried fish, potato salad, green beans, macaroni and cheese, roll and dessert.

ST. ANSELM: Madisonville, Feb 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dine in/carry out. Adult fish plates with six pieces of catfish are $19. Adult shrimp plates are $20. Child fish plates are $14 and child shrimp plates are $15. The seafood combo plate including catfish, shrimp, soft-shell crab and crab cake is $23. The soft-shell crab plate

including catfish, shrimp, and two soft-shell crab is $23. Seafood gumbo is $13 and the shrimp Caesar salad is $18.

ST. BENEDICT CHURCH: 20370 Smith Road, near Covington, Feb. 27, March 13 and March 27, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. $13 plate, fish or shrimp dinner, tater tots, coleslaw and French bread. Inside dining, brownie and canned drinks or water for $1.

ST. GENEVIEVE CHURCH: 58203 La. 433, near Slidell, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dine in/Carry out. $10 plate, fried fish, potato salad, green peas and roll.

ST. JANE DE CHANTAL AND COLUMBUS COUNCIL NO. 12529: 72040 Maple St., Abita Springs, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. $13 plates — fried catfish plate, fried shrimp plate, combo plate with fries or boiled potatoes, coleslaw, French bread. Side gumbo $7, drinks $1, desserts $1. Cash, credit cards and checks accepted.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST COLUMBUS COUNCIL: 11345 St. John Church Road, Folsom, every Friday in Lent, except Good Friday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $12 per dinner. Includes fried catfish, baked cheese potatoes, coleslaw and hush puppies.

manent replacement this fall. Callahan said he has no plans to seek election to the seat later this year

Verret said the city had 20 days to fill the empty council seat. He said Covington was fortunate to have an experi-

sales and the latest good book they’ve read. Barbero enjoys the conversation almost as much as the main dish.

“The fish they serve is just so good,” she said, remembering the many meals she has enjoyed at the yearly dinners. While the food is good, Barbero savors the conversations. “You also have to make sure you have your phone with you so you can share the latest pictures of kids and grandchildren.”

Whether patrons go for the fish or the fellowship, Lenten fish fries in St. Tammany Parish nourish the body as well as the soul.

Both drive-thru and dine-in services are available. Desserts sold, too.

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS AND COLUMBUS COUNCIL: 61030 Brier Lake Drive, Lacombe, Feb. 27, March 13 and 27, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.; $14 plate, fried domestic catfish, wild caught gulf shrimp or combo, served with smashed potatoes, green beans and hush puppies and more. Also, desserts will be sold by the Ladies Guild.

ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST: 910 Cross Gates Blvd., near Slidell, Feb. 20 and 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; $12 plates, fried or baked fish with choice of two sides from French fries, coleslaw or smashed potatoes with a Hawaiian roll. Dine-in, carryout or drive-thru. Ladies Club sells bread pudding, cake and brownies.

ST. PETER, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: 125 E. 19th Ave., Covington, Feb. 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27; In school cafeteria, dine-in from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., drivethru from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., $13 catfish, shrimp, fries, bread and choice of potato salad or coleslaw. Desserts available for purchase. (985) 892-2422 for more information.

enced council member willing to step in and serve the community

There was no discussion among council members during the meeting regarding Lewis’s departure. In his resignation letter to Verret, Lewis said he was leaving because of personal matters, adding “It is with mixed emotions that I tender my resignation ” In 2022, Lewis was booked on one count of felony insurance fraud following an investigation by State Police. The case is pending in the 22nd Judicial District Court in Covington Contacted after the council meeting, Lewis said he’s been caring for his daughter who is ill. Between family matters and the ongoing court case, he said he was not able to devote the time needed to adequately represent his constituents.

Public schools schedule set for 2027-28

BY JIM DERRY Contributing writer

There was no debate or questions from the public as the St. Tammany Parish School Board unanimously approved the 2027-28 calendar, in which the school year will begin fully on Aug. 12, 2027, and end on May 25, 2028

The vote came at the board’s regular monthly meeting Feb. 12 at the Brooks Educational Complex in Slidell

This schedule is similar to the last several years and includes “smart start” days, where “first school days” will come in two waves, depending on the first letter of a student’s last name. Once again, students and teachers will get more than two weeks off for Christmas break — after getting nearly three weeks in 202526 and next year in 2026-27.

They also will be off the week of Mardi Gras, which will be on Feb. 29, 2028, and on break from April 14 and returning April 24, 2028, for Easter

The 2026-27 calendar was approved last year

School dates

2026-27: Aug. 6-7, Smart Start first days of school. Aug. 10, first full day of school with entire student body in attendance. Nov 23-27, Thanksgiving holiday Dec. 19-Jan. 5, Christmas / winter break. Feb. 8-12, Mardi Gras holiday March 26-April 5, spring break. May 25, last day of school (half day).

Other single days off in 2026-27: Sept 7 (Labor Day); Oct. 2 (Parish Fair); Oct. 5 (Fall holiday); Nov 3 (Election Day); Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Day).

2027-28: Aug. 10-11, Smart Start first days of school.

Aug. 12, first full day of school with entire student body in attendance. Oct. 4-5, Fall holiday; Nov 22-26, Thanksgiving holiday Dec. 18-Jan. 3, Christmas / winter break. Feb. 28-March 3, Mardi Gras holiday April 14-23, spring break. May 25, last day of school

Other single days off in 2027-28: Sept 6 (Labor Day); Oct. 1 (Parish Fair); Nov. 1 (Teachers’ development); Jan. 17 (Martin Luther King Day).

The graduation ceremonies schedule for 2026 are a bit changed at the end of this academic year due to the switch to block scheduling in high schools.

All ceremonies will be held at Southeastern University in Hammond at 7 p.m. on the following days, except Lakeshore which will be at 10 a.m.: Covington (May 12), Slidell (May 13), Mandeville (May 14), Fontainebleau (May 18), Northshore (May 19), Salmen (May 20), Pearl River (May 22) and Lakeshore (May 23).

In other business, the STPSB was recognized at the meeting for recently winning two major financial awards for the 37th consecutive year, including a certificate of achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of School Board Officials International

“These are the highest awards you can win as far as financial reporting,” said Lester J. Richoux III of the Covington accounting firm of Mauldin and Jenkins, who handles the audits for the board. “You think about what has happened in 37 years it’s certainly significant.”

Richoux also announced the results of this past year’s audit, which concluded with the 2025 fiscal year on June 30.

“The books were clean and that goes with what we looked at through internal controls and compliance in looking at certain laws and regulations you have to comply with,” he said. “And that was clean, as well. No issues to report there.”

Judge throws out Sucette Harbor suit against Mandeville

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

A federal judge has tossed out a lawsuit over the controversial Sucette Harbor development on Lake Pontchartrain, ruling against a New Orleans company that had sued the city of Mandeville and one of its council members after the council stopped the $150 million project from moving forward.

The council’s September 2023 “no” vote on an ordinance that would have cleared the way for the project capped months of often raucous public meetings where residents argued the mixed-use project was too big, overly dense and would generate too much traffic.

Soon after, the developers, Woodward Harbor LLC and the LSU Health Foundation, filed suit in federal court in New Orleans, naming the city and Mandeville City Council member Jason Zuckerman as defendants. The suit sought to force the council to approve the project based on the recommendation of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. But U.S. District Judge Brandon Long dismissed the lawsuit in a ruling filed Feb. 5, finding essentially that the city did not hold Woodward to a higher standard than others and that the council didn’t act outside its

authority Through a spokesperson, Woodward declined to comment on the ruling. It’s not clear if the developer plans to appeal.

Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden said he had not had time to fully reflect on the ruling, but added, “I think the judge’s opinion speaks for itself ” A hotel and apartments

Sucette Harbor would have included an apartment complex for residents 55 and older a hotel, event venue and retail on 15 acres of open land just east of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

Woodward said the project would not only provide needed housing for older residents but would also include amenities that would be a welcome addition to Mandeville.

Woodward’s initial pitch included 201 apartments and an 84-room hotel, in addition to the event and retail space and a refurbished marina.

Sucette Harbor had the support of the parish’s tourism agency, its economic development agency and the Chamber of Commerce. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission gave its narrow approval to Sucette’s application in April 2023, sending it to the council.

But opponents packed the city’s various meetings on the develop-

ment, often taking the podium to urge city leaders to turn the development away Long’s ruling in the lawsuit comes months after he dismissed the claims against Zuckerman who was the lone individual council member named as a defendant and who the developers had singled out in their original suit as having acted outside his authority to torpedo the project.

Then, in March, Long issued a series of rulings that essentially gutted the developers’ lawsuit.

In early 2025, Long also ordered the city and developers into a settlement conference in an effort to clear the case from the docket. But that conference failed to produce a settlement.

An AI issue

In his ruling for dismissal, Long also ordered attorneys Michael R.C Riess and Johanna Elizabeth Lambert, of Reiss LeMieux in New Orleans, and John R. Walker and Thomas H. Huval, of Jones Fussell in Covington, to provide formal explanations regarding some allegedly erroneous cases cited in one of the plaintiffs’ motions.

In a filing on Feb. 12, Walker took responsibility for those errors, explaining to the court that the errors were his alone and that he used

WESTLAW Precision AI and Chat-

GPT to help prepare the motion. He said in the filing that he was new to using AI tools, “and did not appreciate the limitations of and potential pitfalls” involved.

Reiss LeMieux, in their response to Long, wrote that they had no knowledge that AI had been used until seeing the judge’s order on Feb. 5 The firm noted it has a very restrictive policy on using AI. The attorneys expressed regret and apologized to the court in their responses to Long.

The Sucette lawsuit was reminiscent of a suit that developers of the proposed Port Marigny residentialretail development filed against the city of Mandeville after the council shot down their plans in 2017.

A consent judgment in that suit opened the way for Port Marigny under a new ordinance, but the project was never built and the land remains vacant.

The land on which Sucette was to be developed was part of a donation from the family of fried chicken magnate Al Copeland to the LSU Health Foundation.

The foundation would lease the land to Woodward, which was to develop the project. It is the same site for which Copeland, decades ago, had envisioned a family compound.

Amy Fresh teaching leadership with respect, motivation

BY KADEE KRIEGER Contributing writer

Leadership St. Tammany’s new program director, Amy Fresh, jumped into the job with respect for the vision that built the program 30 years ago and motivation to inspire a new generation of community leaders. Fresh, 44, is a Madisonville native and mom of three. She has been involved in community service for nearly 20 years and serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Brooke It Forward Foundation and Hope House. She and husband Stewart own and operate two chiropractic clinics in Covington and Mandeville.

After earning a marketing degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, she started her career in banking but learned early on that she loved working with the community

She entered the 2018 Leadership St. Tammany Class as the executive director of the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany. She said the program opened her eyes to just how many ways each segment of the community can help each other

The 10-month program offers participants a behindthe-scenes look into the inner workings of government, business, civic and cultural organizations throughout St Tammany Through monthly workshops and retreats, each annual class of the program learns through site visits and guest speakers every corner of parish life, including education, businesses, nonprofits, government and health care.

She said as director, she wants to help participants answer a pivotal question.

“At the start of the program, I asked them, ‘What kind of leader do you want to be?’” she said. “No matter what sector of the community you are in, you have a chance to make an impact,” Fresh said.

She said she considers the director position to be the “connector,” helping each participant realize how they are connected to other areas of the community, from health care to business; nonprofits to municipalities. “It’s all about how we are connected to each other.”

That outlook is exactly what led to the program’s inception in 1993 when it started as a part of the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce.

Covington Mayor Mark Johnson worked closely with then Executive Director Diane Winston in launching the program, and took it over as program director in 2002.

The transition of Johnson’s departure has been slow

Three years ago, he tapped Fresh to spend a year shadowing his role; then, in 2023 she became the program assistant before officially taking over as director in July 2025.

The Leadership St Tammany Class of 2026 will be her first graduating class “Of course, they will always be special to me,” she said.

Fresh credited the Leadership St. Tammany board members for assisting her “They have been there for anything I need no matter how big or small,” she said.

Fellow 2018 Leadership Class member and board

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member Randy Ponthieux said he never imagined that he and Fresh would go from

classmates to serving as director and board member eight years later, but that Fresh has truly embraced her new role.

“She has really stepped up and taken the task under her wing. She does a fabulous job organizing and has risen to the challenge when things couldn’t be done exactly as they have been in the past.”

Ponthieux said the program’s impact on him led him to become a Leadership St. Tammany board member

“There are so many different functions and organizations that are out there that we don’t see. We all stay in our own bubble. Leadership St. Tammany allowed me to see so many different facets and

channels and ways to help others.”

He said one of the best parts of the programs is the bond formed among class members. “I didn’t know most people in my class. Since then, we are such close friends and have such a great camaraderie where we seek each other’s viewpoints.” Fresh said she is looking forward to watching that bond develop among her first class and for years to come.

“It is an honor to help Leadership St. Tammany continue to bring people together.”

For information on Leadership St. Tammany or to submit an application to become a part of the program, visit https://leadershipsttammany

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SHADOWS TO SPOTLIGHT

The St. Tammany Parish social calendar is filled with important events throughout the year We’ve asked organizers to help us highlight people who work behind the scenes to quietly make our most beloved events successful. We’re calling the feature “From Shadows to Spotlight” and letting it be a reminder that not only is one of our area’s biggest events coming up, but also to remind readers the tremendous effect one caring person can have on our community. Be well! Andrew Canulette, editor, St. Tammany Farmer FROM

providing event awareness that helps secure

and participants for their events

Physical limitations don’t stop Krewe du Pooch promoter

Du Pooch

BY JESSICA SAGGIO

Contributing writer

Standing at only 2 feet 7 inches tall, Katherine Klimitas may not be very big in stature, but her heart for a good cause is as big as they come.

And for Krewe du Pooch in Mandeville, she is the brains behind their social media, marketing and graphic design. Krewe du Pooch will take place Feb. 28 beginning at noon.

Klimitas is an artist and social media manager by trade, known for her watercolor pet portraits despite a disease that for many would be incredibly limiting.

Klimitas has a condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta, or “Brittle Bone Disease.”

“It basically means my bones break easily and grow abnormally,” she explained, adding she gets around with an electric chair

But Klimitas has never let her condition get in the way, maneuvering around her challenges and finding success as an established artist. And that didn’t stop when it comes to giving back, either The artist works diligently behind the scenes of Krewe du Pooch, not only maintaining their social media presence but designing the various logos, flyers and signage used for the parade.

“Her hard work and dedication promotes event awareness and helps to secure sponsors, volunteers and participants,” said Alia Casborné, director of cultural affairs and events for the city of Mandeville.

Klimitas said she grew up around animals, noting both her parents were veterinarians. She got her start as a kid painting pictures of the animals in the waiting room of their practice. That turned into owners wanting to buy those paintings, and after years of lessons, practice and eventually a college education, she has created a career with her artistic eye. Now, she said she gives back through Krewe du Pooch, which she deemed a worthy and upstanding cause.

“I think they do a really good job,” she said. “ Krewe du Pooch is a good match for me because I’m already kind of in that world.” She added that the parade successfully adopts out shelter pets that are available for meet and greets on site and is able to present area shelters with donations garnered from the funds raised through parade en-

KREWE DU POOCH

WHAT: Nonprofit dog parade and costume contest supporting local animal shelters The event also offers on-site dog adoptions, local vendors, food and activities.This year’s theme is “HOWLywood.”

WHEN: Feb 28 at noon

WHERE: Krewe du Pooch parades in Mandeville beginning at Girod and Jefferson streets. Registration is located at the corner of Marigny Avenue and Monroe Street.

COST: Free for attendees Participation in the parade requires a $35 donation per dog. Online pre-registration is encouraged, but day-of registration will be available. KING & QUEEN: Gus & Minnie

tries and sponsorships. But getting that participation to support the mission of the parade requires a large effort behind the scenes, which is where Klimitas comes in.

A dog owner herself, with five foster pups at home, Klimitas says the cause is near and dear to her heart That, and her involvement, is due to a little bit of nepotism, she joked. Her aunt

Andre Judice, is heavily involved with the parade and asked her to help.

“I know that when you give to something like a bigger organization, something huge, you’re not sure where the money is going, but I think events like this that are small and benefiting smaller rescues, you know that money is going somewhere that’s actually going to help an animal,” she said.

AFTER THE PARADES

The Krewe of Bilge parade, which features decorated boats cruising the canals of the Eden Isles area, now will take to the water on Feb. 28. The parade had been scheduled for Jan. 31, but was postponed due to cold and windy weather

Families rule at Krewe of Kidz Wagon Parade

Is Little Miss Carolina gonna give out that stuffie as a throw? Or does she intend to keep it? These are questions raised during the Krewe of Kidz Wagon Parade

way

West St. Tammany Y offers camp fee assistance

BY SUZIE HUNT

Contributing writer

With summer just around the corner, the YMCA of West St. Tammany is gearing up to offer an exciting camp schedule to children on the northshore.

“We’ll be ‘Cruising into Summer’ with a different theme for activities each week,” said YMCA Executive Director Donna Laiche. “Registration is open and now is the time to reserve your child’s place.”

Campers entering kindergarten (and at least 5 years old by the first day of camp) through eighth grade are eligible. Laiche is particularly thankful that the Y has funding available to assist families who may need a little help to send their kids to camp.

‘Passport to Fun,’ and ‘Hydration Vacation,’ as a few examples,” Laiche said. Campers will participate in a variety of activities, with pool time as a big attraction.

We encourage anyone who doesn’t know how to swim to come and learn,” said Laiche. Water aerobics are also popular in the summer “We have back-to-back classes because of the demand. The classes are usually full, and they really enjoy it,” she said of the participants. For more information or for camp registration, go to www.ymcaneworleans.org or call Cook at (985)

“One of the greatest things we do here is offer financial assistance to help kids go to summer camp. The parent can apply for assistance when registering. There is some documentation required. We work with these parents to come up with a price that works,” said Laiche. The deadline to submit an application for financial assistance is March 15.

The camp schedule begins the day after Memorial Day on May 26 and runs through Aug. 7 at the facility at 71256 Francis Rd. The program is separated into weekly sessions, and campers can sign up for single weeks or the entire summer

The program does not just offer to entertain campers, but hopes to provide something a bit more, according to Camp Director Krissy Cook.

“I think what sets us apart is we work to offer core value development like caring, respect and responsibility Yes, they get to make new friends and hang out. At the same time, we hope to help instill leadership skills so they are better people by the end of camp,” said Cook.

“Activities for each week will revolve around themes like ‘Nature Explorers,’

“Swimming and enjoying being in our pool are a big part of each week. Safety is important, and each camper will be swim checked weekly If they pass the test, they will get a green wristband for “Go”. Those who cannot pass will still enjoy pool time. They get a red wristband and have to wear a life jacket,” said Laiche. But it’s not a one and done deal. Campers can take the swim test as often as they want and can still earn a green wristband by the end of camp.

“We make a big deal when they pass the swim test,” said Laiche.

The YMCA summer camp has space for 150 participants each week. Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Friday The cost is $190 per week for YMCA Members and $230 for nonmembers. Included in the weekly fee is a camp T-shirt, snacks, and supervision by trained staff. A sibling discount and after cre are also available.

One perk for parents to assist with a family’s busy schedule is free access to Before Care from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., according to Laiche.

“Offering free before care is one of the ways we can help out working parents,” she said.

Cook is looking for camp counselors to help make the summer program a success.

Counselors must be 16 years of age or older and they receive training and certification in first aid and CPR.

“I love to watch our campers learn and grow What’s really great is when those campers return to be counselors. It’s awesome to have them come back to give back to the Y,” said Cook.

The YMCA also offers swim lessons for children and adults.

“We are very aqua forward in the summer

Staff report

STOPS has launched its Light Your Way Campaign, a digital candle initiative inviting the community to honor loved ones, remember lives lost, and support suicide prevention and community wellness efforts throughout the Florida Parishes. Now through the end of March, community members can participate by making a minimum $10 donation via the STOPS website, stopsla.org/. Each donation allows participants to dedicate a digital candle in

A modest suggestion for us all during Lent’s 40 days

Now that Mardi Gras is over, it’s difficult to ignore the season and practices of Lent in our neck of the woods. After all, Fat Tuesday celebration is the last hurrah, hoot and holler before Ash Wednesday the solemn reminder that the party is over and it’s time to consider the state of our very mortal souls I like to think Ash Wednesday begs the question as to how we would like to be remembered. Let’s face it. The political climate has not brought out the best in most, if any of us. Friendships and relationships are sadly suffering due to extreme differences in thinking. For some time, I have pondered what we could do as individuals to make some small difference in how we relate to each other as human beings, rather than as

members of one political party or the other It recently occurred to me that those of us who lived through Katrina know what it is to treat each other with care and concern, even those we don’t know We all traveled through that darkness and helped each other along the way There was an unspoken, mutual understanding among us that consideration for one another was the only way we would make it through that awful time. I think all of us have a story about the person or group of people who were kind to us then. Our in-

stincts told us what to do. A friend made replacement Christmas stockings for my daughters that year When I broke down while walking alone outside the city auditorium after registering for state food assistance, a perfect stranger stopped her car, called me over, held my hand and prayed for me while I sobbed. Another friend searched through what remained of our yard for fragments of dinnerware and tile, along with other pieces of our lives and made them into a beautiful piece of art for us. The situation at hand is not a natural disaster But the one we survived taught us that we’re resilient and that we know how to care for one another during the worst of times. If the level of divisiveness in the world today isn’t

a disaster, I’m hard pressed to know what is. We know what we need to do and we know how to do it! We’re part of the South! The South INVENTED manners, right?

So at the risk of sounding like Pollyanna reporting for duty I’m asking you: What would happen if we used the 40 days of Lent this year as an experiment in treating each other as though we’re all going through a difficult time? The effort should not require anything grandiose. A smile and “good morning” can go a long way Purposefully look for opportunities to extend random acts of kindness. Be considerate and thoughtful. And if you slip up, just start over again. And ever so often, ask yourself how you would like to be remembered.

Labyrinth options available to the public during Lent

BY SUZIE HUNT

Contributing writer

For centuries, the use of a labyrinth for prayer has been a practice for believers. People interested in walking these sacred pathways will have two options in St. Tammany parish this Lenten season.

Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Slidell will host an indoor labyrinth during special hours from Friday, Feb. 27, through Sunday Mar 1. Christwood Retirement Community will host its sixth annual outdoor labyrinth on the facility’s grounds from Tuesday, Feb. 24, to Sunday, March 30.

This unique prayer space can come in many forms but by definition, all labyrinths include a single unicursal or unbroken course from the outside of the labyrinth to the center and back out again

“It should not be confused with a maze. A labyrinth has a distinct path to follow,” said the Rev Mollie McGee, Aldersgate’s pastor. “The practice of walking a labyrinth began in the Middle Ages when pilgrims could not make safe trips to Jerusalem,” she said. “While there is no prescribed way of praying through the labyrinth, it offers a quiet space for prayer and movement in the presence of God.”

At Aldersgate, a large canvas featuring the painted design will be placed on the floor of the John Wesley Center Handheld designs will also be available for prayer and meditation for those who cannot walk on the canvas. The contemplative tool allows people to pray privately while still in community, according to McGee “The labyrinth is unique in that, while you are on your own personal walk,

located at 100 Christwood Blvd. via the Brewster Road entrance.

In addition to the outdoor events, DesJardins will deliver a lecture on the historical aspects of labyrinths and their use at 2 p.m on March 4 in the Garden Room in Christwood’s Premiere building.

Guides will be on hand at both locations to answer questions, and visits are free of charge.

Christwood labyrinth information is available by contacting Maginnis at johnmaginnis2@gmail.com or Jackson at (985) 2921235. For more information about the Aldersgate UMC labyrinth, contact Epperson at jacalyn.epperson@gmail. com.

25 years ago

A public hearing on the proposed interchange at Interstate 12 and La. Hwy 1088 has been set on March 13th at Mandeville Middle School. The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. at the school at 2525 Soult St., state officials said.

The purpose of the meeting is to receive comment and input on the Draft Environmental Assessment. That input will determine whether the intersection will change from an overpass to a full interchange that will allow traffic movement in all directions.

Detailed information is available for public review at the state Department of Transportation and Development’s District 62 office in Hammond Information also is available for review at the Mandeville library at 845 Gerard St. Written comments can be made to the DOTD and disabled persons may submit comment by telephone.

The interchange would, if constructed, provide connection to I-12 from Bogalusa and areas in between via the proposed four-lane highway It is expected that the highway would not be constructed for at least another two years.

50 years ago

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses will arrive at the Bogue Falaya Shopping Center in Covington about 4 p.m. Saturday for the annual Krewe of Olympia Mardi Gras parade. The Clydesdales are the most widely traveled horses in the United States. The Clydesdales ride 40,000 miles per year in 40-foot by 8-foot vans; two of the vans housed the Clydesdales. The third van carries the huge brass trimmed again, portable stalls and other important equipment required for their personal appearances. The Clydesdales average 2,300 pounds in weight and stand between 17 and 19 hands high. Their shoes are made from 43/4-pound pieces of steel that are almost 2 feet long and 11/2 inches wide. The harness for the eight-horse team is worth $40,000. Six men care for the Clydesdales when they travel: the driver, assistant driver and four chauffeur grooms who care for the horses and the harness. 75 years ago

At its meeting last Thursday, the St.Tammany Parish Police Jury called a $175,000 bond election to be voted on March 27 for the construction and maintenance of a hospital for St. Tammany Parish. This action had been postponed several times in the past, due to the uncertainty of having federal funds available to complete the job, but it has since been learned that such construction will probably be classed as essential by federal agencies. The bond issue will amount to 11/4 mills for a period of 15 years and will bear interest at the rate not to exceed 4%.

Called at the same time was a parishwide election to vote funds to carry on the St. Tammany Parish Public Library which has operated during the past year its first, as a demonstration library by the Louisiana State Library That mileage will amount to only 23/4 mills and will run for 10 years.

To be eligible to vote in the election, which will be held at the same time, voters must be property taxpayers of St. Tammany Parish.

100 years ago

On and after March 1, 1926, the ordinance relative to glaring headlights on automobiles and trucks will be rigidly enforced by both the town of Covington and the Louisiana Highway Commission. Wehrli’s Garage, Covington, will test and focus lights, free of charge.

125 years ago

The Board of Health has declared Slidell free of smallpox and the attending physician has been dispersed. There is only one case under suspicion, and it is outside of the town, across the Bayou. The suppression of the disease has cost about $1,800. Public school will probably reopen in two weeks.

others are walking with you along the same path. That way you are not alone on your journey,” said McGee.

“We are excited that we can offer our community a sacred space for prayer, meditation and quiet renewal,” said Jacalyn Epperson, Aldersgate’s labyrinth event coordinator “The invitation is open to everyone. We encourage people who have never walked a labyrinth before to come for the experience.”

The church at Robert Boulevard will make its labyrinth available to the public from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 and from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1. Participants will be asked to remove their shoes before beginning their walk.

At Christwood’s location in Covington, the labyrinth will be constructed outdoors using natural organic materials, including needles from local cypress trees, according to John Maginnis, Christwood’s media consultant. “It takes a group of volunteers two to three days

to construct the labyrinth,” said Maginnis. “Rev Stephen Holzhalb will bless the site before construction begins.” Holzhalb is the chief executive officer and founder of Christwood. Peggy DesJardins, a local labyrinth historian and Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator, will oversee construction of the 42-foot, 11-circuit project, according to Maginnis. It will mimic the sacred design found in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France, dating back to the 1200s. The Christwood labyrinth opened to the public during daylight hours on Feb. 24.

The retirement community’s sacred space will also host several special events during Lent. A Labyrinth Walk Accompanied by Harp Music will take place on Sunday, March 1. Participants can take part in a Sound Bath Walk on Sunday, March 15, and a Veterans Walk on Sunday March 30. All three programs are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and will be led by DesJardins and assisted by Elizabeth Jackson. Christwood Retirement Community is

Deadline approaching to nominate champions for children

Staff report

The Feb. 28 deadline is fast approaching to nominate an individual for recognition as a champion with a track record of working to better the lives of hurting children on the northshore and their immediate families Many of these children have been physically and-or sexually abused.

ON STAGE

CHOCOLATE: Producers of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the New Musical” at the Cutting Edge Theater in Slidell have lined up a dynamic cast of all ages to tell this stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story The show closely follows the novel, with impoverished Charlie Bucket winning a tour of the incredible chocolate factory, guided by the eccentric Willy Wonka (played by Jason Wright), while fellow spoiled winners of the golden ticket face consequences for their greed. You won’t want to miss seeing characters such as Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee in action The show continues weekends through March 15, with 8 p.m. performances on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Directed by Joey Pruitt, with musical direction by Abbie Pruitt and choreography by Laurin Wilkerson Consult www.cuttingedgetheater.com for a complete schedule and get tickets, from $35 to $45.

HELP?: A play set in New Orleans, The Prior 55,” will be performed at the Northstar Theatre in Old Mandeville March 6-8. The two-character play is the tale of Mahala, who becomes obsessed with French Quarter street singer Redman and ultimately follows him, only to learn that he lives alone in the woods with no traditional housing. Of course she wants to “help” him. At that point, says playwright Andrea Fulton, “She’s confronted with her own arrogance and weaknesses as she attempts to get him off the street The real question is: Who is helping whom?” Fulton, who left Chicago to resettle in her parents’ hometown of Mandeville several years ago, has seen “The Prior 55” produced off Broadway at the Theater for the New City; at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival at Spellman University in Atlanta; and as part of Dillard University’s 90th theater season in New Orleans. This is the eighth play for Fulton, who is also a musician and member of the nonprofit board that oversees the Dew Drop Jazz Hall in Old Mandeville. The local show will star Jill Lane and Sam Warren, who will also direct. Get tickets for an evening or matinee show by calling (718) 669-3195

CAJUN: The Couyons of Comedy will bring standup Cajun comedy to the 30 by Ninety Theatre stage on March 7 with two backto-back shows in one night. Known for their fast-paced delivery, relatable storytelling and Southern sensibility, the Couyons of Comedy connect with audiences through material rooted in everyday life, family dynamics, regional culture and the hilarity of modern living. D.J. Rhett, “the Cajun King of Chaos” hailing from south Louisiana, is the group’s headliner. Performances at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at 880 Lafayette Street. Tickets ($30) Tickets and more information available at 30byNinety.com.

THRILLER: Playmakers Theater near Covington will present “Dial M for Murder” weekends from Feb. 28 to March 15, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. This psychological thriller unravels an elegant mystery about an ex-tennis star who plots to kill his wealthy wife. Frederick Knott’s midcentury melodrama had a highly successful run on Broadway and later gained popularity as a major motion picture directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Leads are played by Jaclyn Krottner, Daniel Laurent, Robert Fielding and Martin Booda; directed by Derek Thrush. Get tickets at bontempstix. com.

As it does annually the Children’s Advocacy Center – Hope House will again this year honor seven such champions for making an impact significant enough to warrant the honor

While an individual nominated does not necessarily need to be a northshore resident, their efforts must be improving the quality of lives and/or the safety of children

in St. Tammany or Washington parishes.

Six of the award winners will be adults, and one will be a “Youth Champion,” the nominees for which must be a student in grades K-12 who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to children in these parishes through advocacy, volunteer efforts, fundraising and the like.

The seven Champions for Children win-

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS

bar. No advance tickets; seating is first come/ first serve for about 100, with plenty of space outside under the live oaks for those who bring a folding chair from home. No pets, no smoking and no outside food or drinks.

CAJUN: There will be back to back Northshore Cajun Dances in the Abita Town Hall on Feb. 28 with music by the five-member band Le Recolte from the heart of Acadiana (and holder of the Le Cajun Award by the Cajun French Music Assn.), and on March 7 by Jesse Deroche and his Capital City Cajuns, who played for the dance in December and are back by popular demand. Get Cajun dance instruction at 7 pm., then music and dancing from 7:30 p.m.10 p.m., both nights. Admission is $12 at 22161 Level Street.

PERFORM: Open Mic Night on Feb. 26 from 6-8 p.m. in The Reminding Coffee & Creative House, 141 Terrabella Blvd., Covington. Great chance for musicians of all ages and abilities to perform before a supportive audience. Each performer/ensemble is invited to share a set of three songs or about 15 minutes Arrive early to sign up for a spot. Free to participate.

JAZZ: The monthly traditional jazz jam session with performing clarinetist and educator Ben Redwine takes place March 7 (every first Saturday) from 9-11 a.m. at St. John’s Coffee, 535 E. Boston St. Two hours open to all listeners and players, usually a mix of students, amateurs and professional players. Confirm session at nstms.org; sheet music available at redwinejazz.com/education. Free to participate.

ART

COMMUNITY: Starting in March, the St. Tammany Art Association will hold a free Artist Community Night on the first Wednesday of the month. These 6 p.m. sessions will be creative gatherings to bring the association’s member-artists together for inspiration, connection and hands-on exploration. Artists of all backgrounds will meet to share ideas, learn from one another, and build a stronger creative community. For the first one on March 4, artists are encouraged to bring a signature piece of work to display for the purposes of discussing media and techniques that inspire their work. All at the Art House, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington. See www sttammany.art/acn for more.

RED

DOOR: The “Renegade Artist Collective’s Barranger Gallery Exhibition” by a collective of nationally and internationally renowned Louisianabased artists is available for viewing through March 28 in the Art House, 320 Columbia St., in downtown Covington. Sponsored by the St. Tammany Art Association.

OTHELLO: William Shakespeare’s Othello” as you have never seen it before opens at Northstar Theatre in Mandeville on Feb. 27. See “Othello” reprogrammed for a cyberpunk-inspired dystopian future. See why this classic tragedy, written in 1603 still matters in 2026 Directed by Ashley Osbourn-Dukes. The cast includes Jalin Hooks as Othello; Pamela Aline as Desdemona; and Malachi Herod as Iago Feb. 27-March 1 includes two shows at

ATRIUM: See the work of mixed media artist Nancy Hirsch Lassen through March 18 at The Atrium Gallery at Christwood near Covington. Most of her recent paintings depict the tension between nature and structures. The gallery at 100 Christwood Blvd. is open to the public at no cost from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. THE ART OF QUILTS: The 65-member Ozone Layers Quilt Guild will celebrate National Quilting Day with a free open studio day on March 14 in Abita Springs at the Town Hall, 22161 Level St. It will be six hours of quilts, quilters and quilting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is not a sale, but a time to enjoy the beauty of displayed quilts in all sizes, colors and patterns, with sewing demonstrations and people to answer quilting questions. For more information on the open house or guild meetings, email ozonelayersquiltguild50@gmail.com COMMUNITY GUMBO

WOMEN ONLY: The next general meeting of the Widows’ Social Club of Slidell WILL NOT be held on their usual last Saturday of the month, but it will instead take place March 7 at 10 a.m. in the John Wesley Center at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 360 Robert Blvd. The speaker will be Fabianne Faciane, the client services deputy director for the Council on Aging St. Tammany. All widows welcome. Questions? Call Cindy Alberts at (985) 707-7676. MEN ONLY: The First Baptist Church in Mandeville will hold a one-day “Everyman Conference” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 28, a day of challenge, encouragement, fellowship and song. Main session speakers will be the Rev. Jeff Crook of Flower Branch, Georgia, and the Rev. Ronny Cooksey senior pastor at the host church. Registration details at the church website at fbcmandeville.org/event/ec26. Cost is $40 through Jan. 31; $50 afterward

ners will be honored at an awards breakfast at The Greystone near Mandeville on April 22 from 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

To nominate a community member or to get tickets to the awards breakfast, go online to cachopehouse.org.

Questions about the program should be addressed to event coordinator Sarah Federer at sarahcfederer@gmail.com.

PUMPED & READY TO WIN

Covington’s Jordan Bedford scores two of his team-high 24 points during a 76-58 win over Mandeville on Feb 19.

Covington’s third-quarter run secures first District 6-5A title in 14 years

BY JIM DERRY Contributing writer

It had been more than a decade since either Covington or Mandeville had won a district championship in boys basketball, so it was no surprise the Hubie Gallagher Gymnasium was packed to the rafters on Feb. 19 and full of emotion with the title on the line

It also was super tight into the third quarter before the homestanding Lions flexed their muscles and used a 19-0 run to pull away and wrap up their first 6-5A crown since 2012 with a 76-58 victory

With each field goal throughout that run, Coach Ryan Rushing seemed to pump his fist just a bit harder And when Jordan Bedford slammed one home midway through the fourth quarter to get the crowd to its feet for the game’s exclamation point, Rushing came off his.

He said following a blowout loss to North-

shore and a heartbreaker at Holy Cross just before Mardi Gras, he knew his team had shaken off the doldrums and couldn’t be any more ready

“We had two of our best practices this week, and I feel like if we can bring it like we brought it (Thursday), this will be the result,” said Rushing, who led Covington to a 20-8 record (4-0 in 6-5A) in his first season.

“I have been preaching we have so much talent and so many people can score, that if we keep the ball moving, it’s hard for a team to key in on one person.”

Despite the fact Bedford led the Lions in scoring as usual with 24 points on 8-of17 shooting, it was much more than him.

LeSean Jones was 8 of 11 from the field for 20 points, and Zamyr Houston pitched in 14. Now, each team will wait for the brackets to find out who and where they will land

See COVINGTON, page 4B

Northshore dominates Slidell, wins district title unbeaten

BY JIM DERRY Contributing writer

Rivalry games are supposed to be tight and keep you hanging on to the edge of your seat until the final horn. However, for the second time in two-plus weeks

Northshore wrote its own script against crosstown-rival

minimized our turnovers, we minimized their second chances, we contested their shots, and we shot an incredible percentage from the floor We had to have close to 20 assists, and when we do all that,

page 10B

St. Scholastica scored early in each half vs. St. Thomas More

BY JASON RUSSELL

Contributing writer

“We’re going home.”

That is how St. Scholastica girls soccer coach Glenn “Benji” Benjamin addressed his team after the Doves topped St. Thomas More 2-1 in a Division II semifinals match at the SSA Athletic Complex on Feb. 20.

The Doves (15-5-6) will face fifthseeded Teurlings Catholic in the state championship match at Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m.

The title match isn’t unfamiliar to the second-seeded Doves, who are the two-time defending state champions, having beaten St. Thomas More 4-1 in last year’s championship match.

Going for a third title in a row is something Benjamin and his team don’t take lightly

“Every time we step on the field, somebody’s coming after us,” Benjamin said. “But I told the girls that no matter what happens, we have to earn it nobody is going to give it to us.”

SSA sophomore Molly Montgomery, who scored the game’s first goal in the fourth minute, agreed.

“We worked so hard to be here, and we knew once we got the early goal

– especially in the first five minutes –that we had it from there,” Montgomery said. “It’s taken a lot to get to this point. We are a very driven team, and we knew that we could go until the very last minute

In a match that had several scoring chances but only three total goals, Montgomery got it going early for SSA. After the Doves were awarded a corner kick, Montgomery curled her kick over everyone, including Cougars’ goalkeeper Scarlett Coves and into the net for a quick 1-0 lead.

Despite the deficit, St. Thomas More

See ST SCHOLASTICA, page 10B

“All I want is to be a part of the three-peat for the school, and I would have my second (title).”

Sophomore Wall provides winning goals in overtime of Northlake-PJP II match

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Northlake’s Harry Wall stood over the ball at the penalty spot with one thing in mind score.

The sophomore had already put the Wolverines up by one goal in overtime, and now, he had a chance to seal the victory Wall calmly slotted home the penalty kick and sprinted to the NCS student section to celebrate a moment seven years in the making. Secondseeded Northlake is headed back to the state championship match after a 3-1 overtime win over sixth-seeded Pope John Paul II on Feb. 21.

“These guys have been locked in from Day 1,” Northlake coach Nick Chetta said. “We wanted to improve on our season last year, and it’s really hard to do that when you get to a Final 4. So for them to achieve that is just an amazing feat, and I’m very proud of them.”

“I just knew the wind was pushing heavy,” Wall said. “I knew it was going to bounce over the other guy, so I just took a chance. It went through, and I put it in the back of the net. It’s just surreal. Once we put one in the back of the net, I knew we won the game.” By the time sophomore Reed White drew a foul in the box to set up Wall’s 98th-minute PK, the Wolverines were well on their way to victory

See NORTHLAKE, page 9B

Northlake (19-4-3) will play fourthseeded Ascension Episcopal in the Division IV state championship match at Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. PJP II gave the Wolverines all they could handle in the semifinals. Tied 1-1 after regulation, Northlake took the wind in the first overtime period, and it paid off. In the 86th minute, Wall blocked out his defender as a long pass skipped over the Jaguars’ back line, allowing the sophomore to gain a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper

PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF

pass and finish decide

White semifinal match

12 points

BY DAVE WOODALL Contributing writer

Coming off a quarterfinal run last season, the 11th-seeded Hannan girls basketball team wanted to make a statement in its first-round game against 22nd-seeded L.B. Landry

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Hannan junior Maggie Wylie knew if she just kept working that good things would happen.

That work started way back in summer workouts, and the entire Hawks’ soccer team embraced that grind.

And so, Wylie found herself on the end of a perfect pass from Providence signee Kaitlyn Brady with nothing but the goalkeeper in front of her It was her moment to help top-seeded Hannan return to the state soccer finals.

Wylie calmly chipped the ball into the back of the net as that goal in the 65th minute was the difference in a 1-0 Division III semifinals win over fifthseeded E.D. White at Hawk Field on Feb. 20.

“It’s honestly just a relief when I finally score during a game,” Wylie said. “It was a ball from (Kaitlyn) Brady We won it defensively in the back, and then a quick counter, which we have been really effective with all year. I just had to trust myself and finish it.”

Wylie was mobbed by her teammates after the score as the Hawks held on the rest of the way to return to the state finals for the first time since 2023.

“E.D. White made it very difficult tonight,” Hannan coach Nathaniel Peters said. “Tip of the cap to them. But I’m so proud of the grit and the belief in each other that my girls showed tonight. They never stopped working. They had to dig deep. It took a complete team effort to win this one.”

The Hawks (20-1-1) will play third-

up to the task

Hannan slowly gained a little more possession in the second half before Brady and Wylie connected for the match-winner

“It was a perfectly driven ball by Kaitlyn (Brady) over the top, and Maggie (Wylie) had her head up looking for it,” Peters said. “It was a perfect combination by those two Those are the top two scorers on the team, so it makes sense that they would be involved in that goal.”

E.D. White pushed in the final 15 minutes, and their best chance came in the 75th minute as Rodrigue’s free kick from about 25 yards went just over the crossbar

Cardinals’ coach Lindsay Spinner said the match was a fitting semifinal.

The Hawks did just that as they opened up a 20-point lead after one quarter and cruised to a 55-32 Division II select playoff win at home on Feb. 19. Hannan started the game on a 13-0 run and held Landry to just one field goal en route to a 22-2 lead after one quarter Despite the fast start, Hannan coach Jon Lanter said the Hawks could have been even more efficient. “We didn’t shoot as well as we usually do,” Lanter said. “I was happy with the quality of shots we were taking in the first half We got a lot of shots right at the rim and a bunch of catch-and-shoot 3s, which are the things we work on in practice. There are some games when good shooters don’t hit them, and we had a little bit of that tonight. I was glad to see that we got layups in transition, which really helps our shooting percentage.”

The Bucs (8-10) struggled against a stout Hawks’ defense, turning the ball over 20 times and scoring only 12 points in the first half.

Hannan pushed the lead to 38-12 at halftime and outscored Landry 13-7 in the third period to put the game away The District 7-4A champs emptied the bench in the fourth quarter

Hawks’ sophomore Zoey Jackson led all scorers with 12 points and recorded doubledigit assists to lead the attack.

seeded Parkview Baptist in the Division III state final at Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium on Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

Competing in a fifth straight semifinal match, the Hawks nearly took an early lead as Wylie sent a shot over the crossbar in the 14th minute.

But the Cardinals (14-7-5) had their chances early too, highlighted by Anna Rodrigue’s free kick off the crossbar in the 17th minute. Hannan keeper Rosemary Burke came up with a quality save two minutes later on E.D. White’s Claire Toups.

The Hawks outshot the Cardinals 11-3 in the first half with four shots on goal, but each time, junior keeper Addison Granier (eight saves total) was

“I wouldn’t have wanted to lose to any other team in this round,” Spinner said. “We wanted to shut Brady down in the middle and make them find somebody else to beat us. It was our plan from the get-go, and we solidified that part of the game. This was a quality match, but we were just on the wrong side of it.”

Wylie said being one win away from the school’s first state title is special.

“The team has earned this opportunity,” she said “We’ve worked hard all season It feels surreal. We have been working for this moment all season, so it’s just an amazing feeling to finally get here.” SCORE BY HALVES

“Our motto for this playoff season was to start out with a win,” said Jackson. “We wanted to keep that mentality and be able to work together as a team. I was really glad we could come together tonight and play like we have been coached to play.”

Both teams struggled from the field as Landry hit on only 12 of 43 shots (27%) while Hannan converted on 34% (26 of 76) of its shot attempts.

The Hawks (15-12) traveled to play sixthseeded Vandebilt Catholic in the second round on Feb. 23.

“They beat us earlier in a Thanksgiving tournament game, so we’re familiar with them,” Lanter said. “They are a very talented team, but I think we are a better team than we were then, and I imagine they are as well. They are the defending state champions and have a number of those players returning, so it should be a great game.”

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Five girls basketball teams are second-round bound

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Five St. Tammany girls basketball teams are headed to the second round of the playoffs after first-round victories on Feb. 19

In Division I nonselect, Slidell (27-1) enjoyed a first-round bye after winning the undefeated District 7-5A title. The secondseeded Tigers hosted 15th-seeded West Monroe on Feb. 23. Sixth-seeded Salmen trailed after one quarter against 27th-seeded Benton, but the Spartans turned up the defensive pressure en route to a 47-39 victory Senior Akayla McMooain had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead Salmen. Senior Parris Powell added

13 points and seven rebounds, while junior Kendal Thomas chipped in 11 points. The Spartans finished with 11 steals. Salmen (25-3) hosted 11th-seeded Parkway on Feb. 23 in the second round. A trio of local Division I teams fell as 18thseeded Mandeville lost to West Monroe, 5438. McNeese State signee Alanna Benoit finished with 23 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds. Senior Ava Arnone added eight rebounds and seven points. Seventh-seeded Denham Springs dominated 26th-seeded Covington, 52-17. Senior Catelyn Yeager led the Lions with five points. Eleventh-seeded Parkway cruised to a 4724 win over 22nd-seeded Fontainebleau. Senior Edrionne Cooper led the Bulldogs with eight points.

In Division II nonselect, 12th-seeded Lakeshore was upset by 21st-seeded Bastrop, 44-39, while 22nd-seeded Pearl River fell to 11th-seeded Opelousas, 53-24. Zy’Laisha McCoy led the Rebels with six points.

In Division II select, 11th-seeded Hannan opened up a 20-point lead after one quarter and cruised to an impressive 55-32 victory over 22nd-seeded L.B. Landry Hawks’ sophomore Zoey Jackson led all scorers with 12 points and recorded double-digit assists. The Hawks (15-12) traveled to sixth-seeded Vandebilt Catholic in the second round on Feb. 23. In Division III select, both Pope John Paul II and Northlake Christian advanced. The 12th-seeded Jaguars raced out to a 14-0 lead after the first period en route to a

dominating 48-17 victory over 21st-seeded Houma Christian. The Jaguars continued their stifling defense in the second quarter, building a 25-2 halftime lead. Senior Ella Babin finished with 23 points, while Jaiden Campbell and Iris Lin chipped in eight points each. The Jaguars (15-6), who have won eight straight games, traveled to fifth-seeded De La Salle on Feb. 23. The 10th-seeded Wolverines had three players in double digits as they cruised to a 51-21 win over 23rd-seeded Beekman Charter Senior Ava Dale had a game-high 23 points while Abigail Willie added 12. Sam Raimondi chipped in 10. Northlake (13-12) traveled to seventhseeded GEO Next Generation on Feb. 23.

PKs secure PJP II victory over Calvary Baptist

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Pope John Paul II goalkeeper Lilly Juneau was understandably nervous.

The senior stood between the goal posts as the fourth-seeded Jaguars went to penalty kicks against ninth-seeded Calvary Baptist on Feb. 21.

A victory would send the home team back to the state championship match for the first time since 2015, and now, all eyes were on her

The good news for the PJP II faithful is that Juneau had been training for this moment for months.

“One of the things that we start training for in December at the end of every practice is PKs,” PJP II coach Maureen “Meaux” Homburg said. “At the end of every single practice, we run through PKs, over and over. She might think it is a little crazy, but with her focusing on it, she came up big today Without her, this win doesn’t happen.”

The senior calmly recorded back-to-back saves to secure a 2-0 win in penalty kicks during a Division IV semifinals match at Lester Latino Field.

“I was really nervous,” Juneau said. “I knew my team wanted it I wanted it. It’s my last year so I just had to give it my all. I knew what to do, and I just executed it.” PJP II senior defender Sophia Ontimara, who scored the Jaguars’ lone goal in the first half of regulation, never doubted her teammate, who finished with seven saves in the match.

“At the end of every single practice, we run through PKs, over and over She might think it is a little crazy, but with her focusing on it, she came up big today. Without her, this win doesn’t happen.”

MAUREEN ‘MEAUX’ HOMBURG, PJP II coach

“I was so happy that she saved it,” Ontimara said. “She works so hard at practice. We practice PKs every day at practice, and I think that really showed today.”

Tied 1-1 after regulation and 30 minutes of overtime the Cavaliers toed the penalty mark first. After a wide first shot by Calvary, PJP II senior Shealan Biniam buried her attempt for a 1-0 lead. Both teams came up empty on their second round of kicks Then, Juneau stepped up with a diving save to her left. PJP II’s Adelynn Miller went middle and increased the lead to 2-0. Juneau sealed the win with a diving save to her left that ignited a celebration 11 years in the making.

The Jaguars (18-2-1) will play sixth-seeded Newman in the state championship match on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. at Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium.

The victory was also a bit of revenge as Calvary knocked the Jaguars out of last year’s playoffs in the second round.

Calvary coach Chris Lee said, despite the loss, he was proud of his team’s performance “It was a fitting semifinal,” Lee said. “Somebody has got to win, and somebody has got to lose This team has grinded all season. We had our ups and downs This happened the same way in the second round last year against this same team, but we were on the winning side. Hate to lose it on PKs, but hats off to Pope John Paul.”

The first half was a physical one, but the Jaguars finally broke through in the 33rd minute as Biniam was fouled in the box. Ontimara took the resulting penalty kick that glanced off the keeper’s hands and into the side netting. Calvary keeper Anna Sarkozi guessed correctly, diving to her right, but the ball found its way into the back of the net. Calvary answered in the 45th minute on a corner kick into the box that resulted in a scrum that the visitors put in the back of the

net to tie the match.

Both teams had chances the rest of the way but neither found the back of the net before penalty kicks.

The Jaguars’ magical postseason run — they have outscored their opponents 19-1 — takes on extra meaning for Homburg. PJP II advanced past the quarterfinals for the first time in her tenure, and they did that after she welcomed her son Wyatt to the world on Feb.

12. She hasn’t missed a match this season.

“For me, this has been a very emotional season,” she said “I didn’t know if I would be here at the end of the season just because of being pregnant. It’s very bittersweet.

“My dad coached soccer here for a long time, and we lost him in December Getting to this level this season is huge. And as silly as some might find it, I think he has played a part in it.”

Hannan boys knock off St. Charles in a thriller

Hawks fall to U-High in the semis

BY MIKE PERVEL Contributing writer

It was a good Lundi Gras for Hannan soccer at Hawk Field as the boys’ team advanced to the Division III state semifinals for the second straight season on Feb. 16

The fourth-seeded Hannan boys survived a 3-2 nail-biter against fifth-seeded St. Charles Catholic. Hannan controlled the tempo early in the first half, but St. Charles’ defense was up to the task.

Hawks’ ninth-year coach Trey Labat said his club’s fight was the difference.

“This is a huge win, making it back to the semis. I credit our guys for putting in the hard work and battling through injuries We handled all the adversity having a next-guy-up mentality with some of our younger guys stepping up big time,” Labat said.

“We played with intensity and managed to deal with St. Charles Catholic’s pressure. I liked our mental toughness throughout, and we never backed down.” Hannan sophomore Pablo Araya, who scored twice, recorded his first goal in the 18th minute, giving

the Hawks a 1-0 advantage. Junior Chase Marchetta gained control of a 50-50 ball and made a nice entry pass to Araya, who finished by heading it past the keeper

“I got behind the defense and got a perfect ball outside the box, so I just headed it in. I was in the right place at the right time to get both of my goals,” Araya said.

“It was a hectic back-and-forth game in the first half, but we were more comfortable in the second half, finding each other We’re a family and played hard for one another.”

St. Charles senior captain Tyler Milioto recorded the equalizer from point-blank range in the 25th minute. Just five minutes later, Hannan regained the lead when freshman Enex Hererra worked himself free inside the box, finishing from just four yards away for a 2-1 lead.

Hannan had another great scoring opportunity with just three minutes left in the first half, but Marchetta’s shot from 12 yards clanked off the left post, giving the Hawks a slim 2-1 halftime margin Eleven minutes into the second half, Hannan found the range again when Araya outhustled the defense, scoring on a put-back off a deflected shot from Marchetta in the 51st minute.

“We started off kind of slow, playing with some nerves in the first few minutes,” Hannan senior midfielder Casse Garrison said. “I’m proud of my teammates for doing whatever it took to get this win. We never lost focus and fought hard. It’s exciting to advance to the semifinals.”

The Comets didn’t go away quietly St. Charles pressured Hawks’ senior keeper Greyson Dupre in the 74th minute with a crowd

inside the box. Hannan failed to clear the ball, and Milioto tucked in his second goal sitting on the doorstep. But the Hawks held on from there. St. Charles fourth-year coach Damon Milioto said it was a quality quarterfinals match.

“It just wasn’t meant to be for us,” he said. “That’s how the game goes sometimes. I’m proud of how we hung in there, leaving it all out on the field. We kept it

close and never quit. Give Hannan the credit because they were more skilled with the ball than we were.”

With the win, the Hawks advanced to play top-seeded University High in the semifinals. The Hawks battled hard but fell 2-1 on Feb. 21. Hannan (15-7-2) struck first in the 17th minute. Ben Bryant fired a free kick from midfield that flew right over the U-High keeper’s outstretched arms and nestled into the back of the net to make it 1-0. Just before halftime, U-High’s Vaughn Miener whipped in a cross to Buck Deblieux, who waited at the back post and headed the ball into the net to tie the match 1-1 at halftime. U-High’s William May scored in the 58th minute to send the Cubs to their third straight state title match.

“Really proud of the effort that they put in coming and playing against a really difficult team on the road,” Labat said. “We’ve got a lot to be proud of.” SCORE BY HALVES

Slidell sophomore headed to National Silver Gloves tourney

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

It’s easy to see the passion that 15-year-old boxer Kaleb Aguero has for his sport.

That passion is paying off in spades.

The sophomore from Slidell won the 119-pound weight class at the 2026 Region 6 Silver Gloves tournament in Sherwood, Arkansas, last month. Region 6 includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

“Since it was my first regional, I was really, really nervous at first,” Aguero said. “I was a little scared, but I just trusted my training with Coach Dupre (Strickland). My dad has helped me a lot with training. After I got my win in the semifinals, I felt really good. Winning the finals was an amazing feeling.” Now, he will compete in the 59th Annual National Silver Gloves tournament in Independence, Mo., on Feb. 25-28.

Aguero started boxing at age 9 at Anointed Hands Boxing in Slidell, but he took a break to try other sports. He returned to the ring in the past year, and he doesn’t plan on

stopping any time soon.

“I just missed it,” he said. “I felt like this was my thing. I felt like this is what God put me on this planet to do.”

His father Derek, also trained at Anointed Hands Boxing, and Aguero said he fell in love with the sport while watching his dad train.

Coach Dupre Strickland said Aguero’s ability to pressure and chase down his opponents sets him apart and earned him the nickname “Taz.”

“We’re always working on the grind,” Strickland said. “We’re working on inside movement, lateral movement, stick and move. He’s a pusher, a force. He’s going to back you up He’s always been dedicated, and it’s paying off.”

Aguero said he wants to build on his back-to-back unanimous decisions at the regional Silver Gloves Tournament.

“Now, I’m just focused on having proper technique and making sure that I fix any mistakes from regionals,” Aguero said. “I’m also working on pacing myself correctly because it will be three-minute rounds instead of two like at regionals. It’s a bunch of conditioning and making sure that my technique is perfect.”

in the Division I nonselect playoffs. The playoff were released on Feb. 23. Even with the loss, the Skippers (22-9 3-1) likely will be at home in the first round. Seeds 5 through 16 will host in the first round, and Mandeville came into the game at 13 and almost two full points ahead of the 17th-ranked team. The Lions, meanwhile, very well could meet their district rivals in the first round, as they were 19th coming in “Whoever is in front of us, that’s who we’re going to play It doesn’t matter,” Rushing said “If we’re playing there, let’s go. Let’s have fun.” There wasn’t much more important to the players than winning the district title that had eluded the program for so long. They weren’t yet in school when

Coach Mike Smith led Cov-

ington to an 11-1 record in 6-5A play and the team’s last title 14 years ago. It was clear that was on their minds all night, and especially coming out of the halftime locker room. After Jermaine Brown hit a jumper for the Skippers to tie the score at 30, the next six-plus minutes belonged to the Lions, as they made their next six field goals Conversely, Mandeville committed four turnovers and missed nine straight shots to trail 49-30 with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter

“It means a lot for us, and it means we’re a part of school history,” Bedford said.

“We did this for the players who couldn’t do it before us. We wanted to lift up the school and show everyone that this is our year.”

The Skippers did their best to get back into it, and they cut their deficit to 10 twice in the first half of the fourth quarter, but each time, their opponent had an answer

“We just couldn’t stop their penetration, and then they had open looks because we had to help so much inside,” said Coach Josh Priola, who was looking to lead Mandeville to its first district title in 11 years. “It was pretty tough to guard them, and we gave up some rebounds in that third quarter, too.

“There’s a chance we’ll get to see them at our place next week (in the playoffs). If we do, we’ll give it another go.”

Four Skippers scored in double figures led by Nicolas Pearson with 16 points, followed by Will Estep and Will Blessey with 11 and Brown with 10.

SCORE

time with them and had a large part in helping to raise them. Donna is survived by her former husband of 29 years, David C. Pitts Donna was the cherished older sister of Robert Schomaker Jr. (Celia) Cathy Schomaker (Bryan), Billy Schomaker (Sharon), Cyn‐thia Devenny (the late Joe), and Danny Schomaker She was a beloved Nanny to Dawn Rudiger (Ron), Bubba Hotard (Emily) Jason and Kyle Hotard, Amanda Schomaker (Andy), Dylan Devenny (Breanne), Chad Schomaker

“These boys know what they play for,” Chetta said. “They see the stars on the badge. They’ve heard the stories of the teams of the past, and now, they have an opportunity to do something like those teams. They really deserve it.”

While the loss was a tough one for PJP II (15-9-4), coach Danny Clavier said his team, which will graduate just three senior starters, has a bright future.

“Tonight, our mission was to try to get on them first, but the first 15 minutes, they were on us,” Clavier said “I was having a little déjà vu, but then, we settled in and started to create chances.

I thought we had some glorious chances at the end of regulation. The effort from the boys was really amazing. I’m really proud of them.”

After a scoreless first half in which Northlake dominated early, the Wolverines continued to pressure the goal Senior Stevie Tujague had a couple of quality chances in the first 10 minutes of the second

half before Northlake broke through in the 61st minute. Senior Giovanni Russo took a free kick from about 30 yards out that deflected off the wall and into the goal for a 1-0 lead

The Jaguars didn’t blink as they tied the match in the 68th minute when sophomore Bryson Flakes battled his way to a ball in the box and slotted it past the keeper The Jaguars nearly took the lead in the 74th minute, but Kale Oertling’s header was just wide.

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PJP II needed a quality save by Michael Thiel, who finished with 10 total, on Gavan Clasen’s powerful shot in the final minute of regulation to force overtime.

It was all Wolverines in the extra period as Wall, who transferred to NCS from St. Paul’s, scored twice.

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“He’s a very humble kid,” Chetta said. “He’s a good player but he is a better teammate. He has quite a few goals, but he has more assists than goals. He’s bought into the culture, and

I, KELLY DAVID RAYMOND

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MyAddress is: 1580 HARBOR DR ,APT UNIT 218 SLIDELL, LA 70458

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Lakeshore’s Arnold celebrates birthday in grand fashion against Northshore

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Lakeshore first baseman Sydney Arnold knew the moment was a big one.

Sure, it was just the first game of the 2026 softball season, but the bases were loaded as she walked to the plate with two outs in the fourth inning.

The Titans held a four-run lead over Northshore, but things were about to get a whole lot more comfortable for the home team

Arnold belted a 1-0 pitch over the left center field wall on her 17th birthday as the Titans posted an impressive 9-1 win over Northshore on Feb. 18.

“I went up there trying to prove that I could do it because my first two at-bats weren’t too good,” Arnold said. “We had the bases loaded, so I knew I had to come through. It felt good right off the

bat. I knew it was going out. It felt amazing.” Arnold finished 3 for 3 with five RBIs and a sacrifice fly Brantley Braud went 2 for 2 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Tessa

Juliussen finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. All nine Lakeshore starters reached base at least once.

“(Arnold) is one of the biggest hitters on the team, but this year,

we also have a lot of depth and power at the plate,” Lakeshore coach Megan Melton said. “Our defense might be the most solid that it has ever been. Everyone has been working hard, so I’m proud of this outcome. They have been giving 110%, so I knew an outcome like tonight was possible.”

While the Titans (1-0) were hot at the plate, junior pitcher Bella Litolff was effective in the circle. She got the complete-game win, allowing one run on nine hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

Litolff credited her defense for its steady play, adding that she had her curveball, changeup and screwball working to keep the Panthers (0-1) off balance.

“We have been working on developing a whole different mentality this year,” Litolff said. “Last year, we kind of had a rough start, so this year, we’re working on being positive. We’re building great

ST. SCHOLASTICA

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kept applying pressure and, after a flurry in front of the net in the 19th minute, got a goal from Ella Crochet.

The rest of the first half saw both teams get off decent shots, but neither could put the ball in the back of the net, leaving the score tied at halftime.

SSA came out aggressively in the second half, pushing the ball down the field. A rush to the net resulted in a tripping call against St. Thomas More and a penalty kick from the Doves.

Junior Bailey Tardo did the honors, going left while Coves went right to give SSA a 2-1 lead with about 36 minutes left in the match. Tardo said she was glad to be the one taking the penalty kick.

“I was nervous, but I was excited,” she said. “I just said I got this, and we have got to win.”

Even with the lead, SSA stayed on the attack, but the Cougars (13-7-5) were there at every turn and got an unforeseen opportunity in the final minutes

SSA senior goalkeeper Libba Daniel (five saves) was kicked in the leg with less than two minutes to go and had to be treated on the field. That meant she had to leave the game, replaced by sophomore Bailey Bourgeois. Despite the change in goal, St. Thomas More could get no clear shot at Bourgeois, as time ran out on the Cougars and their season.

Benjamin said being aggressive was always the plan.

“We set out to press them in the back,” Benjamin said. “That early goal helped us to breathe a little bit. The girls had butterflies, and that’s understood.

“I think knowing that we can always find a goal gives them the confidence to continue to play.”

Tardo said going back to the title match never gets old.

“It’s amazing these are my best friends,” she said. “We feel like we need to do it again. It’s going to be fun and exciting, and we’re ready to win it.”

good things happen.”

It also doesn’t hurt when you get 16 first-half points from a guy who comes off your bench. That’s what happened with senior Michael Ducre, who was 6 of 7 from the field in 12 minutes of play in the first two quarters. He finished with 18 points and was one of four Panthers in double figures along with Tyrie Spencer, Roger Williams and Keith Collins, each of whom scored 13 points.

“There was a lot of talking in this game, and we had to make sure we let them know early which team was better,” said Ducre of his Panthers, who won the two games against Slidell by a combined 57 points. “I am confident, I think everyone is confident — our bench and every player on this team. I think we’re playing at our highest level right now, and we’re enjoying it.”

Both teams almost certainly will open the Division I nonselect playoffs at home this week Northshore came in ranked ninth in the power ratings, and likely will stay there, as the two teams ahead of them (Sulphur and Central-Baton Rouge) each won Friday night, and St. Amant, which was sixth, lost to fifth-ranked Denham Springs. Slidell (24-7 6-2) was just behind the Panthers at 10th, and they

too likely will stay in their spot, as 11th-ranked South Lafourche lost their regular-season finale to Lutcher, which was 26th in Division II.

The only thing Tigers’ coach Krisner Green and his team can do now is put this one in the rearview mirror and learn from it. Good news is, assuming they can avoid 24th-ranked Salmen early on, they won’t see a crosstown rival.

“We started trying to make this a personal battle and playing 1-on-1 basketball and getting away from everything we’re supposed to do,” he said “When we’re playing a rivalry game, we try so hard to get kids not to play like that, but next thing you know (Northshore) is capitalizing on every long, bad shot we took.”

The Panthers who haven’t lost a district game since Feb. 9, 2024, led by 22 at halftime, and a running clock was used from the 3-minute mark of the third quarter through the end of the game. SCORE BY QUARTERS

team chemistry This was a really good start to the season.” The Titans opened the bottom of the first with a walk and back-toback singles to load the bases. Jaycee Ray’s grounder to the shortstop resulted in a high throw home as the Titans took a 2-0 lead on the play Juilussen opened the bottom of the third with a single and later scored on Arnold’s sac fly for a 3-0 advantage.

Lakeshore broke the game open in the fourth as Tannah Willie walked to open the inning and later scored when Braud was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Arnold cleared the bases during the next at-bat to put the game away

Northshore’s lone run came in the sixth as Mallory Senat doubled to start the inning and scored on Nikole Vaughn’s RBI single. Sophomore Abbi Allen took the loss, allowing eight runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings.