Category Archives: Ascension

It's homecoming week at East Ascension, and in addition to crowning a homecoming queen the school will induct four people into its Hall and Wall of Fame during the Oct. 21 football game in Spartan Stadium.

Wall of Fame recipients include people who have given substantial time and/or money to the school.

Wall of Fame inductee Bret Hughes, a 1988 East Ascension graduate, is the owner and president of Hughes Insurance Services. Hughes was taught by his parents from a young age to always give back to his community, and "he has taken that to heart," according to a news release. Both he and his company have been major supporters of EA and the Ascension Parish Public School System for many years.

He supports several local and national charities. He has been the chair of the Spartan-Gator Ryder Cup golf tournament for the past decade raising tens of thousands of dollars for each school in the process. Hughes said he fully intends to continue to donate his time and financial support to his alma mater for years to come.

The late Sybil Webb, the other inductee to the Wall of Fame, was a proud and loving mother who supported not only her children but dedicated her time to each and every student/athlete from 1977 to 1994 by being an active member and treasurer of the school's Booster Club, according to the release. With her tireless efforts, Webb is considered the "mother" of the school's weight room and health facility Pillars of Power, which once stood where EAs Freshman Academy is now. She also served as the main force in securing money for the outfield fencing at the John Keith Ambeau baseball field along with the addition of lights at the baseball complex.

Webb's four children, Kayla, Andy, Wayne and Ward, will be accepting her award for her as she is receiving this honor posthumously.

Hall of Fame inductees, who contributed as athletes at the school, are Nathan Black and Richard Rayborn.

A member of the EA class of 1998, Black earned All-District and All-Metro honors while playing at East Ascension. He then played wide receiver and on special teams at Northwestern State and with the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints as a kick returner.

Black is the owner of Alpha Sports Performance in Prairieville, where he trains athletes from around the area in becoming the best they can be physically, mentally and nutritionally.

Rayborn, a 1979 graduate, was a two-way player for the Spartans playing both running back and defensive back. His exploits on the field led to a scholarship to Texas Southern University. Rayborn said he cherishes the memories of playing for Coach Joe Clark and representing East Ascension High on the gridiron and in the classroom. Rayborn is currently the pastor of The Christian Assembly Full Gospel Church in Gonzales.

Go here to see the original:

Four named to East Ascension's Hall, Wall of Fame. Induction set for Oct. 21. - The Advocate

East Ascensions defense helped the Spartans end a three-game losing streak in defeating rival St. Amant last week.

That intensity carried over to Friday night's game against new District 5-5A foe Walker on Friday night in Gonzales. The Spartans defense forced three first-half fumbles and turned all three turnovers into touchdowns in a 45-28 win.

The Spartans (3-4, 2-0) built a 31-6 lead and held off a Walker second-half rally.

They came out with an offensive plan we hadnt seen them run all year, Spartans coach Darnell Lee said. Give credit to (Walker) coach (Chad) Mahaffey. Their spin offense kept us off-balance, but we were fortunate enough to get some turnovers. Our defense held them to 14 offensive points. Give them credit. Im proud of the way our guys fought and finished.

Walker (4-3, 0-2) fumbled the ball away on three of its first four offensive possessions.

East Ascension linebacker Joshua Berfect returned one for a score, and the other two led to touchdown runs by quarterback Antwon Foster.

Up 21-6 at halftime, the Spartans added a 21-yard Brennon Thompson touchdown catch and 29-yard Diego Ontiveros field goal to take a commanding 31-6 advantage late in the third.

Thats when the Wildcat rally began.

Walker cut it to 31-20 following a touchdown on a Kedric Brown kickoff return and a 60-yard pick-six by Kentrell Scott.

Later, Warren Young Jr. scored on a 21-yard run, and the Wildcats converted the ensuing 2-point try to get within 31-28 early in the fourth quarter.

However, East Ascensions defense made a huge stand late in the game. The Spartans turned the Wildcats over on downs after driving to the East Ascension 35-yard line.

From there, the duo of Foster and Walter Samuel closed the door on Walker. Foster broke loose on a 45-yard touchdown run, and Samuel put the game to rest with a 30-yard scoring scamper.

It was the Wildcats second straight loss and their third in their past four games.

Walker coach Chad Mahaffey: Coming in to play a team like this, you have to capitalize. I thought we had chances, but we turned the ball over three times and had a bad snap that killed a drive. Im glad that we fought and got back in it, but we just wasted opportunities.

East Ascension quarterback Antwon Foster: Although Foster only threw the ball six times for East Ascension, but he did most of his damage on the ground. He carried 16 times for 135 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Samuel was the Spartans second-leading rusher. The Tulane commitment carried the ball 17 times for 105 yards and added the game-sealing touchdown.

Original post:

East Ascension cashes in Walker turnovers, holds on for District 5-5A win - The Advocate

DONALDSONVILLE -Bryce and Brooks Leonard have a special connection.

"Grew up together, did everything together, played every sport together, and I can rely on him at any time," Brooks said.

Not only are they twins, but they're a lethal quarterback and receiver combination something that has been years in the making.

"It was just about every day in the backyard... One of my other brothers was also a quarterback in middle school, so he would play quarterback for my oldest brother, and then me and Brooks would play at quarterback and wide receiver," Bryce said.

The twins are the ultimate competitors.

"They hate losing. They hate to lose," head coach Chris Sanders said.

And sometimes, that competitive fire comes out on each other.

"Every day. Every day, whether we're stretching... Whether we're playing against a live defense. They are harder on each other than they are on themselves, actually," Sanders said.

Ultimately, that has pushed the twins into becoming one of the best duos in their district, and Ascension Catholic to a 4-2 start.

"I know he's gonna be there. I know I can trust him to catch the ball," Bryce said.

"I feel like every time he throws me the ball, I'm gonna score," Brooks said.

Football isn't even the twins' best sport, as the star for the Bulldogs' baseball team, as well, and plan on playing at the college level next year.

Here is the original post:

Ascension Catholic's twin connection helping Bulldogs to 4-2 start - WBRZ

(NASHVILLE)In April 2021, Grammy-nominated Christian artist, Alexis Butcher was hit with a whirlwind of emotions. Alexis found out she was expecting a baby girl a few weeks before she was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer.

I found a lump in my breast, Alexis recalls. I just thought it was a symptom of being pregnant. I was only 27 and didnt know it could happen at such a young age. Alexis decided to schedule an appointment with her OBGYN. My doctor was concerned about the lump and referred me to Premier Radiology, Alexis said. The next morning, she had an ultrasound that confirmed her results were very irregular.

Alexis then met with Dr. Dias, breast surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, to perform a biopsy. Her results showed that she had stage I breast cancer. Alexis was 27 weeks pregnant when she started her first round of chemotherapy. It was very tiring, she said. Alexis got through two rounds of chemotherapy until her body couldnt handle the changes anymore. At 32 weeks, Alexis started having chest pain and immediately went to the Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown Emergency Department.

My baby's heart rate was dropping, said Alexis. The team decided to do an emergency c-section, and my daughter Lila was born on May 22nd, 2021. Lila then spent three weeks in the Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown NICU. While Alexis was recovering from her c-section, days after receiving chemotherapy, she became neutropenic. Being neutropenic meant her body was not producing enough white blood cells to help fight off an infection. Alexis then spent an additional ten days in the hospital. My husband and I just hit survival mode after Lila was born," Alexis said. But we had the beauty of this baby bringing so much joy into our lives.

Just four weeks after giving birth, Alexis began hormone therapy weekly for 12 weeks and immunotherapy every three weeks. Later, she had a double mastectomy, lymph nodes removed, and in February 2022, completed her five-week treatment with radiology. Just recently, Alexis decided to move forward with reconstruction surgery.

As far as we know, God willing, that is the final step of my cancer journey, said Alexis. We are just now processing everything. We have some wonderful family and friends that listen to our highs and lows, and I am truly thankful for the care I received at Ascension Saint Thomas.

Go here to see the original:

St. Thomas Helps Grammy Nominee With Cancer and New Baby - Wgnsradio

Darnell Lee has a 24-hour rule after each Friday game. But the East Ascension coach admitted he took an early peek at Denham Springs.

The two teams are first-time district rivals in the revamped 5-5A. But the fact that they scrimmaged each other last spring adds to the intrigue going into their Week 8 showdown.

I see a couple of guys who have been put in different positions than they were before, Lee said. They are trying to get it together and find what works just like we are. Right now, I am more focused on how we play.

There are thing we do need to clean up going into this week. But I have a lot of respect for them (Denham Springs). They are a tough team, a gritty team. And (Brett) Beard (DSHS head coach) is going to have them ready to play.

Beards Yellow Jackets (6-1, 2-0) are off to the school's best start since the mid-1990s. After playing one of the toughest predistrict schedules in the state, Lees Spartans (3-4, 2-0) have outscored their first two 5-5A foe 73-35.

Dutchtown (4-3, 2-0) is the other 5-5A unbeaten and plays at St. Amant (3-4, 0-2) this Friday.

With their big wins in Week 7, Catholic (6-1, 2-0) and Zachary (5-1, 2-0) have established themselves as the District 4-5A frontrunners. The two schools wont meet until Week 10. The same is true for the unbeatens in 6-4A, West Feliciana (7-0, 5-0) and Plaquemine (7-0, 6-0).

In 6-3A, Madison Prep (5-2, 4-0) handed University High (4-3, 2-1) its first league loss. Parkview Baptist (6-1, 3-1) is the other team in title contention. The Eagles meet U-High Week 10.

Lutcher (6-1) of District 7-4A and St. James (6-1) of 8-3A also are unbeaten in their respective districts. SJHS has six straight wins and a victory over 5A Hahnville Friday night gives Lutcher five wins in a row.

The Dunham School (6-1, 2-0) beat previously unbeaten Episcopal at home in District 6-2A Thursday night. The Tigers, who have won six in a row, face a stiff Week 8 challenge from East Feliciana (5-2, 2-0) on the road.

Episcopals strength is running the ball and went right at our strength, our defensive front, Dunham coach Neil Weiner said. They (East Feliciana) throw the ball kind of neutralizes our strength to some degree.

Last year it was a shootout and I think we combined for over 100 points. All of their kids are back. Their quarterback (Mills Dawson) is going to be a college quarterback.

And the have the big, tall receiver (TreyDez Green) who catches everybodys attention. But they a group of other guys who can make plays too.

Go here to read the rest:

What to know about BR's Week 8 matchups: Keep an eye on pivotal 5-5A, 6-2A games - The Advocate

Fred Mease, 80, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Wesley Medical Center. He was born on April 7, 1942 in Nashville, Kansas to Glenn and Melissa Jane (Kimsey) Mease. Fred married Venora Jean (Lampe) Mease on April 21, 1962 in Wichita. She preceded him in death on August 24, 2016.

Fred graduated from Nashville High School in 1960. He went on to attend a mechanic trade school in Omaha, Nebraska. He began his career as a mechanic at Swinson Chevrolet and then went to work at Pratt Well Service in 1966 where he retired in 2008. He was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church and Pratt Elks. He enjoyed farming, fishing, gardening, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his daughter, Karla (Scott) Hahn of Wichita; sister, Glenna (Melvin) Reif of Kiowa; son in-law, Patrick Hevier of Augusta; grandchildren, Benny (Amber) Christians of Augusta, Brent Hevier of Augusta, Emma (Ben) Hahn of Wichita and Ellie Hahn of Fort Collins, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Johnny, Greyson and Venora "Nora"; nieces, Kim Clark, Kathy Hitt and Kristy Zenger; and many other family members and friends.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Venora; daughter, Cindy Hevier; infant daughter, Rhonda Mease; and brother in-law, Leroy Lampe.

Visitation with closed casket will be held Friday, October 14, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5-7 at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, Pratt with Pastor Matthew Schultz presiding. Burial will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Nashville.

Memorials may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church or St. John Lutheran Cemetery in care of Larrison Mortuary. Online condolences may be made at http://www.larrisonmortuary.com.

Posted online on October 13, 2022

Published in Hutchinson Daily News

View original post here:

Fred Mease Obituary - The Hutchinson Daily News - The Hutchinson News

The Episcopal School of Acadiana volleyball team improved to 13-13 after defeating Ascension Episcopal 3-1 on Tuesday night.

ESA coach Sara Robichaux said she was proud of her teams ability to execute its game plan against the Blue Gators.

We really talked about running our offense in a very specific way, Robichaux said.

Robichaux said she wanted to keep middle hitter Tyler Harson matched up with AES Taylen Guillot as much as possible.

I wanted that matchup because I knew (Harson) could withstand that, she said.

Camille Kane led the Falcons (1-1 in district) with 12 kills. Back-to-back kills in the first game helped ESA tie the game at 17-17 and go on to a 26-24 victory.

(Kane) is 100% or nothing, Robichaux said. She doesnt know any speed but as fast as she can go and we love that.

Robichaux said shes optimistic about her teams prospects because every starter but one is a junior and will return next season. The other starter, Avery Monica, is an eighth grader.

Robichaux said she sees Monica as a future all-state player.

ESA overcame deficits twice more to clinch the match.

ESAs raucous student section helped force AES into service errors late in games. The Falcons won the fourth game 25-22 to clinch the match.

They brought a lot of energy, which was really fun, Robichaux said of the crowd. Actually, in the past theyve been a little too loud to where we cant hear ourselves. So I felt like tonight they were just perfect.

Junior Briley Herpin said accountability and teamwork have been a big part of ESAs success this season.

I think that this game really prepared us for district and the road to state, she said.

Harson said she sees the improvements her team is making and has big aspirations for the team going into its remaining district schedule and the postseason.

At the end of the season? I see us winning state baby, she said.

See more here:

Episcopal-Acadiana gets tight win over Ascension Episcopal - The Advocate

Staff Report| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

The Ascension Parish Council decided to penalize a Geismar company $2,500 and warned of potential penalties in the future after the business narrowly missed its job and payroll totals under a Louisiana tax break program.

The council called a special meeting Oct. 10 in Gonzales to decide on how to handle Mauser USA, which in 2017 received a roughly $1 million tax break over an eight-year span to build an $11 million facility along the Hwy. 30 industrial corridor.

According to the 2017 announcement, the project was expected to create 28 new jobs with salaries averaging about $58,000 a year plus benefits. The project had the potential to include a second phase, which would have added 19 extra jobs.

Through the years 2018 to 2020, the company narrowly missed its payroll and job targets.

The COVID-19 pandemic, power outages, and equipment problems have been mentioned as factors in the company falling short of its targets.

The special meeting was held just before the state deadline.

Follow this link:

Ascension Parish Council decides on $2500 penalty for company that missed tax break goals - Weekly Citizen

Mike Stucka USA TODAY NETWORK| Donaldsonville Chief

Louisiana reported far fewer coronavirus cases in the week ending Sunday, adding 2,059 new cases. That's down 26.3% from the previous week's tally of 2,795 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Louisiana ranked 47th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the latest week coronavirus cases in the United States decreased 7.7% from the week before, with 298,674 cases reported. With 1.4% of the country's population, Louisiana had 0.69% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 13 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before.

Ascension Parish reported 32 cases and one death in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 47 cases and no deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 39,955 cases and 302 deaths.

Across Louisiana, cases fell in 49 parishes, with the best declines in Vermilion Parish, with 28 cases from 96 a week earlier; in St. Tammany Parish, with 159 cases from 208; and in Lafayette Parish, with 82 cases from 128.

>> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases

Within Louisiana, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Richland Parish with 184 cases per 100,000 per week; Allen Parish with 133; and Webster Parish with 117. The Centers for Disease Control says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week.

Adding the most new cases overall were St. Tammany Parish, with 159 cases; Orleans Parish, with 156 cases; and Jefferson Parish, with 155. Weekly case counts rose in 14 parishes from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Allen, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes.

In Louisiana, 36 people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 57 people were reported dead.

A total of 1,457,349 people in Louisiana have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 18,102 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 96,699,237 people have tested positive and 1,062,564 people have died.

>> Track coronavirus cases across the United States

USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Oct. 9. Likely COVID patients admitted in the state:

Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation:

Hospitals in 18 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 15 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 29 states admitted more COVID-19 patients in the latest week than a week prior, the USA TODAY analysis of U.S. Health and Human Services data shows.

The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control. If you have questions about the data or the story, contact Mike Stucka at mstucka@gannett.com.

Read more:

Ascension Parish reported 32 additional COVID-19 cases this week - Donaldsonville Chief

much-needed housing for a growing city

The architects at MVRDV presents the newly completed Ascension Paysagre housing complex in Rennes, a city in the northwest of France. The project is realized with co-architects ALL for real estate developer Groupe Giboire, and is sited at the confluence of two rivers, the threshold between the center and its outer reaches. Rising twelve-stories and covering 8,200 square-meters, the project introduces much-needed density to the growing French city. Thus, it provides 138 homes across a range of sizes and prices including thirty-seven units of social housing. In addition, the work introduces new commercial and public spaces, all along a landscaped riverfront.

images Ossip van Duivenbode|@ossipvanduivenbode

MVRDV introduces its Ascension Paysagre to Rennes, France at a time of rapid growth. The architects note that the citys central heritage buildings have shifted this expansion pressure outwards, calling for the periphery to grow either outwards into the countryside or preferably upwards with a pleasant approach to densification. With its highly visible location along the confluence of the Ille River and the Vilaine, the project required an exemplary approach to this perimeter densification.

With the design of its Ascension Paysagre residences in Rennes, France MVRDV took inspiration from geological formations. The team explains: The project comprises two curving buildings, one large and one small, with gradually receding slopes. By the river, and at points where the project approaches its neighbors, the buildings are low, acknowledging the expansive, low-rise context.

Elsewhere, the design gradually steps up into three peaks, reaching the maximum twelve-story height in the centre of the site. The terraces created by these gradual step-backs are decked with pots filled with greenery, extending the lush atmosphere of the riverbank upwards to the apartments even at the very top of the building. On the western corner of the larger block, in between the buildings two peaks, a garden including fruit trees emphasizes this green approach.

The faade reinforces the connection to geology. It features both matte and glossy ceramic panels in five different tones of grey, arranged into stratified layers: dark and mostly matte near to ground level, and lighter and glossier at the top levels.

At night, lighting reinforces this effect, with more lights integrated into the ceramic panels at the top of the building. As a result, the design seems as if it truly belongs an outgrowth of the environment itself, which feels natural even as it significantly densifies this part of the city.

Each apartment opens up with its own outdoor space be it a terrace, a balcony, or a loggia. Each of these comes complete with custom plant pots fitted with automatic irrigation as well as a dedicated water tap to help residents care for their piece of the landscape. The terraces create a village-like atmosphere that allows residents to greet their neighbors above and below.

At the level of the street, the buildings curves wrap to define pockets of public space, with a green pedestrian street between the two blocks and a plaza at the waters edge that leads to Le Bacchus, a restaurant and theatre that is embraced by the curve of the larger building.

The larger buildings entrances are take shape as three welcoming passageways, clad in timber, which project through the building to create large gathering spaces, views, and access to a secluded garden behind the theater-restaurant. At the entrance to the site, a renovated former tax office is included in the urban plan, making the public square a mix of three architectural periods.

The project uses a variety of approaches to ensure sustainability and social responsibility. Densifying an urban area reduces the citys need to expand into the surrounding landscape, and the parking garages include a total of 210 square meters for bicycle parking, including dedicated spaces for cargo bicycles and electric charging stations to encourage more sustainable transport options.

The thirty-four apartments of the smaller building are completed to Passivhaus standards, giving them the potential to use dramatically less energy than typical apartments. Many of the apartments are double or even triple aspect, with windows on multiple sides of the building to allow cross ventilation and excellent natural light conditions inside.

See the original post here:

MVRDV shapes housing as geological formation in rennes, france - Designboom