Editor’s Note: This is the first in a four-part series on youth who are
discovering new facets of their community by serving as missionaries in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
From right, Rhianna Soucie, Camille Schexnayder and Corinne Carnaggio paint a dining room door at the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
“It’s no vacation. It’s time get down and dirty and to serve our community,” said Sherri Klemm, theology teacher and Baton Rouge Mission coordinator at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge, in describing the experiences of youth who are having their “first blush”
Students at St. Thomas More School in Baton Rouge raised more than $2,500 through teacher Brian Quantrille’s Q-baller games to donate to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center for the Children’s Hospital. Pictured with students are, left, Brian Quantrille, STM teacher; Dr. Judy Armstrong, STM principal; and, Danny Fields, director of Children’s Miracle Network Fundraising at OLOL. Photo provided by Dr. Judy Armstrong | St. Thomas More School
Awards were presented to Isabelle Gruner and Katherine Winchester, students at St. Aloysius School in Baton Rouge, on May 31 by Fran Harvey, founder of the Global Geospatial Institute (GGI) in Baton Rouge that educates Louisiana students in this new technology. The software tools for creating story maps, collecting data, analyzing it, and presenting scientific solutions and outcomes are available for free to every school in the U.S. Gruner’s project, “The Give Project,” promotes the idea and educational values of schools by growing gardens and giving a
Students at Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge perform during the annual Teacher-8th Grade Lip Sync Battle on April 4. The event benefits the Sacred Heart of Jesus St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Students and faculty donated nonperishable food to cast their votes. Throughout the school year, students donate food items each week. The lip sync battle, near the end of the school year, helps keep the pantry stocked for the summer. Pictured, from left, are Edward Shanks, Willie Bracken, Aubrey Carroll, William Anderson; Jack
Holy Ghost School in Hammond Points Club members enjoyed an end-of-the year ice cream treat. Students were challenged throughout the year to meet a certain number of book points for their respective grade levels in the Accelerated Reader Program. Nearly 100 students reached their goal. Photo provided by Cindy Wagner | Holy Ghost School
Eighth-grade students at St. Jean Vianney School in Baton Rouge participated in the Youth Legislature Program, a two-day mock legislative session. The students signed one bill, “Don’t Take Away Recess,” into law. Pictured in front of the Old Capitol, from top left, Alivia Montgomery, Henlee Hoffer, Lindsey Hunt, LeDamian Dixon, Lauren Reddinger, Madison Heath, Tara Ngo, Ryleigh Williams, Alyssa LeBlanc, Tyler Womack, Mary Kate Preston, Windsor Verret, Sophia Jatho, Joe Kayuha, Lake Mashburn, Michelle Nguyen, Sophie Huffine, Haley Quigley, Matthew Freeman, Gillian LeFleur, Camille Morrison, Julia Clark, Sophia Fontenot, Natalee Chalee, Emerson
First-grade students at Holy Ghost School in Hammond created colorful birds using line and pattern in Jenny Brown’s art class. Pictured, from left, back row, Jaden Freeman, Tripp McGibboney, Wesley Hastings, Collie Sledge, Landon Nash and Jake Hoover; front row, Shane Lindsay, Hugh Taylor, Alex Scott, Andrew Pellichino and Brantley Hines. Photo provided by Cindy Wagner | Holy Ghost School
Students at St. John Primary School in Gonzales stand in line to present their flowers for the May Crowning of Mary on Friday, May 4. Photo provided by Teresa Landry | St. John Primary School
Students at St. Peter Chanel School in Paulina were challenged to find ways to spread kindness. Twin kindergartners, Eva and Liza Kliebert, passed out hand-painted wooden crosses to give to SPC teachers and staff. Included with the Kindness Cross was a beautiful hand-written card saying, “Keep it for a day or two, then pass it on to someone new. If we spread kindness everywhere, there’s more love that’s in the air.” Pictured, from left, are Liza Kliebert, cafeteria manager Kristie Fredric and Eva Kliebert. Photo provided by Paula Poche | St. Peter
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Bedding sets, mini fridges, microwaves, cleaning supplies, snacks, utensils, message board, computers and even stuffed animals are on the checklist for many recent high school graduates to pack for college. Add to that digital and printed reference materials and it seems they are ready for a fun, successful journey at college.
Ascension Catholic High School graduates, from left, Whitney, Victoria and Catherine Eure are among the Catholic high school students who will bring the tools to help them thrive spiritually in college. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The
Several local veterans visited Holy Ghost School in Hammond on Oct. 3. They spoke to the school’s junior high students, sharing stories about their military experience. The veterans also answered questions from the students. Many of the seventh- and eighth-graders in attendance wanted to know what it would be like to serve their country. At the end of the visit, the veterans presented a new flag to the school. Accepting the gift is Melissa Bordelon, third from left, a teacher at the school. Also pictured
The Catholic Commentator
Samee McDaniel’s eyes didn’t twinkle in anticipation of the presents she would receive for her seventh birthday party. Instead, they surveyed what she had. Deciding, “I’m good,” her eyes lit up with joy when she was able to give rather than receive at her party through helping homeless women and children.
Samee McDaniel used the sewing machine she received from her grandmother to make blankets for the
The Catholic Commentator
Derrick Gant and his two sons, A’Niaje and Chanse, emerged from a red truck and smiled broadly as they walked through a parting crowd in a red-carpet like treatment to take ownership of the Habitat for Humanity home on Mississippi Street in Baton Rouge built for them by Catholic High School students Jan. 23.
Derrick Gant walks through the
Kindergarten classes at Holy Ghost School in Hammond held a closing ceremony on May 18. Students led the ceremony with
Second-graders at St. Jude the Apostle School in Baton Rouge presented a “living rosary” on May 22. The students,
Students from Catholic schools through the Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the last day of school with Mass, awards, pictures
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
The mission work started in the Labadieville area through Blessings on the Bayou is coming to Baton Rouge through the
Second-graders Robert David, left, and London Griffin of Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge were honored to
