Take PRIDE in
Northshore Youth

Since 1989, area high school students have banded together to form the PRIDE Troupe, an organization now numbering over 100 members who pledge to be drug, tobacco and alcohol free and perform at area schools delivering a strong “no use” message to their peers. Drew Lehmann, youth director, oversees the anti-drug program, which is comprised of students from 13 area high schools in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

This past spring, at the World Drug Conference in Pittsburgh, the acclaimed northshore PRIDE Troupe was named International PRIDE Team of the Year. Competing with more than 600 teams from around the world, the local troupe was awarded the prized title based on the team’s local performances, community service and mentoring programs, as well as social activities and community involvement. The distinguished award was a first for a Louisiana team. It truly reflects the quality of our northshore youth.

Founded in 1982 by a group of concerned parents, PRIDE—Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education—serves communities in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes as a private, non-profit organization providing leadership training, family life-skills, education, and prevention programs designed to reduce the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

PRIDE parent and youth programs focus on parenting and communication skills, drug and alcohol prevention techniques, early intervention for youth found in violation of a school drug or alcohol rule, and help for parents of children in other programs. The organization works in collaboration with St. Tammany and Washington Parish School Boards, Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund, Junior League of Greater Covington, Youth Service Bureau, Safe Harbor, state drug treatment clinics and many other agencies.

Pontchartrain Pete

Soon after the opening of Pontchartrain Elementary School in Mandeville ten years ago, a remarkable discovery was made near the school. At various times, an American bald eagle was seen perched high in the pines or gliding effortlessly over the property. Using the eagle as the focus, the school created a litter awareness program to foster an increased level of caring for our community.

The eagle, affectionately named Pontchartrain Pete, became the mascot of the newly formed Pontchartrain Pete Paper Patrol. The school’s principal, Dr. Kathleen Wiseman, and teacher Julie Ranzino, both board members of Keep Mandeville Beautiful, designed the program to reach every elementary-school child within the Mandeville city limits.

In the fall of 2002, Dr. Wiseman visited each Mandeville elementary school and, using an eagle hand puppet, told the children about Pontchartrain Pete and his home in Mandeville. The students learned about the eagle’s sadness when he sees litter. Each child was encouraged to join the anti-litter program by pledging to pick up at least one piece of trash each day. Those who wished to join received membership buttons and certificates of participation. An art contest was held; winning posters were submitted for possible inclusion in a state-produced calendar promoting increased litter awareness.

The program has gained the attention of both the Mandeville city council and the St. Tammany Parish council; Kevin Davis, parish president, recently issued a certificate of appreciation. Plans to continue the Pontchartrain Pete Paper Patrol this year include an Earth Day celebration and the creation of a Pontchartrain Pete costume to be used for a mascot character at public events. Says Julie Ranzino, “It is our hope that we have only scratched the surface of possibilities using the Pontchartrain Pete concept.”

During the last ten years, the now-famous Pontchartrain Pete appears to have left the area for periods of time, only to return again. Many hope that the ever-shrinking of forested land and the ever-increasing construction along West Causeway Approach will not ultimately destroy the eagle’s habitat. Hats off to a devoted group of teachers and students who are showing their concern for our community—and doing their part to keep Pontchartrain Pete happy.

“Lights of the Dead”
in Lacombe

According to Native American historian, educator, author and lecturer Tom Aicklen, legend tells of a migration 1,200 years ago of the followers of the Mayan Rain God Chac. Confirmed by archaeological and scientific evidence, these tribal people became the Temple Mound Builders and the Chacta (Choctaw) of the southeastern United States.

Bringing with them the advanced culture and religious traditions of the Yucatan, tribesmen would gather in the dark forest on a certain night to light ritual bonfires to show departed ancestors the way back to earth.

Renowned poet-novelist Adrien Emmanuel Rouquette was the first white man allowed to view the secret ceremony. The first native-born Louisiana Creole to become a Catholic priest, Rouquette became a missionary to the Chactas in the mid-1800s.

When Rouquette converted the Indians to his faith, he transformed their ceremony into the church’s ritual for All Saints Day, November 1. The bonfires became candles and the prayers became Catholic.

November 1 is known in Lacombe as Les Toussaints, Les Lumieres du Morte–the lights of the dead. The Chacta-Creole people of the area spend the week before All Saints Day cleaning, whitewashing, and spreading fresh white sand on the graves of their loved ones. Beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers adorn the cemetery, which is lit by hundreds of bright candles. The village priest from the church founded by Abbe Rouquette winds his way among the graves saying prayers and blessing both the assembled and the departed.

Creole artist-historian Peter Cousin, vice-chairman of the Lacombe Heritage Center, along with his relatives and others, preserves the tradition by passing it along to their children and grandchildren. The solemn occasion is observed each year in the LaFrere, Osay-Ordone, Ducre, Laurent and other Creole family cemeteries.

During the month of October, the Lacombe Heritage Center will sponsor a series of seminars, symposiums and exhibits on Native American art, history and culture at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum in Madisonville. For information on educational presentations and tours of the Chacta-Creole cultural heritage, contact the Lacombe Heritage Center at 882-7218.