News

As concerns over school violence increase, authorities on the Northshore conducted a school shooting exercise with the cooperation of students, teachers and law enforcement personnel at Fontainebleau High School on Friday.

The drill had been planned for months, but with recent incidents in Ohio and Pennsylvania involving students and guns, the event served as a timely reminder that horrific events could take place at any school around the country.

On a day in which no classes were scheduled, three “gunmen”—two of them students—invaded the school as principals and school administrators from around the area watched in stunned silence.

Officers from as many as a dozen law enforcement agencies responded to the exercise, utilizing fake explosions and gunfire as they stormed the school in an attempt to quell the gunmen and rescue more than 100 students and faculty members participating in the drill.

To make the exercise seem as real as possible, authorities had dozens of students, faculty and police officers pretend to be dead or injured.

The Fontainebleau Lady Bulldogs varsity and junior varsity basketball teams competed in a tournament in Picayune, Miss., on Dec. 28-29. The boys basketball team was scheduled to play in another bracket at the tournament in Picayune.

The boys varsity soccer team competed in the St. Paul's Holiday Invitational on Dec. 27-29.
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The Crimson Band and Rubies Color Guard will be featured during the Allstate Sugar Bowl halftime show alongside several select marching bands from around the United States.
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Fontainebleau High School merchandise can be bought at Spike's Store, either online or on the campus during both lunches. . . . . . . .
Parents interested in Project Graduation, an event held on graduation night that provides a safe, drug- and alcohol-free celebration for seniors, should contact Cindy Rester, project director, at 630-3925.

Parents also can get involved by working on project committees, heading committees, acting as event sponsors, buying "Satisfy the Growl" cookbooks, participating in the fall raffle or volunteering for the event itself.

Project Graduation fundraisers include Blue Harbor Carwash tickets, which cost $10 each; annual WSTPG Raffle tickets, $40 each; "Satisfy the Growl" cookbooks, $15 each or two for $24; and Tweedy Prints, $25 each. All fundraiser items are available through Student Services or at any home football games.

Visit www.fontainebleauhigh. stpsb.org/index.html for more Fontainebleau High School information.
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School will be back in session today.

For the past 12 years, the School to Work program has given high school students throughout St. Tammany Parish the opportunity to excel in prospective occupations. The program promotes job skills and provides workplace mentoring through an internship during one's senior year of high school.

"Internship gives students a great opportunity to learn about something that they are planning on doing for the rest of their lives," said Cade Scott, a Mandeville High School senior and engineering intern at Flash Gas and Oil Southwest.

The School to Work Opportunities Act was created in 1994 under President Clinton to help high school students gain awareness of careers as early as possible. There was a lot of significance placed on the program due to fear of a future job shortage in the United States. The way to prevent this job shortage was to help students receive entry-level occupational skills in high school, thus the School to Work program was born.

The School to Work program is present in the high school classroom as early as freshman year, when students choose a career cluster, an area of concentration, and create a five-year plan of high school courses that must be taken to complete this career cluster.

Throughout high school, students take all their basic classes, maintain good attendance with few tardies and take electives specifically to complete a chosen career cluster. This process is beneficial to all students because it helps them focus on an objective post high school graduation. If all the above criteria to complete a career cluster are met, a student can apply in his or her junior year to intern at a local business during one's senior year. Students that intern get hands on training at a year long internship that counts for two high school credits.

"Internship helps students decide what they really want to do, whether it's college or a career," said Marguerite Dietrich, School to Work coordinator at Mandeville High School. "It can save you from studying the wrong thing for four years or pursuing something after high school that does not fit with your talents or interests."

Sandy James, Career Technical Coordinator of St. Tammany Parish Public Schools, assists schools in developing programs that enable students to earn entry-level certification in career areas of interest. James has been involved in the School to Work program for 10 years and was inspired to work for the program during her time as an educator. James was a teacher for 40 years, and when the School to Work program began she saw the positive effects of it on her students.

"I saw them (students) come to life, getting excited about being in the workplace," said James. "I saw how valuable it (interning) was."

Valuable training such as Emergency Medical Technician certification done through the School to Work program proved itself to be a valuable asset to the community after Hurricane Katrina. Some former School to Work students of James who had graduated in May of 2005 and completed their Allied Health Cluster with an EMT certification were in the Superdome the following August saving lives.

James feels internship is an advantage to help give students a way to use what they learn in class hands on.

"It can be hard to concentrate on math or science, but internship allows students to look back and see its relative to what they do in the workplace," James.

The community plays a key role in internship, by providing mentoring in various occupations and sponsoring classes.

Pro-Start One and Two are courses offered throughout St. Tammany Parish and sponsored by the Louisiana Restaurant Association. These classes ensure a certain standard in culinary arts so students in this career cluster can become nationally certified at a certain level of proficiency.

Covington High School's classes in Auto-Tech sponsored by Louisiana Technical College are another example of community involvement creating new classes. The Louisiana Technical College has also sponsored other courses for School to Work in St. Tammany such as a Certified Nursing Assistant and EMT programs. The CNA program, done through the Allied Health Career Cluster, even provides a certification in CNA training that allows students to work right out of high school or receive college credit.

When a student is in a career cluster that, at his or her high school, has limited courses, that student can attend classes at another area high school, promoting unity between schools. Jared Gaspard, a senior at Mandeville High, attends a class at spirit rival Fontainebleau High School to complete the technology career cluster.

Gaspard had taken computer courses and electronic courses at Mandeville High, but in order to intern in school, working on computers, and receive basic certification he has to commute daily to Fontainebleau High School for two class periods and complete the course Computer Networking I. By finishing this class, Gaspard will receive an "A+" certification.

"It's a doorway certification," said Gaspard, explaining how the "A+" certification cannot stand alone but is a great chance to introduce new opportunities.

"Internship at school helps me get hands on experience," said Gaspard. "And, the computer networking is the book work. The certification is an advantage, the class is packed, and I feel comfortable there (at Fontainebleau)."

"Almost all of our internships are interesting," said Dietrich. "Graphic Arts students are published in local magazines, engineering students have created well drawings and seen the well itself, Allied Health students intern at the hospital, the list is endless."

Dietrich also described how internships often turn into jobs during or after high school. Brittany Cary has been working to complete the business career cluster at Mandeville High, and her internship at Blue Roof Denim turned into an after school job as an entry-level sales associate.

"I'm interning because I want to own my own clothing store one day, and I really like being at Blue Roof because I like how my mentor, Eden Gorney, runs her store. She has the exact job that I want to have one day," said Cary. "With the opportunity of both working and interning at Blue Roof, I can be there every day. This way I can encounter reps and learn about both the fashion aspect and the business aspect."

Mentors are often thankful for the extra help, and some even call School to Work sponsors asking for an intern.

"The internship program is a great experience for the intern and the business to which they are assigned," said Jeanne Hutchison, intern supervisor at Flash Gas and Oil Southwest. "These young men and women come in with great attitudes and willingness to learn. We give them real world experience and teach them something in their chosen field. They have been a joy to have in our offices and contribute greatly in our day-to-day operation."

The School to Work Program not only helps students gain experience and focus, unites high schools and strengthens community ties to area schools, but also improves the high school itself.

"St. Tammany has done an excellent job with its School to Work Program," said Dietrich. "And, new courses and internships are always being offered."

New high school redesign updates were unveiled at the St. Tammany Parish School Board Committee as a Whole meeting Thursday by Denise Barnes, senior supervisor of curriculum and instruction. According to St. Tammany Parish School Board spokesperson Linda Roan, these new guidelines were set by the High School Redesign Committee (a statewide committee) and approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Beginning with high school freshmen for the 2008-2009 school year, new requirements for entering Louisiana colleges will be more academically stringent. By the time they graduate in 2012, they will have to complete the LA Core 4 Curriculum.

According to Barnes, the 2011-2012 LA Core Curriculum will consist of the following: four units each of math, English, science and social studies; one-half unit of health; 1 ? units of physical education; two units of the same foreign language (or two units of speech); one unit of art; and three units of an elective for a total of 24 units.

Even students who opt out of LA Core 4 will have more stringent requirements for graduation by school year 2011-2012, according to Barnes. They will have to acquire the same 24 units, consisting of four in English and math, three in science and social studies, one-half in health, 1 ? in PE and eight electives. They will not need art or a foreign language to graduate, however.

Barnes said currently TOPS only requires three units each of math, science, and social studies; four units of English; one computer-related unit; four optional electives; an additional unit in either math or science; one unit of fine arts; and two units of a foreign language. The health and PE requirements are the same.

In addition to the core curriculum changes, the TOPS Opportunity ACT requirement will rise to 23 from 20.

GEE requirements will rise as early as 2009-2010, Barnes said. Currently, all that is required is to pass all four components with a score of Approaching Basic. This will change to the following requirements: pass all components with a score of Basic or above; or a combination of scores as outlined to follow, but maintaining a Basic score in English language arts - one approaching basic, one mastery or advanced and basic or above in the other two; or two approaching basic and two mastery or above.

In answer to questions about what happens when a child falls behind, Barnes offered the credit recovery plan. If a child does not successfully complete an English course, for example, they can attend either a traditional summer school or a back-on-track online English course. The online courses are monitored by a teacher in the classroom with them who is available to assist students and answer questions.

A school without walls The Northshore School of the Arts

Southeastern art instructor Kelly Mueller working with Fontainebleau High School students KC Stockhard and Jennifer Spearman in a drawing class at the Mandeville school. The Northshore School of the Arts gives high school students the opportunity to earn Southeastern credit in visual and performing arts-related courses. The program is administered by Southeastern's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Dr. Tammy Bourg, dean.

Ryan Miller, Salmen High School senior

Kelly Mueller, Department of Visual Arts, Instructor
Richard Schwartz, Department of Music and Dramatic Arts, Instructor
Dr. Tammy Bourg, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Dean

Motivated, enthusiastic and interested is how Southeastern Northshore School of the Arts art instructor Kelly Mueller described her drawing class at Fontainebleau High School. “I enjoyed it tremendously and believe the students did as well,” she said.

Spearman and Mullins are just two of approximately 40 St. Tammany students who participated in the inaugural semester of the Southeastern’s Northshore School of the Arts. Through this innovative after school program, high school juniors and seniors gifted in the performing and visual arts can take music, art and dance classes – plus one-on-one instruction in music and voice faculty – for Southeastern credit.

Tammy Bourg, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, describes the Northshore School of the Arts as “a school without walls."

“The arts round out and enrich our lives,” she said. “Without exposure to the arts, some children won’t have a chance to discover they have talent. The Northshore School of the Arts is a wonderful example of how a university and schools can work together to enhance opportunities.”

The Salmen High School senior didn’t mind the trek. He was on his way to his one-on-one music lesson with Southeastern music instructor Richard Schwartz.

“Before this, I just got lessons in band practice,” said Miller. “With this one-on-one work, you can concentrate much better while getting a lot more individual attention.”

Miller plans to continue his music studies and hopes to one day perform with “The President’s Own,” the Marine Corps band and nation’s oldest musical organization.

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Bulldogs ensemble will jazz up Georgia

FHS invited to play at Savannah festival
Friday, January 25, 2008
Kelli Moore

The Fontainebleau High School Jazz Ensemble One, the Bulldogs' elite musical performing group, has been invited to participate in the prestigious Savannah Music Festival this spring.

The 20-member ensemble is one of 12 high school jazz groups across the nation invited to participate in the festival's Swing Central High School Jazz Band Competition and Workshop.

While there, from April 3 to 5, they will hobnob with top-notch clinicians and modern music legends, perform at a public venue, and compete with other high schools for cash prizes.

Leading the ensemble is FHS band director Ralph Lee Hicks, who said he learned about the opportunity as president-elect of the Louisiana Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators.

"I thought it would be a good thing for the kids to get into," said Hicks. "When I saw who some of the judges were and the people participating were, I thought it'd be kind of cool to see those guys."

Among the list of prestigious jazz musicians who will be leading workshops and meeting and working directly with students are: James Ketch, a trumpet player and music professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Wycliffe Gordon, a trombonist who serves on the faculty of the jazz studies program at the Juilliard School; and Leon Anderson, director of jazz studies at Florida State University.

Also lined up to share their craft with students are successful professional musicians including bassist Rolland Guerin, pianist Marcus Roberts and New Orleans-based drummer Jason Marsalis.

While at the festival, which is Georgia's largest musical arts festival, students will be exposed to and immersed in myriad musical genres ranging from jazz, classical, blues, bluegrass and gospel to more forms of American and international roots music.

Under the direction of the clinicians, students will participate in improvisation and breakout instrumental and performance clinics, and will rehearse and perform a special big band arrangement commissioned especially for workshop by a renowned jazz composer.

Students also will have an opportunity to test their mettle by playing the newly learned musical arrangement in a 30-minute public performance at the Savannah City Market Stage. They will compete with 11 other high school ensembles for cash prizes ranging from $500 to $5,000.

For the FHS Bulldogs, who have performed publicly at such outdoor venues as the Three Rivers Art Festival and the Tammany Trace, this is a natural progression they seem equipped to handle.

"They really have a chance of doing quite well," said FHS band booster club President Sallie Gilbert.

Hicks agreed.

"We play well as an ensemble. Musically, they're a pretty tight group. When everyone's on the same page with this group, they're amazing."

The FHS Jazz Ensemble One is made up of band students with a keen ability and serious interest in music. Students are selected through auditions. During the fall semester, they meet each day as a class. In the spring, they meet once a week after school. Emphasis is placed upon learning to rehearse, improvise and behave like professional musicians.

The Bulldogs will compete against jazz ensembles from such high-caliber institutions as New World School of the Arts in Miami and Agoura High School, featuring the Agoura High School Studio Jazz Band, in Agoura Hills, Calif.

"We're just a regular old high school," Hicks said.

Shortly before Christmas, the FHS jazz ensemble submitted an audition CD of three recordings: "Groove Merchant" by Thad Jones, "Lil' Darlin' " by Count Basie and Bernie Moten's "Moten Swing."

To prepare for the festival workshop, the band will keep its once-a-week spring class schedule but fill in with additional practices, including one overnight rehearsal on a Friday, with guest artists coming in to help.

"The kids kind of like that," Hicks said.

Although there is no cost to participate in the festival, the ensemble must raise money to pay for room and board, as well as transportation to and from Savannah.

Estimated costs are more than $9,000 with a chartered bus. To offset the costs, plans are in the works for an FHS spaghetti dinner and jazz concert on March 14. In addition, members of the ensemble will sell concessions at the Castine Center on March 15.

Regardless of how they place in the competition, Hicks said, the experience as a whole, from working with world-class clinicians to performing before a live audience, will be invaluable to his students, all of whom he considers serious musicians who "desire to play good music."

"The experience of the thing is the most important part to me," Hicks said. "Giving them the opportunity to go play someplace outside Louisiana. It's another chance to perform at a high level."

For more information about the jazz ensemble and its fundraisers, or to sponsor the group, call Hicks at 892-7112 or Sallie Gilbert at 727-0070.

Information may also be obtained at the band's Web site, www.fhscrimsonband.com.

Members of the Fontainebleau Jazz Ensemble One are:

Saxophones: Evan Taylor, alto 1; Jacqueline Morrison, alto 2; James Baggs, tenor 1; Amanda Klipsch, tenor 2; Ryan Rome, baritone.

Trumpets: Beau Henderson, lead/trumpet 1; Jessica Bowers, trumpet 2; Patrick Mongrue, trumpet 3; Kasey Ball, trumpet 4; Dominic Ducre, trumpet 5; Clayton Perschall, trumpet 6.

Trombones: Ben Greenwalt, trombone 1; Elyssa Klipsch, trombone 2; Justin Chin, trombone 3; Noah Davis, trombone 4; Joshua Williams, tuba.

Rhythm section: Ben Alleman, piano; Sam Chin, guitar; Alex Piazza, bass; Nick Marino, drums.

Kelli Moore covers community cultural arts in western St. Tammany. Send news about community art and music events and people to her at pnkmoore@bellsouth.net or 1001 N. U.S. 190, Covington, LA 70433.

Published on NOLA.com Friday, January 25, 2008 4:53 p.m.

Published in The Times-Picayune Sunday, January 27, 2008

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FHS band struts its stuff at Sugar Bowl

It's one of 2 groups chosen for halftime

The Fontainebleau High School marching band showcased its talent, its school and its community when it performed at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

The group was chosen to appear in the halftime show after being selected during the Northshore Camellia Competition in Slidell in October.

Ralph Hicks, director of the 140-plus member band, said he was tremendously proud of his musicians when they were picked by Allstate and Bowl Games of America as one of the two groups to perform. The other winning band was Erath High School from Vermilion Parish. Bands come from all over Louisiana and beyond to take part in the Camellia competition, held annually.

Fontainebleau has always done well in the competition. They are a hard-working bunch of young people, according to Hicks, and they toil diligently to achieve the successes that they earn. In this instance, the band perfected Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite, Fourth Movement" as its competition material.

Hicks said that after the announcement that they had been selected to perform at the Sugar Bowl, the work began in earnest. Although their footwork and movements were set, there were three or four selections to learn.

In addition to the contest winners, Fontainebleau and Erath, there were 22 bands performing at the halftime show. The others had to pay their own way. Hicks said it costs probably $500 to $800 per youngster for bands to make the trip. That translates to a whole lot of bake sales and car washes. The local band, however, was treated to an all-expenses-paid trip that not only included lodging, but a New Year's Eve party at Mardi Gras World. They were joined by more than 2,000 other young men and women who were here for the New Year's event.

While people at home didn't get to see much of the show the Fontainebleau band put on, the band was featured in a special commercial that depicted all the hard work involved in getting to the Sugar Bowl.

It wasn't all fun and games, however. Putting that many different bands on the field at one time requires planning and rehearsal.

The bands practiced for about four hours on the eve of the new year and put in another four hours on game day prior to kickoff. Each group had learned the musical selections in advance from arrangements that had been presented to each performing group. The final presentation was directed by George Parks, with assistance from Ken Dye of Notre Dame.

Prior to taking the position at Fontainebleau, Hicks was a freelance musician, performing with a number of local theater groups and orchestras. He also performed with celebrities such as Shirley Jones and Harry Connick Sr. He is president-elect of the Louisiana chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators.

Hicks decided to return in 1998 to school at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he earned a degree in music education. That, coupled with his extensive experience, has been responsible for bringing the Fontainebleau band to the position it now holds as a premier performance group.

"I have enjoyed seeing the continued development in the Fontainebleau music program and look forward to continuing that development in the years to come," he said.
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Teddie Shriner is an eastern Mandeville resident. Send information on the area's newsworthy people and events to her at 1001 N. U.S. 190, Covington, LA 70433, or contact her at 626-0206 or tmshriner@bellsouth.net.

Mandeville strong down stretch to top Bulldogs

Skippers come back from early deficit
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Roger Glynn
Staff writer

Mandeville outscored Fontainebleau 15-6 in the fourth quarter to break open a tight game and cruise to a 46-36 victory in a District 7-5A girls basketball game at Fontainebleau.

Elicia Ocmand led the Bulldogs with 17 points and made five of eight free throws in the fourth quarter.

"Mandeville changed their defense in the fourth quarter," Fontainebleau Coach Steve Lopinto said. "They played a box-and-one, and we've never practiced against that. They really hurt us down the stretch."

Kelley Billodoux hit her third 3-pointer of the third quarter to give the Bulldogs their final lead at 30-28 with 1:59 left. Fontainebleau was held to six points in the final 9:59.

Mandeville (16-3, 5-1) took the lead for good when Adrienne Myers answered with a 3 pointer to give the Skippers a 31-30 lead with 1:42 to go in the third quarter.

Fontainebleau (7-15, 1-4) closed the gap to 33-32 with seven minutes remaining. However, the Bulldogs hit only one of their final eight shots.

"Fontainebleau played real well tonight," Mandeville Coach T.A. Ricks said. "We've played defense real well all year, but we didn't play defense in the first half. This is a tough place to play, but we finished the game well."

The Bulldogs jumped to an early 9-2 lead and led 9-5 at the end of the first quarter.

Mandeville trailed for most of the first half and took their first lead at 20-19 with 48 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

The Skippers closed the first half on a 12-4 run. Fontainebleau hit two of their final seven shots in the second quarter and committed five turnovers in that span.

Cara Wells led the Bulldogs with 13 points, including 10 in the first half. Billodoux added 11 points.

"We played really hard, and our intensity level was there for all four quarters," Lopinto said. "We just need to be more mentally focused. We just don't have much varsity experience, and that really showed."

Fontainebleau was held to 29 percent and committed 12 turnovers to five for the Skippers.

Lady Bulldogs take 4-0 victory

Fontainebleau High School added another chapter to its ongoing rivalry in everything with Mandeville High School, beating the Lady Skippers 4-0 in girls soccer at Mandeville on Friday.

"We just came out with a game plan and made it work," Fontainebleau Coach Carly Hotard said. "We took a lot of good shots, and we missed a lot of them, but we made enough. I'm not going to say we were lucky, but against Mandeville you'll take whatever win you can get."

Fontainebleau jumped on the Lady Skippers early when freshman midfielder Casey Adkins scored the first goal at nine minutes.

"We wanted to be aggressive, because we knew this was going to be a fight," Hotard said. "These two schools simply don't like each other. Nobody plays dirty or anything like that, but nobody wants to lose this game. I played in it myself, and it'll always be tough."

Senior forward Elisha Tarbell scored the first of her two goals with eight minutes left in the first half to give the Lady Bulldogs a 2-0 lead at halftime. Fontainebleau took nine shots in the first half and Mandeville took four.

"On that first goal, it was a breakaway," Tarbell said. "I was able to get away from Mandeville, and it was just like we practice every day. I just put a move on the goalie and got an open shot."

Tarbell scored her second goal with 32 minutes left in the second half to give the Lady Bulldogs a 3-0 lead. Freshman Hannah Leumas scored with 20 minutes remaining to raise the score to 4-0.

"We always try to come at teams from as many different angles as possible," Hotard said. "We feel like other teams can't lock in on just one or two of our players if we can attack from anywhere."

Mandeville was without three injured starters, including senior goalie Jordan Cantelli and senior midfielder Adele Thomas. But Skippers Coach Sean Esker said injuries are not an excuse for losing.

"We just lost to a very good Fontainebleau team tonight," Esker said. "We are a young squad right now, and we have some room for improvement, but you just have to give credit to Fontainebleau for playing a good game."

Mandeville had nine shots on goal. Fontainebleau had 16. Tarbell said her team did an excellent job of keeping Mandeville away from its goal.

"I think our goalie only had to put her hands on one or two shots the whole game, which is awesome," Tarbell said. "Our whole team just gave 125 percent out there tonight. I couldn't be more proud of our girls tonight."

Fontainebleau sophomore Gabriella Vance (12) sends the ball up field as Covington's Kristin Lopez closes on the play during Tuesday' night's match at the Dawg Pound. FHS (12-1) recorded a 7-0 victory over CHS to remain unbeaten in district play with a 9-0 record. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

Fontainebleau remained unblemished in district play as the Lady Bulldogs overpowered the Covington Lady Lions, 7-0, Tuesday at the Dawg Pound.

FHS (12-1) moved to 9-0 in district and hold a one-game lead over St. Scholastica Academy. CHS (4-11-1) slipped to 2-7 in district play.

Fontainebleau generated early offense with sophomore Hannah Leumas netting a goal in just the third minute of action off a nice cross from her older sister Caitlin, a junior.

"I got a good cross from Caitlin while I was in the box. I was trying to settle the ball, and I took a bad touch. I was pretty lucky to have it result in a goal," Hannah Leumas said.

"We played a good, hard match and were able to work on some things. We are playing really well as a team. We are continuing to work hard," said the sophomore.

FHS continued with its offensive pressure for the next 10 minutes, peppering CHS starting senior goalkeeper Kristi Lippon. She withstood the barrage of shots, recording a couple quality saves as FHS players weaved their way through the Lady Lions' defense firing off close in shots.

FHS first-year coach Carly Hotard said her club was looking to tweak a couple of things they had worked on in practice.

"I think we did an excellent job of executing our offense, especially early in the game. Our players moved around and were able to get into position. We did a good job finding feet and getting into open space. We capitalized on our chances," Hotard said.

In the 14th minute, Shelby Lacombe made it 2-0, ripping in a goal off an assist from Hannah Leumas. Lippon denied FHS' Sydney Robbins on a close-in shot during the next minute, but the Lady Bulldogs' Kaley Blanton polished off a breakaway goal in the 18th minute from 15 yards out to push the lead to 3-0. On the Lady Bulldogs' next possession, captain Elisha Tarbell delivered a touch pass to Hannah Leumas, who found the feet of Blanton inside the box, but she was denied by Lippon.

CHS managed to generate some offense in the 20th minute and was awarded a corner kick. But the FHS defense turned away the play.

FHS' Robbins tallied an unassisted goal in the 38th minute from 20 yards out to give the Lady Dawgs a 4-0 halftime margin.

FHS starting keeper Jean Bernard only touched the ball twice in the first half. FHS took six corner kicks in the first half compared to just one for CHS.

Fontainebleau goalkeeper Kaitlin Villars and Covington's Jessica Miller entered the contest in the second half to mind the nets.

FHS maintained its offensive pressure it had displayed in the first half, taking three shots in the first five minutes with Miller making two saves. Covington's Amelia Newman took a rare corner kick for the Lady Lions in the 46th minute. Kristin Lopez was able to get off a shot on goal on a rebound shot, but the ball was eventually cleared by the FHS defense.

Blanton finished off her second goal in the 48th minute to push the lead to 5-0. She scored on a breakaway after receiving a pass from Robbins. Five minutes later, Caitlin Leumas joined the FHS scoring column with a goal assisted by her younger sister, Hannah, on a nice cross for a 6-0 lead.

During the next eight minutes, the Lady Bulldogs continued their offensive onslaught being awarded five corner kicks. The Covington defense came through in each situation with Miller recording three saves.

FHS sophomore Samantha Maxwell put in a goal on a header in the 74th minute to finish off the scoring. Hannah Leumas was credited with her third assist on Maxwell's goal.

CHS coach Scott Dupree said FHS has a tremendous offense and kept up the pressure on his defense. Dupree tabbed senior Kristin Viola as its top defender.

Fontainebleau's Mike Gauthier made the most of his opportunities Tuesday night, notching two goals, and Brooks Hickman tallied one to carry the Bulldogs to a 3-0 district victory over the Covington Lions at the Dawg Pound.

FHS (16-2-1) lifted its district record to 8-1 and trail the district leading St. Paul's Wolves by one game. CHS (10-8-2), which entered the match on a three-game winning streak, slipped to 3-6 in district.

FHS' two senior captains, Gauthier and Hickman, generated early offense for the Bulldogs. Hickman worked his way clear, banging home a goal in the fifth minute with Brett Duncan getting the assist.

Just four minutes later, Gauthier found the back post from 8 yards out with Hickman providing the assist to build an early 2-0 advantage.

Gauthier said they wanted to start strong by putting pressure on the Covington defense.

"I thought we came out really strong with Brooks (Hickman) putting in that early goal. Covington started to push up and got more physical with us. We are definitely playing strong as a team. We have to continue to play every team strong and hopefully beat St. Paul's next time," Gauthier said.

The Bulldogs face off with St. Paul's, the district leader, Jan. 22 at Hunter Stadium. St. Paul's defeated FHS 1-0 in a shootout in their first meeting back on Dec. 21.

FHS coach Budd Ditchendorf said his club was able to execute the game plan against Covington just like in their first district meeting, a 2-1 victory for the Bulldogs.

"I was pleased with the fast start. We were able to capitalize on some early defensive errors leading to the two-goal lead," Ditchendorf said.

"Our defense played well, limiting Covington's shots on goal. CHS has some skill players who can score and create chances. They are a tough team. I thought Denton Gottung (goalkeeper) stepped up nicely to save their best chances," said the Fontainebleau coach.

After FHS took the two-goal advantage, Covington did a good job during the next couple minutes to switch the offensive momentum to its side. Stephen Baudean fired off a shot, but Bulldogs' goalkeeper Denton Gottung came up with a save. Gottung recorded four quality saves during the match, and was named the Bulldogs' top defender. The Lions' Nick Roger positioned himself for a shot from 30 yards out in the 12th minute but was also denied by Gottung.

In the 18th minute, Roger came close to getting CHS on the board as his shot from 20 yards out caromed off the cross bar.

Covington's Jose Aguercia-Duarte outraced the Fontainebleau defense up the left side in the 21st minute and fired off a shot from 20 yards out. Gottung made a diving save.

FHS' Hickman worked the ball up field past the CHS defense in the 27th minute, finding the feet of Blake Forest. His shot slid wide left.

In the 34th minute, the FHS defense failed to clear a ball in its zone. CHS' Roger took a shot from 10 yards out, but it sailed high. The first half ended with Fontainebleau holding a 2-0 lead.

The Bulldogs controlled the action early in the second half, taking three corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. In the 57th minute Blake Satterlee crossed a ball to Hickman, who found Chad Hrapmann streaking in up the middle. Hrapmann finished putting the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was waived off due to Hrapmann being off sides.

Gauthier tallied an unassisted goal, his second of the match, in the 71st minute from 8 yards out to finish off the scoring. Gauthier was able to position himself, turn and fire off his goal.

CHS coach Jimmy Inman said his club ran up against a solid, well-coached Fontainebleau team.

"You have to give them credit. They did what they had to early in the game. They were able to limit our shot attempts," Inman said.

Fontainebleau senior Mike Gauthier is a captain on the Bulldogs' soccer team. He plays attacking mid and has netted 12 goals this season, second on the club. He also has two assists as he has helped lead the Dawgs to a 18-2-1 record. FHS is 10-1 in district play. Gauthier said he and his teammates continue to work hard to be the best they can be.

"I love playing soccer for Fontainebleau High. We have been very competitive during the last few years," Gauthier said.

Gauthier takes care of business in the classroom as well, carrying a 4.2 grade point average, while taking honors classes.

FHS coach Budd Ditchendorf described Gauthier as a scrappy player, who plays with confidence.

"Mike is an excellent team captain, who leads by example. He has great timing along with a nose for the goal. He has fantastic anticipation, which also makes him a tough defensive player," Ditchendorf said.

What do you enjoy most about playing soccer? I like the competitiveness of soccer. I've been playing it since I was 7.

What do you like best about being a student athlete? When I play, I'm not just representing the team but the entire school.

Do you feel an added responsibility of being a role model as a student athlete? You have to watch how you act in front of other students. The younger students definitely look up to you.

Most memorable game? Our 2006 state quarterfinal playoff win against Captain Shreve. We won 3-2 on penalty kicks to advance. We made it to the state championship game, losing to Carencro 3-1.

Who has been the most influential person in your sports career? My former Mandeville Soccer Club Lakers premier coach Renie Liam when I played with the U-15-16 and 17s.

Favorite team? Manchester United.
What is your favorite subject in school? Math.
Plans after high school/college major? I will attend LSU. I want to major in engineering.
Favorite sports movie/TV show/actor? "Green Street Hooligans," "Big Brother," Denzel Washington.
Favorite type of music? Rap.
Favorite food dish? Lobster.
Best vacation? A trip I took to Destin, Fla., last year with a couple of my friends.
Best thing about living on the Northshore? I enjoy playing against some of my friends, who attend other schools. It is easy to get to know opponents.
Hobbies/interests: I like to play tennis with my friends at Pelican Athletic Club. I'm getting better at tennis. I enjoy playing Guitar Hero on Xbox.
Parents: Susan Gauthier and the late Mark Gauthier of Mandeville.

Fontainebleau captured the District 7-I Junior Varsity soccer championship Jan. 12, blanking St. Paul's, 3-0. Eight teams participated in the one-day tournament held at the Covington Youth Soccer Association field. FHS went unbeaten in the tourney, posting three shutout victories. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 14-0.

FHS' Sal Bavido gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the championship match with his goal in the eighth minute on an assist by Dakoriye Charles. FHS scored again 10 minutes later when Dolapo Ogunniyi notched a goal after beating the SPS goalkeeper to a loose ball. SPS nearly got on the board in the first half but a shot from 25 yards out caromed off the far post. FHS was up 2-0 at the half. The Bulldogs were awarded a penalty kick midway through the second half when Charles was tackled from behind in the box. Charles put in the PK to give the Bulldogs the 3-0 margin.

FHS JV coach Leonard Tridico complimented Covington coach Jimmy Inman and the Covington staff for putting on a well-run tournament.

"It means a lot to the JV athletes to have an opportunity to play in such a quality tournament," Tridico said.

"I am very proud of the way the Bulldogs competed in the tournament. We have a lot of talent in our district and the tournament helped showcase what we can look forward to in the next couple of years," Tridico said.

Fontainebleau's Mike Gauthier recorded a hat trick last Tuesday to lead the Bulldogs to an 8-0 district victory over the Slidell Tigers at the Dawg Pound. FHS' Blake Satterlee notched the Bulldogs' first two goals in the fourth and fifth minute. Brooks Hickman and Nathan Grammes were credited with the assists.

Gauthier netted his first goal in the 25th minute unassisted to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 halftime lead. Gauthier continued his offensive pressure booting home a goal in the 45th minute on Satterlee's assist.

Just a minute later, Gauthier made it 5-0 on an unassisted goal. Ben Payan scored in the 60th minute on Brett Duncan's assist. Dakoriye Charles made it 7-0 with a goal 10 minutes later with Duncan getting another assist. Sal Bavido closed out the Bulldogs' scoring with a goal in the 75th minute. Brendan Roland had the assist.

Duncan was named the Bulldogs' top defender. Denton Gottung and Matt Harris combined in goal for the shutout.

FHS coach Budd Ditchendorf said it was a great night for the boys, especially the 12 seniors, who were recognized before the start of the match along with their parents.

Fontainebleau first-year coach Carly Hotard experienced success as a former Lady Bulldogs all-state soccer player, and now she has the thrill of winning a district title as a coach. Her Lady Dawgs trimmed the St. Scholastica Academy Doves, the defending Division II state champions, Tuesday, 2-1, in a shootout in a match played at SSA. Fontainebleau (16-1), a perfect 13-0 in district, outscored SSA 4-2 in the shootout following the two scoreless overtimes. FHS closes out district play this afternoon hosting Hammond.

SSA (17-5) was 11-2 in district with one game remaining yesterday against Mandeville.

The Doves' only other district loss also came at the hands of the Fontainebleau squad, another 2-1 loss in overtime back on Dec. 21 in a match played at the Dawg Pound in less than desirable foggy conditions.

Hotard said following Tuesday's match her team couldn't have asked for anything better after notching its second consecutive overtime victory over an outstanding St. Scholastica club.

"They played an excellent game. They kept us on our toes. The game could have gone either way," said the first-year coach.

Hotard said she was confident in her girls and knew they would step up in the shootout.

"We had been practicing PKs for a week, and we had our lineup ready, if it came down to that. When you play a good team like SSA you have to prepare for that," Hotard said.

The key match to determine the District 7-I champion pitted two superb soccer programs against each other with neither school willing to budge an inch.

Lady Bulldogs' senior goalkeeper Jean Bernard came up big during the shootout to help secure the victory with some help from her teammates on penalty kicks.

Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and following the two scoreless overtimes, the Lady Bulldogs and Doves squared off in the shootout.

SSA's Tricia Johnson shot first and booted home her PK, going upper right. FHS senior captain Elisha Tarbell followed ripping her shot in goal going lower right. SSA's Danielle Beatty shot next and was denied by Bernard. FHS' Shelbi Lacombe went low right on her shot and found net. SSA's Camille Shepherd kept the Doves' hopes alive as she banged in her attempt. Next up, FHS' Caitlin Leumas connected on her PK. SSA's Caitlyn Kinchen stepped in, and her shot was tipped up and away by Bernard. Adkins buried her shot, going low right, to put the Lady Dawgs up 4-2 in the shootout to garner the victory.

Bernard, who was selected as the Lady Bulldogs' top defender, said she guessed right on stopping Beatty's penalty kick.

"Oh my God, this is the biggest district match ever. This takes the cake," Bernard said. "The game was so evenly matched that it could have gone either way. They outplayed us in the first half because we tried to play their game. In the second half we worked so much better playing our style, and we didn't panic," Bernard said.

Both teams played hustling defense in the first half, bottling up each other's high scoring offenses. FHS' Bernard and SSA junior goalkeeper Lindsay Schwaner played tremendous in net, keeping the scoreboard clean until the 39th minute of the first half. Johnson finally broke through with a goal, scoring off an assist from Kelly Gautreaux to stake the Doves to a 1-0 halftime lead. It was Johnson's team leading 23rd goal of the season, while Gautreaux posted her 15th assist. Both defenses continued to dictate play during the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Adkins gave the Lady Dawgs new life in the 58th minute, booting home the tying goal inside the six-yard box off an assist from Hannah Leumas.

"Hannah Leumas took the ball down the sideline, and made an awesome cross. I was just there to put it in. It was mainly her play getting the ball to me," Adkins said.

"This is a nice memory, and hopefully there are more to come. SSA always comes out and plays hard. They always give us a good match, and it could have gone either way. We were able to bring it to them in the second half. They ruled the first half," Adkins said.

Adkins' crucial goal momentarily switched the momentum to the Lady Bulldogs. On the next possession, SSA showed its resiliency with Johnson pressuring the ball up the left sideline with the Doves' Beatty firing off a shot that was wide right. FHS was able to turn the tables by controlling the offensive flow for the next 10 minutes of regulation play with Lacombe and Caitlin Leumas firing off shots that were rejected by Schwaner. Lacombe had a corner kick in the 72nd minute that the SSA defense was able to clear. Two minutes later, FHS' Tarbell fired off a close-range shot that Schwaner was able to corral for a save.

SSA coach Mike Ortner said despite being on the disappointing losing end he was extremely proud of the way his girls played.

"I couldn't be more proud of my players and their effort. They fought hard, giving it their all. We gave them a second chance on their goal in regulation, and you can't do that against a quality team like Fontainebleau," Ortner said.

Bulldogs notch 8th straight title

Fontainebleau claims district crown vs. SSA on penalty kicks
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
By Tammy Nunez
Staff writer

Jean Bernard spent much of last week fending off some pretty fierce penalty kicks. The Fontainebleau senior goalie was defending them against her teammates, who were zinging them.

On Tuesday she had to make a stop against St. Scholastica for the district title. St. Scholastica, which pushed the Bulldogs to overtime in the first round and used a shootout to move to the state championships last season in Division II, isn't the kind of team a goalie wants to face in a penalty-kick situation.

But regulation and two 10-minute overtimes could not determine a winner. When the teams went to penalty kicks with one goal apiece, Bernard grabbed Danielle Beatty's shot, the Doves (17-5, 11-2) missed another shot, and the Bulldogs hit four penalty kicks to seal their eighth consecutive district title, 2-1.

Bernard's denial caused an eruption from the Fontainebleau fans and the players, who watched seated at midfield. Bernard thought Beatty would follow the Doves' first penalty kicker, Trish Johnson, who hit her first shot right to open the shootout.

"It was the best feeling," Bernard said. "I kind of figured Danielle would go (to the right corner) because she's one of the best."

Johnson scored the first goal in regulation, too, off a deflected ball in the first half. Johnson started off the shootout in the same style. Fontainebleau (16-1, 13-0) matched her with Elisha Tarbell's goal to the right corner.

Beatty's shot was low and headed right when Bernard crouched down and denied it. Shelby Lacombe hit the right corner on Fontainebleau's next shot, but St. Scholastica's Camille Shepherd banged her penalty kick on the crossbar, and the ball fell behind Bernard to even the score.

Fontainebleau's Caitlin Leumas scored the Bulldogs' fourth penalty-kick goal on another shot to the right corner, and St. Scholastica's Caitlyn Kinchen shot too high on the Doves' fourth attempt, leaving the match in Casey Adkins' hands.

"I know the personalities of the girls at St. Scholastica, and I know they never give up, so we couldn't give up," Adkins said. Adkins, a freshman, made perhaps the biggest goal of the night in the second half when she tied the score to send the match to overtime. Leumas passed the ball in front of the net, and it bounced around before Adkins scored in the 18th minute of the second half.

"I don't know what happened," Adkins said. "I think it was just ricocheting in the box, I was happy to be there to put it in. It was all Caitlin Leumas."

Fontainebleau Coach Carly Hotard said her team doesn't like penalty kicks, but she made them shoot those shots in at least five practices leading up to the SSA game.

"I was thinking shootout all," Fontainebleau Coach Carly Hotard said. "I had confidence in Jean Bernard in the goal. We were banging them in the back, but Jean was touching them."

"I told the girls what would happen if we didn't win. We would have a share of the district title, but we would have ended up with the second seed (to the Division I playoffs). We were co-district champions last year, but it felt like second place because we had the second seed (to Mandeville)."

Barry Dotson, math and algebra I teacher at Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville; Stephanie Purser, third and fourth grade teacher at Bonne Ecole Elementary School in Slidell; and Kelly Marcelle Stomps, music teacher at Woodlake Elementary School in Mandeville were named 2008 Louisiana Teacher of the Year at the St. Tammany Parish School Board meeting held Thursday.

Dotson has been teaching at Fontainebleau since 1999. In addition to teaching Algebra I, Algebra II (regular and honors), and Algebra Part I and II, he is also the head coach of the boys' basketball team. Of his career accomplishments, he said, "When I receive that invitation, phone call, letter, or email from a former player or student, the one that tells me about an upcoming graduation, marriage, birth in the family, or just a simple thank you, I fell like a proud parent and the luckiest man alive."

Purser has a master of education degree with a concentration in educational technology leadership. She has been third and fourth grade teacher at Bonne Ecole Elementary since 2001. Of her professional career, she states, "In order for students to meet their full potential, it is imperative that they be engaged. Therefore, I have created within my classroom a community of real-life learners." Several examples of these programs include Mathletes, Entrepreneur Day, and the I. C. E. Society in which children can earn ICE bucks by performing "jobs" and then pay taxes and bills for services they used during the quarter.

These real-life lessons "accomplish what I set out to do: motivate-captivate-teach," said Purser.

Stomps has taught classroom music and Suzuki strings at Woodlake Elementary since 2002. Proud of her career accomplishments, she says, "there is an increase in the number of my former students that participate in musical activities in the upper grades. "

In addition, she credits growth in her technology skills and involvement in integrating music in the classroom. She believes her students should give back to the community and her students participate in many Veteran's Day and Memorial Day performances at Mandeville City Hall. They have also performed for numerous community celebrations.

These three teachers are St. Tammany's examples of professionalism, caring and concern in the classroom for our children.

The Teacher of the Year program recognizes that "no one person has a greater impact on the education of a child than does the teacher who created the primary learning and instructional environment."

High school basketball coaches Barry Dotson (Fontainebleau) and John Priola (Mandeville) are conducting the Legends Thanksgiving Basketball Camp from Monday-Wednesday at Pelican Park Brown Gym for children ages 5-14.

The half-days run from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. The full day will be from 9 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.

The cost of the half-day session is $65 without lunch and $80 with lunch. The full day session is $85.00 without lunch and $100 with lunch.

The camp will be designed to help develop skill, self-esteem and good sportsmanship.

Signup forms are available at Legends Sports World and Pelican Park, but must be dropped at Legends.

Award-winning teachers add spice to classroom

Three in Tammany honored for work
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Kia Hall Hayes
St. Tammany bureau

Barry Dotson calls his teaching philosophy a rich gumbo of influences that have been cooked down to perfection over the course of his 22-year career.

The first ingredient is Mark Twain, who taught the Algebra II teacher at Fontainebleau High School to keep his message simple and not take anything for granted.

Next, he adds the "stuffing," which is the knowledge Dotson imparts to his students.

After a dash of spice to keep his class engaged, Dotson adds the final flavor, a taste of Bob Dylan.

"Times, they are a-changing," he said in his 2008 Louisiana teacher of the year application. "We can no longer just do the things that we used to do. We must blend sound techniques from the past with new creative ideas from today."

Those flavors, as well as a passion for teaching, have earned Dotson the title of St. Tammany Parish teacher of the year.

He shares the honor with Kelly Stomps, who teaches music at Woodlake Elementary School in Mandeville, and Stephanie Purser, who teaches fourth grade at Bonne Ecole Elementary School in Slidell.

Each teacher received the honor at his or her respective school before claiming the parishwide award, and they have been nominated for 2008 Louisiana teacher of the year by the St. Tammany Parish School Board.

Dotson, who also coaches boys basketball at Fontainebleau, said he was "wired" to become a teacher.

He graduated from Louisiana State University and received a master's in secondary mathematics education from the University of New Orleans.

He came to Fontainebleau in 1999 after working at St. Bernard High School, Northshore High School in Slidell and Holy Cross and Brother Martin high schools in New Orleans.

Stomps, who received a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's in music from Louisiana State University, compares her path to teaching to the growth of a flower.

She said her elementary school music teacher instilled in her a love of music that was cultivated during her time in middle and high school bands and various music-related activities.

"Last, the petals of my flower are filled with the joy and excitement I experience while teaching music," Stomps said in her state teacher of the year application. "Each day, I know that I am spreading the seeds of knowledge, the seeds of inspiration, the seeds of love."

Stomps, who came to Woodlake after working at Westdale and LaSalle elementary schools, Westdale Middle School, and Broadmoor High School, all in Baton Rouge, said her greatest accomplishments include seeing her students participate in musical activities such as winter concerts and Mardi Gras parades.

"I am extremely proud to say that there is an increase in the number of my former students that participate in musical activities in the upper grades," Stomps said in her application.

Purser said her passion for teaching math was borne out of her own learning struggles. After finally understanding fractions in college after years of frustration, Purser vowed to make school everything for her students that it wasn't for her.

"I was the child who didn't get long division, no matter how much I had practiced at home with dad," Purser said. "Because I didn't fit the mold of what was considered to be a successful student, I began to dislike school."

Purser earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and a master's from Northwestern State University. She came to Bonne Ecole after teaching fourth grade at North Highlands Elementary School in Baton Rouge.

With a philosophy that centers on meeting the individual educational needs of her students, Purser said her greatest accomplishment came when an eighth-grade student stated in a class project that the high point of his life was being in Purser's third-grade class.

"The greatest reward I have gained from teaching is knowing that I impacted the life of a child in a remarkable way. I can't express how awesome that knowledge is."

Fontainebleau High School has named Steve Lopinto its new girls basketball coach, replacing Chris Oufnac, who served in that role for three years. Oufnac took a position as a parishwide assistant principal.

Lopinto, a 1998 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a kinesiology degree, is taking his third head coaching stint. He coached at Maurepas (2001-02) and Central Lafourche (2002-04) high zchools. Last season, Lopinto, 42, served as an assistant boys' basketball coach under Barry Dotson for the second time (1999-2000, 2005-07).

Lopinto's coaching career started at St. Paul's School as an assistant for one season (1998). Before coaching, Lopinto worked in sales for Coca Cola after graduating from Amite High in 1983.

Dotson said he is sorry he will not be coaching with his good friend but said Lopinto is very deserving of the opportunity.

"He's a good guy and a student of the game," Dotson said. "He goes to clinics and camps all the time. I was happy to have him as my assistant. He's been a real coaching friend and a friend outside of the game. I know he's going to challenge the girls."

Lopinto said he is excited to take over and talked about how he has changed since he first started coaching.

"When I first started coaching, I didn't tolerate a lot of things," Lopinto said. "One of the things that brought me back to Dotson was how well he worked with kids."

The Lady Dawgs are coming off a 2-10 district season, but Lopinto said Oufnac told him the team was competitive during summer league. Lopinto said he is ready for the challenge of turning the program around.

"There's not going to be much pressure," he said. "The girls might feel pressure because they will have to adjust to me and my terminology pretty quickly."

Fontainebleau athletic director Dan Conlin said he is happy to give Lopinto a chance to make his mark.

"This move was a no-brainer," Conlin said. "We get a hard working coach, who is knowledgeable and knows our programs and our school. He will be successful."

Bulldogs rout St. Amant, reach regional

Leumas spurs 6-0 win with two early goals
Friday, February 01, 2008
Tammy Nunez
Staff writer

The fact the lightening, thunder and torrential rain delayed the start of Fontainebleau's Division I bi-district match against St. Amant probably worked in the Bulldogs' favor.

Caitlin Leumas wasn't feeling well all day, but she slowly regained energy as night approached and was glad the match started an hour late. She didn't look worse for the wear, hitting two big, long goals in the first half that keyed the Bulldogs to a 6-0 victory at Fontainebleau.

The Bulldogs will play the winner of the Dominican-South Terrebonne game in the regional round. Dominican is the defending state champion.

"I didn't know if Caitlin would be able to play," Fontainebleau Coach Carly Hotard said. "But she showed up 30 minutes before the game started, and she said she could play. I told her she needed to play sick more often."

Leumas surprised herself on the first goal. She took a deflected corner kick and swung her leg into it with 29 minutes left in the first half.

"I saw it coming, and I just tried to get something on it," Leumas said. "I was surprised it went in."

About six minutes later, Leumas fired another long one that banged into the center of the crossbar before landing in the goal for a 2-0 lead.

The long shots were needed, as St. Amant (8-14-3) dropped everyone back except a forward on defense during Fontainebleau runs.

"Everywhere we went, we ran into people," Leumas said. "There was no way we were able to (get a close shot)."

Fontainebleau (18-1) didn't leave the first half without one more goal. Elisha Tarbell nudged in the third goal, and the Bulldogs went to halftime with a 3-0 lead.

The second half belonged to Fontainebleau, too. The Bulldogs' Kaley Blanton, Shelby Lacombe and Tarbell scored in the second half. The flurry of activity was something Leumas likes to see -- especially if the Bulldogs get to play Dominican in the second round. Dominican gave Fontainebleau its only loss of the season.

"I just see them as the team that beat us the first (and only) time," Leumas said. "I just want to beat them and move along."

St. Tammany Wrestlers set for State Tournament
Mike Pervel & Chris Kinkaid
St. Tammany News

The 2008 Louisiana State Wrestling Tournament takes place today and tomorrow at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. The action gets underway this morning at 9 o'clock with Session 1. Session 2 begins this afternoon at 5. Session 3 is scheduled to open tomorrow morning at 9 followed by Session 4 at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow. Gates will open one hour prior to each session starting time. Admission charge is $8 per person per session. An All-Session pass is available during the first session only for $28.

In Division I, Covington, Fontainebleau, Mandeville, Northshore, Slidell and St. Paul's will participate.

Mandeville's Ryan Seals is seeded sixth in the 103-pound weight class. St. Paul's Peter Chatry and FHS' Adeolu Ogunniyi will also participate at 103. Five St. Tammany Parish wrestlers go at it at 112 pounds including a local match up with Northshore's Nick Ong against SPS' Kurt Bradbury. FHS' Colin Palma, Mandeville's Ryan Ross and Slidell's Matt Moore are also in the 112-pound class. At 119 pounds, SPS' Anthony Lacava is seeded third with a bye into the second round. FHS' Zach Stow, Northshore's Myron Ancona, Mandeville's John Rush, Covington's Jeff Vezain and Slidell's Case Born will also wrestle at 119. At 125 pounds, MHS' Casey Perino is seeded third, while St. Paul's Korey Miller comes in seeded fourth. Northshore's John Crowley has the seventh seed. All three wrestlers have first round byes. FHS' Nick Morris is also competing at 125. At 130-pounds, SPS' Chase Gourgues is seeded fourth and FHS' Ethan Dugar, the eighth seed, have byes. Also competing are CHS' Dylan Pitre, Mandeville's Brian Barraco and NHS' Clint Kiley. At 135-pounds, FHS' Tyler Dugas is seeded fifth with a bye. St. Paul's Chad Bordelon, Northshore's Brandon Shoemaker and Mandeville's Bradley Arthur will also wrestle at 135. In the 140-pound class, Mandeville's Elijah Leve/, a two-time defending Division III state champion, comes in as the No. 3 seed. Covington's Nick Loyola, FHS' Patrick Ricau, Northshore's Anthony Saliba and St. Paul's Keaton Miller also wrestle at 140. At 145-pounds, FHS' Alan Ducre is seeded eighth. Mandeville's Joey Haidler and St. Paul's Matt Shubert are also wrestling at 145. In the 152-pound class, FHS' Christian Verges is seeded third. NHS' David Pedeaux and Slidell's Devon Kennedy have first round byes and will square off in the second round.

MHS' Hugh Stephens and SPS' Andrew Asaro also wrestle at 152. In the 160-pound class, SPS' Norman Faucheux is the second seed gaining a first round bye. NHS' Mike Cefalu, seeded fifth, also receives a bye. FHS' Peter Tobin is seeded seventh and will wrestle CHS' Cole Johnson in the first round. MHS' Tyler Durand and SHS' Corey Rabolais also compete at 160. In the 171-pound class, MHS' Jimmy Kotter is the second seed and FHS' David Morris is seeded sixth, both drawing first round byes. CHS' Caleb Authment, NHS' Bobby McGuiness, SHS' Garet Duggan and St. Paul's Tyle Olister are also in the 171-pound class. At 189 pounds, SPS' Alex Grashoff, seeded third and MHS' Tim Rochelle, seeded sixth, drew byes. FHS' Anthony McNeely and NHS' J.P. Verzwyvelt wrestle at 189. Competing at 215-pounds, Mandeville's top seed is Keith Schulz. FHS' Josh Gilchrist is seeded fifth. NHS' Henry Anderson, SHS' Josh Greer and SPS' Nick Logarbo round out the local field at 215. In the 285-pound class, SPS' Lee Morgan is seeded seventh and MHS' Tanner Baldus is seeded eighth. FHS' Max Newman and SHS' Alex Griffin meet in the opening round with the winner meeting the Sulphur's top seeded Brett Koonce. CHS' Sebastian Pastor is also competing at 285.

Pearl River will compete in Division II with 10 Rebels participating. PRHS' Warren Brown will face Archbishop Shaw's Raymond Savoy, the top seed, at 112-pounds. At 119, Brandon Crowe, is a sixth seed. Nathanael Stiegler competes at 125-pounds. PRHS' Dillon Esslinger is seeded fifth with a bye competing at 130 pounds. At 145 pounds, the Rebels' Trey Ardeneaux is seeded third. At 160 pounds, PRHS' Melvin Lyons is wrestling at 160. Andrew Holmberg is seeded third at 171-pounds. The Rebels' Jonahus Lessard is seeded fourth at 189 with a first round bye. At 215, Cecil Fleming wrestles Teurlings Catholic's Chris Vincent, the No 2 seed. At 275, PRHS' John Luscy, is the No. 6 seed.

Northlake Christian School has five wrestlers, who will participate in Division III. Jared Smith wrestles at 103. Zack Loupe, who finished fourth at state last year, will wrestle at 112 pounds. Ryan Smith competes at 135 for the Wolverines. Garrett Gist has a first round bye in the 145-pound class. NCS' Josh Fouquet, the Wolverines' former quarterback, faces Beau Haydel, the No. 2 seed, at 160.

Dominican downs FHS again in regional playoff shootout
Kim D. Normand
Contributing Writer

Dominican, the runner-up team from District 10-1, did what only they have been able to do this prep soccer season beat the District 7-I champion Lady Bulldogs of Fontainebleau, this time in a shootout, 3-2, in the regional round of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state soccer playoffs.

After regulation ended with the score tied at 2-2 and four overtimes, the first being two 10-minute stanzas and the final two five-minute affairs, Dominican 10-8 overall, moved into the quarterfinal round of the playoffs at St. Joseph of Baton Rouge.

"This was a great game with the teams going back and forth, and fortunately we were able to fight back each time they scored and tie the match up," said Dominican coach Henrik Madsen. "You hate to have the game come down to a crapshoot, but Emily Cobena made some nice blocks on shots as well as booting the first shot in the shootout."

FHS (18-2) won the District 7-1 title with an unblemished 14-0 mark. The Lady Bulldogs' only two losses came against Dominican. FHS first-year coach Carly Hotard praised her club for an outstanding season.

"I wouldn't want to coach any other team than my girls here. They played hard the entire game," Hotard said. "They have a lot of speed up front, and they found the target better than we did tonight."

"We didn't capitalize on some errors, and we missed some shots on goal in the first half which came back to bite us."

The first half was dominated by the freshmen. Casey Adkins, the center mid fielder, scored the first goal of the match about 20 minutes into the opening half before Dominican freshmen forward Katherine Cuntz knotted the match up at 1 apiece at halftime.

Elisha Tarbell, the Lady Dawgs' senior forward and co-captain, put Fontainebleau up 2-1 midway through the second frame. But Dominican would tie the score again with senior mid fielder Erin Kennedy's goal with about 10 minutes left in regulation before the extended play.

Cobena started off the shootout nailing a shot past senior goalie and co-captain Jean Bernard then went on defense to block two of the four attempts by Fontainebleau to seal the win and advance in the playoffs.

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19 parish seniors named Merit semifinalists
Sandy Cunningham
St. Tammany News

Nineteen St. Tammany Parish high school seniors - eight from Northshore High School - have been named semifinalists in the 53rd annual National Merit Scholarship program.

These seniors have the opportunity to compete for 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards worth $34 million that will be offered in the spring. National Merit Scholarship Corp., officials say 16,000 high school seniors nationwide have achieved semifinal status, and about 90 percent of those are expected to become finalists. Approximately half of the finalists will be selected as Merit Scholarship winners.

Northshore High School principal Dr. Michael Peterson said the school produced seven semifinalists three years ago, but this year's number is a record.

"We've certainly got a hard-working group of faculty members and great students," he said. "Our honors and gifted curriculum is at a rigorous level that challenges students to excel. This feeds into the results of the tests."

Students selected as National Merit semifinalists scored high on the PSAT tests taken during their junior year. They will be judged on other academic criteria as the process continues.

"I think the individual difference for us comes from the teachers in the classroom," Peterson said. "I'm really proud of the people we have here."

Local semifinalists are:

Fontainebleau High School - Lindsey M. Boren, Noah A. Davis, Ethan S. Rault and Andrew T. Smith;

Mandeville High School - John L. Rees, Brian J. Smoorenburg, Bradley J. St. Angelo and Eric W. Wolfarth;
Northlake Christian School - Mark P. Maher;

Northshore High School - Trigg W. Burrage, Sarah L. Davis, Andrew K. Elliott, Jeffrey V. Hsu, Laamia Q. Islam, Danielle M. Kraus, Ryan W. Krewsky and Emily L. Slazer;
St. Paul's School - Brian P. Logarbo;
Slidell High School - Rebekah C. Locke.

The semifinalists nationwide represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors.

Finalists for the scholarships will be named in the spring.

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Northshore takes advantage of FHS miscues in victory
Chris Kinkaid
St. Tammany News

Northshore's Kaitlin Simmons slides under the tag of catcher Jessica Simms (20) as home-plate umpire Glenn Engolia is on the call during Monday's District 7-5A opener at NHS. Simmons scored after the ball hit the ground on a third strike. The throw went to first and the runner came home on the play. Northshore on-deck hitter Rachel Rickrode (23) is also pictured telling Simmons to slide. (Staff Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

Lady Panthers' Wood homers and doubles

Northshore's Lady Panthers took advantage of Fontainebleau miscues in a 5-2 victory Monday to open the District 7-5A season.

NHS, the home team, improved to 5-2 and is scheduled to host Hammond tomorrow. FHS fell to 4-6 heading into tomorrow's tilt at Covington.

Northshore scored single runs in each of the first three innings. The Lady Panthers began their rally in the opening frame with a two-out double by Kasi Wood followed by an RBI single from Haylee Lanzas. Wood finished with two hits and three runs scored.

In the second inning, Northshore collected a run on a hit. Kaitlin Simmons singled behind first, and Christina Hart was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch during Alexis Hardy's at bat. Hardy struck out during her plate appearance, but the third strike hit the ground. FHS catcher Jessica Simms threw to first, but Simmons came charging home and was safe at the plate.

Northshore took a 3-0 lead in the third inning when Wood belted a one-out solo homer to center field. It was her second of the season.

Wood said she wasn't sure if she had got it enough to clear the wall.

"I didn't even know if it was a home run. I rounded first when I finally knew. I thought it was a fly ball double. I thought it was pretty far," Wood said.

Northshore coach Marian Eades said it is nice to have Wood's bat in the middle of the lineup.

"She is only a sophomore. She has a great bat. She comes ready to play every day and is very good defensively," Eades said.

The Lady Panthers tacked on two more in the fifth off a Fontainebleau error. With one out, Kristie Welch took advantage of a 3-0 green light and singled to center. With Wood coming up for her third at bat, FHS coach Chris Nelson took out starting pitcher Kendyl Stevenson, who eventually took the loss, and brought in Christina Guy. The move worked as Wood hit a grounder to third, but the throw to second was low and into right centerfield. Welch scored and Wood went all the way to third. She scored on Lanzas' second RBI of the game.

Nelson said the error was a result of a lack of communication between two players.

"What that comes down to, I think, is one teammate not trusting another. Your teammate is going to be where they're supposed to be, and they're going to make the play. You cannot play this game half-speed, scared or worried about if somebody else is going to do their job," Nelson said.

Northshore's Corinne Fraychineaud replaced starter Lindsey Bouch/ to start the sixth. Bouch/ (5-1), who got the win, gave up two hits on back-to-back singles by Jean Bernard and Jade Hewitt to start the fourth. She rebounded to strike out the side and tallied six for the day.

Bouch/ said she is not afraid to let her opponents put the ball in play because she has a lot of confidence in her fielders.

"My outside pitch and screwball were definitely working," Bouch/ said. "I know I have a good defense behind me."

Fontainebleau made things exciting in the seventh by putting the potential tying run at the plate after trailing 5-0 through six. Laura Eberhart and Lailey Huff opened with singles. Fraychineaud came back to get the next two hitters, but consecutive RBI singles to center by pinch hitters Dani Revon and Sydney Fabian made it 5-2. Fraychineaud struck out Molly Willie to end the game.

Coach Eades said she was happy with her team's performance.

"I was very pleased with every aspect of the game," Eades said. "I thought defensively, we played well. We had one error. Other than that, we had a lot of fielding opportunities and we made the plays," Eades said.

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Two win indoor state titles
Mike Pervel
St. Tammany News

UZUNMA UDEH

FHS' Udeh, St. Paul's Dessauer victorious

The 2008 Louisiana High School Athletic Association Indoor Championships were held Saturday at the Carl Maddox Field House on the LSU campus.

Fontainebleau senior Uzunma Udeh, a Columbia University signee, won the Girls' Division I state indoor title in the triple jump (37-00.75), while St. Paul's senior Luke Dessauer captured the Boys' Division I 800-meter title with a sub-10-minute time of 9:58.82, defeating Catholic High's Philip Primeaux by 10 seconds. Fontainebleau's Neal Fischer, a Nicholls State signee, earned an eighth-place finish (10:33.24), while Slidell junior Zack France took ninth (10:37.21).

FHS' Udeh, who also has two outdoor state titles to her credit in the triple jump, said she was really excited to win another state championship.

"I think it's really good to win the indoor title in my senior year. It just makes it that much better. I was kind of disappointed what I jumped (37-00.75), but it was still good for this early in the year," Udeh said.

Udeh's career best is 39-11 in the triple jump. She has established a goal of trying to reach 41 feet. Udeh described the indoor meet as having a little less competition because athletes are involved in other sports, like basketball.

"It's not as much of a competitive atmosphere as the outdoor season when everybody has had time to prepare to bring their 'A' game," Udeh said.

Fontainebleau track coach Leonard Tridico said Udeh looked good.

"I feel Uzunma is right where she needs to be to start the outdoor season. She turned in a good performance winning the triple jump," Tridico said.

SPS' Dessauer established his indoor PR, winning the race.

"This is probably the most memorable moment of my St. Paul's running career. It was definitely a good feeling winning the indoor state title. I've been running for five years for St. Paul's and never had an opportunity to win one. I've been right up there at the top of the state before, but it just wasn't my day in the past," Dessauer said.

"Basically my plan was to stay in the middle of the pack and not let anybody break off. The race was a little slower at first than I expected. I figured it would be a lot faster at the state meet," Dessauer added.

Dessauer said it was a real tight pack with a lot of jostling for position, moving back and forth early in the race.

"I almost got tripped up a couple times. I waited for my chance with 600 meters to go. I went hard and was able to win it," Dessauer said.

Dessauer said Catholic High 's runner, Phillip Primeaux, pushed him in the beginning. He said he is looking forward to the upcoming outdoor season and it should be fun.

St. Scholastica Academy coach Kristi Beccera said her athletes had an excellent meet. The Doves finished tied with Hahnville for sixth place with 22 points after taking eighth place in last year's indoor meet. Northside won the girl's Division I title with 64 points followed by Lafayette (50) and Barbe (40).

Fontainebleau tied with Dutchtown for ninth place (18), while Mandeville tied for 16th (8).

Doves' freshman Lauren Salles was just nipped in the girl's 800-meter run (2:19.72) finishing less than a second behind Sulphur's Mary Newton (2:19.09). Salles set her personal best.

"Lauren ran a very smart race. She did a great job. It was a huge PR for her," Beccera said.

Mandeville junior Christine Derbins came in ninth (2:35.28) in the 800-meter event.

SSA sophomore Angela LaBorde finished second (5:23.64), establishing a PR in the 1,600 meters, finishing behind Academy of Our Lady's Heather Fitzhenry (5:22.72).

Mandeville senior Katherine Cade took second (12:03.27) in the 3,200 meters. Walker's Amber Abbott (11:53.87) won the event. MHS senior Paige Duracher (13:12.80) earned an eighth-place finish, while SSA freshman Mallory Stubbs came in 10th (13:36.82), establishing a PR.

Mandeville track coach Gerald Singer said his competitors did a great job.

"When you compete at state, the level of competition is tremendous. It was good to see Katherine (Cade) make it to the podium. Our participants had a strong showing, establishing a lot of personal bests in the prestigious state meet," Singer said.

SSA's 4x800 meter relay team also got on the podium with a third-place finish (10:22.12) setting a team PR. The team is made up of Salles, Laborde, Rachel Despeaux and senior Kate Harlan as the anchor.

SSA also earned an eighth-place finish in the 4x400 meter relay (4:24.57). The team is comprised of Salles, Elise Gagnon, Despeaux and Rachel Roberts.

FHS senior Jessica Day, a Nicholls State signee, finished as the state runner-up in the high jump with a height of 5-foot-3 inches, a Lady Bulldogs' school record. St. Scholastica Academy junior Maury Williams finished eighth (4-10) in the high jump.

In other boy's Division I competition, FHS senior Jeff Sanders, an Auburn signee, finished fourth in the 800 meters (2:05.17) despite taking a spill. Baton Rouge Magnet's Phillip Goetert won the race (1:57.52).

"I had an unfortunate mishap during the race," Sanders said. "After I fell, I just told myself, I'm not going to give up that easily. I got up and continued the race. I had to keep fighting to give it everything I had to get back up there."

"Coming off a turn, I just remember falling forward. For me to run a 2:05 after falling down and eating some pavement, I'm very pleased. When I got up, I continued to go strong and just finished the race to the best of my ability," Sanders added.

FHS coach Tridico said it was a tough race with Sanders getting boxed in.

"On the second lap, there was contact. He was tripped up, and he fell. He showed a lot of courage getting back up.," Tridico said.

Mandeville junior Connor Casey took fifth place (2:06.30), while St. Paul's Ethan Mizel was eighth (2:10.88).

MHS' Casey also earned an 11th-place finish in the 1,600-meters (4:50.80).

In the Boys Division I 4x800 meter relay, Mandeville's team of Mark Ball, Steven Hollander, Kyle Balius and Casey earned a 10th-place finish (8:54.29).

In the Boys triple jump, Slidell junior Holland Bussell finished sixth (42-05.00), while his Tigers' teammate senior Alvin McKinnis came in seventh (42-03.25). Northshore's Wynston Johnson-Lyman earned an eighth-place spot (41-02.75).

Slidell senior Donald Cousins came in 13th in the 55-meter dash.

SPS' 4X800 meter relay team of Robbie Tanner, Trey Weiss, Austin Ross and Trevor Dillon finished 14th (9:38:23).

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Softball--St. Amant Tourney

St. Scholastica Academy posted a 3-1 record in the St. Amant Tournament Friday and Saturday. SSA was blanked by Dutchtown, 3-0, in the opener. SSA's Lauren Fereday was tagged with the loss. SSA came back to trim Hanson, 3-1. Brianna Bulgrin drove in two runs for the Doves, and Casey Fekete scored a run. Brandi Giarrusso went 1-1. Katie Tyrney was credited with the victory. Fereday came back to pitch the Doves to a 2-0 victory over Rosepine. Fereday only allowed one hit and struck out four. Brittney Thompson had a hit and drove in two runs. Kristen McDaniel had a hit and scored a run.

SSA blanked Patterson, 5-0, in the Doves final game in the tournament. Fereday earned the victory to improve to 4-2 on the season. Fereday was named to the All-Tournament team. Giarrusso, McDaniel and Thompson drove in one run each for the Doves. Fekete and Tyrney scored one run each.

FHS struggles in St. Amant Tournament

Fontainebleau found the going tough in the St. Amant Tournament. The Lady Bulldogs won their first game over Walker, 11-1, on Friday. FHS scored 11 runs in the third inning and finished with 13 hits. Kendyl Stevenson picked up the victory. She allowed one run on just one hit. Jessica Simms had two hits and drove in three runs for the Lady Dawgs. Jean Bernard added two hits with two runs batted in. Jade Hewitt picked up three hits and batted .714 in the tournament.

Doyle blanked FHS, 7-0, in three innings on a two-hitter by Leigh Ann Bennett. Bernard and Lailey Huff were the only two players to get hits for FHS. Alyssa Ranzino was tagged with the loss.

FHS fell to Thibodaux, 3-1, in four innings on Saturday. Simms had two of the Lady Dawgs' five hits. Ranzino suffered the loss, giving up three runs on three hits in her three innings of work. Christina Guy relieved her and tossed one inning of scoreless relief.

Lutcher downed Fontainebleau, 10-7, on Saturday with Michelle Duhe picking up the victory. Duhe also had two hits and drove in two runs. Laura Eberhart had three hits and drove in three runs for FHS. Molly Willie had two hits and drove in a run. Bernard chipped in with two hits for the Lady Bulldogs and finished with a .556 batting average. Stevenson (3-3) took the loss allowing 10 runs on 10 hits, while pitching four innings.

FHS Chris Nelson said although he wasn't happy with his team's record over the weekend, overall they hit the ball well.

"We were able to get plenty of our freshmen in pressure game situations."

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Baseball--Bulldogs unbeaten tournament

Fontainebleau's Bulldogs defeated West Feliciana, 7-5, Friday taking advantage of four Saints' errors. FHS tallied three runs in the bottom of the first. Blake Latioslais drew a bases walk and Colton Adkins produced an RBI single. West Feliciano took a 4-3 lead in the top of the second. The Bulldogs added a run in the second. Addison Melancon reached on an error and eventually scored. FHS added two runs in the fourth with Chris Prudhomme producing an RBI single. FHS held a 6-4 lead entering the bottom of the fifth.

Starter Brennan Marque went 5 1/3 innings to earn the victory. He allowed one run on two hits. Klay Galloway pitched the final 1 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs (one earned) on two hits.

FHS downed Rummel, 6-5, on Saturday with both teams combining for 11 errors.

Rummel took a 2-0 lead. FHS tallied three runs in the bottom of the second. Jacob Palmisano went 2-4 and scored a run. Austin Fontenot drove in two runs for the Dawgs. Starter Matt Pittari went four innings allowing two runs on four hits with four walks. Reliever Logan Peterson picked up the win throwing three innings of scoreless, one-hit ball.

FHS topped John Curtis, 6-5, in the Bulldogs' second game on Saturday.

Prudhomme pitched a complete game, four-hitter allowing five runs (two earned). He also went 2-3 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Daniel Brockhoeft also had two hits for the Dawgs with a run batted in.

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FHS' Fischer signs with Nicholls State
By Mike Pervel
St. Tammany News

Seated, Fontainebleau senior cross country and track runner, Neal Fischer signs his national letter of intent to attend Nicholls State University in Thibodaux during a recent signing ceremony at FHS. Fischer is flanked by his mother Barbara and his father David. Standing is Fontainebleau cross country and track coach Leonard Tridico. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

Fontainebleau senior cross country and track runner Neal Fischer has signed a national letter of intent to attend Nicholls State University in Thibodaux on a cross country scholarship.

"I decided to attend Nicholls State because I liked the location and I have always been interested in what it had to offer. It's not too far away, but it's far enough away to have a change of pace being away from home," Fischer said.

Fischer, a 5-foot-10, 126-pound runner, established his three-mile personal best time of 16:03 earlier this year at the Walker Shootout. Fischer was a 2007 All-State cross country runner. He finished as a 2007 district runner-up in cross country. He made the all-district cross country team in 2006 and 2007. Fischer is a member of the FHS school record team in the 4x800 meter relay.

"I'm happy I'll have an opportunity to keep running in college. I don't plan on leading the pack. I'm just blessed to have a scholarship and just be able to continue running in college," Fischer added.

He said Nicholls State isn't at the top of the pack in the Southland Conference, but they have a decent program and will put up a fight.

"They have a young roster, so this season was a rebuilding year with lots of freshmen. I'm one of three scholarship runners, so they are looking for some new talent."

Fischer said he focused on attending Nicholls the entire way. He visited the campus back in October.

"When I made my official visit, everything seemed comforting and very promising," he said.

He said he had some interest from Loyola University in New Orleans along with the University of New Orleans.

Fischer said he and teammate, Jeff Sanders, helped make each other better runners pushing each other in practice.

"I think we benefited from each other's ability. We both were able to challenge each other for the past four years. Trying to keep up with Jeff helped build up my speed and endurance. It was a win-win situation," Fischer added.

When asked who the most influential person has been in his running career, he said it would have to be his dad, David, who was a track manager for Covington High School in the 1970s.

"He told me early on that I should be a distance runner based on my build. I considered backing out of it because I didn't think I could do it. I tried playing other sports, but I gave track a try in my freshman year."

Fontainebleau cross country and track coach Leonard Tridico described Fischer as a tremendous person who works extremely hard.

"Neal has a team-first attitude," Tridico said. "He gives you his best effort every time out. He continues to run at a competitive level. The fact he gets to extend his career running in college is a tremendous opportunity for him. He really wanted to go to Nicholls," Tridico said.

Tridico said Fischer is such a positive role model with the younger runners.

"He is always there to cheer on his teammates. He also attends JV meets when he doesn't have to be there. I think that speaks volumes about his love for his school and what his teammates mean to him."

Fischer said his best memory of being a cross country runner was this past season when he and his teammates won the District 7-5A Cross Country title.

When asked if he looked up to anybody as a role model, he named Jessica Day, a senior with the Fontainebleau Lady Bulldogs.

Day has also signed to attend Nicholls State.

"Ever since day one, she has been there supporting me during every race. Jessica has always been a great friend to me. She has always believed in me," Fischer said.

Fischer said he hasn't decided yet on what he wants to major in.

Neal is the son of David and Barbara Fischer of Mandeville, LA .

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2008 College Signings

Day, Jessica--Fontainebleau-- Nicholls State University-- High Jump

CROSS COUNTRY
2006-District 4-5A JV High Jump Champion,
2007-4th at State in High Jump
Team Captain in Cross Country

HJ 005-3.00 PR LHSAA Indoor State Meet
HJ 005-0.00 LSU Indoor Qualifier
HJ 005-0.00 LSU High School Invitational
3Mile 22:00.00 PR Fontainebleau Bulldog Invitational

Fischer, Neal--Fontainebleau--Nicholls State University--Distance

CROSS COUNTRY:
2006-District 4-5A 2nd Team All District
Northshore All-Metro

TRACK & FIELD
2007-District 7-5A 1st Team All District (2nd Place Runner Up)
New Orleans / Northshore 1st Team All-Metro (3rd Place)
LHSAA All-State Composite Team

*2007 Team Captain*

TRACK & FIELD:
2007-St. Tammany Parish- 3rd in 1600m

3200m 10:33.24 LHSAA Indoor State Meet
3200m 10:27.70 PR LSU Indoor Qualifier
3200m 10:37.66 LSU High School Invitational
3Mile 16:36.00 LHSAA State XC Championsips
3Mile 16:04.84 Northshore Metro Championships

Sanders, Jeffery--Fontainebleau--Auburn University--Distance

CROSS COUNTRY:
2004- 1st Team All District,
2005-1st Team All District & All State Composite.
2006- 1st Team All District, Northshore Metro Champion, & All State Composite.
2007- Team Captain, District Champion, Northshore Metro Champion, 5A State Runner-Up, All State Composite

TRACK AND FIELD:
2006- 5A State Runner Up in 1600m
2007- Division I State Runner Up in 1600m

800m 2:5.17 LHSAA Indoor State Meet
800m 2:0.74 LSU Indoor Qualifier
3Mile 15:48.00 LHSAA State XC Championsips
3Mile 15:34.94 Northshore Metro Championships
3Mile 15:52.00 District 7-5A Championships

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Video technology links students 20 miles apart
Teacher can be in two places
Friday, February 29, 2008
Kia Hall Hayes
St. Tammany bureau

During English class at Fontainebleau High School near Mandeville , Katie Trainor couldn't wait for her chance to share her thoughts on "The Poisonwood Bible," the subject of Tuesday's student-led discussion.

After listening to a classmate describe one of the book's characters as "arrogant and prideful," Trainor was compelled to interrupt.

"And ashamed," she added before expanding on her own analysis.

While Trainor was very involved in the discussion, she was nowhere near teacher Shelly Easterling's classroom.

Trainor and six classmates from Pearl River High School appeared on a TV screen positioned at the front of Easterling's classroom and participated from their eastern St. Tammany school through the district's video conferencing technology.

The two sets of students were more than 20 miles apart, but you wouldn't have known it from listening to the lively discussion. During the 90-minute class students from both schools talked over each other, posed questions and laughed at each other's jokes. Easterling says the technology has fostered relationships from across the parish.

School officials say the concept, called "distance learning," helps administrators better utilize the district's resources. The district hopes to expand the practice into other schools, for use when long-term substitute teachers are needed or to fill the demand for honors and foreign language instructors, said Regina Sanford, supervisor of secondary instruction for St. Tammany Parish schools.

"We see this as a viable option for when we have situations where we can't find a certified teacher in a high demand area," she said.

The district purchased distance learning kits for all 52 schools four or five years ago as part of a grant, but until recently they had mainly been used for professional development or to hold video conference meetings with administration and staff, Sanford said.

"We just thought, 'Why don't we do some vide

1	Catholic BR	214
2	Jesuit	210
3	Brother Martin	199
4	Arch Rummel	184
5	Mandeville	127
6	Comeaux	117
7	St. Amant	99
8	St. Paul's	84.5
9	Sulphur	80
10	Fontainebleau	70
11	Hahnville	53.5
12	Lafayette	50
	Dutchtown	50
14	John Ehret	49
15	Airline	48.5
16	Huntington	27.5
17	East Ascension	23
18	Northshore	16
19	C.E. Byrd	8
20	Denham Springs	7
21	Grace King	6
	Carencro	6
	Covington	6
	Chalmette	6
25	Baton Rouge	3
26	Bonnabel	2
	Central	2
28	St.Thomas Moore	0
	L. W. Higgins	0
	Slidell	0
31	Acadiana	-1

Preparing for the worst: school violence drill at Fontainebleau

A school without walls The Northshore School of the Arts

Ryan Miller, Salmen High School senior

FHS band struts its stuff at Sugar Bowl

It's one of 2 groups chosen for halftime

Lady Bulldogs take 4-0 victory