DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / September 30, 2000

VACHERIE – In honor of National Grandparents Week, St. James Parishcelebrated with various activities through the week, including the Grandparents Banquet Sept. 14.For the last four years the parish has celebrated grandparents week. “Thisyear we wanted to include the grandchildren,” said Michelle Nailor-Octave, supervisor of the elderly program. That night some 200 citizens,grandparents and grandkids alike attended the dinner and festivities.

In preparation for the event, St. James Parish schools were asked to allowtheir students to write essays on “What my Grandparents Mean To Me.”Both the east and west banks schools gave the assignments for a grade or extra points in the class, said Octave.

The night consisted of entertainment for the grandparents, including a reading of one of the essays by Stellesha Martin. The St. James ParishSenior Citizens Gospel Choir sang and the Mt. Calvary Dance Teamperformed. Dot Thibodaux and Donna Spayde of the East Baton Rouge Councilon Aging, spoke on starting a grandparents support group. Elton Smith wasthe guest speaker for the evening.

Before the evening began judges went about the task of reading recommendation letters to appoint a Grandparent of the Year. The judgescame to a tie for the first time ever, said Octave. Mary Vaughn and NaheemNassar were chosen as the Grandparents of the Year.

The crowd received T-shirt and caps, said Layne Porrier, manager of the Romeville Senior Center. Guest speakers talked on the topic of raisinggrandchildren and what’s involved, including how to get available money from the state. The whole week was fun for the grandparents, he added. AtRomeville they had a Braggin’ Party. The grandparents brought pictures oftheir grandkids and shared memories and stories. Overall the week was veryspecial for all the grandparents in the parish.

Winners of the essay contest were: first Place, Jerrica Williams, Ja’Brielle Manual, Brandy Harry, Elizabeth Melarcer, Heidi Gros Jessica Boullion and April Johnson; second place, Jessica Landor, Brittan George, Joy Aubert, Dayna Jenkins, Jowanna Efrid, Shae Siears and Jennifer Bailey; and third place, Trace Juneau, Shelbi Hymel, Jillian A’Tia Graves, Corner Gray, Dontrell Armour, Rishcko Snowden and Eryn Shaw.

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