Category Archives: Ascension

GONZALES The Ascension Parish Council and its committees will go back to virtual meetings starting at 6:00 tonight, as the surge of the COVID cases continues to disrupt life in the area.

The announcement comes one day after the Jambalaya Festival Association announced it would have to cancel its annual festival in Gonzales for a second year in a row, and two days after Parish President Clint Cointment said he has mild symptoms from the COVID-19 illness.

For a second straight year, the novel coronavirus has canceled a Gonzales tradition: the Jambalaya Festival.

All meetings will be broadcast live on Ascension21, the parish public access channel available on EATEL and Cox cable, and streamed live on the internet, parish officials said Thursday.

"Until further notice, all meetings of the Ascension Parish Council and all Committee meetings will be by video teleconference only," the officials added in a statement Thursday. "This move is being made in an attempt to counter the recent surge in the number of coronavirus infections and COVID-19 cases."

The Council had virtual meetings for months in 2020 and early 2021 during earlier phases of the pandemic. But it switched back to in-person meetings in the spring when cases plummeted.

A few of those virtual meetings generated controversy because of poor internet connections that limited public comment. In January, a Planning Commission meeting over the controversial approval of the Windermere Crossing subdivision off Cannon Road suffered from some of those connection problems that limited comments, residents have said.

Ascension President Clint Cointment has been diagnosed with COVID-19 despite having being vaccinated, parish officials said Tuesday.

It's not clear when or where Cointment was infected, but he was fully vaccinated, his aides said. Parish officials have said they have notified all close contacts and Cointment has used his infection as an opportunity to urge others to be vaccinated.

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But Ascension continues to be one of the highest-risk locations in the state for the spread of the coronavirus, state health data show.

In the latest data released Wednesday, Ascension had the seventh highest weekly test positivity rate at 21.6%. State health experts generally consider 10% test positivity as a worrying level of viral spread.

GONZALESEven in the face of an uproar from residents over flooding, the Ascension Parish Planning Commission approved plans to construct se

State health officials say 90% of new cases are among those who are unvaccinated. Ascension's percentage of fully vaccinated residents is nearly 37%, slightly behind the statewide average and about 4 percentage points behind the regional average.

Parish officials said residents who wish to speak at Thursday's council meeting, which had been planned to be in Donaldsonville, and at future meetings can send an email up to 24 hours before the meeting or call a number during the meeting.

Narrow roads and traffic congestion continued to draw the focus of the Ascension Parish Planning Commission this month as the panel approved t

Officials said comments should be emailed to comments@apgov.us. The emails sent up to 24 hours before the meeting will be read aloud during the meeting.

During the meeting, residents should call (225) 621-8636 and enter participant code 939496.

Comments are limited to agenda items only. All meeting agendas and supporting documents are published on the parish website: http://www.ascensionparish.net/new-agendas-and-minutes/

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Another COVID disruption: Ascension Parish meetings go virtual again after president infected - The Advocate

COVID-19 shots available at Health Unit

The staff at the Ascension Parish Health Unit reminds residents they can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the health unit.

The Moderna vaccine is available at the Ascension Parish Health Unit, 1024 S. East Ascension Complex Blvd., in Gonzales. Appointments are available by calling (225) 450-1425.

According to its news release, vaccines are an essential part of helping to safely bring Louisiana back, and the Ascension Parish Government is working hard, together with its partners the Louisiana Department of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to help do so, according to a news release.

For information, visithttps://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine/.

Experience the best of the River Road African American Museum from the comfort of your own home.

With our virtual exhibitions, the museum continues to uncover and share compelling stories about the rural communities of south Louisiana through the collection, preservation and interpretation of art, artifacts and historic buildings.

Check out the museums newest virtual exhibits from its app or visit rrmobile.aamuseum.yourcultureconnect.com/experiences.

Have you lost your job or had your income reduced due to COVID-19? Are you confused about your rights under the new federal coronavirus relief bill? Do you have questions about other workers rights issues like unpaid wage claims? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then join Southeast Louisiana Legal Services attorney Marissa Delgado for a virtual discussion at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, at for a Know Your Rights legal workshop focusing on unemployment compensation and workers rights.

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services fights for fairness in the justice system. For information on services provided by Legal Services, visit slls.org.

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Advance registration is required. To register, call (225) 673-8699. After registering, you will receive an email with information on how to join the live discussion.

The Ascension Council on Aging will be hosting MIPPA Education Events for Ascension Parish senior residents. MIPPA is the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

The events are scheduled at both senior centers as follows:

For information, call Leslie at Gonzales Senior Center, (225) 621-5750, or Jamie at Donaldsonville Senior Center, (225) 473-3789.

River Region Art Association's "Red Hot Night", which was set for Saturday, has been canceled. In wake of rising COVID-19 cases, the association opted to cancel the annual art show.

For information about the association, call (225) 644-8496 and leave a message and gallery volunteers will call you back. The Depot Gallery, 320 E. Ascension St., Suite C, in Gonzales is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Editor's Note: The River Region Art Association Red Hot Night art show story was changed to announced that the event has been canceled.

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Around Ascension for Aug. 4, 2021 | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate

Two men have been arrested after a shooting a gun in Gonzales early Tuesday before leading officers on a car chase, the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office reported.

Officers responded around 4 a.m. to reports of someone shooting a gun on Norwood Drive, APSO said.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they heard several more shots being fired from a car that fled towards La. 931.

Police chased after the vehicle, which crashed at the intersection of Norwood Road and La. 931, after which the drive and a passenger took off running.

APSO later found and identified as suspects Humberto Gonzales and Kody Hughes, both 30.

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Gonzales admitted to driving the car and shooting the handgun for reasons he did not make clear to officers, APSO said.

Police recovered two guns. Both men were booked into Ascension Parish jail.

Gonzales was booked on counts of illegal use of a firearm, resisting an officer, failing to stop at stop signs, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. Hughes was booked on illegal use of a firearm and resisting an officer.

Both men are in custody in lieu of $25,000 bonds.

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2 men arrested in connection with Gonzales shooting, car chase, Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office says - The Advocate

Ascension Parish public schools last week announced the appointment of six new district and school leaders.

Robyn Simmons is the new supervisor of child welfare and attendance; Brent Ramagost is the new supervisor of information systems and technology; Nicole Elmore Joseph is the new principal of Early College Option; Daniel Keragan McCready is the new assistant principal of Dutchtown High; Kim Uzee is the new associate principal of East Ascension High School; and Mary Reenie Laginess is the new assistant principal of East Ascension High School.

It is always an honor to recognize new leadership within this district a district that always excels in its employees, said Ascension public schools Assistant Superintendent A. Denise Graves. Ascension means to rise to the top, and that is what we continue to do under the leadership of these outstanding new administrators.

Born in New Orleans, Simmons began her career with Ascension public schools in 2010 as an English teacher at Donaldsonville High School. At DHS, she served as a career teacher, mentor teacher and master teacher before moving to Dutchtown High in 2013. She began teaching English at Dutchtown High and also served as a mentor teacher for the instructional leadership team and then an assistant principal. In 2019, Simmons became the principal of Early College Option. She remained in this position before being named supervisor of child welfare and attendance.

I am so excited about this next chapter, said Simmons. It is an opportunity to ensure that we continue to have students in Ascension ascend and succeed.

Simmons earned a bachelors degree in mass communication and a masters degree in English from Jackson State University. She also earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University.

A graduate of Donaldsonville High School, Ramagost is a longtime member of Ascension public schools. In 2002, he began his 19-year professional career with the district as a computer technician. Most recently, he served as the districts network administrator, a position he has held since 2018.

I am grateful to continue in this leadership role, said Ramagost. The IT department has always been such an honor to work with, and I am excited to lead that team.

Ramagost earned a bachelors degree in computer information systems from Nicholls State University in 2001. He lives in Gonzales with his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Cadence.

A native of Brusly, Joseph began her teaching career 19 years ago at Sherwood Middle School in Baton Rouge. She served as an administrative intern in East Baton Rouge Parish, then an assistant principal at Capitol Middle, an assistant principal at Capitol Elementary and principal of Melrose Elementary before moving to Ascension Parish. She began at Donaldsonville High School as a mentor teacher in 2013.

After a year, she became the assistant principal of DHS, a position she held for two years before becoming the associate principal in 2016.

I could not be here without the support of the Ascension Parish School Board, said Joseph. I could not have excelled the way I did without knowing they would support me 100%.

Joseph earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education and social science education from Grambling State University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Southern University. She currently resides in Addis, with her husband, Christopher, and their three children Avery, Johnovan, and Elle, plus three bonus kids: Christopher, Christiauna and Keshawn.

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Originally from West Monroe, McCready began his career at Ascension in 2011 as a social studies teacher and physical education coach at East Ascension High School. He also served as the schools assistant athletic director, a strength coach for all sports and a football offensive coordinator.

McCready transferred to Dutchtown High in 2017 to fill four positions for the school: physical education teacher, assistant athletic director, strength coach and offensive coordinator. While serving at DTHS, he became a department head and Professional Learning Community leader.

McCready is active in the district outside of his given roles. He is a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and a teacher observer. He also works with the administration to implement the Griffin Guardian mentorship program on Dutchtown Highs campus. McCready has also been awarded the Strength of America Award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association during his time with the district.

I am honored and extremely humbled for this opportunity to continue serving our students, parents, and stakeholders in this new leadership position, said McCready.

McCready earned a bachelor's degree in education from Henderson State University, graduating summa cum laude, and a master's degree in science from LSU. His wife, April, also works for the district as a teacher at Spanish Lake Primary. The pair have two daughters: Payton, a seventh grader at Dutchtown Middle, and Audrey, a third grader at Spanish Lake.

Uzee began her career with Ascension public schools as an English teacher for East Ascension High in 1999. In 2005, she became one of the districts first four high school teacher coaches. After two years in that role, Uzee returned to teaching at East Ascension until she took the position of assistant principal for the school in 2014.

My whole career has been at East Ascension; it is my home, said Uzee. It is my commitment to you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that every student succeeds.

Uzee earned a bachelor's degree in English and an alternative certification from LSU. She also earned a master's degree from Southeastern Louisiana University.

She is married to Travis Uzee and has a son, Connor Cook, and two stepdaughters, Caroline and Marguerite Uzee.

Originally from Niceville, Florida, Laginess began her work at Ascension public schools in 2013. She served as a special-education teacher in both the resource and LEAP connect settings, as well as the tennis coach and assistant swim coach at St. Amant High.

In 2018, she transitioned to Lowery Middle School to serve as the special education lead teacher. One year later, she moved to fill the same position at East Ascension High School. Most recently, she served the district as a special education coordinator at LeBlanc Special Services Center, where she continued her work with East Ascension High, as well as helped Central Middle and Gonzales Middle schools.

I am humbled by the opportunity to serve East Ascension High School and their community in this new role as assistant principal, said Laginess. East Ascension High School is a school like no other; rich in tradition, culture and pride.

Laginess earned both a bachelors degree and a masters degree from Auburn University and an education specialist degree from LSU. She is working on her doctoral degree at Southeastern Louisiana University.

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Ascension schools hires 6 new district and school leaders - The Advocate

Are you looking for ways to help your students with the new school year?

On Saturday, Aug. 14, Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales will be conducting two workshops focusing on free online library resources that are perfect for homework help and curriculum planning, a news release said. These workshops for parents, caretakers and educators will provide step-by-step introductions to numerous resources that teach math, English, science, history and test preparation.

Attendees will be introduced to free resources available through the library such as World Book, True Flix, TumbleBooks and Hoopla. These resources cover everything from matching and counting, literacy, history, science and even fiction stories that support early math concepts. They include e-books, audiobooks, interactive games, videos and activities that go along with lessons.

Learn about resources such as Learning Express, Universal Class, Access Science, Science Flix, and Homework Louisiana. These resources offer everything from science projects, scholarly articles, quizzes, practice ACT tests, college and career preparation, and live tutors.

Registration is required. Call (225) 647-3955 to register. Masks are recommended. Specify which session you would like to attend. Attendance at both sessions is welcome. Parents and students are encouraged to bring a laptop or other electronic device to better explore the free resources.

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Ascension library offers back-to-school resource workshop - The Advocate

by Joshua Kellem | Chiefs Correspondent | Sat, Jul 31st 10:41pm EDT

Mecole Hardman continued his ascension through the first week of training camp, according to The Athletic's Nate Taylor. The beat writer wrote: Through the first week of camp, Hardman has continued his ascension, which began with impressive repetitions during the Chiefs offseason program and mandatory minicamp. Known for his rare speed, Hardman has produced more consistent repetitions while polishing his route-running ability in the middle of the field. (The Athletic )

Fantasy Impact:

Taylor added: Hardman has run routes from each of the Chiefs main three receiver positions. In previous camps, almost all of Hardmans highlights were of him running by defenders in the Chiefs secondary before catching a long pass from Mahomes. The first three practices have featured Hardman executing shorter routes, the types where he has to be precise in both his release and his cuts to give Mahomes a clear throwing window. That said, Sammy Watkins' departure vacates a 13.9% target share (5.5 targets per game). Patrick Mahomes averaged the seventh-most pass plays per game last season as well. There's aplenty of opportunity for Hardman. In his first two seasons with the Chiefs, the third-year WR totaled 67 receptions on 103 targets for 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns. He rushed for an additional three and returned two in that timeframe as well.

Category: Rumors | More Mecole Hardman: News, Rankings, Projections, Stats

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Mecole Hardman continuing his ascension in training camp, per beat writer - FantasyPros

Ascension St. John Hospital in Tulsa is opening its new all-inclusive Mary K. Chapman Comprehensive Breast Center on the fifth floor of the Chapman Building. The center will include imaging, mammograms, surgery, and other breast-health needs all in one place.

Typically when a patient finds out they need more testing or surgery after a mammogram, they have to go to several locations for each part of the process, but not anymore.

The new breast center will fully open the first week of August, but starting Friday morning, patients can schedule an imaging appointment. To schedule, call (918)-744-3511.

The grand opening ceremony will take place Thursday evening at 5 p.m. with several speakers, a blessing of the unit and a small celebration.

Breast Surgeon Laurie Flynn said coming to work in a place like this is huge because the doctors can now get and share information quickly, which in turn helps the patient.

When I start working here I can just walk across the hall to get a consultation or get the information I need, its so much more efficient than missing phone calls or having to walk between buildings to get what I need, Flynn said.

Flynn said most surgeries will be done in the actual main hospital building, but some can be performed at the Breast Center.

Director of Breast Imaging Dr. Andra Nuzum-Keim said she knows how busy women are and when you add the stress of a health issue, it just makes sense to have everything in one place.

With building the center we wanted to try to make it as patient-centered as possible, all in trying to take care of women but to also make things as comfortable as possible for those that are needing our care, Nuzum-Keim said.

The doctors said their goal for years was to figure out how to make the process less scary for women since a potential cancer diagnosis is already terrifying. They said now even the parking is made simple since it is just on the ground level outside of the Chapman Building, a short walk to the fifth floor, and then into the new large waiting room.

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Ascension St. John Launching New All-Inclusive Comprehensive Breast Center - News On 6

WASHINGTON Ron Klain, who after a few near misses finally achieved his career-long goal of becoming the White House chief of staff, will turn 60 this summer. This is, as his boss might say, a big deal.

Mr. Klain has previously hosted blowouts to celebrate his round-numbered birthdays, notably his 50th in 2011, when hundreds of friends and Obama administration luminaries descended on a Maryland farm for a state fair-themed extravaganza, complete with deep-fried Oreos and tributes to the honoree.

Plans for his 60th have become such a source of Beltway status anxiety that a small universe of Washington strivers is angling for details: Some have asked White House contacts whether a celebration is in the works and if invitations have gone out.

The commotion makes clear that Mr. Klain is an unquestioned man to see in the current White House, the most influential chief of staff of recent vintage and a marked departure from the four battered and marginalized short-timers who held the position under President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Klain, who was the chief of staff for Vice Presidents Biden and Al Gore, is viewed in and out of the West Wing as the essential conductor of administration business, a surrogate for the president and in the mischievous portrayal of opponents an all-powerful, unelected orchestrator of an ultraliberal agenda.

Republicans have taken to calling him Prime Minister Klain.

Hes kind of the guy behind the curtain, Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, said recently of the chief of staff. It is an oft-repeated Republican line of attack and a characterization the White House is determined to quash.

Im a staff person, not prime minister, Mr. Klain, who declined to be interviewed for this article, told Kara Swisher last month on her podcast Sway.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, a longtime colleague of Mr. Klains, reaffirmed this message in an interview, referring to him as the premier staff person, certainly of my generation.

In fact, the chief of staff holds an outsize authority in the constellation of Biden insiders, many of whom, like him, go back decades with the president. People in and around the White House describe Mr. Klain as the essential nerve center of an over-circuited administration whose day-to-day doings reflect how this White House works and what it aspires to.

Mr. Klain rarely travels anywhere with the boss, including local hops like President Bidens visit to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to push the Democrats $3.5 trillion infrastructure plan. Instead, the chief of staff stayed behind to work the phones and strategize with lawmakers and White House negotiators and, essentially, deal with a simultaneous array of meetings, triage decisions and crises.

I probably talk to him every day, and we can finish each others sentences, said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader. If theres a thorny problem, Ill call him.

Wednesday, for instance, included Mr. Bidens visit to the Hill, a White House decision to evacuate thousands of Afghan interpreters and other allies from the 20-year war in Afghanistan and an uptick in Covid-19 cases across the country. The pop star Olivia Rodrigo also dropped by to help promote coronavirus vaccines, the prevailing buzz in the West Wing that day.

Today was Olivia Rodrigo Day at the White House, Mr. Klain declared at his 6:30 p.m. wrap-up meeting with senior staff, long after the singer had departed. He synthesized the days infrastructure developments and prepared to brief the president the next morning.

Mr. Klain has also taken a special emissarys role with select members of the Senate, where the evenly divided chamber has raised certain relationships to the highest-priority chief of staff portfolio.

One is Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, the moderate Democrat whose swing-voting tendencies have earned him special care and feeding. Ive never had a problem calling him, day or night, Mr. Manchin said of Mr. Klain. Hes always up.

Shortly after Mr. Bidens inauguration, Mr. Manchin became irate that he had not been given advance notice that Vice President Kamala Harris would be making news media appearances in West Virginia to promote the administrations Covid relief package.

Mr. Klain soon paid a visit to Mr. Manchins houseboat on the Potomac River, where he lives when he is in Washington. The senator ordered in a pasta dinner from Nostra Cucina, his favorite Italian restaurant. We had a glass of wine and really got to know each other, Mr. Manchin said.

Mr. Klain, who resembles a grown-up Model U.N. prodigy with a round, boyish face and a burdened, workaholic demeanor, determinedly addresses Mr. Biden with the deference of a professional humble servant: always sir or Mr. President, despite having worked for him on and off for 35 years. White House officials who have seen their dynamic say Mr. Klain is expert at keeping discussions with Mr. Biden focused on specific actions, which is not always easy, given the presidents habit of verbal meanderings.

A typical exchange, White House officials say, is for Mr. Klain to suggest something along the lines of, Sir, were recommending that you make these three calls unless Mr. Biden pre-empts him by declaring his own intent to make the same calls.

In other settings, Mr. Klain can rub some as dismissive and distracted. After the president hosted a meeting with a group of Republican senators in March, Senator Susan Collins of Maine called it a great discussion but added that the vibe was disturbed by Mr. Klain shaking his head from the back of the room. Not exactly an encouraging sign, she said. Mr. Klain eventually called Ms. Collins to smooth things over. She declined to comment.

There have also been rough patches. Mr. Klain was an early supporter of Neera Tanden, Mr. Bidens pick to run the Office of Management and Budget, until her nomination was withdrawn over critical tweets about Republican senators that she wrote during the Trump years. The chief of staffs colleagues said he had underestimated how negative Ms. Tandens reception would be on the Hill, a misstep that has kept a crucial office without a permanent director.

Mr. Klain, who appears to get his most vigorous daily exercise by striding through ornate corridors, has few diversions outside work, although he recently identified his prodigious Twitter habit as a hobby. His days typically begin at 6 a.m. or earlier., when he rises to consume volumes of overnight news and pre-dawn briefing papers before being ferried to the White House in a Suburban. By 7:30 a.m., Mr. Klain has settled into the chief of staffs big corner office, a short walk from the Oval Office.

He presides over a series of morning meetings with top White House aides one with the presidents senior advisers, another with the extended senior staff. He sends emails in bursts, with numbered bullet points and capitalization for emphasis. (Colleagues describe his email voice as emphatic.) He tries to be in the Oval Office at 9:30 a.m. or so, when the president receives his intelligence briefings.

Mr. Klain returns home, often after dark, to a verdant power enclave of Chevy Chase, Md., and a large home that he has referred to as the house that OMelveny Built, after his previous lucrative years at the international law firm OMelveny & Myers. His neighbors include Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, across Connecticut Avenue.

Mr. Klain is the oldest of three, the son of an Indianapolis building contractor and a travel agent. He is proud of his Hoosier roots: The 50th birthday invitation was superimposed over a red outline of Indiana, and he tries to make it home over Memorial Day for the Indianapolis 500.

But in fact, Mr. Klain comes off as a purebred swamp creature whose rsum covers the full bingo card of a Beltway superachiever: president of his high school class (79), active in student government and the Brain Game team, summa cum laude from Georgetown, legislative director for then-Representative Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts. He followed up with Harvard Law School (magna cum laude, Law Review), then a clerkship for the Supreme Court justice Byron White.

Mr. Klain was associate counsel to President Bill Clinton, counselor to Attorney General Janet Reno and then chief of staff to Mr. Gore. His stint as Mr. Gores point man during the 2000 election dispute in Florida was immortalized in the 2008 HBO film Recount.

After Mr. Gores defeat, Mr. Klain salved his wounds in classic Washington fashion: by making tons of cash. He was a partner at OMelveny, worked mostly as a litigator and also registered as a lobbyist for Fannie Mae, among other clients. In 2004, he became involved with Revolution LLC, a technology investment firm started by AOLs billionaire co-founder Steve Case.

In 2015, Mr. Klain signed on to work for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign and did not wait until Mr. Biden announced he was not running. This was taken as a breach of the Biden loyalty protocol and became a sore spot in the vice presidents ecosystem, especially with Jill Biden, at least temporarily, according to people familiar with the episode.

Its been a little hard for me to play such a role in the Biden demise and I am definitely dead to them, Mr. Klain wrote to John Podesta, Mrs. Clintons campaign chairman, in an October 2015 email revealed by WikiLeaks. Friends of Mr. Klain said he had been considered for at least two of the Obama chief of staff openings but was passed over each time. He was brought back to lead the Obama administrations response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and was also viewed as a front-runner for the chief of staff job if Mrs. Clinton had prevailed in the 2016 election.

Mr. Klain spent the Trump years critiquing the White House on television, writing columns for The Washington Post and doing more work for Mr. Case at Revolution, where he received a $2 million salary in 2020, according to financial disclosure forms.

After Mr. Biden was elected, Mr. Klain was viewed as the obvious choice for the corner office. He often points out that he served under nine White House chiefs of staff during his time in the Clinton and Obama administrations. I have worked for more White House chiefs of staff than any other White House chief of staff, Mr. Klain boasted to Ms. Swisher.

He has three grown children with his wife, Monica Medina, a lawyer, whom Mr. Biden has nominated to be the assistant secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the State Department.

Mr. Klain has grown increasingly sentimental and emotional about his work, friends say, especially after the Trump era, which he took hard and personally. He choked up during a Zoom meeting with the White House staff to commemorate the end of the first 100 days of Mr. Bidens administration.

Party details for his 60th birthday on Aug. 8 remain elusive, although there has been talk that Mr. Klain might skip a big gala this summer and do a small family celebration instead on the big day. There was a major bash at the Klain house over July 4, with S.U.V.s parked in front and traffic snaked around the corner past Chief Justice Robertss house.

Guests in attendance said it was not a birthday celebration but an engagement party for Mr. Klains daughter Hannah Klain, which included a screening of Father of the Bride in the backyard.

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The Ascension of Ron Klain - The New York Times

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One of the most decorated American gymnasts in history is sharing her inspiring health journey in a new Ascension marketing campaign on the importance of womens health and not delaying care.

Shannon Miller won seven Olympic medals and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame twice, as an individual in 2006 and as part of the U.S. team in 2008. She was a member of the U.S. women's gymnastics team dubbed The Magnificent Seven that won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. After retiring from gymnastics competition, she earned an undergraduate degree in marketing and entrepreneurship, a law degree, and became an advocate for health and wellness.

In 2011, at age 33, after a routine screening that she almost delayed, Miller was diagnosed with a malignant germ cell tumor, a form of ovarian cancer.

Getting to my routine doctors appointment, one that I almost canceled, likely saved my life. I was suddenly in surgery at Ascension. And it was when I woke up from that surgery that I found out that it was a rare form of ovarian cancer, but they had caught it early, Miller said. So often we find reasons to focus on everything but our own health. But its important. Weve got to make sure we get in and get those preventive exams and screenings, because it really does matter and it really can save lives. She said that, while a cancer diagnosis is never easy, she always knew she had support and great care along the way from her care team.

Now 10 years cancer-free, Miller has teamed up with Ascension, one of the nations largest and leading nonprofit health systems, on a new marketing and consumer engagement campaign to encourage women to put their health at the top of their to-do list and start a conversation with a doctor who listens. And as a wife and mother, she makes sure her husband and her children all born at Ascension St. Vincents in Jacksonville, Florida also get the care they need without delay.

Shannon Miller is on a mission to make sure women pay attention to their health and avoid delaying care for themselves and those they love. Were blessed to be able to help her share her story in our communities, said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension.

The fully integrated marketing launch will include television ads across Ascension communities along with social media ads through the Tokyo summer games and beyond, and an email campaign focused on important health screenings including mammograms later this summer.

Take a look at Ascensions new 60-second TV ad featuring Shannon Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxq670WR0rA

Take a look at Ascensions new 30-second commercial featuring Shannon Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ3ZcNftUY0

About Ascension

Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2020, Ascension provided $2.4 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes more than 160,000 associates and 40,000 aligned providers. The national health system operates more than 2,600 sites of care including 146 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities in 19 states and the District of Columbia, while providing a variety of services including clinical and network services, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, facilities management, risk management, and contracting through Ascensions own group purchasing organization.

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Gold Medal Gymnast Shannon Miller Promotes Importance of Women's Health in New Ascension Campaign - Business Wire

The Ascension Catholic High School volleyball team lost in the Division V semifinals to Country Day, of Metairie, last fall, but heading into this season, the team's confidence is high.

One of my goals each season is to give my team confidence to be a competitive team," said coach Janelle Leonard. "I want them to feel like they can compete with anyone."

Leonard heads into her 10th year as a head coach and her fourth season as the Bulldogs leader.

Leonard understands what it takes to be a state champ. Her Central Catholic team won it in 2003, and she played for Hall of Fame coach Sandy Fussell at Assumption High.

The Bulldogs beat several upper-classification teams last season, including Division II power Assumption on its way to the semifinals of Division V.

The Bulldogs have some good players to replace, including net players Mackenzie Marroy and Amelie Husers, plus the school's all-time leader in assists, Miranda Landry, and libero Maddie Tripode.

We have to work a little harder this year as we have many new and inexperienced players. They will have to step up in the roles we lost from last season, Leonard said.

Seniors Ella Lemann and Madisyn Cassard return as outside hitters; they have experience on the varsity level and will be counted on to be leaders. Junior defensive specialist/libero Raegan Tripode returns after getting some valuable court time last season.

Junior middle hitter Kaitlyn Brooks returns and is a talented player at the net. Junior Alyse Ourso will be counted on as a middle and outside hitter. The Bulldogs also return sophomore Allie Griffin; she is an outside hitter and is one of the top servers for ACHS.

Newcomers include Junior Emmie Lambert and sophomore Karlie Chaney.

Karlie and Emmie will fill the setters positions. I have not decided if we run a one setter or two; both have been working hard and have done a tremendous job this summer. Emmie could be a defensive specialist for us, Leonard said.

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The Bulldogs were dominant at the net last season. The leaders with kills have graduated, so new faces must step up.

Overall, we may not be as dominant at the net, but the girls will work and compete, Leonard said.

The Bulldogs have a large freshman class coming in and Leonard said she is excited about their potential.

This freshmen group is passionate, they work hard, and many are natural athletes. The future looks bright for our program, Leonard said.

As always, the Bulldogs will play upper-classification teams as they prepare for district and the playoffs.

I believe it is safe to say that most of our teams in district will be rebuilding with experienced players moving on," Leonard said. "Our matches with St. John are always great, as well as Ascension Christian in district. In our division, Country Day will be a power as well as McGehee. Catholic of Pointe Coupee will likely be in the same boat as us, losing their most dominant players."

ACHS finished 19-11 last season and will be looking for that elusive state championship.

We are working hard this summer with weights and conditioning and games at the Wellness Center in Thibodaux. We are attending two team camps coming up," Leonard said.

With the season approaching, you can tell the excitement is ramping up for volleyball.

Some of our opponents may beat us, but they wont outwork us. We wont go down without a fight," Leonard said.

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Ascension Catholic volleyball poised for 2021 season - The Advocate