Albert Ali Burl School Board Distrcit 2 $539, River Rd, Destrehan MLS ID: November 21, 2018 WEDNESDAY

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PAGE 1B November 21, 2018 WEDNESDAY brooke.robichaux@lobservateur.

trick-or-treat Halloween night, Riverside Academy fifth grader Avery Loper was braving through brain surgery.

Blue has covered the school in the weeks since, with many purchasing blue wristbands and T-shirts to raise money for Avery s medical expenses. Avery was in English class Oct.

Knowing Avery to be an intelligent student with a flair for mischief, teacher Odette Vicknair questioned whether he was serious.

At first, I thought it was something minor because my mom used to get black spots and dots in her vision, Vicknair said. I had a student bring him to the nurse.

Avery s mother, Jina Loper, was called to the school, and Vicknair met her in the parking lot. They returned to the classroom to find Avery spitting on the floor, a glazed look cast over his eyes.

He is back home and recovering, with hopes to return to school next month. His classmates across the Riverside Academy campus recently dressed in blue, below, to show their support for Avery.

Avery was rushed by ambulance to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, where he was initially tested for dehydration.

We were told he d need brain surgery within a week, Jina said. It was strange because he s so healthy. On Oct. 21, he played five baseball games until 11 at night, perfectly normal.

Jina said the support has been incredible, especially from the Riverside Academy teachers, staff and parents who have been texting or calling every day.

Vicknair said it s clear that Avery is loved and supported throughout the school, and everyone is dedicated to helping his family in any way possible.

1 Happy Thanksgiving! 4 Bed 3 Bath 1.2 Acre lot Recently renovated/natural light Master BD downstairs Albert Ali Burl School Board Distrcit 2 $539, River Rd, Destrehan MLS ID: L IFESTYLE Best Along the River Since 1913 PAGE 1B November 21, 2018 WEDNESDAY brooke.robichaux@lobservateur.com Fifth grader conquers brain surgery Riverside s Avery Loper ready to return to school, normal life By Brooke Robichaux L OBSERVATEUR RESERVE As most children strapped on costumes and prepared to trick-or-treat Halloween night, Riverside Academy fifth grader Avery Loper was braving through brain surgery. Avery s Riverside Academy classmates stood in support by trading in their Halloween dress down plans to wear his favorite color: blue. Blue has covered the school in the weeks since, with many purchasing blue wristbands and T-shirts to raise money for Avery s medical expenses. Avery was in English class Oct. 26, standing at the Promethean Board when his health took an unexpected turn for the worse. After correctly completing an exercise, Avery turned to his teacher and said, I don t understand. Knowing Avery to be an intelligent student with a flair for mischief, teacher Odette Vicknair questioned whether he was serious. She asked him to complete the next exercise, but Avery told her he couldn t see. Flying black spots had overtaken his vision. At first, I thought it was something minor because my mom used to get black spots and dots in her vision, Vicknair said. I had a student bring him to the nurse. He came back as the class was being dismissed, and when I asked him if he was still seeing spots, he said yes. Avery s mother, Jina Loper, was called to the school, and Vicknair met her in the parking lot. They returned to the classroom to find Avery spitting on the floor, a glazed look cast over his eyes. He Avery Loper is seen after surgery, necessitated when a CAT scan found the fifth grader to have a benign tumor on the left side of his brain, engrained deep between the ventricles. He is back home and recovering, with hopes to return to school next month. His classmates across the Riverside Academy campus recently dressed in blue, below, to show their support for Avery. couldn t recognize the people around him. When the school nurse came in, she suspected it was epilepsy. Avery was rushed by ambulance to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, where he was initially tested for dehydration. A doctor suggested a CAT scan, and within 45 minutes, Avery was diagnosed with a benign tumor on the left side of his brain, engrained deep between the ventricles. We were told he d need brain surgery within a week, Jina said. It was strange because he s so healthy. On Oct. 21, he played five baseball games until 11 at night, perfectly normal. If we didn t catch the tumor, it would ve eventually just taken over because of where it was located. Jina said the support has been incredible, especially from the Riverside Academy teachers, staff and parents who have been texting or calling every day. All of his teachers and a lot of the Riverside faculty came to the hospital before and after his surgery, Jina said. Vicknair said it s clear that Avery is loved and supported throughout the school, and everyone is dedicated to helping his family in any way possible. Avery is back home recovering through speech, physical and occupational therapy. It will take six months to one year for Avery s skull to heal, but Jina and Wayne Loper said their son s progress is astounding. They re really impressed with his progress and how he s speaking, walking and moving around after surgery, Jina said. He s already wanting to get back out there for baseball tryouts. Taking it slow will be the greatest challenge for Avery, who has played baseball, basketball, football and soccer since he was 4. School is expected to be an easier transition, as his teachers have agreed to catch him up when he returns next month. He may have to miss a bunch of recesses, and he even said he s fine with that, Jina said. Avery s baseball team, the River Parish Rangers, are selling blue #Averystrong T-Shirts. Shirts cost $20 for sizes youth XS to adult XL. Sizes 2X to 4X cost $24. Wristbands to support Avery s family are available to the community for $3 each. For more information, call Leslie Michele Pipkin weds Nicholas Paul Smith Leslie Michele Pipkin of Lakeland, Fla., and Nicholas Paul Smith of LaPlace were married Saturday, Nov. 3 at the terminal at Messinas in New Orleans. Rev. Fernie Rivera of Baton Rouge officiated. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Pipkin of Lakeland, Fla. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger F. Smith of LaPlace. The wedding was held in the grand atrium at the terminal at Messinas at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. Music performed by the brass band, the Big Fun Brass Band of New Orleans. Wallace Kresley of San Francisco was best man. Usher-groomsmen were Andrew Pipkin of Jacksonville, Fla., Jason Brockman of Ponchatoula and Logan Ramagos of Gonzales. They wore black tuxedos with black bow ties and boutonnieres of white roses. Sabrina Rodriguez of Claremont, Fla., was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Brittany Pipkin of Jacksonville, Fla., Shannon Haltom of Baton Rouge, Carrie Selbigger of Atlanta and Amanda Sentz of Atlanta. They wore garnett floor-length dresses and carried bouquets of white roses, tulips and dendrobium orchids. The bride was escorted by her father. She moved gracefully in her gown fashioned of white duchess satin with lace detail. She carried a bouquet of white roses and white dahlias. The stems were wrapped in a custom handkerchief fashioned from the shirt Nicholas was wearing on their first date. After a honeymoon in Aruba, the couple will reside in Miami. FREE CHECKING 377 Belle Terre Blvd. LaPlace, LA M C Y K Hwy 90 Boutte, LA

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L OBSERVATEUR Page 6B Thanksgiving is a National

the many blessings you have received in the past

Thursday of November, families gather for a day

The history of Thanksgiving Day dates back to

Europe to the New World on the Mayflower in

They landed at a place they named Plymouth Rock

The new colonists endured great hardships.

Many were starving, and others were sick.

Pilgrims in desperate need of food and shelter.

the colonists by teaching them how to harvest

settlers learned to care for themselves, and

The Wampanoag Tribe had a ritual which they

They would gather together over a large feast to

Pilgrims prepared a feast in their honor.

This was the very first Thanksgiving dinner, and

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Turkey Connect The

6 L OBSERVATEUR Page 6B Thanksgiving is a National holiday which is set aside to give thanks for the many blessings you have received in the past year and the ones you have to look forward to in the year to come. Every year in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November, families gather for a day of giving thanks, feasting, and family time. The history of Thanksgiving Day dates back to A group known as the Pilgrims sailed from Europe to the New World on the Mayflower in search of greater religious freedoms. They landed at a place they named Plymouth Rock (Modern day Plymouth, Massachusetts). The new colonists endured great hardships. Food was scarce. Many were starving, and others were sick. The local Indians, the Wampanoag Tribe, saw the Pilgrims in desperate need of food and shelter. Being a friendly and gracious Tribe, they aided the colonists by teaching them how to harvest the local lands and build shelters from local materials. Because of the generosity of the Indians, the settlers learned to care for themselves, and they were able to survive the Winter. The Wampanoag Tribe had a ritual which they performed five times a year. They would gather together over a large feast to celebrate and give thanks for their many blessings. To thank the Tribe for all their help, the Pilgrims prepared a feast in their honor. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoags dined together. This was the very first Thanksgiving dinner, and it has become an American tradition. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving Day a National holiday. Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Turkey Connect The Dots Thanksgiving Crossword Turkey Day Word Find Crossword Ans Across- 1)Turkey Day 2)Mayflower 6)Pilgrims 8)Lincoln 9)pumpkim Down-1)Thanksgiving 3)Wamponoag 4) Plymouth 5)turkey 7) November Ans:1)Indian 2)Turkey 3)Pilgrim 4)Harvest 5)Plymouth 6)Pecan Pie 7)Mayflower 8)Thanksgiving Cornucopia, Dressing, Friendship, Gravy, Indians, Massachusetts, Mayflower, New World, Pilgrims, Plymouth, Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie, Settlers, Survival, Thankful, Thanksgiving, Turkey, Wampanoag, Winter 1. ANDINI 2. KERYTU Across: 3. ILGRMIP 1. Slang term referring to Thanksgiving. _ 2. The name of the Pilgrims ship was? 6. Who came over on the Mayflower? 4. SAERTHV 8. President who made Thanksgiving an official holiday. 5. HLYTUPOM 9. Popular pie served on Thanksgiving. Down: 6. PNAPCEEI 1. Name of a popular November holiday. 3. Name of Indian tribe that assisted the Pilgrims through the harsh Winter. 7. YORFAEMLW 4. What city lies where they landed? _ 5. Traditional bird served on this day. 8. GISVNANKIGTH 7. Month in which this holiday occurs. Word Scramble A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS! Nghana Lewis Gauff Attorney-at-Law (504) We Save you MONEY! Providing High Quality Diligent Legal Service. StoreHours:Mon-Sat7a.m.-9p.m. Sun7a.m.-8p.m LaPlace, LA New Orleans, LA Cox s MEAT MARKET Commercial and Residential Properties along the Greater New Orleans and River Parish Areas Fresh Cut Meat Homemade Sausage Home Delivery 12/31/17 River Road & East 9th Street Reserve, LA St. Ann Dr. #2025 Mandeville, LA Tommy Scott **************** Friday Night Karaoke -Flu Shots -Prescriptions -Diabetic Supplies -Shingles Vaccines Mabile s Restaurant Home of the Best Roast Beef in Town! Fresh Po-Boys Seafood Muffaletta Finger Sandwiches Vegetable Trays Plate Lunches Italian Muffaletta W. Airline Hwy. LaPlace, LA PHARMACY caring beyond prescriptions. Classic Insurance Agency Auto Flood Home Commercial Workers Comp 4207 Williams Blvd Se Habla Español We re growing to meet your needs 1980 Jefferson Highway Lutcher, Louisiana Ph: Your Full Service Collision & Hail Repair Facility 1016 Bert St. LaPlace (Business Park) cell: West Bank Wednesday B Highway 20 Vacherie, LA pm to 6pm P.O. Box 1002 Vacherie, LA Winnwood Shopping Ctr (225) Paul Mallard Rd Luling, LA greatergracecharteracademy.org East Bank Saturday 8 am to 12 noon Ormond Plantation River Rd Destrehan, LA Sheriff Mike Tregre, St. John Parish Sheriff s Office It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. ~Frederick Douglass, M C Y K

Myths about the Mayflower

Myths about the Mayflower By History.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 11.22.16 Word Count 641 The Pilgrim Fathers arrive at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in November 1620 after sailing across the Atlantic Ocean