LEONARD GRAY

PHOTO: The first memorial brick for the old Destrehan High School is bought. From left, Dee Abadie, Dr. Rodney Lafon, John Campo, buyer Parish Presdent Albert Laque and Marilyn Richoux. (Staff Photo by Leonard Gray) HAHNVILLE – For more than 50 years, Destrehan High School stood proudly on River Road, sister to Hahnville High School on the west bank. Now, thanks to a band of St. Charles Parish residents, the original Destrehan High will be memorialized as the centerpiece of a beautification project. As part of the project people will be able to “buy a brick” with a variety of inscriptions for a memorial walkway near the present Harry Hurst Middle School. The middle school was named for the longtime DHS principal, “Prof” Hurst. Monday, Parish President Albert Laque bought the first $50 brick. A promotional brochure will be made available in a matter of days. The project of the Beautification Task Force, chaired by Councilwoman Dee Abadie, “presented” the brick to Laque during a brief ceremony in his office. The project is in conjunction with the St. Charles Parish School Board and the St. Charles Historical Foundation. The second brick was purchased by School Board Superintendent Dr. Rodney Lafon. Destrehan High School was established in 1923 and destroyed by fire in 1977, leaving its flagpole, cafeteria and the gymnasium. During that time, 2,075 graduates passed through its doors. Since then, Hurst Middle School was built in the former DHS rear schoolyard. Plans developed by Destrehan architect John Campo (Class of 1976) call for a brick walkway coming from the restored front gate and surrounding the flagpole, each brick memorializing an alumnus, educator or family. A total of 7,322 bricks will be available, according to Campo. Hundreds of bricks from the original school have also been donated to the project. This is part of the Beautification Task Force’s “Destrehan Pilot Area,” which aims at restoration and beautification of the “historic mile” on River Road, from Destrehan Plantation (1787) to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and cemetery (1723). Other plans include a linear batture park, an amphitheater and a steamboat dock. Already, more than 30 trees have been planted in the area. A mural of the original building will be painted onto the side of the original cafeteria. Inscribed tablets engraved with the mottos which originally adorned the school’s main building will be included – “He profits most who serves best” and “Survival value is created on foundation of service.” Benches and landscaping will also be added. Other committee members associated with the project were present at the ceremony, including Joan Becnel, Glenda Dufrene (Class of 1953), Deidre Faucheux, Wayne Gaupp, Larry Sesser (teacher, 1968-1975), Marilyn Richoux. Dickie Duhe (Class of 1961) was unable to attend. The work of the Beautification Task Force, which plans a similar project at the site of the former Hahnville High School, and at the intersection of Paul Maillard Road and River Road in Luling, was summed up by Gaupp: “It’s that first impression people have of a community, what it looks like,” she said.