By Gladys Davis Mulkey
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Students looking for ACT and sports help and adults seeking legal aid will find assistance this month as St. John the Baptist Parish Library offers a multitude of free events for the public throughout its branches.

Teenagers are welcome to participate in a free ACT Practice Test, which starts at 1 p.m. March 14 at the Central Library in LaPlace.

Attendees are asked to register at stjohn.lib.la.us (event No. 224267) and bring a pencil and a calculator to take the exam.

For young people looking to excel just as much on the sporting field as in the classroom, a Sports Summit Seminar is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. March 21 at the Central Library in LaPlace.

The free leadership-building event geared towards youth, and sports players of all ages are invited.

The program will highlight academic behavior and leadership skills.

Various athletes will engage attendees about the importance of academics, behavior on and off the field, sportsmanship and leadership.

Attendees are required to pre-register. They will also be signed up for a parish library card upon attending the summit.

For more information, call 985-652-6857.

Students who need financial assistance to pursue their post-high school education goals are invited to two events, one of each side of the river.

In order for students to be approved for financial assistance and loans to attend college, they have to fill out an application for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FAFSA is the basic form college students fill out to participate in Federal student aid programs, such as Stafford and Perkins loans, as well as Pell Grants.

The first presentation lasts from 5 to 6 p.m. March 23 at the Edgard West Branch library. The second lasts from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Central branch location in LaPlace.

The paperwork help for adults continues with a Free Legal Aid Clinic.

Sarah Campbell, directing attorney of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, is presenting the clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26 at the Reserve library. Call 985-536-4107 to register.

Library officials said slots for the clinic are already starting to fill up.