MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Parades were held at three Monroe elementary schools on Monday. But it wasn't just for fun, each school had to earn the celebrations.
"Krewe De Pre-K" King and Queen Dontavious Daggs and Mi'Cayla Lee were the stars of the show, as four and five year olds paraded down the halls of Berg Jones Elementary.
With the help of the MLK's middle school band and Krewe of Janus King and Queen, everyone felt the Mardi Gras spirit, including principal Barry Jones. "It is Mardi Gras!" he shouted.
The celebration was thrown by YMCA's character education program. The program partners with Monroe City Schools to teach values and lessons in life skills. Program director Pam Henry says the school, along with two others Carver Elementary and Clara Hall Elementary, earned the parade. "They have risen to a level that we wanted to recognize their hard work," said positive action program director Pam Henry.
Wearing masks and passing out beads, for many students, this was their first taste of being in a Mardi Gras parade. For queen, Mi'cayla, preparation for the event meant perfecting her royal wave and her performance made her father proud. "It was really amazing to see her, she couldn't stop talking about it all week."
Henry says the event was also used as an educational opportunity. Before the festivities began, students had a chance to learn the history of the king and queen's costumes. "We wanted to honor and teach the kids about a tradition that is very Louisianian," said Henry and students learned quickly, "Throw me something mister!" shouted one group of kids. "Laissez les bon temps rouller!" shouted another.
School leaders say the event was a success and hope it motivates the students to continue excelling in the character education program, to earn the parade again next year.
Friday, May 17 2013 12:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:09:18 GMT
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MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe's first Bayou Desiard Dragon Boat Festival is here."It's something that I saw in another town and I really wanted to bring it to Monroe. You know, we could not have done
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MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Jeane Gonzales has lived in the same house for nearly 40 years, but now she is facing a major problem. A leak is coming from her home's water meter.
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