Plaquemine, LA
The Plaquemine community is made up of four 2nd year teachers and three 1st year teachers serving two different Catholic Schools: Ascension Catholic Middle & High School and St. John Middle & High School.
Plaquemine Community – Catherine, Nick, Eric, Meghan, Nick, John, and Nicky.
Meghan Hanzlik
University of Notre Dame, 2006 English Major ESS Minor
Ascension Catholic Middle School, 6th & 7th Grade English and Language Arts
Nicky Biver
St. Thomas, 2006 Theology, Catholic Studies, & Spanish
St. John High School, 10th – 12th Grade Spanish I – III, Religion: Scripture.
Nick Fagnant
Creighton University, 2006, BA Theology
St. John High School, Religion IV – Morality, US and World History. Director of Religious Education
Nick McCarthy
Marquette University, 2006, Spanish
Ascension Catholic High School, 10th & 11th Grade Spanish I & II, Religion
Catherine Orzech
The Catholic University of America, 2007, Biology
St. John High School, Biology, Religion II: Scripture.
Eric Eble
University of Dayton, 2007, English and Psychology
Ascension Catholic High School, English II, III, and IV.
John Nelson
University of St. Thomas, 2007, Mathematics and Spanish.
St. John Middle School, 6th – 8th Grade Math and Spanish
What is unique about your community?
The name says it all…not many people have had the opportunity to live and/or work in Plaquemine, LA. As a community of seven, the ACE Plaquemine house has an opportunity to make its presence known in this small Louisiana town. With no movie theater, chain restaurants or shopping mall nearby, we learn to exercise our creative capacities and say “yes” to the invitations our friendly neighbors extend to Mardi Gras balls, craw fish boils, and hunting excursions. With our own parking lot, subzero fridge, Satsuma tree and charming patio, we are well equipped to entertain others as well.
Schools served in Plaquemine
St. John Middle and High School
Ascension Catholic Middle and High School
Provide a brief description of Plaquemine:
Plaquemine is a small town (population approximately 7,500) in rural Louisiana. It is only 30 minutes from Baton Rouge and the ACE community there. According to the description on its
website, “Plaquemine lies nestled in the arms of scenic Bayou Plaquemine, a historic waterway used by the early French settlers and traders. It is mentioned in Longfellow’s epic poem, “Evangeline,” and the water ceremony of the International Acadian Festival re-enacts Evangeline’s arrival in Plaquemine in search for her lover, Gabriel. A waterfront part now lines the northern shore of Bayou Plaquemine.”
What do you like most about the city in which you live?
Plaquemine is a friendly, traffic-free, one-of-a-kind place. Any and all visitors are treated to the opportunities that no other town can offer…the drive-thru daiquiri depot, lunch at Fat Daddy’s, pictures with the landmark gorilla who dons holiday apparel, picnics at Nottaway Plantation, and fresh boiled crawfish purchased road side. The families in our neighborhoods and schools go out of their way to extend a warm, Southern welcome, inviting us into their homes and making sure that we don’t leave without an authentic Louisiana experience. This experience is, of course, replete with the food that has made Louisiana famous. Not many ACErs walk away from their two-year commitment having tasted alligator sauce piquante, crawfish beignets, seafood gumbo, and white chocolate bread pudding. Finally, Plaquemine is a short drive from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mobile, Biloxi, and Lafayette, all of which serve as nice day trips or weekend excursions.
