Not just students who show school spirit during rivalry

Those looking for school spirit this week won't just find it in the halls of Destrehan and Hahnville, but instead will see it all around the courthouse on Friday.

Staffers and administrators plan to show off their enthusiasm for the annual Destrehan-Hahnville game by decorating their offices, wearing school colors and making team posters. In fact, the ability to wear purple/gold or garnet/grey on game day is actually written into the uniform policy for civil service.

Last year, the second floor of the courthouse was filled with Hahnville or Destrehan decorations, and one worker in the Clerk of Courts office had her desk rolled and covered with Hahnville material.

Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, who is the first Destrehan graduate to serve as parish president, also had some staffers sing his high school's alma mater after the Wildcat victory last year.

"He was light-heartedly getting back at everyone for giving him a hard time," Parish spokeswoman Renee Simpson said. "I don't think it will be a tradition, but it depends on who wins and how other staffers react.

"I don't rule out some retaliation."

And it's not just the parish that gets into the act. In the past, the School Board has made bets about the outcome of the game. The board members who pull for the losing team have had to wear the shirts of the winning team at the board meeting following the game.

"I plan on doing it this year," board member and Destrehan fan John “Jay” Robichaux said. "I'm not sure who else will take part, but I have no problem wearing a Hahnville shirt if Destrehan loses."