Schools not only ones showing school spirit

Courthouse employees decorate their offices, and sometimes those of co-workers, to get ready for the big HHS vs. DHS game.

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. Workers in the past have also had their desks rolled and covered with material from the rival school.

"It's definitely a big tradition at the courthouse and it's fun," Parish spokeswoman Renee Simpson said. "A lot of the people who work here went to either Hahnville or Destrehan, so its great that they are able to show their school spirit."

Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, who is the first Destrehan graduate to serve as parish president, didn't have much to brag about last year. But in 2008, when the Wildcats beat the Tigers on their way to the state title, he had some staffers sing his high school's alma mater.

"He was light-heartedly getting back at everyone for giving him a hard time," Simpson said.

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.