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Photo taken by Judy Johnson
The new 2024 Gueydan Duck Festival Queen, Robin Alyssa-Grace Peavy.

Abbeville High School senior wide receiver Derek Arclies worked for three and a half years to crack the starting lineup, and during last Friday’s scrimmage, he finally did it – at defensive end.
 Arclies measures at 6’5.  As a freshman, putting him at receiver was a no-brainer.  He’s tall, athletic, and has enormous hands.  But he never could get to first string.
  “I was in my head too much,” Arclies explained.  “On offense, you have to worry about so much.  On defense, you just run through people and attack the ball.”
Arclies’ defensive aspirations were born in the week of practice leading up to the scrimmage.  He didn’t practice defense though.  He was still a second-string wide receiver.  He just expressed his desire to do whatever it takes to get on the field.
“I had asked Coach Zenon if I could try defense because it’s my senior year,” Arclies said.  “I played offense my whole life.  I felt I needed to do something to get a starter position.”
During the scrimmage, Arclies caught a touchdown pass with the second-string offense. When he came off the field, head coach Johnathan Zenon told him to get back out there — as the first-string defensive end.
   “I got on the field and said to myself, ‘I don’t know how to play this position at all,’” Arclies said.  “I’m sure Coach wouldn’t get mad if I just busted through the line.
“The offensive lineman wasn’t a small person, but I’m way stronger than I look, so I went up confidently. When I busted through, the coaches were fired up, yelling that’s how you do it, Arclies! So, I just kept doing it.  Eventually, I learned to look for the ball and finished with four tackles.”
 This week, Arclies is no longer the second-string wide receiver.  He’s now the starting defensive end.  Zenon credits his work ethic and offensive knowledge for his success on defense.
“This guy gives 110 percent in everything he does,” Zenon said.  “Friday, he went on the defensive side, having never played it at all, and he did exactly what we needed him to do.”  
“At receiver, he had to block, so he knows how to use his hands.  He also knows how to watch the ball.  On offense, he sees the ball move, and he’s gone.  That jump off the ball gives him a huge advantage on defense.”
Zenon said it’s a testament to his character that Arclies stuck it out as long as he did.  He’s happy that his hard work is finally paying off, even though it doesn’t look how he thought it would.  He also believes that Arclies’ body type, 26 ACT score, and work ethic could land him a scholarship by season’s end.
“He never gave up,” Zenon said.  “That’s something we preach.  He’s very tough mentally because he did everything that was asked of him, and he still didn’t get an opportunity.  Now he’s on the defensive side and has a big role.
“I’m very proud of him.  I’m excited to see what he does this season.  I know he’s going to do great things.  If he keeps playing the way he’s playing, I see him getting a scholarship at the end of the year.”

Simone Nicole Hilda Pillette, born and raised in Abbeville but a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was born on September 28, 1997, to Raven Matthews Miller and Louis Keith Pillette and was called to her eternal resting place on August 18, 2024. Known for her infectious smile and exuberant personality, Simone lived her life with pure joy and compassion. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and coworker. Simone will live on in our hearts forever.
Simone is survived by her beloved parents: her mother Attorney Raven Matthews Miller, her stepfather Hilton Miller and her father Louis Keith Pillette of Abbeville, Louisiana. She was a devoted and caring sister to Isaiah Pillette, Keena Pillette, Summer Miller, Keith Pillette (Tasia), all of Abbeville, Louisiana, Denarius Darby of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Devin Pillette (Isabella) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Taijah Ford of Houston, Texas. She will be forever cherished by her aunts: Dr. Altamić Matthews Conner (Reginald Sr.)of Biloxi, Mississippi, Doris Plowden, Rebecca Pillette, Florida Pillette, and Faye Pillette Hebert (Jared) all of Abbeville, Louisiana; her uncles: Colonel Howard Matthews, Jr. (Jeneria) of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Kelvin Matthews, Sr. (Nyesha), Arthur Ray Pillette Jr., Eunice Pillette (Janean), Edward Pillette Sr. (Linda), Leonard Pillette, Kevin Pillette (Ebony) all of Abbeville, Louisiana.
She is preceded in her sunset by her maternal grandparents Howard Sr. and Brenda Matthews, and Augustus Felix and her paternal grandparents Annie Mae Pillette Guidry and Arthur Ray Pillette Sr., her maternal great-grandparents Hilda and Percy Lewis, and Ernest Matthews, Sr., as well as Floyd Rice Sr. and Rosa Belle Willis, paternal great grandparents Nicey Thomas and Lloyd Guidry, her aunt, Tonie Pillette and her uncle, Danny Pillette. Her memory is lovingly held by a host of family to include nieces, nephews, great-aunts and uncles, cousins and other relatives, coworkers, and friends.
Simone was a beautifully composed and classy young woman that brightened any room she entered. She was a devoted Catholic and Christian that exemplified the essence of a God-fearing woman. She attended Pastor Keith Richard’s church Elevate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2015, Simone graduated from North Vermillion High School where she excelled in academics, basketball, track, volleyball, student government, dance, and band. She is a proud 2019 graduate of Southern University and A&M College earning a Bachelors of Science in Accounting with Honors College distinction. While at Southern University, Simone pledged Beta PSI chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She was given the line name “C.P.A.” (Classy Pretty Accomplished). She continued her involvement in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., as a member of the GAMMA ETA OMEGA Graduate Chapter. Her matriculation at SU also included involvement as an Honors College Ambassador, member of the student government association, and College of Business student leader to name a few. In these five years since college graduation, through her steadfast dedication to public service at the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor President’s Office under the administration of Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, she has touched the hearts and lives of many within the community. Her bubbly energy, infectious laughter, and sincere love will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of her Life will be officiated by Bishop B.K. Stevens of Faith Hope Christian Fellowship Church, her mother’s church home. Services will be held at New Life Church at 1109 N Lafitte Rd, in Abbeville, LA on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a rosary at 10:15 a.m. and a special “Ivy Beyond the Wall” ceremony facilitated by ETA CHI OMEGA Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at 10:30 a.m. Service will begin at 11 a.m., with interment immediately following at St. Paul Cemetery. Thanks is extended to all who have covered and continue to cover this family as they grieve this tragic loss.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kinchen Funeral Home, Inc. - 218 North St. Valerie Street, Abbeville, LA. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed via its website: www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.