Race to raise funds
Submitted photos
Pictured from left to right at the March of Dimes Diaper Derby held at the Thomas Assembly Center are Miss Teen Dixie Gem Peach Anna Katherine Thompson; Lucas, Adam and Lainey Walker of the toddler division; Seth, Andrew and Lauren Thibodeaux of the crawler division; Nancy Darland, Louisiana Tech nursing professor emerita and March of Dimes Volunteer; Ashley Harrison, Fleur de Lis Princess; and Louisiana Tech nursing student Dalton Cook.
Jordan Aumentrout uses a pacifier to encourage his 8-month-old son Drake to race toward the finish line during crawler competition at the March of Dimes Diaper Derby held during halftime of a Louisiana Tech men’s basketball game on Feb. 15.
It’s a partnership aimed at better futures for babies.
The local March of Dimes chapter and the Louisiana Tech Athletics Department teamed up for 12th time for their annual Diaper Derby fundraiser at the Thomas Assembly Center.
At halftime of the Dunkin’ Dogs basketball game against Florida Atlantic, 17 children ranging in age from 7 months to 2 1/2 years participated in the event. Prizes for the child crossing the finish line first in both the crawler and toddler divisions were awarded by the March of Dimes, Origin Bank and LA Tech Athletics.
This year’s event raised $446.22 for the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Andrew Thibodeaux, 10-month-old son of Seth and Lauren Thibodeaux of Ruston, won the crawler division.
The toddler winner was 2-year-old Lucas Walker, daughter of Adam and Lainey Walker of Minden.
Other participants in the crawler division included Ella Alexander, 9 months, daughter of Daniel and Jenny Alexander of Ruston; Drake Armentrout, 8-month-old son of Jordan and Katie Armentrout of Dubach; Darla Atkinson, 12-month-old daughter of John and Melanie Atkinson of Dallas; Bennett Kabbes, 8 months, son of Paul and Emily Kabbes of Ruston; and Vivy Anne Toms, 7 months, daughter of A.J. and Mallarie Toms of Calhoun.
The toddler division participants included Riverly Auger, 14-month-old daughter of John Auger and Jessica Gilbert of Farmerville; Haas Burt, 2-year-old daughter of Alex and Taylor Burt of Ruston;
Jake Casey, 2-year-old son of Nat and Lauren Casey of New Orleans; Joseph Oliver, 23 months, son of Lamar and Erin Oliver of West Monroe; Maddox Savage, 19 months, son of Alan and Coleen Savage of Ruston; Annabelle Taylor, 16 months, daughter of Daniel and Laura Taylor of Ruston; Zeke Thomas, 2-year-old son of Blaze and Hannah Thomas of West Monroe; Kade Wolfe, I -year-old son of Josh and Molly Wolfe of Ruston; and sister and brother Adalynn Wilson, 2 1/2-year-old and Joseph Wilson, 14 months, children of Matt and Bethany Wilson of El Dorado, Arkansas.
The annual diaper derby event serves as the area kickoff for the March of Dimes annual campaign. Students from Louisiana Tech’s Nursing 112 class served as greeters as fans entered the TAC and asked them to consider making a donation. The students also distributed information about the programs offered by the March of Dimes and recruited families to participate in the Diaper Derby.
Nancy Darland, nursing professor emerita and March of Dimes volunteer, coordinated the event with Cain Yarborough from Tech’s Athletics Department and staffed an informational booth with March of Dimes pamphlets.
Special assistance was provided by Miss Teen Dixie Gem Peach Anna Katherine Thompson, who was born prematurely. Thompson’s pageant platform focuses on the March of Dimes efforts to reduce maternal mortality and premature birth.
