On February 3, Friends of the Thensted Center and residents of Grand Coteau received a surprise visit by Mrs. Lauren LaFosse and the students of the III Prep of the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Local fireman Chris Domingue joined the class at the Thensted Center and spoke about the importance of fire safety while the III Prep girls passed out 43 smoke detectors to friends of the Thensted Center to be placed in their homes.

Beginning in August 2011, the seventh grade class led a fundraising effort within the Academy Prep School to purchase smoke detectors to place in houses of those in need in Grand Coteau. Seventh grade student Allison Duplechain came up with the idea of fire safety after her neighbor’s house burned in a fire. The girls raised enough money through donations and bake sales to purchase 75 smoke detectors along with replacement batteries. The III Prep along with the Prep School should be very proud of their Goal II efforts – a social awareness which impels to actions – and for setting this example to the school and to the Coteau community.