Castays Grand Marshals for Krewe of Head Start

St. Mary CAA Chief Executive Officer Almetra J. Franklin has announced that Howard and Darlene Castay, owners of KBZE 105.9-FM and KFRA 1390-AM, will serve as the Grand Marshals for the 2017 Krewe of Head Start Parade.
The Castays will lead the agency’s 23rd annual parade Saturday, Feb. 18.
“This January marked 24 years on the airwaves for us, and it is folks like Mrs. Franklin and her staff that always seem to keep me going, especially when our business climate gets to be so challenging because of oil prices,” Castay said. “However, first and foremost, the people of St Mary Parish are a gem. We’re a big small town because almost everyone knows everyone, and that’s what makes the 337 and the 985 area of Highway 90, so special.”
Howard Castay is a native of New Orleans and a graduate of De La Salle High School and Loyola University, both in New Orleans. Darlene Castay is a native of Morgan City, a graduate of Central Catholic High School and the founder of Standing in the Gap Ministries, a Christian Mentoring Organization. They married in 1993, and reside in Morgan City where they dote on their two sons, five grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Prior to arriving in St. Mary Parish, Howard worked at Q-93, KHAA 106.7-FM, and WRNO 99.5-FM, in addition to WCCL-TV, WDSU-TV, and Cox Cable. Previously, he wrote for the Tri-Parish Times, The Advocate, The News Examiner, The Enterprise and the Louisiana Weekly. The Louisiana Press Association has presented him with numerous awards for his work in the media. Castay also serves as a board member of Teche Action Clinic and the St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce. He is an honorary member of the St. Mary Parish Chapter 100 Black Men as well as a freelance writer locally with The Daily Iberian.
Castay in 1992 purchased Oldies Radio Station KVPO from Guidron Broadcasting and renamed it KBZE 105.9-FM. As Castay began revamping his new station, and after hiring a consultant and conducting research, he changed the format to rhythm & blues, and “has been blessed by our clients and listeners since,” he said.
The Castays especially appreciate St. Mary Parish residents, who he said have supported and shown love to them from the beginning. “Being honored as Grand Marshals from one of the parish’s finest organizations is just icing on the cake,” Darlene Castay said. “We want everyone to have a good time, and let you know that we love you—so look for us, I’ll be handing out special surprises.”
The Krewe of Head Start Recruitment Parade will stroll through the streets of Franklin beginning at 1 pm. The recruitment parade began in the early 1990s as a major recruitment tool for Head Start’s pre-school children aged 3-5, and also allows the agency to market other services available to Head Start families and individuals. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Fifty Years of Covering Children and Families with Quality Service.” Line up begins at 11 a.m. at the Franklin Senior High School parking lot.
The parade route is approximately two miles and leaves from Cynthia Street, (behind the school), turns onto Main Street and proceeds downtown Franklin, then turns onto Willow Street and turns right onto Third Street where it will end.
Entry forms may be retrieved at the St. Mary CAA Central Office, located at 1407 Barrow St. in Franklin. Any one completing this form must also provide a copy of your driver’s license and your own insurance. For more information, please contact David Teno or Jeffery Beverly at 337-828-5703. Fees are: Floats and flatbeds, $35; Trucks and cars, $25; Dance/Drill Teams, $10; motorcycles/4-wheelers, $10; and walkers $5.
Immediately following the parade, the St. Mary Parish Early Childhood Network will host a Coordinated Enrollment Event in front of the Franklin Senior High School Football Field. Parents are welcome to early-enroll their pre-school children for any of the following St. Mary Parish schools:
—A Child’s Place Learning CenterBarney & Baby Bop #2
—Chitimacha Tribal School
—Glencoe Charter School
—Joslyn’s Fun Learning Center
—Pam’s Personal Touch Child Care
—St. Mary CAA Head Start St. Mary Parish School Board (All schools serving Pre-K)
—Verdunville Outreach Daycare
—Yaamahana Child Development Center.
For more information, please call the Family Service Department at 337-828-5703.