Head Baseball Coach for Northwestern State University Bobby Barbier visited the Natchitoches Lions Club April 24 with first base student athlete Dave Fry from Grapevine, Texas.

Fry said he originally thought he’d be playing baseball at a college in Texas, that is until NSU recruited him. Not knowing what he was getting into, he first assumed everyone in Louisiana had pet alligators. After meeting a lot of people who have impacted his life, he said he’s lucky to be in Natchitoches.

Barbier said his sister worked at the Natchitoches Lions Camp for 7-8 years. She found the camp when she was 15-years-old and fell in love with it. Because of her experiences there, she’s now a special education teacher in St. Charles Parish. Barbier’s 14-year-old nephew, who has spinal bifida, attends the camp each summer.

“You should be proud of what you do,” Barbier told the club members. “It’s amazing the amount of lives you guys have affected.”

Speaking of the lives the Lions Club members have an impact on, two high school students received scholarships for their outstanding academic and civic accomplishments. Rae-Gan Rogers, visiting the club with her aunt Rose Sarpy, received the Dr. Raymond Gilbert Scholarship. She plans to attend NSU to major in sports medicine.

Jackson Carroll, visiting with his parents Brian Carroll and Laurie Berry, received the Will Taylor Scholarship. He plans to attend NSU to major in resource management. His goal is to become a soil conservationist for the USDA.

In other Lions Club news, the Natchitoches club was recognized at the State Convention April 22 for 2015-16 for the most referrals to the Lions Club Eye Foundation. It was also recognized by the Lions Camp Director as the club that made the biggest contribution for the year. Michelle Waskom received an award from Lions International for the 8-L District, which Natchitoches falls under. She was also named Council Chair to serve alongside the new District Governor, Natchitoches Lions Club member Mimi Stoker.