Kevin’s Gallery

Northwestern State University’s Army ROTC Demon Regiment held its annual military ball in the student union’s ballroom Saturday, March 24th. Alumni who served in conflicts from the Korean War through Afghanistan and Iraq were joined by the current cadets, instructors and guests in celebrating the remarkable group of young men and women who will take their place as Army officers upon graduation. The event also honored four of the Regiment’s alumni for their accomplishments in the military and in their civilian lives with induction into the Demon Regiment Hall of Fame. Honored were: Colonel James F. Bowie, Colonel Richard G. Brown, Major Leonard “Ted” Fowler and Lieutenant Colonel Edward T. Milligan. NSU ROTC 2011 graduate Captain Jimmie Watson delivered the keynote address to the assembly.

The alumni of the Demon Regiment also reach back to help the current cadets achieve their goals. Captain Kristen Enlow, Captain Brittany Janice and First Lieutenant Alejandro Cespedes have each established scholarships intended to help cadets that need assistance in completing their education. Retired Major General Erbon W. Wise established the Touchstone Award giving the chosen graduating cadet a voucher for an Army Service uniform to start off his or her career.

Northwestern State University has hosted Army ROTC for the past 68 years. Over its history, 1,057 young men have become Army officers through the program and have gone on to serve our nation with distinction in peace and war. Several current cadets are also serving in the National Guard and have gone with their units to assist communities stricken by the recent floods. ROTC is a force for good in our nation, a meritocracy blind to race or creed in which a person’s character and work ethic can take them far.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating the night’s photography. Copy protection is off and anyone may download any photos they wish.

Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer a TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Boot Camp April 3 and 5 from 8 a.m. until noon.

The class will be on the second floor of South Hall on NSU’s Natchitoches campus. The fee is $50 for those who pre-register and $75 on the day of class.

Students will receive study tips and a review of TEAS sections on reading, math, science and English.

For more information, call (318) 357-6355, (800) 376-2422 or go to nsula.edu/ece/non-credit-programs.

Aaron Beaubouef, FFA Advisor and Ag Teacher at natchitoches Central High School, spoke to the Natchitoches Lions Club at its meeting March 26. He brought three FFA Senior Officers with him, who are also graduating seniors.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without them,” said Beaubouef.

The seniors are Brooklyn Hampton, Brooklyn Martin and Frank Lester. They shared the FFA motto with the club, which is: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Love, Living to Serve.

“We wanted to leave a legacy within our chapter by becoming more involved in the community,” said Hampton. “FFA has been a big opportunity for us to grow and a great way for us to develop our passions.”

Some FFA members volunteered at the Kasey’s Heart and Soul event, which benefits the Louisiana Lions Camp.

Natchitoches Water Works #1 Distribution System is experiencing low pressure problems in the Oak Grove Area of the water supply system. This drop in system pressure below 15 pounds has been caused by damage to a fire hydrant on Hicks Rd.

Because of this drop in system pressure, the water within the water distribution system is of questionable microbiological quality.

Therefore, as a precaution, the Water Works #1 Distribution System is issuing a BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately from Hicks Road down to Sibley Lake. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Water System.

It is recommended that all consumers along Hicks Road and any side roads down to Sibley Lake disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

This Boil advisory does not affect the City of Natchitoches Water Distribution System.

A significant rain event is in the forecast for the Natchitoches area mid week. The Cane River Waterway Commission asks residents to check property and secure loose items located on docks, piers, walkways, boathouses, etc. Additionally, make sure ropes used to secure boats are in good condition, as the lake historically can rise fast.

Current, March 26, pool stage level is 98.2 MSL. Flood Stage (lake closing) level is 99.0 MSL. Normal pool stage level is 98.0 MSL

Making decisions should be based on information from the National Weather Service, Governmental Agencies, and personal knowledge of property. For more information contact Betty Fuller at 318-617-3235.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Elsie Swindle Taggart
May 12, 1931 – March 24, 2018
Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 10 am at Memory Lawn Cemetery

John Below, Sr.
March 25, 2018
Arrangements TBA

RAPIDES PARISH:

Thomas Donald Hill
March 29, 1936 – March 24, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, March 27 from 11am – 2 pm at Holloway Baptist Church
Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 2 pm at Holloway Baptist Church
Interment: Holloway Baptist Church Cemetery

Paul Richard Dustane Jr
October 22, 1948 – March 23, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, March 27 from 8-10 am at Kramer Funeral Home in Alexandria
Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 10 am at Kramer Funeral Home
Graveside Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 3 pm at Greenoaks Cemetery in Baton Rouge

Elizabeth Ann Flynn
July 3, 1942 – March 23, 2018
Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 1 pm at Our Lady of Propmt Succor in Alexandria

By J. R. “Randy” Stelly

I took great pains in researching this article. Most of the pain came from watching the Parish Council meeting held March 19th numerous times! I’d like to thank The Journal for broadcasting the Council meetings so that folks like me who are out of town can stay informed about what is going on in the Parish.

A well planted lie is like an invasive weed with deep rooted tentacles that is hard to kill. Since the first year of the Home Rule Charter in 2013, former police jurors have been diligently seeding the fertile ground that is the rural and African American communities of our Parish. At this month’s meeting, Chris Paige harvested a bumper crop!

The number of lies told at the meeting was simply astounding and Chris Paige’s ego puffed up bigger and bigger as each one was told. I give him credit for his masterful manipulation of the gullible people in this Parish!

Chief among the lies was that the Parish President makes $160k a year. The President’s salary was set at $80k by the voters when the H.R.C. was passed (See Parish President Set..below). The salary is increased only when the Social Security Administration authorizes a cost-of-living adjustment. The only other way that the President’s salary may increase is by a vote of the Council in the form of an Ordinance.

Another major lie, this one told by Janice Perry, is that over half of those people employed under the police jury have lost their jobs. In order for her statement to have been true, over 100 people would have had to lose their jobs! It’s absurd to insinuate that a government should never terminate an employee. Unfortunately, it does not surprise me one bit that Ms. Perry wants to return to a form of government that allows employees to get paid for leave regardless of whether or not they had any time accrued and also allowed the Head Start program to run up huge deficits!

Mr. Richard Black (see below), a registered sex-offender, lied when he addressed the meeting and stated that “they claim they ain’t got no money to fix our rural roads, but they got $4 million to spend on this lakefront down here…” I have heard this lie told numerous time. The Parish Government had no involvement, financial or otherwise, in the renovations to the City of Natchitoches’ riverfront and had no control over the fact that the Cane River Waterway Commission did pour money into the Project.

Finally, while Councilman Rodney Bedgood didn’t tell an outright lie, he did demonstrate that he doesn’t understand the form of government that he took an oath represent. Even under the police jury form of government, police jurors were prohibited from interfering in the day-to-day operations of the Parish. And while Parish Council members do not have direct supervision over employees, they do have direct control over almost every aspect of the government’s operations (See Document A below). The Council approves salary ranges, the hiring of department heads, insurance benefits, annual budgets, capital outlay plans and so much more!

The Home Rule Charter form of government offers a checks-and-balances system that did not exist under the police jury. Go back and read the audits for the last 4 years and you’ll see that, under the HRC, the Parish has had no major findings. The same cannot be said for the police jury who was fraught with budget overruns and violated the law even in its last months of existence (See document B)! We need to focus on finding a solution for funding road improvements, not on how to destroy the Parish in its entirety by going back to a police jury!

Parish President Salary Set by Charter

Document A

Document B

By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum was transformed into what was arguably the finest restaurant in the state March 23 as 21 area establishments and 10 bars presented their best seafood dishes and drinks to over 650 Northwestern State supporters. The event goers enjoyed some of the best seafood dishes to be found anywhere while supporting our hometown university. NSU’s different colleges also held raffles and other fundraisers.

The Flavor of Louisiana is a signature fundraiser for NSU’s Columns Fund. The money raised will be used to further the Columns Fund’s mission of supporting NSU students with scholarships, as well as providing opportunities for students, faculty and staff to reach out to the surrounding community. The event is expected to raise over $50,000 for this worthy cause.

Louisiana’s Lt. Gov., Billy Nungesser, returned as the guest of honor for the event. His office, in conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Board, provided the $18,000 worth of seafood served that night. The Louisiana Seafood Board is charged with promoting the use of seafood from Louisiana’s waters. The dinner featured each of the six species of fish, alligator, crab, oyster, shrimp and crawfish that are native to our state. Lt. Gov. Nungesser and the Seafood Board thought of the Flavor of Louisiana event as a way to both promote the use of local seafood and as a way to raise needed funds for our state’s college’s and universities.

Friday’s Flavor of Louisiana marks the second year of what will hopefully be many more. The Bayou State features some of the best seafood to be found anywhere!

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating tonight’s photography. Copy protection is off and anyone may download any they wish. If you do see a photo you like, please consider a donation to the NSU Foundation in lieu of payment. Let’s help make Northwestern State University an even better place!

The threat of heavy rainfall and flooding are still on track for this week, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. The threat of heavy rainfall and flooding will increase during the upcoming week due to a slow-moving upper level low coupled with a series of stalled frontal boundaries. The axis of heavy rainfall will gradually shift southeast from the middle Red River Valley on Tuesday night through Wednesday and Thursday with the heaviest amounts generally along and south of the I-30 corridor where 4-6 inches are expected with isolated higher amounts possible. Rain will gradually taper off late Thursday night through Friday morning.

Timing and Overview:

A slow-moving upper level low coupled with a series of stalled frontal boundaries will result in widespread showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall gradually shifting southeast from the middle Red River Valley on Tuesday through Wednesday and Thursday with the heaviest rainfall amounts generally along and south of the I-30 corridor. Rain will gradually taper off Thursday night through Friday morning. Flash flooding and additional river flooding are likely to occur.

Four State Impacts:

Expected Accumulations: A wide swath of 3-6 inches area-wide with the heaviest rainfall axis along and south of I-30 where 4-6 inches are expected and some isolated higher amounts possible.

Impacts: Flash flooding threat will certainly exist, but recent dry period has helped soils to return to near normal moisture. A Flash Flood Watch may be warranted. Additional river flooding is also expected with most area waterways hovering near flood stage or still remaining in flood.

One Natchitoches youth’s Facebook Post quickly went viral. John Robert Dodd, 6.5-year-old student at Weaver Elementary was concerned after he came home from school one day. His school had just held a lock down drill. This in the wake of certain school shootings across the country, brought his parents, Diane and Cherie Dodd, to share with him what happened during the Florida school shooting last month.

“We try to keep him out away from political and news events,” said Diane. “However, it was extremely bothersome for him to think that he could lose friends in the same fashion should something arise at his school. We told him that the students of MSD and students around the nation and globe were participating in “March for Our Lives” rallies to stand up on behalf of those lives lost.”

Diane and Cherie felt John is a bit young to be involved in such huge gatherings, but instead opted for a safer environment. They helped him create a sign and share it on social media. The photo was taken in the middle of the street where they live in Natchitoches. His Mommy is a graphic designer and they thought it would be amazing to reproduce a ‘pretend’ march behind him of children of his peers.

John chose for his sign to be a “thank you” to the big kids for standing up for his future.

“While we believe in the Second Amendment, we also believe that we live in a time that requires gun reform on a federal level,” said Diane. “In order to see it happen, we must let our voices rise up in great numbers. We live in a small town, so this is our small way to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands around the world in gratitude for their strength to stand up for the safety of John’s future, and the safety of children across the nation.”

John’s Facebook post was quickly shared by Pantsuit Nation, whose mission is to build a foundation for a more equitable and engaged democracy. Five-hundred comments later and John is his parents’ little superhero for his part in being a thoughtful young man who showed gratitude towards those who are brave in sharing their voice for gun reform.

“We are so proud of this upcoming generation,” said Diane. “It’s so inspiring to see their strength. Their passion. Their warmth. It’s horrible that they need to ‘think’ of this stuff but sadly it is the world we live in currently. Before John was born, we created his name. We thought it was very presidential sounding. Whether he makes his way to politics is yet to be seen, but he has an amazing heart. He wanted to march with the big kids so we helped him. We did not think Pantsuit Nation was going to actually like and use his photo. Natchitoches represented today.”

The Pastor, Officers and Members of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of the Bermuda Community in Natchitoches, cordially invite the public to the church’s Annual Easter Revival. This event will take place Monday, March 26 — Friday, March 30 at 7 pm nightly.

Monday & Tuesday–Prayer Meeting
Wednesday — Friday — Preaching

Ministers will be:
Rev. Silas Hamilton, Jr.
Rev. Abraham Helair
Rev. Lloyd Demars

Song services provided by The St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Choirs.

For more information contact: Rosa Shields at 352-5047, 652-0753, or rosa@cp-tel.net.

When Glenn Talbert looked around Prather Coliseum on Thursday night, it’s possible he saw reflections of himself.

As numerous current Northwestern State student-athletes comingled with other members of the student body at the Northwestern State University Foundation and Demons Unlimited Foundation 2017-18 Scholarship Banquet, Talbert reached back in his memory to his time as an NSU football student-athlete.

“I just like to give back to the school, and this is how I choose to do it with the scholarship in mine and my brother’s name,” said Talbert, a three-year letterman at halfback from 1961-63 who, along with his sister-in-law, Martha Kay Talbert Smiley, helps fund the Glenn and James R. (Bucky) Talbert Scholarship. “It’s a way we can support the school.”

For Talbert, donating to the NSU athletic department comes easily, thanks to a spirit of giving that was fostered in him during his time as a Demon.

“There were people I looked up to who were here,” he said. “We had some great people, great coaches who were here when I was here. I thought the world of them. It’s very important for me to give a scholarship and to support the school.”

Because of donors like Talbert, events like Thursday night, which brought together student-athletes who received endowed scholarships, with another 600-plus people who packed the Prather Coliseum floor.

The event, which marked the second straight year the NSU Foundation and the DUF partnered in putting it together, gives students a chance to become better connected with the donors who provide funding for their scholarships.

It already has proven to foster relationships between student-athletes and donors.

“It was my first time here last year, and I got to meet Barbara Tolar, who donates to my scholarship,” said volleyball middle blocker Madeline Drake, the recipient of the Charlie Tolar Athletic Scholarship. “She works at HBU (Houston Baptist), and when we played there, I emailed her and told her to come watch the game. She didn’t get to come watch us play, but it was really cool to get to meet her, talk to her and get too know her.”

Like Talbert’s sentiments, feelings of gratitude washed over the 630 people in attendance as they listened to Northwestern State President Dr. Chris Maggio, student speakers Abigail Reynolds and Payton Hartwick and guest donor speaker Barbara Jo Pease.

“It’s a good experience,” said baseball and football athlete Kwan Adkins, the recipient of the Alario 22 Baseball Scholarship. “We get to meet people we don’t necessarily get to see as well as some familiar faces. Meeting the people who have helped us out, given us our scholarships and continue to donate to the university, it makes it more meaningful to us.”

For more information about Demons Unlimited Foundation Scholarships, contact Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs Dr. Haley Taitano at (318) 357-4278 or via email at blounth@nsula.edu.

The Northwestern State University Chamber Choir and Concert Choir will perform Tuesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Dr. Nicholaus B. Cummins will conduct the Chamber Choir and Michael Rorex will conduct the Concert Choir.

The Concert Choir will perform “O Fortuna” from “Carmina Burana,” by Carl Orff, “Valse” by Ernst Toch, “Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair” arranged by Stuart Churchill, “Motherless Child” arranged by Craig Hella Johnson and “Teach Me to Love” by David Rossow.

The Chamber Choir will perform “Sitivit Anima Mea” by Giovanni Pierligui da Palestrina, “Exsultate Justi” by Andreas Hackenberger, “Selig sind die Toten” by Gottfriend Homilius, “Even When He is Silent” by Kim Andre Arnessen, “Wanderer’s Nachtlied” by Blake Wilson and “Gather at the River” arranged by Stacey Gibbs.

The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN) installed new officers for 2018 at the March Board of Directors meeting. Pictured from left are Sandra McCullen, Corresponding Secretary; Harold Faust, VP Properties; Gayle Howell, Treasurer; Alma Alost, Recording Secretary; Eileen Kendrick, VP Publicity; and Vicki Parrish, President.

The Northwestern State University Testing Center has moved to first floor of Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library, where the center provides a variety of testing options for students at NSU and surrounding communities.

“We help individuals achieve their goals by providing the most advanced testing options in a quiet and secure environment,” said Star Hamous, director of the Testing Center. “Some of the testing options we offer are Accuplacer, CLEP, PRAXIS, GRE, TOEFL, ACT, SAT, LSAT, Pearson and Castle Worldwide and NCE.”

The Testing Center also offers proctoring services to students whose professor is not physically located on the Natchitoches campus with the majority coming from online instructors.

“We proctor an estimate of 500-1,000 students per quarter,” Hamous said. “During midterms and finals, we accommodate our students by extending our hours. Students and candidates need a form of identification in order to test which can include NSU Student ID, or valid driver’s license.”

Hamous has been director of the Testing Center since last August. She holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a master’s degree in adult education from NSU and taught at a technical college before rejoining the staff at NSU. Also on staff is Testing Assistant Gabby Trindle, who holds a degree in social work from Texas State University. Each are required to have current certifications for each of the testing organizations they represent.

The Testing Center moved from Kyser Hall to Watson last November as part of NSU’s vision to have academic support – testing, tutoring and advising – together in one location convenient to students.

“Having the academic support areas in one location allows students to be tested, tutored and advised in a one stop shop concept,” said Jennifer Kelly, assistant to the provost for Academic Support and Auxiliary Services, who is also located in the library. “If a student is not successful on their Accuplacer test they can stop in the Academic Success Center for free tutoring before they ever leave the building. Once they are successful on the Accuplacer the student can then seek advising for future enrollment at NSU. All enrolled students can seek free tutoring in the Academic Success Center.”

The Testing Center administers the PRAXIS and GRE on weekdays to an estimated 150-300 individuals per quarter. ACT, SAT and LSAT are administered on Saturdays. About 200 high school students take the ACT each test date. The Testing Center also provides proctoring for the surrounding communities and offers Pearson and Castle for candidates seeking various certifications. Staff also participate in District Literary Rally, N-Side View Credit Connect and Freshman Connection. Off-campus instruction site testing is available at NSU’s Leesville, Alexandria, Shreveport, Barksdale AFB and Marksville campuses. Times and services at those instruction sites vary.

Plans are in development for a parking lot in front of the library, Kelly said.

“This is another service NSU provides for students, faculty staff and the community,” Hamous said. “We are always open to additional resources and programming for our students.”

For more information on the NSU Testing Center, call (318) 357-5246 or email at testing@nsula.edu

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Elsie Swindle Taggart
May 12, 1931 – March 24, 2018
Visitation: Monday, March 26 from 6-9 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 10 am at Memory Lawn Cemetery

Blanche Bosley Nelms
October 25, 1918 – March 23, 2018
Graveside Service: Sunday, March 25

John Below, Sr.
March 25, 2018
Arrangements TBA

RAPIDES PARISH:

Paul Richard Dustane Jr
October 22, 1948 – March 23, 2018
Visitation: Monday, March 26 from 4-8 pm and Tuesday, March 27 from 8-10 am at Kramer Funeral Home in Alexandria
Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 10 am at Kramer Funeral Home
Graveside Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 3 pm at Greenoaks Cemetery in Baton Rouge

Elizabeth Ann Flynn
July 3, 1942 – March 23, 2018
Visitation: Monday, March 26 from 9 am – 12:30 pm at Kramer Funeral Home in Alexandria
Service: Tuesday, March 27 at 1 pm at Our Lady of Propmt Succor in Alexandria

Robert LaCour Sr.
January 23, 1952 – March 22, 2018
Service: Sunday, March 25

Norma Jean Westmoreland James
August 3, 1928 – March 21, 2018
Service: Monday, March 26 at 10 am in the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens

As the acclaimed first person law enforcement shooter event, Bulletproof the Blue, is only 4 weeks out the Natchitoches Rotary Club encourages you to get your tickets now – Just click this link:

Bulletproof The Blue Tickets

Josh Axsom, Rotary Committee Chairperson, said “Our sponsorship drive is going great! We are about 50% of the way there to our $15,000 goal! This is the final days of our sponsorship drive to get you and/or your business on our signs and event t-shirt. Support your local Law Enforcement through this event! Call me at 318-652-2225 ASAP for more details!!”

The Bulletproof the Blue Rotary committee would like to thank the following businesses for their support:

Silver Sponsor- Janice Bolton and Bolton Realty

Bronze Sponsor- Rodney and Eddie Harrington and the Harrington Law Firm

Bronze Sponsor- David McGraw and Keep Safe Storage

We are so grateful for the communities support for this event, said Josh Axsom, This event creates a positive environment for healthy conversations between members of the community and the law enforcement agencies that exist to serve and protect them. That is really exciting!

The Bulletproof the Blue Rotary committee would also like to thank Bronze Sponsors MidSouth Bank!

At their March 20th regular meeting, the 9-1-1 Commission received an overview of the Communications District’s 2017 activity. The Natchitoches Parish Communications District (Natchitoches 9-1-1) works hand-in-hand with law enforcement, fire, and Emergency Medical Service providers in all parts of the parish in a unified effort to provide a well-coordinated emergency response system.

During 2017 residents, visitors, and travelers in Natchitoches Parish called 9-1-1 a total of 22,504 times. 89% of these 9-1-1 calls originated from cell phones, and 96% of all 9-1-1 calls received were answered in 10-seconds or less. In addition to 9-1-1 emergency calls, our two call centers answered over 89,497 non-emergency calls.

In addition to providing the technology utilized by both the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office emergency call center, and the Natchitoches Police Department emergency call center, the 9-1-1 district also provides a parish-wide Emergency Warning System, which logged 58 activations in 2017. District staff processed 191 Address Applications, 250 address site inspections, and performed over 300 updates to the geographic information system used by first responders to locate emergencies within the parish. The Natchitoches Parish 9-1-1 system serves as the “Gateway to Public Safety Services in Natchitoches Parish.

By Reba

It would be deemed a “season-ending injury” even for the most powerful of athletes. A press conference would be called by the coaching staff to discuss how this injury could have happened. Contracts would be reviewed to see if the team owners could continue to pay the exorbitant salary. The whole team would see their hopes for the playoffs go down the drain.

But, for athletes like us this is not the case.

A single mom twisting her ankle in a small land mine that a destructive Jack Russell Terrier dug while mowing does not qualify for the extremes aforementioned. It was painful. I cried. I may have used several four-letter words I’ve been known to resort to at any given moment. I may have seen my whole life flash before my eyes on a highlight reel.

The whirlwind of anxiety that followed was immeasurable. Who would finish mowing for me? How would I drive? Would physical therapy be involved? How would my daughter get to and from various practices and her church activities? How would I make it to the gym everyday…if I were actually going to the gym everyday?

Athletes like us don’t have the option of a day off from parenting.

Prior to my divorce I never gave much thought to the daily workings of being a single parent. Frankly, I never thought I would ever become one. Even though my children have long since left the needy toddler stage there’s still loads of parenting and juggling to be done. When you add more than one child to the scenario the plot thickens. Try being in two places at one time. You will definitely have someone mad at you at all times.

Athletes like us come in all shapes and forms.

Some parents are single for a mere seven and seven hitch. Some parents are widowed. Some parents have been single parents since day one of the birth of their child. Some parents were abandoned by a spouse and left to pick up those remains, plus raise healthy and independent children. Whatever the true reason for living a life of single parenting, it can feel isolating if you don’t reach out to your friends and family for support.

Athletes like us are not very popular. There are no MVP awards in the parenting division.

Single parenting will not win a popularity contest with your children……If you’re doing it right. You are the soul source of the anguish they feel when they hear the word “NO.” When they hear the words “do you think I am made of money,” don’t expect a supportive answer. Don’t look for a round of applause when you have to break it to your child that we cannot have an Alpaca even if Planning and Zoning would allow for it.

Through the years God has blessed me with friends who are literally founts of wisdom and clarity when it comes to raising children. He has opened my eyes recently to look around at the different types of single parents I encounter and use them as my guide when I’m feeling anxious. I see tenacious ladies on a daily basis who choose not fall prey to their thoughts of pity and angst. They choose to focus on their children and raise them to be who God intended them to be. While it’s easy to compare your family to those with a true nuclear unit, we have to avoid that trap at all costs. No one wins that game.

God chose athletes like us to play two positions on the team. Mom and Dad.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; Not Lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

1Peter 5:2-3

The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association has committed to a donation of $5,000 per year for the next five years to the Rose Landry Long Scholarship, an award that benefits first-generation students attending Northwestern State University.

“Our Association has always been committed to promoting education for Louisiana youth,” said Tony Patterson, LQHBA executive director. “Since 2001, the LQHBA has now funded $524,000 in scholarships.”

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana. The association provides a unified voice for communicating the advantages and rewards of breeding quarter horses and coordinates activities with breeding and racing agencies. LQHBA is recognized by the Louisiana Legislature and the Louisiana State Racing Commission as the official registry of accredited Louisiana-bred racing quarter horses.

“The LQHBA board of directors recently met with Senator Gerald Long and we are proudly committing a total donation of $25,000 at $5,000 per year to this wonderful cause. We are very honored to contribute to the Rose Landry Long Scholarship,” Patterson said.

The Rose Landry Long Scholarship was created last year to honor Mrs. Long, Senator Long’s late wife, who passed away April 30, 2017, following an 11-month battle with brain cancer. A native of Gueydan, Mrs. Long was the first person in her family to attend college, graduating from Northwestern State with honors in 1968. As a freshman at NSU, Mrs. Long met Gerald Long and two were married 11 months later.

Mrs. Long touched many lives through her civic involvement, through leading Bible studies and engagement with child and family resource centers throughout Louisiana. The Longs mentored many middle school, high school and college students and coaches through Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Mrs. Long served as her husband’s campaign manager when he ran for the State Senate and after his election was involved with the Legislative community, leading Bible studies, hosting prayer breakfasts and serving on committees that addressed moral and social concerns. She also chaired the Louisiana Legends committee for Louisiana Public Broadcasting and was recognized as the Public Broadcasting System’s Grassroots Advocacy National Volunteer of the Year. During her illness, she could often be found seeking out and praying with strangers in cancer treatment waiting rooms.

Sen. Long created the scholarship last fall, garnering state-wide pledges of support. Inaugural recipients, awarded for the Spring 2018 semester, were Elizabeth Schoubroek, a business administration major from Zwolle, and Rowdy Burleson, a criminal justice major from Evelyn. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 grade point average and must be full-time first generation students.

“We are building a generation of students who will be community leaders,” Sen. Long said. “Because of LQHBA, first-generation students that could not attend college will be able to.”

Information on the Rose Land Long Scholarship is available by contacting NSU Development Officer Jill Bankston, CFRE, at (318) 357-4414 or emailing bankstonj@nsula.edu.

Northwestern State University’s Department of Mathematics attended the annual meeting of the Louisiana/Mississippi Section of the Mathematical Association of America in Lafayette. During the meeting, several students competed in a team competition and Haley Jorgensen of Bossier City entered the student research competition, winning the third place prize. The meeting marked the end of Dr. Frank Serio’s term as chair of the Section. Pictured are students and faculty, from left, Jonathon Villareal of Oberlin, of Austin Averitt of Bossier City, Dr. Leigh Ann Myers, Sara Vineyard of Shreveport, Shelby Ansley of Bossier City, Andrew Penfield of Many, Cherish Netter of Baker, Dr. Richard DeVault, Serio, head of the Department of Mathematics; Jessica Bass of Pleasant Hill, Jorgensen, Dr. Kathy Autrey, Dr. Nick Richardson, Melissa Kelly and Dr. Ben Rushing