Jace Bullock, a Senior at Montgomery High School, received a 2019 LBEC College Scholarship. The Louisiana Bankers Education Council awarded their annual college scholarships, each fall LBEC offers cash scholarships to incoming freshman who have at least one parent employed with a bank. The students must enroll in an accredited Louisiana college or university with a declared major in a banking related field.

Pictured from left are Minh Luu (LBEC Councilman at Large), Jace Bullock (BOM Intern), Mary Bullock (BOM Chief Operating Officer), and Carrie Hough (BOM Senior VP & Marketing Director).

A Natchitoches family is honoring two young men by establishing scholarships in their memory at Northwestern State University. David and Jennifer Thornton created the Boaz Barber Squyres Memorial Scholarship to benefit an upper level accounting major and the Joe Robertson Memorial Scholarship to benefit a law enforcement officer, first responder or the immediate family member of a law enforcement or first responder.

The families of both young men met with the Thorntons and the scholarship recipients recently to talk about what the scholarships mean to each of them.

Boaz, son of Merlin and Mary Squyres, was a 2013 graduate of Natchitoches Central High School and was studying accounting at Northwestern State when he passed away from injuries sustained in an accident in 2015 at age 20. David Thornton, a friend of Merlin Squyres, felt moved to do something to honor Boaz.

“It’s a very big honor for them to do this in memory of Boaz,” said his mother Mary Squyres. “We are very grateful to the Thornton family for this. It hurts to think that he didn’t get to finish but it is comforting that other young people will benefit from this scholarship.”

Joe Robertson, son of Richard and Tammy Robertson, was a close friend of Jennifer Thornton growing up in Natchitoches where they attended school and church together. Joe was a Natchitoches City Police Officer when he was killed in an off-duty motorcycle accident in 2005 at age 20. Individuals in 14 states – 21 males and 13 females ranging in age from 17 to 71 — benefited from Robertson’s decision to be an organ donor.

“Joe really wanted to help people,” his mother Tammy Robertson said. “This would make him very happy. Others won’t forget and, in this way, he is continuing to help people. He would be proud to know his name is on a scholarship that will help someone in law enforcement.”

“David and Jennifer established these scholarships in memory of two special individuals,” said Jill Bankston as she introduced the scholarship recipients, Thomas Celles and Jonathan Roberts.

Celles is a junior level accounting major in the Louisiana Scholars’ College. He has held a job throughout his college career, has been involved with several campus organizations and plans to complete an internship in Baton Rouge next semester.

Roberts is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, having returned to NSU as a non-traditional student. He has been employed in law enforcement for 12 years, currently with the Narcotics Task Force of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is married with two children ages 6 and 2.

“We love Mrs. Mary and Mr. Merlyn and we knew Joe very well. He was very dear to us,” Jennifer Thornton, explaining her and David’s desire to honor the young men. “We wanted to continue Joe’s legacy and remember Boaz because he was in school to be an accountant like his dad.”

The Thorntons have previously created scholarships at NSU in honor of teachers who made an impact in their lives, as well as a scholarship for a student in the School of Creative and Performing Arts.

“This day is special on so many levels, for me personally and for the university,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. “We are honoring the memory of two fine individuals and their names will be attached to these scholarships in perpetuity. These two students epitomize the ideal recipients. They know the stories behind these awards and why they are important.”

For information on creating a scholarship in honor or in memory of, contacting Director of Development Jill Bankston at (318) 357-4241.

From left are Keith Thompson, Jonathan Roberts, Richard and Tammy Robertson, Jennifer and David Thornton with daughters Tenley and Taelyn Thornton, NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio, Thomas Celles and Mary and Merlin Squyres.

Northwestern State University’s Men’s Basketball program and Head Coach Mike McConathy will offer summer camps for youth in Bossier City and Natchitoches.

Kids’ Camps are listed as follows.

Hoops for Kids – At Airline High School – Bossier City, LA

Dates: June 3-6, 2019

Girls and Boys Ages: 4 years of age to entering 7th grade

Day Camp – at Prather Coliseum on NSU in Natchitoches, LA

Dates: July 8-11, 2019

Girls and Boys Ages: 5 years to entering 9th grade

Challenge Camp – Overnight camp, stay in Dorms on NSU Natchitoches Campus

Dates: July 12-14, 2019

Boys Ages: Entering 7th grade to entering 12th grade

Registration is available at demonbasketballcamps.com or you can visit the Men’s Basketball Office in Prather Coliseum to pick up your registration forms or contact Marcia Bolton at (318) 357-4274 to have the forms mailed.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Christine Conant Metoyer
April 06, 1937 – May 10, 2019
Service: Monday, May 13 at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church of Natchitoches

Rita Gail Trichel
August 21, 1950 – May 09, 2019
Service held May 10

Wanda Thomas Bynog
March 06, 1951 – May 07, 2019
Service: Saturday, May 11 at 11 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Internment: L. C. Weaver Memorial (United Baptist Church) Cemetery

Catherine Nelken Bienvenu Henry
November 07, 1926 – October 09, 2018
A Celebration of Catherine’s Life will take place for family and friends on Saturday, May 18 at 4 pm at Merci Beaucoup in Natchitoches

Frankie Brown
May 05, 2019
Arrangements TBA

RAPIDES PARISH:

Field V Gremillion III
August 21, 1947 – May 8, 2019
Service: Monday, May 13 at 2 pm at St. Rita Catholic Church

SABINE PARISH:

Johnny Tippey
June 28, 1944 – May 9, 2019
Service: Saturday, May 11 at 4 pm at Antioch Baptist Church

WINN PARISH:

Chester “C. B.” Hemperley
October 21, 1927 – May 10, 2019
Service: Sunday, May 12 at 2 pm at the New Hope United Methodist Church at Gars Mill

RED RIVER PARISH:

Harold Wayne Zumwalt
August 05, 1938 – May 07, 2019
Service: Saturday, May 11 at 10 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel
Friday, March 22 at 6 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Due to another batch of bad weather forecasted for our area tonight, all Natchitoches Parish Public Schools will be closed Friday, May 10, 2019. I feel that the sooner the parents are notified of this closing, the easier it will be for them to make the necessary arrangements for their children. Teacher of the Year recognition, as well as tonight’s scheduled board meeting, have been rescheduled for Monday, May 13, 2019.

Because Natchitoches Parish has made the decision to close, St. Mary’s Catholic School will be closed Friday, May 10, 2019.

CLTCC Natchitoches Campus will be open tomorrow, Friday, May 10. Faculty and staff are to report at their regular scheduled times. CLTCC students may report at 9:00 am. NCHS students scheduled to final test for the Nurse Assistant class should arrive no later than 8:45 am.

Your safety is our utmost concern and if your local conditions are unsafe for travel please notify your instructor or supervisor. At this time all other CLTCC campuses are open and operating on their regular schedule.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that effective immediately that LA 485, 2 miles north of LA 6 Intersection at Mallard Hill to Brandon Cotton Road, is NOW CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public effective immediately that LA 495, from 2.2 to 2.5 miles of its southern intersection with LA 1, in Natchitoches Parish, is closed to all traffic. The closure is due to a slide that has encroached upon LADOTD right of way, from the adjacent owner, which is now threatening the integrity of the roadway.

Permit/Detour section
The detour will be as follows:

Northbound: LA 495 Southbound to LA 1 Northbound to LA 495 Southbound

Southbound: LA 495 northbound to LA 1 Southbound to LA 495 Northbound

Travelers can find information regarding road closures by visiting the 511 Traveler Information website at http://www.511la.org or by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can access the system by calling 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Additionally, you can follow the Traffic Management Center on Twitter: (@Shreveport_Traf), (@Alex_Traffic), (@Monroe_Traffic). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ http://www.dotd.la.gov.

During unfavorable weather conditions, motorists should drive using the following safety tips:
• Drive slowly and carefully.
• Avoid driving into standing or running water.
• Avoid driving while distracted.
• Avoid using cruise control when visibility is low or road surfaces are wet.
• Always allow for extra driving time.
• Reduce speeds when visibility is low.
• Make sure there is plenty of room between vehicles.
• Avoid using highway overpasses as tornado shelters.

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) will honor the 35th graduating class during its annual Commencement Ceremony, held on May 18 at 2 p.m. in Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum.

First Lady Donna Edwards is set to be the guest speaker at the event.

“We’re always happy to have First Lady Edwards on campus,” said LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steven G. Horton. “She has been a great advocate for the school.”

Edwards has celebrated an illustrious career in education. Having originally received a business administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, her passion for helping children in both an educational and emotional capacity led to an eight-year career as a teacher in music education.

“What makes her selection as speaker for Commencement even more special is that she taught one of our seniors, Jada Bezue, when she was in elementary school,” said Horton. “Jada was actually the one who asked First Lady Edwards to be the Commencement speaker on our behalf.”

Since becoming First Lady, Edwards has developed the Louisiana First Foundation, which serves as a platform for a number of her initiatives that focus on improving the lives of Louisiana’s children and families. Some of those programs include: Teach MAM (Music, Art and Movement) which is designed to help more public schools incorporate those disciplines into the regular school day in an effort to help educate the “whole child”; Louisiana Fosters which brings together faith-based, community, business and government organizations to provide a supportive network to help foster children and parents and advocating to prevent human trafficking and help survivors. She and Gov. John Bel Edwards, her husband, helped launch the No Kid Hungry Louisiana Campaign and the Breakfast Challenge to combat childhood hunger in the state. In addition, they created the Bandit’s Book Challenge, a K-12 program which encourages students across the state to read 10 books at their reading level over the course of a semester. Students who complete the challenge receive special recognition from the governor.

LSMSA officials are honored to have her as the guest speaker for the event.

“The Edwards family has been such a support for us,” said Horton. “We are glad that First Lady Edwards was able to put it on her schedule and share this very important day with us.”

Dr. Greg Handel has been named provost and vice president of academic affairs at Northwestern State University. The appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

“During his career at Northwestern State, Dr. Handel has demonstrated that he has all of the professional capabilities and personal characteristics to excel in the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Chris Maggio. “I know he will do an outstanding job as he undertakes new responsibilities that are vital to the future success and excellence of our university.”

Handel has been dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2017 and was interim dean in 2016-17. He has been director of the School of Creative and Performing Arts since 2014 after eight months as acting director. Handel joined NSU’s faculty in 2008.

“I am honored to be chosen as provost and vice president of academic affairs, and look forward to serving the university,” said Handel. “NSU has a dynamic, gifted, talented and passionate faculty and staff that work tirelessly to be responsive to students and to progressively grow the academic culture of the university.”

Handel taught courses in music, music education and fine arts and advised more than 80 music education majors each semester. He also served as rehearsal accompanist/organist for Northwestern State’s Chamber Choir and Concert Choir. Handel received the 2011 Excellence in Teaching Award for the College of Arts, Letters, Graduate Studies and Research. He has been a public school teacher at all levels in South Dakota and Arizona.

“This is an exciting opportunity to engage and dialogue with those individuals and departments to create new ways to expand our academic quality and integrity, and to work with advisory councils in assisting us with being responsive to workforce and industry needs,” said Handel. “NSU is positioned to continue as a leader in our region, and I am honored to be part of that conversation.”

Handel and Director of Bands Dr. Jeff Mathews co-authored “The Best Sounding Band in the Land: A History of the Northwestern State University Band.” He has also contributed to The Grove Dictionary of American Music and the Music Educator’s Journal. He is completing a publication, “Celebrating 50 Years of Community Commitment and Collaboration: The History of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society.” Handel has been a regular presenter at state, regional and national professional conferences.

A graduate of Augustana College, Handel earned a master’s degree and doctorate at Arizona State University. He is a 2017 graduate of the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education: Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

A group of Natchitoches community members went on a tour and learned more about Southern University’s Mobile Technology Education Center on May 9. Cloyd Benjamin, Ralph Wilson and Vicor Pinkney were brainstorming about ways they could help offer more advancement opportunities to people in their community. They reached out to Southern University to bring the Mobile Technology Education Center to Natchitoches.

More community members came out to the Legacy Cafe to tour the Center and learn about how it can benefit the people of Natchitoches Parish. The goal is to spread the word about the Center and the programs it offers.

The unit offers certification is four programs:

Sustainable Urban Agriculture

Small Business Development

Master Small Ruminant

Food & Farm Safety

The best part is there’s no charge to anyone to come and participate in the programs, according to William Augustine, project coordinator for the Mobile Technology Education Center. “The Center gives us the opportunity to bring additional education opportunities to various neighborhoods in the state, and in Natchitoches Parish,” he said.

The Center is equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchen and a lab. Everything is handicap accessible with an elevator lift for wheelchair access. The Center also brings internet access to the more remote areas.

Students participate in a program in a series of five sessions for two hours, which are usually scheduled in the afternoons from 6-8 pm. The students can decide the days that are best for them, which can include weekends. Along with Augustine, Dr. Marlin Ford, urban Ag specialist; Eual Hall; and Dr. Fatemeh Malekian teach students skills that will help them enter fields in the food industry, horticulture, sustainable gardens, and many other businesses.

“We see this as a community effort,” said Benjamin. “We need to empower people through education so they can help themselves.”

• 

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Northwestern State University’s Department of Military Science hosted an end-of-semester awards program for cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps. The 69th Demon Battalion Spring Awards Ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of cadets in and out of the classroom.

Academic honors were presented to Cadets Clayton Casner and Cole Spoon, President’s List (4.0) students, and Cadets Karl Marzahl, MacKenzie Buie-Grace, Joseph Orchi, William Jenson, Gennyfer Pena, Alyah Cortez and Seth Ozsoy, Dean’s List (3.50-3.99) students.

Cadets who earned honors for 4.0 grade point averages in military science were John Ham, Karl Marzahl, Mackenzie Buie-Grace, Eboni Phidd, Maria-Magdalena Torres, Neil Garcia, William Jensen, Ethan Lewis, GEnnyfer Pena, Adrian Vandiver, Clayton Casner, Alyah Cortez, Daja Easter, Caleb Krikorian, Trenton Malmay, Madison Miller, Seth Ozsoy, Cole Spooner, Dylan Trueblood, Terran Turner, Alex Wade and Katelyn Watson.

Cadet Caleb Krikorian received the Sons of American Revolution Award presented to a meritorious cadet who has displayed good standing militarily and scholastically. He or she must be enrolled in the first year of the program and show a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, soldierly bearing and excellence.

Four MS 4 senior cadets were recognized by Lt. Col Wendell Bender.

Cadet Logan DeOre served as the Command Sergeant Major and received the Field Training Exercise Award and the National Sojourners Award presented in recognition of the highest attributes of Americanism and support of the United States as a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

Cadet John Ham served as Executive Officer and Co0captain of the Ranger Challenger Team for three years. He received the Cadet Scholar GP Award, the Field Training Exercise Award and the AUSA Military History Award.

Cadet Brandon Homan received the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award.

Cadet Karl Marzahl served as the Demon Battalion Commander this year and co-captain of the Ranger Challenge Team for three years. He received the Silver Medal Athlete Award, the Recruiting Athlete Award and the Field Training Exercise Award. He also received the award for the Most Outstanding Cadet, Cadet Leadership Course, and the Colonel Tomas Baker Award annually presented to an outstanding senior cadet who exhibits exemplary traits of dedication and leadership. He also received the Lion’s Club Award presented annually to a cadet who has shown excellence in leadership. The selected cadet must have excelled over the course of the year in all facets of military science and must uphold the highest ideals of patriotism and fidelity.

MS-3 junior-level cadets were recognized.

Cadet Justin L. Broussard received the Field Training Exercise Award.

Cadet Mackenzie Buie-Grace is the Battalion’s Executive Officer and the Detachment Commander for LSU-S, a partnership school. He received the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award. He also received the AUSA ROTC Medal given to an outstanding junior cadet who contributes the most towards advancing the standing of the Military Science Department and is in the top 10 percent of their class in ROTC and the top 25 percent of their class in other subjects.

Cadet Larancion Magee is the Assistant S1, Administrative Officer. He received the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award.

Cadet Joseph S. Orchi is the S-3 Operations and Training Officer. He received the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award. He also received the award for Most Outstanding Cadet, Cadet Initial Entry Training, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Cadet Eboni C. Phidd is the S1 Administrative Officer. She received the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award. Phidd also received the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award presented by Gordon Peters Post 10. The award is presented to the cadet in the top 10 percent of his or her class in academic subjects, is ranked in the top 25 percent of ROTC classes and has demonstrated sound leadership potential.

Cadet Maria-Magdalena Bansil-Torres will be the 2019-20 Battalion Commander and Ranger Challenge Captain. She received the award for the most improved GPA, the Silver Medal Athlete and the Field Training Exercise Award. Bansil-Torres also received the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Patriotic Award presented to a junior who has been selected for patriotic standards above and beyond all others, and the Military Officers Association of America Award for an outstanding junior-level cadet who has demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership.

Cadet Terran D. Turner is the S-2 Military Intelligence Officer. He received the Cadet Honors GPA Award and the Field Training Exercise Award.

MS-2 sophomore-level cadets were recognized.

Cadet Tanner Delphin is the S-6, Communications Officer. He received the Field Training Exercise Award.

Cadet Neil Garcia is the Assistant S-4, Logistics Officer. He received the Cadet Honors GPA Award and the Field Training Exercise Award.

Cadet Ronesha Johnson received the Recruiting Award.

Cadet Ethan P. Lewis is the 2019-2020 Battalion Command Sergeant Major and Ranger Challenge Co-Captain. He received Cadet Honors GPA, Recruiting Award and Field Training Exercise Award. He also received the AMVETS medal and certificate presented to an outstanding cadet for diligence in the discharge of duties and the willingness to serve God and country for the mutual benefit of all.

Cadet Jordan Loyd is the Platoon Sergeant. He received the Recruiting Award and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award that recognizes a cadet who has contributed most among cadets on campus to encourage and demonstrate patriotism by deeds or conduct during participation in extracurricular activities or community projects with demonstrated academic excellence and potential for outstanding leadership.

Cadet Deasheneire Payne received the award for most improved score on the Army Physical Fitness Test.

Cadet Gennyfer Pena is the Assistant S-3, Operations and Training Officer. She received the Gold Medal Athlete Award for scoring the highest of all cadets this semester, the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award. Pena also received the award of the General Society of the War of 1812 that recognizes an outstanding sophomore of high moral character and good academic standing.

Cadet Robert Sneed is the Detachment Commander for LSU-A, a partnership school. He received the award for the Most Improved Cadet, MS II class.

Cadet Adrian Vandiver received the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award. Vandiver also received the award of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War given to a cadet who has shown a high degree of patriotism to the nation and has demonstrated a high degree of academic performance and leadership.

MS-1 first-year cadets were recognized.

Clayton Casner received the Award for Most Improved Cadet in the MS-1 class. He earned the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award.

Cadet Alyah Cortez received the Military of Foreign Wars of the United States Award presented for exceptional leadership potential.

Cadet Daja Easter received the Cadet Scholar GPA Award.

Cadet Trenton Malmay is the 2019-2020 Company First Sergeant. He received the Silver Medal Athlete Award.

Cadet Madison Miller received the Recruiting Award and the USAA Spirit Award that recognizes the cadet who best displays the traits and characteristics that embody the spirit of service to others.

Cadet Seth Ozsoy received the Recruiting Award and the Field Training Exercise Award. He also received the Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership award presented to an underclassman with a positive attitude toward ROTC and country. The cadet must hold a leadership position in the cadet corps and be active in school and community affairs.

Cadet Cole Spooner is an Assistant S-2, Military Intelligence Officer. He received the Bronze Medal Athlete Award.

Cadet Dylan Trueblood received the Cadet Honors GPA Award and the Veterans of Foreign Ward award presented to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated achievement and concentrated effort in military subjects with demonstrated capability and diligence in the ROTC program.

Cadet Alex Wade received the Cadet Honors GPA Award and the Recruiting Award. Wade also received the Award of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America given to a freshman who has demonstrated potential for good leadership as well as demonstrated similar or related accomplishments reflecting the ideals of patriotism.

Cadet Katelyn Watson also received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award presented to a cadet who shows outstanding ability and achievement and has demonstrated dependability and good character, leadership ability and patriotic understanding of the importance of ROTC training.

Cadets who volunteer to serve in the National Guard Military Funeral Honors program

render final honors to service members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. This service is one of the last memories that Veterans’ families will have of that person,

so those Guardsmen devote additional time to training. They must know and execute precise drill and ceremony, casket and urn sequences, flag folds, how to conduct a firing party and uniform maintenance.

Cadets Caleb Krikorian and Trenton Malmay were recognized for serving in the Louisiana Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors program.

The award of the Military Order of World Wars is presented to a cadet form each class who excels in all military and scholastic aspects of the ROTC program. Cadets Karl Marzahl, Terran Turner, William Jensen and Trenton Malmay were recognized with the citation from the Lieutenant Tory H. Middle Chapter in appreciation for demonstrated excellence in academic and military studies, application of leadership principles and desire to serve the country. Honorees also exhibited qualities of dependability, good character and adherence to military discipline to bring credit to the NSU’s ROTC unit and the university.

The U.S. Army Sergeant York Award is presented to a cadet who excels in the program and devotes additional time and effort to maintaining and expanding it. This year’s recipient was Cadet Ethan Lewis.

The Leadership Excellence Award recognizes a cadet who demonstrates leadership ability in the program, across campus and in civic activities. This year’s Leadership Excellence Award was presented to Cadet Karl Marzahl.

The Cadet Commendation Medal recognizes those who contributed extraordinary efforts to the program and the Cadet Achievement Medal recognizes those who displayed outstanding efforts to the ROTC program. Cadets who received the Cadet Commendation Medal were Cadets Katelyn Watson, Gennyfer Pena and Mari-Magdalena Bansil. Cadets who received the Cadet Achievement Medal were Cadets Cole Spooner, Ethan Lewis and Mackenzie Buie-Grace.

Tops cadets from each class were also recognized as those who show academic and military leadership and demonstrate strong officer potential. The cadets volunteer, speak up, encourage others to improve and rise above their peers to build their program. This year’s Superior Cadet Award recipients were Cadet Seth Ozsoy, Top MS I; Cadet Ethan Lewis, Top MS-2; Cadet Mackenzue Buie-Grace, Top MS III, and Cadet John Ham, Top MS IV.

Scholarship recipients were also recognized. Cadet Ronesha Johnson earned the Jeanice Leadership and Excellence Schoalrship given to an active ROTC cadet who participates in at least two other activities at NSU, maintains a high GPA and demonstrates leadership Potential.

Cadet Gennyfer Pena earned the Malcolm Daisy Scholarship given as a reward for perseverance against adversity. The scholarship recognizes a cadet’s drive to serve one’s country as a U.S. Army officer and exhibits all Army values on a regular basis.

Cadet Alex Wade earned the James A. Noe Memorial Scholarship presented to a cadet who displays a high degree of leadership potential, a high standard of moral conduct and support of the NSU ROTC program.

Cadet Marzahl was recognized for his leadership as Ballation Commander this past year and an engraved Leatherman multitool.

A Commissioning Ceremony for graduating ROTC cadets who will take the Oath of Commissioned Officers will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 in the TEC/Middle Lab School Auditorium. Cadets Dominitra Charles, Logan DeOre, John Ham and Karl Marzahl will take the oath to serve as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. The public is invited to attend. The oath will be repeated during the 3 p.m. commencement program in Prather Coliseum.

Wes Rollo, a graduating senior from Natchitoches Central High School, officially signed to be part of the Northwestern State University Fishing Team May 8, having been awarded the Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Scholarship for his freshman and sophomore years.

Seated from left are Jeff, Wes and Sonya Rollo. Standing are Burt and Shelley Poche, parents of the late angler Dylan Poche, and NSU Fishing Team Sponsor Juddy Hamous. The Poche family has raised money for scholarships and support of the NSU Fishing Team for the last four years in memory of Dylan, who was a fishing team member at NCHS and NSU.

LAKE CHARLES – Due to impending weather, Saturday’s McNeese Last Chance meet involving Northwestern State track and field competitors has been cancelled.

The meet was designed to provide a final opportunity for athletes to qualify for the NCAA East Preliminary Round Championships by ranking in the top 48 in their event regionally.

As it stands, a combined 19 NSU competitors (nine men, 10 women) across 12 events have qualifying marks pending results of several conference championships, including the talent-rich Southeastern Conference.

The NCAA East Preliminaries are set for May 23-25 in Jacksonville, Florida. The top 12 finishers in each event advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships June 5-8 in Austin, Texas.

Four retirees from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) will have their careers celebrated at an honorary reception on Thursday, May 16.

The four employees to be honored are Martha Knippers, Benny Mobley, Pam Moore and Marie Smith.

Martha Knippers has provided LSMSA 16 years of service, originally working with the Louisiana Virtual School (LVS), which served over 4,000 students. After budgetary restructuring, Knippers took the reins under the rebrand of the LSMSA Virtual School and became the program’s director. The LSMSA Virtual School provides online courses to middle and high school students all across the state.

Benny Mobley has provided 10 years of service to LSMSA, working in the school’s Physical Plant. Starting as the school’s painter, he later became a maintenance worker for the school and has since helped with a multitude of supportive projects across campus. In 2010, Mobley was named the school’s Support Employee of the Year.

Pam Moore started at LSMSA as the administrative assistant to the registrar and remained as such until she was promoted to the position of registrar. She has helped usher in countless numbers of students over the years, helping to schedule, catalog and transcript courses for each individual student. Altogether, she has provided 27.5 years of service to the school.

Marie Smith has been the custodian of the main high school building for 20 years. She is known for greeting everyone she sees with a smile and a hearty “Hello.”

“She is the unsung hero of the school, making sure that our campus remains beautiful and ready for visitors at any time,” said Senior External Affairs Officer Thorn LaCaze.

The reception for the four employees will be held at 4:30 p.m. in Café 83, located in the school’s Center for Performance and Technology.

Three voice students at Northwestern State University have been selected as the 2019-20 recipients of the Guillory Scholarship for Vocal Excellence. The scholarship was instated through the NSU Foundation by Megan Guillory, a former voice student at NSU.

The recipients are Emily Adams of Raceland, a sophomore music major with a performance concentration; Michelle Moline of Bossier City, a senior music major with a performance concentration, and Amanda Charles, a graduate student from Houston. Adams and Charles are students of Terrie Sanders. Moline is a student of Marcy McKee.

“Receiving the Guillory Scholarship means so much to me,” said Charles. “It shows me that I have someone that believes in me as a performer and also gives me the extra push that I needed to continue on with my studies. I am truly grateful for this blessing.”

Guillory recently held auditions to determine the recipients, who must be voice majors with at least a 2.5 grade point average. The scholarship awards $500 per recipient in both the fall and spring semesters.

“To know that my university is supporting me in all that I do and that alumni are impressed with what I’m doing is such an honor and I can’t be more thankful for everything they do for me,” said Adams. “I always accept anything given to me with such appreciation. I will use this scholarship to further my vocal education. I am so thankful for alumni reaching out and helping us further our aspirations.”

Pictured above: The 2019-20 Guillory Scholarship for Vocal Excellence was recently awarded at Northwestern State University. Recipients, from left, Amanda Charles of Houston, Emily Adams of Raceland and Michelle Moline of Bossier City are with donor Megan Guillory.

The City of Natchitoches has set the wheels in motion on its first-ever Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan. Mayor Posey noted that, “We’re excited to see the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan come to fruition further solidifying our goal of healthy initiatives in our city. This will increase accessibility to all our city has to offer and has the potential to impact economic development in a positive way.”

You can help the city envision the future of bicycle and pedestrian connectivity in Natchitoches by completing the online Bike & Pedestrian User survey. The online survey was created to gauge the public’s perceptions and experience in walking and bicycling in the City of Natchitoches.

Paper surveys may be obtained from City Hall by calling 318-352-2772.

Survey Link: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4989662/NBPP-Bicycle-Pedestrian-Survey

All City of Natchitoches residents are encouraged to complete the brief, 10 question public input survey regarding your perception towards bicycling and walking in the city. The survey takes approximately 8 minutes to complete.

Joe Delaney’s heroic rescue attempt in 1983 helped save a child’s life, but resulted in the tragic loss of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Pro Bowl running back.

Thursday, his alma mater took a particularly poignant step further in commemorating Delaney’s life and ultimate sacrifice, unveiling a portrait of the two-sport Northwestern State All-American that will go on display in the Friedman Student Union on campus.

NSU’s Student Government Association commissioned the Delaney artwork and portraits of two other iconic figures, longtime state legislator and education advocate Jimmy Long and revered librarian Scharlie Russell, in a ceremony at the Steve and Lori Stroud Room in the NSU Athletic Fieldhouse.

The 4-foot by 6-foot Delaney portrait was done by former Demons pitcher (1997-98) Chris Brown, a Northwestern State graduate who teaches art at a Fort Worth high school. He has been the official artist for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame for the last 11 years.

“Being a former Northwestern athlete myself, we always knew who Joe was. When you came on campus, that was something you learned right away,” said Brown, who later pitched in the Chicago Cubs minor league system. “After all these years, to be able to do a painting of Joe, for me was special, because I know his story and the kind of person he was. It had a lot of meaning right away.”

The opportunity to do the Delaney artwork brought Brown full circle from his time as a student-athlete.

“In those days, I was struggling to find my identity as an artist. Through the years, with the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and on other projects, I’ve found my identity,” he said. “For one of my pieces to be on campus permanently, I have a lot of pride in that, being chosen to do this at my university.”

The mission of the portraits unveiled Thursday, along with those already on display and more to be created soon, is valuable, said Brown.

“Joe’s story needs to be told for generations to come,” he said. “These days, everybody is so visually oriented. For students and visitors to walk into our student union and right away see Joe, that will keep his story going. They may not know before, but they’ll find out.”

Delaney was at a Monroe water park on June 29, 1983, when he heard screams coming from a nearby pond. Three boys had gotten into the water trying to cool off, but couldn’t get out. Delaney, part of the Demons’ NCAA champion 4×100 meter relay team in 1981, raced to the scene and dove in.

That was heroic enough. But as his NSU football teammate Jack “Britt” Brittain Jr. explained to the audience, it was just half the story.

“He jumped in that pond trying to save those three kids, knowing he couldn’t swim. How many of us would do that?

“Joe never hesitated to help anybody, or to do his job. He didn’t think about what was good for Joe. He thought about what he needed to do to make things happen, as an athlete, and as a man. In his defining moment, he made the ultimate sacrifice and showed us what courage and unselfishness truly is.”

Delaney’s No. 44 Demon football jersey was retired that fall, after President Ronald Reagan sent Vice President George H.W. Bush to the funeral in Delaney’s hometown of Haughton to present his widow, Carolyn, the Presidential Citizen’s Medal.

Northwestern unveiled a shrine to Delaney underneath the west side of Turpin Stadium in 1983, and put his name on its permanent team captains awards for football: The Joe Delaney Memorial Leadership Awards. In 1989, NSU renamed its annual spring football game The Joe Delaney Bowl.

“We can never do enough to celebrate Joe’s life and his legacy,” said Brittain, “and this is a beautiful gesture by our student body.

“Recognizing Joe, along with these other prestigious people, makes us feel good that we had a chance to have him in our lives and set an example for us to follow.”

Delaney’s final act mirrored a decision he made to help the NSU football team midway through his freshman season, recalled Brittain.

“We needed help at our tailback position. Joe was a five-star high school recruit as a receiver because of his skills and speed. But he went to Coach (A.L.) Williams and volunteered to move to tailback. He said he hadn’t played there much, but he was willing to try. Not many players would do that.

“His effort was relentless and he was blessed with incredible speed and talent,” said Brittain. “He became an All-American and set national records, and became a high NFL Draft pick and a star as a pro. But that day in 1983, none of that mattered. He was trying to help save those kids.”

Former Northwestern State football player and Joe Delaney teammate Jack Brittain Jr. (left) and artist Chris Brown (right), a former Demon baseball pitcher, flank Brown’s portrait of Delaney that will hang in the university’s Student Union. (photo by Chris Reich/Northwestern State)

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Susan Roberson Pullig
December 30, 1949 – May 02, 2019
Service held May 9

Wanda Thomas Bynog
March 06, 1951 – May 07, 2019
Service: Saturday, May 11 at 11 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Internment: L. C. Weaver Memorial (United Baptist Church) Cemetery

Catherine Nelken Bienvenu Henry
November 07, 1926 – October 09, 2018
A Celebration of Catherine’s Life will take place for family and friends on Saturday, May 18 at 4 pm at Merci Beaucoup in Natchitoches

Frankie Brown
May 05, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Public Notice:

Cane River Lake is now closed to boating traffic. The current lake level is 99.0 MSL. Hampton gates remain closed. It is important that you monitor your property closely. The lake historically can rise very quickly with heavy rainfall events.

Visit the Commissions web site at www.caneriverwaterway.com for up to date information and water levels. (On the home page at the top click news, drop down box click press releases, scroll down and click on lake status) or contact Betty Fuller 318-617-3235 cell.

Making decisions should be based on information from the National Weather Service, Governmental Agencies, and your knowledge.

The following Schools and Businesses are reporting this morning:

CLOSED FOR THURSDAY – May 9, 2019:

All Natchitoches Parish Schools

St. Mary’s – Natchitoches 

CLTCC Natchitoches and Sabine Valley Campuses

CLTCC Huey P. Long (Winnfield) Campuses will be closed today

Cobblestones daycare

Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission office

Natchitoches Visitor Information Center

National Travel & Tourism Week Celebration scheduled for today at Fort St Jean Baptiste SHS is postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

DELAYED OPENING – May 9, 2019

NONE

Northwestern State University’s culinary arts program received a donation from the Jefferson Highway Association in thanks for providing food and service for the group’s convention opening reception. The donation, with an additional $1,500 earned by providing box lunches to 4-H Club members, will support the Leah Chase Endowed Scholarship for a student in NSU’s Hospitality, Management and Tourism program.

From left are HMT faculty Connie Jones and Valerie Salter, Arlene Gould and NSU Chef John Carriere.