The Northwestern State University Steel Band will present a concert on Friday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. on the Downtown Riverbank Stage in Natchitoches. Admission is free and open to the public. Dr. Oliver Molina will direct the Steel Band.

The Steel Band is comprised of instruments from the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. The unique timbre and infectious dance beats make it a fun and exciting concert. The program will include some island classics such as “Limbo” and “Jump in the Line” as well as other familiar tunes by Bruno Mars, Journey and Jimmy Buffet. 

The concert will include participants from the Second Annual NSU Steel Band Workshop which will be held Friday afternoon. The performers will learn to play steel drums that afternoon and perform at the concert that night.

Members of the Steel Band are Jackson Forester of Rowlett, Texas, Tatiana Chapman of Erath, Zachary Duhon and Kora Chauveaux of Lafayette, Anthony Flores of Los Fresnos, Texas,Roger Jones of Avondale, Cindy Pinkerton of Patterson, Arial Taylor of Bossier City, Mason Trumps of Pollock and Steven Wimberley of Pineville.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child will be participating in Leap 2025 state testing May 2-4. Leap 2025 is a standardized test required by the state for students to test in grades 4th – 12th. If your child is in an English, Math, Science, or Social Studies class, he/she will participate in testing. This test is NOT optional. Your child will complete one test session per day. All tests will begin promptly at 8 am, so it is very important for your child to arrive at school on time. Any student that is late will NOT be allowed to interrupt testing once it begins. If your child is absent on one of the testing days, make-up testing will be May 5-6. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call and speak with myself or Mr. Benjamin.

Thank you,

Bobby Benjamin, NPTCC Principal
Chelsea Calhoun, NPTCC School Counselor

Jermaine Thomas, founder and director of Natchitoches Jr. High’s well-known youth group Boys to Men Club, is shown above pictured with Mr. Ray Ponthieux, who donated some suits and blazers for the club.

Thomas said the guys in the club have not been doing much as they focus on state testing that is taking place parish-wide right now. The guys will resume activities and community service efforts following LEAP Testing.

For information on the Boys to Men Club email Thomas at jermaine.thomas@npsb.la.

The Krewe of Excellence awarded scholarships to four deserving Natchitoches Central High School graduating seniors on Sunday, April 24, at First Baptist Church- Amulet. The recipients were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements in front of their parents, peers, and members of the Krewe.

Pictured from left are: Mackenzie Johnson, Bethany Milner, Anastasia Nelson and Demarion Sowell. ” It is always an honor to see our youth achieve,” said Sandra Williams, 2022 scholarship chairperson.

NATCHITOCHES:
Joni Collins-Moore
November 10, 1966 – April 23, 2022
Service: Saturday, April 30 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

SABINE:
Billie Faye Alverson Dyess
Visitation: April 27, 2022; Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath – Many from 12:30pm to 2pm
Services: April 27, 2022 at 2pm
Interment: Will follow at Progress Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana

WINN:
Maxine Russell Cooper
July 16, 1937 – April 26, 2022
Service: Thursday, April 28 at 2 pm at the Chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home, located at 1947 S. Second Street in Jena

Kenneth Ray Bustin
December 4, 1957 – April 24, 2022
Service arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.

The Natchitoches Parish School Board adopted a resolution approving the redistricting plan at a special called meeting Monday night, April 25. A review of the 2020 federal decennial census data evidenced the necessity to redistrict the election district boundaries of the Natchitoches Parish School Board to ensure that all districts fall within acceptable population parameters.

By Edwin Crayton/Opinion

Some street drugs can make an honest person steal. Some street drugs can turn a brilliantly rational person into a crazed, homicidal lunatic. Some street drugs can make a decent woman sell her body. Some street drugs can turn powerful executives into the weakest of beings. Some street drugs can turn a respected pastor into a greedy scoundrel who lies and deceives like the demons he preaches against. But I know of only one drug that is potent enough to make a person do all of that: power.

It is not that having power is bad. But rather, it is the addiction to power or the abuse of it that causes the real damage. And today, this addiction is spreading because unlike addictions to Opioids, Cocaine or Crystal Meth, an addiction to power is more likely to go undetected and therefore remain undiagnosed and untreated. All of us have at least once been intoxicated by it. I plead guilty. We may not be addicts, but we’ve indulged and gone mad under its influence at least once or twice. That’s because, every time we sin, we wrestle control from God—it’s really a power grab. The Bible teaches, we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). And the results are never good. In fact, mankind’s first sin involved a grab for power. A pusher named Satan, approached the first man and woman and told them if they bit a piece of fruit, they would be like God. They were seduced by the thought of having that kind of power and they bought it. Their first hit was devastating. It made sin, death and hell a reality for all mankind. What an overdose.

Like street drugs, power distorts reality. It can cause the user to hallucinate or imagine things that are not really happening. It also distorts our personalities, causing us to have a higher opinion of ourselves than we should have. That’s why we have phrases like “power tripping”, or “ego tripping”. A dose of power and some people can start to believe that they are indispensable or superior. That is why dictators have no problem violating the rights of others or doing anything to remain in power. They believe they are entitled to rights above what other people have. Power tripping (and a dose of ego) can make an executive deceive herself into believing she is the only one who can run an organization. I remember reading a study in which they removed such “indispensable” leaders for a short time. The researchers found that their coworkers did fine without these “super executives”. What happened was, once they stepped aside, others stepped up.

The trouble is, we don’t know what real power is. It’s not pushing others around or having tons of money. Jesus taught that real power comes from humility, prayer and most important of all, loving and serving others. Truth is, only God has power. We humans only have access to his power when we submit to him in humility, obedience and prayer. Jesus said, the greatest among us would be the one who serves (Matthew 23:11-12). But you know what? I honestly don’t think many of us really believe him. Our actions seem to indicate otherwise. We honor power and wealth and look down our noses at servanthood. We publish lists celebrating the 100 richest people. We gulp Powerade drinks and socialize with power couples—we call the richer nations superpowers. Even some in the church play up to powerful people or powerful movements. It’s why some churches are unwisely accepting biblically incorrect immorality. Evidently, this habit of playing up to the rich and powerful has been around a long time, because in the Book of James, we who claim Christ are warned not to give special honor and privileges to the rich (James 2:1-9).

Yet, I believe most of us know deep down that Jesus was right when he taught that serving others is what determines true greatness (Matthew 23:11-12). Isn’t it interesting that we don’t usually willingly erect monuments to selfish people? Aggressive moguls usually actually have to buy their monuments one way or the other. By contrast, people are willing to pay to create monuments honoring those who serve selflessly and some of these servants were either penniless or close to it. In fact, many churches are named after a messiah who had to borrow a denarius coin to make a point about money and power (Mark 12:15-17). Our schools are named for men like Abraham Lincoln, who dedicated himself to setting slaves free. We name our children Mary, Joshua or Ruth to honor selfless Biblical heroes. But who names their child Hitler? And have you ever heard of a church named after Pontius Pilate? Yet they were once among earth’s most powerful men. Indeed, God teaches us that humbling ourselves under his mighty hand is how we receive lasting power. Power of this kind comes by allowing the Holy Spirit of God into our hearts. It does not come from conquering, but rather, from surrendering to God 100%. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourself in the sight of God and he will lift you up.” Earthly power is tempting. But the truth is, it simply does not last. And when we lust for it, or obtain it the wrong way, it costs more than it is worth. Jesus himself warned us of what it can cost in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul.” Not long ago there was a popular saying, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” An able pastor honestly answered that boast by simply responding, “He who dies with the most toys is still dead.”

Northwestern State University’s Eta Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta hosted a program to induct new members April 24. Phi Beta Delta is the Honor Society for International Scholars. Chapter President Dr. Marcia Hardy presided over the meeting.

Faculty and staff inductees were Dr. Brian Gabrial, New Media; Melody Gilbert, New Media; Dr. Debra H Hailey, Education; Dr. Eddie Horton, Business; Dr. Katrina Jordan, Education; Dr. Kimberly McAlister, Education; Quontice McDowell, Business; Dr. Lily Pharris, Business; Dr. Tara Smith, Health and Human Performance; Dr. Mary Edith Stacy, Business, and Dr. Danny Upshaw, Business.

Student inductees were Anne Boyens, Stephen Kale Eversull, Joseph Mesa, Elisa Silicato, Juanita Marin Tabares and Leidy Natalia Serna Tobon Tabor.

Dr. Sharon Joy was guest speaker. Joy has served as chapter coordinator since the chapter’s inception in 2010 and has also served as international president of Phi Beta Delta. She is an associate professor of music education.

Phi Beta Delta is the first honor society in the United States to recognize scholarship achievement in international education. It was established in 1987 and now has over 200 chapters at universities throughout the United States and around the world. Its goals are to increase the recognition, credibility and importance of the international experience and create a catalyst for international academic-based programming on college campuses while providing support and recognition to those individuals on campuses who are involved in international endeavors.

Pictured: Seventeen new members were inducted into Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars. From left are Stephen Kale Eversull, Dr. Brian Gabrial, Melody Gilbert, Dr. Eddie Horton, Chapter Coordinator Dr. Sharon Joy, Chapter President Dr. Marcia Hardy, Elisa Silicato, Juanita Marin Tabares, Dr. Debra Hailey, Dr. Kimberly McAlister, Dr. Lily Pharris, Quontice McDowell and Joseph Mesa.

GRAMBLING – The Northwestern State baseball team will see a couple of familiar faces and one unfamiliar ballpark as it continues its busiest stretch of the 2022 season. 

The Demons start their second straight five-game week Tuesday night with a trip to Grambling for a 6 o’clock first pitch before continuing the mid-week road trip by visiting LSU-Alexandria for the first time.

As Northwestern State (19-20) begins the second half of a stretch of 10 games in 13 days, sixth-year head coach Bobby Barbier has his eye on seeing something from his team.

“Competitive fire – that’s what I’m looking for this week,” he said. “Not necessarily results, but come in with some fire and ready to play.”

Northwestern State already owns wins against each team it faces the next two days, defeating Grambling 6-3 on March 23 and picking up an 11-4 win against LSU-A on April 19.

Those results aren’t on Barbier’s mind either.

“They’re both good teams,” he said. “Grambling has as good a top of the lineup, one through five or six, as we have in our league. We have to go in and play well. Same thing for LSU-A.”

The Tigers (18-21) enter Tuesday’s game with plenty of confidence after sweeping Alcorn for the second time this season. Included in that sweep was a perfect game from right-hander Shemar Page in the series opener.

While Barbier praised Grambling’s offensive prowess, the first meeting of the season between the teams was determined by the bullpens.

Highlighted by a leadoff home run to dead center by Jeffrey Elkins, the Demons put up a four-run sixth inning to pull ahead for good against Grambling. A similar situation played out in the first meeting with LSU-A as Elkins delivered a tie-breaking, three-run home run that sparked a seven-run eighth inning rally.

The challenge of facing the same team for the second time is compounded by doing so on the road.

“We talk about it all the time – to win on the road, you have to go in and get it,” Barbier said. “Nothing is handed to you on the road. You have to go in and compete really, really hard. You have to take it. You can’t expect to have anything handed to you on the road.”

Tuesday marks the first time the Demons will travel to Grambling while Wednesday marks the Demons’ debut at Generals Field in Alexandria.

It will be the first time since Northwestern State and LSU-A will meet more than once in the same season since the teams first met in 2014.

“It’s important for us to do some things like that,” Barbier said. “(LSU-A head coach) Kody (Gautreaux) has done a really good job as the interim down there. When we made the schedule, Skunk (Steven Adams) was coaching down there. He and I played together (at NSU), and he asked us to come. It’s good for our team to get out in a different environment and atmosphere.”

The Demons will start a pair of right-handers in the two games. Josh Banes (0-0, 3.97) will make his first start of the season against Grambling while Ethan Francis (0-1, 5.40) will start against LSU-A for the second time this season.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

After Northwestern State University graduate Emily A. Myers published her first novel, “The Truth About Unspeakable Things” last year, the novel went on to become a finalist in the Chanticleer International Book Awards Clue Award contest (2021) for thriller and suspense fiction and a semi-finalist for the Chatelaine Award (2021) for romantic fiction and Somerset Award (2021) for contemporary fiction by the same company. All contests are on-going.

Now, readers can continue the story with the sequel, Bound by the Unspeakable, available now on Amazon and most bookseller sites. Limited copies are available at Barnes and Noble on Youree Drive in Shreveport.

Early reviewers say the sequel is a fast-paced page-turner with plot twists you won’t see coming. “Full of tension, romance, thrills, and action, this book had me on the edge of my seat!” says one reviewer.

For readers who would like to meet Myers in person and or obtain a signed copy of either book, she will be making an appearance at the Sabine Parish Library in Many beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, May 1 and at the Fighting Hand Brewing Company in Pineville at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4.

The Natchitoches Police Department met at the Council Chambers on April 22 to announce promotions and commendations.

Below is the list of promotions and commendations:

• Kevin Price was promoted to Lieutenant.
• Emily Heiman was promoted to Sergeant.
• Christine Stackhouse was promoted to Corporal.
• John Greely was promoted to Corporal.
• Taylor Owens was promoted to the Supervisor of Police Records.
• Brittanie Thomas was promoted to Records Clerk.

Lieutenant Kevin Price and Corporal Tim Lee were both awarded the Life Saving Award for rendering aid to a gunshot victim while waiting on paramedics to arrive.  The Life Saving Award is given to an officer who is credited with taking physical action that results in a life being saved from certain death.

Lieutenant Jessica Williams, Sergeant Emily Heiman and Corporal John Greely were awarded with the Negotiator Service Ribbon.  This ribbon is worn by any certified police negotiator who is an active member of the Natchitoches Police Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team.

Sergeant Emily Heiman was awarded with the Field Training Coordinator Service Ribbon.  The Field Training Coordinator is the senior Field Training Officer responsible for the field training and mentoring within the agency. 

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential. 

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.  All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $2,000 for the arrest of an offender.

Caroline Shepherd of Frisco, Texas, is the 2022 recipient of the Lisa Chesser Borders Endowed Scholarship and Meraki Award, established in 2019 by Natchitoches artist James Borders to honor his late wife. Shepherd is a senior in the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University and will graduate in May with a 4.0 grade point average.

The scholarship presentation took place April 22 in the Lisa Chesser Borders Permanent Student Art Collection gallery in the Academic Success Center, located on the first floor of Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library.  The space features a permanent exhibit of student artwork.

Shepherd is a digital media illustrator who originally planned to pursue music education as a career but changed to art education with a minor in music.  Following graduation in May, she will pursue a Master of Arts in NSU’s graduate program and intends to continue developing skills as a digital illustrator while teaching.

“I’m super grateful to everyone and to Mr. Borders for considering me,” Shepherd said, adding that she has witnessed Borders’ work ethic and “hopes to work to the level that he would expect.”

Twins Hunter and Halston Rachal of Elmer also received awards. They are senior art students who will graduate in December and were presented with the Avis Borders Fletcher and Margaret Pauline Chesser Awards, which Borders established to honor both his and his late wife’s mother. In addition to a cash prize, award winners received signed framed prints depicting a sculpture titled “Faith” that Borders created at Trinity Baptist Church in memory of Lisa.

Later in the day, mixed media work by Hunter and Halston Rachal was exhibited as part of the Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival, a juried show at First United Methodist Church in Alexandria that will be on display through May 1.  Information on that exhibition is available at www.FUMC.org/artsfestival.

James Borders explained “meraki” as the concept of putting one’s “soul, creativity and part of themselves into their work.” Those qualities, he said exemplify the spirit of his late wife, Lisa Chesser Borders, who lost her battle with cancer in 2018 at age 49. 

The Lisa Chesser Borders Student Art Collection Gallery is located on the first floor of NSU’s Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library. 

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Warm weather, sunshine, and a little bit of rain welcomed locals and visitors alike to the 48th Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival April 23-24. The iconic local event is sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN.)

Hundreds of visitors enjoyed 86 vendors situated throughout the grounds of Melrose Plantation. These vendors sold a wide variety of arts and crafts as well as food and drinks.

The Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival is one of the major fundraisers for the APHN. The proceeds are used for the maintenance, upkeep and associated expenses of the plantation grounds and buildings. The Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival is a community tradition, one of the many events that makes life in our community special.

If you would like to donate your time or resources to the APHN’s efforts in preserving our area’s history, please contact Dr. Vicki Parrish at 318-355-8317.

The Downtown Natchitoches Riverbank hosted the first Farmers’ Market of the year Saturday, April 23. Over forty vendors from Natchitoches parish and the surrounding area showcased crafts, plants, food and produce as a DJ entertained the crowd. One of the booths sponsored COVID shots for those who needed them. Students from 4-H clubs raised money for their archery team. The LSU AG Center’s Master Gardeners shared their considerable expertise. The Natchitoches Farmer’s Market is a true community effort.

In addition to the food and crafts, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Louisiana were on hand to recruit advocates. Volunteers from this organization act as advocates for children placed in foster care. It is important work and an integral part of taking care of some of our most vulnerable community members – our children. Interested persons may call 318-238-2446.

The Natchitoches Farmers’ Market runs from 8:00 am until noon every Saturday until July 23. Each of the items for sale is homemade or grown locally. The market is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning and is one of those things that make life in our community a special place to live.

The 25 young men of NSU’s Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter held a crawfish boil Saturday, April 23 at the lot of the corner of St. Clair and Williams Ave. The fraternity served up 3,000 pounds of crawfish to hungry diners. The family-friendly event also featured inflatable castles for children to play in while their parents picked up dinners.

The boil was more than a great way to celebrate winter’s end with one of our state’s signature foods. The event was held to raise funds for the fraternity’s national “Military Heroes Campaign” as well as for scholarships for deserving fraternity members who may need financial assistance in completing their education at NSU. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity has been a fixture of campus life at NSU for over 50 years, helping build leaders and better citizens.

Election Day for the Spring municipal election is Saturday, April 30, 2022

On the ballot for Natchitoches Parish:

Mayor – Village of Natchez
Patsy Ward Hoover
Rosia Lee Humphery

Parishwide School Board
1% S&U Tax Renewal – SB – In Perpetuity
Yes
No

Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Monday, April 25 beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. to discuss non-agenda items. The City Council meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month and will be reserved to only items on the Agenda. The public is invited to both the pre-council meetings and council meetings with the understanding that items not on the agenda will not be discussed at the scheduled council meetings, but the public is welcome to discuss any topic at the pre-council meetings. The City Council Meetings are held at the Natchitoches City Council Chambers located at 716 Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana.

WATCH LIVE:
https://www.facebook.com/NPJNatLa

AGENDA:

PROCLAMATION:

#033 Harrington Proclamation Declaring May 1 – 7, 2022 As National Travel And Tourism Week In The City Of Natchitoches.

ORDINANCES – FINAL;

#024 Petite Ordinance Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Natchitoches, Ronnie Williams, To Execute A Lease In Favor Of Marc Millican, Of Lot 3 As Shown On The Airport Layout Plan Of April 12, 1994, And Further Providing For Advertising Of The Lease And An Effective Date.

#023 Harrington Ordinance Approving The Conveyance Of The Hanger Located On Lot 3 Of The Natchitoches Regional Airport To Marc Millican, For The Consideration Of Forty-One Thousand And Three Dollars, Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Natchitoches, Ronnie Williams, To Execute A Bill Of Sale On Behalf Of The City For The Conveyance Of The Hanger And To Execute Any And All Other Related Documents That Might Be Necessary And Proper, To Provide For Advertising, And A Savings Clause.

#028 Smith Ordinance Amending And Restating Ordinance No. 40 Of 2022 Approving The Terms And Form Of A Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between The City Of Natchitoches And The Community Façade & Economic Enhancement Committee And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) Between The City Of Natchitoches And The Community Façade & Economic Enhancement Committee Which Will Provide For A Facade Grant Program For Texas Street And Washington Street Corridors.

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:

#029 Nielsen Ordinance Adopting the Millage Rate For The Tax Year 2022.

#030 Elie Ordinance Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Natchitoches To Award The Bid For Caustic Soda For The Water Treatment Plant (Bid No. 0647)

MOTION TO TAKE ORDINANCE NO. 021 OF 2022 FROM THE TABLE

#021 Petite Ordinance Accepting And Approving The Power Supply Agreement For Sale Of Power And Energy Between CLECO Power LLC And The City Of Natchitoches, Louisiana And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Power Supply Agreement On Behalf Of The City.

RESOLUTIONS:

#034 Smith Resolution Designating Friday, June 17, 2022 As An Official Holiday For The Employees Of The City Of Natchitoches In Observation Of Juneteenth.

#035 Elie Resolution Of Support For A Grant Application Submitted To The Louisiana Office Of Community Development, For The 2021 -2022 Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP)

#036 Nielsen Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute Change Order No. 1 To The Contract Between The City Of Natchitoches And DSW Construction For Building Renovations At The Texas And Pacific Railroad Depot (Bid No. 0627)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, May 9, 2022.

Over 20 young men and women vied for the opportunity to become a member of NSU’s 2022-23 Cheer Team. The process took place over several weekends in NSU’s Prather Coliseum, culminating in the final day of tryouts Saturday, April 23 after which the team was chosen for the year.

This year’s squad consists of 21 young men and women. The cheer team keeps fan spirits at a high level at NSU Football, basketball and volleyball games with their signature cheers, flips and stunts. They are also ambassadors for NSU at community events throughout the year.

This year’s team will start work right away. They will be attending camp at Texas A&M where they will learn, compete and prepare for the upcoming sports seasons. They will be competing in their own right as a team at a national cheer competition held at Disneyworld in January.

Our parish high schools have always been well represented on the NSU cheer team, with several members who are St. Mary’s and NCHS alumni. This year’s squad will feature three new members who are NCHS alumni, Christopher Anthony, Madelyn Spillman and Hunter Broadway.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal congratulates Christopher, Madelyn and Hunter on their well earned places on the team. We look forward to seeing you perform during the upcoming school year. Fork ‘em Demons!

Kevin’s Gallery

Northwestern State University’s Army ROTC Demon Regiment held its 72nd annual military ball in the student union’s ballroom Saturday, April 23. Alumni who served in conflicts from the program’s founding at NSU in 1951 through Afghanistan and Iraq were joined by the current cadets, instructors and guests in celebrating the remarkable group of nine young men and women who will take their place in the defense of our nation as Army officers upon graduation.

Colonel Edward S. Twaddell, III delivered the keynote address to the assembly. In an address largely devoted to the cadets present, the colonel offered advice to the young men and women starting their military careers.

The late Major General Erbon W. Wise established the Touchstone Award for the Demon Battalion’s top cadet each year. Cadet Anthony Cantrell won the award for 2022. He will be commissioned into the Infantry upon graduation.

There was also a local graduate among the future officers. Cadet Alex J. Wade is a 2018 alumnae of NCHS who will go on to serve her nation and her fellow Louisianans in the Louisiana Army National Guard upon her commissioning. NCHS Army JROTC instructors Lt. Col. Anthony Mault, 1st Sgt Shelby and several cadets from NCHS were on hand to celebrate their fellow chief alumnae.

Four NSU Army ROTC Alumni were inducted into the Northwestern Demon Regiment Hall of Fame. One of the honorees was Natchitoches’ own Richard J. Hooter.

Northwestern State University has hosted Army ROTC for the past 72 years. During its history, over 1,000 young men and women have become Army officers through the program and have gone on to serve our nation with distinction in peace and war. ROTC is a force for good in our nation, a meritocracy blind to race, class 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. “Kevin’s Gallery” will take you to the photographs.

Jesse Foshee of Provencal is Miss Natchitoches City of Lights’ Outstanding Teen 2022. She’s a Junior at Natchitoches Central High School. She won the Evening Gown/On-Stage Question preliminary award for Blues competition group on the first night of the competition. She performed a Lyrical dance to “All By Myself” for the talent portion of the competition.

Jesse’s social impact initiative is #SIMPLYME, with a goal of changing the way young women and girls view themselves one photo, one conversation and one hashtag at a time.

Miss City of Lights’ Outstanding Teen is a part of the Natchitoches Queens program that encompasses the Miss Merry Christmas and the Belles program as well as the Miss City of Lights competition, which is a preliminary to the Miss Louisiana and Miss America Organization.

The Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen competition has four areas of competition – Personal Interview, Talent, Physical Fitness, and Evening Gown/On-Stage Question.

3rd Runner Up-Sage Bell, Miss Louisiana Stockshow’s Outstanding Teen
2nd Runner Up-Laura Jane Kirkpatrick, Miss Baton Rouge’s Outstanding Teen
MISS LOUISIANA’S OUTSTANDING TEEN 2022-MARY LAURA HUNT-Louisiana Watermelon Festival’s Outstanding Teen
1st Runner Up-Jesse Foshee, Miss Natchitoches City of Lights’ Outstanding Teen
4th Runner Up-Abigail Hu, Miss ULM’s Outstanding Teen

Photo by Steven Palowsky Photography, LLC