OPENING DATE: Mon. 05/23/22

CLOSING DATE: Tue. 05/31/22 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

SALARY: $12.45 – $24.46 hourly; $2,158.00 – $4,240.00 monthly

JOB TYPE: Classified

LOCATION: Natchitoches, Louisiana

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

This position is located at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Department: Business Affairs

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their applications to determine where they are in the recruitment process. The further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. *

The State of Louisiana only accepts online applications. Paper applications will not be accepted. Computer access is available at your local library, at local Louisiana Workforce Commission Business Career Solutions Centers, and at the State Civil Service Testing and Recruiting Center at 5825 Florida Boulevard, Room 1070, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. If you require an ADA accommodation, please contact our office at (225) 925-1911 or Toll-Free: (866) 783-5462 during business hours for additional assistance.

(Please note: Libraries and LWC centers cannot provide in-depth assistance to applicants with limited computer skills; therefore, we suggest that such applicants have someone with computer proficiency accompany them to these facilities to assist with the computer application process. Also, no State Civil Service employees are housed at the libraries or LWC centers to answer specific questions about the hiring process. Such questions should be directed to the State Civil Service Testing and Recruiting Center at the phone numbers above or by visiting the office on Florida Blvd. where assistance is available. Information is also provided on our job seeker website at https://jobs.civilservice.louisiana.gov/).

The successful candidate will be subject to a background check, as a condition of employment.

It has been and will continue to be, the policy of Northwestern State University to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on job-related standards and must comply with the principles of equal employment opportunity.

In keeping with this policy, the University will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels the most qualified persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or retirement status. All personnel actions, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, training, and education are administered without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or retirement status.

The University is committed to equal opportunity for student success by providing access to educational programs, tuition assistance, and social and recreational activities for all students without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or retirement status.

Additionally, the University provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.

Student complaints or inquiries related to Title IX should be directed to the Director of Advocacy and Title IX Coordinator, Christie Price (318-357- 5570), Room 308 of the Friedman Student Union or email pricec@nsula.edu. Employee Title IX issues should be directed to the Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Human Resources, Veronica M. Biscoe (318-357-6359), Room 111 Caspari Hall or email ramirezv@nsula.edu.

In accordance with Section 35.106 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all participants, applicants, organizations, and interested individuals are advised and notified that the ADA Coordinator for Northwestern State University for facilities is the Director of University Affairs, Jennifer Kelly (318-357-4300), located in New Fine Arts, 104 Central Avenue, Ste. 102 or email andersonje@nsula.edu. For student academic services, contact the Director of Access and Disability Support, Randi Washington (318-357-5460) located in Room 108-C Watson Memorial Library or email washingtonr@nsula.edu. For faculty/staff accommodations and services, contact Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Human Resources, Veronica M. Biscoe (318-357-6359), Room 111 Caspari Hall or email ramirezv@nsula.edu.

For further information about this vacancy contact:
Antigone’ Speed, HR Specialist
Northwestern State University
Institutional Effectiveness & Human Resources
St. Denis Hall, Natchitoches, LA 71497
speeda@nsula.edu


QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Three years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, or numerical computation.

College training will substitute for the required experience on the basis of thirty semester hours for one year of experience.

An Associate Degree in Accounting, Accounting Technology or Business from an accredited college or university will substitute for two years of the required experience.

Training in a vocational-technical school or military school in Accounting, Accounting Technology, or Business will substitute for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of one month of training for one month of experience.

NOTE:
Any college hours or degree must be from a school accredited by one of the following regional accrediting bodies: the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; the New England Commission of Higher Education; the Higher Learning Commission; the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

JOB CONCEPTS:

The function of Work:
To provide the full range of paraprofessional accounting services.

Level of Work:
Advanced.

Supervision Received:
Generally from a higher-level fiscal or administrative position.

Supervision Exercised:
May supervise lower-level paraprofessional fiscal or administrative positions.

Location of Work:
May be used by all state agencies.

Job Distinctions:
Differs from Accounting Specialist 2 by responsibility for the preparation of basic-level financial reports.

Differs from professional accountants by assisting accounting professionals in the performance of various tasks within the accounting process.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Extracts information and prepares portions of reports and/or schedules for higher-level accounting professionals in a budget unit.

Extracts and manipulates information and prepares weekly or biweekly financial reports and schedules for state and federal reports to be used by higher-level accounting professionals.

Responsible for posting and journalizing ledgers and preparing financial accounts reports such as those for complex grants in a large central fiscal office.

Reconciles biweekly or monthly bank statements/accounts.

Prepares biweekly financial projections.
https://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=3564253

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BATON ROUGE – Jennifer “Reba” Phelps was sworn in for a 2022 term with the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) on April 26 in Baton Rouge during the Association’s 2022 LSBA Capitol Conference. Phelps was elected to the Natchitoches Parish School Board in 2019 and represents District 6.

“It is a blessing and honor to represent Natchitoches Parish in this capacity. The grass-roots efforts of the LSBA are invaluable to our entire state and I could not be more excited to work even harder for the betterment of education,” said Phelps.

LSBA President Melvin Lodge echoed similar thoughts. “As leaders and board members, we have a responsibility to advocate on behalf of our students, giving them the best possible opportunities to become successful. Ms. Phelps recognizes this and I’m glad to have her as a member of the LSBA’s Board of Directors,” said Lodge.

Phelps was appointed to the LSBA Board of Directors in March of this year. She has served in various roles on the Natchitoches Parish School Board including Past Vice President and is the current Board President.

“Reba is a great asset to the LSBA and I look forward to working with her in her role as a member of the LSBA Board of Directors,” said Dr. Janet Pope, LSBA Executive Director. “She truly has a vision for this association and the future of education in Louisiana.”

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The Natchitoches Public Library celebrated World Turtle Day with an exciting and educational program for children Thursday, May 26 at the library’s main branch. Three educators from the Alexandria Zoo brought some turtles and tortoises from the zoo as well as a collection of turtle eggs and shells.

The children attending enjoyed an educational and interactive talk by the visiting zoologists. They learned about the difference between tortoises and turtles (if you do not have a child at home to ask, tortoises live primarily on land while turtles require a body of water nearby) and facts about how they live, what they eat, and their place in the ecosystem. The attendees were able to touch the eggs and shells, learning the difference between reptilian and mammal eggs.

The day was a collaboration between the Natchitoches Parish Library’s children’s and teen programming and the Alexandria Zoo’s educational outreach. There are activities for children and teens throughout the summer designed to keep young minds active and engaged while having fun. There is indeed something for everyone at the Natchitoches Parish Library!

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It is time for fresh from the farm fruits and veggies. Anderson’s Produce at Lake End is open for the 2022 season. Anderson’s Produce said, “We have a great crop in store this year for you.”

In addition to the freshest fruits and vegetables, Anderson’s has the farm-raised fresh beef from Dan Cason farms. Also, there is a great selection of flowers and ferns.

Anderson’s Produce is located halfway between LA 1 and I-49 at 110 Anderson Lane. Phone 318-932-1432. Farmer Anderson said, “Come on out and see us at the farm.”

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When I was growing up out on the rural route, there were lots of activities to keep youngsters busy especially in summer when school was over for three months.

High on the list of things to do was to go out behind the cow barn with a shovel and empty Prince Albert tobacco can and dig among the dried cow patties for earthworms. Cane poles that spent the winter on the back wall of the cow barn were taken down, black-braided line tied onto a pole, then a bream hook, lead sinker and cork float were attached. It was time to head for the creek.

Molido was a clear and sparkling little creek with several dark holes snaked through the oaks and beeches behind our house. This was not only where we swam but the darker holes were lairs for a variety of fish – we called them all “perch.”

There were the freckled little fish we called “red perch,” blue bills and goggle eyes, all of which offered kids lots of fun. Bringing a day’s catch home guaranteed a fish fry for supper that night.

Bream fishing today is quite a bit different than those cane pole/earthworm forays to the creek years ago. Last year, a bream tournament was held on Lake D’Arbonne, giving credence to the fact that catching big bream is pretty big business.

This time of year, the lakes are crowded with fishermen armed with fiberglass poles or ultra-light spinning rods tipped with tiny spinners. Instead of messing with gooey earthworms, gray crickets are the preferred live bait for serious bream fishermen.

It has been decades since I fished on a creek and today I concentrate my bream fishing excursions to the friendly confines of a farm pond, one I have fished for years. It couldn’t be easier. I settle down in a comfortable folding chair beneath the shade of a big oak and toss my cricket into an area where year after year, big bream congregate this time of year for spawning.

Watching the cork hovering over the cricket, it’s still exciting to me when I see it bobble and then go under. This means I’m hooked up with a bream. Most of the ones I catch are big bluegills but I can be assured that at least a couple will be red eared sunfish – around here we call them chinquapins.

Our part of the state doesn’t have a corner on good bream fishing. Every freshwater lake in the state of Louisiana has hefty populations of big bream that are there for the taking.

I am fortunate that where I sit on my favorite pond is within a short cast from the bream bed I know is there. On lakes, because of so much more water surface where to look for bream, it usually takes little effort to troll slowly around the lake until you catch a big one. You can usually drop anchor right there because you very likely are within casting distance of a bream bed that will keep you busy until you catch all you want to bring home.

There is no better eating fish than bream, especially when coated with yellow mustard, dumped in a bag of Louisiana Fish Fry product and dropped into hot peanut oil.

A big bluegill or chinquapin is easy to filet and if you catch enough, you have the makings of a fine fish fry. I usually save a few smaller ones that I scale, gut and fry whole. I’ll take one of these and first take a bite of the crispy tail; it’s like eating a potato chip. Then I “unzip” it by carefully removing the fin along the back and the smaller one on the underside and separate the fish into two parts. Remove the row of bones and you have a mouth-watering couple of bites that when dipped in tartar sauce or ketchup is flat-out hard to beat.

Now that I’ve made you hungry, there is no excuse for not heading out to a pond or lake and catch a mess of bream. This time of year, it’s happening big time.

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The City of Natchitoches will kick-off the Natchitoches Farmers Market tomorrow (Saturday) and will be open every Saturday every Saturday from now until July 23, 2022.

The Natchitoches Farmers Market will be downtown on the riverbank from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

May 28, 2022 – “Signs of Summer”
June 4, 2022 – “The Chicken or The Egg?”
June 11, 2022 – “Mini Makers Day”
June 18, 2022 – “Blue Grass Day”
June 25, 2022 – “Contest on the Cane!!!”
July 2, 2022 – “4-H Day”
July 9, 2022 – “Blending for Health”
July 16, 2022 – “One Mans Treasure!!”
July 23, 2022 – “Farming on the Cane”

For more information, please contact the Farmers Market at (318) 663-5190 or (318) 214-7911.

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JOB TITLE:  ​Meter Reader

DEPARTMENT:  ​Utility

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:  ​Will be required to read all types of water and electric meters both electronically and visually. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. Responsible for connecting and disconnecting utility services. Must be able to learn how to operate various electronic meter reading equipment and software. Basic math skills are required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

​High School diploma, or GED Equivalent.

CONTACT:  ​City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department located at 1400 Sabine St., or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City Hall located at 700 Second St. or may be downloaded at www.natchitochesla.gov

Applications will be accepted through: June 6, 2022

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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Here is a look at the week of May 29 – June 4 at Northwestern State University.

May 29 – June 4 – Registration for summer, and fall semesters

May 30 – University closed for Memorial Day

May 31 – University reopens after Memorial Day

June 1-2 – Freshman Connection, Natchitoches campus

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NATCHITOCHES:
Artherine McDonald Parker
April 4, 1943 – May 25, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 28 at 2 pm in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Janice Farmer Andrus
March 4, 1937 – May 20, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 28 at 11 am at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home

SABINE:
Carroll Dean Ellzey
March 14, 1948 – May 23, 2022
Service: Friday, May 27 at 2 pm at Cenchrea Nazarene Church

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The Natchitoches Parish School District is looking to fill two vacancies for Lakeview and Provencal principals as William Hymes and Jennifer Martin have transferred to the Central Office to work in special projects positions.

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POSITION: PRINCIPAL

SITE LOCATION: Lakeview Jr./Sr. High School

SALARY: According to Parish’s salary schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be certified or eligible at the time of the application according to Louisiana State Department of Education requirements and must have 5 years of teaching experience.

DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 8, 2022; 4:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS: The application packet should consist of a letter of application, resume’, official transcripts from institutions awarding degrees, a copy of Louisiana Teacher’s Certificate with principal/education leadership endorsement, three (3) letters of reference, (one being from your immediate supervisor).

WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel
Natchitoches Parish School Board
310 Royal Street, P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
Phone: (318) 352-2358
Website: npsb.la

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POSITION: PRINCIPAL

SITE LOCATION: Provencal Elem./Jr. High School

SALARY: According to Parish’s salary schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be certified or eligible at the time of the application according to Louisiana State Department of Education requirements and must have 5 years of teaching experience.

DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 8, 2022; 4:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS: The application packet should consist of a letter of application, resume’, official transcripts from institutions awarding degrees, a copy of Louisiana Teacher’s Certificate with principal/education leadership endorsement, three (3) letters of reference, (one being from your immediate supervisor).

WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel
Natchitoches Parish School Board
310 Royal Street, P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
Phone: (318) 352-2358
Website: npsb.la

 

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By Kevin Shannahan

The commission charged with renaming Army installations named after Confederate leaders has finished its work and come out with its recommendations, ranging from Fort Liberty for Fort Bragg to Louisiana’s Fort Polk being renamed after Sgt. William Henry Johnson. I would have renamed Fort Bragg after General James Gavin, but Fort Liberty is a fitting name for an Army of free men and women carrying America’s faith and honor against her enemies.

Louisiana’s Camp Beauregard, named after Confederate general Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard, who led the opening salvo of the Civil War in the attack on Fort Sumter, was not renamed as part of the commission’s duties as it belongs to the Louisiana National Guard. The Louisiana National Guard is nonetheless soliciting suggestions from the public for renaming the camp. I have a suggestion.

Camp Beauregard should be renamed for a true Louisiana hero, Major Hugh Clowers Thompson, Jr., United States Army. As a 25-year-old warrant officer and helicopter pilot on his first tour of duty in Vietnam, Thompson stopped the My Lai Massacre. His actions that day in stopping the killing and rescuing survivors displayed an incredible amount of physical and moral courage, but it was his dogged insistence on reporting the killings to his superiors and refusal to take the easy way out and give in to pressure to let the incident go that showed even greater heroism.

Thompson and his crew were flying in the vicinity of the village of My Lai on March 16, 1968, when they noticed a large number of bodies, some heaped in a ditch. They further saw that the bodies were of infants, children, and women, not military-aged men. Thompson landed his helicopter and confronted the platoon commander, Lieutenant William Calley. One of Calley’s soldiers fired into the ditch full of bodies, killing those still alive. After a tense exchange with Calley, Thompson flew off. He and his crew, along with two other helicopters, rescued villagers who had fled. One of his crewmen, Specialist Glenn Urban Andreotta, who was killed in action later in the war, stepped into a pile of bodies to rescue a child trapped underneath the dead. Thompson flew the child to a hospital. At one point, he landed his helicopter between villagers and American soldiers and ordered his crewmembers to point their machine guns at the soldiers, threatening to open fire if they did not stop the wanton killing.

Thompson immediately reported the massacre when he landed. That put a stop to the attacks, but no further action was taken. The Army was not interested in investigating war crimes. In fact, Thompson was presented with a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions that day in rescuing children, but the citation contained falsehoods stating that the rescue took place under enemy fire, when in fact, there was none. Thompson threw away the fabricated citation.

When the massacre became public, Thompson was called to testify before Congress where he was excoriated by several Congressmen for threatening to fire on the troops at My Lai. He was to receive numerous death threats over the years, having dead animals thrown on his porch among other indignities. He paid a high price for his integrity, far higher than any of the high-ranking Army officers who tried to cover up the massacre. Only Lieutenant Calley was ever convicted of a crime and his punishment was commuted by President Nixon.

Hugh Thompson continued to fly helicopters in combat in Vietnam. He was shot down four times, the last crash breaking his back and ending his combat career. He retired from the Army and lived quietly in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he served his fellow veterans working for the Louisiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He died of cancer on January 6, 2006, in the Veterans’ Hospital in Pineville, Louisiana at the age of 62. His friend Lawrence Colburn, one of his crewmen that fateful day, was by his side. He is buried in Lafayette, Louisiana.

He was a man of tremendous moral and physical courage. In the face of threats, pressure, and ostracism, he did the right thing not just at the moment of decision, but in the hard, lonely aftermath. Hugh Clowers Thompson is eminently deserving of having Camp Beauregard renamed in his honor!

The link to the Louisiana Army Guard page where one may nominate an individual to be considered for Camp Beauregard’s renaming follows. Please take a moment o nominate Hugh Thompson.

Thank you!

Suggest a New Name for Camp Beauregard – Louisiana National Guard (la.gov)

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In Honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week and Zeta Phi Beta Adopt-a-School Program, members of Mu Omega Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, purchased doughnuts and juice for teachers and staff at the Natchitoches Parish Technical and Career Center (NPTCC). The doughnuts were delivered on May 6. Adopt-a-School is one of the organization’s Z-Hope service programs and was established by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., in 2012 to partner with a selected school to bring about a positive outcome for students, and faculty, staff, and administration. Pictured above (left to right) are Amicae of Natchitoches President, Doryce Polk; Josephine Winder, Mu Omega Zeta President; Tara Sapp, Mu Omega Zeta member; Bobby Benjamin, NPTCC Principal; Sandra Williams, Mu Omega Zeta member; Candance Grayson, Mu Omega Zeta member; and Stephanie Sewell, Mu Omega Zeta member.

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Eighth-grade students had their graduation Mass at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church on May 22nd. Students in the Class of 2026 are (front row, l-r): Henry Guillet, Addison Price, Ella Hardee, Jaycie Creamer, Jenna Sklar, Grace Wren, and Father Blake Deshautelle. Second row: Cameron Ball, Tyonnah Burton, Lainey Bennett, Jillian Coleman, Ava Hebert, Lila Lewis, and Mavyrk LaCaze. Third row: Justin Vienne, Tucker Johnson, Matthew Mayeux, Will Poston, Nick Wright, Chanler Hale, Chalin Gandy, Joseph Sklar, and AJ Lavespere. Back row: Jackson Godrey, Nathan Cain, Cole Yopp, Atlas Hicks, and Trey Scarborough.

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Students in Mrs. Nina Thibodaux’s Kindergarten class at St. Mary’s Catholic School recently had their graduation ceremony on May 19th. They are ready for first grade in the fall! Students in the Class of 2034 are (front row, l-r): Aubrey Smith and Camille Mims. Middle row: Graham Childress, Daniel Han, Lillith Mills, Ezra Gill, Ava Harper, Andrew Dauzat, A’Ziah Armstrong, and Oliver McCart. Back row: Declan Thaxton, Carlie Mathews, Hayes Harrington, Wyatt Clark, Owen Dauzat, Kailyn Adkins, and Brier Duhon.

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The Lady Tigers will host a Softball Camp from May 30 through June 1st from 9 am – 12 pm. Campers will learn offensive and defensive skills and have both individual and group instruction in a fun and friendly atmosphere. A pizza lunch will be provided on Wednesday and concessions will be available daily. Campers need softball attire, cleats/tennis shoes, glove, bat, helmet and water.

The camp is open to students in 1st through 8th grade for the 2022-23 school year. The cost to attend is $75. The camp is located at the St. Mary’s Catholic School softball field (Dixie Youth Complex). For more information, please contact head softball coach, Stephen Wren at swren@smstigers.org.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – At least one Northwestern State athlete will be competing on the national stage.

Djimon Gumbs launched the shot-put 63-0.75 on his final throw at the NCAA East Preliminaries at Indiana University on Wednesday, finishing eighth and securing a spot in next month’s NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Gumbs’ mark is second-best in NSU history, passing none other than coach Mike Heimerman.

Heimerman said he challenged Gumbs on his final attempt, betting him that he couldn’t throw a personal record.

“(Gumbs) is one of those guys that if you challenge him mentally, 80-90 percent of the time, he’ll beat that challenge,” Heimerman said. “When I challenged him, he laughed and said, ‘Ok.’

“He’s been battling injuries all outdoor season, but he mentally put it all together. He still didn’t quite hit the throw and backed off a little at the end of it, but we both yelled when the throw hit the ground because we knew he was advancing. It’s exciting to know that he can throw even farther.”

Gumbs topped his own personal best by more than a foot and catapulted himself up the leaderboard after sitting in 19th heading into the final throw. The top 12 advances to the NCAA Championships.

He is the first NSU thrower to advance to nationals since Cedric Paul did it in 2018, also in the shot put.

Twin Diamante Gumbs placed 41st with a 53-7.75.

NSU sprinters Kie’Ave Harry and Destine Scott are one step closer to reaching the NCAA Championships scene as individual sprinters.

Harry finished third in his 100 meters heat to automatically advance to Friday’s finals while Scott’s time pushed him through in the 400 meters.

Harry clocked a 10.27 to place 21st overall in a 48-runner field that was trimmed to 24 for Friday’s races.

The LaPlace native set foot in Oregon in 2018 when the freshman ran a leg on the All-American 4×100 relay team that reached the finals and finished seventh.

“Kie’Ave started cramping around 85-90 meters, so he actually slowed up a little bit at the end,” Heimerman said. “Hopefully he can work that out and run a full 100.

“But he had the mindset to survive and advance, and that’s what he did.”

Harry can double up on Friday if NSU’s 4×100 relay breaks through as the Demons are seeded 12th with a 39.35 season-best. The top 12 relays will head to nationals.

Scott nearly set a personal record in the 400 meters at 46.52 running out of Lane 2, finishing fifth in his heat and advanced on time with a 16th overall.

He finished .14 ahead of the slowest qualifying time that wasn’t a top three in the heat in his first regional appearance.

“The impressive thing about Destine is Lane 2 is extremely hard to run because it’s a tight curve and the first 100 meters is all curve,” Heimerman said. “There were a couple of things he didn’t quite execute, but he ran an almost perfect race and qualified in the top 24 despite coming in ranked 35th.

Fellow 100 meters mate Nikaoli Williams couldn’t advance in either of his events.

He clocked his wind-legal personal best of 10.52 in the 100, placing eighth in his heat and 40th overall.

In the long jump, Williams attempted all three of his jumps into significant headwinds, leaping 24-1 to finish 22nd in a tough 4.7 headwind. He fell 7.5 inches short of an NCAA slot with 24-8.5 qualifying for nationals in the top 12.

“Nikaoli was ready to go and wanted it really bad,” Heimerman said. “It’s not an excuse, but he ran into a headwind, and it just affects some guys differently.

“It’s great experience for all of our guys to compete on this level, and it’ll help us going forward.”

In the 200 meters, Simon Wulff pulled up in the first 15 meters with an aggravated foot injury while Dylan Swain finished eighth in his heat with a 21.62.

Both would be available to run legs of the 4×100 relay Friday if healthy.

Photo: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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The City of Natchitoches invites you to celebrate Independence Day at the annual Celebration on the Cane event on Saturday, July 2. The Independence Day Celebration will feature a spectacular firework show over Cane River Lake at 9 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Food vendors will provide food for purchase after 5 p.m. on the downtown riverbank. The Kelli Roberts Band will provide live entertainment on the downtown riverbank stage from 7-9 p.m. Several downtown restaurants will provide live music throughout the evening. Retail shops, paddleboards, kayaking, and horse and carriage rides will be operating throughout the day as well.

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Notice is hereby given that the Natchitoches Parish School Board will receive the following:

June 14, 2022 2:00 p.m. NCBS Various Athletic Equipment

Bids/Proposals will be accepted until the date and time specified and will be publicly opened and read aloud at that time in the School Board’s Central Office, 310 Royal Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71457-5709. Please find bid-related documents and place electronic bids, is desired, at
WWW.CENTRALBIDDING.COM.

For questions relating to the electronic bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-48 t 4. Bids/Proposals received after the date and time of opening will not be considered. Facsimile transmissions will not be considered.

Additional information may be obtained upon request by contacting Michelle Demery, Purchasing Coordinator, at 3 t 8-352-2358, Ext. 1155, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) held its annual Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 20 to honor the Class of 2022. The ceremony celebrated personal character, academic excellence, and development of skills in each academic discipline.

Senior Lecturer of Mathematics and Computer Science Dave Andersen served as Master of Ceremonies, Senior Class President Ella Abney of Slidell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Student Government Organization President Olutunmike “Tum-Tum” Adeleye of Natchitoches delivered the welcoming address to her fellow classmates.

“As a senior class, we have persevered through our fair share of trials and tribulations,” said Adeleye. “At LSMSA we learned how to become our most successful selves.”

At the end of her speech, Adeleye was given an honorary gavel plaque for her leadership and service to SGO.

Each major discipline—Creative and Performing Arts, Math and Computer Science, Humanities, Languages and Science—granted Excellence Awards to seniors who best epitomized those individual departments. Each department also introduced a chosen Gonfaloniere, or “flag bearer,” who was deemed to embody excellence in that discipline. These students were privileged to carry the Gonfalon for their respective department at the Commencement Ceremony procession.

Abney received the honor of being the Gonfaloniere for the Creative and Performing Arts Department; Jordan Hoffman of Ragley was chosen to represent the Humanities Department; Sunny Jahanara Yusufji of Shreveport was selected to hold the Languages Gonfalon; Alex Bazzelle of Livonia was chosen to represent the Math and Computer Science Department; Travis Elmore of Slidell was chosen as the Sciences Department’s Gonfaloniere; and Brandon Turner of Sulphur was selected as the school’s first Health & Physical Education Gonfaloniere. 

Graduation with Distinction was awarded to four students in the Class of 2022 who completed a program of independent academic study or artistic endeavor beyond formal course requirements. In their junior year, these students were invited to identify their potential project, then undertook an intense program of reading, research, and creative activity throughout their senior year. The students’ culminating presentations took place during the school’s Blue & Gold Week, an annual celebration of student research and artistic accomplishments. The following LSMSA seniors graduated with distinction: Madeline Core of Paulina; Travis Elmore of Slidell; Jordan Hoffman of Ragley; and Riley Leger of Slidell.

In addition to their high school diplomas, 22 seniors received their Associate’s degrees, and four graduates who are children of LSMSA alumni received legacy coins from LSMSA Alumni Association Natchitoches Liaison Matthew Couvillion (’93) of Many.

Jake Touchet of Lake Charles was the winner of the Eric Candell Excellence in Physics Award. The award, created in memory of a 1987 graduate, is granted with a $100 check gifted by the Candell family to a student who has developed considerable mastery in the subject of Physics. 

The Marvin Lockhart Work Service Award was developed in memory of one of LSMSA’s charismatic former employees and was presented to Brady Covington of Walker, Jillian McDougal of Baton Rouge, and Griffin McFarland of Natchitoches for illustrating selflessness, dedication, dependability, and an unrelenting desire to help their peers and those in their community.

HaYa Davis of Hammond received the Sharon Sturdivant Williams Praecellemus Award. Named after one of the founding members of LSMSA’s administration, students who are selected for this honor best represent the school’s motto, “We Shall Excel.”

Two students, Hailey Flynn of Pineville and Sunny Yusufji of Shreveport, received the Spirit of LSMSA award. This award recognizes students who best exemplify the pillars of LSMSA school spirit, demonstrating hard work, perseverance, service, involvement, and camaraderie.

Five seniors were inducted into the Robert Alost Hall of Fame. Named after the school’s founding director, this is considered the highest honor bestowed upon LSMSA seniors, with students being hand-picked by a committee of faculty and residential life staff members. New LSMSA Hall of Fame members are Brandon Turner of Lake Charles, Lily Blanchard of Lafourche Parish, Leah Swanstrom of Natchitoches, Thaleia Dufrene of Hammond, and Tum Tum Adeleye of Natchitoches.

Following the awards, each senior presented their college choice on stage, with 67 percent of the Class of 2022 attending universities in Louisiana, 33 percent attending schools across the country and abroad.

The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt closing speech by Livy Zachary of Youngsville titled “Nothing New.” 

“LSMSA is known for it unique ability to allow students to explore and thrive in niche areas of study, but the reason for its students’ success is not due to the difficulty of our work, but rather to the environment and professors that allow us to grow and thrive as people,” said Zachary. “…as we fly the nest, we must remember to not get too caught up in the fear of the unknown…remember the trust we found in ourselves at the little old Louisiana School.”

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