BOM is a sponsor of the Line Drive Baseball 13/14 division team. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Blaise LaCour, Coach Brandon Jackson, and BOM’s Carrie Hough.

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When you take a look at the landscape of both high school and college fishing, it’s obvious that up and coming anglers of today are not being taught the ethics or etiquette of bass fishing — the unwritten rules of the water!

Young anglers fishing today are falling short in knowing how to handle certain situations in several areas. In this article, we’ll educate and go over a couple of these scenarios and who’s to blame for the younger generation not knowing. 

One thing about being young and ignorant: it’s someone’s responsibility to teach you the knowledge you’re lacking. Young bass anglers, on the rise and looking to compete at the highest level of professional fishing, need direction and guidance. This guidance is not just on how to find and catch bass, but how to handle themselves on the water — what anglers call “etiquette.”

Now understand, there is no rule book on fishing etiquette. There is no sign hanging at a boat ramp on how to handle situations on the water. Someone must teach these young anglers what the expectations are. A few of these are kind of common sense and others are unwritten rules that have been established over time by anglers who came before us.

First let’s look at the phrase “cutting someone off.” This has become the No. 1 problem on our overcrowded lakes and waterways today! This is when an angler runs past another angler who is fishing down a stretch of bank and cuts in front of him on the same stretch of bank and starts fishing — in some cases as close as a few feet to less than 100 yards.

Once again, there is no written rule preventing an angler from doing this. But in the bass fishing world, this is considered bad etiquette. If you want to see an angler get upset, cut in front of him on the stretch of bank or tree line he’s fishing. Always avoid cutting in front of another angler for the purpose of fishing.

Good rule of thumb: if you have to think about or try and justify if it’s wrong to cut someone off, then you probably already know you shouldn’t do it. A good example of this would be if someone is fishing down a row of boat docks, don’t go in front of him two or three docks to start fishing. Go 10 to 12 docks down and respect his space. 

Next, let’s address asking for permission to fish a certain area with another angler. This can be a little touchy, as it all depends on the angler you’re asking. If you pull up on an underwater hump or wind row (line of treetops) and you see another angler already fishing this spot, ask for permission to fish the area with him. He’ll either say, “Sure,” or he’ll say, “No, I’d rather you didn’t.” He’s really not obligated to say yes, especially since he was there first.

So always ask if it’s OK for you fish the area together. Most touring pros will automatically pass up a spot if someone is already on it. But sometimes depending on who the other angler is, especially if they are close friends, the other angler might say it’s OK. But in some instances, they have already talked about the spot that both might have found during practice, and they have made an agreement on fishing it at the same time. Again, always ask for permission to fish, don’t just hop on the front deck and start fishing. 

So other than reading this informative article, how does someone learn these unwritten rules of the water? It’s up to us as experienced anglers to teach the younger generation of high school and college anglers how to handle certain situations that they may encounter. It’s our job to share and teach these youngsters the right way of doing things so that in the future, we have less confrontations on the water.

Next Sunday, we’ll continue this discussion on the unwritten rules of bass fishing with a hard look at how to deal with dock owners, a hot topic nationwide. Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen!  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Northwestern State University Athletics will host a Title IX 50-year celebration in Natchitoches Dec. 9-10.  All former female student-athletes who participated in sports at NSU are invited to participate.

            The celebration will begin with a social that is open to the public on Friday, Dec. 9 in the Natchitoches Room in Russell Hall.  A brunch on Saturday, Dec. 10 will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Lee H. Nelson Hall, formerly the Women’s Gymnasium at NSU, which now houses the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.  The brunch, for former women athletes who played between 1963 and 1975, will include a history of women’s athletics at NSU, titled “For the Love of the Game:  NSU Women’s Sports and Title IX,” presented by Debbie Smith, a researcher and historian at NCPTT.  Guests are then encouraged to attend the Lady Demon basketball game vs. University of Louisiana-Monroe at 1 p.m. in Prather Coliseum where there will be designated guest seating and a special recognition.

            Organizers are planning another event with guest speakers to be held at a later date, according to volunteer coordinator Nanette Hawthorne. Invitations with RSVP information and other details will be distributed as plans are finalized.

            Signed June 23, 1972, Title IX is the commonly used name for the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination, which extended to sports equity and is best known for its impact on high school and collegiate athletics. 

            Northwestern State was the first university in Louisiana to award athletic scholarships to women when signing them out of high school.  Starting in 1975, NSU awarded 10-1/2 scholarships, with some awards begin halved, to five current basketball and volleyball players, three badminton players, two tennis players and two incoming high school basketball signees.

            The first recipients were Dianne Pittman McCain, Pat Nolan Pierson, Emma Ellerman Boozman, “Do” Bonin, Sherrill Landry, Mona Davidson Martin, Terri McConnell, Inez Brew (first African American recipient), Janie Wallace, Margaret Langford and incoming high school students Lisa Brewer and Tammy Primeaux.

            More details regarding the reunion will be announced as plans are finalized.  For more information, contact Hawthorne at nanettehawthorne@me.com.  Former female student-athletes are encouraged to RSVP and help NSU build the database of women who competed in athletics at NSU. Individuals interested in attending the event can RSVP at http://Nsudemons.com/titleix. 

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The Northwestern State University Chamber Choir will perform on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. A livestream of the concert will be available at capa.nsula.edu/livestream. Dr. Nicholaus B. Cummins will conduct the choir.

This concert is called “The Poetry of Passion:  Songs of Love and Loss” and deals with music from both spiritual and secular sources.  There are four sections to the concert, and each section has three selections.  The Chamber Choir will perform selections in Italian, Spanish, Latin and Swedish.  This concert will also be used when the choir goes on a recruiting tour in January at Louisiana high schools. 

The Northwestern Chamber Choir, founded in 1987, is the flagship choral ensemble at Northwestern State. The Northwestern Chamber Choir is comprised of 34 undergraduates encompassing a variety of different majors throughout the university. The choir frequently collaborates with composers and conductors for projects including “For a Breath of Ecstasy,” commissioned from Michael Trotta and “The Falling Stars” commissioned from Richard Burchard.  The Northwestern Chamber Choir was the featured choir at the 2017 Louisiana Music Educators Association conference and was selected to perform at the 2019 Eighth National Collegiate Choral Conference National Conference in Maryland.  Last year, they placed in the top four of the Leonardo da Vinci Choral Competition in Florence, Italy.  The Chamber Choir has also placed second in the Laurea Mundi Budapest in Budapest, Hungary and Second and Best Interpretation in the AVE VERUM ICC in Baden, Austria. Cummins and the Northwestern Chamber Choir have been invited to premiere the “Stabat Mater” by composer Richard Burchard in London, England, at the Southwark Cathedral in June 2023. The Chamber Choir will release a CD of Burchard’s works this semester.

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There are sights and sounds from the past that trigger memories I can’t help but long to see return. When we turn on the news and see all the turmoil taking place in our country, I want to see the return to those days of innocence, peace and tranquility.

I want to be able to walk out into the field and see a meadow lark explode under my feet, its undulating flight transporting it to a fence nearby where a few yards down the fence line sits a shrike, or as we called them, “butcher bird.” I haven’t seen either of these two species in years. What happened to them?

The absence of another bird hurts my heart more than missing the meadow lark and shrike. It wasn’t too many years ago when I would leave my home for an early morning walk down the road and hear the plaintive whistle of a bobwhite quail. It’s been years since I heard one. Where did they go and why don’t I get to hear them any longer?

There may be nothing I can do to bring back the meadow lark and shrike but I am optimistic about something being done, not only nationally but locally, to work to bring back the quail. An organization, Quail Forever, is pulling out all the stops to try and help fashion the recovery of these beloved birds.

Sabrina Claeys is a field biologist for the national organization and works tirelessly to promote the return of quail to our world. The mission statement of Quail Forever is “to conserve quail, pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education and conservation advocacy.”

“The main problem as we see it for the loss of quail has to do with habitat; we’re losing it faster than we can create it,” said Claeys.

As a biologist, Claeys had heard it all when it comes to possible explanations as to why quail numbers had plummeted.

“We hear the problem is fire ants, more predators impacting quail numbers, as well as habitat loss. Losing habitat favored by quail seems to be the major problem,” she said.

I can remember during my growing-up days out on the rural route that practically everybody had a garden or truck patch with grassy edges along fence rows. You could walk out to such areas and just about always send a covey of bobwhites airborne. Today, clean farming and clearing out the fence rows have taken from quail the habitat they need for rearing broods.

“Think about the ‘back forty’ and how it has changed over the years,” added Claeys. “Those areas provided ideal nesting areas and many of these sites have been converted to pine stands that don’t provide nesting and brooding areas. Quail Forever is working to reclaim some of that old habitat.

“Another thing that has hindered the maintenance of quail populations is the absence of prescribed fire which not only removes undesirable plant life but opens areas where quail thrive best.”

One way that Quail Forever strives to see its mission become reality is the establishing of local chapters. The Piney Hills Quail Forever chapter is based in Ruston and holds regular meetings to discuss problems and possible solutions. Search online for information on a chapter in your area and how you can become a part in helping return the plaintive call of the bobwhite back to your part of the world.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

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The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra will present a Halloween concert on Monday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Tickets are $15.75 each and can be purchased online at https://nnssla.org/ticket-sales. NSU, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and BPCC@NSU students are admitted free with a current student I.D. A livestream will be available at capa.nsula.edu/livestream. Those attending are invited to dress in costume. 

Dr. Doug Bakenhus is musical director and conductor of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra. Syll-Young Olson is assistant director. Ella Victoria Aubrey Castro is the graduate assistant conductor.

The program will include selections from “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Calvin Custer, The prologue from “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo featuring NSU vocal faculty member Robert Cardwell, “Night on Bald Mountain” by Modest Mussorgsky, “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod, “Devils Dance” from the film “The Witches of Eastwick” by John Williams, “Mars, the Bringer of War” from “The Planets” by Holst, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Three Little Maids (from Hell) ae We” from “The Mikado,” featuring sopranos Juliana Handy, Dr. Marcy McKee and Dr. Terrie Sanders. “The Complete Harry Potter,” arranger by Jerry Brubaker and “Berceuse” and “Finale” from “The Firebird” by Igor Stravinsky. Complete program notes written by Jacob Rupert are available at https://nnssla.org/program-notes.

Cardwell recently completed a professional fellowship with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, where he made his role debut as Friedrich Bhaer in Adamo’s “Little Women.” As an apprentice artist for Sarasota Opera, Cardwell was seen in Verdi’s “Aida,” “La battaglia di Legnano” and Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” After completing his apprenticeship, he went on to sing the role of Sciarrone in “Tosca” with the Central Florida Lyric Opera. Cardwell sang the title role in Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi,” in addition to a series of opera aria and scenes concerts with the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival in Italy. He also sang the title role of Rossini’s “Il barbiere di Siviglia” and Tonio in Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci” with the UNT Opera. Other roles with UNT Opera include Baron Zeta in “The Merry Widow,” The Duke in “Romeo et Juliette” and The Pirate King in “The Pirates of Penzance.” Equally at home on the concert stage, Cardwell has served as the baritone/bass soloist in Beethoven’s “9th Symphony,” Handel’s “The Messiah,” Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” and Dubois’ “The Seven Last Words” with churches and organizations throughout Texas.

Cardwell made his role debut as Giorgio Germont in “La Traviata” with the Soma International Foundation in Houston. He went on to win the Robin Angly & Miles Smith Award in the Lois Alba Aria Competition and was a semi-finalist in the Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. He is a recipient of Amarillo Opera’s Mila Gibson Fund for Young Artist Awards and a winner of the Edward Baird Singer of the Year Competition at the Texoma Regional Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Cardwell completed the Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in Performance at West Texas A&M University. During his time in the Texas Panhandle, he received numerous scholarships, as well as favorable reviews for his operatic roles with WTAMU Opera and Amarillo Opera: the title roles in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and “Le nozze di Figaro,” Guglielmo in “Cosi fan tutte,” Monterone in “Rigoletto,” Roberto in “Vives’ Bohemios” and Hosie Roach in “Cold Sassy Tree.” A recent graduate of the University of North Texas doctoral program, Cardwell currently serves on the voice faculty of Northwestern State. His research interests include the promotion of cultural diversity and inclusion in the voice studio through the use of voice repertoire by composers and poets/librettists from underrepresented groups, specifically the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities.

Handy has appeared and starred in operatic roles including “Die Zauberflote,” “La Traviata,” “The Old Maid and the Thief,” “Die Schauspieldirektor” and “The True Story of Cinderella.” She has won numerous awards and scholarships including those from NATS, Northwestern State’s Concerto and Aria competition and the Marjorie Strickland Emerging Artist competition. Handy is an adjunct instructor of music at Northwestern State. She earned a bachelor of music at Louisiana College and a masters in vocal performance from NSU. She is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Worship and Hymnology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

McKee received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at Arizona State University in 2016. She received her master of music and bachelor of music from West Texas A&M University. She is director of opera and an assistant professor of voice at NSU. McKee has taught at Bemidji State University, Arizona State  University, West Texas A&M University and Central Arizona College. She has sung throughout the United States and in Germany and Italy. Most recently McKee portrayed Mercedes in “Carmen” at the Rome Music Festival. She is a two-time winner of the North Dakota Division of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society and Mu Phi Epsilon. Her research interest is learning styles and how they facilitate a student’s ability to learn.

Sanders is an associate professor of music and head of the Department of Music in the School of Creative and Performing Arts. She has been a member of NSU’s faculty since 1992, teaching voice and vocal pedagogy. Sanders holds degrees from Emmanuel College, Lee University, Northwestern State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.  She also holds a certification with the McClosky Institute of Voice and is a Master Teacher for that organization. 

Sanders is an active performer and lecturer. She has been a member of the Summer Seminar Faculty for the McClosky Institute of Voice based in Boston since 2005. She has presented at state, regional and international conferences including the International Congress of Voice Teachers (2012 and 2017) and the Southern Region Conference for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (2014).  She regularly presents master classes and lectures throughout the state and region on alignment, relaxation and breathing techniques for the singer.

Sanders was the Danny and Lenn Dohmann Endowed Professor for 2020-21. She is a two-time recipient of the Donald F. Derby Endowed Professorship and was the 2017 recipient of the Joanna Magale Endowed Professorship, which funded an invitation to present at the 2017 International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm, Sweden.

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In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Northwestern State University will host a guest lecture by Bobby Gonzales titled “We Are Still Here: How First Nations Survived Pandemics and Other Catastrophes.” 

The lecture will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 in the Student Union Ballroom. The talk is free and is open to the public. 

Gonzales is an Indigenous/Latino lecturer, storyteller and poet based in New York City.  He is the author of several books including “TAINO ZEN” and “The Last Puerto Rican Indian:  A Collection of Dangerous Poetry.”  Gonzales has presented at Carnegie Hall, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Detroit Institute of Arts and many other museums and colleges.  He organizes and emcees at the annual Bronx Native American Festival.  He was selected as the 2018-19 New York City Indian of the Year.

Gonzales’ lecture is an examination of how Native Peoples throughout the Western Hemisphere overcame epidemics, land theft, forced relocation and the violent attempt to assimilate them through the boarding school system. 

“Dr. [Michael] Snowden (vice president for Diversity and Inclusion) and I are excited to host Mr. Gonzalez as his lecture exemplifies our efforts to bring forth more awareness and cultivate diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Brittany Blackwell Broussard, coordinator of the Center for Inclusion and Diversity.

The lecture is sponsored by the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Minor, Native American Student Association and the Center for Inclusion and Diversity. 

“Unfortunately, when much of the public thinks about American Indians and other Indigenous people, they think about us as if we are in the past. But we are very much part of the present,” said Dr. Rebecca Riall, assistant professor and coordinator of Ethnic studies at NSU.  “This is an opportunity to learn about contemporary issues facing Indigenous communities.”

For more information, contact Broussard at blackwellb@nsula.edu.

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Several large HVAC units were installed on the roof of the River South Commons Shopping Center as part of recent improvements made to the property. Bealls has already opened, and Big Lots won’t be far behind, with Harbor Freight confirmed to take up a smaller spot within the shopping center. Each unit weighed a whopping 2,600 lbs. 

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Long time Northwestern State University coaching legend Mike McConathy announced his candidacy for the Louisiana State Senate seat being vacated by the current Senator, Louie Bernard. McConathy made his announcement at a campaign kickoff event at the Natchitoches Events Center, Thursday, October 27.

A crowd of supporters gathered around the podium and listened to Mike as he thanked his family and the people who came out to support him. He spoke of the things such as faith, family, and hard work, that have shaped his life. He also spoke of the challenges facing our state such as our young people leaving for opportunities elsewhere.

The election for Louisiana State Senate District 31 will be held on October 14, 2023. The Natchitoches Parish Journal urges every eligible person to make their voice heard at the polls.

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BATON ROUGE – Louisiana’s 4th grade students led the country in reading growth, according to The Nation’s Report Card, released on Oct. 24 by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In the first national assessments since the global pandemic and two historic hurricane seasons disrupted Louisiana classrooms, Louisiana was a leader in the nation exceeding national trends.

“I want to thank our teachers for their efforts through the pandemic and multiple hurricanes,” said Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s State Superintendent of Education. “This is not a ‘jump for joy’ moment because we still want to get better; however, they show our strategy for academic recovery and acceleration is working.”

Over the last two years, Louisiana has implemented a number of policy decisions to curb the state’s long-standing literacy crisis. In 2011, 55 percent of Louisiana 4th graders scored basic or above on NAEP. Eight years later that number was exactly the same. This year’s results show that 57 percent of Louisiana 4th graders are now scoring basic or above in reading.

“The progress our 4th graders made in reading is a testament to Louisiana’s educators for embracing our fundamental shift in how we teach students to read,” said Dr. Jenna Chiasson, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “We’ve set ambitious goals for our children and these results are a step in the right direction.”

Louisiana ranks No. 1 in the nation for 2022 improvement in 4th grade reading scale scores and proficiency rates. Louisiana’s improvement outpaced national trends in all four NAEP grades and subjects.

“We shouldn’t chase shiny things and get distracted in Louisiana,” said Dr. Brumley. “Let’s focus on fundamentals like reading and math, supporting educators, and empowering parents.”

Results nationally and in Louisiana demonstrate the pandemic’s impact on students over the last couple of years. The disruptions to education were further exacerbated in Louisiana by hurricanes such as Laura and Ida. In comparison to 2019, Louisiana’s 4th grade reading improved by 2 points while the national average declined by 3 points. In 8th grade reading, Louisiana’s score remained about the same compared to a 3-point decline nationally. In 4th grade math, Louisiana saw a 2-point decline compared to a 5-point decline nationally. In 8th grade math, Louisiana saw a 6-point decline compared to an 8-point decline nationally.

For the second consecutive year, Louisiana school systems are developing their Louisiana Comeback plan. Last school year’s data, system plans, and a financial dashboard can be found at louisianacomeback.com. School system proposals focusing on attendance, well-being, recovery, acceleration, and professional learning for the present school year are under review by the Department.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—also known as The Nation’s Report Card—assesses 4th and 8th graders in reading and math. It had been suspended since 2019 due to the global pandemic. It is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in the United States know and can do in various subject areas and is frequently referred to as the “gold standard” of student assessments.

The NAEP mathematics and reading assessments in grades 4 and 8 have been conducted every two years since 2003. The 2022 mathematics and reading assessments were administered between January and March 2022. Teachers, principals, parents, policymakers, and researchers all use NAEP results to assess progress and develop ways to improve education in the United States. Standard assessment administration practices are implemented to provide a common measure of student achievement.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), is charged by Congress with administering the NAEP program. The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) sets policy for the NAEP program.

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The much anticipated mother-daughter road trip was about to commence. The overnight bags were overpacked with care, the tickets to the concert had been purchased for weeks, and the hotel was reserved using a small bank of points. The youngest daughter was dropped off at school, we had piping hot coffee in hand and we were ready to hit the open road.

It was a beautiful drive as we were headed east to Birmingham. We were taking in the early fall foliage. I was feeling like the coolest mom on the planet. We were driving six hours and forty-five minutes one-way to watch an American alternative, folk band play at a popular brewery known for hosting large crowds at its trendy venue. My oldest daughter had been following the band for a few years, she could barely contain her excitement of actually getting to see them in person.

I, on the other hand, had only heard of them through her as she forced me to listen to them. They actually began to grow on me but I was more excited just to spend some one on one time with my daughter while she was home for fall break from her resort.

We stopped an hour away from our location to grab a quick bite to eat. When we exited the car I felt somewhat stiff after the long car ride. I was feeling like the oldest mom on the planet. I tried to look young and agile as I stretched with a slight limp while walking through the parking lot. Lucky for me my daughter had bounced ten steps ahead of me and missed the awkward walk. My body had me wondering if my plantar fasciitis had returned with vengeance.

Gosh, these were total old lady problems that were dancing around in my head.

When we arrived at our hotel, I checked in on the app and was able to by-pass the front desk. The feeling of being the coolest mom returned as my daughter was impressed with my use of technology. Just as quick as we settled into the room it was time to shake the travel dust off and get ready for the concert. There was no time for a nap. I was soon feeling like the oldest mom on the planet again.

We loaded our weary traveling selves into an Uber and headed to the trendy venue only to learn the driver was dropping us off a block away. Lucky for me I had opted for the comfortable shoes and comfortable outfit while my daughter opted for stylish and uncomfortable clothing. The Edison lights were shining brightly on a small pathway that led to the Avondale Brewery. The music was extremely loud and it smelled…welll…exactly like a Brewery.

The first band came out and I know I would have enjoyed them much more had I known a few of their songs. I nodded and pretended to know some of the words. It was going amazingly well until the band instructed the audience to crouch down to the ground as low as they could go…until they gave the signal to jump up in unison. I just wasn’t interested, so I stood there in a sea of youngsters who were all crouching and waiting. That’s when it happened.

Without a doubt I do believe I aged a whole decade at that very moment. It was evident to hundreds of strangers that I was the oldest and most uncool mom in the crowd.

The next day we headed back with a ton of new memories and laughs. Oh, and it only took me two days of rest to recover from the overnight concert. Definitely old lady problems.

Not many people can say they remember the exact date and time that they started to feel a smidgen old. I say this mainly joking because I am acutely aware that age is merely a number assigned to you on your birthday. I will always consider it to be the biggest blessing of my life to be able to age gracefully and move from season to season of my life while enjoying good health and every moment with my precious daughters.

The older I get the more my faith grows, the more I learn to rely on my relationship with the Lord and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in this world. I pray every year that rolls by will be filled with just as many memories, life lessons, cherishing friendships, putting others needs before my own, and loving everyone the Lord puts in my path.

“I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you and I will carry you; I will bear and rescue you.” – Isaiah 46:4

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Baton Rouge – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced the winners of the Louisiana Airport of the Year, David Slayter Memorial Louisiana Aviation Professional of the Year, and the Allen R. Taylor Legacy Award awards. The awards were presented at the 2022 Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates Annual Conference held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.

“On behalf of the entire department, I would like to congratulate the award winners,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “DOTD encompasses much more than roads and bridges, we are in the business of mobility and their work is a testament. The multimodal aspect of our business, in the case of aviation, is a major component that impacts communities across Louisiana. For our citizens, businesses, and visitors, air travel is obviously an important part of our economy.”

The award winners are as follows:
·  Commercial Service Airport of the Year – Lafayette Regional Airport
·  General Aviation Airport of the Year – Natchitoches Regional Airport
· David Slayter Memorial Louisiana Aviation Professional of the Year Award – Steven Picou, Lafayette Regional Airport
·  David Slayter Memorial Louisiana Aviation Professional of the Year Award – Tonjia Summerell, DOTD
·  Allen R. Taylor Legacy Award – Yvonne Chenevert, False River Regional Airport

“Congratulations to Steven Picou and Tonjia Summerell on their selection as Aviation Professionals of the Year, the Lafayette Regional Airport and Natchitoches Regional Airport, for being selected for the airport of the year awards, and Yvonne Chenevert, for being selected for the Allen R. Taylor Legacy Award,” said DOTD Commissioner of Multimodal Commerce Renee A. Lapeyrolerie. “We’re thrilled to recognize excellence in aviation, and we’re proud to have these winners represent that mode of transportation in our state.”

The awards recognize the hardworking airport sponsors and aviation professionals in Louisiana, and the inaugural Louisiana Airport of the Year and Aviation Professional of the Year awards recognize superior achievement and leadership in the state’s aviation field. These awards honor excellence and professionalism at all levels of airport operations.

To be considered eligible for the Airport of the Year award, an airport must have managed all maintenance inspection issues, managed all significant safety-related features and made a significant impact on aviation through safety improvements/practices, construction, development or management of aviation resources.

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3rd grade              

Principal’s List
Levi Cotton    

A Honor Roll
Zaden Belsha, Kinleigh Kilgore, Brilynn Landry, Katherine Rains, Emersyn Remedies, Ava Strait

B Honor Roll
Gunner Anderson, Preslee Brigmon, Paisley Chelette, Brooke Dubois, Jackson Durr, Dominic Kay, Adeline McLarty, Aubrey Richard, Ethan Trichel

4th grade

Principal’s List
Landry Strahan

A Honor Roll
Kaison Champagne, David Cole, Zoey Madison, Karaline Mitchel, Landyn Mitchell, Tripp Smith, Natalia Soto

B Honor Roll
J’Sheen Belsha, Lily Boyler, Keith Holman, Amelia Lilley, Jessica Marlin, Elliott Phelps, Jordan Scott, Taylor Shoemaker, Jazyiah Thompson

5th gradePrincipal’s List
Jesse Clark, Jose Martinez, Jolina Willis

A Honor Roll
Taran Smith, Janine Wells

B Honor Roll
Madeline Byles, Alanna Chism, Faith Marr, Mattie Sattler, Eric Simmons, Caden Walker

6th grade

A Honor Roll
Kellyn Mitchell, Khloe Willis

B Honor Roll
Kyleigh Greer, Katie Simmons

7th Grade

A Honor Roll
Lanie Clary, Isabela Soto, La’Kiyah Thompson

B Honor Roll
Kadance Champagne, Bella Clark, Gavin Clary, Ava Greer, Lucas Miller, Emmet Nelson, Jericho Nelson, Jonah Roe, Gregory Trombley, Lilly Warner

8th Grade

Principal’s List
Kameryn Brigmon, Sarah Marbut

A Honor Roll
Cassie Davis

B Honor Roll
Adrian Martinez, Aleah Simmons

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When the current senior class arrived, the Northwestern State women’s soccer program had just finished over .500 once in the previous nine years.

In the past four seasons, this class has led NSU (10-3-3 overall, 5-3-3 Southland Conference) to a 44-20-8 record with a conference regular season and tournament championship and another trip to the SLC Tournament title game in 2019.

On Friday, seven members of the program—Olivia Draguicevich, Hallie Field, Jayme Haynes, Sam Hanking, Chloe DeShazer, Micah Goss and Director of Operations Maddie Scott—are being honored before NSU’s final regular season contest against Southeastern Louisiana, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex.

“They’re a great group,” NSU women’s soccer head coach Stuart Gore said regarding the senior class. “They were pretty much my class coming in and were my guides. They are a great group of people as well as individuals. They are welcoming to new players and coaches. I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

Low scoring is the name of the game between the two schools. In the last seven meetings, the teams have combined to score five goals. That includes a scoreless tie Sept. 18 in Hammond. Draguicevich, Field, Haynes, Hanking and Scott have been a part of six of those matchups.

Strong defense has been a big reason for that.

Despite being a transfer student and only having been at NSU for this season, DeShazer has already made her mark. The native of Kansas City has recorded six shutouts this season and earned a pair of SLC goalkeeper of the week awards.

DeShazer, who has played every minute for NSU at goalkeeper this season, has a .688 goals against average, which would be the second-best mark in program history for a single season.

Field, the reigning SLC Offensive Player of the Week, has scored in three consecutive games, including the game-winning goals in two of them. Her second half goal this past Friday at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi put NSU in front for good.

“Hallie has been a really big player for us recently,” Draguicevich said. “She has stepped up into more of a center-mid role and I think having more players who can score now is really helping us. Even if you shut one person down, we have multiple assets, which has helped us.”

The two-time First Team All-SLC selection has also aided a defense that has recorded 35 shutouts since she arrived on campus. Fellow senior Jayme Haynes, who worked her way back from a serious injury suffered as a freshman, has also become an All-Conference player.

The duo, along with three-time SLC Defender of the Year Nicole Henry, has helped hold opponents to five or fewer shot attempts 11 times this season, including 10 of 11 in league games.

“Opportunities are probably going to be few and far between,” Gore said. “It’s just going to be taking that opportunity when it arises and knowing the next one might be a while for it arises.”

Defensively for SLU (7-5-3, 5-3-3), the Lady Lions have reigning SLC goalkeeper of the week Olivia Griffin, who did not allow a goal in the two victories this past weekend. She is third in the conference in goals against average (1.119) and second in save percentage (.776). Griffin made four stops in the scoreless draw earlier this season between the two schools.

Draguicevich, a Pflugerville, Texas, native, has been an offensive force since she arrived on the NSU campus. She came to Natchitoches and quickly made an impact, scoring six goals as a freshman. Three of her goals came in overtime, including putting home the only goal in double overtime in a win in the SLC Tournament semifinals against McNeese.

She has done about as much as anyone could ask, as she led the Lady Demons to a conference regular season and tournament title in 2021, earning Louisiana and SLC Players of the Year in the process. Draguicevich has scored nine goals this season and finds herself just two behind Britiany Cargill for the most goals in program history for a career. She is also third in total points.

SLU has won its last two, including a dominating 5-1 victory over McNeese last time out. Offensively for the Lady Lions, Mya Guillory has scored in three of her last six games, including a four-point output last contest against McNeese.

Following the game, NSU will stay home as it hosts the SLC Tournament, beginning Nov. 2, where it will be the No. 2 seed.

Even though this isn’t technically the final match played in front of the home crowd, it will be an emotional time for the seven seniors, reflecting on their careers as one of the best senior classes in program history.

“Overall, I have said this to my team multiple times,” Goss said. “I love soccer, but at the end of the day, I do this for them. They have made this experience one of the most amazing in my life. I have made lifelong friends here. They are some of the most amazing people you’re ever going to meet. Overall, I am grateful for all the experiences they’ve given me.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

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BY DWAIN SPILLMAN JR, Journal Sports

CAMPTI – Injured and somewhat demoralized, the Lakeview Gators spent some time getting over their 37-0 shutout loss at Mansfield this past week.

Lakeview will attempt to put that performance, and its three-game losing streak, in the rear-view mirror when the Gators make a trip to Jonesboro-Hodge on Friday.

“We licked our wounds during the first half of practice on Monday,” said LHS head coach Brandon Helms. “Then, I told the kids we can’t let Mansfield beat us two weeks in a row. We were still kind of suffering from Friday night. It was just a bad night and one of those games you experience sometimes. I told the kids that we have to concentrate on this week’s game and put last week behind us. The second half of the practice was completely different.”

The Gators dropped to 4-4 overall on the season while dropping to 0-3 in District 3-2A play. Lakeview has high hopes of gaining their first league win as the Gators make the second of three final road trips to Jonesboro-Hodge this week to round out the 2022 regular season.  

Jonesboro-Hodge stands at 2-6 and 0-3 on the 2022 campaign while also seeking an initial league win. The Tigers succumbed to district foe and perennial powerhouse Many, 58-0, on the road in their last contest.

“I believe we are focused now on Jonesboro-Hodge,” Helms continued with confidence after this week’s practice sessions. “We are pretty banged up, and we do have some depth issues. When you lose one starter, it’s really like losing two because most of our kids play on both sides of the ball. But they will adjust this week. This is a great group of kids, and I’m proud of how hard we have worked. We have a game plan, and we just have to go execute it. All we can do is control what we can control. It’s just that simple.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Elizabeth Yopp/St. Mary’s Media Relations

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BY MATT VINES, Journal Sports 

HAUGHTON – Control the clock. 

It’s Natchitoches Central’s offensive game plan every week, but the Chiefs have diversified ways in how they control the clock as NCHS heads to Haughton on Friday. 

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The Chiefs (3-5, 2-3 District 1-5A) had been largely reliant on running back Jeremiah Miles to run the ball during long, meandering drives. 

But when Parkway keyed on Miles and limited his effectiveness, NCHS turned to healthy quarterback Brian Young and receiver Camryn Davis to pick up the running slack. 

Young topped the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time this season (103 yards on 11 carries) and Davis pitched in 58 rushing yards on seven touches as NCHS led for most of three quarters before a late Parkway surge carried the Panthers to a 37-22 win this past week. 

Miles, who is averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game, was held to 36 yards on 12 carries. 

“It is huge to have multiple guys who can run the ball,” said NCHS James Wilkerson. “We want to run the ball to control the clock, so when all three are clicking or others step up when teams take one out, it is key for us to be successful.” 

NCHS may have another helper when it comes to ball control – the weather.  

Expected rain washed many area games to Thursday, but Haughton (4-4, 2-3 District 1-5A) was one of a handful of area schools who decided a forecasted inch of rain wasn’t going to move its game. 

But when you have a quarterback named Colin Rains, you don’t think twice about moving a game because of weather. 

The Chiefs will be looking for any help when trying to slow down a Haughton offense that rained down 71 points this past week – in a loss. 

Haughton held a 56-42 lead after three quarters before Benton dropped 36 fourth-quarter points en route to a 78-71 track meet win. It’s believed to be the second-highest scoring game in North Louisiana football history, according to GeauxPreps.com. The 149 combined points is one shy of the believed record of 150 combined points (Montgomery 90, Northwood-Lena 60 in 2019). 

Benton running back Greg Manning scored a school-record eight touchdowns to pair with his 278 yards. 

Haughton running back Tyler Rhoades did Manning one better (279 yards) and “only” four touchdowns. 

Haughton kick returner Jalen Lewis took two kickoffs back for scores.  

In a matchup of Rhoades and Miles with both quarterbacks who can run, it might almost make people forget about the forward pass – but both teams can do that as well. 

Young is becoming a more consistent passer as he fully recovers from a shoulder injury, and he found Davis for 105 yards on nine catches and a touchdown this past week. 

Rains threw three touchdown passes (two to John Ecot) en route to 126 passing yards. 

NCHS arguably played their best three quarters of football this past week, and Wilkerson said his team is aiming for a consistent four quarters. 

“I think this team has shown major improvement over the past few weeks,” Wilkerson said. “I am very proud of them for the work and effort they are putting in. The Parkway game was a tough one because we did what we talked about doing all week long against them for three quarters. We just couldn’t finish.” 

A strong finish to the season is required if the Chiefs are to return to the playoffs. 

NCHS enters this week at No. 34 fighting for one 28 Division I Non-Select spots while No. 24 Haughton is trying to keep its playoff spot. 

“We are going to have to control the clock again with our run game and be able to hit passes when we decide to throw them,” Wilkerson said. “Haughton is physical and well-coached. I have always been impressed with the job that (Haughton coach Jason Brotherton) dos, and you can tell that by how hard his teams play.” 

CREDIT: Kevin Shannahan/NPJ Sports

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