St. Mary’s Catholic School is proud to announce its 2025–2026 Students of the Year. Each year, the school recognizes one student from the 5th, 8th, and 12th grades who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and strong character.

The Students of the Year are selected based on several criteria, including high academic achievement, outstanding attendance, active participation in extracurricular activities, leadership within the school and community, and strong communication skills. These students truly represent the values and spirit of St. Mary’s.

This year’s honorees are:

Elementary Student of the Year: Archer Johnson

Junior High Student of the Year: Weston LeGrande

High School Student of the Year: Justin Vienne

“These outstanding students embody the very best of St. Mary’s,” school Principal Stephen Wren said. “Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence make them wonderful representatives of our school community.”

Archer, Weston, and Justin will go on to represent St. Mary’s in the Diocese of Alexandria’s Student of the Year competition, where they will join other exceptional students from Catholic schools across the state.

St. Mary’s congratulates these remarkable students and celebrates their achievements both inside and outside the classroom.

BEAUMONT, Texas—Coming off another thrilling Southland Conference Tournament victory, regular-season champion Northwestern State plays red-hot Houston Christian on Thursday in the tournament semifinals at the Lamar Soccer Complex.

Kickoff is at 4 p.m., with a stream of the game on ESPN+.

Top-seeded Northwestern (13-4-3) earned its way to the semis on a goal with three ticks left in overtime by freshman Kendall Hemperley, defeating No. 8 McNeese 1-0.

It was just the latest of six consecutive SLC Tournament matches for the Demons to go into overtime.

The Demons have reached the SLC Tournament semifinals in six of the last seven seasons, including all three seasons under head coach Ian Brophy.

Fifth-seeded HCU (10-8-2) made its way to the semis by way of a dominant 4-0 win against No. 4 East Texas A&M after beating the Lions 2-0 last week to end the regular season.

In the previous meeting this season, the Huskies posted a 1-0 win in Houston on Sept. 28. NSU outshot HCU 17-7 in the game, but the Huskies had more shots on frame, 4-3.

“It is going to be a defensive battle,” Brophy said. “It is going to be a tough, tough, match. For both teams, it is going to be scrappy and gritty. We both play good soccer, which might neutralize each other a little bit.

“It will be a good game, and they did beat us last time, so the hope is that we can look at what we can do better and hopefully improve and execute on what we want to do.”

The series overall has been tight (HCU leads 8-7-2), as have the matches between the two, as 12 of the 17 have been decided by no more than one goal, including the last seven.

The Demons are aiming for a bit of school history.

Their 13 wins are tied for the second most in program history, trailing just the 15 set in 2000.

Goalkeeper Kennedy Rist has posted nine shutouts this season, which are tied for the second most in program history for a single season, while one more goal from Emily Senatore this season would tie her for second in school history for goals in a season.

The winner of the game takes on the winner of the other semifinal match between host school No. 6 Lamar and No. 2 Stephen F. Austin in the tournament final on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Northwestern State basketball teams tip off their second games tonight on season-opening road trips, while the Lady Demon volleyball team is home in Prather Coliseum where fans will be able to enjoy a “Bad Tunes” promotion at the match.

MEN’S BASKETBALL:  In Denton, Texas, the Demons (0-1) face North Texas (1-0) at the Super Pit. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. for a game that will stream live on ESPN+.

After opening Monday with a 98-68 loss at Texas A&M, third-year head coach Rick Cabrera’s team enters tonight’s matchup looking to build on offensive highlights from the season debut while tightening up defensively.

“We were awful defensively,” Cabrera said. “(Texas A&M) has an unorthodox way of playing that fits them and works well for them, but we’re not going to let that game hinder us. We had a really good practice (Tuesday), and we’re ready to face North Texas.”

Senior guard Micah Thomas led the Demons with a career-high 28 points, shooting 9-for-16 from the field, a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range, and 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Cabrera praised the senior’s performance but noted the need for more balance.

“Micah has always had that gift to score,” Cabrera said. “He kept it respectable with his ability to put the ball in the hole. He’s only been cleared for a few weeks, so what he’s doing is impressive — but I know he’d trade the points for a win.”

North Texas (1–0) opened its season with an 88–54 victory over New Mexico Highlands, shooting 54 percent from the field and 44 percent from deep. The Mean Green poured in 48 points off the bench and 40 in the paint.

“They play really, really hard,” Cabrera said. “They’re very well-coached and disciplined — a man-to-man team that gets after it. We’ll have to handle some pressure again, not in a full-court sense like A&M, but it’ll be another physical, defensive game. You’ll see a different team from us against North Texas.”

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:  In Wichita, Kan., the Demons (0-1) have a chance to show what they have learned from the loss at Nebraska in Monday’s season opener when they play Wichita State (1-0) tonight. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. at Charles Koch Arena, in a game streamed on ESPN+.

“Our main focus this entire trip will be growing on and off the court as a team,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We have a lot of new faces, and we are working daily to find our rhythm. I believe this is the most important goal throughout our gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. It’s all about preparing ourselves for the Southland Conference season.”

Last year’s Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Vernell Atamah scored 20 points at Nebraska.

VOLLEYBALL: Northwestern hosts the East Texas A&M Lions tonight at 6:30 in Prather Coliseum for “Bad Tunes Night.”

Fans will get to choose a “bad tune” that the opposing team will have to listen to during their serve. The promotion links to the website, NSUDemons.Com/BadTunes, for more information and to support the team. 

The Demons (1-25, 0-12 SLC) are coming off a 3-0 loss on the road Saturday to Houston Christian.  The Lions (7-16, 5-7 SLC) were defeated Saturday by the UIW Cardinals 3-0 on the road.

NSU is led by senior Deja Benjamin with 181 kills. Jade Longlad, a junior, leads the Southland with 46 aces and has 336 assists, tops among the Demons.

My first hint that I wanted to become a writer began in high school. Sort of like that first yellow bloom on a tomato plant, my English teacher, my aunt Lillian Montgomery picked up on something like that tiny bloom that gave her a hint that her gangly, awkward nephew might possibly have an inborne ability to string words together in a meaningful way.

I resented Aunt Lillian at first because she was tougher on me than others in the class. Anything I wrote was returned to me dripping in red ink pointing out the mistakes I had made, scratching out something I had written and replacing what was scratched out with how I could have said something better.

Fast forward to my four years at Northwestern in Natchitoches. While math and science and history were not in my scope of interest as evidenced by my grades, I took a journalism class as an elective. I just flat out fell in love with it, feeling a new-found freedom to grab a pad and pencil and write. It was in that class that I received one of the few “A” grades I got during my college years.

After college, I taught school for a year, worked in sales for another couple until I settled in on my career in social work. My interest in this job was in interviewing and offering counseling to folks who needed direction. In the back of my mind, even though my job was helping people with little need for writing, that little tomato bloom was always there. I wanted to write.

My interest growing up was in the outdoors as my dad spent his career with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and his love for the outdoors bled over into me.

Stories in outdoors magazines became my interest and one day I sat down and wrote a story, total fiction, of a deer hunt and how the hunter was able to outwit a trophy buck. I was so impressed with what I had written that I sent my story to a friend of my dad, famous outdoors writer Grits Gresham — who lived in Natchitoches — having the gall to ask him where I might market my masterpiece.

To my delight Grits answered my letter. I was about to launch myself into a career as an outdoor writer. He let me down as gently as he could, telling me I might find it difficult to place what I had written in a magazine. He did, however, offer me some of the best advice I ever had when he said learning to write is much like learning how to become proficient at any job; you needed, as he said to “hone your craft.”

One day while living in the Claiborne Parish town of Homer, I got up the nerve and walked into the office of the Guardian Journal weekly newspaper, met the publisher Mrs. Kathy Hightower, asking her if I could write a “hunting and fishing” column for the paper. She smiled and let me down gently, saying thanks but no thanks. I was strangely relieved.

Six months later, I dropped by the office for a weekly paper and Mrs. Hightower called me into her office, asking me if I still wanted to do that “hunting and fishing” column, I was ready and she hired me at the rate of $2.50 weekly plus a free paper.

I was somewhat embarrassed to put my name on the column so to cover my identity in case readers thought it stunk, I gave it the title “Uncle Zeke from Beaver Creek.” My first column appeared on September 21, 1972. I still write for the paper using that same heading.

From that humble beginning, I have been blessed through the years to get to write for other newspapers, parish journals, outdoor magazines, and written outdoors-themed books that ultimately launched me into a second career in outdoors radio.

It saddened me deeply to learn that early last month, the lady who gave me my first chance at actually producing a column, Mrs. Kathy Hightower, had passed away.

From my Aunt Lillian to a journalism class in college to Grits Gresham to that special lady, it’s been a 53-year adventure at which I’m still plugging away.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

The Harrington Law Firm and BOM have joined with other area businesses in providing their support to the James Burton Foundation through this big concert being held this Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 pm at the Horseshoe Casino Riverdome. This concert will feature James Burton himself, 14-time Grammy winner Emmylou Harris, American Idol runner-up John Foster and several others.

Natchitoches’ own Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs will serve as the house band for the event and will perform.

The Foundation is dedicated to putting guitars in the hands of school children and over the years has donated thousands of guitars to schools, children’s hospitals and Veteran’s groups.

The Harrington Law Firm has acquired a block of tickets and are giving them to clients and friends, and BOM is giving a generous monetary donation to the Foundation.

Tickets are still available for this wonderful event through Ticketmaster and The Harrington Law Firm still has a few to give away. You may go by the Firm’s office located at 459 Jefferson Street, Natchitoches, or call 352-5900.

Pictured from left are Rodney Harrington of The Harrington Law Firm and Board Member of The Burton Foundation.

December 21, 1961 – October 27, 2025

Julianne Dalton Parker of Panama City Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, October 27, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Jennings, Louisiana, on December 21, 1961, Julianne graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Natchitoches in 1979 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Toxicology from Northeast State University in 1985. She began her civil service career in Louisiana with Probation and Parole, but it was after moving to Panama City Beach that she truly found her calling.

For many years, Julianne devoted herself to the Florida Department of Children and Families, first in the Children’s Division and later in Elderly Care. Her work was challenging and often stressful, yet she approached it with compassion, patience, and determination. Julianne made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals, both young and old, and retired in 2021 due to illness.

Julianne is survived by her husband, Dave Parker; her daughter, Camille Parker; her son, Jeffrey Parker; her grandson, Davey Parker; her mother, Elizabeth Dalton; her siblings, Joelle Evans (Sidney), Jeffrey Dalton Jr., and Jaimee Coughlen (Bill); and many beloved nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Jeffrey Wesley Dalton.

In her later years, Julianne embraced a more easygoing spirit. She loved traveling, watching game shows, and most of all, spending time with her family. Known for her caring heart, sharp wit, and unwavering loyalty, Julianne cherished lifelong friendships that spanned back to her grade school days.

A celebration of Julianne’s life will be held at a later date. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support during this time of loss.

Julianne will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and the many lives she touched.

Industry-Driven Educator Brings Vision, Collaboration, and Student-Centered Focus to NSU’s College of Business and Technology

By Frank Johnson | Natchitoches Parish Journal

A New Era of Leadership at NSU

NATCHITOCHES, La. — Northwestern State University has announced that Dr. Scott Wysong has been selected as the next Dean of the School of Business, pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors at its December 11, 2025 meeting. Dr. Wysong will officially assume his duties on January 5, 2026.

The appointment follows a comprehensive national search and on-campus interviews with several highly qualified candidates. University officials expressed appreciation for the faculty, staff, and members of the Dean’s Search Committee who contributed to the process.

About Dr. Scott Wysong

Dr. Wysong holds an MBA and PhD in Marketing from the University of Texas at Arlington and a BA in Economics from Vanderbilt University. He brings more than 25 years of combined academic and private-sector experience to NSU, including nearly a decade as Director of Operational Audits for Osteopathic Health System of Texas in Fort Worth, where he led large-scale operational reviews and developed performance benchmarks for healthcare organizations.

Since 2001, he has served as Associate Professor and MBA Program Director at the University of Dallas, overseeing graduate-level business programs and teaching courses in marketing, management, and strategy. His international teaching experience includes serving as an Adjunct Professor in Entertainment Venue Management at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (2009–2011) and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Universidad Católica de Ávila in Spain (2015).

Dr. Wysong has also presented research at international conferences, including the Sport & Society Conference at Cambridge University (UK). His research has been published in several academic journals, and he is the author of the book Attack Dog Marketing.

He has conducted applied research for more than 100 firms nationwide, including economic-impact studies for events such as the Duck Commander Independence Bowl, Red River Revel Arts Festival, Taylor Swift’s 1989 Tour, Garth Brooks concerts, and other major regional and national events.

Dr. Wysong has been an active member of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) for 22 years, assisting their Academy for Venue Safety and Security for the past seven. He also serves on the Board of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Shreveport, which he joined in 2012. He is a Paul Harris Fellow within the Rotary organization.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Wysong and his wife, Erika Wysong, own and operate Wysong Brand Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm providing marketing strategy, event analytics, and brand research services for regional and national clients.

Looking Ahead

In the weeks leading up to his official start, Dr. Wysong will collaborate with NSU leadership and faculty to prepare for the Spring 2026 semester. His early discussions have focused on enhancing industry connections, supporting faculty development, and creating a more integrated learning experience across business disciplines.

What Comes Next

Dr. Wysong’s arrival marks a new chapter for Northwestern State University’s School of Business — one emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and connection between the classroom and the marketplace.

His blend of professional experience, academic rigor, entrepreneurial leadership, and applied research is expected to strengthen NSU’s reputation as a center for business education and economic impact across North Louisiana.

• Must be approved by the University of Louisiana System Board (ULS).

Sources

University of Dallas
LinkedIn
Wysong Brand Solutions, LLC

Welcome to Northwestern State University, Dr. Scott Wysong.

Starting at 5423 Hwy. 6, Collins Rd., McCallister Rd., and RH Bills Rd. within the City of Natchitoches Distribution System did experience a water outage on Nov. 4, 2025, in the above-mentioned area of the water supply system. This drop in system pressure below 20 pounds has been caused by a 12-inch water main break by contractors.

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

Therefore, as a precaution, the City of Natchitoches Distribution System is issuing a BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately, starting at 5423 Hwy. 6, Collins Rd., McCallister Rd., and RH Bills Rd. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Water System.

It is recommended that all consumers starting at 5423 Hwy. 6, Collins Rd., McCallister Rd., and RH Bills Rd. disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

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

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

This Boil advisory does not affect the remainder City of Natchitoches Water Distribution System. For more information, please contact (318) 357-3850.

The City of Natchitoches would like to notify the public of street closures. The City’s Utility Department will hang Christmas lights on the below-mentioned streets and there will be no through traffic for the
safety of the workers and motorists.

Road closures will take place on the following dates and times:
Wednesday, November 5 – Front Street from Church to Lafayette – closed 6-10 PM
Thursday, November 6 – Church Street from Church Street Bridge to 3rd Street – closed 6-10 PM

The City of Natchitoches appreciates the public’s patience during this time as we turn the City of
Natchitoches into the City of Lights for the holiday season.

The Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) is happy to announce Kory Leo as the agency’s first Director of Community Risk Reduction.

“Having a dedicated leader to take the agency’s Community Risk Reduction vision forward is something I’ve been anxious to have in place and I couldn’t be more proud to have a nationally-recognized fire educator in line to be that leader,” said DPS Principal Assistant, Chief Bryan J Adams.

Leo has almost 30 years in the fire and emergency services industry with the last seven years focused on Fire Safety Education as part of the Natchitoches Fire Department. This year, Leo was named a 2025 Star Educator by the NFPA.

The SFM began the foundation of its first Community Risk Reduction program at the end of 2022, which has included utilizing an innovative, web-based data assessment tool called CRAIG 1300. The data toll helps local fire departments see and follow trends in their call data that identify what their community’s highest risks are, as well as who are most at risk, in order to create public education campaigns around those metrics to then reduce those dangers throughout their communities. Leo will be taking the reins of that partnership program and expanding it to include a statewide public education initiative by the SFM.

“I’m very excited to work alongside those who have already created this foundation and to grow it,” said Leo, “I appreciate Chief Adams’ vision for ensuring Louisiana is a leader in Community Risk Reduction efforts across the country with the ultimate goal of saving lives.”

Situation Overview

1. The carriage agreement between YouTube TV (owned by Google) and The Walt Disney Company expired at the end of October 2025.

2. As a result, Disney-owned channels including ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, FX, and National Geographic went dark for all YouTube TV subscribers across the U.S.

3. Both sides are blaming each other publicly:

• YouTube TV claims Disney is demanding higher fees that would drive up subscriber costs.
• Disney argues that YouTube TV is refusing to pay fair market value for its programming, denying viewers access to key sports and entertainment content.

1. YouTube TV has notified customers that if the blackout continues, it will issue a one-time credit (reported at approximately $20) to affected subscribers.

2. The dispute has disrupted access to major sporting events and local programming normally available through ABC and ESPN.

Why It Matters

• The blackout impacts millions of subscribers who depend on YouTube TV for live sports, local news, and network programming.

• It underscores growing tensions between streaming distributors and content owners over carriage fees and the economics of bundled streaming services.

Subscriber Options

Switch or Add a Different Live-TV Streaming Service

• Competing services such as Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, or DIRECTV Stream currently carry Disney-owned channels.

• Subscribers should compare channel lineups, regional ABC affiliate availability, pricing, and promotional offers before switching.

• Be aware that switching services may involve contract commitments, new billing cycles, or equipment changes.

• ESPN content may still be available through standalone ESPN streaming apps or through cable providers unaffected by the dispute.

• Local ABC stations can often be accessed using a digital over-the-air (OTA) antenna, depending on signal range.

• Subscribers can also check if network apps allow live access without YouTube TV authentication.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is announcing the distribution schedule for state-funded emergency assistance to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households that include the elderly, disabled, or children. The Department is also announcing SNAP staff furloughs.

Households consisting only of able-bodied adults will not receive state-funded emergency assistance. Any unused SNAP benefits from previous months will remain on all recipients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and can be utilized as usual.

Every SNAP-eligible household has a set day of the month when benefits are issued. Starting November 1, 25% of the SNAP household benefit allotment will be provided as state-funded emergency assistance on the assigned date that SNAP benefits are normally issued.

An additional 25% of the benefit amount will be provided to each household every seven days for the month of November, as long as the federal government shutdown continues. Following is an example of the issuance schedule:

EXAMPLE: Household Benefit Amount = $200

Normal benefit issuance day: November 1 – 25% of benefit = $50
Seven days later: November 8 – 25% of benefit = $50
Seven days later: November 15 – 25% of benefit = $50
Seven days later: November 22 – 25% of benefit = $50

Eligible SNAP recipients do not need to take action to receive state-funded emergency assistance. However, SNAP recipients must continue to meet all program requirements on time to continue their federal SNAP eligibility.

Report household changes: Continue to report any changes to your household circumstances.
Complete paperwork: Ensure you complete simplified reporting or recertification paperwork, if applicable.
Submit verification: Submit any requested verification documents:
By mail to the LDH ES Document Processing Center, P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826; or
By fax to 225-663-3164.

Food banks

SNAP recipients who won’t receive state-funded emergency assistance should contact their local food bank for help. The Department also encourages Louisiana residents able to donate to support their local food banks and fellow Louisianans.

LDH employee furloughs

The Department has furloughed 786 SNAP employees due to the federal government shutdown, effective Monday, November 3. A total of 298 employees are essential staff and will not be furloughed. The furlough will continue until the federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C., ends.

The Louisiana Department of Health is closely monitoring the federal government shutdown and will provide updates to retailers and beneficiaries directly as they become available.

The City of Natchitoches Planning and Zoning Department approved 82 permits during the month of October with an application value of $4 million.

See Full Report Here:

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If you need a place to LIVE, please consider using the site for an “In-Search-Of (ISO)” a home for rent listing.

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Home-for-Rent Listing: FREE to any approved member of the group, each listing MUST be approved by a group Moderator!

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• Any abuse of the rules will not be tolerated.  Listings and/or Membership can be revoked without notice at the sole discretion of the site operator.

By Courtney Freeman

The Robeline Heritage Society will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. The Society decided at last month’s meeting that the 1st Thursday of the month will be the regular monthly meetings date. Of course as we get closer to the festival we meet weekly and bi-weekly to get everything ready. At this monthly meeting on the agenda will be the Society’s involvement in upcoming holiday events and getting a game plan for next year’s festival rolling.

Between planning and fundraising the festival is an all year long project. We’re already looking forward to next year and a wonderful time with our community.

I’m happy to report the trap and neuter program with FAUNA is rolling along for Robeline. We’ve sent six males so far. We’d take females also, but males seem to be more brazen in trying to get the treats in the traps so far. I even caught one by accident after I left an un sprung trap in my yard after a failed night of attempted trapping. Sadly it was after the transportation deadline.

Members of the program have been a great help catching and with transport to the clinic. I’m the only Robeline member so their help for our community is a great blessing.

As costs rise and protections erode, the divide between comfort and crisis grows wider.

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) has selected Bryan Chen, a senior from Natchitoches Parish, as its 2025–2026 Student of the Year. His selection at the school level makes him a candidate for regional and statewide honors overseen by the Louisiana Department of Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Students of the Year Awards Program recognizes outstanding students in grades K–12 who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, service, citizenship, and academic or technical achievement. Students selected at the school level advance to regional and state competition.

“To me, being chosen as the Student of the Year is an honor that leaves me forever indebted to those around me,” Chen said. “Every success I’ve had comes from the support, guidance, and opportunities given by my family, friends, and teachers. LSMSA, in particular, has taught me to think more deeply, care more genuinely, and give more selflessly—to my work, to my peers, and to the community that has helped me become who I am.”

Chen serves as president of the LSMSA Math Club, where he has organized and led meetings to promote interest in mathematics and problem solving. Under his leadership, the club has grown to more than 70 members and renewed its participation in competitive programs such as Mu Alpha Theta, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) meet, and other regional events.

Last year, Chen was named the 11th-grade Math State Champion for Beta Club and represented LSMSA at the National Beta Convention. As a member of the Natchitoches Mayor’s Youth Council, he volunteers at the Natchitoches Farmers Market, where he runs the Kids Club booth that serves nearly 500 children each season.
Chen is also a member of the Natchitoches Central High School varsity tennis team and founded LSMSA’s unofficial tennis team, where he organizes practices and helps students learn the sport.

This past summer, Chen was one of 75 students selected worldwide to attend the Wolfram Summer High School Research Program. There, he developed an independent research project, met program founder Stephen Wolfram, and ranked in the top quarter of his cohort. He was later invited to join the Wolfram Emerging Leaders Program, where he contributes to research in leg prosthetics, and was selected for teaching assistant training to return to the summer program next year as a TA.

Chen is also developing SATsaurus, a free online SAT practice resource for underprivileged students he has met through tutoring, which he plans to enter in the Congressional App Challenge. At LSMSA, he serves as a senator in the Student Government Organization, a member of the Athletic Council, a student ambassador, and a mentor on the school’s first Robotics Team.

“Bryan exemplifies the academic excellence, character, and leadership we strive to cultivate in every LSMSA student,” said Dr. Steve Horton, Executive Director and CEO of LSMSA. “He approaches learning with curiosity and compassion, and his ability to build and lead communities—whether through math, research, or service—reflects the best of what our students contribute to both campus and the state.”

Regional honorees in each of the three categories—Elementary, Middle/Junior High, and High School Student of the Year—will advance in the selection process. Winners at the district, regional, and state levels will be selected based on factors such as a student’s portfolio, writing samples, and interview results. Louisiana’s overall Students of the Year will be announced in spring 2026.

BEAUMONT, Texas — On a team with seven players who made All-Southland Conference, one who just missed out on the honor made the difference for regular-season champion Northwestern State in an overtime SLC Soccer Tournament quarterfinal triumph Tuesday afternoon.

Kendall Hemperley, a freshman from Katy, Texas, found the back of the net off a free kick at the bottom right post with three seconds left in overtime to give top-seeded Northwestern a 1-0 victory in the over No. 8 McNeese (4-12-4) at the Lamar Soccer Complex.

The Demons (13-4-3) have a rematch with No. 5 Houston Christian on Thursday in the semifinals. HCU dominated No. 4 East Texas A&M 4-0 in the first game Tuesday.

After 99 minutes and 50 seconds, NSU’s Dawson Marrs earned the free kick near midfield. The Demons hurried up to the ball and Madison Murphy booted it into the box against the wind, where it was headed by a McNeese defender and skipped to the foot of Hemperley, who kicked the ball between the legs of McNeese goalkeeper Celeste Marijnissen for the winner.

“Scoring in the last few seconds of overtime is definitely a surreal feeling,” Hemperley said. “Especially since it was one of my first collegiate goals. My thought process was ‘Oh my Lord, I can’t believe we did that.’”

Marijnissen, who made seven saves and had a terrific day for the Cowgirls in net, collided with Hemperly ad couldn’t make one more. The Demons outshot McNeese 23-4, including 17-2 in the second half and overtime.

It was Hemperley’s first goal since scoring at Mississippi Valley State in August, her only other score this year.

The contest was sixth consecutive overtime game in the conference tournament for NSU, a streak that dates back to 2022.

“There’s definitely a lot of things that we can learn and take from this game into the into the rest of the playoffs and our semifinal on Thursday,” head coach Ian Brophy said.

“It was gritty, it was a fight. McNeese played really well and fought hard all day. I thought we had a tough first half and didn’t play our best soccer, but then in the second half we were able to pick it up and start to play a lot better and carry that into the overtime period and I really did feel like either we were going to win or it’s going to go to penalty kicks, so I was really happy to see us come out on top and get the win.”

The game drew many similarities to last year’s tournament quarterfinal win over Southeastern Louisiana, one of which was the corner kick opportunities.

NSU had 13 corners as well as a number of free kicks and it was just a matter of time before one found the back of the net. Like last year, it was late in overtime, but ultimately, the Demons sent one to the back of the net.

That carried into the extra period, one in which NSU dominated, earning four corners and hardly letting McNeese out of its defensive end.

“Our team isn’t fazed by overtime games,” Brophy said. “It’s just a little bit more soccer and I think with the way our team has been through it so many times now that even when we went to overtime, I called the team over, and I said ‘this is what we do.’ We handled it really well and you can tell we have that experience and now the new players who hadn’t been through that now have that experience, so I think it’ll be a good thing for them.”

The Demons were well-represented on the All-Southland Conference teams announced Monday.

Northwestern earned the player (Emily Senatore), freshman (Hosane Soukou), midfielder (Senatore), defender (Jessica Spitzer) and coach (Brophy) of the year.

Senatore, Soukou and Spitzer earned first team All-SLC honors, along with Paige Baumgartner and Riley Stern.

Kennedy Rist, who has won four goalkeeper of the week awards, collected second team honors, as did sophomore defender Emma Pethel.

Why are anglers making the decision to walk away from the bass tournament scene? This is a loaded question that has many answers! But first, let’s go back in time to what many call the heyday of tournament bass fishing and see why anglers today are frustrated and angry on so many levels. Let’s look at our crystal ball and see how it used to be.

Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, bass tournaments were pretty much a bunch of guys getting together at a local boat ramp on a body of water while putting up a $20 entry fee. Depending on how many showed determined how many places would pay and, in some cases, it was a winner- take-all payout. 

Then around the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, team tournaments became the craze with several organizations creating nationwide tournament trails. These usually had a four or five tournament schedule on local bodies of water but offered the chance to advance to a regional or maybe a national championship to wrap up the season.  

Entry fees ranged anywhere from $100 to $200 per team depending on the circuit. Most of these team trails were very popular as it was normal for 200 boats or more to show up for these events. 

This lasted for over 25 years as the sport of tournament bass fishing grew to record levels up until about 2020 and the Covid outbreak. Also, along the way around 2014, the economy and gas prices soared to levels that made anglers think twice about entering a tournament. 

Between gas and travel expenses, anglers during this time period were forced to either park their boats or pony up more money. Entry fees were also raised with certain organizations which also forced anglers to decide what trails they were willing to fish. There was a time when a lot of anglers would fish several circuits each year, depending on what lakes they were on as well as the payouts. 

So, for the question of the day: Why are anglers walking away from tournaments today? I guess you could sum it up in a couple of ways with one being money! The pricetag adds up fast — the cost of entry fees, fuel for the truck and the boat, as well as the travel costs involved with food and housing. 

But then another situation really turned the tournament world upside down with three words: forward-facing sonar (FFS)! This has been the beginning of the end In regards to angler participation — especially in regards to co-anglers as they were literally put at a disadvantage by fishing out of the back of the boat while pro/boaters controlled the boat and fishing out in the wide-open lake. 

Co-anglers and some boater/pros have walked away in droves due to this one factor! They no longer want to put up their hard-earned money to fish against anglers using this new technology as they feel it’s no longer a level playing field.  

The only other thing that can make a co-angler’s experience miserable is the boater/pro sight fishing and looking for bass on beds during the spawn. But even this technique pales in comparison to how co-anglers feel about fishing with a boater/pro using forward-facing sonar.

So, after much thought and looking at where competitive fishing is today, anglers are thinking twice about entering tournaments. One thing ALL anglers want that will never change is a level playing field and forward-facing sonar has changed that. 

From an angler’s perspective with over 30 years of tournament experience, forward-facing sonar is the new technology that has forced so many boater/co-anglers to load their boats and go home. 

I personally have no opinion on whether it should be allowed or banned. I use it on a limited basis mainly because I’m a shallow water angler where forward-facing sonar is not that effective. 

What I have seen since the introduction of FFS, is anglers who win, are winning big. There’s a bigger separation in the standings; where it used to be ounces separated first from fourth, today’s margin of victory is by pounds.

Tournament organizations have failed to recognize and address this issue in a way ALL anglers will be happy. There’s one thing I know for sure about tournament bass fishermen. Once they form an opinion on a certain topic, it’s hard to change their minds and once anglers walk away like so many have, I’m not sure how tournament organizations will ever get them back.