The newly renovated Pacale-Roque House was dedicated Thursday, May 9 at a ceremony hosted by the Historic Natchitoches Foundation before an overflow crowd at the house’s downtown riverbank location. The $2.1 million dollar project included a complete renovation of the historic house, landscaping, walkways, and the upcoming addition of a new stage in the Beau Jardin garden area. The project was financed by the Cane River Waterway Commission with in-kind donations by the City of Natchitoches such as electrical and sewer work. The National Park Service hosted contractors for lessons on how to make and work with bousillage. The project was a true community effort.
Built in 1803 and moved to the downtown riverbank in 1967, the Pacale-Roque House has in many ways come to symbolize historic preservation in Natchitoches. This joint effort by the Cane River Waterway Commission, City of Natchitoches and the National Park Service in renovating the Pacale-Roque House not only preserved this unique piece of our area’s history for future generations, it has also added to the beauty of Natchitoches’ downtown.
Special Thanks: To Rick Nowlin and the engineering firm for a tireless effort and commitment to the Pacale-Roque House project.
Notice to Natchitoches Parish Citizens that received a summons for Jury Duty for May 13th:
To all Natchitoches Parish citizens who received a summons for Jury Service to be held on May 13th at 9:00 AM:
Please be advised that due to some slight changes in court procedures for this Jury Term only, jury service will begin at 10:00 AM instead of the normal time of 9:00 AM.
Sorry for any inconvenience this change could make but please be at the courtroom on the second floor of the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse at 10:00 AM on Monday May 13.
Thanks for your service to the 10th Judicial District Court.
David Stamey Clerk of Court Natchitoches Parish 318-352-8152
NOTE: Remember there are no cell phones allowed in the Courtroom.
The Pacale-Roque House dedication Thursday, May 9 had a pleasant bit of lagniappe. District 31 State Senator Alan Seabaugh and his wife Laura, a 1991 NSU alumna, attended the event, but can be forgiven if their minds wandered a bit. May 9 was the 32nd anniversary of the then LSU student Alan proposing to Laura. The proposal took place on a bench by the river, not 20 feet from where the dedication event was being held.
The proposal was accepted and capped off with a celebratory dinner at the Cotton Patch. The subsequent years have blessed them with four daughters and a grandchild. The Natchitoches Parish Journal extends its best wishes for many more happy anniversaries!
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SUBMISSION: Submit resumes on or before May 24, 2024, at 4 p.m. to: P.O. Box 1148, DeRidder, LA 70634 OR fax to 337.463.9244
It’s been a different week at Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen and Restaurant on Second Street.
For the first time in 53 years, Marilyn Demars is not working as a waitress. She has retired, and was celebrated Sunday afternoon in a well-attended reception in her honor at the Natchitoches Events Center.
For some loyal customers, it was the first time they’d seen her not wearing her trademark Lasyone’s gear. But it was still the same delightful smile, and smirk, and charm, on display as she heard several family members, friends and customers pay tribute to her.
Family from near and far gathered and enjoyed a lavish spread of Lasyone’s specialties as fellow staff kept guests well fed.
Angela Lasyone, who inherited the restaurant management from her parents and has worked alongside her sister Tina for years, said they were deeply appreciative of Marilyn and her deep impact on the business.
Angela told the crowd she wasn’t quite sure how this week would work without her most loyal and knowledgeable employee.
Humor was a constant theme of the remarks about Marilyn – especially how she enjoyed keeping some of her most loyal and playful regulars “in line.”
The overwhelming sentiment was gratitude – for her flawless service, for her kindness, warmth and ability to welcome visitors and new customers as if they were old friends.
In brief remarks, Marilyn cited her faith and family, and her co-workers and customers, as key to her longevity at Lasyone’s, and said she planned to continue her service to her church while she adjusted to her new lifestyle.
Natchitoches Parish and all the loyal patrons of Lasyone’s will have a bigger adjustment without their favorite waitress, but after 53 years, she said she has plenty of things she wants to do in the years ahead.
Photos by ERICK WILSON, courtesy of the Demars family
Shreveport based counselor and author of “Building Better Bridges: A Guidebook To Having Difficult Conversations That Can Save Our Children” Clint Davis spoke to a group of Natchitoches parents and teens at the city’s Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Wednesday, May 8.
Davis’ talk centered on the dangers of smartphones and social media facing children and teens as well as practical steps parents can take to protect their children. One of the main challenges parents and teachers face is realizing just how much has changed since their teen years when smartphones did not exist.
The talk was sponsored by the Natchitoches Parish School Board’s Aware 2 Program. Dinner was provided by First Baptist Church on Second Street and served by the young men and women of their youth program. NCHS students also volunteered to keep younger family members of those attending busy with stickers and coloring while their parents learned.
Natchitoches indefatigable FAUNA, a group of volunteers dedicated to the welfare of animals in our parish, held a “Give for Good” fundraiser at a local brewery Tuesday, May 7. Patrons were able to meet several of the over 100 dogs the group has available for adoption. Local band Jenny & Kelli provided live music for patrons to enjoy as they met the dogs.
A board on display had a photo of every animal FAUNA has up for adoption. This brought home both the continuing need for homes for the animals and the considerable expense involved in their care and upkeep until they find a forever home. Each dog occupied a square with a suggested donation amount. From dog food to shots and veterinary care and other expenses, each donation assists FAUNA in its mission to match animals in need with loving homes.
By Kolbe Burrell, NSU Journalism student for magazine writing class
Growing up in Philadelphia I was always very critical of the food my parents made for us. From a young age, I always made statements like, “This is too salty” or “This needs some more seasoning.” When it came to my dad grilling, I always had to put my opinion in. “The coals are too hot.” “You let the meat sit on one side for too long.”
I know I sound bratty, but I knew what I was talking about. I swore that vegetables were my enemy. So, when my mom tried to introduce me to this one strange looking plant, I was not interested. But she was so persistent that eventually I had to give in, and she began to prepare it for dinner. I just sat and watched with a disgusted look as she washed it and cut it up. After she was done preparing this vegetable, I took a bite and was completely surprised. This disgusting plant was called Collard greens. It was bursting with flavor, earthy yet subtly sweet. “It’s okay I guess,” I admitted. It was a very small victory for her.
My move to Louisiana to go to Northwestern State University was a significant cultural shift. Everything, from the way people greet each other to the use of “Yessir” or “No ma’am” felt distinctly different.
However, the greatest change for me was the food. My Philadelphian taste buds were accustomed to the city’s famous greasy, cheesy cheesesteaks from Gino’s. Oddly enough, when I arrived in Louisiana, my immediate craving was for a cheesesteak. My friend Zach told me about Sam’s Southern Eatery in Natchitoches and how they had pretty good cheesesteaks. I was expecting the classic cheesy, oniony beautifully cooked bread with salt, pepper and ketchup. My expectations were not met. First of all, the size of my “to go” plate had what seemed like a third of a cheesesteak in it. This sandwich was pathetic. It lacked the essential elements that defined classic Philly cheesesteaks – no peppers, onions, or melted American cheese. I wanted to voice my disappointment in this sad wannabe Philly cheesesteak to my parents. It failed to pass the traditional eye test, bearing no resemblance to the sandwiches I was accustomed to. So, I decided to give this Louisiana off-brand sandwich a chance. I tasted it and to my surprise, it was bursting with flavor and turned out to be genuinely palatable. It was still a far cry from my lofty sandwich standards.
When Zach asked how it was, I chuckled and told him, “Ahh I wouldn’t call this a Philly cheesesteak, but it’s got good taste.”
In Philadelphia, I was not exposed to Southern Louisiana culture. Although around the age of seven my taste buds were exposed to one of the best tasting foods. During the summer of 2008 my grandma, who’s from Natchitoches, was hard at work in the kitchen cutting up onions, celery, and sausage while boiling crabs. I was completely confused about what I was looking at. All I wanted to know was what she was making.
My curiosity kept getting the best of me: “Mo, what is that? Can I try it?” Hours later she answered me. I heard, “Food is ready.” So, I sprinted downstairs. There sat this warm delicious dish that I’d never seen before.
“That’s gumbo, son,” she told me.
My mouth was amazed with all the different flavors and tastes I’ve never had. This was completely different from my later, Northern gumbo experience.
Six years later, after playing in a middle school football game, all I wanted was something warm to eat. I was told that there would be gumbo, and this made me so happy. I couldn’t wait. I ran out of the locker room to see this weird colored brothy looking thing. I was in shock. I asked my mom, “What is that?”
She looked at me and said, “I think gumbo.”
An overwhelming anger came over me, but I ate it anyway. It was absolutely disgusting. I couldn’t believe it was the same dish my grandma made years ago. I couldn’t believe this Northern version could be so different compared to the Southern original. Everything about the two were just so different. One felt like there was more love and care while the other felt like it was just put together last minute.
By Professor Melody Gilbert, Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts
After a semester spent writing stories about college culture and identity, Northwestern State University students in Professor Melody Gilbert’s COMM4230 class shared Kulture Magazine with NSU, the Natchitoches community and beyond.
Students in the class distributed copies of the magazine on campus April 18. The digital version is available to the public at https://kulturemagazine.my.canva.site/home. Readers can also scan the QR code below.
The magazine reveals stories written by NSU students who share a variety of experiences including the culture of hair, food, frats, makeup and social media. Other stories include culture shock, complicated love, abandoning home, becoming glam, embracing glitter and living between two worlds.
Editor-in-Chief Lia Portillo said she suggested the theme because culture is a fascinating word and concept.
“Through this theme we were able to explore and write personal anecdotes that describe our identities and how NSU has played a role in our own personal growth,” she said.
Editor, writer and designer Kevin Thomas said he fell in love with magazines and fashion and when he went to New York for a student media convention and met people who work at Vogue Magazine.
“That really solidified what I wanted to do for my future,” he said. “By being in this class, I learned that working on a magazine takes lots of time and a team. And finishing and seeing the end result is so rewarding and beautiful.”
Gilbert said she is proud to have seen the class progress through all stages of magazine production in just one short semester.
“These talented aspiring journalists produced Kulture Magazine from concept to completion, including writing the stories, designing the magazine, producing podcasts, social media and creating a website,” Gilbert said. “It’s quite an accomplishment to do all of that in such a short time.”
Students were also coached by writer, guest editor and NSU 1977 graduate Denise Lewis Patrick.
“This is a very bright group of students, and it was a wonderful experience to advise the class on their stories,” Patrick said. “I was so happy that I had the opportunity to visit my alma mater in person from New Jersey, and I appreciated the opportunity to help shape and edit their stories.”
“Miss Denise was an amazing coach,” Dominque Lewis said. “She was so patient with me and understanding as I kept rewriting and starting over.” The fact that Patrick is an NSU grad from Natchitoches “made me feel connected to her in a special way. Through her coaching and being in this class, I have learned how to express myself better and boosted my confidence in my writing skills.”
Portillo said taking the class gave her the opportunity to expand her writing skills and to work in a different style of writing.
“It also pushed me to send out my long-form story to other professionals for feedback, which was a great experience,” she said. Her story was reviewed by an editor at the Associated Press.
COMM4230 Magazine Production is a course offered in the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts. Students in the class include Micah Ballard of Benton, Kolbe Burrell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Ayden Butler of Natchitoches, Logan Bordelon of Mansura, Alessa Coneo of Cartagena, Colombia; Brooklyn Guerra of Natchitoches, Mariah Kador of Oscar, Kai Kirk of Alexandria, Michan Lacey of Zwolle, Destin Lopez of Natchitoches, Dominique Lewis of Edgard, Lia Portillo of Galliano, Madeline Simpson of Alexandria, and Kevin Thomas of Pineville.
Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was atop Mystic Dan at Churchill Downs, moving in the pack of thoroughbreds, aggressively watching, and with a plan.
The pair was on the inside on the second turn, just sitting there, going with the flow of things, waiting for a spot to open.
It did.
And Mystik Dan shot through it.
He’s not overly anything for a thoroughbred except athletic and smart. And he’s plenty of those.
Suddenly the crease was there and Hernandez and Mystik Dan poured themselves through it, and when they did, things went up a notch at the Shreveport home of Wayne and Kim Smith.
That was only a few days ago — the first Saturday in May, a pretty big day the horse racing world — and the feeling hasn’t left since the moment Kim and Wayne and two other couples, all close friends, saw with their own eyes and hearts that Mystik Dan, a sort of relative to them all, was going to make a legit run for the roses at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.
Which he did. A photo finish champion. Winner’s Circle. Garland of roses.
Winner winner chicken dinner.
“We’re still on cloud nine at the Smith house,” Wayne said.
“The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” — and counting. Because Saturday, everything came up roses for Smith’s sister Sharilyn and her husband Brent, co-owners with a tiny group of partners of Mystik Dan, the Man and the Dan of the hour.
“Such a neat story,” said big brother Wayne. “(Sharilyn and Brent) own the mom; they bred her four years ago and now here we are, four years later, and they’ve got the winner of the 150th Kentucky Derby. Incredible.
“When I think about Brent and Sharilyn, just how humble they are and how genuine they are … they’re givers and for this to happen for them, it just makes me so proud of them and happy for them. At the end of the day, it couldn’t have happened to a better group (of owners).”
Sharilyn is a Captain Shreve High and Louisiana Tech business graduate (1989), a former Tech College of Business Distinguished Alumna of the Year and a valued member of the Dean’s Advisory Board. Wayne graduated just a few years earlier, and if his name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the Tech Basketball program’s leader in assists for more than 30 years, a four-year starter at point guard on teams that went to a pair of NCAA Tournaments and an NIT.
Those old competitive juices were flowing Saturday when Mystik Dan headed down the stretch, stride for stride with Sierra Leone and Forever Young. It doesn’t matter that the next time Wayne Smith gets on a horse will be the first time: competition is competition.
“Lot of excitement,” he said. “I thought about when we won at Lamar (in 1984) to end their (homecourt) win streak (at 80 straight) and win the (Southland Conference) tournament, and then Reunion Arena (a loss in the Regional Semi-Finals in 1985). I guess for Mystik Dan, it’s like winning the national championship.
“You can only dream of something like this happening, and when it does, you’re grateful knowing it couldn’t have happened to a better team,” he said. “The Smith Family didn’t have a lot when we were growing up; I was born June 29, 1964, and Sharilyn was born June 28, 1968. She was my birthday present back then.”
And now, little sis has given him another present. One that he can’t open, but one that can’t ever be closed, either.
STRETCHING IT OUT: Northwestern State left fielder Balin Valentine lays out for a catch in the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s game, as the Demons nursed a 5-3 lead over LSU. (Photo by JAMES STANFIELD, NSU Athletics)
BATON ROUGE – Jared Jones’ two-out, two-run home run in the eighth inning made the difference for LSU in its last non-conference game of the season, lifting the Tigers to a 6-5 triumph Tuesday night over visiting Northwestern State.
It was the Demons’ inability to break through early that ultimately proved the toughest hurdle for NSU to overcome at Alex Box Stadium.
“We had some chances earlier in the ballgame with runners in scoring position, and we gave away some at-bats where I feel like we could have had more than five runs,” first-year Northwestern head coach Chris Bertrand said. “The runs at the end were a double and a home run, which is baseball, but within the first four runs, there were some mistakes in which we felt were some self-inflicted wounds and some gift wraps. You have to be excited – and we are – with the way our guys fought and competed and played.”
The Tigers (32-19) scored the game’s last three runs to rally, getting the decisive swing on Jones’ 21st homer of the year in the bottom of the eighth. As LSU chases an at-large NCAA Tournament berth, dropping Tuesday night’s contest was not feasible, he said.
“The message tonight was this is a must-win game,” said Jones, who credited his coaches with helping set up his game-winner. “The scouting report said in his (NSU reliever Caleb Bunch) last outing he threw 51 pitches and only 3 fastballs. I was lucky enough to get a slider I could handle, and do some damage with it.”
After falling behind 2-0 on Brady Neal’s two-run home run in the second inning, the Demons (19-29) responded and took the lead with a three-run fourth inning that featured RBI hits from Hayden Knotts and Reese Lipoma and a tie-breaking sacrifice fly from Samuel Stephenson.
Northwestern maintained that momentum after Tyler Nichol wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam by getting Tommy White to line out to second base in the fourth.
The Demons kept that edge and extended their lead in the following inning by taking advantage of a Fidell Ulloa wild pitch with a Colin Rains two-run single. Rains’ hit was part of the Haughton freshman’s second straight three-hit game.
Since driving in the go-ahead run in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Lamar, Rains is 7-for-9 with three RBIs.
“As we continue to talk about the growth of this team, what we talk about is gaining valuable experience,” Bertrand said. “What you’re seeing now is the fruits of Colin’s labor in how he is one of the hardest-working guys we have. That’s the thing – hitters hit and workers work. You’re seeing the fruits of labor mixed with a level of experience gained. That’s why he’s having success. The game of baseball is rewarding him for going about his business the right way.”
The NSU bullpen and its defense had its moments to keep the Demons on top for much of Tuesday night’s game.
Both Conner Bivins in the fifth and Alejandro Marquez in the seventh stranded inherited runners to keep the Demons on top as LSU began to chip away at its three-run deficit.
Bivins also worked a scoreless sixth inning that was highlighted by Balin Valentine’s diving catch that robbed Jared Jones of a potential RBI double to left field.
“The guy made a great play,” said Jones. “You just tip your cap. I did everything I could to put a good swing on a good pitch.”
While LSU (32-18) chipped away at the lead, right-hander Gavin Guidry (2-0) worked four shutout innings of relief to keep the Tigers in striking distance. He gave up only one hit after the visitors rapped nine in the first five innings.
“I’m so thankful for Gavin Guidry going four innings,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “I’m so proud of our team. We’ve been playing playoff baseball for a month, and they’ve just stayed with it. This was a game we couldn’t win a month ago … just the poise. Sometimes you need competitors. I called them up at the end of the fourth inning and said, ‘We have to win.’ And I never do that.
“That’s a good team. We’ve played a lot of teams in that league, and they’re right in the middle of the pack,” he said. “They do a great job coaching. They’re getting the most out of what they have … they played great tonight, made us have to stay with it to win. We played like a winning team, and deserved to win in a really good baseball game.”
There was postgame pride in the Demon dugout, too.
“The message we delivered to the team was how proud we were of the fight and the great things we did do against an unbelievable baseball team,” Bertrand said. “We got 10 hits. For the most part, we were able to suppress their offense from big swings. There are a couple of things we need to clean up.”
The Demons return to action Friday when they host New Orleans in the opener of NSU’s final Southland Conference series of the season. The Tigers open an SEC series at Alabama Friday.
Today, we’ll once again venture off topic just a little. I have something I must get off my chest. This might be a little painful for some to read but it comes from my heart and it’s not only my perspective, but it’s the truth. I’m talking about dads. Where have all the dads gone who should be raising their own kids?
Mother Nature and the animal world understand how to raise their young to be independent and teach them to fend for themselves in the cruel animal kingdom. They are taught responsibility at an early age in order to survive and once the mother feels they are capable of going out on their own, she pushes them away or as birds do, out of the nest.
But let’s look at what has transpired in the last 20 years with regards to the male version of the human race, known as dads. As a dad who has raised a son and two daughters, I am aware that there are a number of men walking away from their responsibilities. They are no longer committed to raising their own kids and expect grandparents, teachers, coaches or the wife (they’ve walked out on) to raise these young kids.
A lot of the young kids today no longer have a dad’s perspective on how to deal with some of life’s tough issues. They have no idea on how to navigate the difficult day to day problems that arise. So, who are these kids turning to for advice? Well in some cases, it’s people that we don’t want giving them advice. One thing is for certain, kids will turn to whoever is willing to give the time they so desperately desire.
Kids don’t always make good choices when seeking out a male role model mainly because they are looking in the wrong places. This is where a dad is supposed to point them in the right direction. You would hope they would want to look at their own dad as the person they should be trying to emulate.
So, what is the result of this lack of guidance? First of all, it has led to a weaker generation of young boys and girls who have lost the ability to lead. It’s a generation that has little to no toughness or determination to compete in today’s brutal world. It’s a generation that has no respect for any type of authority.
Many of today’s youth have been raised in a society where everyone gets a trophy. They have no understanding of how to handle defeat or rejection when they lose a game or interview for a job. Learning how to handle rejection is a part of life and growing up. Rejection teaches us that we need to work harder in order to achieve the goals we have in life.
So many student-athletes are coming out of high school as an all-district or maybe an all-state athlete and think they should be a starter in their sport their first year in college. They don’t want to accept the fact they have to earn that starting position. This is also why the transfer portal that exists in college athletics is out of control and full of athletes that don’t want to compete for a starting position because they think they are entitled to that position due to their past success before they got to college.
So back to the question of the day: where are the dads who should be teaching many of life’s lessons? In my eyes, many have CHOSEN to walk away due to their own selfish wants or needs. They have rejected their responsibility of raising their kids to be respectable and productive citizens.
If this does not change, our country will continue in a downward spiral led by people who don’t know how to lead. Step up dads and do your job! Do the job that is your responsibility! Teach your kids good work ethics and how to take defeat or rejection and turn it into something positive. Teach them that dedication and hard work are still the backbone for having success.
‘Til next time, be a dad and do what you were put on this earth to do — raise your kids!
7:00 – 8:30 Lone Star Skynyrd (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band) The crowd is sure to sing along, dance, and sway to a celebration of the original Skynyrd rock ‘n’ roll legacy. Winners of the prestigious 2022 Josie Award for Best Tribute Band in America: Lone Star Skynyrd. More than a tribute! More than a good time party!
9:00 – 10:30 Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Fans from across the nation claim that Rumours is the band to see if you are looking for an authentic recreation of live Fleetwood Mac shows. In just under 10 years, Rumours has landed itself the reputation of being the best Fleetwood Mac Tribute band and additionally has made fans internationally.
SATURDAY
1:00 – 1:50 Mason Trail and Zydeco Rhythm(High-energy Zydeco)Out of Lake Charles, they’ll have the crowd dancing early with an eclectic repertoire of modern zydeco along with traditional authentic zydeco music with an R&B flavor.
2:20 – 3:25 On Point Band(Rhythm & Blues) The On Point Band out of Natchitoches will be performing an exciting high-energy, brand of soul and R&B, classics, as well as modern hits, with a little jazz thrown in. Don’t miss this young and entertaining upcoming group!
3:40 – 5:00 The Young Ones(Jazz & R&B with a Latin flavor) NSU music students who all hail from South and Central American countries. These super-talented musicians will be performing a unique mixture of rock and roll, jazz, and rhythm and blues, all with a Latin flavor in their tribute to the music of Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and Bruno Mars.
5:20 – 6:45 Johnny Earthquake & The Moondogs(High-energy variety show band) The popular Natchitoches-based nine-piece, rhythm and blues, and rock ‘n’ roll band which critics have called: “quite simply, Louisiana‘s best Showband”, will be making this stop on their 30th anniversary “Over the Moon Tour” a special one as after their performance they’ll be inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Don’t forget about our headliners; America’s got talent Finalists “Chapel Hart” at 7:15pm and County hitmaker, Craig Morgan at 9:00pm.
For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit
Winnfield Police are investigating a shooting that left two dead in the Hatfield section of town on May 1. An investigative team was immediately dispatched upon confirmation by the shift supervisor.
Initial findings indicate an apparent murder/suicide incident as it has been determined that the male subject had fired several shots from a handgun striking the female subject, then turned the gun on himself. After interviews with family members and close associates, police have been unable to determine a motive for this tragic situation. Neither victim had any prior dealing with police.
They are identified as Amyria McDonald, age 20, of Winnfield, and Virgil Smith, Jr., 21, of the Natchitoches area.
Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter stated, “Our hearts go out to these families and friends. This has affected an entire community for such a senseless tragedy to these young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.”
Pending final testing and autopsy results, this will be classified as a murder/suicide incident.
Social Work Scholarship: Friends of the late Dr. Claudia Triche contributed to a scholarship honoring the former Department of social work chair at Northwestern State University. From left are Mayor Ronnie Williams, Assistant Professor Kirby Peddy, Associate Professor Byron McKinney, and Title IV-E Research Associate Dr. Jennifer Shaw
Mayor Ronnie Williams and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Director of Business Development and Public Relations Greg Burke (not pictured) recently made contributions to the Claudia Triche Memorial Scholarship that honors the former chair of the Department of Social Work at Northwestern State University. These combined donations bring the scholarship to $9,132.64. Only $867 remain to fully endow the scholarship at $10,000. The scholarship will benefit students pursuing a degree in social work with a preference for military veterans or students who plan to work with veterans after graduation.
Claudia graduated from NSU with a degree in social work in 1970. After earning her Master’s of Social Work from LSU, she joined the NSU Department of Social Work in 1974. During her tenure with NSU, Claudia rose from director of field internships to chair of the department. For many years, she advocated for the creation of a Master of Social Work degree at NSU. This year, the degree proposal was approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents and Claudia’s desire for an MSW program at NSU will come to fruition.
Byron McKinney, associate professor of social work, said that Claudia’s memory continues to impact the university and the Natchitoches community, particularly among military veterans. For over thirty years, Claudia worked with the Veterans Affairs Office assisting veterans, including disabled veterans and their families. McKinney recounted one of Claudia’s favorite sentiments when remembering her: “Those who have the least need our help the most.” It is this sentiment that fuels our desire to endow the Claudia Triche Memorial Scholarship and support future social workers to serve our military veterans.
Claudia retired as Professor Emeritus from NSU in 2013. She lost her battle with Glioblastoma (brain cancer) in January 2020 and is remembered for her dignity, grace, and humility, as well as her service to NSU, Natchitoches, and military veterans. The Claudia Triche Memorial Scholarship in social work was created to honor her lifelong achievements. Gifts can be mailed to Office of University Advancement, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71497.
Saturday, May 4 is known by fans of all ages as Star Wars Day. This year is particularly noteworthy as it marks the 25th anniversary of Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace. The movie was rereleased on Star Wars Day 2024 and Natchitoches fans dressed for the occasion. Of course, Darth Vader could not allow all that Jedi action to go unanswered! The local cinema had some extra security on hand in the form of Imperial Stormtrooper TD50029 who demanded identification to no avail at each showing.
