• Current student in the process of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in communications or equivalent degree 
• Demonstrated experience with social media platforms and relevant marketing software 
• Ability to think creatively and translate ideas into digital content pieces 
• Knowledge of Google Analytics and keyword research 
• Strong writing, grammar, and proofreading skills 
• Strong attention to detail and self-motivated 

Flavor of Louisiana, Northwestern State University’s spring fundraiser and seafood extravaganza, will return Friday, April 8. Flavor of Louisiana, one of NSU’s most popular events, was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, but will return to feature Louisiana cuisine, craft beverages, specialty desserts, music, raffles and more. All proceeds will go to support scholarships, programming and professional development for NSU students, faculty and staff.

“We are thrilled to bring back Flavor of Louisiana,” said Jill Bankston, CFRE, director of Development. “After being on hiatus for two years, we can’t wait to open our doors to friends and supporters. Flavor of Louisiana has been one of our most successful events, drawing friends and alumni from all over and this year will be even more special with the event tied to NSU’s Greek Centennial, which was also postponed from 2020.”

Presented in partnership with the NSU Foundation and the Louisiana Seafood Board, Flavor of Louisiana will feature chefs, restaurants and caterers from around the state offering samplings of seafood delicacies prepared in a myriad of ways, along with options for non-seafood eaters, craft beers, specialty cocktails, coffee and desserts. The event will also feature live entertainment with welcome by special guest Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.

With the Greek Centennial taking place the same weekend, Greek organizations have been invited to set up booths to assist in raising money for their chapters.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. in Prather Coliseum. Tickets to Flavor of Louisiana are $75 per individual and $125 per couple. Sponsorships are available at the $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 levels. Deadline for sponsorships is Friday, April 1.

“The NSU Foundation is grateful to all of our alumni, supporters, partners and friends and we hope everyone will join us for what has always been an enjoyable evening with delicious food and memorable entertainment,” Bankston said.

For information on tickets, please call (318) 357-4292. 

A FREE Community Screening and Educational Event with The Save A Leg Save a Life Foundation will be held Thursday, March 10 at the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches, located at 508 Second Street.

This event is for those who are at risk of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), Diabetic Foot Ulcers, or Amputation. Diabetics, Smokers, Anyone Age 50 or Older and Healthcare Providers are encouraged to attend. This means patients, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about PAD, Diabetes and amputation prevention.

The screening will take place at 9 am, followed by community education at 12:30 pm. Healthcare education will be provided from 3:30-4:30 pm, followed by a Healthcare Roundtable Dinner from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Screenings include:

Vision
Glucose (Blood Sugar)
Blood Pressure
Heart Rate
Balance
Sensation tests
Arterial perfusion
And More

The Save a Leg, Save a Life Foundation’s Mission is to reduce the number of lower extremity amputations and improve the quality of life of citizens who are afflicted with wounds and complications from diabetes and peripheral artery disease.

For more information contact Frank.Aviles@NRMCHOSPITAL.ORG

State Senator Louie Bernard was the guest speaker at the March 1 Rotary luncheon. He discussed the many issues presently facing Louisiana. Pictured from left are Rotary President Tommy Caldwell and Bernard (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

WINN:
Charles Denver Fox
July 23, 1947 – February 27, 2022
Service: Friday, March 4 at 10 am at Zion Hill Baptist Church

Wilburn J. Smiley
August 28, 1945 – February 28, 2022
Service: Wednesday, March 2 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

Natchitoches Tax Commission Administrator Laura Dalme-Jeffcoat summed up the Tax Report at the City Council meeting Monday night, Feb. 28 by saying, “The City is making money and it will continue making money.” 

Last year there was an increase each month for 2021 comparatively from one January to the next from previous years. December sales showed a 16% increase from the previous year. Jeffcoat reported that collections were awesome because the Christmas Festival did very well. The collections for February of 2022 were $133,000 more than last February.

“Natchitoches doesn’t know what recession means,” she added. “It’s not happening.”

She said that while the pandemic hurt things a little, Oil and Gas has been back in Natchitoches Parish since October and Natchitoches will be okay.

She also shared that the new Vaughn dealership is looking to sell its first car at its new location within the next two months.

Other agenda items included:

ORDINANCES – FINAL:

• Declare A Certain Building Unsafe And Recommending That Same Be Demolished Or Put Into Repair To Comply With The Building Code, Authorizing Notice To Be Served Requiring Demolition/Removal
• Amend And Reenact Section 30-42 (C) Of The Code Of Ordinance Of The City Of Natchitoches, Which Is Located In Article Iv Of Section 30 Of The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Natchitoches, Entitled “Utilities” Said Amendments Being Made To Implement Changes In The Rate Schedule For Water For Industrial Users Inside The City Limits, Which New Rate Structure Has Been Proposed Following A Water Rate Study, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer
• Designate Funds From The American Rescue Plan To The City Of Natchitoches Police Department To Otherwise Provide With Respect Thereto.
• Create The River South Commons Economic Development District, State Of Louisiana And Defining The Boundaries Thereof; Appointing Special Counsel; And Otherwise Providing With Respect Thereto.
• Approve That Instrument Titled Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between The City Of Natchitoches And Chick-Fil-A, Inc., Which Agreement Provides For Cost Sharing For The Installation Of Infrastructure, Including Traffic And Drainage, Which Improvements Will Serve The Proposed Restaurant Facility At The Corner Of E. 5th Street And Highway 494.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, March 14, 2022.

After several years of going back and forth on renovations that never happened, Hopeville (formerly Summertree) Apartments will be on the agenda at the City Council’s March 14. It will be put on the list of buildings to be declared unsafe with a recommendation for demolition.

A building inspector recently went out to the property. Some of the structure is now beyond repair. There’re spots with black mold that will need to be torn out completely. Everything is open to the elements and the little bit of work that was done to install insulation has been ruined by weather.

The Concerned Citizens of Natchitoches organization hosted an awards ceremony Monday, February 28 at Natchitoches’ Martin Luther King Center. The focus of the ceremony was to recognize an eclectic group of local African-Americans who have excelled in a wide variety of endeavors.

The event was emceed by Mr. Johnny Barnes, President of The Concerned Citizens of Natchitoches. Several talented groups of young people from area churches entertained the crowd as they enjoyed a catered dinner and fellowship.

Among the awardees were:

Long-time community leader, historian, and president of the Voters and Civic League, Mr. J. W. Scarbrough

Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams

NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones

Natchitoches Police Chief Nikeo Collins

Attorney and Associate Professor in the NSU College of Business & Technology, Dr. Carmella Parker

Long time gunsmith, business owner and community leader, Mr. Mike Lewis

The late Sylvia Morrow, a pioneer in local government, and in the community was also recognized.

There was a common theme throughout the evening as each person honored gave thanks to those who went before and laid a foundation for their success. Indeed, all of us owe a debt to the men and women of the past who, when faced with injustice, came back with hard work and excellence. Our city, and nation, are better because of them.

The Natchitoches Magnet School Mustang Mathcounts Team participated in the Regional Competition on Feb. 18. The team placed second overall. These students advanced to the State Competition, which is Mar. 11. Bryan Chen placed 1st. Bradin Smith placed 6th and Aiden Cooper placed 9th. Also pictured is team coach, Zenda Owens.

The wonder of playing at a Major League Baseball stadium is behind the Northwestern State baseball team.

The work resumes for the Demons on Tuesday night as they host state rival UL Lafayette at 6 p.m. in the first of a two-game, home-and-home series. The second meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday in Lafayette. Free streaming audio and subscription video are available on www.NSUDemons.com and through the Northwestern State Athletics app, which can be downloaded free for Apple and Android devices.

“If you were at the games this weekend, you saw two good baseball teams competing really hard,” sixth-year head coach Bobby Barbier said of his team’s three-game series against Oklahoma at Globe Life Field. “That was the goal going into it and for the rest of the season – how many days can we show up and compete? I hope it’s all of them. We have so far. Sometimes things work out your way, and sometimes they don’t. I thought we did that this weekend in a really neat venue. I’m so appreciative of the Rangers letting us use it and for Oklahoma to set it up because of the bad weather in Norma. Now, we have to do it again.”

Northwestern State (3-3) won the opening game of the series against the Sooners before dropping the next two. Down I-35 from Arlington, the Ragin’ Cajuns (3-4) dropped all three of their games in the Karbach Round Rock Classic at Dell Diamond.

UL Lafayette faced Stanford, Indiana and Arkansas in the round-robin event.

While Tuesday’s meeting will be the first regular-season meeting between the teams since a 10-8 Northwestern State win Feb. 26, 2020, the teams have seen each other since then.

“We played them in the fall,” Barbier said. “They did like us and ran 15 or 16 arms out there at us, and I think all of them competed very hard in the strike zone. That’s going to be more of the same for the next few teams we’re going to play. We’ve got to get used to that. We have to make a pitcher change what he wants to do, take something away from him. At some points this weekend, (Oklahoma) made it really tough on us. They kept coming at us with really good stuff. When the stuff is more normal, how do we adjust to making them do something they don’t want to do? I’m looking forward to our offense moving forward. This weekend, the strikeout numbers were high. Will we let that affect us, or will we make a conscious effort to dominate that strike zone in the next two games?”

The Demon offense has been powered by a pair of outfielders – one veteran and one newcomer.

Fifth-year senior Larson Fontenot leads the Demons with a .360 average after a two-hit game in Sunday’s series finale. Since the start of the 2021 season, Fontenot is hitting .311 in 135 at-bats and has stolen 16 bases in 18 attempts.

“There’s no price you put on experience,” Barbier said. “He’s such a different player than when he showed up here five years ago, and it’s a credit to him working toward his development. When he puts it on the ground, you better field it clean and get rid of it pretty quickly or he’s going to beat it out. It shows you what athleticism brings to your lineup.”

First-year Demon Broch Holmes ranks third on the team with a .292 average after a two-hit game Sunday. Holmes had the biggest hit in the Demons’ 4-2 win Friday, a two-run, eighth-inning single for his first two NSU RBIs.

“He played great all weekend,” Barbier said. “He’s got big bat speed. You can tell who’s swinging when he’s in the box. He’s done a great job making adjustments with (associate head) coach (Chris) Bert(rand) and being ready to hit in games. We brought him in to do what he’s doing – hitting in the middle of the lineup. I’m proud of him and looking forward to seeing him compete from here on out.”

NSU will start right-hander Chase Prestwich (0-1, 6.00) on Tuesday and has not named a starter for Wednesday’s series finale.

Photo: Chris Brown/NSU Athletics

After a three-win weekend at the Mardi Gras Mambo, Northwestern State will look to turn Fat Tuesday into a winning Tuesday as it hosts Grambling in the first home midweek game of the season.

First pitch against the Lady Tigers is set for 5 p.m. at Lady Demon Diamond. Live video of the game will be available at www.nsudemons.com/watch or on the NSU Athletics mobile app, a free download in either the Apple or Google stores.

“Excited about getting back home and playing in front of the home crowd,” head coach Donald Pickett said after 11 straight road games. “Hopefully the weather will be nice and we can have a good crowd and hopefully we’ll be able to learn some things from this weekend and build a little momentum heading into the next.”

Among the things the Lady Demons (9-6) learned in their five-game weekend set in Youngsville was the importance of early runs, the ability to fight through tough situations, the need to keep forcing the issue on offense and that they have the ability to be a pretty good team.

NSU scored in the first or second inning in all three of their wins on the weekend, including seven total runs in the second inning against Eastern Illinois and St. Thomas. They had a three-run first on Sunday against Portland State and led 6-2 after three innings, but left runners on the bases along the way, missed opportunities that ultimately came back to haunt them.

Against PSU, they also learned that the pitching staff that had been dominating games this season was in fact human. A combined eight walks and one hit batter led to five Vikings runs in the 9-7 loss on Sunday.

“We pitched everybody today and all of them had issues with it,” Pickett said after that game. “We are better than that and I don’t think that’s going to happen very much at all this year but today was one of those games.”

After the uncharacteristic outing for the staff that still leads the conference with a 2.30 ERA and, 132 strikeouts, .211 opponent batting average and allowing just 2.3 earned runs per game, the first thing Pickett wants to see against Grambling is a short memory from the quartet.

“I want to see the pitchers bounce back and get back to doing the things they’ve been doing all year,” he said. “Hopefully we can get the lead early and stay on them and be able to keep teams down and not let them back in the game.

“Grambling has given us problems in the past, so we’ll have to go in ready to play and understand that we’ve got to play a full game from the first pitch to the last. We’ve got to keep working towards that and keeping that focus and building that competitiveness in us to complete those games.”

NSU has won the last 11 games in a row against Grambling, including a pair of run-rule wins a year ago. The two games prior to that however were decided by less than three runs total with NSU winning 3-1 at Grambling in 2020 and 2-1 in Natchitoches in 2019.

Photo: Evelyn Winger

Join us on the Natchitoches Riverbank on March 5th from 10:00am – 1:00pm for Service League of Natchitoches’ annual Reading on the River. Children attending will receive a free book, enjoy literacy themed crafts and activities, and have the opportunity to read with local leaders.

This event is free and open to the public.

To host a table or become a vendor, email alee@canerivernha.org.

Dear Parent/Guardian

If your child is in the 8th – 12th grade, he/she will be taking the ACT this spring semester. Students in the 8th and 9th grades will take the PreACT Monday, March 7th. Students in the 11th and 12th grades will take the ACT Tuesday, March 8th, and students in the 10th grade will take it Wednesday, March 9th. For each day, testing will begin promptly at 8:00 AM, so it is very important for your child to arrive on time. Any student that is late will not be allowed to interrupt testing once it begins. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call to the school and speak with myself, or Mr. Benjamin.

Thank you,

Bobby Benjamin, NPTCC Principal
Chelsea Calhoun, NPTCC School Counselor

The Zeta Iota Alumni Association Inc. will provide a Natchitoches Community Food Distribution in conjunction with a Blood Drive on the LifeShare Bus on Saturday, March 12 from 11 am – 3 pm in the Ben Johnson Auditorium parking lot, located at 400 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Natchitoches.

Meals will be prepared by Legacy. Blood donation is not required to receive a meal.

SABINE:
Mike Wilson
July 1, 1959 – February 24, 2022
Service: Tuesday, March 1 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

WINN:
Wilburn J. Smiley
August 28, 1945 – February 28, 2022
Service: Wednesday, March 2 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

This weekend may have been a tad cold and wet, but that did not stop the activities at Fort Jesup State Historic Site in Many.

Fort Jessup was built in 1822 and this May will mark the 200th anniversary of its completion. The bi-centennial celebrations started Friday, February 25 with a ceremony featuring Louisiana’s Lt Governor Billy Nungessor, State Representatives Rodney Schamerhorn and Lawrence Bagley, and State Senator Louie Bernard. Sabine parish had a large contingent with Many Mayor Robert Hable, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Police Jury members Mike McCormic & Stephen Steinke, DA Don Burkett and Judge Elizabeth Pickett. Representatives from Senator Kennedy and Cassidy’s office, as well as Congressman Johnson’s office, were also in attendance.

The fort was built in 1822 and named after Brigadier General Thomas Sidney Jesup and remained in operation until 1845. During its service, Ft. Jesup marked the westernmost edge of the United States, the boundary being the Sabine River. Soldiers from the fort patrolled the “No man’s land” that laid between the United States’ border and that of the Spanish Empire, preventing Spanish encroachment and protecting settlers.

Several well-known historical figures were associated with Ft Jesup. The man who was both its first and last commander, Zachary Taylor, was to be elected president and briefly served until his death early in his term in 1850. A young Army officer, Ulysses Grant, served briefly at the fort on his way to the Mexican-American War. One of the more notable non military persons to live at the fort would be Dred Scott, whose suit for his freedom was to be denied by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1850 in the infamous Dred Scott decision. There were many figures from the era who served at what was then the westernmost edge of the United States.

The main building at the Historic Site is a reproduction of the Officers’ quarters which serves as park headquarters, a museum, and a place to hold programs. Only one original building survives, a military kitchen next to the remnants of some stone columns which are all that is left of an infantry barracks.

While the area was not a formal military installation since its closing in 1845, both Union and Confederate forces camped at the site during the Civil War’s Red River Campaign in 1864. The Ft Jessup site was also to serve as a staging area for General Patton’s forces during the Louisiana Maneuvers as the U.S. Army readied itself for WWII. One of the more “modern” touches, if you will, at the fort is a bronze commemorative marker at the fort’s entrance. A careful look shows the bronze to be marred in one corner. That dent came from a collision from a tank taking a corner too fast and hitting it during the maneuvers.

The Interpretive Rangers who work at the site and volunteers who help in any number of ways do a wonderful job of bringing the past to life. The weekend’s events brought in two men from Columbia, South Carolina who were making a road trip to Montana. They heard about the event and came by
Saturday and were invited to join the reenactors at a period tea. The spontaneous hospitality of the staff and volunteers to visitors makes one proud to be a Louisianan. The Office of State Parks employees and volunteers are wonderful ambassadors for our state.

Saturday featured living history programs concerning topics such as open-hearth cooking, craft demonstrations and a demonstration of the state of medical science of the time that makes one truly grateful for modern medicine.

Louisiana is a remarkable place with a truly unique story. There are parks and museums throughout our area and the state with well prepared and educated staff ready to show you things about your community that you may have never known before. Get out and explore!

The Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Monday, Feb. 28 beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. to discuss non-agenda items. The City Council meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month and will be reserved to only items on the Agenda. The public is invited to both the pre-council meetings and council meetings with the understanding that items not on the agenda will not be discussed at the scheduled council meetings, but the public is welcome to discuss any topic at the pre-council meetings. The City Council Meetings are held at the Natchitoches City Council Chambers located at 716 Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana.

https://www.facebook.com/NPJNatLa

A G E N D A

GUEST SPEAKER: United Way of Northwest Louisiana

ORDINANCES – FINAL:

#007 Petite Ordinance Declaring A Certain Building Unsafe And Recommending That Same Be Demolished Or Put Into Repair To

Comply With The Building Code, Authorizing Notice To Be

Served Requiring Demolition / Removal

#009 Nielsen Ordinance To Amend And Reenact Section 30-42 (C) Of The Code Of Ordinance Of The City Of Natchitoches, Which Is Located In Article Iv Of Section 30 Of The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Natchitoches, Entitled “Utilities” Said Amendments Being Made To Implement Changes In The Rate Schedule For Water For Industrial Users Inside The City Limits, Which New Rate Structure Has Been Proposed Following A Water Rate Study, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer

#010 Elie Ordinance To Designate Funds From The American Rescue Plan To The City Of Natchitoches Police Department To Otherwise Provide With Respect Thereto.

#011 Harrington Ordinance Creating The River South Commons Economic Development District, State Of Louisiana And Defining The Boundaries Thereof; Appointing Special Counsel; And Otherwise Providing With Respect Thereto.

#012 Petite Ordinance Approving That Instrument Titled Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between The City Of Natchitoches And Chick-Fil-A, Inc., Which Agreement Provides For Cost Sharing For The Installation Of Infrastructure, Including Traffic And Drainage, Which Improvements Will Serve The Proposed Restaurant Facility At The Corner Of E. 5th Street And Highway 494.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, March 14, 2022.

St. Augustine Catholic Church welcomed Governor John Bel Edward and Senator Bernard to Mass on Feb. 27. Following Mass there was a tour of the historic church, which dates back to the 1803 plantation chapel of Augustin Metoyer, founder and patriarch.

Pictured: Clyde Roque, Father Charlie Ray, Thomas Roque, Sr., Sister Liz Holmes, Dr. Mark Guidry, Ethel Marie Guidry, Governor Edwards, and Senator Bernard.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Once is a nice surprise, twice in a row maybe a happy coincidence. Three straight? That’s more than respectable, it’s remarkable for David, vs. Goliath.

With its 4-2 win Friday night on very neutral ground – the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field in Arlington – the Northwestern State baseball team topped the Oklahoma Sooners. Worth noting, yes. A fluke? Not hardly.

Especially when you consider it was the third straight Power 5 win for the Demons of coach Bobby Barbier. They beat LSU in Baton Rouge last year, denying Paul Maineiri his 1,500th career win in his final home game as the Tigers’ coach, and put down the top 10-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville in 2019.

OU, LSU and Arkansas have decimal-point budgets. The Demons get by on decimals, mostly.

There’s a huge difference in resources when Barbier and his boys line up against a brand-name foe, but between the foul lines, you can’t tell it.

It was three years ago in Corvallis, Ore., that LSU had to pull off a miraculous ninth-inning rally to escape the Demons’ guillotine in the NCAA Regionals. That came one day after Northwestern blanked one of the top 40 winningest programs in college baseball this century, San Diego State. In its opener, NSU played eventual College World Series champ Oregon State more competitively than LSU did twice afterward in that regional.

Barbier was an Academic All-America first baseman and a first-team All-Southland pick a year later in 2005, when he helped Mitch Gaspard’s Demons reach the Baton Rouge Regional. He began his coaching career for Gaspard, first at NSU and then at Alabama when Gaspard succeeded another former NSU coach, Jim Wells, when the Bossier City native retired after 13 seasons steering the Crimson Tide.

With a 192-89 record from 1990-94 at his alma mater, assisted at times by both Gaspard and current Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco, Wells jumpstarted an amazing run of nine Southland Conference titles in 17 seasons (1991-2005) by the Demons. Contributing to that were current Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn (106-65 from 1995-97), current Mississippi State AD and former head coach John Cohen (146-84 from 1998-2001) and Gaspard (210-138 from 2002-07).

Barbier came back to Natchitoches as pitching coach for Lane Burroughs in 2015-16, when the Demons surged to a 40-18 Southland mark in two seasons, a span good enough for Louisiana Tech to tap Burroughs as its head coach. That’s worked out pretty well. So has the in-house promotion of Barbier.

Along with his team’s repeated dents inflicted on Power 5s, and the 2018 Corvallis Regional trip earned by the Demons’s first-ever Southland Tournament title, Barbier and his associate head coach, Chris Bertrand, have a salty collection of credentials.

Since 2018, NSU has had six MLB Draft picks, including the Southland’s highest in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Demons have had an All-American in 2020 (rising Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Logan Hofmann), and Freshmen All-Americans Johnathan Harmon (2020) and Dante Stuart (2021).

Most impressively, Barbier’s bunch has posted the Southland’s top winning percentage since 2018, better even than the perennially strong Southeastern Louisiana Lions. They own wins in three of their last four against Burroughs and the Bulldogs, and have captured their last two against LSU.

NSU nearly won the series against the Sooners Saturday night, falling 2-1 in Arlington at Globe Life Park. Sunday evening, Oklahoma got a shutdown pitching outing and chipped away for a 5-1 victory.

Not anyone in the Demon dugout was proud. But going toe-to-toe with the Sooners in a three-game series signals Barbier’s Battlers are capable of big things again this spring.

Photo: by PATRICK NETHERTON

The Natchitoches community gathered with excitement and a sense of fulfillment on Feb. 25 at the Ben Johnson Auditorium, the site of a new Boys & Girls Club, which will open on March 21.

The Natchitoches Club will serve approximately 100 children and will operate from 3-7 pm during the school year and from 8 am – 5 pm during the summer. Registration will open within the next few weeks.

Following an invocation by Senator Louie Bernard, former Mayor Lee Posey and Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. spoke to the history and the future hopes of the club in Natchitoches.

Chief Volunteer Officer for the Boys & Girls Club of America Ben Lognion introduced the Keynote Speaker, BGCA Chief Operations Officer Lorraine Orr, who spoke about how the youth have been affected by the impact of the recent pandemic. Teen suicides rose, students started to fall behind academically, and some began experiencing a heightened amount of abuse while trapped at home.

At the start of the pandemic 4,000 Boys & Girls clubs closed overnight. The instability and isolation children began experiencing are reasons why they need the services the Boys & Girls Clubs provide. At the start of March, 2020 there were only 500 clubs open across the country. This number rose to 3,700 in 2021 and the BGCA plans to open its 5,000th club before the end of 2022.

“This growth came because of a need,” Orr explained. “It speaks to the viability and need for these clubs.”

Orr topped off her presentation by announcing a $25,000 commitment to the Natchitoches Club on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Bringing the club back to Natchitoches after it closed due to financial/operational issues in 2018 has been an undertaking by many. The Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana was approached soon after the closure, and while they were unable to commit so soon, they promised they’d be back.

Fast forward to 2022 and a new chapter for Natchitoches will begin. When asked what challenges they encountered, Acadiana Club President and CEO Rhyan Wheeler said the community support in Natchitoches has been amazing.

“Not all communities are like this,” she said.

While Rhyan was pleased with the financial commitment on the front end, she added that the Natchitoches Club will need the continued support of the community to ensure its sustainability. This comes in the form of monthly donations and corporate sponsors.  Funds will be used for general operating expenses.

The Club’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need their services the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. It provides afterschool and summer programs for youth ages 6-18, focusing on 3 impact areas: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles & Habits and Good Character & Leadership. Kids receive healthy meals/snacks daily, homework help, guidance from highly-trained staff and a safe place to learn and grow.