The DeSoto Parish Police Jury will hold their regular meeting Monday, June 3 beginning at 5pm. The meeting will be held in the Police Jury Meeting room.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
1. Authorize the President to sign a proposal agreement with Uniti Fiber to provide service to several DPPJ locations and amend the budget in the amount of $3000
2. Approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with South Mansfield to repair a Lift Station #4 Magnolia Subdivision and amend the budget in the $14,316.80
3. Re-appoint Roger Tharpe and accept the resignation of Dan Dobson to the DeSoto Parish Planning Commission for a 6 year term
4. Accept the resignation of Carolyn Landrum and appoint a replacement to the Waterworks District No. 1 for a six year term
5. Appointment of Official Journal

BUDGET AND FINANCE ITEMS
1. Amend the Courthouse office small equipment budget in the amount of $12,740
for a new control panel for incident notifications

BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES ITEMS
1. Award low quote for the cameras at the ballfields

COMMUNITY SERVICES ITEMS
1. Award low bid for Community Services WAP Program for Weatherization,
Materials and Labor
2. Approve funding up to $60,000 for purchasing up to two (2) vehicles for the WAP Program (funding will be reimbursed)

POLICY AND PROCEDURES ITEMS
1. Update the Crisis Leave Policy

ROAD ITEMS
1. Discuss Utility Right of Ways
2. Install four (4) speed bumps on River Road

ZONING COMMITTEE ITEMS
1. Discuss Nuisance Ordinance and abandon property

As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, we’re thrilled to announce the return of our much-anticipated Summer Reading Program! This annual tradition is more than just a series of events—it’s a celebration of the joy of reading and the boundless adventures that await within the pages of a book.

This year’s program promises to be our most exciting yet, with a diverse array of activities, challenges, and rewards designed to inspire readers of all ages. Whether you’re a young bookworm just beginning your literary journey or a seasoned reader eager to explore new literary landscapes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

For our youngest patrons, we have engaging story times, interactive crafts, and special guest appearances that will spark their imaginations and foster a lifelong love of reading. Our middle-grade readers can embark on thrilling literary quests, participate in book discussions with friends, and unlock exclusive prizes as they journey through the pages of their favorite novels. And for our teen and adult readers, we’re offering thought-provoking book recommendations, interactive crafty programs, and an array of workshops that will challenge and inspire in equal measure.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of our Summer Reading Program is the opportunities it provides to discover new worlds, expand our horizons, and connect with fellow readers from our community and beyond. Whether you’re exploring far-off lands, solving mysteries, or delving into the depths of history, there’s no limit to the adventures that await between the covers of a book.

Of course, no summer reading program would be complete without a little friendly competition, and this year is no exception. Participants of all ages can track their reading progress, earn badges, and compete for fabulous prizes, including book bundles, gift certificates, and more. So, dust off your library card, grab your favorite summer reading spot, and get ready to embark on the literary adventure of a lifetime!

As we kick off another unforgettable summer of reading, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. Together, we’re building a community of readers who share a passion for storytelling, learning, and discovery—a community that knows no bounds.

So, let’s make this summer one to remember as we dive into adventure with our Summer Reading Program!
Happy reading,
Delbert Terry
Library Director

The Pelican Branch Library recently hosted a heartwarming graduation ceremony for a group of local women who successfully completed an adult cooking class. Led by Demetrius Allen, the SNAP Coordinator from the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, the event took place on Monday, May 13th. The participants, predominantly women, demonstrated their culinary talents and were commended for their unwavering commitment and dedication.

The eight-week program offered one-hour cooking classes with a focus on preparing nutritious and
wholesome meals. The enthusiastic participants consistently attended the classes, where they had the opportunity to expand their cooking repertoire, enjoy communal bonding, and savor delicious meals.

Congratulations to all the graduates on their well-deserved achievements! For those interested, call
318-755-2353, the class will be starting again on June 4, with sessions held every Tuesday at 11am.

The Stonewall Library SWAP group has been making a significant impact with their heartwarming initiative. Over the past two months, they have handcrafted beautiful corsages, selecting each flower and ribbon with care. These were joyfully delivered to nursing homes during the celebration of Mother’s Day last month.

The residents at the Mansfield Nursing Center and the Desoto Retirement & Rehabilitation Center were the fortunate recipients of these thoughtful corsages. The joy and gratitude on their faces were a testament to the impact of this gesture.

Beverly Grubb, a Library Assistant in Stonewall, revealed that this heartwarming program will be an annual tradition, further highlighting their commitment to making a positive difference in the community. The SWAP group’s commitment to spreading joy and brightening the lives of others has not gone unnoticed, and their efforts have already made headlines. This heartwarming initiative serves as a reminder of the power of small acts of kindness and their positive impact on the community.

Source: DeSoto Parish Library

If there’s one debate in bass fishing that has gone on for decades, it’s the age-old question: Does color matter? What we are referring to is the color of the bait you’re throwing when fishing for those elusive largemouth bass. No other topic in the bass fishing world has a difference of opinion more than this topic. Today I’ll give you my perspective that could lean you in either direction.  

If you ask any angler with years of experience, some will say, “Yes, color does matter,” while others will say, “No,” that the color of your bait has no bearing on if a bass will eat it. Occasionally, I will agree with the guys who say “no” because there are occasions where bass are on a feeding frenzy, otherwise known as “schooling,” and will bite just about anything you throw at them. But I’ve also seen instances where if you don’t throw something that is very close to the forage (baitfish) they are chasing, and I mean in both size and color, you will not get bit. This rule of “matching the hatch,” so to speak, pretty much applies 90 percent of the time.

Here’s my perspective when it comes to color. I say “yes,” color does matter, if for no other reason than confidence. I know we’ve talked about confidence in the past and there’s nothing more important to an angler than his confidence, whether it’s in a particular color or a select bait. This is always a part of my message when I speak to high school or college anglers. It’s important for young anglers to gain confidence in a particular color because when the fishing is tough, you want to fish with something you have a lot of confidence in.

When it comes to soft plastic baits, color can make a huge difference on whether you catch bass or not. My argument has always been if color is not important, then why do manufacturers make so many for anglers to choose from?  Some will say that is because companies are trying to catch anglers and sell lures. That might be true, but they also make so many colors because of the many different types of water clarity we have all across the country, and certain colors are designed to match different types of forage bass feed on.

All I know is this, over my many years of chasing those little green fish we call bass, more times than I can count, I made a color change and suddenly, I started catching bass. Was this a coincidence or was the new color I switched to closer to the forage they were feeding on? Only a bass can truly answer this question of whether color really matters, and until bass learn to speak, the world may never know.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

(SHREVEPORT, Louisiana) – A group of volunteers at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center is going above and beyond to help patients and anyone entering the hospital in need of assistance. They are the Pink Ladies.

Whether it’s bringing a patient a cup of coffee, helping someone find their way around the hospital or providing a comfy pillow for chemo patients, the volunteers work tirelessly to help brighten someone’s day. And they are easily recognized by the pink vests they wear.

“Our volunteers support our ministry in many ways and in various departments,” said Paige Cox, manager of Cara Center, Child Life and Volunteer Services with CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. “They are often the first warm face you encounter to assist as you navigate your hospital visit.”

Paige said volunteers also help support special programming, such as milkshake days and pet therapy, in the Cancer Treatment Center.

“Other areas of volunteering are offered in our pharmacy, Breast Center and Kids Clinic, to name a few,” she said.

Volunteer Lynn Lee has been a Pink Lady for five years.

Sitting at her desk, Lee said she mostly gives directions to people needing to find their way around the hospital.

“People come in and they have no idea how to get to where they’re going,” she said. “We smile, be as nice as we can and try to assist in any way.”

About 50 to 60 volunteers make up the Pink Ladies, most of whom are retired, Lee said. There are currently several male volunteers, but they are simply referred to as volunteers.

Volunteer Mary Camden is a retired teacher.

“I taught for 35 years, so I was trying to think of something to do after retiring,” she said. “It took me a year. In the back of my mind, I was thinking about the Cancer Treatment Center. So, in January, I decided I was ready.”

Volunteers can be found in different areas of the hospital, in the Cancer Treatment Center and at the Breast Care Center, Camden said.

“In the cancer center, we greet the patients and take them back for their exams and we also check all the supplies,” said Camden, a breast cancer survivor. “We make sure all the snacks are replenished.”

Camden also helps put together care bags.

“When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, they receive a care package,” she said. “We give them some things that will help them along their journey.”

The Pink Ladies can also be found in the gift shop.

“We refill the supplies and help people with checking out,” Lee said. “We go in and we fill the shelves and assist the person who works there.”

The volunteers also receive donations from church groups and other organizations.

“We have a church that makes these pillows and we put them in baskets out in the waiting room,” Camden said. “We also take them around sometimes to ask patients if they need a pillow while they’re doing treatment. They can put them behind their neck or behind their back.”

Camden’s breast cancer diagnosis is what eventually led her to volunteer with Pink Ladies.

“The people who were Pink Ladies were so compassionate and when you’re going through something difficult and even when you’re just going for a mammogram, for somebody to greet you with a smile makes a difference,” she said.

Lee’s reason for volunteering was because she wanted to give back.

“I prayed about it and I asked God to find me a way to give back. This came up and it was like an answer to prayer,” she said. “But I get the blessing more than being able to bless other people because we have some of the sweetest, most kind people that come in, especially to the cancer center.”

Camden added, “When they look at you and you can make them smile, you think, ‘OK, I brought a little happiness to their life.’”

SHREVEPORT – Enroll this summer. Teach in August.

For professionals with a bachelor’s degree who are interested in switching to a career in education, the TeachLSUS Alternate Certification provides a path into the classroom almost instantaneously.

TeachLSUS is hosting an informational meeting May 30 in the LSUS University Center for community members interested in a career transition.

The meeting will feature past and current members of the alternate certification program and what they’ve experienced in local classrooms.

“This alternate certification opens the teaching profession to people who don’t have an undergraduate degree in education,” said Jacqueline Langford, TeachLSUS director. “You don’t have to go to school all over again and get another degree, this certification provides a shortened path to the classroom.”

Applicants to the TeachLSUS program must have already passed a Praxis II Content test in the area they wish to teach.

“The reason our teacher candidates can get into the classroom so quickly is because they’ve passed the Praxis, which demonstrates to the state that they know the content that they’ll be teaching,” Langford explains. “Our program focuses on the methodology of teaching and supporting our teacher candidates once they are in the classroom.

“Schools provide mentor teachers and curriculum to assist teacher candidates in their transition.”
The program can be completed in 18-24 months with teacher candidates earning full salary and benefits for the majority of the program.

Teacher candidates are in their classrooms during the day and in their program classes at night, typically two nights per week.

“There is a learning curve, but we’ve found that candidates in our program are highly sought after in the local school districts,” Langford said. “The program has produced award-winning teachers, which include a current member of the program winning New Teacher of the Year.

“Some of our past program graduates have gone on to win other top awards, including Teacher of the Year in the entire state.”

The need for teachers has never been greater at the national, state and local levels.

More than 1,100 teaching vacancies existed across the state according to a 2022 Louisiana Department of Education report. A review of teaching positions this spring in Caddo, Bossier and DeSoto parishes revealed around 80 vacancies.

With enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs continuing to decline across the state (more than a 10 percent drop from 2016-21), potential educators are being sought through a number of nontraditional paths.

Visit the LSUS website to learn more about the TeachLSUS program.

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University announces the names of 498 students named to the President’s List for the Spring 2024 semester. Students on the President’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of 4.0.

For questions regarding the President’s List, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu.

Students listed by hometown are as follows.

Achern, Germany – Alina Graf;

Abbeville – Caroline LeMaire;

Alamogordo, New Mexico – Brett Money;

Alexandria – Valerie Alanis, Alexis Briggs, Emmalee Brinkman, Zoria Davion, Isabelle Ducote, Brody Heard, Jamie Kirkman, Shelby Lemoine, Devon Powell, Danielle Richardson, TreNeisha Taylor, Nicholas Zona;

Allen, Texas – Jessica Spitzer;

Anacoco – Jessica Haymon, Katelyn Haymon, Landen Jett, Coree Runnels, Karlea Welch;

Angers, France – Thibault Déprez;

Angoulins, France – Eugénie Pennamen;

Arcadia – Lauryn Vernon;

Argentré, France – Anaëlle Bondis;

Arnaudville – Nikki Lee;

Atlanta – Emily Thomisee;

Atlanta, Texas – Austin Head;

Ballito, South Africa – Paige Wise;

Barksdale AFB – Grace Kerney, Mariah Kerr;

Basile – Mackenzie Hebert;

Baton Rouge – Honor Camus, Andre Guiteau-Laurent, Joseph Sotile;

Belle Chasse – Molly Adams, Tyler Nichol;

Belmont – Andie Gilcreast;

Benton – Laurel Chambers, Rebekah Edmonds, Averie Halverson, Kassidy Kirpluk, Morgan McCrory, Diana Mccabe, Ella Robinson, Ashlynn Stewart, Tyla Stewart, Tatum Waites, Brooke Wilkins;

Beograd, Serbia – Ivona Miljanic;

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania – Christine Charboneau;

Bienville – Rafe Martin;

Bogata, Texas – Harmony Marsh;

Bossier City – Melaie Aguilar Noyola, Elizabeth Armstrong, Amber Billings, Emily Brown, Madison Brown, Nicholas Cooksey, Tandy Finton, Emma Gonzales, John Gray, Caleb Helms, Colby Horne, Payotn Hudson, Aries Irby, Ascie Kabalaoui, David Kolb, Kenley Loftin, Toni Maattala, Kalyssa Mall, Taylor Maust, Izabella Moreno, Jonathan Morris, Victoria Morris, Abigail Petermann, Trista Sanders, Natalie Sutton, Naje Turner, Solomon Washington, Dagan Webb;

Bourgneuf-En-Mauges, France – Eva Pineau;

Boyce – Allie Ainsworth, Victoria Fatula, Haleigh Franklin;

Broussard – John Acosta, Abbie Boutte, Ally Enkey;

Bunkie – Jana Couvillion;

Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Aidan Newton;

Calhoun – Caleb Clifton;

Campti – Faith Matthews, Hannah Walker;

Castor – Miracle Tomerlin;

Cedar Hill, Tennessee – Amanda Hawthorne;

Chalmette – Nicole Struve;

Chandler, Arizona – Nicholas Le Jander, Jessica Lynch;

Charles Town, West Virginia – Zoey Suire;

Charleston, West Virginia – Megan Niedbalski;

Chiba-City Japan – Ayu Ishibashi;

China Spring, Texas – Blake Taggert;

Church Point – Madison Patin;

Ciudad Autónoma De Buenos Aire, Argentina — Maria Agustina Fariña

College Station, Texas – Erin Williams;

Converse – Willa Gregston;

Cottonport – Keyonce Friels;

Coushatta – Claire Endris, Mary Gill, Sharelle Moore, Heidi Murray;

Crandall, Texas – Alexander Miller;

Cartegena, Colombia – Juan Castilla;

Cut Off – Jessi Angelette, Addison Duet, Max Hebert;

Delhi – Ellanor Carlson;

Denham Springs – Averie Duran;

DeQuincy – Zachary Bailey;

DeRidder – Isabella DiMaggio, Kershaun Napper, Jenna Pottmeyer, Lauren Ray, Dominic Ross, Maria-Theresa Ross, Brennan Smith, Leah Thompson, Emma Williamson, Shelby Young;

Deville – Robert Belgard, Tara Grimm, Laekin Ream, Briana Smail;

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Zaiba Daud, Abdullah Yusuf;

Diana, Texas – Brendan Donaghy;

Diboll, Texas – Christopher Acker;

Dodson – Anthony Wehunt, Heather Wehunt, Logan Womack;

Dry Prong – Alana Lockhart, Ella Reitzell, Emma Reitzell, Audrey Spears, Emily Tisher;

El Campo, Texas – Clay Jung;

Elm Grove – Macy Scott;

Elmer – Katie Gauthier, Blake Glorioso, Shelby Thacker;

Evergreen – Latyriona Jones;

Farmerville – Isabella Fulton;

Ferriday – Madison White;

Florien – Bailey Sandel, Abigail Thomas;

Forest Hill – Solmayra Sierra;

Fort Johnson – AhMyrie Gray, Kaylee Huff, Sara Letzgus, Liqing Liu, Spencer Meyer, Alaina Olsen, Candace Sizemore, Milena Zoeller;

Fort Worth, Texas – Riley Stern;

Freeport, Florida – Karla Ames;

Frierson – Kaci McDaniel, Madysen Payne;

Frisco, Texas – Brad Powell;

Galliano – Lia Portillo Cantarero;

Garland, Texas – Carley Johnson;

Gibsland – Cameron Murphy;

Glenmora – Jordin Taylor;

Gloster – Cameron Curtis;

Golden Meadow – Magen Sevin;

Goldonna – Rachel Dupree, Winsome Guillory;

Grand Cane – Trenton Bossier;

Grant – Sarah Edwards;

Gravesend, United Kingdom – Sileena Farrell;

Greenwell Springs – Julia Boudreaux;

Greenwood – Hannah Jordan, Keenan Stewart, Jacob Sullivan;

Groesbeck, Texas – Tiffany Burleson;

Hall In Tirol, Austria – Sara ERenda;

Hallsville, Texas – Madelyn Floyd;

Hammond – Amber Weston;

Haughton – Taylor Barr, Roldjy Charles, Elizabeth Hardy, Jillian Lloyd, Colin Rains, Taylor Shepherd;

Hedgesville, West Virginia – Sonnet Luby;

Henderson, Texas – James Sugg;

Hineston – Sharon Howell, Jami Robinson;

Homer – Deborah Harmon;

Houma – Madison Anderson, Remi Blanchard, Bryce Fonseca, Valerie Galliano, Ariel Theriot;

Huntsville, Texas – Jennifer Castleman;

Iota – Coy Steen;

Irondale, Alabama – Jared Jefferies;

Jeanerette – Dustina Guillot;

Jena – Ella Jensen, Alexxis Jones;

Jennings – Briannah Stansberry;

Jonesboro – Anayah Allen;

Karnack, Texas – James Elkins;

Keatchie – Katy Cash;

Keithville – Kaci Green, Anna Hausgen, Ashlynn McClain, Melody Sparks, Victoria Umling;

Kemah, Texas – River Jekel-Chavez;

Kingwood, Texas – Jaime Perdue;

Kyle, Texas – Mia Liscano;

La Bohalle, France – Noémie Wasse;

Lafayette – Emma Alleman, Kamryn Babineaux, Kristi Carrier, Blake Fontenot, Aleyanis Hernandez, Taylor Johnson, Alex Laurent, Kylie Ly, Jailey Sylvester, Phoenix Woods;

Lake Charles – Jarod Becton, Mateo Este-McDonald, Sadie Pierce, Caroline Ritchie;

Leander – Abigail Williams;

Leesville — Kaitlyn Bailey, Brianna Billiot, Hylaina Boose, Caleb-Mitche Branche, Avari Cain, Brittany Counts, Ellen Daily, Tanya Edds, Faith Fregory, Kaitlinne Hegyi, Kaycie Helton, Erik Lopez, Ethan Nash, Morgan Owens, Laila Salas, Lyndsie Snider, Samantha Warstler;

Lena – Emily Waits;

Lipan, Texas – Joshua Cox;

Lockport – Brett Brady;

Longville – Seth Smith;

Luling – Hailey McGovern, Samantha Todaro;

Madisonville – Barrett Hodgson;

Mamou – Karmen Laurant, Treyton O’Connor;

Mandeville – Mark Ennis;

Mansfield – De’Anna Nabors, Taylor Opatz, Antoinette Turner;

Mansura – Emma Miller;

Many – Nancy Bolton, Destiny Bryant, Geert Kor, Christian Rivers, Adelaide Soileau;

Marksville – Koby Brevelle, Anna Laborde, Emily Lucas;

Marthaville – Aaron Manasco, Zachary Slaughter;

Maud, Texas – Meghan Jackson;

Maysville, West Virginia – Savannah Wilson;

Mckinleyville, California – Nicole Lights;

Meraux – Abigail Coker;

Metairie – Sarah Easley Van Hoof;

Midlothian, Texas – Abria Paul;

Minden – Megan Mitchell, Richard Mitchell, Heather Weldon;

Missouri City, Texas – Maggie Darr;

Monroe – Madison Bruce, Shelby Lowe, Emilee McGuire;

Montgomery – Tamia Colbert, Zackary Racine, John Tucker-Howell;

Morgan City – Lacey Guagliardo;

Muskogee, Oklalhoma – Jay Stroble;

Natchez – Cassidy Gandy;

Natchitoches – Naomi Adams, Hillary Bennett, De’Jon Blake, Tam Bui, Emily Bumgardner, Timothy Coffey, Aziza Coutee, Aaliyah Creekmore, Kelsie Davis, Derek Dupre, Joshua Durr, Jennifer Hamilton, Amanda Hernandez, Charizma Hill, Corynn Lacaze, Montel Mercier, Joshua Nolley, Caylyn Peddy, Isabella Peluso, Naiomy Perez Del Valle, Nicholas Pierson, Anna Poe, Hayden Prudhomme, Timothy Pursell, Kamryn Shelton, Erin Smith, Jamaica Solitaire, Caitlyn Taylor, Chloe Townend, Jorge Vargas Martinez, Madeline Williford;

New Iberia – Ashton Borel, Madison Disotell, Angela Espinoza, Donyelle January, Brianna Le, Tenisha Viltz;

New Orleans – Brianeka Dixon, Imani Fleury, Sandra Lloyd;

New Windsor, Maryland – Meghan Kopel;

New York, New York – Alana Watson;

Noble – Harleigh Schexneider;

Normangee, Texas – Spencer Yellott;

Oak Ridge – Lalaina Wood;

Oakdale – Naiya Bernard;

Oberlin – Heidi Manuel;

Ocala, Florida – Jaden Neadham;

Omaha, Nebraska – James DiPrima;

Opelousas – Jasmine Barnaba, Alayna Charles, Tasia Hayes;

Orange, Texas – Kaneesha Bellow, Misty Comptson;

Oscar – Mariah Kador;

Owasso, Oklahoma – Cole Hill;

Palmetto – Donovan Green;

Pierre Part – Hayden Alberes;

Pineville – Alyssa Austin, Brady Benoit, Wendi Bray, Cady Brown, Faith Bryant, Raima Cazes, Kylie Combs, Jamie Docter, Nathan Doine, Kaylee Green, Jillian Gresham, Jenna Johnson, Chris Litton, William Murdock, Abigail Nelson, Madison Smith, Andrew Thiels, Stephanie Vajcner;

Pitkin – Courtlyn Martin, Tristan Millsaps, Megan Smith, Shae Wetzel;

Plain Dealing – Hayden Baldwin;

Plaucheville – Luke Mayeux, Nathan Ponthier;

Pleasant Hill – Katie Murray, Celeste Waddle;

Pollock – Josie Fowler, Ashley Lacombe, Emily Mcgehee;

Ponchatoula – Taylor Applegarth;

Prairieville – Julie Andrus, Logan Dupuy, Elizabeth Fellows, Evan Kern, Owen Kern;

Prosper, Texas – Madison Murphy;

Quitman – Kaitlyn Williams;

Ragley – Hallie Guidry, Colton Wood;

Rayville – Erica Miller;

Richardson, Texas – Kyle Nolen;

Richmond, Texas – Alejandro Marquez;

Ringgold – Avery Myers;

Robeline – Stevie Carter, Kaley Koss, Keith Vascocu, Tucker Vascocu;

Rockwall, Texas – Tristin Court, Caden Fiveash;

Ruston – Lorelei Freling, May Holyoak;

Saginaw, Texas – Ashlyn Walker;

St. Francisville – Jeri Malina, Braylon Parker;

St. Martinville – Lizzie Blanchard, Atouria Mitchell, Brooke Mouton, Karlton Roberton;

San Pedro Sula, Honduras – Jelsson Flores Reyes, Norman Martinez Reyes;

Sanger, Texas – Korbin Shumate;

Schriever – Ellie Dufrene;

Shreveport – Eric Appleton, Sawyer Benson, Maddison Cathey, Laniya Chatman, Jewel Coleman, Katriane Creel, Felicia Culpepper, Alima Christine Davis, Shelbey DeLouche, Anastasia Douglas, Kristal Gueory, Shailah Hagins, Yasheka Jack, Damon Johnston, Anna Kent, Montana Laney, Patricia McClelland, Marcus Mitchell, Clairie Parent, Christian Robinson, Kathryn Sanders, Ebony Smith, Michaela Smith, Ainsley Soland, Felicia Sullivan, Brittney Thomas, Aidan Welch;

Simmesport – Natasha Clute;

Slagle – Christopher Moore;

Slidell – Matthew Spencer, Aviance Bee;

Sondheimer – Cailen Wiltcher;

South Barrington, Illinois – Jonathan Pecora;

Springfield – Kailee Tartamella;

Springhill – Jillian Masingill;

Stonewall – Natalie Cobb, Rhyan Floyd, Amber Gaddy, Braedon Theodos;

Sulphur – Grace Culpepper, Julian Peshoff, Chaise Sutherland;

Terheijden, Netherlands – Tim Pelkmans;

Texarkana, Texas – Halley Tubb, Mason Windham;

Tioga – Halo Goudeau;

Trophy Club, Texas – Brian Norton;

Trout – Callie McDowell;

Trumbull, Connecticut – Anna Stook;

Turbaco, Bolívar, Colombia – Gabriel Polo Gomez;

Urania – Jordyn Hough;

Valrico, Florida – Emiy Gundin;

Vidalia – Kaitlyn Anderson, Kelli Loomis;

Ville Platte – Morgan Bordelon, Jaylin Clark;

Vivian – Anna Jackson;

Wake Village, Texas – Molly Laird;

Walker – Mitchell Mayfield;

Washington – Sophie Fontenot;

West Monroe – Monessia Emery, Rachel Semmes, Shelby Sutton, Joshua Zuber;

Whitesboro, Texas – John Klein;

Whitney, Texas – Makenzie Seely;

Winnfield – Kayla Jones, Landen Womack;

Woodworth – Caroline Blanchard;

Youngsville – Ella Dupuie, Jolie Fontenot, Connor Forestier, Brian Sonnier;

Zwolle – Jaeger Ebarb, Gracie Leone, Sarah Lewing, Zachary Remedies, Roselieta Smith, Victoria Sepulvado;

Bertie is a historical figure who is often overlooked or discounted as a failure, but was he?  Bertie was born in Iowa in 1874.  His father, Jesse, owned a farm implement store.  His mother’s name was Hulda.  He had an older brother and eventually, a younger sister.  In 1880, Bertie’s father died from a sudden heart attack at the young age of 34.  Four years later, his mother died from Typhoid fever.  Ten-year-old Bertie and his two siblings were orphans.  In 1885, Bertie and his siblings went to Newberg, Oregon, to live with their uncle, a businessman named John Minthorn.  Uncle John managed a real estate office called the Oregon Land Company.  Bertie dropped out of school at the age of 13 to work in Uncle John’s land company. 

In 1891, Bertie enrolled in the first class of the brand new Stanford University.  He initially studied mechanical engineering but changed his major to geology after working with Dr. John Casper Branner, the chairman of Stanford’s geology department.  In 1894, a strong-minded 20-year-old woman named Lou Henry attended a geology lecture by Dr. Branner and was hooked.  Shortly thereafter, she enrolled at Stanford.  There, she met Bertie and the two became inseparable.  A year after her graduation, Bertie and Lou married.  Soon thereafter, Bertie accepted a position as leading engineer in a private Chinese engineering and mining company.  The newlyweds packed their meager belongings and moved to Tientsin, China. 

At the time, tensions were rising in China.  In June 1900, the Boxer Rebellion erupted in Tientsin.  The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist, and anti-Christian uprising in North China between 1899 and 1901 by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, known as the “Boxers” in English due to many of its members having practiced Chinese martial arts, which at the time were referred to as “Chinese boxing.”  For almost a month, Tientsin was under heavy fire. While Lou worked in the hospitals, Bertie directed the building of barricades.  On July 14, 1901, a multi-national military force defeated the “boxers” in the Battle of Tientsin. 

After the rebellion, Bertie and Lou moved to London where Bertie specialized in fixing failing mining companies.  Rather than being paid a salary, Bertie took a percentage of the profits if he was able to rejuvenate the companies.  Within a short time, Bertie had investments in mines on every continent and had offices in several countries.  His talents as a geologist quickly made him wealthy.  By 1914, Bertie’s wealth reached approximately $4 million.  That would be over $125 million in today’s money. 

Bertie wrote the book on mining.  Seriously.  In 1909, he published a book called “Principles of Mining” which became a standard textbook for geologists.  Bertie and Lou were huge fans of Georgius Agricola’s 16^th century work on mining and metallurgy called “De re Metallica.”  In 1912, they published the first English translation of “De re Metallica.”  At about the same time, Bertie joined the board of trustees at his alma mater, Stanford.  Bertie was happy with the trajectory of his life.  He had a loving wife and two wonderful children.  Then something happened which forever changed his life’s trajectory. 

In 1914, Germany declared war on France.  The American Consul General asked for Bertie’s help in getting stranded American tourists back home.  With the backing of Congress and President Woodrow Wilson, Bertie was selected as the committee’s chairman.  He acted immediately.  Within two weeks, his committee helped more 100,000 Americans return to the United States.  Bertie said later, “I did not realize it at the moment, but on August 3, 1914, my career was over forever.  I was on the slippery road of public life.”

In August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, which created a food crisis.  Germany refused to take responsibility to feed citizens in captured territory.  At this point, the United States declared neutrality in what was the early part of World War I.  Something had to be done.  With the cooperation of President Wilson’s administration, Bertie led a Belgian relief organization called the Commission for Relief in Belgium.  Bertie made 40 trips to meet with German authorities in the North Sea and persuaded them to allow food shipments.  Under Bertie’s leadership, the commission delivered millions of tons of foodstuffs to Belgium.  In 1915, the commission expanded and delivered supplies to people in the German-occupied Northern France.  American diplomat Walter Page said Bertie was “probably the only man living who has privately negotiated understandings with the British, French, German, Dutch, and Belgian governments.”  Remember, Bertie held no political office.

When the United States entered World War I, President Wilson remembered how well Bertie had handled the Commission for Relief in Belgium and France and appointed him to head the U.S. Food Administration.  Bertie’s herculean task was to manage the country’s food supplies during the war.  To avoid rationing, which other wartime countries were forced to undertake, Bertie established set days for people to avoid eating certain foods including the cleverly named meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays.  The plan worked and allowed the Food Administration to send foodstuffs to allies of the United States.  Bertie was referred to as an expert administrator for his work.

After the war, Europe still faced food shortages.  The Food Administration, whose name changed to the American Relief Administration, provided food to central and eastern Europe.  Bertie also founded the European Children’s Fund to provide food and aid to some fifteen million children from 14 countries.  Despite his request that he not be named in publicity for the food program, Bertie’s selfless work during the war made him a public hero.  His abilities were also praised when he worked as Secretary of Commerce under presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge.  Despite going from being an orphan to a multimillionaire, personally negotiating with leaders of warring nations to provide aid which potentially saved the lives of millions of people in multiple countries, Bertie is often considered a failure.  How is this possible?  When the stock market crashed in the fall of 1929 followed shortly thereafter by the Great Depression, Bertie was the president of the United States.  Bertie was the family nickname for Herbert Hoover.

Sources:

1.     “Herbert Hoover,” The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/herbert-hoover/.

2.     The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, https://hoover.archives.gov/.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission will host its next saddle microchipping event today, Friday, May 31, from 10am to 2pm. at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.

If you’ve ever been interested in getting involved with the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (ages 18-35) now is your chance. There will be a District 1 (includes Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Bienville and Sabine Parishes) informational meeting on June 1 at the RB4 Event Center, 791 Nash Road, Logansport. There will be speakers discussing farm related topics. A meal will be provided. Contact Josh Gooden at 318.518.2745 for more information.

The Mansfield State Historic Site will celebrate National Trails Day Saturday, June 1. There will be guided tours of the site including a portion that is not normally open to the public. Tours will begin every two-hours beginning at 9am.

The Love Heals Free Clinic of Baton Rouge is hosting a Free Clinic Day in Shreveport on June 22 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo Street, Shreveport, in downtown next to the Hilton Hotel.

Earl “JJ” Street
October 10, 1961 — May 21, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11am at Wesley United Methodist Church – Mansfield

John Woodley
March 12, 1943 — May 15, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11am at Antioch Vine Baptist Church – Pelican

Amy Lou Freeman
July 23, 1979 — May 27, 2024
Service: Monday, June 3, 2024 at 10am at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Mansfield

David Small
October 20, 1943 — May 21, 2024
Service: Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11am at New Friendship B.C. – Frierson

CRIMESTOPPERS WANTED SUBJECT: LEROY HOLBERT

Leroy Holbert     (B/M DOB 09/23/83)
is currently being sought by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Appear.

Holbert was arrested back in February on charges related to Possession of Meth, Distribution, among other drug related offenses. His last known address was on Pinehill Circle in Mansfield, La.

If you have information that may lead investigators to Leroy Holbert’s location, CrimeStoppers will pay up to $1,000 for any tip that leads to his arrest. You can leave a tip anonymously by visiting http://www.P3Tips.com, call 1-800-505-7867, or by using the Submit A Tip form in the DeSoto Sheriff App.

The DeSoto Parish School System is pleased to announce that Mrs. Amanda LaFollete, Principal of Mansfield Elementary School, has been named one of nine finalists at the 2024 Teacher Leader Summit for the 2025 Principal of the Year award by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Superintendent Clay Corley, says, “I am thrilled for Mrs. LaFollette and the legacy of excellence in leadership that our district consistently upholds. Her dedication to the students and staff of Mansfield Elementary has driven significant growth at the school, reflecting the hard work of both herself and her entire team.”

Student outcomes at Mansfield Elementary School have improved significantly this past school year. Mansfield Elementary serves as the pilot school for DeSoto Parish Schools’ Student Wellness program and has been named a model of excellence for literacy by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Supervisor of Administration, Mr. Brandon Burback, says, “Mrs. Lafollette continues her upward trajectory as a high performing leader focused on what’s best for students. Mrs. Lafollette’s student first approach is inspiring and communicates excellence in all she and her team does to improve student and teacher outcomes. I am thankful for her leadership.”

Mrs. Bridget Flanders, Director of Student Learning, states, “I am proud of Mrs. LaFollette and all the Little Wolverine community. It is exciting to see their hard work and dedication spotlighted at the state level.”

As a native of DeSoto Parish, Mrs. LaFollete began her education career in the school system as a math teacher at Mansfield High School in 2002. She taught math for fourteen years at Mansfield High School, where she served as the cheerleader and the initial sponsor of the National Beta Club. After she served as a career teacher, Mrs. LaFollette became a Master Teacher in 2016, supporting math teachers both at Mansfield High School and Mansfield Middle School. LaFollette’s stint as Mansfield Elementary School’s Principal began in the 2020-2021 school year.

Principal LaFollette speaks to her journey as an educator and leader in Mansfield schools,” I’m so grateful for this honor and the opportunity to represent DeSoto Parish and Mansfield Elementary School as a state finalist. My passion has been all things Mansfield Wolverines for the past 22 years and I am beyond blessed to work with a team of educators that put our students first everyday!”

All semi finalists and finalists will be honored at the 18th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, which will be held at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans on the evening of July 27. This exciting event is co-sponsored by Dream Teachers.

These programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge those teachers and leaders who are making exceptional gains with students. Their commitment to student success exemplifies Louisiana’s education profession.

For more information on the announcement of the Principal and Teacher of the Year semifinalists, visitvwww.louisainabelives.com.

Source: desotopsb.com

The small Concordia Parish village of Ferriday has received national if not worldwide acclaim for three reasons. Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart. Three cousins, who grew up in Ferriday would become known across the globe for Lewis’ and Gilley’s piano-pounding music and Swaggart’s preaching.

Seven miles up the road from Ferriday, the Franklin Parish hamlet of Gilbert has produced another notable figure who’s behind the scenes work with his video camera has made his name known throughout the outdoors industry. He is John L. Brown, Jr. who for some 20 years worked as videographer for the National Wild Turkey Federation, eventually being named Executive Producer.

For more than two decades, his expertise with the camera put him in close quarters with every well-known name in the outdoors industry.

Brown has now retired and has moved back home to his north Louisiana roots. He finally had time to put together a wonderful hard cover book, “Gathering Light” that covers his life from growing up along the Tensas Basin to his years of loading up and packing his camera gear to film hunts with the most notable outdoors personalities across the country.

“Gathering Light” begins as Brown, a youngster, watched and lamented over the destruction of the thousands of acres of prime hardwoods in his beloved Tensas Delta being brought to the ground and burned. The reason for this horrific destruction had to do with the fact that the fertile land along the Tensas could grow soy beans, a crop seen at the time as more valuable than oak trees. Soy beans could grow back every year while you could just about forget about ever replacing the hardwoods.

At the age of 24, Brown and his roommate, Rex Moncrief were working at a lumber yard when an earlier chance encounter with the promotions director of a local NBC affiliate led to an escape from loading lumber for customers. Brown and Moncrief pitched the idea of producing a local outdoor program for the station. Long story short, their program, “The Outdoor News” was born and enjoyed success for several years.

From “The Outdoor News” came the opportunity to do free-lance work for companies such as Knight and Hale, Primos and others.

“Gathering Light” covers Brown’s eventual expertise with his video camera to capturing the attention of other companies. He was slowly but steadily climbing the ladder to his eventual landing a plum of a job with the National Wild Turkey Federation, a position he held for some 20 years until an unceremonious release from the organization.

One thing that led to his success probably more than anything else was imparted to him by well-known outdoors video producer, Ron Jolly, a fellow Louisianian.

“John”, Jolly told him, “there are two things that I’ll tell you about this business that are absolutes regarding the job. One, you must be an eternal optimist. You must believe that without a doubt that the buck you’re hunting is about to walk past your stand, or that the next yelp will elicit a gobbler. Number two, you must enjoy seeing others succeed.”

Brown writes that as time passed, he understood what Jolly was saying as he saw the failure of others who couldn’t derive satisfaction seeing someone else pull the trigger.

Personally, I finished my copy of “Gathering Light” in one sitting. It brought back memories of the times I was privileged to visit with John over the years and as an outdoors writer, my association with so many he writes about. If you have any interest at all in the outdoors, it’s a book you’ll thoroughly enjoy.

“Gathering Light” is available at Amazon.com. For an inscribed copy of the book, which sells for $25, contact Brown at 486 Marion Sims Rd., W. Monroe, LA 71292.

SHREVEPORT, LA — Giving blood stacks up at LifeShare Blood Center! Donors will receive a coupon for a free buttermilk shortstack from IHOP when they donate with LifeShare.

“Summer is a historically difficult time for blood collections,” says Mandi Johnson, Director of Community Engagement. “LifeShare supplies blood and blood products to over 100 local hospitals. It is crucial that we maintain a steady inventory throughout the summer months to help our local patients.”

LifeShare is honored to partner with IHOP who generously donated gift certificates for donors to kick off the summer!

Donors who give in-center or on mobile drives Wednesday, May 29th through Sunday, June 9th are eligible. Appointments are encouraged, but not required. To schedule a donation appointment, visit: http://www.lifeshare.org/give.

A look in the rearview mirror at Louisiana Tech’s 2024 baseball season (so far) from someone who’s been there … 

(Editor’s Note: Odd circumstances put me on the road with the team and, despite that, the guys ended up winning Conference USA’s regular season title and survived a metaphorical fistfight to finish runner-up in the conference tournament last week. They bring a 45-15 record and want-to into Friday’s 7 p.m. scrap against Kansas State, 32-24, in the Fayetteville Regional.)

Tech’s 12-0 start included its first road game of the year, a 20 hits, 13 runs whupping of McNeese in Lake Charles in cold weather, and by “cold” we mean 47-below 0. With a wind blowing in from left. It was so cold I saw a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets.

The final part of trip was a championship at the three-day Battle at the Ballpark in Sugar Land, Texas, which was a semi-synopsis of the whole season, minus the losses. 

• Tech beat Army, 4-0, scoring all the game’s runs in the eighth, the final pair on a homer by centerfielder Cole McConnell, who at that point in Tech’s 9-0 season had 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts — and 0 singles.
• Beat pain-in-the-ass Creighton, 12-0. Creighton’s voice carries, put it that way. The walk-off blow — a three-run, line-drive tater by Ethan Bates.
• Beat Air Force, 8-5, after trailing 5-0.
• Tech’s Bates was the DH and Reliever and MVP on the All-Tournament team — and was last week named the 2024 Most Outstanding Player in CUSA.
• (Army and Air Force will play in Regionals this weekend. Creighton, which went a loud 2-1 in Sugar Land, not so much. All quiet on the midwestern front.)

On the bus trip home, we started losing power near Grambling, regained it, limped off Interstate 20 and onto Tech Drive, and crawled to a stop at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson in the middle of the night. Without anyone knowing it, we’d just experienced the season in mini-form: some blowouts, some tight wins, and some flats that almost made you pull over.

And it was only the first week of March.

In Miami for three games, three guys went for separate walks and were attacked by the same bird on the same morning, a Hitchcockian affair we all witnessed on the team bus to the game that afternoon when the same bird at the same spot attacked some unsuspecting sap. Major laughs. And sadly, the highlight of the 1-2 trip.

There was the hotel where you had to turn in a Magic Ticket for breakfast, and the hotel in Arizona that was probably nice — 40 years ago. Someone was always misplacing a wallet or phone. Someone was always looking for a bottle of water.

There were enough 7 a.m. bus rides to make you feel you were in third grade again. These early-morning taxis were due mainly to early flights. One plane trip a season is about it for mid-majors; Tech had four. Miami. Arizona. New Mexico. Virginia. Flying a college baseball team commercial is like turning around a battleship. In molasses. In wintertime. (Or in Lake Charles in late February.)

Commercial air travel with college baseball is a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey affair, a circus without the elephants and straw. If you come home with almost as many people and almost as much equipment as you left with, it’s considered a very successful trip.

As any team will tell you, the non-baseball parts are common. The baseball parts are different. That’s why lots of teams aren’t playing this weekend, and 64, like Tech, are. They’ve been good at the baseball parts. 

A lot of those 45 wins and the positive reaction to a couple of particularly hard-knocks losses has been because of how this team of Dogs has gotten along, adjusted and adapted during the non-baseball parts. Doubleheaders and time changes and Saturday and Sunday pre-noon games. 

Life asks you to adapt, just as you would to a new arm out of the pen or an error or a bad hop — or a kamikaze bird or late plane or lost luggage. We adjust or we don’t.

It’s a group of teammates who look forward to getting to the ballpark. When they get there again this weekend — and they will, somehow, some way, to baseball-friendly Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville — the baseball parts should be fun to watch. For sure, they’ve earned their way.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

SHREVEPORT – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, intermittent nighttime lane closures will going into place on I-20 eastbound and westbound in Shreveport, Caddo Parish.

These lane closures are necessary to allow the contractor for the I-20 rehabilitation project to begin numerous concrete pavement repairs to areas located outside the current major reconstruction zone.

Lane closures will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekends. At least one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times.

The first area to be addressed will be between Pines Road and Monkhouse Drive, with this phase anticipated to last approximately two months, weather permitting. Additional information will be issued as the contractor progresses to future sections.

Work includes repairing damaged sections of roadway down to the base, as well as pouring new concrete panels in order to improve the driving surface and travel experience.

Click here to read more about the project, and access additional resources and information.

Restrictions/Permits: N/A

Alternate Route: N/A

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

Safety reminder:

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.

Additional information:

Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.

Ware Youth Center is holding a Job Fair Thursday, May 30 from 10am until 2pm in the Group Home Gymnasium, 3365 Hwy 71.

WYC is currently looking for candidates to fill the position of Youth Service Worker.

Energetic individuals wanting to work with residents in a secure and non-secure facility and have a strong desire to improve the quality of life for the youth served should attend.

Starting pay is $15 per hour.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, LA driver’s license, two years of work experience and be 21 years or older and have no criminal history.

WYC offers Louisiana State Retirement (vested after 10 years), health, life, vision and dental insurance, short term disability and holiday pay.

Opportunity available:  Account Executive

Areas include: Natchitoches, Sabine, DeSoto and Red River Parishes.

Qualifications:  Self-motivated, willing to learn, reliable transportation.  Training provided.

Income: Based on 25% sales commissions plus mileage.  Paid Weekly!

If you want to work your own schedule, set your own hours, build a lifetime income and Fridays off, then this is the opportunity for you!

Send resume to:  P. O. Box 2611, Natchitoches, LA 71457

By Doug De Graffenried

I have never successfully answered the “why” question. There are times in a relationship when one will ask the other one, “Why did you hang the picture in that particular place?” “Why did you eat the last of the Blue Bell ice cream?” “Why did you mow the lawn as you did?” I think I have failed in answering those questions. It is because the answer to the question moved behind the realm of action into the realm of motivation. How many of us have the emotional intelligence to authentically answer a motivational question? Why did you blow up at the nice person in the restaurant, when they didn’t melt the cheese on your cheeseburger?

I had an unanswerable “why” question this weekend. The dogs escaped the yard. When our dogs get out of the yard, they jet. Rolo is part Beagle and the sniffer in him takes over and he has to run each scent in the neighborhood. I know that if anything happens to Rolo, I will be in the eternal doghouse. He got out by opening a gate. No kidding, one of the dogs opened a gate. I don’t know how, and they are not confessing.

Why were the dogs in that part of the yard? That part of the yard is gated off on four sides, because my greenhouse is in that part of the yard. I was working in the greenhouse and the dogs were with me. I don’t know what motivated the dogs to be with me. I can’t explain canine motivation. I took a break and went inside; the dogs decided to execute an escape plan. The dogs did return, exhausted. I was released from the doghouse. However, the why questions continued. I know I am frustrating because I have never answered a why question, well.

The same in my professional life. Yes, I am called to this ministry. Yes, I read and study scripture daily. Yes, I talk to God several times a day. Even in ministry, I’m not good with the “why” question. “Why did this happen to me?” “Why am I sick?” “Why is my life falling apart?” I have been doing the preacher thing for forty-eight years. Here is how I now answer the “why” question. The answer to the “why” question is the purview of management, I’m only in customer service.

That is not where the conversation stops, although I have never been able to answer “why” question, I do have some insights about the better question; “how.” How do I move forward given my life circumstances How do I trust in Jesus in the middle of this storm? How do I put one foot in front of the other so I can take the next step? The question for all of us is….

How?

Stanley High School has released an updated graphic with the 2024-2025 school uniform policies on the school’s Facebook page. The updated graphic will be shared throughout the summer to help ensure the uniform policy is well communicated and understood before the beginning of the new school year.

Magnolia Bend Academy recently announced on social media they are expanding to DeSoto Parish for the 2024-25 school year. The school will be housed at the Living Word Church’s campus in Mansfield. Sonya Parks has been selected at the school coordinator. 

Glenda Faye Campbell Green Wise
January 1, 1959 — May 27, 2024
Service: Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 2pm at Midway Baptist Church –  Converse

Earl “JJ” Street
October 10, 1961 — May 21, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11am at Wesley United Methodist Church – Mansfield

The DeSoto Parish Journal would like to honor and commemorate the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we cherish. Today, we take time to reflect, remember, and show our gratitude.  

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. 

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. And some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.

Waterloo—which first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

Memorial Day originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For decades, Memorial Day was observed on May 30 but in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. 

Source: History.com

DeSoto Parish Schools announced the appointment of Mr. Joseph Saverino as the new Principal of North DeSoto High School. With a robust background in education spanning thirteen years, Mr. Saverino has dedicated eight years to classroom teaching and the past five years to administrative roles. His recent tenure includes four years as an Assistant Principal at North DeSoto High School, where he has closely observed and contributed to the growth and success of the school’s academic achievements.

Mr. Saverino has expressed his deep appreciation for the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by the NDHS community. He is enthusiastic about furthering the school’s achievements and supporting the ongoing development of its academic and extracurricular programs.

Mr. Saverino shares, “I am humbled, honored, and excited by this opportunity to serve others in the role of Principal at North DeSoto High School. I look forward to continuing the great work we have been accomplishing at NDHS! GO GRIFFINS!”

Source: desotopsb.com