Matt Vines

North DeSoto’s McFerren tabbed to play in high school all-star game

North DeSoto second baseman Blayne McFerren was selected to play in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association’s baseball all-star game on May 17-18 at Louisiana Christian.

McFerren was the leadoff hitter for a North DeSoto squad that advanced to the quarterfinals this season.

The All-Star game features the best seniors from across the state, regardless of school size.

McFerren will play for the West in the East-West alignment.

 

North DeSoto softball pair part of winning All-Star team

North DeSoto softball’s Mia Norwood and Laney Johnson were part of the winning West squad in the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association’s All-Star series.

The West won the first game before the second game ended in a tie.

Norwood was selected as a third baseman with Johnson making the squad as a pitcher.

The pair appeared in the state championship game in all four of their seasons, winning the first three appearances before falling this season to Lutcher.

 

North DeSoto softball crowds All-District team

Ten North DeSoto softball players were selected to the District 2-4A First Team with Laney Johnson winning MVP honors.

Johnson served as the primary pitcher for a North DeSoto bunch that appeared in the fourth straight championship game appearance in these players’ careers, winning the first three before falling to Lutcher this season.

Other first-teamers included infielder’s Mia Norwood, Maddy Stringer, Raegan Henderson and Ciara Orgeron.

Payton Miller was selected at catcher with outfielders Carsyn Curtis, Sasha Falls and Regan Davlin sweeping the position.

Avery McCloskey was also picked as a first-team pitcher.

 

North DeSoto baseball lauded on all-district teams

Six North DeSoto baseball players were voted to the 2-4A All-District First Team with 10 Griffins honored all together.

First teamers include infielders Reni Mason, Bryant LaCour and Blayne McFerren, outfielder Lyke Delafield, designated hitter Brayden Toothman and utility Trysten Hopper.

The second team included pitchers Caleb Roles and Kaleb Carter with utility Braden Jones and outfielder Cole Cory.

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Rogers, Jeremy Jerone Jr.
B M 21
Aggravated Battery of a Dating Partner-Child endangerment
Violations of Protective Orders-Minor Injury/Simple Battery
Logansport

Hardeman, James
B M 42
Warrant Desoto Parish
Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon
Grand Cane

Price, Anthony Michael
W M 35
Fugitive Warrant/Arrest
Flight from an Officer
Open Alcohol Container in vehicle
Benton

Creech, Rudy
B M 24
Speeding
Driving Under Suspension
Resisting an Officer
Natchitoches

Ndudi, Kingsley
B M 34
Contempt of Court
Stonewall

Brown, Lashara Lyshea
B F 31
Fugitive Warrant
Coushatta

Bellows, Alterrin Cortex
B M 20
Possession of Schedule 1 with Intent to Distribute
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of Firearm in Presence of CDS
Lafayette

Chamberlin, Gavin
W M 24
Possession/Sale/Distribution of Legend Drug without a prescription or order
Possession of CDS IV
Possession of Marijuana
Illegal Tint
Converse

Litton, Caletha Lavette
B F 20
Simple Battery
Mansfield

Williams, Jonathan
B F 38
Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling
Mansfield

Maw, Gun
W M 40
DWI Second Offense
Simple Littering
Open Alcohol container
Obstruction of Justice
Center, Tx

Mason, Frederick James
B M 46
Warrant Desoto Parish
Mansfield

Taylor, Michael Jadarius
B M 27
Fugitive Warrant/Arrest
Coushatta

Simmons, Susan Denise
W F 61
DWI
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Driving in roadway laned for traffic
Open Alcohol Container in Vehicle
Logansport

Bruce, David Wayne
W M 42
Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness
Stonewall

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By Doug De Graffenried

It is cliché.

A cartoon character will be in the middle of an ethical conundrum. The cartoonist will picture an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other. Both are vying for attention and to direct the future behavior of the character. Have you felt that your bad side is trying to convince your good side to do something? We preachers talk about this matter as a paradox or as one author put it, “human polarity in Biblical perspective.”

I had a preacher friend who described it as “people who are too bad to be good and too good to be bad.” The Apostle Paul wrote, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” That is one of the super-saints of the church describing his inner struggle and he was an Apostle!

We all have struggles with good and bad behavior, with doing what is good and doing that which is wrong. You don’t have to ponder the great truth of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; you simply need to tell a toddler not to do something and watch what happens next. The Bible portrays us as saints and sinners simultaneously. The good news is that Jesus loves sinners, and He also loves saints. You can’t lose with the radical grace of the cross. Are you getting this, Jesus loves you and there is nothing you can do to change that.

I have arrived at my point now. If you are struggling with good and bad, right and wrong, being a saint and a sinner, do you suppose that person who so aggravated you this morning might also be struggling? The truth is all people are incredibly broken and beautiful simultaneously. Out of our acknowledged brokenness grows our unique beauty. Are we seeing others as Jesus sees them?

Are we treating others as Jesus would treat them? Remember that Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it unto Me.”

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The DeSoto Parish Cattlemen’s Association held their 2nd Annual Field Day on May 10, 2024 at The Branch Ranch near Mansfield, LA.

Those in attendance got to hear from several great speakers. Topics discussed included farm pond management, heat stress in cattle, pasture weed management, mineral supplementation, and NRCS programming. The group also got to hear from North Desoto FFA as they presented on Agricultural Land Loss due to Mineral Exploration.

A special thanks to the following for sponsoring the meal for this event.

Corteva Agriscience

Livestock Nutrition Center

Goldman Equipment

Ridley Block Operations

A huge thank you to Mr. Tommie Rogers and The Branch Ranch crew for hosting us once again.

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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.

Dr. Coleatha Fowler-Walker has extended a welcoming opportunity for medical professionals and social services agencies to participate in a variety of ways that day. If you – or anyone you know – is interested in participating in this one-day event on June 22nd, please do look over the attached flyer for the event – and click on the link below to sign up for volunteer opportunities. Feel free to share this information with others in your network who may be of service.

The LINK to sign-up for volunteer positions is:

https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjA3MjA4

If you or your organization is interested in being part of the Health Fair/Education part of the event, do reach out to Dr. Fowler-Walker at the email below and if you should need to follow-up with any questions:

BRNPHealthcare@outlook.com

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Their hats kept getting dirtier.

With every practice and with every game, their little black hats with the orange oriole on the fronts got a little nastier, a little older, a little more broken in, a little more grown up.

First a film of dusty beige from the opener, the game against the team in the dark blue jerseys. Infield dirt from the game against the Maroon Team. More from the game against the Greens. And the best dirt of all, the dirt that came from playing the feared Red Team, the ’27 Yankees of the 7-and-8-year-olds Coach Pitch B League.

Some hats were wet from Icees and sweat. Some were sticky, too, but not from resin or pine tar: from candy.

They were great hats.

I had never coached people this little. They’d never played anything but T-ball. So there were awkward moments, like at the first practice.

“When you play catcher, you’ll be required to wear an athletic cup.”

Puzzled looks. I was the teacher and had just introduced long division.

“Ask your parents,” I said. A good coach knows how to delegate responsibility.

Second practice: No one wanted to play catcher.

That second practice was probably our most important one of the season. The reason: each guy made up his own nickname.

The Bruiser. The Heat. Rookie. Rocket. Hotball. Fastball. The Smacker. The Blur, later changed to The Flash because, well, ballplayers will just do that sometimes. It’s a “feel” thing. You don’t ask.

Other nicknames were more mysterious. Top Catch. Dragonman. Hammerhead. The Point. Their meanings were known only to God, to administrators at the highest level of the Little League organization, and to the boys who proudly wore the nicknames in white letters pressed on the sleeves of their orange jerseys.

Those jerseys. Some wore them game day or not, along with white baseball pants and cap. Every weekday morning since the season started, I felt I was dropping my son off at a Catholic baseball school.

There were moments. The classic run-it-in from right field instead of throw it. Orioles seeing who could throw his glove the highest — during a game. An outfielder lying down in the inviting right field grass while a batter, no enemy of his, dug in. The evening Hammerhead looked at me after I struck him out on a pitch three feet outside and said politely on his way back to the dugout, his bat on his fragile shoulder, his helmet swallowing his head, “That wasn’t a very good pitch, sir.” 

Heart sinkage.

Aside from the occasional whiff, we ended up being pretty good. And we seemed to have fun: We high-fived all the time and showed up looking sharp and practiced hard and played hard, and even though we weren’t supposed to keep score, I could see them over there in the dugout counting on their little fingers. We made some errors but we hit some homers, too, some frozen ropes, some shots. We ran the bases and we slide and we crossed home, and we never met a snack we didn’t like.

Dirty hats. The rhythmic smacking of gum around the diamond. Those swings from the heels, the swings of boys with big dreams.

And now it’s over. Just that quickly. We break for fishing and card-playing and a few public appearances, all the things ballplayers do in the long and lonely off-season.

We’ll gather again in the spring, and they’ll be fine boys, I’m sure, and it will be fun, but it won’t be the exact same group. It won’t be the exact same ’97 Orioles.

They gave me a spring to bronze and fold up and stick in my pocket and remember. And to them my hat, much older and (sad to say) much cleaner than theirs, is forever off.

(June 3, 1997)

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Shreveport, LA – Get ready to romp around Downtown Shreveport in your best caftan for cocktails and camaraderie! Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E. has teamed up with Amplify Events & Promotions to host a Mrs. Roper Romp Pub Crawl simultaneously in both downtown areas of Shreveport and Thibodaux, Louisiana on Friday, May 31, 2024. Participating Shreveport restaurants/bars will have drink and food specials throughout the evening along with specialty themed cocktails and mocktails. These establishments include Fatty Arbuckles, Sandbar, Stray Cat, The Noble Savage, The Missing Link, and Abby Singer’s Bistro. Rompers will kick-off the evening at 6:00 p.m. in the Red River District near Fatty Arbuckles to gather for a group photo and get the fun started!

Mrs. Roper Romps are popping up regularly in various cities across the country in celebration of Helen Roper, the confident, quirky, wisecracking, caftan-wearing, life-of-the-party landlady played by Audra Lindley on the hit ABC sitcom “Three’s Company” from 1977- 1984. For the pub crawls, guests are encouraged to adorn their best caftan and red curly wig to romp through the downtown streets and embody the charisma of Mrs. Roper.

“What a fun way to kick-off the summer,” said Emerie Eck Holtzclaw, owner of Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC. “Our friends at Amplify Events and Promotions in Thibodaux and myself have been waiting for a great opportunity to do events simultaneously and this is the perfect fit for both cities! Our teams love creating fun events that connect the community and we can’t wait to see the Mrs. Ropers romping around downtown!”

Mrs. Roper Romp is free to attend, but guests are encouraged to register on Eventbrite (https://tinyurl.com/4wa9t83w). Romping starts at 6:00 p.m. at Fatty Arbuckles. Rompers will receive a map of the route, along with a list of fun activities to do along the way.

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On April 22, Lincoln Parish lost a man to death at age 88 who was a visionary in the truest sense. Fredric Lee Hoogland was the founder of one of the most popular attractions, not only for Lincoln Parish but for the surrounding area and regions far removed from the hills of north Louisiana. It was Hoogland who located and promoted and worked for the parish to purchase the area and that would become Lincoln Parish Park.

I had the privilege of visiting with Hoogland some 20 years ago after the park was up and running and attracting visitors from everywhere. I wrote a story about our visit that appeared in Lincoln Parish Park Notes newsletter and in honor of his memory, following are excerpts of that article.

“When I stepped up on a bluff that spring day in the late 1970s and saw what lay before me, I’m sure if somebody had heard me, they’d have thought I was an evangelist praising the Lord. I’ve never had an experience quite like that and I was overcome with emotion, realizing that my prayers had been answered. After walking thousands of acres around Ruston for the better part of three years, I realized that God had led me to the right spot and it was just about more than I could handle,” Hoogland recalled.
“That’s not all; the further I walked into the woods, the better it got. There was no doubt in my mind that here was the site that would ultimately become the park I’d dreamed about since high school.”
Once the property was located, there were hurdles that had to be crossed. First of all, the property, no matter how perfect it was as a park site, was privately owned and not for sale.

It took a lengthy period of negotiation and persuasion and, according to Hoogland, another Divine miracle or two, the owners finally agreed to sell. Hoogland was an elected member of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and the jury formed a Parks, Recreation and Tourism Committee and the obvious choice to chair this committee was Fredric Hoogland. The jury had the amount of money in the bank needed for the purchase, took a vote and five members voted for it; unfortunately seven voted against it. Not about to give up, Hoogland lobbied the seven no-voters and three weeks later, votes were cast again and the final count was seven for; five against. The property was purchased in February, 1982.

After all the legal requirements were met, the park was opened on a limited basis in 1989 and for the seven years following the purchase, it took a plethora of planning and work to turn this rugged hunk of Lincoln Parish property into the jewel it is today.

You can just imagine what was involved into turning the rough piece of land into something visitors could utilize. Concession stand, restrooms, shelters, nature trails and bike trails all had to be planned and constructed. The park became fully operational in March, 1990 and by 1995 was averaging approximately 70,000 visitors a year.

Current park Director, James Ramsaur, saw the potential to adding to the park bike trails and today, Lincoln Parish Park is home to one of the most popular mountain bike trails in the United States with the most recent addition being a Flow Trail Hub.

The park is also home to a 3-D archery range, a lake for swimming and fishing and camping sites from tents to recreational RVs.

“Looking back now,” Hoogland told me, “I know that it was the Good Lord who made this place beautiful. We just massaged what He had already made.”

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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 DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce will host their last luncheon before summer break on Tuesday, May 21st at 12pm. Lunch will be taco salad with toppings and Paula Deen Banana Pudding for dessert. In lieu of a speaker a powerpoint presentation of Chamber events from this past business year will be shared. RSVP by 11am Friday, May 17.

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Tyler Williams
June 19, 1989 — May 7, 2024
Service: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 2pm at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Mansfield

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The DeSoto 4-H Shooting Sports Club held their annual banquet on May 4, 2024, at the David Means Memorial 4-H Barn. 4-H members that competed at the Northern Regional and State Shooting Sports competitions were recognized for their accomplishments. DeSoto Parish has the title of LA Shooting Sports Northern Regionals Champion Team. Those members are Addison Burnley, Emma Houston, Weston Walsh, and Jacob Berry. DeSoto will be representing Louisiana at the 2024 National Shooting Sports Competition in June which is held in Nebraska. Four members of the DeSoto Parish 4-H Shooting Sports team will be competing at the national level. Competing in Air Rifle will be Emma Houston, Addison Burnley, and Eli Smith. Jacob Berry will be competing on the state Muzzleloader team. A huge thank you to all of the sponsors, coaches, and parent volunteers for all your hard work and dedication to DeSoto 4-H!

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 The Stanley baseball program announced that assistant coach Dayton Craig will be its next head coach.

Current head coach Shannon Cunningham will remain on staff as an assistant coach.

“I would like to thank Coach Anderson, Coach Craig, and Coach Cunningham for this opportunity,” Craig said in a Facebook post on Stanley’s Facebook page. “I have learned many valuable things the past couple of years from Coach Cunningham and hope to continue bringing Stanley Baseball back to the tradition the community is accustomed to. Geaux Panthers!”

Craig served the past two seasons as an assistant on Stanley’s staff.

Under Cunningham’s guidance, the Panthers had their best season in more than a decade.

Stanley posted a 21-7 record and advanced to the Division V Non-Select quarterfinals for the first time since 2015.

 

Logansport loads six on All-District softball team

Logansport placed six players on the All-District 3-1A team announced this week.

Four were on the first team – pitcher Avery Creech, infielder Ainsley Morvan and Kennedi Smith and outfielder Mack Smith.

Catcher Emmarie Atkins and outfielder Madison Magee were selected to the second team by the district’s coaches.

On The Shreveport Times All-Area Team, Creech was named Athlete of the Year for leading the No. 1 seed Lady Tigers to the Division IV Non-Select semifinals.

Morvan was picked on the All-Area Second Team.

 

Logansport’s Jones signs track scholarship with Hinds

Logansport sprint speedster Jamarcus Jones will run track in college after signing with Hinds Community College (Miss.).

Jones won the LHSAA 100 meter championship in Class 1A with a 10.59.

He ran a leg of Logansport’s championship 4×200 team.

 

North DeSoto cheerleaders sign with Louisiana Tech

North DeSoto cheer captains Briley Pendleton and Regan Davlin signed letters of intent continue their cheer careers at Louisiana Tech.

They led the Lady Griffins to the program’s first cheer national championship this past January.

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LSUS will be conferring a record-breaking number of degrees Friday at its graduation ceremonies in Brookshire Grocery Arena.

LSUS will graduate 1,355 students for the 2024 Spring semester, topping the institution’s previous record of 1,344 students in the Summer of 2021.

This spring’s graduating class is the 13th consecutive group of at least 1,000 graduates dating back to 2020 Spring.

Approximately 900 graduates are expected to attend the graduation ceremonies in person.

The ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with graduates assigned to a ceremony based on their college, except for Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration graduates (split by last name).

No tickets are required to attend the event, and graduates can invite as many guests as they would like to the 14,000-seat arena. Parking is free.

The ADA entrance is located on the north side of the building, which includes a wheelchair accessible ramp. Parking lot A is reserved for handicapped guests.

LSUS alumnus Brian Crawford, who is a senior vice president at Willis Knighton Health after an incredibly diverse career that included being a paramedic, the Shreveport Fire Chief and the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Shreveport, will deliver the keynote address.

Both ceremonies will be livestreamed through the LSUS YouTube channel.

GRADUATION STATISTICS

Of the 1,355 degrees that will be conferred, 83 percent (1,127) are masters degrees.

The Master of Business Administration (746), the Master of Health Administration (169) and the Master of Education (131) are the most popular programs.

Undergraduate students account for 225 degrees this spring with the College of Business (86 graduates and 12 certificates) leading the way.

Three doctorates in Leadership Studies will also be awarded.

WHERE ARE THEY FROM?

LSUS spring graduates hail from 49 U.S. states and territories and 29 countries.

Nearly 41 percent (535 graduates) call Louisiana home with Texas (126), Florida (96), California (62), Georgia (53)Tennessee (34), Ohio (26), New York (25), Virginia (23) Illinois (22), Mississippi (22) and Alabama (20) all containing at least 20 graduates.

Fifty-two graduates are international students with Nigeria being the most popular home country in this graduating class. Six come from India, four from the United Kingdom and three from Canada and Mexico are other notable locales.

The graduating class is truly from across the globe as one graduate hails from the Coral Sea Islands off the coast of Australia and one from Navassa Island, close to Haiti and Jamaica. Two Jamaicans are also represented in this class.

————–CREDIT: Lukas Harville/LSUS Media Relations

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NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s 74th Demon Battalion and Department of Military Scienc hosted a commissioning ceremony May 9 for graduating seniors who took the oath of office to serve as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. The event was held in conjunction with spring commencement exercises in which the four earned undergraduate degrees as ROTC cadets.

The new officers are 2nd Lt. Peyton Bordelon of Alexandria, 2nd Lt. Loren Higginbotham of Jennings, 2nd Lt. Breanna James of Stonewall and 2nd Lt. Andrew Wesley of Shreveport.

Bordelon earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice with a minor in military leadership. Working to become a Medevac pilot and flight officer, he will train to fly the UH-60 Black Hawk as an Army aviator in the Louisiana Army National Guard.

Higginbotham earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a major concentration in marketing and a minor in military science. He has assessed Infantry and will serve on active duty, U.S. Army.

James earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She has assessed Adjutant General’s Corps and will continue service in the Louisiana Army National Guard. Her initial assignment will be with the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe.

Wesley earned a Bachelor of General Studies with a major concentration in computer and natural science and a minor in military leadership. He has assessed Chemical Corps with the U.S. Army and will serve on active duty. His initial assignment is with the 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade “Talon,” 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

Information on NSU’s ROTC program is available at http://www.nsula.edu/rotc.

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 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 that 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 in the bird world…. 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 so-called “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 that 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 respective 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.

Till next time, be a dad and do what you were put on this earth to do…raise your kids!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2024

SHREVEPORT – The LSUS Debate program has a storied history as one of the founders of the International Public Debate Association style.

But a new ranking from American Liberty Media placed LSUS in the top-10 nationally among programs in all forms of debate.

LSUS was tied for ninth with Rice University, Mercer University, University of Michigan and the University of Georgia.

Teams at the top of the rankings included Harvard University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, George Mason University, Yale University, University of Kansas, and the University of Southern California.

“To be listed with those giants of the academic world is a nod to the students’ hard work, past and present, and the coaches that have developed this program over the years,” said LSUS Debate coach A.J. Edwards. “We have known for years that our students are just as capable and intelligent as any student, and this is just a confirmation of their abilities, dedication and passion.

“It shows the excellent history of competitive success, the support this team has received from all administrators, and the coaches’ fantastic job in creating access for the students to wonderful opportunities like the Madison Cup and the Montgomery Cup tour.”

The rankings were based on a program’s competitive opportunity, competitive success, coaching staff, resources, historical success and program prestige.

The Pilots were the only top-10 program from a public university with fewer than 25,000 students.

To find the complete rankings of the nation’s top 50 debate programs, visit the American Liberty Media website.

LSUS received an ‘A’ rating with 28 points earned on a 30-point speaker scale and an overall grade of 93 out of 100 points.

The Pilots were the top program in their style of debate (IPDA).

LSUS is coming off a season in which the team finished third in the overall season standings and claimed two individual national titles. Cameron Thoele and CJ Longino took home a team debate national title for the entire season while Thoele claimed a national champion speaker in the team category (Longino was runner up).

“For a small school with a very high rate of first generation students – students that generally don’t come to LSUS with many advantages – there is a lot of validation in these rankings,” Edwards said. “These students have to work full-time jobs in most cases.

“The history of the LSUS Debate team has always been very special to us, our debate alumni, and the administration. But this bring a whole different level of validation and recognition.”

Another form of recognition is that LSUS has four of the eight total Hall of Famer in the IPDA. Three were inducted this year into the organization – Edwards and Keith Milstead as debaters and Trey Gibson as a coach.

The trio joined 2023 hall of fame inductee Mary Jarzabek, a long-time LSUS coach.

LSUS has a total of six season-long team national championships and four team national tournament titles in its history.

“None of the program’s success over the years happens without complete institutional support and without (Jarzabek and Gibson), who dedicated so much time and effort to these students,” Edwards said. “Coaching a debate team and traveling on the weekends is a full-time job, and these two created something special that set the program up for success for years to come.

“The LSUS Foundation, the Noel Foundation and the Bradley S. Kemp Foundation have been avid supporters and have allowed us to travel to events like The Madison Cup (Virginia) and The Montgomery Cup (United Kingdom).”

LSUS support allows the team to appear regularly in regional tournaments, a key component of accumulating season point totals.

“We have great support here where many other debate programs struggle in that category,” Edwards said. “This University has embraced this program.”

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Northwestern State University will hold seven sessions of its freshman orientation program, Freshman Connection, beginning May 22.

Four sessions will be at the Natchitoches campus on May 22-23, May 29-30, June 13 and July 10-11.

The program will be held on the Alexandria campus on June 18, the Shreveport campus on June 20 and the Leesville/Fort Johnson campus on June 26. There is also a session for parents called Parent Connection and a session for younger siblings, Kid Konnection.

The fee is $100 for the sessions on the Natchitoches campus and $65 for the sessions on the Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville/Fort Johnson campuses. Those attending the sessions on the Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville/Fort Johnson campuses should be planning to take all classes on that campus. The two-day sessions on the Natchitoches campus include a one-night stay in campus residence halls.

Participants in Freshman Connection will be placed in a small group with a connector, who will guide individuals through the orientation program. Connectors are current Northwestern State students who share information about what can be expected at NSU and will offer support and guidance about the high school to college transition.

During the program, those attending will have a chance to meet with university administrators, visit with faculty and staff and learn more about campus life. Participants will be introduced to the academic programs and services provided by the University, such as academic advising and support services. Upon completing the registration process at Freshman Connection, students will be prepared for their first semester in college and will leave with a fall schedule in hand.

The Parent Connection program runs concurrently with day one of Freshman Connection but is a separate program to meet the specific needs of parents and families. Parent Connection will provide an overview of the academic and co-curricular resources available to your student at NSU. Parents will meet professional staff, faculty members and current students who will share valuable information on college success. Parents can learn where and how to get support for your student, meet other families of NSU students, ask questions and feel confident in your student’s ability to succeed in college.

Kid Konnection is designed exclusively for siblings (ages 5 – 12) of new NSU students to help them learn more about their big brother or sister’s new home. Activities include arts and crafts, a campus tour and meeting Vic the Demon. Participants will receive lunch, an afternoon snack and fun NSU stuff. In order for a sibling to participate in Kid Konnection, they must have a parent/guardian attending Parent Connection.

Current Northwestern State students serving as connectors are Abigail Chevalier of Mangham, Alex Dollar of Natchitoches, Peyton Fuller of Deville, Ellie Hardy of Haughton, Sachiri Henderson of Shreveport, Chris James of Bossier City, Bryce Juneau of Cottonport, Kaley Koss of Many, Alex Laurent of Lafayette, Amber Long of Benton, Kobie McCormick of Franklinton and Lyla Monroe of Rayville. This year’s connectors will also include Coree Nash of Jena, Jude Oliva of Raceland, Ella Price of Winnfield, Christopher Richard of Abbeville, Kieler Soape of Montgomery, Texas, Brooke Straight and Bradie Villemarette of Saint Francisville, Owen Stutzman of Gonzales, Hunter Thomas of Baton Rouge and Lauryn Vernon of Arcadia. Student coordinators are Kameron Burns of Haughton and Linzi Lampert of Deville.

For more information, go to nsula.edu/freshmanconnection.

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Northwestern State University awarded 796 diplomas to 779 graduates during spring commencement exercises that took place in three ceremonies May 8-9 in Prather Coliseum.

NSU awarded a posthumous degree to the family of Alicia Rene Davis, who completed academic credits to earn a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Graduates listed by hometown are as follows.

Abbeville – Annemarie Broussard, Master of Science;

Abingdon, Maryland – Heather Karolenko, Bachelor of Science;

Abita Springs – Brandy Landland, Master of Science in Nursing;

Addis – Ashley Thomas, Bachelor of Science;

Alabaster, Alabama – Antwon Fegans, Bachelor of General Studies;

Alexandria – Ashley Figgins, Alyrick Ford, Kiyle Smooth, Associate of Science in Nursing; Jasmine Culbert, Taylor Levasseur, Associate of General Studies; Gabriella Rachal, Bachelor of Applied Science; Peyton Bordelon, Madeline Simpson, Bachelor of Arts; Brigham Durr, Nicholas Zona, Bachelor of Music; Kya Berry, Mya Brown, Danielle Dauzat, LaKeisha Dorsey, Isabelle Ducote, Kennedy Madison, Jabari Reed, Bachelor of Science; Irene Flakes, TreNeisha Taylor, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Shelby Lemoine, Bachelor of Social Work; Johnnie Hampton, Master of Arts; James Purdy, Lacie Russell, Master of Education; Ashley Brewbaker, Eddah Odera, Monica Wyatt, Master of Science in Nursing;

Anacoco – Katelyn Haymon, Bachelor of General Studies; Lindsey Alligood, Isabella McCall, Hunter Rabalais, Jennifer Thornton, Bachelor of Science;

Arnaudville – Catherine Karam, Bachelor of Arts;

Athens – Kelsie Key, Bachelor of Science;

Atlanta, Georgia – Jauxniece Palmer, Bachelor of Science;

Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey – Hannah Conrad Bradley, Bachelor of Science;

Augusta, Michigan – Denise Ensign, Bachelor of Science;

Ball – JulieAnn Prince, Associate of General Studies; Kloei Hodges, Bachelor of Science; Kayla Lemmons, Master of Arts in Teaching; Malaina Aultman, Master of Music;

Ballito, South Africa – Paige wise, Bachelor of Science;

Barksdale AFB – Margaret Gates, Bachelor of Arts; Paige Shelton, Bachelor of Science;

Bastrop – Heather Deshazo, Master of Science in Nursing;

Baton Rouge – Latoya Clark, Associate of General Studies; Abigail Lahue, Kristina Simon, Alexandria Walker, Bachelor of Arts; Kenneth Austin, Nicholas Cambias, Bachelor of General Studies; Briana Citizen, Vallouise Daniel, Jalivia Johnson, Joseph Sotile, Bachelor of Science; Lakeidra Taylor Bell, Doctor of Education; Rebecca Woodley, Master of Science in Nursing;

Belle Chasse – Cullen Barrilleaux, Bachelor of Fine Arts;

Belmont – Ian Gentry, Andie Gilcreast, Bachelor of Science;

Benton – Hayley Smith, Associate of Science in Nursing; Makayla Goff, Bachelor of Music Education; Laurel Chambers, Jimmy McDonald, Dean Sullivan, Brooke Wilkins, Bachelor of Science; Hollie Gira, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Ted Scott, Master of Music; Kelly Beavers, Kylee Benton, Taylor Maxie, Herbert Poarch, Courtney Rich, Jennifer Stewart, Master of Science in Nursing;

Bienville – Sarah Holzem, Bachelor of Science;

Birmingham, Alabama – Pamela Daniels-Hay, Master of Science in Nursing;

Bossier City – Micheal Barnhill, Chantel Johnson, Daniel Lichwa, Shelitha Marshall, Associate of Science in Nursing; Emily Brown, Nia Harvey, Associate of General Studies; Nicholas Cooksey, Colby Grayson, Krystyna McKeown, Bachelor of Arts; Naje Turner, Bachelor of Fine Arts; Carly Blondin, Alyssa Linn, Bachelor of General Studies; Jordan Elliott, Jared Jarrell, Ethan Maynard, Bachelor of Music Education; Elizabeth Armstrong, Krystin Cassel, Chase Creamer, Manuel Duque, Taylor Fuller, Jackson Gregory, D’Tashawua Harrison, Nia Harvey, Caleb Helms, Caleb Helms (2 degrees), Payton Hudson, Tyler Jewell, Nicholas Kidd, Taylor Maust, Trisella Bryn Mendones, Victoria Morris, Cayleigh Rice, Anwaar Shihadeh, Jasqueline Staton, Bachelor of Science; Zachary Broadway, Robert Fontenor, Toni Maattala, Dentravious Mahoney, Jonathan Morris, Samantha Teel, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Tashon Adams, Katherine Harris, Bachelor of Social Work; Charles Fontenot, Doctor of Education; Hannah Brooks, Ladonia Gage, Dominique Grisby, Megan Scott, Master of Science in Nursing;

Boyce – Haleigh Franklin, Bachelor of Arts; Abagail Jennings, Patty Starkey, Bachelor of Science; Tracy Turner, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Breaux Bridge – Daniel Guidry, Bachelor of Science; Ashley Janeau, Master of Science in Nursing;

Bronx, New York – Ashley Kodjo, Master of Science;

Broussard – Abbie Boutte, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science; Marian Weber, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Bunkie – Erin Ferguson, Associate of Science in Nursing;

Calhoun – Caleb Clifton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Kali Hodges, Master of Science in Nursing;

Campti – Allyson Roberts, Bachelor of Arts; Hannah Walker, Bachelor of Science;

Carencro – Carley Handy, Bachelor of Science;

Carrollton, Texas – Sibyl Mayfield, Associate of General Studies;

Cedar Hill, Tennessee – Amanda Hawthorne, Bachelor of Social Work;

Celing, Texas – Laney Roos, Bachelor of General Studies;

Chalmette – Nicole Struve, Donald Mckinnies, Bachelor of Science;

Church Point – Madison Patin, Bachelor of Science;

Colfax – Victoria Brown, Jaden Williams, Bachelor of Arts; Chassy Earl, Bachelor of Science;

Collinston – Amber McLarrin, Bachelor of Science;

Concord, Virginia – Gabrielle Granger, Master of Science;

Conroe, Texas – Kennedy Reynolds, Bachelor of General Studies;

Coushatta – Lauren Hebert, Associate of General Studies; Claire Endris, Emily Fletcher, Mary Gill, Elizabeth Hughes, Heidi Murray, Bachelor of Science;

Covington – Jessica Brown, Master of Science in Nursing;

Crowley – Kendal Harmon, Cindy Tillar, Bachelor of Science; Arlissa Byers, Master of Science in Nursing;

Cushing, Texas – Kyndall Clark, Associate Degree, Bachelor of Science;

Cut Off – Addison Duet, Max Hebert, Bachelor of Science;

Cypress, Texas – Sydney Rollins, Bachelor of Science;

Dayton, Texas – Angelo Schibetta, Bachelor of Arts;

Delhi – Ellanor Carlson, Bachelor of Science;

Denham Springs – Micah Dugas, Bachelor of Music;

DeRidder – Kynadee Delome, Associate of Science in Nursing; Haydn Perry, Associate of General Studies; Trevon Henry, Andrey Loria Calvo, Dominic Ross, Shelby Young, Bachelor of Arts; Tyler White, Bachelor of Music; Preslie Phelps, Jenna Pottmeyer, Bachelor of Science; Laura Smith, Joan Blake, Cynthia Boswell, Julie Mahaffey, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Deville – Kirstin Saldana, Associate of General Studies; Krey Dupree, Tara Grimm, Briana Smail, Bachelor of Science; Sarah Shelton, Educational Specialist; Brittany Vinson, Master of Science in Nursing;

Diana, Texas – Heather Zook, Bachelor of General Studies;

Dodson – Casey Thomas, Associate of General Studies; Heather Wehunt, Bachelor of Social Work; Katie Boyett, Master of Science in Nursing;

Dresden, Tennessee – Brooklyn Webb, Bachelor of Science

Dry PRong – Emily Tisher, Bachelor of Music; Rylee Vallely, Master of Science in Nursing;

Dubach – Victoria Wall, Bachelor of Science;

Dubberly – Victoria Chapman, Stephanie Humphrey, Master of Science in Nursing;

Dublin, Texas – Coby James, Bachelor of Science;

Duson – Desiree Bernard, Association of Science in Nursing;

East Amherst, New York – Racheal Domnisch, Bachelor of Science;

Edgard – Sonte Pierre, Bachelor of Science;

Elizabeth – Halie Thielepape, Bachelor of Arts;

Elmer – Blake Glorioso, Bachelor of Science;

Ethel – Jenny Desselle, Bachelor of Science;

FairbanKs, Alaska – Bre-Anna Maron, Bachelor of Science;

Fairburn, Georgia – Briana Swift, Master of Science in Nursing;

Farmersville, Texas – Slade Thomas, Bachelor of General Studies;

Florien – Jacob Oxley, Master of Arts in Teaching;

Folsom – Norman Davis, Bachelor of Science;

Forest Hill – Solmayra Sierra, Bachelor of Science;

Forsyth, Georgia – Roderick Patterson, Master of Arts;

Fort Johnson – Jatwon Burkes, Bachelor of General Studies; Gabriel Grant, Bachelor of Science; Jonathan Weaver, Master of Science;

Fort Worth, Texas – Shirley James, Associate of General Studies; Joshua Pierite, Bachelor of Science;

Franklin – Jalacia Alexander, Bachelor of Science;

Franklinton – Andre Perez, Master of Education;

Frierson – Madysen Payne, Bachelor of General Studies; Lynnse Hyde, Master of Arts in Teaching; Brittany Mathews, Master of Science in Nursing;

Frisco, Texas – Patricia Chowdhury, Doctor of Education;

Garland, Texas – Carley Johnson, Bachelor of Musuc;

Georgetown – Makenzie Williamson, Associate of General Studies, Bachelor of Science;

Glenmora – Nancy Arias, Kenley Dowdy, Associate of Science in Nursing;

Gloster – Michelle Latin, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Gonzales – Derrick Varnado, Bachelor of Arts; Reese Lipoma, Bachelor of Science; Nichelle Hall, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Goodlettsville, Tennessee – Hannah Henderson, Master of Science in Nursing;

Grand Cane – Latyteauna Goodwin, Bachelor of Science;

Grand Coteau – Takiyah Milton, Master of Arts;

Grand Prairie, Texas – LaTrisha White, Master of Arts;

Grapevine, Texas – Griffin Howe, Bachelor of Music Education;

Greenwell Springs – Destiny Brown, Bachelor of Applied Science;

Greenwood – Hannah Jordan, Bachelor of Arts;

Greenwood, South Carolina — Quantavious Thompkins, Master of Science;

Gretna – Jasmyn McClendon, Bachelor of Science;

Groesbeck, Texas – Tiffany Burleson, Bachelor of Science;

Hall Summit – Seth Wimberly, Bachelor of Science;

Hallsville, Texas – Madelyn Floyd, Bachelor of Science;

Hammond – Erika Williams, Bachelor of Science; Erykah Wells, Master of Arts;

Hampton, Virginia – Julia Bergh, Bachelor of Science;

Haughton – Valerie Taylor, Associate of Science in Nursing; Taylor Barr, James Grooms, Nicholas Knotts, Nicklaus Lowery, Bachelor of Science; Debra Fatheree, Matthew Guidroz, Imane Marguez, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Felicia Croft, Alexandra Waguespack, Master of Science in Nursing;

Hemphill, Texas – Halli Hall, Bachelor of Science;

Hineston – Jami Robinson, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Holloman AFB, New Mexico – LeAnna Plunkett-Walls, Bachelor of Science;

Homer – Holly Liles, Master of Science in Nursing;

Hornbeck – Peighton Rhodes, Bachelor of Science;

Houma – Derek Dupre, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science; Ginny Chaisson, Ryan Lecompte, Master of Arts, Anee Carmouche, Master of Arts in Teaching; Ryan Hebert, Master of Science in Nursing;

Houston – Korey King, Bachelor of General Studies;

Humble, Texas – Karla Avila, Bachelor of Applied Science;

Huntington, Texas – Taylor Carrell, Bachelor of Music Education;

Hutto, Texas – Halee Griffin, Bachelor of Science;

Imperial, Missouri – Melissa Schmidt, Doctor of Education;

Iowa – Lexsus Levings, Master of Science in Nursing;

Jena – Malinda Brown, Associate of Science in Nursing; Alexxis Jones, Bachelor of Arts; Brooke Bergeron, Ryan Kirkham, Bachelor of Science; Cindy Sanders, Master of Science in Nursing;

Jennings – Loren Higginbotham, Donald Lejeune, Bachelor of Science; Meagan Guidry, Master of Arts in Teaching;

Joaquin, Texas – Jesus Bravo, Bachelor of Science;

Jonesville – Tere’A Barber, Associate of General Studies;

Joplin, Missouri – Jack Overby, Master of Music;

Kaplan – Mallory Hargrave, Bachelor of Science;

Katy, Teas – Jordan Gamble, Associate of General Studies; Anna Hebden, Bachelor of Arts; Hayden Barrios, Bachelor of Science;

Keaau, Hawaii – Anuhea Akamu, Master of Arts;

Keithville – Melody Sparks, Bachelor of Fine Arts; Hunter Hamilton, Taylor Myers, Bachelor of Science; Mattie Strozier, Master of Arts in Teaching; Sherri Johnson, Master of Education; Hannah Spataro, Master of Music; Jessica Bradford, Master of Science in Nursing;

Kenner – Bradley Fitzhenry, Bachelor of Science;

Kilgore, Texas – Kennieth Lacy, Bachelor of General Studies;

LaPlace – Jacob Jenson, Master of Science; Allise Mixon Johnson, Master of Science in Nursing;

Lacombe – Ashlie Pujol, Bachelor of Science;

Lafayette – O’Shay McZeal, Associate of Science in Nursing; Chileigh Mitchell, Jennifer Pere, Associate of General Studies; Bianca Dominique Bachelor of Arts; Nathaniel Rachal, Bachelor of Music Education; Sydney Alleman, Victoria Breaux, Keith McCrory, Bachelor of Science; Kristi Carrier, Erin Gannon, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Heather Perilloux, Master of Arts; Claudasha Watson, Master of Science; Rebekah Hotard, Master of Science in Nursing;

Lake Charles – Katie Boswell, Associate of General Studies; Lynell Broussard, Bachelor of General Studies; Diana Beches, Hunter Becton, Andrea Mouton, Kennedy Theriot, Bachelor of Science; Michele McCann, Master of Arts; Renata Barker, Master of Science; Brandi Bellard, Melissa Purvis, Master of Science in Nursing;

Leesville – Adara London, Ailaina Poleman, Katja Rutt, Associate of Science in Nursing; Kaitlyn Bailey, Bachelor of Fine Arts; Lisa Moore, Bachelor of General Studies; Jayiln Moore, Bachelor of Music; Junette Cutshaw, Ernesto Diaz, Hannah Dowden, Damiel, James Magee, Mathew Morris, Laila Salas, Matthew Warren, Carletta Whitehead, Abigail Young, Bachelor of Science; Cassandra Hill, Jessica Bailey, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Bachelor of Social Work;

Lena – McKenzlea Wise, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science; Kayla Coutee, Master of Science in Nursing;

Livingston, Montana – Andrew Burns, Master of Arts;

Logansport – Krysten Long, Associate of Science in Nursing; Jessica Morrison, Bachelor of General Studies; Sierra Brewer, Kaylin Kirby Bachelor of Science;

Mableton, Georgia — Felicia White, Doctor of Education;

Mckinney, Texas — Shannon Alvis, Bachelor of Science;

Madisonville – Cassidy Marsh, Michelle Nobles, Bachelor of Science;

Mamou — Kauhane Edwards, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Mandeville — Ainsley Rusca, Bachelor of Arts;

Mansfield — Peyton Moore, Associate of Science in Nursing; Amber Youngblood, Bachelor of Arts; Christian Thomas, Bachelor of General Studies; Deneisha Mcclelland, Jonshonique Taylor, Master of Science in Nursing;

Mansura — Logan Bordelon, Bachelor of Arts; Beau Juneau, Bachelor of Science; Jennifer Desselle, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Many — Kaitlyn Johnson, Janie Sneed, Bachelor of Arts; Tarkearia Seastrunk. Bachelor of General Studies; Lila Laroux, Erik Sandel, Adelaide Soileau, Rebecca Stineff, Bachelor of Science; Claire Henry, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Shawn Beasley, Master of Science in Nursing;

Maringouin — Chelsea Favroth, Associate of General Studies;

Marksville — Devontre Francisco, Bachelor of Arts; Quiana Bell, Master of Education; Tracy Hayes, Chelsea Smith, Master of Science in Nursing;

Marrero — Brittany Diodene, Bachelor of General Studies;

Marshall, Texas — Kelsie Campbell, Bachelor of Arts; Samuel Bailey, Bachelor of Fine Arts;

Marthaville — Zachary Slaughter, Bachelor of Arts;

Maud, Texas — Meghan Jackson, Bachelor of Music Education;

Maurice — Denae Landry, Bachelor of Arts; James Boffenmyer, Master of Arts; Kyle Duhon, Master of Science in Nursing;

Meadville, Pennsylvania — Carleigh Murphy, Bachelor of Fine Arts;

Melville — Tafari Dixon, Bachelor of Science;

Memphis, Tennessee — Maurice Campbell, Bachelor of Arts;

Mendenhall, Mississippi — Matthew Mabry, Bachelor of General Studies;

Merryville — Ivy Collins, Bachelor of Science;

Metairie — Clifford Gordon, Daniel Wellmeier, Bachelor of Arts; Austin Anderson, Bachelor of Fine Arts; Ijeoma Sam, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Kathleen Gaffney, Master of Arts in Teaching; Morgan Nuss, Master of Science;

Minden — A’Shuntee Simmons, Associate of General Studies; Madison Smith, Bachelor of General Studies; Jada Franklin, Nadja Sills, Bachelor of Science; Anterrica Myles, Master of Science in Nursing;

Missouri City, Texas – Maggie Darr, Bachelor of Science;

Mobile, Alabama — Samantha Waltman. Master of Science;

Monroe, Georgia — Lauren Goff, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Monroe — Shamya Mabry, Bachelor of Arts; Shrondrick Schiele, Shemicka Wade, Bachelor of Science; Robin McCaa, Master of Education;

Monterey– Alexandra Frey, Master of Science in Nursing;

Moreauville — Sara Kimble, Bachelor of Science;

Mount Shasta, California — Amanda Thomas, Master of Arts;

Nacogdoches,Texas — Riley Birdwell, Bachelor of Science;

Natchez — Ashlyn Below, Associate of General Studies; Derrick Sowell, Master of Science; Ashley Hayes, Master of Science in Nursing;

Natchitoches — Alexandra Ciaccio, Kristen Maggio, Associate of Science in Nursing; Naiomy Perez Del Valle, Associate Degree; Ashley Duffus, Akilah Farris, Tiara Hayes, Octavious Johnson, Baylee Laroux, Lily Rivers, Jacob Webb, Associate of General Studies; Kayla Janice, Bachelor of Applied Science, Trace Anthon, Tenley-Parrish Bordelon, Cecelia Cousins, Ashley Duffus, Isabella Fulton, Hailee Hroch, Andrea Hudson, Mariah Kador, Destin Lopez, Alaina Pilgrim, Lexie Roos, Raegan Wallace, Gavin Watson, Bachelor of Arts; Naomi Adams, Juan Castilla, Starkeia Davis, Jaedyn Maxwell, Naiomy Perez Del Valle, Bachelor of Fine Arts; Sharvel Addison, Jamacia Solitaire, Bachelor of General Studies; David Berrocal Barrios, Ana Corrales Santos, Gabriela Forero Salcedo, Sadoc Silva Calderon, Bachelor of Music; Jose Del Rio, Bachelor of Music Education; Ebenezer Aggrey, Natalie Baloochestani, Da’Keayah Bell, De’Jon Blake, Piper Boydstun, Hannah Branam, Madison Brown, Stephen Bryan, Breanna Burrell, Blake Chustz, Vicente Cuevas, Estate of Alicia Davis (posthumous degree), Reagan Davis, Hannah Ferguson, Amber Ford, Gabriela Forero Salcedo, Blake Fowler, Kendall Fo

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Louisiana will launch Summer EBT/SUN Bucks, a new grocery benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. The new program is in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at community summer meal sites.

Summer is almost here and that means longer days, fun in the sun, and best of all for kids, no homework! For some Louisiana students receiving free or reduced-price school lunches, summer also means the loss of nutritious school meals. In addition to the newly expanded summer feeding options, SUN Bucks help fill that gap by providing grocery benefits to help families put meals on the table when schools are closed.

Children are eligible for the program if the household already participates in SNAP, TANF or Medicaid OR the child attend a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household income meets the requirements for free/reduced-price school meals.

Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply. If the household already participates in SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, they will be automatically enrolled in the Summer EBT program. If the household is not automatically enrolled and may be eligible, you can get Summer EBT/SUN Bucks by filling out an application. Applications will be available on the SUN Bucks site soon.

The benefits will be provided on an EBT card (same card for students already receiving SNAP) and can be used to buy groceries. Families will receive $120 per eligible child for the summer. The cards will be mailed to the address on file at your child’s school. Benefits can be used at authorized retailers, like grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, and dairy. Visit https://sunbucks.la.gov to learn more.

Children and teens need healthy food year-round to play, grow, and learn. Summer EBT/SUN Bucks will help families stretch their grocery budget during the summer and provide their children with the nutrition they need to thrive.

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Following World War II, tension intensified between the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies, the Western Bloc (U.S.) and the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union) in what has become known as the Cold War. It is called the Cold War because there was no large-scale fighting directly between the superpowers. The superpowers sent soldiers and spies all over the world. David was among the many uniformed soldiers sent to West Germany in the early 1950s. While there, David met and fell in love with a German girl named Marlene Henze. On March 19, 1955, Walter, their first son, was born in Idar-Oberstein in West Germany. In 1957, when David was discharged from the military, he returned home to Penns Grove, New Jersey with his new family. Together, David and Marlene had three more children. The family struggled to survive. David worked as a welder and factory worker and Marlene worked in a bank.

From an early age, Walter struggled to speak and had a severe stutter. His parents hoped his stuttering would disappear as he got older, but it continued. “I thought I was handicapped,” Walter once said. “I couldn’t talk at all.” When he went to school, the other kids picked on him because of his stuttering. The heckling only worsened when Walter entered Penn Grove High School. His classmates called him “Buck Buck” because of his stutter. As any teenager who has ever been bullied can imagine, high school was especially rough for Walter because of his stuttering. “There was a lot of bullying in my life, and I had to fight my way out.” Walter said. “Kids get mean.” Then, Walter agreed to do “some theatre” in high school. People who cared for Watler tried to dissuade him while people who liked to pick on him encouraged him to take the stage. Walter read his lines over and over until he had memorized them. He knew he would eventually have to recite his lines verbally, but he was hesitant. Finally, Walter took a deep breath and began to speak. To his astonishment, the words flowed from his lips flawlessly. He later said, “when I memorized words, I didn’t stutter, which was just miraculous.” Everyone was shocked at how well he spoke his memorized lines. His stuttering disappeared when he sang lyrics he had memorized.

Walter struggled to get a handle on his stuttering. He was elated when he took the stage in high school and spoke his memorized lines perfectly. He considered trying to become an actor, but he had no show business connections. Walter moved to New York and became a bartender at the trendy Kamikaze Club. One night, a casting director visited the Kamikaze Club. Rather than being thirsty, the casting director was visiting bars in New York looking to cast someone to play a bartender in an upcoming film. Who better to play a bartender in a film than a real bartender? The casting director had quickly dismissed other bartenders for one reason or another, but he liked what he saw in Walter. After watching Walter for a short time, the casting director decided to offer the part to Walter. In as few words as possible, Walter agreed.

From that first minuscule part, Walter got other uncredited film parts, work on stage productions, and got cast in television shows including Miami Vice. In 1980, the year he was cast in his first film, Walter was a nobody in the show business industry. Five years later, his became a household name due to another detective television show. In the last four decades, Walter has appeared in over 100 films, many of which have been box office hits. In 2022, he abruptly retired from acting.

In a cruel twist of fate, Walter’s family recently released the news that Walter has completely lost the ability to comprehend or formulate language. The actor whom you’ve just learned struggled to speak without stuttering as a child, who is now unable to speak due to a condition known as aphasia, is Walter Bruce Willis.

Sources:

1. Grant Rollings, “DIE SCARRED: Did horror accident that caused Bruce Willis ‘extreme physical pain’ on set 20 years ago contribute to shock retirement?,” The Sun, March 31, 2022, https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/18130242/bruce-willis-accident-contribute-to-shock-retirement/.

2. Shreeja Das, “The TRAGIC reason why Bruce Willis was nick-named ‘Buck Buck’ as a young boy,” Meaww, March 1, 2023, https://meaww.com/the-tragic-reason-why-bruce-willis-was-nick-named-buck-buck-as-a-young-boy.

3. Bruce Willis, Hollywood Walk of Fame, https://walkoffame.com/bruce-willis/.

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The 41st Annual River City Fest will take place May 10-11 on the Sabine River in Logansport. FREE admission. There will be an Inflatable kid zone, Kids Bucking rodeo, mechanical bull, foods, arts & crafts, Car Show, corn hole tournament, “Strongest Arm-Wrestling”, Fireworks, live entertainment starting with “Jacob Wheeler”, “The Adam Leger Band”, and headlining Saturday Night is Nashville Recording Artist “Wyatt Putman”.

All locations of the DeSoto Parish Library are gearing up to kickoff their Summer Reading Program. Stonewall Library will hold theirs on Wednesday, May 29 at 10am. Pelican’s will be on Thursday, May 30 at 1pm, followed by Logansport and Mansfield hosting theirs at 2pm. Lots of fun activities are planned. Contact your local branch for more information.

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Claresse Pugh
March 27, 1980 – May 5, 2024
Service: Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11am at Mary Evergreen Baptist Church – Grand Cane

Alfred Ford
June 11, 1955 – May 6, 2024
Service: Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10am at Zion Hill No.2 Baptist Church – Mansfield

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Matt Vines

Two individuals and two relay teams returned to DeSoto Parish with the moniker state champions attached to their name after the LHSAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at LSU this past week.

Logansport’s Jamarcus Jones (100 meters), North DeSoto’s Javonte Taylor (triple jump), the Mansfield girls 4×100 relay and the Logansport 4×200 relay all captured event championships in their respective classes.

The three programs combined for 15 medals.

 

Mansfield adds pile of medals to its relay title

Mansfield’s LaJordan Boykins edged her opponent at the tape on the anchor leg of the 4×100 relay as the Lady Wolverines (49.43) clocked .06 seconds ahead of Acadiana Renaissance Charter.

Teammates Germanee Robertson, Zakhia Austin and Trinity Ford set Boykins up for the final leg of the Class 2A relay championship.

Mansfield added seven other medals as the boys’ and girls’ programs accounted for more than half of DeSoto Parish’s haul.

The relays were especially good to both the Wolverines and Lady Wolverines.

The girls’ 4×200 (Ty’Aira Ford, LaBrasia Ross, Robertson and Boykins) claimed silver with a 1:46.26.

The boys’ 4×100 (Amoriyan Mayweather, Jaden Youngblood, Jaylyn Howard and Ian White) took home silver with a 43.25.

Both 4×400 relays captured bronze. The girls (Boykins, Austin, Aria Hamilton, Ross) clocked a 4:12.62 with the boys (Patrick Duncan, Youngblood, Mayweather, White) finishing in 3:27.99.

Ross, just a freshman, added a 400 meters bronze with a 59.86.

Boykins found the podium again in the 200, taking bronze with a 25.34 (missed silver by .002 seconds).

The Mansfield boys hurdles were an anticipated medal source, and Ian White claimed bronze in the 300 hurdles (39.38) with teammate Jaden Youngblood finishing fourth (39.59).

Youngblood (14.67) and White (14.69) placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 110 hurdles.

Austin added a fourth in the 100 meters (12.72) and fifth in the long jump (16-10.75).

As a team, the Mansfield girls placed fourth with 42 points and the boys seventh with 30 points.

 

North DeSoto’s Taylor repeats as champion, but different event

Javonte Taylor stood atop the high jump program this past year, but in 2024, he took home the Class 4A triple jump championship.

Taylor leapt 45-6.5 to capture the triple jump crown.

The junior medaled in the high jump again, this time taking bronze with a clearance of 6-4.

North DeSoto claimed two other medals with another handful of performances that finished just off the podium.

Yazmin Furgerson took silver in the discus (115-9).

Dylan Compton broke his own school record and finished third in the 800 meters (1:58.19).

Compton was part of a fourth-place 4×800 relay (8:13.21) that included Lake Bates, Chaz Martinez and Gavin Shirley.

The girls added three fifth-place finishes with Taylor Clark (12.20 in the 100), Macaylah Tingle (2:30.18 in the 800) and Mikayla Mondello (115-1 in the javelin).

As a team, the boys finished eighth with 26 points and the girls 15th with 14 points.

 

Logansport wins two titles, three medals at state

Logansport was the only DeSoto Parish program to win multiple titles, taking the boys 100 meter and 4×200 relay titles in Class 1A.

Jamarcus Jones won 100 gold with a 10.59, edging out closest competitor by .11 seconds. D’Avery Robinson scored one point with a sixth-place finish, running 11.03.

Logansport captured the 4×200 title by an eyelash as the foursome of Omarius Colbert, Robinson, Kaiton Packett and Jones finished in 1:28.93, just .01 seconds ahead of Southern Lab.

Jones just missed the podium in the 200 meters with a fourth-place finish, clocking a 22.18. Robinson made the final and finished ninth (23.33).

The 4×400 relay took home a bronze with a 3:30.95 run by Packett, Joseph Powell, Colbert and Robinson.

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For Breanna James of Stonewall, a desire to serve her country dovetailed with her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Northwestern State University.  James will graduate this week with a Bachelor of Science and commission as a 2^nd lieutenant through NSU’s ROTC program.  She has assessed Adjutant General’s Corps and will continue service in the Louisiana Army National Guard. Her initial assignment will be with the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe. 

James’ family has a tradition of service in the U.S. Army and Navy.  

“My Pawpaw always told me stories growing up of his experiences in the military and of my great grandparents, so I developed a very deep admiration for the men and women who served our country,” she said. “I always felt a strong calling to be a part of something greater than myself and to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of.”  

James graduated from North DeSoto High School in 2019 and enrolled at NSU as a first-generation college student. In 2021, she joined the Louisiana Army National Guard to become a 68W Combat Medic.  She is the first woman in her family to serve in the military. She decided to join NSU’s ROTC program as soon as she completed Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  

“Before joining ROTC, I had heard multiple accounts of how outstanding the program was at NSU,” she said. “I knew that by joining NSU’s ROTC program, I would have the opportunity to develop into a great leader and achieve my goals of becoming an officer in the United States Army.” 

When she was appointed as Cadet Company First Sergeant in the battalion, James led physical training sessions in the morning and formations throughout the week and coordinated with other cadets for the football games we worked during the fall semester. Later, she received more administrative roles where she formulated and sent out weekly training orders and operation orders. She also learned to plan and execute weekly labs and other events, growing her leadership skills.  

She participated on teams such as Ranger Challenge, Color Guard and intramurals, as well as RSO events such as parades, paintball, water balloon fights, game and movie nights, potlucks and obstacle courses.  

“Although our ultimate goal is to become commissioned officers in the Army, our cadre and other administrators in the program have always ensured that we have an awesome time in ROTC as we develop into leaders. In doing so, we forge bonds through our team-building activities and events that will last a lifetime.” 

While at NSU, James’ most notable mentors were the cadre in the ROTC program, LTC Joshua Drake, MSG Michael Blakely, CPT Joseph Davis and Reeves Flurry.  

“They have not only developed me as a leader, but they have also guided me in achieving my goals academically, physically and professionally,” James said. “I would not be the leader that I am today without them, so I am very grateful for their direction and support during my last few years in college.” 

When James first joined the National Guard, her initial unit assignment was with the 2-108th Cavalry Squadron in Shreveport where she has served over two years.  

“I am excited for my assignment with the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe. Once I complete the 12-week Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, I will serve as an Adjutant General Officer at my new unit.”  

James has been accepted to graduate school at LSU-Shreveport where she will pursue a master’s degree in healthcare administration. She will complete BOLC and drill at her unit as Adjutant General Officer, which is a human resources officer for the U.S. Army.  

“With my HR background that I will earn as an officer in the Army and my background in healthcare as a civilian, I would love to eventually advance to working in the HR department in the healthcare industry,” she said.  

NSU will hold commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 and at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 9 in Prather Coliseum.  The ceremonies will also be streamed online. Details and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available at www.nsula.edu/graduation. The Commissioning ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9 in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom.  

Information on NSU’s ROTC program can be found at www.nsula.edu/rotc.   

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Matt Vines

STANLEY – Stanley baseball’s historic season came to end Friday as Quitman used an early surge to snatch an 8-1 win in the Division V Non-Select quarterfinals.

The No. 4 seed Panthers (21-7), who were making their first quarters appearance since 2015 and were looking for their first semifinals trip since 2004, couldn’t dig out of the early hole.

Quitman (17-10) scored four first-inning runs and built an 8-0 lead.

Stanley could have avoided trouble in the first inning after a pair of leadoff singles, but three consecutive errors accounted for the four runs.

Quitman added another pair of runs in the third inning, both coming via error. Stanley committed six errors in total.

All six runs allowed by Stanley starting pitcher Jace Gooden were unearned as he allowed four hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

Logan Maroney allowed a pair of runs in 4 1/3 relief innings.

Stanley’s only run came in the sixth inning when the Panthers drew four walks, the final one by Gooden, to score a run.

The Quitman starter Logan Ponder issued the first three walks before giving way to Ian Tilley. Ponder allowed just one run on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts.

Stanley couldn’t do further damage against Tilley, who threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

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