Native Red River Parish Son Robert Shaver has signed on as a sponsor of NSU’s Flavor of Louisiana. Robert owns Shaver’s Crawfish and Catering in Shreveport. They will serve boiled shrimp with remoulade sauce during Flavor of Louisiana, NSU’s spring seafood extravaganza to raise funds to support student scholarships. Pictured are Robert Shaver and event coordinator Rebekah Burleson.

What’s on the menu? Shrimp any way you like it – boiled, blackened, barbecued, with pasta, with mac and cheese or with grits – and other seafood delicacies such as blackened alligator, oysters on the half shell, crawfish and artichoke bisque and crawfish and crab etouffee are just a few of the items on the menu for Flavor of Louisiana, Northwestern State University’s seafood extravaganza. Offerings will also include seafood gumbo, pastrami-cured catfish, pan-seared black drum with seafood au gratin sauce and seared ahi tuna with stone ground jalapeno grits, unagi sauce and bulls blood. For meat-eaters, barbecue brisket, smoked chicken and baked potato casserole will be served. There will also be a coffee and dessert bar.

The second annual Flavor of Louisiana will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, March 23 in Prather Coliseum where diners can sample dishes prepared by chefs, restaurateurs and caterers from throughout the state as well as NSU culinary arts students. Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for students, faculty development and other university projects and programs.

Flavor of Louisiana is presented in partnership with the Louisiana Seafood Board and guests can mingle from station to station tasting a variety of dishes while enjoying music and beverages including sweet tea, craft beers and cocktails and novelties such as oyster shots.

“Flavor of Louisiana will feature a spectrum of seafood dishes prepared by some of the most popular and talented chefs and restaurants in Louisiana, including some of our local favorites,” said Rebekah Burleson, event coordinator. “In addition, individual colleges will have booths with raffles and prizes to raise money for their own departments.” And Burleson added, “The event directly impacts students who rely on scholarships to stay in school.”

“We are fortunate to have many student volunteers helping with logistics, helping with set-up and those who preparing and serving the desserts. When our guests attend this event, they can look around at these hard-working students and know they are helping them pay for tuition, buy books and ultimately complete their degrees,” Burleson said.

Tickets to Flavor of Louisiana are $65 per person or $125 per couple. Sponsorships are available at the $5,000, $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 and $500 levels and include reserved seating and other perks. Tickets and sponsorship information for Flavor of Louisiana is available at northwesternalumni.com or by contacting Burleson at burlesonr@nsula.edu or (318) 357-5213.

Victorious Life Ministries is celebrating its third anniversary. The them of the weeklong event is “Progressing Toward the Promise.” Services began Sunday March 19th and will conclude next Sunday afternoon. The Life Church is located at 1703 Ringgold Avenue and the pastors are Joey and Marsha Miller.

Tonight (Wednesday) the message will be brought by Pastor Robert White of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church. Other speakers this week included Pastor Ben Taylor of Good Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church and Pastor Carlton Hamilton From Bondage to Freedom Ministries.

The Third Church Anniversary will conclude on Sunday. Pastor Ashanti Cole of Freedom Worship Center will be the guest speaker Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm.

Bassoonist David Wells will perform at Northwestern State University Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Wells will perform on baroque bassoon and be joined by NSU faculty Douglas Bakenhus on baroque bassoon, Dennette McDermott on baroque flute and Francis Yang on harpsichord. The program is works by Telemann, Boismortier, Jiri Čart, Fasch and Zachow.

Wells teaches bassoon and music history at the Sacramento State School of Music. He earned the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His dissertation is an expansive history and discography of the bassoon in jazz. He also holds degrees in bassoon performance from Arizona State University and Florida State University.

Wells is principal bassoonist of the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra and the Townsend Opera. He was formerly second bassoonist of the Tallahassee and Mobile Symphony Orchestras, and performs often with other orchestras throughout northern California.

A large column of thick black smoke roared into the late morning sky Friday. It could be seen from miles away that something was on fire in the middle of Coushatta. The school board and fire department held a controlled burn next to the football stadium.

The Journal reported over the past few months that the school board acquired two parcels of land just south of the junior high school. One of those lots had an old house and garage on the corner of Clarkson Street and Stadium Drive. You may recall that the school board offered the house to someone who would demolish or move it.

There had been no takers.

School board Maintenance Supervisor David Beard told The Journal they called in the Red River Parish Fire Protection District. “They held six training sessions at that house before the controlled burn,” said Beard. Fire units and personnel were on the scene Friday morning to conduct the controlled burn.

Initially the lot will provide extra parking for sports events. It is being included in the major building project just getting underway to improve facilities at both the high school and junior high and the adjoining sports complex.

Red River High School Band Director Yasmine Jason reported that the Red River Concert Band went to Large Ensemble and “We had a blast!” Jason said the band “got some great feedback and excellent comments! I am very proud of the Bulldog band and the things that were said of our students!

The dates for the Red River Crusade have been announced. The event will take place at the parish fairgrounds April 30th through May 5th. A free hamburger supper will be served at 6:00 pm. Services will start at 6:30.

It’s the Easter season. First Methodist Church is serving Lenten Lunches today and every Wednesday until Easter. There will be a meal starting at noon followed by a short devotion.

Abundant Life Worship Center has scheduled an Easter Fun day March 31st from 10:00 am until noon. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt, Egg Splash, Candy Rain and other activities.

Wesley Chapel on Highway 783 will hold Good Friday services on Friday, March 30th at 5:30 pm. Everyone is invited.

First Methodist Church has an Easter Egg Carnival scheduled Friday, March 30th. Activities begin at 10:30 am in McLemore Hall on Front Street.

Sen. Gerald Long of Natchitoches is listed among several potential candidates who may seek to run for Secretary of State in 2019. This information comes in the wake of Tom Schedler’s announcement March 14 that he won’t run for re-election following a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him last month.

The Journal spoke to Long this morning, March 16, to talk about next year’s election and the opportunity it presents.

“The public is looking for someone they can trust to be a person of integrity,” said Long, who is doing his homework before he makes the major decision of whether or not he will officially announce his candidacy later this year. Long plans to begin traveling throughout the state to meet with people.

“With all these sexual allegations being brought up, we need to elect men and women whose compass is a moral one,” said Long. “We need officials who can manage their office and personal life well. I try to live this. Faith has always been a big part of my life.”

Long said only 23 percent of the vote in Louisiana is from Alexandria, North. It’s hard to recall anyone from North Louisiana that’s been elected statewide in the last 20 years. It’s difficult to analyze the race without an understanding that a candidate needs to be well known throughout the state. It’s also important to Long to know there’s a base of support in North Louisiana as he considers the opportunity and faces the challenge of the money it would cost to run for such a position.

Another challenge that comes with the Secretary of State position is that no one knows it exists unless they’re already involved in the government. However, it’s an extremely important part of the election process. People want to know elections are bing held fairly.

Long feels the Secretary of State position doesn’t define candidates as Democrat or Republican. It focuses on their ability to be fair to all when it comes to the responsibilities and duties of the office.

“My past is tied so much to my family and my late wife that this would be a new adventure for me,” he said. “It’s gratifying to see how many people are encouraging me and I’m taking a good look at it.”

The Coushatta Town Council met Tuesday night at Town Hall at 5:30. The council approved granting an Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the recently opened Old Folks Café. Mayor Cox explained, “The permit is only for the sale of beer. We don’t sell liquor in the city limits.” The application was approved unanimously.

Owners of the Old Folks Café remodeled the building formerly operated by Kayla’s Kafe. It is located on US 71-84 south of the Conoco station.

Also approved Tuesday night were budgets for the city operated Biddy Basketball and Biddy Baseball programs for the coming year. Councilman Peter Drake, who oversees the parks, told The Journal the sign-up and game schedule for baseball will be finalized soon. And Mayor Cox said again this year Reginald Prelow will oversee the program.

Bryan “Ricky” Steinert is no longer a Red River Parish Deputy. Sheriff Glen Edwards told The Journal on Thursday, Steinert was released on Monday March 12th. He had worked for the sheriff’s office since August.

Investigative journalists in New Orleans reported recently that Steinert resigned from his position as deputy with St. Tammany Parish last May 11th. He had applied to Red River in June and was hired on August 10th following personal interviews and a check of his previous employer and references.

Sheriff Edwards said, “Our internal review of the application process concluded that Steinert was not forthcoming with information surrounding his separation from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.”

Steinert left St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office when questions arose about a report he submitted on a DWI arrest. Sheriff Edwards said he understands that the state Attorney General’s office is investigating that matter and he was reserving any judgment on that incident until the AG’s investigation concludes.

During The Journal’s conversation with Edwards the Sheriff noted that Red River Deputies are equipped with body cameras. There is a report review process, including the review of video from actions by deputies. Edwards added, “In most cases it would prevent the type of issues that were detailed in news reports concerning Steinert. No inconsistencies have been identified concerning arrests by Deputy Steinert while employed with the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The Empty Cross at Abbie Lane was installed this week. Rev Wayne Spears said, “Charles Long built it. Tommy Hicks and Red Giddings help me install it.”

The cross is made of bars of metal and Spears told The Journal the cross is empty to signify “He’s not there!” The cross is 20 feet tall and is located in front of the Spears Chapel. Spears terms the cross an added blessing to Abbie Lane.

Abbie Lane was built to provide a retreat for members of the clergy and their families who need to get away for a while. It is located on the left side of the road down Highway 71 just a couple of miles from the Natchitoches Parish Line.

One Red River student qualified for the state Literary Rally next month in Baton Rouge. Results of the 2018 Northwest Louisiana District Literary Rally, held on the campus of Northwestern State University have been released. Students from high schools in central and northwest Louisiana participated in the Rally, which is held each year to qualify academically talented students for the state competition at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge on April 21.

Red River High student Tianna Rock qualified in Family and Consumer Science. She was congratulated by her Principal, JC Dickey at this month’s school board meeting.

Why are these people smiling? They have just fed the international students who attend Northwestern State University. Last Tuesday these members of Coushatta’s First United Methodist Church took a turn serving lunch at NSU’s Wesley Center.

For lunch, students were treated to pulled pork and mac and cheese. There were other treats and plenty of deserts.

Servers making the trip from Coushatta included Pastor Curtis Carroll, Joy and Edgar Gaddis, Judy Huckabay, Margaret Jones, David Coffey, Barbara McCoy, and Debbie Jones. The church’s participation in the weekly meals began last year by Debbie Jones and her husband Tom. If you would like to join their efforts, call First Methodist Church at 932-4069

This weekend is the Honduras Mission Trip Golf Tournament at the Coushatta Country Club. Money raised will go toward the annual mission trip supported by several churches in the parish.

Our local member of Congress, Mike Johnson, voted to pass the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act. Johnson supported the measure which will train students, school officials, and local law enforcement on how to recognize and respond quickly to warning signs and provide funding for technology to keep schools safe.

Johnson said, “Ensuring our children’s safety is of the utmost importance, and we are acting in Congress to ensure students are protected while at school. Putting an end to school violence begins with noticing the warning signs and knowing how to proceed when they are present. The STOP School Violence Act educates students, school officials and local law enforcement on how to prevent tragedies before they happen. I am proud to have supported this legislation and look forward to continuing our efforts on this front.”

Sunday after church there is a bake sale at Open Door Fellowship. Youth Pastor JP Handy told the Journal that delicious homemade treats will be available at the church beginning about 12:00 O’clock. This fundraiser is in support of the Open Door Youth Group’s summer camp.

Louisiana Tech University held its winter commencement ceremony Saturday, March 3, in the Thomas Assembly Center. Anna Elisabeth Long from Coushatta was awarded her Master of Arts in Teaching.

Registration for the summer and fall 2018 semester for returning students at Northwestern State University begins Monday, March 19. Northwestern State students can begin the registration procedure by checking the online schedule of classes through NSUConnect then meeting with their advisor. Students can begin signing up for summer and fall classes through NSUConnect. Registration for the
Fall semester is available through Aug. 19. Late registration will be held Aug. 20- 28. Fall classes start on Aug. 20.

A $3,000 guaranteed payout “Crappie for Cash Tournament” is coming and it’s scheduled for Saturday, April 14 at the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Sponsored by the Sabine River Authority (SRA), this tournament promises to be exciting and fun with 100% pay back of all entry fees!

This year, SRA is teaming up with CASA! CASA of Central Louisiana is a National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association which supports the abused and neglected children in Sabine, Natchitoches and Red River Parishes. With a CASA advocate appointed to our most vulnerable children, they will have someone speaking up for their best interests in the legal system. Any donation given while registering for this tournament will be matched by SRA. With your support, more children in our three-parish area will have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.

There is a $125 entry fee per team. Deadline to enter is Friday, April 13 – but enter by April 2 to qualify for a free entry drawing and receive a free t-shirt. A mandatory rules meeting will be held on Friday, April 13 at the Cypress Bend Park Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. Weigh-in time on Saturday is 1 p.m. Also, a “Big Fish PayOut” of $300 will be added!

While Toledo Bend sits in the No. 1 spot in the nation on Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, FishUSA – America’s Tackle Shop lists Toledo Bend as one of the best places to fish for crappie. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity to fish, win money and help our most vulnerable kids – all at one time!

If you have any questions about the upcoming tournament or need additional information to register, contact Susie Anthony at (318) 256-4112 or (800) 259-5253.
You can Text “2help” to 21000 – for more information about CASA of Central Louisiana

Welding classes offered at the high school will move to make way for the construction of new facilities. The Red River Parish School Board voted Monday night to bus students and faculty to the Mansfield Vo-Tech school for welding instruction beginning next fall. It is estimated it will take 12 to 18 months to construct new facilities at the High School.

The board heard reports from Maintenance Supervisor David Beard and Finance Director David Jones of what is needed to remodel the former Coushatta Vo-Tech building and get it ready for students. Updates included Air and Heat, electrical, plumbing, telephone and internet, security, and other improvements to bring the building up to code. Jones gave an estimate of about $50,000 to make the building ready for students this fall.

The alternate suggestion was to bus students and faculty to the Mansfield Vo-Tech for welding instruction. Cost estimate was about $16,000 for the 2018-19 school year. Jones said he did not have a definite cost per student. That is to come in negotiations with them. Jones said, “They are doing the welding program for Logansport High and they charge their students $150 per term. The charge could be as high as $380, the amount currently charged other students in the welding program.”

Superintendent Alison Hughes said, “At present we are projecting 17 to 20 students in the welding program next fall. They are juniors and seniors.” Hughes added that the project to construct a new home for welding and other vocational programs on the high school campus will take 18 to 24 months.

When it came time to vote, the board was not unanimous. Member Gene Longino said, “I am not in favor of sending our students 50 miles (a day) out of the parish to teach them. In my view the Vo-Tech (Coushatta) was a welding shop for 20 years and set up for welding. It should be close to what we want.” Longino added, “I think it needs to be further addressed before e do what we are doing tonight.”

Board Member Valerie Cox commented, “I think it could be further explored. Where did we get the cost figures?

When the measure came for a vote, the board voted 5 to 2 to relocate the high school welding program to Mansfield Vo-Tech until new facilities are constructed. Longino and Cox cast the dissenting votes.

The Life Share Blood Center Bus will be at Christus Coushatta this Friday. You are asked to give life by donating blood.

The blood drive is scheduled from noon until 3:30 pm Friday March 16th. Eligible donors are asked to come to the Life Share Bus located at the hospital at 1635 Marvel Street.

The Life Share flyer reminds you “your precious gift is carefully provided to someone in need. Your blood donation could impact the life of someone you know, someone you’ll meet, or your closest loved one.

The High School All-District Soccer team has been selected. And Red River placed five players on the roster.

Making the first team were Abdullah Yafai and Joseah Warren. Yafai was selected for his overall performance and for scoring the most goals this season. Warren was selected for his excellent play as the center defender. Yafai and Warrant are graduating seniors.

One student, Maddie Allums was selected to the second team. Allums was selected for her excellent mastery of the game in her first season. Allums is also and outstanding defensive player. Allums is a sophomore.

Two players received honorable mention. They are Sierra Ochoa, a graduating senior, and Darren Bice a junior. Ochoa played midfield and anchored the Red River attack. Bice played goal keeper for the Bulldogs and blocked as many as 40 shots in one game.

Red River Soccer begins conditioning workouts when school resumes in the fall. The season runs from the last Monday in October through the end of February.

Sometime late this spring, probably in April, the buildings on Front Street will get a new coat of paint. It’s part of a yearlong renovation of Coushatta’s downtown. The most recent improvements were new wood columns erected late last year.

The Journal met Mayor Johnny Cox and Jennifer Horton of United Way of Northwest Louisiana last week. They were looking over the project and working out details. Cox said, “United Way is partnering with the town of Coushatta on repainting all of the buildings on Front Street.

The repainting is part of the revitalization of Front Street. His vision was spelled out in an interview the Journal held with the Mayor over a year ago. This latest stage will be completed this spring.

Louisiana Tech is celebrating Pi Day — Wednesday, March 14—with an endless list of fun activities.
(The list is not really endless like pi, but there is still plenty of things to enjoy.)

The center of Pi Day is the Tech seal in Centennial Plaza. There is no need to sign up: just show up. It’s for all ages. Here’s how you can enjoy Pi Day.

Pie baking competition: Drop off (at the seal) anytime between 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Sweet or savory pies are welcome and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Judging will begin at 11:15 a.m. and will be based on appearance, texture, and taste.

Pi recitation: Compete to see if you can recall the most digits of Pi. Come anytime between 10 a.m.-noon. Winner will be announced at the end of the day.

Scavenger hunt: A campus-wide hunt; (there will be a smaller one for pre-college students). Clues will be released every half hour over Instagram (@latechpiday), beginning at 10 a.m.

All winners will be announced via Instagram and email.sbra

The event is sponsored by Tech’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Contact Dr. Scarlett Bracey, sbracey@latech.edu, with any questions.

Pi — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — is approximately 3.14159, and Pi Day is celebrated on 3-14 around the world.
According to PiDay.org, pi “has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern.”

Any Questions?

Saturday night is the monthly Senior Dance held by the Red River Council on Aging. The house band is the Playmates. Admission is $6.00. Dancing is from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

Also Saturday there is a golf tournament at the Coushatta Country Club. The event is one of the fundraisers that supports the annual mission trip to Honduras.

Social Springs Baptist Church is planning a revival later in March. It starts on March 25th. Check out their Facebook post for details.

Riverdale Academy celebrated their basketball championships on Tuesday. The school posted “We celebrated the Lady Rebels and Rebels State Championship wins with a pep rally, high light video, and the cutting of the nets! We are so proud of both of these teams and their coaches. It has been a great year for Riverdale and we look forward to many more to come!

Let me say “Thank You” to the Red River Parish Library for their assistance in the twice-weekly publication of the Journal. If you haven’t been to the library recently, go see what they offer. You cannot beat the friendly service.

The Red River Bulldogs boys’ basketball team’s season came to an end yesterday in perhaps the hardest fought game of the year. The Bulldogs bowed out to the Rayville Hornets 73 to 69.

The Hornets are undefeated this year. They advance to the boys’ championship in 2A on Saturday at noon. They play the North Caddo Rebels. Earlier Thursday North Caddo stomped Avoyelles Public Charter 65 to 39.

The Bulldogs got a great performance from all five starters with Emmarrion McDonald leading the team with 25 points. Other Bulldogs in double figures were Jessie Davis with 22 points and Chris Moore with 11.

The Bulldogs kept the game close throughout. They were down by five at halftime and lead for several times in each half. In the last few minutes Rayville took charge and despite a valiant Red River defense held on for the victory.

Both Bulldog teams made it to the semi-final game in the Top 28 Tournaments. The Red River program is top four in the state.

Journal Sports thanks the local businesses who supported Red River Basketball through their sponsorship of game broadcasts. They are the Bank of Coushatta, Tyler Insurance Agency, Better Finance, Coushatta Dairy Queen, Christus Coushatta Health Care System, The York Chop, Bethard and Bethard Attorneys At Law, and Hughes Lawn Service.

Northwestern State University will hold a ceremony rededicating its Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center in honor of the late Dr. Randall J. Webb Tuesday, March 20 at 3 p.m. A reception will be held prior to the dedication at 2 p.m. To RSVP for the reception, contact Christie Price at (318) 357-4412 or at pricec@nsula.edu.

Webb was the longest-serving president in the history of Northwestern State, holding the position from July 1, 1996 to Dec. 31, 2014.

Northwestern State students approved a referendum in 1998 to fund construction of the Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center. The $6.9 million project converted the former Intramural Building into a modern 81,000 square foot facility which was completed in 2004.

Under Webb’s leadership, Northwestern State received unprecedented national and international attention for its academic programs and student accomplishments. University facilities in addition to the WRAC were renovated to better serve students and two record-setting capital campaigns took place.

Enrollment reached record levels during Webb’s tenure as president and exceeded 10,500 for the first time in school history in the fall of 2004. Webb led NSU toward higher admission standards, which has resulted in students at the university having greater academic potential and aptitude. During Webb’s tenure, Northwestern State had the largest graduating classes in the university’s history.

Webb expanded the university’s outreach by spearheading the development at NSU of the largest electronic education network of any university in Louisiana.

Millions of dollars were obtained during Webb’s presidency for new and renovated facilities. Other new facilities include the Jimmy D. Long Sr. Student Services Center and University Place I and II. Morrison Hall, the Family and Consumer Sciences Building, Williamson Hall, Russell Hall and Caspari Hall were completely renovated and restored.

A 1965 graduate of Northwestern in mathematics and business education, Webb earned a master of science degree in mathematics from NSU in 1966. He received a doctorate in education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1971 with a concentration in mathematics and research.

Webb passed away in Nov. 2015.

Red River Parish Residents are invited by United Way of Northwest Louisiana to get help filing their taxes at no cost to the taxpayer. United Way said recently enhanced features to MyFreeTaxes.com allow most filers to complete their taxes in less than one hour. MyFreeTaxes.com is a safe, easy and completely free way for individuals or families earning $66,000 or less to file their state and federal taxes.

“Tax season is a source of confusion and stress for most Americans,” said CEO of United Way NWLA, Dr. Bruce Willson. “Many are worried they’ll make a mistake, won’t get their full refund or will pay too much. With MyFreeTaxes, filers can get support from IRS-certified specialists and cut down the time it takes to complete their returns.”

Taxpayers earning less than $66,000 can enter their data through MyFreeTaxes.com, which links to a secure H&R Block website, making it easy to complete their taxes from home, at work or on mobile devices.

MyFreeTaxes is supported by United Way nationwide. For more details on free tax preparation, or how to volunteer to become a certified volunteer tax preparer, please visit: unitedwaynwla.org/free-tax-preparation/.

Students in Red River Parish are invited to enter this year’s Essay Contest at Northwestern State University. Entries are being accepted through May 31st. The essay contest is open to all Louisiana students in grades 9-12 regardless of type of school institution, including students in all types of private educational environments, as well as home schooled students.

The 2018 Contest theme is “Once Upon a Time in Louisiana.” Entrants are invited to address one of two options, but not both. The first option is a creative non-fiction essay in which they describe an experience that could only have happened to them in Louisiana. Personal reflections and experiences are perfectly valid as part of the essay content. Essays may be in narrative form if the student so chooses.

The second option is a folk or fairy tale set in a Louisiana setting. Students may make up their own tale or may base their tale upon those collected by famous tale collectors (such as the Brothers Grimm or Charles Perrault) or upon the adventures of a folk or fairy tale hero such as Anansi the Spider or Momotaro. Students should not retell stories based upon animated or live action films.

Essays should be approximately 1,000 – 2,500+ words, should have titles and should be typed (double spaced, 12-point font, standard margins). Entries should include a cover sheet with the student’s name, school affiliation, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and the title of their entry. Entries may be submitted via e-mail to Dr. Shane Rasmussen, rasmussens@nsula.edu or mailed to the Louisiana Folklife Center, NSU Box 3663, Natchitoches, LA 71497. “2018 NSU Louisiana High School Essay Contest” should be the subject line of e-mails. The deadline for contest submissions is May 31. Prize-winning students will be notified by July 15.

The prizes for the contest winners are $150 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third. In addition, essay contest winners will receive a $200/per semester NSU scholarship with a value up to $1,600 if they attend NSU for four years. This award is in addition to other scholarship awards that the student may receive from Northwestern State. Winners must have at least a 20 ACT composite or 950 on the SAT, as well as at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible. Essay winners need to submit proof of the award.

Winning essayists will be invited to read their paper at the 10th Annual Louisiana Studies Conference held at Northwestern State on Saturday September 22. The top three winning entries will also be published in the Louisiana Folklife Journal. Submission of an entry to the Contest entails granting permission to publish the essay in the Louisiana Folklife Journal. Entries may be subject to minor revision prior to publication. Additional information is available on the website for the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State at louisianafolklife.nsula.edu.

The NSU Louisiana High School Essay Contest is sponsored by Louisiana Folklife Center, the NSU Writing Project, the College of Arts, Sciences, Graduate Studies and Research, the Office of Financial Aid, and the Office of Recruiting at Northwestern State.