Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) has entered an exciting new era with the groundbreaking of the new Martin Family Student Success Center. The generosity of the local community tied to the support of the LSU System, the Louisiana State Legislature, and Governor John Bel Edwards, has made it possible for LSUA to begin construction on an innovative space that will serve as the centerpiece for students at every step of their collegiate journey.

The $12 million Center will be a central hub for student services that will serve as a front door to the university while ensuring that each LSUA student receives the level of individual support needed for success. Construction of this dedicated student space, which is a public-private partnership with the State of Louisiana, responds to the ongoing expansion of LSUA’s student body and pool of academic offerings – growth that has accelerated a need to make improvements to the campus’s overall appearance and add new facilities.

Hosted by the Office of the Chancellor and the LSUA Foundation, Chancellor Paul Coreil excitedly kicked off the ceremony reminding guests of LSUA’s track record of success and commitment to meeting the workforce needs of the community. Coreil concluded, “[This] a legacy project for LSUA and for Central Louisiana, where we can have the state-of-the-art student success center where everything students need is in one facility. The curbside appeal of a new building like this will help us recruit the top students from the area.”

The groundbreaking featured Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, who said, “Student success just means success. It means success for that student but also for that student’s family, the community in which they live, whatever business employs them, or whatever business that student starts. It just means success.” He remarked on the continued growth of LSUA and the high expectations the state holds for qualified graduates entering the workforce.

Valencia Sarpy Jones, Chair of the LSU Board of Supervisors, noted the unprecedented support for LSUA and for higher education by the legislators of Louisiana. LSU President William F. Tate IV extolled the success of LSU System graduates contributing to the economic output of Louisiana for decades after graduation. Stephen Wright, Chair of the LSUA Foundation, thanked the many supporters and donors to the Fierce for LSUA campaign that garnered $5 million in private funds for the project, including contributions by every member of the LSUA Foundation Board and scores of LSUA faculty, staff, and students.

Evidenced by his $2 million gift to the project, Roy O. Martin III, President, CEO, and CFO of RoyOMartin, expressed his family’s heartfelt commitment to elevating the educational level of citizens across the state through scholarships and capital projects like the Martin Family Student Success Center. Martin said, “To see a student get a degree and a great job, become a doctor, or lawyer, or forester…become an engineer, or accountant when they would not have ordinarily been able, and they may be the first one in their family to do so, it is such a fulfilling thing. It just makes us very, very happy.”

LSUA Student Government President Sophi Borhi thanked LSUA’s supporters for making the dream of a student-centered building a priority, and she challenged future generations of students to take every advantage of the opportunities offered to excel in college and prepare for rewarding careers.

The services offered within the Student Success Center – spanning Admissions & Recruiting, Financial Aid, Advising, First-Year Experience, and a Career Development Center – will bolster LSUA’s retention efforts and connect students with career placement opportunities upon graduation.

By JIM BUTLER

An affordable housing developer is seeking tax credits to build 40 new homes in Pineville.

Kingsmill Crossing would be located in the 100 block of Pinecrest Drive, according to an application.

The project owner, Kingsmill Crossing, LP of Ridgeland, Miss., is competing for 9 percent tax credits from the Louisiana Housing Authority.

The application stipulates the family-oriented development would have a community center and supportive services.

Planned are six 1-bedroom /one-bathroom, eighteen 2-bedroom /two-bathroom, and sixteen 3-bedroom/two-bathroom units.

The development’s cost is estimated at about $9.7 million, funded by a first mortgage of a little over $1 million, equity totaling $8.6 million and about $62,000 in owner contribution.

The tax credit is against regular tax liability for investments in affordable housing properties.

It was created in the 1980s to incentivize private developers and investors to provide more low-income housing.

Without this incentive, the supply of affordable rental housing likely would be limited because these projects would lack sufficient profit to warrant investment.

Project applications are reviewed in a competitive review for available credits.

Kingsmill’s parent organization has similar projects at several locations in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The City of Pineville, with the help of stakeholders and community members participated in the city’s inaugural Love The Boot cleanup on April 22 in conjunction with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s Keep Louisiana Beautiful initiative. Mayor Rich Dupree and the City Council have made it a priority from day one to keep Pineville beautiful and Saturday’s cleanup was just one of those efforts in action. There was close to 100 participants who collectively picked up 66 bags of garbage. The city looks forward to many more of these events.

Pineville City Marshal Murphy Rachal grilled some post cleanup burgers. Pineville Police Department Chief Darrell Basco, Rapides Parish Police Jury President Joe Bishop assisted with the event. Attendees included adults, children, businesses, residents, and two groups from Pineville High School. Absolutely none of this would have been possible without Mark Manuel and the Pineville Beautification Department. City Council members Tom Bouchie and Mary Galloway led by example and donned the gloves and grabbers to pitch in. It takes everyone doing their part to keep their neighborhoods and businesses cleaned up and everyone can help Keep Pineville Beautiful.

Services for Dr. Mary Hyde Edwards will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2023 in the chapel of Hixson Brothers, Pineville with Reverend Thomas Martin officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Park.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 24, 2023 at Hixson Brothers, Pineville from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will resume on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until time of service.

Dr. Edwards, 86, of Pineville passed from this life, Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Mary graduated from Pineville High School in 1955 as a Valedictorian. Continuing her education, she received her PhD from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. After graduating, she began working as a Librarian for the Rapides Parish School Board at Pineville High School, where she retired after 38 ½ years of service.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ollie Lisle Hyde and Mary Ruth Weathersby Hyde; husband, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Edwards and daughter, Annette Chaudoir.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Nancy Kathleen Clark and one grandchild, Ryan Lyle Drake.

There was hugging, high fives and heartbreak for Rapides Parish teams in the quarterfinal round of the LHSAA softball postseason.

Buckeye, Tioga and Grace Christian have advanced to the semifinals in Sulphur coming up Friday.

ASH, Menard and Pineville bowed out with losses in their quarterfinal games last Saturday.

Buckeye and Tioga claimed one-run thrillers. Grace Christian had already punched its ticket with a 17-2 romp over Family Christian on April 14.

Buckeye, seeded No. 1 in Select Division II, held off visiting E.D. White 3-2 Saturday. The Lady Panthers play Friday at noon on Field 15 in Sulphur against No. 4 David Thibodaux, which edged De La Salle 7-6 in that quarterfinal.

Tioga took a 4-3 thriller over visiting Acadiana. That earned the No. 2 Lady Indians a Friday 2:30 matchup with No. 3 John Curtis, also on Field 15, in the Select Division I semifinals.

Curtis blanked sixth-seeded ASH 7-0 on Saturday in Metairie.

No. 4 Pineville lost at home in heartbreaking fashion when Archbishop Chapelle cracked a seventh-inning grand slam to break a 2-2 tie, and the Lady Rebels couldn’t answer in the bottom of the inning Saturday.

Something was going to give when ninth-seeded Menard played host to No. 1-ranked Calvary Baptist. The Lady Eagles had a streak of eight consecutive trips to Sulphur for the state tournament. Calvary has won two straight state championships.

The visiting Lady Cavaliers looked every bit the part of champions, taking down Menard 14-1.

Idle last week, Grace Christian comes to Sulphur as the No. 2 seed in Select Division V and will play No. 3 St. Joseph’s of Plaucheville Friday at noon on Field 17.

State championship games are set for Saturday.

The Buckeye Panthers are at home for their second-round Select Division II LHSAA baseball playoff series beginning today at 5.

Ten parish schools have advanced in the baseball playoffs to the second round.

Buckeye, seeded sixth, hosts No. 11 Kenner Discovery Heath Science in a 5 p.m. game today to open the best-of-three series. The second game will be at 4 o’clock Wednesday, with a third game, if necessary, to follow.

Other parish teams in the postseason begin their second-round action later this week.

Thursday, Menard hosts Ascension Episcopal in a Select Division 3 series opener at 6.

Friday, ASH hosts Holy Cross, Pineville hosts Acadiana, Bolton travels to Thibodaux to play E.D. White, and Tioga goes to Shreveport to meet Northwood, all in series openers, along with Glenmora going to Ascension Episcopal.

In single-elimination playoff games in the smaller divisions, Alexandria Country Day plays at Downsville Friday at 5:30, and in an all-Rapides Parish battle that won’t happen until May 5, Grace Christian will host Oak Hill.

One of the best hitters at one of Louisiana’s premier softball programs will make her way to Northwestern State for the 2024 softball season. 

On Monday, head coach Donald Pickett announced the signing of slugger Bailey Henderson from Pineville as the latest edition to the talented incoming freshman signing class. 

Henderson is a career .500-plus hitter for the Rebels who has earned first-team all-district honors in a stacked District 2-5A in each of the past two seasons, with a third expected following the 2023 season. 

During her sophomore season, Henderson set the Pineville record for single-season home runs with 16, adding 14 doubles, on the way to a .552 batting average for the season. She picked up her first all-district, all-Cenla and all-state honors after the season. 

Perhaps one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the state came during her junior year when Henderson batted an astounding .608 for the year with a .680 on-base percentage. She had double-digit home runs and doubles for the second straight season, and the third straight season with 10 or more doubles. 

Henderson was named All-Cenla MVP following the 2022 season along with her second straight first-team selections in the district, area and state as she helped lead the nationally-ranked Rebels to a 31-2 record and number one ranking in the 5A state playoffs. 

This year Henderson has hit .426 with seven long balls and 18 doubles and a .521 on-base percentage. During a four-game stretch late in the season, Henderson went 12-for-15 (.800) at the plate with five doubles out of the leadoff spot in the lineup. 

In more than 450 career at-bats across her four year prep career, Henderson struck out just 12 times. 

Henderson and the No. 4 seeded Rebels made their third straight trip to the quarterfinals this year, with their season ending Saturday with a loss at John Curtis.

Louisiana Christian University held its 62nd Annual Honors Convocation Tuesday, recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of students in academics and athletics.

Student awards and recipients are listed below by department:

Art

Central Louisiana Ad Club Scholarship Award: Nathaniel Madrid, of Alexandria (Rapides)

Grady Harper Scholarship Award: Lena Cogghe, of Belgium and Paula Nolla Ferrer, of Spain

Thilo Steinschulte Scholarship Award: Gretchen Wolfe, of Rowlett, Texas

Athletics

NAIA Student Athlete Award: Nicholas Brunet, of Bourg (Terrebone) Claire Borot, of France

Business

ACBSP Student Leadership Award: Abigail Shields, of Deville (Rapides)

Outstanding Graduating Senior in Business Administration: Ting Jiang, of China

Outstanding Junior in Business Administration: Caroline Lucius, of Pineville (Rapides)

Sr External Major Field Test 2nd Highest: Kaleb Breaux, of Scott (Lafayette)

Sr External Major Field Test Highest: Kristoffer Boerjesson, of Sweden

Education

Avis L. Trahan – Outstanding Elementary Education Award: Karli Simmons, of Pollock (Grant)

Avis L. Trahan – Outstanding Secondary Education Award: Hannah Miller, of Iowa (Jefferson Davis)

Education Achievement Award: Paula Sims, of Florien (Sabine)

L. E. Beatrice McKenzie May Scholarship Award: Rebekah Bonnin, of Lufkin, Texas

William C. Todd Education Award: Ethan Christman, of Pineville (Rapides)

History and Political Science

Outstanding First Year Student: Chloe Must, of Lafayette (Lafayette)

Outstanding Upper-Class Student in History and Political Science: Benjamin Menard, of Corpus Christi, Texas

Health and Physical Education

Courtney Butler Scholarship: Hunter Allen, of Downsville (Ouachita)

Outstanding Exercise Science Clinical Wellness Major of the Year: D’Mario Weathersby, of Clinton (E.Feliciana)

Outstanding Exercise Science Sports and Wellness Major of the Year: Lauren Magleau, of Spain

Human Behavior

Alpha Tau Gamma Omega Cole Award: Delaina Doyle Walley, of Hineston (Rapides)

Ann McAllister Excellence in Social Work Award: Georgia Barfield, of Dry Prong (Grant)

Ann McAllister Excellence in Social Work Scholarship: Kayla Dauthier, of Jarreau (Point Coupee)

Social Work Student of the Year Award: Holly Tony, of Haughton (Bossier)

The Dr. James Quillin Memorial Psychology Student of the Year: Sydni Gross, of Lambertville, Michigan

Language and Literature

George Amos English Scholarship: Keirsten Lejeune, of Leesville (Vernon)

Ada Osborne Scholarship: Zane Blanchard, of Belle Rose (Assumption)

Alpha Mu Gamma Outstanding Member Award: Bethany Nichols, of Boyce (Rapides)

Alpha Mu Gamma Outstanding Senior Award: Delaina Doyle Walley, of Hineston (Rapides)

Carson Scholarship in English: Bethany Nichols, of Boyce (Rapides)

Ellander Ridge Scholarship: Mackenzie Strickland, of West Monroe (Ouachita)

English Faculty Scholarship: Delaina Doyle Walley, of Hineston (Rapides)

Ivey Gravette Scholarship in English: Samantha Ray, of Centerpoint (Avoyelles)

Mary Kate Bailes Freshman Essay Award: Anna Hooker, of Boyce (Rapides)

Mayme Hamlett English Scholarship: Cheryl Bullock, of Pollock (Rapides)

Media, Communication and Theatre

Ethel Holloman Memorial Journalism Scholarship: Victoria Watson, of New Iberia (Iberia)

Frank & Helen Bennett Endowed Scholarship in Theatre: Nicoy Harris, of Grand Forks, North Dakota

Fred Kendrick Memorial Journalism Scholarship: Phoebe Lim, of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge)

Fred Lollar Scholarship in Public Relations: Nathan Roper, of Alexandria (Rapides)

Media and Communication Outstanding Freshman in Production: Sollon Scott, of Marrero (Jefferson)

Media and Communication Senior Excellence Award: Noel Schonhoff, of Slidell (St. Tammany)

Ortis Journalism Scholarship: Brandon Brown, of Lavon, Texas

Oscar Hoffmeyer Endowed Scholarship in Journalism: Sollon Scott, of Marrero (Jefferson)

Richard-Burton Endowed Scholarships:

-Communication Studies Emily Slay, of Pineville (Rapides)

-Convergence Media Kai Stone, of Kaplan (Vermillion)

-Theatre Carmen Taffi, of Pineville (Rapides)

Media/Communication “And Then Some” Award: Kai Stone, of Kaplan (Vermillion)

Wildcat Debate “And Then Some” Award: Camille Allgood, of Denham Springs (Livingston)

Wildcat Debate Top Novice Award: Zavier Whiting, of Fayetteville, Georgia

Missions and Ministries

Christian Studies Award: Ashley Young, of Benton (Bossier)

Zondervan Greek Award: Spencer Murdock, of Pollock (Grant)

Zondervan Theology Award: Evangeline Tudor, of Pineville (Rapides)

Music

Alsup Voice Award:

1st:Peyton Newton, of Alexandria (Rapides)

2nd: Italia Sosa, of Pineville (Rapides)

3rd: A’melia Perkins, of Pineville (Rapides)

B.B. McKinney Scholarship Award: Peyton Newton, of Alexandria (Rapides)

Carroll Lowe Scholarship Award: Billi Barber, of Slidell (St. Tammany) and Selena Torres, of Alexandria (Rapides)

Dixie Sylvest Moss Award: William Dunham, of Monroe (Ouachita)

Edith Kilgore Kirkpatrick Music Scholarship: Samantha McCullough, of Oakdale (Allen)

Gloria Joy Moore Scholarship: A’melia Perkins, of Pineville (Rapides)

Music Service Award: Kyle Dupre, of Houma (Terrebonne)

Pierre Valmont Blanchard Award for Vocal Achievement: Kyle Dupre, of Houma (Terrebonne)

Richard Hill Endowed Scholarship: Emma Walker, of Ball (Rapides)

Robert W. Poole Endowed Scholarship: William Dunham, of Monroe (Ouachita)

Sue McGahey Elgin Endowed Scholarship: Caleb Williams, of Frierson (DeSoto)

Natural Sciences

Carol Anne O’Quinn Award: Ethan Lanford, of Pineville (Rapides)

Hansel B. O’Quinn Award: Ethan Barnes, of Ball (Rapides)

J.F. Richie Memorial Award: Harrison Bieber, of Dry Prong (Grant)

Jarrell Memorial Award: Harrison Bieber, of Dry Prong (Grant)

Outstanding First Year Chemistry Award: Will Patton, of Bossier City (Bossier)

Rocky Vidrine Memorial Award- Outstanding Freshman in Pre-Med: Morgan Tradewell, of Deville (Rapides)

The Monroe Hilburn Award: Ethan West, of Ville Platte (Evangeline)

Nursing

Courage in Nursing: Maurtavius Evans, of Boyce (Rapides)

Division of Nursing Award: McKenna Bryant, of Pineville (Rapides)

Jean Livley Leadership Award: Lessley Fontenot, of Lafayette (Lafayette)

Nursing Association for Students Recognition Award: Adrianna Hedgemon, of Delhi (Richland)

Donies & Novie Magee Scholarship Award: Shelby Cumpton, of Quitman

“These students represent the University’s vision for ‘Preparing Graduates and Transforming Lives’ demonstrated by their commitment to academic excellence and Christian scholarship,” said President Dr. Rick Brewer. “The great tradition of equipping students for lives of learning, leading, and serving emblematic of Louisiana Christian University is evidenced by the work of our faculty and students. The University’s devotion to the Great Commandment is certainly expressed by our students’ dedication to “love God with heart, soul, and mind.”

Dr. Jeannie Gauthier, chair of the Division of Language and Literature, received the Olive Anne Rau Endowed Chair of English during the ceremony, as well. Eminent Scholars and Professorships are designed to recognize outstanding faculty and support productivity.

“Recognizing students who have excelled academically in the collegiate environment has long been a tradition at Louisiana Christian University,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Cheryl Clark. “School deans, departmental chairs, program directors, and faculty members work diligently to identify exceptional students. Students recognized at Honors Convocation represent LCU’s brightest scholars who have excelled in and outside the classroom.

“We are proud to recognize this year’s student honorees who exemplify academic excellence and a passion for learning. They have challenged themselves and discovered new pathways to personal success. We also celebrate our exceptional faculty who teach, mentor, and lead by example.”

Shreveport & Alexandria, Louisiana — April 24, 2023— Affordable Cleaning Team, LLC has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit serving cancer patients through free house cleaning. The residential cleaning company has committed to making a difference for cancer patients and their families in the community.

“Cancer treatment can take over the lives of patients and their families, causing basic tasks like home cleaning to fall by the wayside,” said Lucy Lee, Program Manager, Cleaning for a Reason. “Our cleaning partners are giving the gift of a clean home to cancer patients who are in the fight of their lives.” Cleaning for a Reason partners with residential cleaning companies to offer free house cleanings to cancer patients in the United States and Canada. Any man, woman, or child undergoing cancer treatment can apply to receive two home cleanings from a local cleaning partner. By partnering with Cleaning for a Reason, organizations commit to providing free home cleaning services to those battling cancer and their families.

“This cause is particularly close to my heart because my mother is currently battling breast cancer.” said Tiffany Welch, CEO, Affordable Cleaning Team, LLC. “Witnessing firsthand the physical and emotional toll of cancer, I knew I had to do something to support others facing similar challenges. By partnering with Cleaning For A Reason, I have been able to provide free cleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatment, helping them maintain a clean and safe home environment during a difficult time in their lives.”

For more information, visit www.affordablecleaningteam.com

About Cleaning for a Reason

Cleaning for a Reason partners with more than 1,200 residential cleaners throughout the United States and Canada to offer free house cleaning to any household battling cancer. Since 2006, the nonprofit and its partners have donated more than $15.5 million in services, helping more than 46,000 cancer patients. In 2017, Cleaning for a Reason was adopted by ISSA Charities, the charitable arm of ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. To learn more about Cleaning for a Reason and to apply for free house cleaning, see cleaningforareason.org.

HOST: Event by Alexandria Zoological Park and Friends of the Alexandria Zoo

LOCATION/DATE/TIME: Alexandria Zoological Park, Friday, April 28; 6 – 9 pm.

ADMISSION: $40 by April 21 | $45 after April 21

Tap into your wild side with live music by Atlanta due Andrea & Mud and sample craft brews, wine and more while feasting on flavors from local restaurants and caterers.

Ticket includes drink samples, 1 free drink, and 1 free food item

Guests must be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID. Babies or children are not allowed. Guests without a valid photo ID will not be permitted to enter the event.

All sales are final; no refunds or exchanges.

RAIN ALTERNATE LOCATION: Alexandria Convention Hall

Rapides Parish residents are invited to come out to Pineville’s Main Street Event Park this Saturday, April 29th for the popular Crawfish Cruise In. There is a $20 entry fee. The following will be recognized: Best in Show, Mayor’s Choice and Top 3 Choice Awards.

A Crawfish Cookout will be held inside the Main Street Event Park from 10 am – 4 pm. The 5th Saturday Market will also take place from 9 am – 2 pm on Main Street, near City Hall. There will be vendors, food trucks, live music, and much more!

BOM sponsored the 8 – 10 year old girls softball team and the 12 year old boys baseball team. Pictured left to right BOM’s Daniel Lonsberry and Josh Lonsberry.

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) has entered an exciting new era with the groundbreaking of the new Martin Family Student Success Center. The generosity of the local community tied to the support of the LSU System,  the Louisiana State Legislature, and Governor John Bel Edwards, has made it possible for LSUA to begin construction on an innovative space that will serve as the centerpiece for students at every step of their collegiate journey.

The $12 million Center will be a central hub for student services that will serve as a front door to the university while ensuring that each LSUA student receives the level of individual support needed for success. Construction of this dedicated student space, which is a public-private partnership with the State of Louisiana, responds to the ongoing expansion of LSUA’s student body and pool of academic offerings – growth that has accelerated a need to make improvements to the campus’s overall appearance and add new facilities. 

Hosted by the Office of the Chancellor and the LSUA Foundation, Chancellor Paul Coreil excitedly kicked off the ceremony reminding guests of LSUA’s track record of success and commitment to meeting the workforce needs of the community. Coreil concluded, “[This] a legacy project for LSUA and for Central Louisiana, where we can have the state-of-the-art student success center where everything students need is in one facility. The curbside appeal of a new building like this will help us recruit the top students from the area.”

The groundbreaking featured Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, who said, “Student success just means success. It means success for that student but also for that student’s family, the community in which they live, whatever business employs them, or whatever business that student starts. It just means success.” He remarked on the continued growth of LSUA and the high expectations the state holds for qualified graduates entering the workforce. 

Valencia Sarpy Jones, Chair of the LSU Board of Supervisors, noted the unprecedented support for LSUA and for higher education by the legislators of Louisiana. LSU President William F. Tate IV extolled the success of LSU System graduates contributing to the economic output of Louisiana for decades after graduation. Stephen Wright, Chair of the LSUA Foundation, thanked the many supporters and donors to the Fierce for LSUA campaign that garnered $5 million in private funds for the project, including contributions by every member of the LSUA Foundation Board and scores of LSUA faculty, staff, and students. 

Evidenced by his $2 million gift to the project, Roy O. Martin III, President, CEO, and CFO of RoyOMartin, expressed his family’s heartfelt commitment to elevating the educational level of citizens across the state through scholarships and capital projects like the Martin Family Student Success Center. Martin said, “To see a student get a degree and a great job, become a doctor, or lawyer, or forester…become an engineer, or accountant when they would not have ordinarily been able, and they may be the first one in their family to do so, it is such a fulfilling thing. It just makes us very, very happy.”

LSUA Student Government President Sophi Borhi thanked LSUA’s supporters for making the dream of a student-centered building a priority, and she challenged future generations of students to take every advantage of the opportunities offered to excel in college and prepare for rewarding careers. 

The services offered within the Student Success Center – spanning Admissions & Recruiting, Financial Aid, Advising, First-Year Experience, and a Career Development Center – will bolster LSUA’s retention efforts and connect students with career placement opportunities upon graduation.