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Two short years ago, Kiley Naomi was playing in the finals of the LHSAA Class 3A softball state championship. Today, she now finds herself starting for Oklahoma State and playing in the 2019 Women’s College World Series with a chance to win a national title.
She is a 19-year-old true freshman.
“Honestly, it is like a dream come true,” said Naomi about playing the World Series. “It is everything I ever dreamed of. I have been watching the World Series my entire life, and now I am able to be playing in it.”
Little did she know two years ago, she would be playing in front of a few thousand people today. Playing on the big stage in the Class 3A finals has prepared her for this weekend.
“Playing in the state finals was a big experience and being able to play in front of that many people prepared me for this situation,” she said. “The fans in the Super Regional against Florida State were really loud. I know that being in the World Series is going to be louder.
“But since I have played in front of big crowds before, I think I will be OK.”
Naomi has been the starting shortstop for the Cowgirls all season. Tonight No. 13 Oklahoma State plays against No. 4 Florida, starting at 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN 2.
She is one of only five players who started all 59 games for the Cowgirls. She has a .269 batting average and knocked in 18 runs and hit six home runs. She has also reached base safely in 47 out of the 59 games.
Oklahoma State is making an appearance in the College World Series for the first time since 2011. It is the school’s eighth overall appearance in the World Series.
“This team is special because I know that each of these girls has my back no matter what,” she said. “We have a saying, ‘for the girls.’ That is what our motto has been all season. We have created our destiny when no one else believed we would have made it this far.”
Only eight teams are remaining and the Cowgirls are the lowest ranked team at No. 13. The winner of Thursday’s game meets the winner of No. 1 Oklahoma / No. 8 Alabama game on Friday. The loser of Thursday’s game plays Saturday.
The Cowgirls arrived in Stillwater Tuesday and attended a banquet that night. Over the last three days, Naomi has been receiving phone calls and texts from friends, including her former North Vermilion head softball coach Joy LeBlanc. LeBlanc played and coached in the World Series.
She texted Naomi and congratulated her and told her to “Soak in all the memories and enjoy the ride.”
Naomi is the second North Vermilion graduate to play in the World Series. Vallie Gaspard played for the Lady Cajuns in the 2008 World Series.

Some 80 years later, two new memorial signs now stand tall at the Memorial Downtown Bridge in Abbeville.
On Tuesday, the State Department of Transportation and Development placed two aluminum signs that read “Vermilion Parish Veterans Memorial Bridge, ‘To Those Who Died That Liberty Might Live’” near the front of the bridge.
The signs were paid for by Post 29 and donations. When the signs were hung, it meant the end to a long absence.
“The signs look good,” said Gerald Hebert, a member of the American Legion Post 29.
Around 1938 an iron plaque was placed on the downtown bridge. The downtown bridge was dedicated to the 32 Vermilion Parish men who died in World War I.
The iron plaque, however, was taken down around 1940 when the United States entered World War II. The government needed the iron and ordered all iron plaques removed from all bridges.
After World War II ended, the plaques on all state bridges were never replaced.
Two years ago the American Legion Post 29 came across the removal of the plaque in its search for information to help celebrate its 100th anniversary.
What better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary than too replace the plaque that was removed 80 years ago, thought the American Legion Post 29.
On Monday, for Veterans Day, a special ceremony was held at Magdalen Square to unveil the signs.
Post 29 Commander Tom Thompson was thrilled to see that the ceremony was a success and the signs were placed on the Memorial Bridge downtown.
“This has been a project of love,” said Thompson. “When this came up to do this project, there was no question.”
Then Senator Johnathan Perry got a bill approved by the Louisiana Legislator to have the signs placed by the bridge.
Perry, who was at the ceremony on Monday, told the crowd that this is probably one of the most, if not the most, important bill to get approved in his tenure as a state senator.

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Wilda Bertrand Menard, 84, was held at 2:00PM on Tuesday May 28, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment followed at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation was held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Tuesday May 28, 2019 from 9:00AM until service time with recitation of the rosary at 11 a.m.
Wilda, born in Kaplan, and a resident of Erath passed away Saturday May 25, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her family. She was a member of The Catholic Daughters of America. She was a wonderful homemaker who loved cooking for and spending time with her family.
She also enjoyed her flowers and working in the yard. She was a Teller for Gulf Coast Bank in Erath for many years. She was the bookkeeper and co-owner of Menard’s Plumbing along with her husband Bill. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.
She is survived by her husband; Ulysse “Bill” Menard of Erath, her sons; Greg Menard and wife Cristy of Lafayette, and Ronnie Menard of Erath, her daughters; Karen Schexnaider and husband Wilfred of LeBlanc Community, Denise Roy and husband Dave of Lafayette, and Rochelle Menard of Erath, sisters; Mary Trahan of Kaplan, Irene LeMaire of Gonzales, Gloria Domingue and husband Ivan of Scott, Lola Gaspard of Perry, and Marilyn Broussard of Cow Island; grandchildren Colin Menard and wife Ashlee of Abbeville, Brison Menard of Erath, Braeden, and Grant; and one great grandchild on the way.
She is preceded in death by her parents; Aubrey and Edmay Roche Bertrand; a sister Eula Dronet, and a brother Dallas Bertrand.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hospice of Acadiana. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hospice of Acadiana, especially Robin Broussard and Sheena Domingue, her caregivers, especially Lilly Frederick, Cathy Henderson, Helen Viator, and Linda Broussard.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath is in charge of arrangements. 209 East Putnam Street Erath, LA 70533

April 27, 1929 ~ May 22, 2019

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Gorchin Joseph Stelly, 90, who died Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at Vermilion Health Care Center. He will be laid to rest at Suire Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Barzare officiating the services.
He is survived by his two sons, Roland Stelly and his wife, Corinna of Kaplan and Michael Stelly of Forked Island; four daughters, Mary and her husband, Mitchell Broussard of Meaux, Belva Jane and her husband, Donald Gaspard of Kaplan, Linda and her husband, Bill Bridges of Indian Bayou, and Christy Stelly of Forked Island; four brothers, Raymond Stelly of Kaplan, Hildrie Stelly, Sr. of Forked Island, Ivy Stelly of Forked Island, and Donald Stelly of Forked Island; 22 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; and 13 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Gaspard Stelly; his parents, Adlar Stelly and the former Edia Rung; four brothers, Ronald Stelly, Irving Stelly, Mallan Stelly and Joyce "Pedro" Stelly; two sisters, Earline Touchet and Renola Vidrine; and one grandchild, Brent Stelly.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 10:30 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Stelly family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.