December 02, 2008

Natchitoches Students Named Junior Parade Grand Marshals

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee has announced Crit T. Williams and Lesley V. Tucker to be the Grand Marshals of the Christmas Festival Junior Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 10 a.m.

Crit Williams is the son of Mardy Williams and Mark Williams of Natchitoches. As a 6th grader at NSU Elementary Lab School, Crit Williams was vice-president of K-Kids and 4-H Club and bank day president for NSU Bank Day. He is the current winner of Natchitoches Parish Junior High Student of the Year award.

Crit shows his love of sports through his baseball, soccer, karate and basketball involvement. Along with the various awards received through excellence in sports, Crit played on the Top 6 team in the 2008 World Series. Crit is also an active member of First Baptist Church.

Lesley Tucker is the daughter of Wesley and Ellen Tucker of Natchitoches where she attends Natchitoches Magnet School. She is co-leader of the Magnet Mustang Pep Squad, current vice-president of the Junior High 4-H Club, and Quiz Bowl team member. While being an active member of the First United Methodist Church youth group, Lesley sings in the Angel Chorus and was a past member of the “Sneakered Seekers” group.

Lesley’s past awards include the 6th grade Natchitoches Christmas Angel winner and parish and state winner in the American Legion Auxiliary’s Americanism Essay Contest.

Along with her accomplishments, Lesley enjoys scrap booking, playing the violin, painting, drawing and acting.

According to junior parade committee member Eliza Behrendsen, “Tucker and Williams were chosen for their humanitarian endeavors, academic efforts and foremost due to their peer leadership.”

The 82nd Annual Christmas Festival will be held on Saturday, December 6 with arts, crafts, food, and entertainment throughout the day. Other festivities include a Santa Shuffle/ 5K run, main parade, entertainment and an evening fireworks show.

For a detailed schedule of the Festival of Lights call (800) 259-1714 or visit www.christmasfestival.com. For more information on events in Natchitoches Parish, contact the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau at (800) 259-1714 or visit www.natchitoches.net.

Source: Latisha McDaniel, Media & Public Relations, Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau