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Kennedy Marceaux, 17, received word that she will be playing with and against the best of the best high school softball players in the country.
Marceaux, who is going to be a junior at Kaplan High School, was selected to play the Future All-American Game 2022 in Irvine, California.
The game is July 30 and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
The game features the best sophomores against the best juniors in the country.
Marceaux will play as a sophomore. She is the first Vermilion Parish player to make the team.
Every junior (who will be a senior this year) has committed to programs such as Oklahoma State, Florida State, Texas, LSU, Florida, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Alabama and Michigan.
“It’s pretty exciting to compete on the same stage as these STUD athletes,” Marceaux said. “I’m so eager to see them on the same field again. Several of these players I’ve competed or played with at national tournaments. These tournaments we regularly compete in are often against players committed to major Power 5 schools.”
This summer, Kennedy has been keeping busy playing on a national travel fastpitch softball team called “Hotshots National Jones” out of Conroe, Texas.
The squad has played in national tournaments in Oklahoma City and Colorado, and this week, the team is heading to California for a national tournament.
The Hotshots have two other players competing in the All-American game.
“It’s such a great honor to be selected as an All-American,” Kennedy said. “The Hotshots organization, which Nathan Nelson and Mel Dumezich run, has a long history of getting girls committed to major colleges throughout the U.S. In fact, several girls have been selected to the All-American team as players in the past. I’ve always looked up to them. It’s such a great opportunity to now follow in their footsteps.”
Kennedy said she was surprised to be named because former Hotshot players who had played in the game went on to sign with Florida and the University of Oklahoma.
For the last two years, Kennedy has played shortstop for the Kaplan Lady Pirates. However, she can play other positions.
She plays second base, shortstop and catcher for her travel team. This summer she has been playing a lot at catcher. Her arm, which has been clocked at 70 miles per hour, can heave the ball from home plate to second base in 1.8 seconds.
Kennedy said she will play any position a program wants her to play.
With the recruiting war about to begin in five weeks, is there any university she is leaning towards?
“That’s a tough question. I have attended many college camps this past year, which have all been at pretty great universities. It’s a great way to get an idea of the coaching staff and the college atmosphere,” she said. “I will have to wait and see what will come in the next few months. I plan to go on official visits and then make my choice. I absolutely cannot wait!”

The most important person is you. You are responsible for your well being. It’s nice if others care about you, but you are not someone else’s responsibility. If you don’t take care of yourself, you invite, if not attract, a host of mental and physical ailments.
Taking care of yourself does not mean being selfish or putting yourself first at the expense of others. It’s just the opposite. If you are not OK, you are not in a good position to help anyone else. So when you take care of yourself, you can help others as well.
You need to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Mental components include your attitude, emotions, outlook, self-image, and disposition. Physical components include diet, exercise, weight, and health. Even if someone has physical ailments, they still owe it to themselves to care for their body.
Too many people get rundown because their well being is a low priority. They feel it’s a price they have to pay for today’s hectic lifestyle. Caring for yourself isn’t dependent on how much money you spend on yourself. Although the acquisition of material goods can provide a distraction and momentary pleasure, it doesn’t necessarily provide any solid or long-term wellness benefits.
Caring for yourself isn’t expensive nor does it require special effort. The application of some common sense principles along with an awareness of what’s going on within yourself is all that is required.
Minor issues, which alone don’t appear to be significant, have a cumulative and synergistic effect. It is for this reason that you must be vigilant about your well being. Allowing things to go uncorrected or to build up can have deleterious results.
Taking care of yourself requires a proactive approach. Without a specific strategy your well being will not receive the attention it deserves. Consider what’s required for airline safety. You wouldn’t feel comfortable flying if the planes never received any maintenance and were never inspected.
Fortunately, there are rigorous procedures to ensure the well being of each plane. Before each flight, a pilot goes through a detailed checklist to ensure that the airplane is safe to fly. Each aircraft must also undergo regular, rigorous maintenance procedures. Anything less would be unacceptable.
Just like an airplane, you should have a daily checklist and regular maintenance plan. Begin with your mindset before to go to sleep. Avoid filling your head with negative images as those seen on the late news. Write down any unresolved issues or points of stress that are on your mind before you get into bed. Then give yourself permission to relax with the understanding that you can deal with the items on your list when you wake up. A sound, restful sleep is essential for a healthy mind.
Before getting out of bed after awaking, take a few minutes to think about all you have to be thankful for. Remind yourself that you have the ability to overcome obstacles and solve problems. Review the list you wrote before going to sleep. Rank each item and note a course of action for each. You can then deal with each issue without dwelling on it.
Be cognizant of what and how much you eat. The quality and quantity of your food has a direct impact on how you feel and function. It’s easy to eat well and the effects are outstanding.
Get exercise daily. It doesn’t have to be anything exotic or extreme. Walking is one of the best exercises and it doesn’t require any special scheduling. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk instead of drive. Park at the far end of a parking lot.
Take the time and make the effort to take good care of yourself. It’s an investment that will provide you with unlimited benefits.

November 21, 1940 ~ July 23, 2022

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Russell John Frederick, 81, who passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, July 23, 2022.
He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Chester Arceneaux officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers are Chadwick Frederick, William Frederick, Camden Frederick, Zachary Frederick, Parker Frederick, Jason Broussard, Graham Frederick and Dwayne Solis as funeral director. Honorary pallbearers are Mason Frederick and James Ford Frederick.
Born November 21, 1940 in Weeks Island, Louisiana, he was the second of six children.
He served his country in the United States Army from 1959 to 1962 stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany. Upon early release for having served overseas, he continued his service in the US Army Reserve until 1965.
He graduated from Commonwealth College of Mortuary Sciences in Houston, Texas in 1968 and dedicated his life to his career as a funeral director and mortician serving families of Vermilion Parish until his retirement. He and his wife Nancy continued to serve their community as owners of Menard’s Marble and Granite from 1995 to present. In addition, he served as City Councilman of District C from 1982 through 1986, Civil Service Board member from 2004-2018 with one year as Chairperson, was a proud Rotarian, from 1992 until his passing, having served as president from 2000 to 2001.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Nancy Reynolds Frederick and their four children, Chadwick Frederick (Michelle), Jeanne F Broussard (Jason), William Frederick (Lauren) and Nancy F Solis (Dwayne); ten grandchildren, Camden (fiancé, Megan), Zachary, Parker and Isabel Frederick, Ellie Hulin, Ava Broussard, Reagan Solis, London, Graham and Mason Frederick; one great-grandson, James Ford Frederick; and siblings, Daniel Frederick (Claire), Flordury McDowell (Ray),
Harold Frederick (Barbara) and Yvonne Frederick (Suzy).
His family meant everything to him with his grandchildren being his life’s greatest joy.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dudley and Helen Simon Frederick; brother, Larry Lee Frederick; and grandson, Andre’ McDowell Frederick.
Our family would like to thank his caregivers, Sylvia Dejean and Danette Delahoussaye, the nurses and therapists of NSI Home Health, and Hospice of Acadiana-especially his nurses, Whitney and Lindsey for the excellent, compassionate care given to Dad in his last years and the comfort provided to his family.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 8 a.m. until time of services.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Anna Belle Hebert Rost, 87, of Orange, passed away on July 22, 2022, at her daughter’s home with loved ones.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Antony Paulose. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 26, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A Rosary will begin at 6 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Anna Belle was born in Abbeville, Louisiana, on February 27, 1935. She was a 1953 graduate of Abbeville High School and looked forward to the class reunion she attended every year. Anna Belle and Utice got married and moved to Orange to start their lives in 1954. She was a substitute teacher for three local schools in Orange and quickly got involved with her community. Anna Belle was a life member of Cove P.T.A. as well as a Past-President of Les Cajuns de Texas in Orange. She was also a member of Dupont Retirees Club, Ladies VFW Auxiliary, Orange VFW Singles Club, Eagles Auxiliary in Orange, and the Nederland Singles Adult Club. Anna Belle was also a member of the Golden Triangle Cajun-French Music Association, and Orange County Singles Club where she played “the tub” in their kitchen band at nursing homes. She was also previously a member of the Lake Charles CFMA. Anna Belle was a loyal and faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Altar Society, Catholic Daughters and the Senior group of St. Mary’s. She enjoyed gardening and would spend hours working in her yard in her flowerbeds. She also loved to dance and sew. She made a quilt for each of her six precious grandchildren and her ten great-grandchildren. Anna Belle was truly an incredible woman who was deeply loved and will be missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 43 years, Utice Joseph Rost; and parents, Louise Campbell Hebert and Evence Hebert; as well as her sisters and brother, Anna Lou Touchet, Elva Jane Hebert, and Edward Hebert.
She is survived by her three children, Keith Rost and wife, Jane, Annette Payne and husband, Bobby, Debbie Hernandez and husband, Arthur. Six grandchildren, Mary Rost Goodwin and husband, Mark, Sally Rost, Allison Hernandez Scarborough and husband, Stephen, Mark Hernandez, Melissa Payne Pitts and husband, Jeremy, Michele Payne Flowers and husband, Matt. Ten great-grandchildren, Luke, Lexie and Caroline Goodwin, Brennen Pitts, Kaston and Karson Flowers, Katy and Khloe West, Elena and Maddie Scarborough. Brothers and sisters, Claude E. Hebert, Claudia Frederick, and Pappia Dell Trahan.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Hernandez, Jeremy Pitts, Matt Flowers, Mark Goodwin, Stephen Scarborough, and Troy Frederick. Honorary pallbearers are Luke Goodwin, Brennen Pitts, Kaston Flowers, Karson Flowers, and Jeff Veitch.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Texas Children’s Hospital by mail addressed Texas Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, Suite 5214, P.O. Box 300630, Houston, Tx 77230-0630 or online at https://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/contact-us/contact-office-of-phila... , or Southwestern Diabetic Foundation by mail addressed Southwestern Diabetic Foundation, P.O. Box 918, Gainesville, Tx 76241or online at https://campsweeney.org/donate/ , or St. Mary’s Catholic Church by mail addressed St. Mary Catholic Church, 912 W. Cherry Ave, Orange, Tx 77630.