By: Jonathon Zenk, Assistant Director of Communications

NATCHITOCHES—Highlighted by Jason Pugh earning the Mac Russo/Jack Brittain Award and Ronnette Pellegrin taking home the Marty Mulé Hero Award, the Northwestern State sports information staff collected eight total awards on Sunday afternoon at the annual Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s contest, concluding the LSWA’s annual conference.
The awards started during Saturday night’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction when Pellegrin was surprised with the Marty Mulé Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Hero Award, which recognizes her remarkable impact on the LSHOF.
Pellegrin, who works for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation and has been the NSU sports information administrative assistant since 2005, was honored with her hard work and dedication to help put on show that is the LHSOF induction weekend.
Sunday, Pugh began the LSWA contest awards by being awarded with the prestigious Mac Russo/Jack Brittain Award, which is awarded to an individual who “contributes to the progress and ideals of the LSWA.”
Originally named the Russo Award, the LSWA renamed the honor the Mac Russo-Jack Brittain Award following Brittain’s death in July 2023.
He joins his predecessor, legendary former NSU sports information director Doug Ireland, as a winner of the award.
It was one of four awards given to Pugh to go along with two won by Brad Welborn and former legendary NSU sports information director Doug Ireland, who was named Sports Writer of the Year.
Pugh, who followed Ireland as the head of the sports information department at NSU, took home the top spot in Division II for his story on NSU baseball’s twin brothers Brooks and Bryce Leonard drawing inspiration from their mother’s breast cancer fight.

He finished second both for his football recap of the heartbreaking loss to Prairie View A&M in the home opener, as well as his baseball game notes for the regular season finale series against in-state rival McNeese, in Division I and V, respectively.
Welborn, the assistant sports information director, showed his talent in both writing and graphics by picking up third place finishes in both.
In writing, he placed third in Division IV for his Fork Cancer story on volleyball’s Ashlyn Svoboda, who honored her grandfather’s memory wearing an orange jersey as the libero to commemorate her late grandfather’s battle with leukemia.
In graphics, he also took home a third-place finish in Division VII with one of his many tremendous graphics.
Even though his time as the head sports information director at NSU, Ireland’s love for writing has never been stronger—and his talent at it has never been better, either, as he was awarded with a number of awards, one that helped him earn LSWA Sports Writer of the Year, a well-deserved honor for the NSU legend.
 
Marty Mulé Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Hero Award – Ronnette Pellegrin
Mac Russo/Jack Brittain Award – Jason Pugh
LSWA Sports Writer of the Year – Doug Ireland
 
 
Division I
Demons fall short in heartbreaking loss to Prairie View A&M – Jason Pugh – 2nd place
 
Division II
#ForkCancer: Leonards draw inspiration from mother’s breast cancer fight – Jason Pugh – 1st place
 
Division IV
Svoboda honors grandfather’s battle in Fork Cancer match – Brad Welborn – 3rd place
 
Division V
NSU baseball game notes vs. McNeese – Jason Pugh – 2nd place
 
Division VII
Graphic, either of Aly Delafield’s hitting streak or during one of Mya Blake’s many hot streaks – Brad Welborn – 3rd place
 

Chung Wah School is set to make its debut appearance at this year’s Solomon Islands Secondary School Games (SISSG25).

School Sports Coordinator Ambrose Kikolo confirmed that the school will be participating in three of the five sports featured in the 2025 Games.

“We’ll be competing in Netball, Beach Volleyball, and Basketball 3×3, so we’re really looking forward to the coming days,” Kikolo said.

“This is the first time for Chung Wah to take part in the School Games, and we are very excited to compete and make new friends,” he added.

Kikolo noted that his students have spent nearly a month preparing for the games. With a young squad made up mostly of students from the junior forms, he believes the experience will be valuable for their development.

“I hope that from this year onward, Chung Wah will become one of the regular names among the participating schools at the SISSG,” he said.

He also called on families and friends to come out and support the team throughout the competition.

Meanwhile, Chung Wah will kick off their campaign in Beach Volleyball and Netball on Monday, June 30.

By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR

Solomon Star, Honiara

SAXTONS RIVER, Vt. – The Saxtons River Fourth of July Committee is excited to announce the details of this year’s celebration, which is scheduled to take place Friday, July 4, on Main Street in the Village of Saxtons River, Vt. Families have loved spending the Fourth of July in Saxtons River for more than 75 years.

The Fourth of July in Saxtons River is so much more than just a parade, it’s an experience. This year’s theme is “Where magic happens!” Everyone is welcome, and the best parade entry will receive a $500 prize. Entry forms can be found at www.srvtfourth.org/parade.

The day starts with the Firecracker 5K run, followed by the parade led by Grand Marshall Troy Wunderle. Then there’s firefighters water polo, cotton candy, a dunk tank, hula-hoop contest, egg toss, bounce house, and other kids’ games, great food, live music with local favorites The Gaslight Tinkers and Ezra Holloway up on the bandstand, ending with pickup softball games at the Rec Center.

We’re excited to announce this year’s grand marshal will be Troy Wunderle, a proud native of Vermont and a former international performer with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Troy’s antics have been featured on the Disney channel, The Today Show, Martha Stewart, Chronicle, Fetch, Fox and Friends, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. He is a juried artist through the Vermont State Arts Council, and is the 2022 recipient of the American Circus Educators Excellence in Circus Education Award.

Up on the bandstand after the parade, The Gaslight Tinkers will delight attendees. The Gaslight Tinkers’ blend of global rhythms creates a joyously danceable sound around a core of traditional New England old-time and Celtic fiddle music, merging boundless positive energy with melody and song. Since its formation in 2012, the band has lit up the East Coast, West Coast, and the Caribbean, headlining clubs, dances, and major festivals. The sound and energy of I-Shea, Clara, Garrett, Elie, and Peter are universally irresistible. Following The Gaslight Tinkers will be Saxton River’s own Ezra Holloway. Holloway is a genre-blending musician currently attending the Music Conservatory at Purchase College. Known for his high-energy live shows and emotionally resonant songwriting, Holloway combines elements of rock, pop, punk, and alternative music. After making a strong debut with his EP “A Moment in Time” in 2023, he returns with his latest EP “Fall Apart,” releasing July 1.

Local artists Anna Clark and Marci Cruthirds have teamed up to create this year’s collectors’ T-shirt design. The three-color design captures the magic that happens in our beloved village, and is certain to sell out. The first opportunity to get one will be at the Saxtons River Village Market on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. T-shirts will also be available at the street fair on the fourth, while supplies last. The cost helps cover expenses associated with this day-long event.

Embracing a reuse mindset to keep textiles out of landfills, again this year Clark and Cruthirds will hand silk screen a one-color version of this year’s T-shirt design on items already owned, which can be a T-shirt, a tote bag, a pillowcase, scarf, and more. T-shirts, or other items can be dropped off at the Saxtons River Village Market on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and then picked up on the fourth, at the SR4 T-shirt booth. A small suggested donation will help support this amazing day.

This year, the pie contest will be a little different in that our panel of judges will be tasting pies and selecting the winners the evening of Thursday, July 3. Winners will be announced following the parade on the next day. Also new for this year, we’ll have a Young Baker Award, for the best pie from a baker under 18.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.srvtfourth.org/schedule.

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (WTOK) – A hero’s welcome in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where one of their own has made it to football’s biggest stage.

A title fit for a hometown hero and a moment Jarquez Hunter will never forget.

The newly drafted Los Angeles Rams running back returned to where it all began, greeted by cheers, signs, and love from the place that raised him.

He first lit up Friday nights in Philadelphia, MS, earning the state’s prestigious Mr. Football title and rewriting the record books at Neshoba Central with an incredible 93 career touchdowns.

Then at Auburn, Hunter became one of the SEC’s most respected running backs, finishing his college career with 3,371 rushing yards, the 4th most in Auburn history, and 29 total touchdowns, cementing his place among the program’s greats.

Jarquez speaks from the heart when he talks about how much his hometown’s support has meant to him:

“Just kind of hearing everybody talk about how they are involved in my life and how much support they had — kind of emotional, a little bit. But I’m happy to see the people that came out and supported me, and came up there and talked about me. I mean, it was a great day. I feel like we had a great time, great experience. Just going out there and seeing all the things people had to say — the videos and stuff like that — it was a great time. It meant a lot to me.”

Hunter’s journey from Friday night lights to the NFL is defined by hard work and humility, qualities that have earned him respect on and off the field.

“That’s who he is,” said Shannon Ruffin, Neshoba Central Head Football Coach. “The young man that — while everybody’s at home sleeping, or doing whatever — he’s in the bleachers working. That didn’t just start yesterday. That is embedded in him as an individual.”

From the local football field to the national spotlight, Jarquez Hunter’s journey is already inspiring the next generation. On this first-ever Jarquez Hunter Day, the community didn’t just honor an athlete; they celebrated one of their own.

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BILLINGS — Not a day goes by when Hope Gonsioroski doesn’t think about her older brother, Luke.

Watch the video below to see how Hope’s incredible path aligned:

Incredible ironies forge Hope Gonsioroski’s path to Lubbock, echoing brother’s legacy

His remarkable story is widely known. Junior year of high school, he was diagnosed with cancer. It was gone after just three chemo treatments, but the large black mass in his chest still had to come out. Nine years ago this month, Luke was jetted to Yale Cancer Center in Connecticut where doctors took 16 hours to remove an eight-pound tumor from his right lung. Hope was 9 years old and remembered learning of his diagnosis when she was only 8.

Senior season, Luke was back on Baker’s football field starting and excelling at quarterback.

His dream of playing for Texas Tech stretched into reality — he signed with Kliff Kingsbury’s Red Raiders in January of 2017. Tragically, Luke lost his battle with cancer the following August.

By that time Hope had turned 10 and at such a young age, her outlook was … hopeful.

“For some reason I don’t cry because it doesn’t seem real to me. I just think he’s down at college,” she told MTN Sports at the time. “I always think about what could’ve been, like he could’ve gone to Texas Tech and he could’ve been super good; like he probably would’ve been really good down there.”

Kingsbury publicly expressed sincere condolences, and a social media post from the Red Raiders’ football program made nationwide headlines.

Now leaning on her parents, Charlie and Katina, and older sister Hannah, Hope started crushing it on the volleyball court. Luke’s passion became hers.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing for Texas Tech, obviously, because we’re Red Raiders through and through from Luke,” she told MTN Sports before playing in the prestigious Montana’s All-Star Volleyball Classic.

But Hope had never connected with Red Raider volleyball — until last summer.

“I decided to go down there for a camp. I talked to coach (Tony) Graystone after, and he was like, ‘I would love for you to play for me,’” she recalled.

It got even better.

“So, he knew who I was, ironically, and said, ‘I’ve been waiting to meet you … I’ve known who you are. I’m so glad you’re here.’ And I was like, there’s no way. And he was like, ‘Trust me, the football offices reach out to me constantly,’ and I was like, there’s no way,” she continued with a disbelieving laugh.

But there was a way. Kingsbury, who is no longer with Texas Tech, continued to advocate for Luke’s youngest sister, with encouragement also coming from current football coach Joey McGuire.

“It just goes to show you their character and how much they care for us. Luke didn’t even play football for them, and they act like we’re family,” Hope said.

And they were treated like family shortly after Luke’s passing when, at a Texas Tech football game under the lights, the school announced its Luke Gonsioroski Character Award which is a scholarship still presented annually to a high school senior who exemplifies Luke’s qualities. Adding to any irony, the Lubbock-based nonprofit is called Operation HOPE.

But shortly after Graystone had invited Hope to join his volleyball program, the NCAA implemented smaller roster limits as part of a settlement agreement in the House v. NCAA lawsuit. Graystone no longer had a spot for Hope at Texas Tech. But without hesitation, he blasted her name out to other programs, and with great irony, Hope signed in February with a school just three miles from Texas Tech’s campus — Lubbock Christian University.

Then another twist of fate.

“This is insane. I went down for my visit and the girl gave me a practice jersey, and its No. 18,” Hope said. “After Luke passed away, coach Kingsbury sent us the jerseys they had made for him for summer camp and it was No. 18.”

It’s not done. When Hope called LCU coach Kieth Gibony to commit, he was thrilled and asked if there was anything he could do. Luke’s high school football number came to mind.

“It’s amazing. We had known that the girl who had worn 5 had graduated, and I said, ‘What can you do about wearing No. 5? Like, that’s my brother’s number and it would be amazing,’” Hope recalled with a smile. “He said, ‘100%, absolutely.’”

Who would’ve thought eight years ago that a volleyball would lead Hope to nearly the identical geographical spot that a football once led her late, passionate brother? The route from Baker to Lubbock, Texas, is just over 1,000 miles. Gradually, the Gonsioroskis’ ironic story doesn’t seem to feel so ironic.

Charlie Gonsioroski, Hope’s father, smiled when describing the twists of fate: “You kind of shake your head and think, wow, is this coincidental or is this something else … a higher power?”

“Being believers and following Jesus Christ … we just always say there’s no such thing as a coincidence,” added Hannah, Hope’s sister.

It’s almost as if Luke is playing chess from a distance, guiding family pieces to make sure they land safely together.

“Oh, 100%,” Hope agreed. “I feel him with me all the time … when you’re down there, and his legacy is still there. The Texas Tech people, even coach McGuire now … they never met Luke, but he knows who he is, and then he treats us like family.”

And the family is about to grow in Texas. Hannah, who’s seven years older than Hope, is a single nurse in Billings. She has the flexibility to pack up and move, which is exactly what she’s doing, relocating to Lubbock to be with Hope.

“I’m excited to make new memories in the town with Hope and have my memories with Luke all connected, all kind of blended into one,” Hannah said. “We always say he’s going to be jealous because now we’re going to be down there hanging out with his football team.”

Retracing the dance of fate ushering her family to their current crossroads, Hope has no doubt in the promise ahead.

“He’s our guardian angel walking with us every day. I know that,” she smiled.