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It is not every day you have to move your wedding up a couple of weeks because there is a good chance you were going to make the Olympic Trials, which was the same weekend as the first wedding date.
But that is what Claire Meyers Armstrong had to do recently.
Claire Meyers Armstrong and Caleb Armstrong moved their marriage date up to June 5 because the original date of June 25 was the same date of the javelin competition for the Olympic Trials in Oregon.
Armstrong is coming off an outstanding senior track season with the UL Cajuns. She won four javelin events and threw a personal best 175 feet. That throw put her in the top 24 of best throws in the country.
Being ranked in the top 24 when track and field season was over meant she would qualify for the Olympic Trials. The list of the top 24 names were released on Tuesday, and Armstrong’s name was No. 19.
Armstrong may be the first female from Vermilion Parish to compete in the Olympic Trials.
She will leave Tuesday and throw next Friday. The goal is to make the top 12 on Friday in order to throw on Saturday.
The top three finishers qualify for the Olympic Games this summer being held in Tokoyo, Japan.
“I am excited to get the chance and experience,” said Armstrong, a North Vermilion graduate. “It is something that I never through was in my realm, but knowing that is now, it is exciting. I am ready for the experience. It is going to be a new level of competition. I am anxious to see how it plays out.”
Armstrong will be throwing against four competitors who have thrown the javelin between to 200 to 219 feet this season. The other 20 average between 175 to 185, which is in throwing distance for Armstrong.
The Vermilion Parish product took time off to rest her throwing shoulder and elbow after experiencing inflammation three weeks ago.
“It was very stiff and not as mobile I have taken a few weeks off and I’m feeling better. Rest has helped.”
Armstrong is not the first person from Vermilion Parish to compete in the Olympic Trials.
Barrett Nugent, a North Vermilion graduate, competed in the 110 hurdles and reached the semifinals.
Neal Guidry of Kaplan competed in the Olympic Trials in 1988 and 1992 in the high jump. He reached the finals in both trials.
Glenn Pere of Abbeville competed in the Olympic trials in 1974 in the javelin. He was alternate for the Olympics.

June 19, 1932 ~ June 12, 2021

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, 310 S. Lamar St., Abbeville honoring the life of Bessie Matthews Williams, 88, who died Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 12:45 PM she entered her heavenly resting place. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery.
On June 19, 1932, God blessed Isiah and Luna Matthews with a beautiful daughter named Bessie Mae Matthews in Abbeville, Louisiana where she spent her childhood years.
Bessie Mae was baptized at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church by the late Reverend A.J. Mayes in Abbeville. She attended James A. Herod High School. Bessie Mae met the love of her life Francis B. Williams. After their Holy Union they had one daughter, Lolita Yolanda Guidry. Bessie attended Southern University where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta. She fulfilled her dreams of becoming a school teacher where she taught elementary school for 39 years. Bessie was a devoted member of her church where she was a Deaconess, Mission Sister, and choir member. Bessie loved to share her gift of singing. She was a volunteer at the Abbeville Council on Aging. She also loved her family no matter near or far. She enjoyed Sunday dinners most of all. Cooking for the family and enjoying the laughter, kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, just the love made her full of joy.
She leaves to cherish one daughter, Lolita Y. Guidry (Christopher) of Abbeville; four step-children, Ida Ballaue and Donald Roy James both of Port Arthur, TX, Evelyn Crosby and Reverend James Davis of Lake Charles; best friend, Dorothy Grogan; special son, Gene Williams; grandchildren, Mrs. Lakisha S. Nunez (Tyron) of Houston, TX, Britana Guidry of Boston, MA, Cody C. Guidry, Chelsea Guidry, and Cordell Guidry all of Abbeville; 16 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Bessie M. Williams was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Isiah and Luna Matthews; husband, Mr. Francis B. Williams; and three sisters, Elmonia Matthews-Joiner, Gracie Mae Hardy, and Rose Byrd.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, 310 S. Lamar St., Abbeville on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of services.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana, Ms. Coretta Williams and Ms. Gertrude Chargois for their generosity, support, and assistance in the care of mom.
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.

When walking backwards it’s easy to see where you have been, but difficult to see where you are going. You have to really crane your neck to see where you are headed in order to keep from tripping. Although it is impractical to get through each day walking backwards, this is how many people go through life.
When walking backwards, the view is clear. You see exactly where you have been, along with the route you have taken. However, unless you turn around, you’ll struggle making real forward progress.
There are a variety of reasons people walk backwards through life. One significant factor is becoming consumed with the past. While facing backward, it’s easy to identify mistakes, missed opportunities, errors in judgement, and what you could have, would have, or should have done.
Obsessing over mistakes you feel you’ve made overshadows those things you have done right. When the bad overshadows the good, your perception becomes tainted. You then see problems instead of solutions.
The past is over. Don’t waste time rehashing what has already transpired. Lamenting the past enables it to pollute your future. You must face the direction you are headed in order to shape your future.
The future is unknown, whereas the past is familiar. Fear and dread of the unknown cause you to live in the past instead of looking forward towards the future. Regardless of where you are looking, life moves forward.
Instead of fearing the future, embrace its potential by appreciating all the new possibilities it brings. Look forward to leaving your comfort zone. Each step ahead is new and exciting. Prepare for your future by taking positive steps today.
There is a tendency to walk backwards when upset. This is done to focus on the source of discomfort. You become enmeshed with the people or circumstances that spark anger, resentment, or bitterness.
Leave these toxic emotions behind you. Conflict requires the participation of at least two people. Refusing to engage frees you to turn around and move forward. Moving away from conflict reduces its grip on you.
Moving forward connects you with what’s really important in your life. Let go of meaningless disputes. Regardless of your past experiences, your thoughts and behavior influence your future. Concentrate your thoughts on how you want to live moving forward, not on negative situations from the past.
Turning around and facing forward enables you to look to the future. It’s up to you which path you take. In order to make the best choice, you have to be looking at all of the options. If you don’t intentionally pick your path, you are allowing chance and circumstances to pick it for you.
Whenever you find yourself walking backwards, turn around. Look at where you are going. Alter direction as your goals, needs, and desires change. Adjust for obstacles in your path. If a detour is required, make sure you get back to your intended path as soon as possible.
Having your own desirable goals motivates you to walk forward. Appealing destinations focus your attention on the future. Success requires you to look towards the horizon and beyond. Walking forward keeps you in the present rather than in the past.
Your life is in front of you. Getting the most out of it is accomplished by moving forward. If you have been walking backwards, turning around can happen instantly by making the decision to do so. So, face forward and start stepping into your future.

Recently, North Vermilion Middle’s Dance Team and the Junior Dreams, received first place for their Home Routine performance.
They competed in the Junior Division at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) camp.
The camp took place at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
During camp, the dancers were evaluated in various routines, including Hip Hop, Jazz, and Pom. They received 33 blue Superior ribbons and 22 drill down ribbons.
In addition, the Dreams earned a Superior Trophy and an invitation to a national competition along with several Spirit Sticks.
Eighth graders Brooklyn Feverjean, Ava Gaines, Jaycilyn Hardy, Kylie Istre, Marlee Nugier, and Julie Romero were selected as UDA All-American dancers.
Annalyn Irby received a Pin-it-Forward award for her positivity and hard work. The team would like to thank their families, NVMS, and community for their continuous support.
The team is led by Shamayne Istre, Emily Miller, and Coached by Kenedi LaPointe. Team managers are Abbie Bourque and Braelyn Hebert.