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Northwestern State University ROTC Cadet Meya Morse was commissioned Friday as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is NSU’s first female cadet to be selected to serve on active duty in the Army’s Armor branch.
Morse is a native of Morgan City and completed a bachelor’s degree at the close of NSU’s summer session in computer information systems with a concentration in web development and a minor in military science.
“Finding out that I would branch as an armor officer was a surprise yet satisfaction to my eyes,” Morse said. “Not only will I be active duty in the armed forces, but I will be a part of a combat arms — the battlefield — branch. My role as an armor officer is to lead in different operations and lead in combat operations pertaining to tanks and cavalry reconnaissance.”
“Meya has made history here in the Demon Battalion by being our first female cadet to commission as an Armor officer. Let that sink in a minute, our first female cadet in history to commission as an Armor officer,” said Lt. Col. Joshua R. Blake, professor of military science. “We are fortunate to witness this historic event as she is the first in what will be a long line of courageous women who take advantage of the new opportunities to serve.”
Infantry and armor branches of the military were closed to women until 2016 when all military occupations and positions were opened to women who qualify and meet specific standards.
“As an Infantry officer, I can tell you firsthand that the Armor and Infantry branches are at the tip of the spear,” Drake said. “These branches are the hammer that close with and destroy our nation’s adversaries with decisive action and firepower. If you haven’t seen an M1 Abrams shoot its 120mm main gun, it’s an amazing demonstration of the Army’s strength.”
Morse is also the first female from her hometown to commission into a combat branch. Although unsure where she will be stationed, she will first head to Fort Benning, Georgia, for Basic Officer Leaders Course.
Morse graduated from Morgan City High School in 2016. While in high school, she was involved in many organizations, including National Beta Club and JROTC where she was the Battalion Commander of Morgan City High School.
“Before Battalion Commander, I went to JROTC Cadet Leadership Training Course, which is a week of leadership training. There, I was the top cadet in the entire camp out of over 600 cadets. Being Battalion Commander I did over 30 service events, and I led over 40 cadets in the Battalion,” Morse said.
In high school, Morse was also in the gifted program for acting, singing and drawing and was part of Morgan City’s women’s basketball and track teams. As a basketball player, she was named All-State for four years and was team captain. In track, she went to Regionals in 2015 for the 300 hurdles. She was also MC for school pep rallies and Homecoming Queen in 2015.
Arriving at NSU in 2016, Morse was president of Juice Athletics, part of Lifted Voices choir and dance and joined African America Caucus participating in Wild n Out for three years. She also did community service and intramural sports and was named All Star and MVP for flag football and basketball. Her name is on several flags hanging in the WRAC representing five championships in intramural sports. She is an Honor Roll student.
“I joined the Northwestern State Demon Battalion in 2019 because I wanted to further my military outlook. From there, I held various positions such as S-1, president of the Black Knights, president of the Cadet Funds and executive officer. I volunteered at the nursing home, animal shelter, summer program for kids back in Morgan City and service events. I also attended Operation Agile Leader to commission as an officer in the Army,” she said.
Morse currently serves in the Army Reserves and has been serving in the military for four years as a specialist. Her MOS was an 88M (Transportation Specialist) for the 441st Transportation Company in New Orleans.

Vernon Norwood won a gold medal at the Olympic Games Saturday in Tokyo as the Team USA won in the men’s 4x400-meter relay final.
The U.S. quartet of Michael Cherry, Michael Norman, Bryce Deadmon and Rai Benjamin clocked a time of 2:55.70, easily defeating Netherlands, who finished second with a time of 2:57.18, according to USA Track & Field. Botswana was third with a time of 2:57.27.
Norwood earned his medal for his part in anchoring the squad to the finals during the preliminary round. In the qualifying round, Team USA finished with the fastest preliminary time in this year’s Olympics, crossing the finish line in 2:57.77. According to USA Track and Field, it is the fastest preliminary time in 4x400-meter dash in Olympic history.
On July 30, Norwood won his first medal of the Olympics as he anchored the mixed 4x400-meter relay to a bronze medal finish. Team USA finished third with a time of 3:10.22.
Norwood is just the third LSU athlete all-time to win two medals at an Olympic games and the first since 2008.
He also is part of a group of former LSU track and field athletes who broke the school record for most gold medals won at an Olympic Games with six.
Additional information from LSUsports.net.

The Daily Review/Geoff Stoute
Students return Friday for the first day of the 2021-22 school year at Central Catholic Elementary and Central Catholic High. Above, the Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse dispenses hand sanitizer to students. Friday was also the first day for St. Mary public schools, which, like Central Catholic, are following the state mandate requiring masks of students and employees when they're indoors.

PATTERSON — The long-awaited American Rescue Plan Act money has begun arriving at local government offices, and now the Patterson City Council has a budget for the $2.14 million it expects to receive.
The council approved a spending plan that emphasizes water and sewer investment and replacing lost public revenue, two of the acceptable purposes set out in the federal act’s program to help small communities cope with COVID-19.
Also Thursday, the council amended its budget to account for COVID-related expenses and revenue loss as well as the federal COVID aid; signed on to the parish’s draft Hazard Mitigation Plan; and took the first steps toward tightening up permit fees and rules for disconnecting utilities for nonpayment.
Rescue Plan
The federal COVID aid comes in two installments, or tranches, and with some strings in the form of allowable uses. The money must be spent by 2025, and Patterson’s budget splits the spending over the next four years. The plan includes:
—$617,000 for investing in water and sewer.
—$425,000 for replacing lost public sector revenue.
—$300,000 for reviving communities and families.
—$271,935 for extra pay for essential workers.
—$205,000 for addressing negative economic impact.
—$195,005 for supporting public health.
—$126,060 for investing in broadband.
The city considers all 63 employees to be essential, Mayor Rodney Grogan said. They’re in line for a 3% raise from the COVID aid while the money lasts and another 3% from the general fund.
Human Resources Director Holden Murray said there are plans to provide wireless internet access at city parks.
One of the public health components will be improving ventilation in city buildings. And Patterson will be looking for public-partnerships to improve business downtown.
The amendment approved Thursday in the city’s general fund budget anticipates additional revenue of $1.03 million, raising the total to about $8.5 million. Expenses are expected to go up about $1.3 million to $8.2 million. That reduces the expected surplus from $506,000 in the original budget to $247,000 in the amended budget.
Hazard plan
The council signed on to the Hazard Mitigation Plan developed at the parish level with consultants Quality Engineering Services.
The plan identifies risks — hurricanes have caused 75% of disaster property damage since 1960, QES has found — and resources for coping with calamity.
The amended federal Stafford Act requires local governments to have such plans in place to be eligible for disaster aid before and after the event.
Utilities
The council introduced an ordinance that would provide consistent rules about when late fees are charged for utility bills and when customers are liable for disconnection.
The ordinance says bills, which go out around the 23rd of each month, are due by the seventh of the following month. After the seventh, the bills will be subject to a 10% late fee. Customers who don’t pay by the 15th would be subject to disconnection.
The council put off introduction of a bill that would set utility installation fees. The snag was the amount to be charged for gas delivery with generators that require a greater flow than normal residential connections.
Text messages
The council also agreed to subscribe to a service called TextMyGov, which allows residents to get information and pay utility bills by phone, and also to report road hazards, gas leaks or other mishaps. The city government would be able to push messages out to residents.
You can learn more at TextMyGov.com.