Bayou State Trail Riders Association 15th Anniversary Scholarship Trail Ride
Bayou State Trail Riders Association 15th Anniversary Scholarship Trail Ride
WHEN: April 7-12, 2019
CONTACT: Justin January (318) 348-6087 or John Cole, Sr. (318) 537-1271 for more information about support, participating in the trail ride, or media coverage.
Celebrating a decade and a half of trail riding and raising scholarship funds, the Bayou State Trail Riders Association (BSTRA) will have its 15th Scholarship Fundraising Trail Ride April 7-12, 2019, from Monroe, Louisiana to Ferriday, Louisiana. Trail riders from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma will assemble at the Monroe Civic Center Saturday, April 6, from 8:00 PM until 12:00 PM to enjoy a western dance. The riders will be leaving the Monroe Civic Center at 8:00 AM Sunday, April 7 to begin their 85-mile sixday journey.
The BSTRA awards multiple annual $500 college scholarships. For the 2019-2020 school year, the recipients are students attending Louisiana Tech University, Bossier Parish Community College and Southern University. Each year, these college students will receive $500 from their freshman to senior year of college. In 2019, Franklin Parish Head Start, Concordia Parish Head Start, Winnsboro Elementary School, Ferriday Elementary School, and Ferriday Lower Elementary School will each receive $150 from the BSTRA for needed school supplies.
Fund are raised through annual spring (April) and fall (September) trail rides sponsored by the BSTRA. The event and their other philanthropic efforts would not be successful without the support of the communities in Ouachita, Richland, Franklin, Catahoula, and Concordia parishes.
The Bayou State Trail Riders Association began as an extending outing of leisure horseback riders who travel from NELA to Baton Rouge. The group raises scholarship dollars for students attending Southern University in Baton Rouge. Over the years, they have evolved into a community focused organization that works with youth and senior citizens in various parishes along their annual route. In addition to awarding scholarships, the Bayou State Trail Riders donate school supplies, fund weekly reader programs, sponsor school activities, and provide personal care items to residents in senior and/or rehab facilities. This has built lasting friendships and satisfying opportunities for civic engagement.