Two Louisiana Tech University graduate students were honored for their research efforts when the North Louisiana Historical Association held its annual spring banquet in Natchitoches. Paula J. Rowe, of Bossier City, took first place in the graduate division of the association’s annual W. Darrell Overdyke competition for the best research paper on the history of North Louisiana.  Rowe’s paper was titled “Desegregation of C. E. Byrd High School, 1965-1977.” Receiving third place in the Overdyke competition was graduate student Nolen Leach, of Jonesboro, whose paper focused on “The Desegregation of Schools in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, 1969-2016.” Rowe and Leach researched and wrote their papers in Dr. Stephen Webre’s graduate seminar on historical research and writing.  In addition to a cash prize, winning papers are published in the association’s journal, North Louisiana History. The Overdyke Student Awards are made in memory of the late Dr. W. Darrell Overdyke (1907-1973), who taught history at Centenary College for more than 40 years.  They are made possible through the generosity of the late Martha Walker Overdyke and her brother, E. Laurence Walker of Shreveport. Written by Judith Roberts – jroberts@latech.edu