If you could capture the vibrancy of her smile you could light up a whole town. She also resonated the sweetest of personalities that gave you a warm glow inside after meeting her.

She was a tremendous athlete as well and had a strong competitive spirit. One that led her to pitch her Jackson Parish Recreation Department All-Star Softball team to the Little League state championship in 2009.

Then tragedy struck! 

Sadly, in October of 2010, at the tender age of 11 years old, Caroline Menzina, was tragically taken away when she was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Hwy 147 just north of Mt. Olive.

While she is no longer with us on this earth, her undying spirit and memory is kept alive by those who wanted others to always remember how special the daughter of Lonnie and Jill (Brown) Menzina was.

If you go to the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sport Complex, you will find one of the softball fields named in her honor. At Cedar Creek High School in Ruston, the annual Caroline Menzina Memorial Softball Tournament is held. Also on the Cedar Creek campus are the “Caroline Cages” where budding softball and baseball players can take batting practice.

Her memory is also kept fresh through her sister, Lauren and brother Brady. Motivated by wanting to always honor their sisters legacy, the pair became top athletes in their own right. Lauren earned All-State honors and pitched Cedar Creek to multiple state championships and today, still honors her sister as a pitcher for Louisiana Tech. Brady also developed into a top multi-sport athlete at Cedar Creek and Neville High School.  

This past week was a special time for not only the Menzina family but for the extended family as well, many who hail from Jackson Parish and were in attendance for the opening of the 13th annual Caroline Menzina Memorial Tournament.  Being selected to do the honors with this years ceremonial “first pitch” was Caroline’s niece, Nicole Brashear, who tossed the pitch to her father, Trae.

“It meant the world to me to be asked to be a part of the opening ceremonies and throw the first pitch in honor of Caroline,” said Nicole. “She was like a little sister to me and we both shared a love for the game. Having a softball tournament every year to keep her memory alive is so fitting.” 

Having Trae and Nicole Brashear do the honors in getting the tournament started was special to Caroline’s parents, Jill (Brown) and Lonnie Menzina, who although lives in Ruston, is still a key part of the Jackson Parish business community as operator of   Family Pharmacy in Jonesboro. 

“My cousin Trae was one of the reasons the tourney got started and the Caroline Cages are in place today and we wanted him and Nicole, who Caroline, Lauren and Brady loved like a big sister, to throw and catch the first pitch,” said Jill.