History has been made! For the first time ever, a youth league softball team representing the Jackson Parish Recreation Department will participate in World Series competition as the JP10U All-Stars will venture to Laurel, MS on July 16-19 to compete against other teams across the nation in hopes of claiming the Diamond Youth Softball (DYS) 2026 National Championship.

Under the guidance of Manager Kristen Allen and Coaches Cheyenne Allen and Bethany Garner, the twelve young ladies representing Jackson Parish are Kylee-Ayn Allen, Malia Gunter, Lyla Hall, Kaylee Hammons, Caylee Mauthe, Ryleigh Puffer, Kadence Sampey, Natalie Sullivan, Mercedes Taylor, River Waggoner, Mez’Meri Walker, and Brenleigh Whitman.

JP10U qualified for the 12-team competition, which fields squads from Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama, by finishing as the runner-up in the DYS Louisiana 10U State Tournament, held in Buckeye, LA.

The local “Dandy Dozen” will have the distinction of playing the first game of the tournament when they square off against Columbia, Mississippi in a Pool Play contest at 9:00 am on Thursday, July 16th. Fans can follow the action through Gamechanger.com by searching for JP 10U ALLSTARS.

The winner of that game will begin the double elimination portion of the bracket by taking on the loser of Pool Game #3 between Louisiana state champion Jefferson Parish East and Hope Mill, North Carolina, at 10:00 am on Friday, July 17th, while the loser will play the winner of the game between Saluda, South Carolina and Troy, Alabama at 4:00 pm on Friday.

While the trip to attempt to lay claim to being the nation’s best in the 10 year old age division can be considered a “once in a lifetime” experience there is a flip side to the opportunity that awaits. It is very costly. As the expenses of travel, lodging and meals will fall solely on the shoulders of the team members, donations are being sought to help fray the costs.

You are asked to show your pride in our Jackson Parish representatives and suppport them financially by contacting Kristen Allen at (832) 459-4126 or sending donations via Venmo at @Kristen-Gray-98. Your support is greatly appreciated.