School News
AP scholars named from El Dorado High School
The El Dorado School District has announced that 53 students have received AP Scholars recognition for their 2017 Advanced Placement (AP) test scores.
The AP Program, a branch of the College Board, offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. El Dorado High School offered 16 AP courses that were taken by 405 students in grades 10-12 in the 2016-17 school year.
The AP Scholar designation is given to students who score 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. Forty-five EHS students received this honor for their 2017 AP test scores.
They are Caroline Alderson, Kenneth Alderson, Clayton Bolding, Prestianna Braggs, Pete Carroll, Brennan Claypoole, Meredith Coan, Lydia Conley, Alyssa Crow, Madison Dixon, Rebekah Dodson, Cian Douglas, Nicholas Ellis, Noah Gaul, Kenneth Hall, Cross Hughes, Abigail Jerry, Cameron Jolley, Nicholas Jorden, Angel Leveritt, Sydnee Madding, Megan McCall, Madeline McCuistion, Samuel McKnight, Steven Miller, Luis Morfin-Villa, Julia Murry, Taylor Nelson, Harold Otwell, Peyton Perry, Alexie Pope, Bradley Ray, Marissa Rice, Emma Robinson, Jenna Roblee, Annabelle Rogers, Jonathan Sandy, Camila Schrader, Wesley Smith, Bradley Summerville, Pedro Tena, Andrew Thornton, Jared Wainright and Justin Yates.
Three EHS students were named AP Scholars with Honor for an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. The AP Scholar with Honor recognition went to the following students: Micah Haney, Elias Rahaim and Loren Rhodes.
Five EHS students were named AP Scholars with Distinction for an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. The AP Scholar of Distinction is granted to the following students: Nathan Harbour, Sophia Meyer, Nathan Oliver, Carly Sivils and Jackson Waldrum.
Universities announce spring 2017 local honors scholars
LAWRENCE, Kan. — More than 5,250 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2017 semester.
Scott Gilmore of El Dorado was named to the spring 2017 KU honor roll.
The students, from KU’s Lawrence and Edwards campuses and the schools of Health Professions and Nursing in Kansas City, Kansas, represent 90 of 105 Kansas counties, 43 other states and territories and 40 other countries.
The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of Architecture, Design & Planning; Business, Education, Engineering, Health Professions, Journalism, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy and Social Welfare.
Honor roll criteria vary among the university’s academic units. Some schools honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade-point average, and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.
NASHVILLE — Elizabeth Lane Alderson was named to the Vanderbilt University dean’s list for outstanding academic performance.
The El Dorado graduate student, daughter of Kevin and Anne Alderson, is studying to become a women’s health nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt University’s School of Nursing.
ST. LOUIS, Missouri — Zeel Modi of El Dorado was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2017 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Modi is enrolled in the university’s College of Arts & Sciences.
To qualify for the Dean’s List in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.
MAGNOLIA — A total of 230 students were honored with undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Southern Arkansas University Summer Commencement ceremony on Aug. 4.
Graduates include Jeffery Burson, Antonio Davis of Smackover; Callie Caldwell of Lawson, Sarah Craig, Tanganika Ford, Lauren Goodwin, Wandena Hicks, Stacy Kendrick, Varonica Kennedy, Morgan Saulsbury, Allison Temple, Amanda Thurlkill of El Dorado; Jill Sweet of Junction City and Kristen Temple of Mount Holly.
The commencement speaker for the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies was Magnolia High School Superintendent and SAU alum John “Skipper” Ward.
Students accept SouthArk Foundation scholarships
Several students accepted SouthArk Foundation scholarships to attend South Arkansas Community College in the fall.
Kim Whiteaker of El Dorado, a physical therapist assistant major at SouthArk, has accepted a Dr. Kermit Parks Public Service Endowed Scholarship. She is a 2001 graduate of Cabot High School.
Kalyn Clark of El Dorado, an accounting major at SouthArk, has accepted a Robert R. Brown Jr. Scholarship. The daughter of Candice Bowden is a 2015 graduate of El Dorado High School.
Kailey Stogsdill of El Dorado, a 2017 graduate of Smackover High School, has accepted a Jonathan M. Warren Memorial Scholarship. In high school, the daughter of Donivan and Susan Stogsdill was a member of the basketball and softball teams and of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Jessica Starnes of Camden, a general business administration major at SouthArk, has accepted a Mable and Emon Mahony Endowed Scholarship. She is a 2005 graduate of Camden Fairview High School and a member of the National Institute of Leadership and Success and Phi Beta Lambda.
Kim Whiteaker of El Dorado, a physical therapist assistant major at SouthArk, has accepted a Dr. Kermit Parks Public Service Endowed Scholarship. She is a 2001 graduate of Cabot High School.
Alyssa Jenkins, a 2017 graduate of Crossett High School, has accepted a President’s Scholarship. She is the daughter of Lane Jenkins.
Leticia Crisostomo, a 2017 graduate of Warren High School, has accepted a Living the Dream Scholarship. She is the daughter of Gabriel Crisostomo of Warren.
Justice Oglethorpe of El Dorado, a radiologic technology major at SouthArk, has accepted a Health Sciences Endowed Scholarship. The 2016 graduate of El Dorado High School is the daughter of Monica Barker of El Dorado.
Tamara Langston of El Dorado, an accounting major at SouthArk, has accepted a James Family Endowed Scholarship. She is a 2010 graduate of Smackover High School.
Carlitha Wafer of McNeil, a physical therapist assistant major at SouthArk, has accepted an Omazel Lawson Endowed Scholarship. At SouthArk, the 1995 graduate of McNeil High School is a member of Phi Beta Lambda and the Student Government Association.
Brandy Hubbard of El Dorado, a business major at SouthArk, has accepted a Langston Endowed Scholarship. The 2016 graduate of El Dorado High School is the daughter of LaDawn Hubbard.
Shamia Thomas of El Dorado, a nursing major at SouthArk, has accepted a Jennifer Baine Endowed Scholarship. The 2000 graduate of Bayside High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a member of the Student Government Association.
Abigail Torres, a 2017 graduate of Warren High School, has accepted a Student Ambassador Scholarship. She is the daughter of Hector and Yolanda Torres of Warren.
In high school she was a member of Beta Club, SkillsUSA, Future Business Leaders of America, Health Occupation Student Association, Junior Rotarians, Spanish Club and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. She was a Warren High character coach and received a Spirit of Prudential Community Award.
EHS graduate interns with Senator John Boozman
WASHINGTON - Madison Brown, a 2014 graduate of El Dorado High School, participated in U.S. Senator John Boozman’s Congressional Summer Internship Program.
While working in Boozman’s Lowell office, Madison assisted in serving local constituents by answering mail and calls, aiding with casework and doing various research.
“I am very honored to be given the opportunity to intern for Senator Boozman and his staff in Lowell. Although it was for a short time, I feel that this position allowed me to solidify my interest in politics and the legal realm of this field. I have thoroughly enjoyed working for Senator Boozman and getting to know his outstanding staff.”
“Madison has been a tremendous help to the people of Arkansas during her internship. I appreciate her commitment and dedication to serving Arkansans and being an ambassador for our office,” Boozman said.
Brown is a senior at the University of Arkansas where she is working on a degree in political science and a minor in communications. She plans to attend law school after graduation in May 2018. She is the daughter of Kevin and Laura Roussel and Mark Brown of El Dorado.
Governor Hutchinson launches website for available technology jobs
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has announced the launch of a new website that gives Arkansas job seekers a specific location to view open jobs throughout the state in the burgeoning technology sector. The website, www.ArTechJobs.com is the latest component of the governor’s Computer Coding Initiative to increase the number of Arkansans in high-tech fields.
“The number of high-school students participating in computer science courses has increased almost 400 percent since we began our initiative,” said Hutchinson. “Now it is time to also focus on real job opportunities for our growing skilled workforce. It is my belief that once kids see what kinds of jobs are out there, we will attract even more students to STEM careers. It’s hard to set a goal on something you don’t know exists.”
The mission of ArTechJobs is to connect employers and tech workers in Arkansas in an effort to fill a growing number of technical jobs in a wide variety of industries including IT, web development and design, database administration, software development, computer network architecture, information security, health care, and more.
“We have the talent in Arkansas to fill these high-tech jobs now, and thanks to Governor Hutchinson’s coding initiative, we are leading the nation in educating more workers for future jobs,” said Arkansas Economic Development Commission Mike Preston. “This website is the first step in pairing the right employees with the right companies.”
There is no cost for companies or job seekers to participate. A “Sign Up” button on the home page allows companies to create accounts and start posting open positions immediately. Nearly 50 companies are already using the site, including AT&T, Tyson, Windstream, J.B. Hunt, iDatafy, Tenneco, inuvo, Walmart and the State of Arkansas.
ARCodeKids, a new Little Rockbased non-profit organization, and the Information Network of Arkansas (INA) created and developed the website at no expense to the state.
Job seekers can create personal profiles and upload their resumes. They can narrow their job search by full time, freelance, and/or intern positions.
For more information, visit www. ArTechJobs.com.
Game and Fish accepting application for ‘Beginners Hunt Club’
LITTLE ROCK – Hunting is a way of life, for many it’s passed down from one generation to the next. But what if you don’t have anyone willing or able to be your mentor? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is accepting applications from anyone wanting to learn more about hunting and the outdoors to participate in a special hands-on learning experience called the “Beginners Hunt Club.”
Anyone 6 or older is welcome to apply, but special preference will be given to those who have no outdoors experience. Children must have a parent or guardian attend all events with them. All equipment necessary will be provided; however, participants 16 and older will need to purchase an Arkansas hunting license before the two scheduled hunting trips. Applicants just need to visit www. AGFCHuntClub.com and fill out the free application to be considered for
this great opportunity to get started in the outdoors.
Clifton Jackson, small game program coordinator for the AGFC, said many adults may feel sheepish about not knowing much about the outdoors, but trends indicate fewer people are exposed to hunting every year.
“I want to teach everyone how to hunt, adults as well as kids,” Jackson said. “If you don’t have a child to participate, don’t hesitate to apply, either.
This is about taking that first step and learning something new.”
Participants in the club will be able to take hunting for a “test drive,” as they participate in a dove hunt, squirrel hunt and a wild-game cookout to wrap up their freshman year as a hunter. Jackson says small game hunting lets new hunters enjoy plenty of opportunities to shoot and allow for good conversation when the action slows.
“When you first start out, you want to get into the action quickly,” Jackson said. “Deer hunting can take much more patience, and doesn’t allow for as
much teaching or group conversation while in the stand.”
The course begins with a safety training and introduction to firearms at the AGFC’s newly reopened shooting range in Mayflower.
“Learning to shoot accurately enough to kill a squirrel or two is not difficult and will help members of the club build some confidence,” Jackson said. “Dove are a bit trickier to hunt, so we’ll spend some time teaching shotgun skills at the range as well.”
The dove hunt will take place Oct. 14, on a private field that’s been leased by the AGFC
for permit dove hunts during September. While most outdoors enthusiasts will have moved on from dove hunting, plenty of birds should still be available for program participants to enjoy a traditional dove hunt that many Arkansans consider the opening to their hunting season.
Two weeks later, members are invited to a special squirrel hunt on some of Arkansas’s best public land. They’ll be introduced to still hunting for squirrels as well as hunting behind trained squirrel dogs, a passion for many small game hunters in The Natural State.
“Squirrel hunting is a passion of mine, and it’s one of the best ways to introduce people into the sport,” Jackson said. “There are plenty of opportunities, and you don’t have to have a lot of money invested in leases or equipment. You can make it more in-depth if you want, but all you really need to shoot a few squirrels is some good boots, a shotgun, and a handful of shells.”
Jackson’s second-favorite part about introducing people to hunting is packed into the club’s last event – creating delicious meals from your wild game. Participants will be treated to a variety of treats, all taken from wild game harvested in Arkansas.
“There’s all this talk about local, organic foods being better for you and better for the environment, and I can’t think of anything more organic and local than wild game,” Jackson said. “I don’t know where that chicken patty was raised, if it was even raised at all. But I know everything that happened to that dove or squirrel from the time I harvested it until the time I placed it on the table for my family to enjoy.”