TROJAN PRIDE
Hot Springs School District dedicates academy, arena
Former Hot Springs School District Superintendent Joyce L. Littleton Craft and the late assistant basketball coach Aaron Cooper were among the honorees
Wednesday during grand opening events for the Hot Springs School District’s Junior Academy and Trojan Arena and Auditorium.
Superintendent Stephanie Nehus called the grand opening an “amazing day” and said it had been “very exciting” for the district and the community, noting it had been four years since voters approved a millage increase and two years since the project began.
“We get to show how proud we are of this world-class facility. But not only are our students and families going to get to experience and appreciate it, but it’s also available for our community,” Nehus said.
“And you know, it’s all about our kids. And so to see our kids coming into the building and getting to tour it for the first time, it is such a joy to see the smile on their faces and the excitement in their eyes. It makes it all worthwhile.”
The day began with the school district naming the new Trojan auditorium in honor of Craft.
“It is a huge honor to recognize and dedicate this new state-of-the-art auditorium to Mrs. Joyce L. Littleton Craft. Mrs. Craft served her entire career here in the Hot Springs School District, spanning 43 years of service in education,” Nehus said.
In December of 2006, Craft became the district’s first female, and its first African American, superintendent, Nehus said, noting Craft’s love for the arts and support of the magnet programs inspired this honor.
“One of her favorite phrases was ‘do your job and be a difference-maker.’ She certainly has made a difference in my life and in the lives of so many others — our students, staff and community,” Nehus said.
“When the board first informed me that they were going to name the auditorium after me, it was just mind-boggling. I couldn’t believe it. I was humbled and thrilled that they would consider naming an auditorium after me,” Craft said.
Craft said she feels she was honored because of her years of serving the district, the things she accomplished as superintendent and for being the first female and African American superintendent in the district.
“It is a simple empowerment for those who may be afraid to dream big, and the naming should be a reminder that you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it,” she said.
She said HSSD was a leader in the state when she was superintendent and is still one under Nehus’ leadership.
“I envision the district to move forward continually and be on the cutting edge of whatever initiative is out there and be able to implement it with fidelity,” Craft said.
The district “wants to see them (the students) succeed,” she said. The facilities will “make the community proud as well as the children when they enter the building. (The) facility is amazing, it’s unbelievable. Anyone that enters the facility will be in awe of what the district has done.”
She said she is honored and proud to be a member of the Trojan family and hopes the auditorium is symbolic and represents the future of the district and supports the next generation of Trojans.
“The future is nothing but bright for the Hot Springs School District. The world-class facilities are what we’ve been striving to do. We feel like all of our students deserve that, and we know that having worldclass facilities leads to improvement in student achievement,” Nehus said.
The district is happy to be completing all of its millage projects, and all of the things they promised the voters have been fulfilled, she said.
“We have even gone above and beyond with district funds to provide even more, and so we will move forward with these great facilities and honing in on curriculum instruction, focusing on improving our graduation rate and improving academics across the board and continue to grow and learn together,” Nehus said.
Nehus said she thinks the community will see the growth in the district and the Trojan pride shining through in all of the buildings, in the students and the staff members.
“I think that the community sees our focus and dedication to education, to our future, our youth, our children and they are our future. I hope that the community sees that we take that very seriously, and we’re going to give the best to our students and families,” she said.
Nehus said she wants the students, community and staff to know the district is here to serve them and that they have worked tirelessly this summer, preparing for the return of students in the fall. She said they know the fall is going to look different from their usual, but they are prepared to bring students and staff back safely.
“We know our students need to be here, they need to be in class, they need to be learning from their teachers, and that is the best for them. We’re going to do everything we can for that to happen and continue seamlessly, no matter what happens in our state and in our nation in regards to the pandemic,” she said
“We want our staff, our students and our community to know that we are here to serve, and we are going to provide them the best that we can. We’re going to give them the opportunities and experiences that are going to set them up for success in life,” Nehus said.
A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held at 4 p.m., preceded at 2 p.m. by the dedication of the Aaron Cooper Weight Room, in honor of the late assistant coach.
Hot Springs School District staff members and community partners were able to tour the facilities in small, separated groups and were required to wear masks with social distancing and other safety guidelines followed throughout the day.