SPRING 2017
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Dear Parents and Community, What a great year for teaching and learning in Arkadelphia Public Schools! The superior accomplishments of our students and staff are great examples of our commitment to our vision of quality, equity and excellence. From academics to athletics and the arts, our students are the pride of Arkadelphia. We appreciate our parents and community for your partnership in supporting these fine young people. APS would like to congratulate the Class of 2017 on their transition from Arkadelphia High School to college and career. Commencement is always a special time for our graduates and their families. We are proud of our seniors and wish them the best in their future endeavors. In addition, we also wish to bid farewell to our teachers and staff members who are retiring from APS this year. Congratulations to Jane Watson (Central & Perritt), Jean Smithey (Central), Patricia Wright (Administration), Randy Hicks (AHS), Judy Young (Goza), Sharon Clark (Goza), Carolyn Wood (Administration), and Melinda Morris (Central)! We are grateful for their service to our students and schools. Finally, we are preparing for and anticipating the upcoming building projects in Arkadelphia Public Schools. Our team of professionals continues to work toward the design and construction of our two new schools. All of our funding from the state has been approved and finalized as we move into the next phase of our plan. 2017-18 will be an exciting year as this process of change unfolds. Stay tuned for the exciting developments! Have a wonderful summer. Sincerely,
Dr. Donnie Whitten Superintendent
APS Superintendent Dr. Donnie Whitten APS Communications Dept. Hanna Dean, Director Arkadelphia Public Schools Voice is a publication of the Arkadelphia Public Schools Communications Department. Questions regarding this publication may be directed to: E-mail - hanna.dean@ arkadelphiaschools.org Phone - (870) 246-5564 x1214 Mail - Arkadelphia Public Schools attn: Dept. of Comm. 235 N. 11th St. Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Arkadelphia Public Schools Board of Education Mr. Randy Turner, President Dr. Kenneth G. Harris, Jr., Vice President Karrie Goodman, Secretary Dr. Casey Motl Dr. Jeff Root Mona Vance Gina White
Badger Pride
Lady Badger Soccer The Lady Badger soccer team wrapped up a successful 2017 season in the 4A State Tournament after finishing the regular season with an undefeated record in 4A-2 South Division play. The Lady Badgers went on an 11-game winning streak during the middle of the season en route to the 4A-2 South Division win. At the end of the season, sophomore Mary Jane Adame and freshman Olivia Dixon were named All-State for the Lady Badgers by the league’s coaches. Senior Madison Ledford also earned post-season honors, being named All-Conference and being a selection to the AHSCA Girls’ Soccer All-Star game to be played at UCA in June.
Badger Soccer The Badger soccer team ran up against a 4A boys’ soccer juggernaut in Central Arkansas Christian in the first round of the 4A-2 District tournament and a loss to the Mustangs ended the season for the Badgers, one match shy of the 4A State Tournament. The Badgers earned the fourth seed from the 4A-2 South Division at the end of the regular season. Wins over Lake Hamilton, Bauxite, Centerpoint and Gurdon highlighted the season. Senior Jared Garner was voted to the 4A All-State team by the league’s coaches, and Garner was also a conference nominee to the AHSCA All-Star game.
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Softball The Lady Badger softball team ended the season one run short of qualifying for the 4A South Regional Tournament, losing in the bottom of the last inning on a walk off infield hit to the Mena Lady Bearcats. The Lady Badgers were the third seed from the North Division in the 4A-7 District Tournament. The Lady Badgers had two players named All Conference by the 4A-7 as junior pitcher Mollie Daniell and junior catcher Ashlyn Taylor earned the post-season honors.
Baseball
The Badger baseball team finished the regular season as the top seed from the 4A-7 North Division and qualified for the Regional Tournament with a win over Mena at the 4A-7 district Tournament. At the 4A South Regional tournament, a win over Star City earned the program its eighth straight state tournament appearance, but the Badgers were defeated by eventual state runner-up Shiloh Christian in the first round. Junior pitcher/outfielder Braydon Todd was honored by the 4A-7 coaches as a selection to the 4A All State Team.
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Badger Pride Track and Field An infusion of youth helped the AHS track and field teams this season culminating in three individual championships at the 4A-7 District Meet. Freshman sisters Maddie and Kinley Green tied for first place in the girls’ pole vault competition, with the two having to go to a tiebreaker to determine their entry positions into the State track meet. Junior sprinter Jasmyn Gordon won the championship in the 100, and the 4x100 relay team of Gordon, Tajhanna McKenzie, Tracie Page and Kayley Crawford won the conference championship in that event. Those wins qualified all of the Lady Badgers for the 4A State track meet in which the 4x100 relay team finished second and Gordon finished second in the 100. Gordon also finished 4th in the 100 at the Meet of Champs, facing the fastest runnrs in the state among all classifications.
3-Year Letter Winners Mikayla Adams, Girls’ Soccer Jack Bennington, Boys’ Soccer Baylee Bethell, Cheer Niya Box, Dance Griffin Brown, Football Estefany Cardona, Girls’ Soccer Christine Cervantes, Girls’ Soccer Will Cervantes, Boys’ Soccer Preston Crowder, Boys’ Basketball Mollie Daniell, Softball Shemar Dickens, Boys’ Basketball and Football Indesia Eley, Girls’ Basketball and Volleyball Jared Garner, Boys’ Soccer Jasmyn Gordon, Girls’ Track and Field Macey Green, Softball Eric Groom, Baseball Courtland Hall, Football Keyshawn Johnson, Boys’ Basketball Symone Jones, Dance Madison Ledford, Girls’ Soccer
Blanton Matthews, Swimming and Diving Sallie Matthews, Swimming and Diving and Softball William Matthews, Swimming and Diving August McClure, Girls’ Basketball and Volleyball Diovinni McDore, Girls’ Basketball Robert Morgan, Boys’ Basketball Javeon Nelson, Boys’ Basketball Nia Nelson, Girls’ Basketball and Volleyball Tim Newton, Boys’ Basketball Turner Pentecost, Baseball and Football Cameron Porchia, Football Lyndi Porter, Softball Cristo Rivera, Football Emilee Roberson, Volleyball Alexis Summerford, Volleyball Ashlyn Taylor, Softball Kacie Thomas, Cheer Braydon Todd, Baseball Dalon Turner, Football Abby White, Volleyball
4-Year Letter Winners
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Elizabeth Alba, Girls’ Soccer Kayla Barnes, Dance Madison Ledford, Cheer Nia Nelson, Softball Emilee Roberson, Cheer Chandler Taylor, Cheer
Kayla Thompson, Swimming and Diving Abby Turner, Cheer Nathan Warner, Boys’ Soccer Chris Levar, Boys’ Soccer Abby White, Cheer
Goza National Junior Honors Society Induction Goza Middle School inducted 35 new members into National Junior Honor Society on Tuesday, May 2. National Junior Honor Society is the leader among organizations and societies that promote appropriate recognition for students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, citizenship and service. Students who have attended Goza Middle School for at least one semester and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.85 are eligible for membership. Academically-qualified candidates are evaluated in areas of character, service, leadership and citizenship. All candidates submitted a Student Activity Information form, including an essay. Final selection of the members is made by the Faculty Council, which is made up of at least five appointed teachers at Goza Middle School.
Congratulations to the new National Junior Honor Society members: 6th Grade: Carter Babb, Blaise Batson, Brooklynn Boyette, Bailey Boyles, Seth Campbell, Calvin Clardy, Judsen Coon, Anna Derby, Laila Dickerson, Brandon Dickey, Olivia Fennochi, Avery Garner, Makayla Gentry, Kirsten Hall, Cameron Jones, Raley Jones, Gray Manning, Caitlyn McGough, Mason McKinney, Mtende Mayo, Madelyn Neel, Liyah Smith and Donovan Whitten. 7th Grade: Audrey Cordero, Kyle Matocha, Nancy Miller, John Schaefer and Huzaifa Shahid. 8th Grade: Caroline Bennington, Rachel Bosley, Meagan Cooper, Aniyah Gulley, Haylee McClain, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Ashari Whitaker. 5
The Butler Did It, Singing! The AHS Choral Program performed The Butler Did It, Singing! on April 28-30 in the AHS Little Theatre. Music by: Arne Christiansen Lyrics by: Ole Kittleson Book by: Tim Kelly Director Maria Pinkerton Student Director Teaira Ollison Accompanist Laura Cornelius CAST Miss Maple Haversham Rita Eylesbarrow Father White Chandler Marlowe Louis Fan Laura Carlyle Rick Carlyle Peter Flimsey Charity Haze Mabel Dupree Pharaoh Link Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff
Nova Franklin Jayla Henderson Jazmine Daniels Austin Jester Mark Cain Demarco Britton Peyton Fleenor Jordan Hearn Bethany Ford Jamiah Brumfield ... ... Kaitlin Vinson Sabrina White Jatasia Jenkins Dorothy McDuffie Jamari Whitaker Kayley Crawford
CREW Student Director Stage Manager House Manager Make Up Make Up Sound Curtains Curtains Set Set Set Lights Strobe Light
Teaira Ollison Darbeigh Hale Robert Crawley Jakasia Arnold Sandra Cervantes Griffin Brown Eric Groom Kailynn Langley Sandra Cervantes Isabella Olmedo Alexis Buckley Emma Cordero Jasmine Harvey
Perritt Primary’s Just Say “NO” to Drugs Walk
Perritt Primary School hosted its’ annual Just Say ‘NO’ to Drugs Walk on Friday, April 21. Parents and students gathered in the auditorium for a brief pep rally that included a performance by the Nickelodeon choir, a skit by the Badger football players, a chant led by the AHS cheerleaders and Dazzlers, and several speakers including Miss Henderson State University, Miss Ouachita Baptist University, Coach J.R. Eldridge and the AHS Gifted and Talented students. After the pep rally, all participants marched to the Cornerstone Baptist Church, where the AHS percussion and color guard performed while students danced and enjoyed refreshments. The Just Say “NO” to Drugs Walk is one of Perritt’s most memorable and fun events for our students and community. We appreciate all of the support and participation we received this year, and we can’t wait for next year!
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Spring Musicals Perritt Primary Perritt Primary’s Nickelodeon Choir presented “Spring into the 70’s” on Thursday, May 18, under the direction of Mrs. Misha Parker.
Central Primary Under the direction of Mrs. Pamala Harris, the third grade classes of Central Primary School performed a spring musical on Thursday, May 18. Students danced down the aisles of the auditorium with their partners to songs from the 50’s.
Peake Elementary Peake Elementary School’s spring musical took the audience back to the 80’s under the direction of Mrs. Laura Cornelius. Songs of Journey, NSYNC and Michael Jackson filled the room, leaving parents and friends no choice but to join in.
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AHS Junior ROTC Awards Ceremony
The Arkadelphia High School Junior ROTC held its Awards Ceremony and Change of Command Ceremony on May 4 in the AHS Little Theatre. Cadet Private Bryce Weeks, Cadet First Sergeant Tyriek Cooks, Cadet Captain Demarco Britton, and Cadet Corporal Logan Golden presented the colors for the ceremony. The cadets were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the 2016-17 school year. As part of the Change of Command Ceremony, Cadet Colonel Stephany Quintero transferred the colors to the incoming commander, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Parker Davis, and the Badger Battalion Staff for the 2017-18 school year was announced. Congratulations to all the cadets recognized at the Awards Ceremony: USAREC – Cadet Major K’Lee Zeagler, presented by SSG Allen Army Reserve Scholar Athlete - Cadet Captain Demarco Britton, presented by SSG Allen Army Reserve Scholar Athlete - Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Tea Burgess, presented by SSG Allen Reserve Officers Association - Cadet Sergeant First Class Keyshawn Johnson, presented by LTC Shepherd Sons of the American Revolution - Cadet Captain Chase Goodson, presented by Dr. English Association of the United States Army - Cadet Command Sergeant Major Kris Hall, presented by Mr. Jerry Dodd Daughters of the American Colonists - Cadet Colonel Stephany Quintero, presented by Mrs. Frankie Oshner U.S. Daughters of 1812 - Cadet Major Brianna Tucker, presented by Mrs. Frankie Oshner Daughters of the American Revolution - Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Tiara Burgess, presented by Mrs. Charlotte Jeffers VFW - Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Parker Davis, presented by LTC Shepherd VFW - Cadet Second Lieutenant Dorothy McDuffie, presented by LTC Shepherd American Legion - Scholastic Achievement - Cadet Second Lieutenant Trudy Vo, presented by Doyle Sharp American Legion - Military Skills - Cadet Sergeant Tyler Thompson, presented by Doyle Sharp Military Order of the Purple Heart - Cadet Major Cole McMillan, presented by LTC Shepherd SCV Hunley Award - Cadet Major Racheal Jarrett, presented by Loy Mauch Sojourners - Cadet Second Lieutenant Alexis Long, presented by LTC Shepherd Daedalians - Cadet Sergeant Devin Jensen, presented by Col. Harvey Shelton MOAA - Cadet Captain Ethan Lafont, presented by Col. John Wiedert MOWW - Cadet Captain Jasmine Harvey, presented by LTC Shepherd N-1-2: LET IV - Cadet Colonel Stephany Quintero, presented by Mr. Maxwell N-1-2: LET III - Cadet Major K’Lee Zeagler, presented by Mr. Maxwell N-1-2: LET II - Cadet Second Lieutenant Trudy Vo, presented by Mr. Maxwell N-1-2: LET I - Cadet Sergeant Devin Jensen, presented by Mr. Maxwell N-1-1: Cadet Colonel Stephany Quintero, presented by Mr. Maxwell
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Field Days!
Jay Davis Field Day, in memory of Jay Davis For nearly 20 years, Roosevelt and Sylvia Davis have been actively participating in Jay Davis Field Day in honor of their son, Jay Davis. Davis was a student at Peake Elementary School. As a child, he loved sports, along with his father and brother. In 1994, one year after the passing of Davis, Peake Elementary School began recognizing field day as “Jay Davis Field Day.” “This was an awesome way to remember Jay, because he loved to compete,” Mr. and Mrs. Davis said. “It was emotional and very exciting. We were both working, and it was hard to take off from our jobs. We made up our minds that we were going to be a part of this wonderful day from that day forth.” The Davis’ present popsicles to each grade every year after the competition and take a photograph with the winning classes. “In the future, we hope to make it bigger and better,” Mrs. Davis said. “All the children remember Jay Davis Field Day at Peake. It was a day to come out and do your best in memory of Jay. We are real proud and appreciate everyone that has taken time to make this day a wonderful day for the Arkadelphia School District.” Peake Elementary School is honored to recognize Jay each year during Jay Davis Field Day and would like to extend a special “thank you” to Mr. and Mrs. Davis for their active participation in this special event.
AHS competes in Design for Change Arkansas Tech University awarded four Arkadelphia High School engineering students a $1,000 check for their performance in the Students Design for Change competition this past Friday. A total of five teams participated in the Design for Change competition. Four out of the five teams were from AHS. A total of 29 teams initially entered the competition. According to ATU, Students Design for Change is “a challenge that encourages high school students from around Arkansas to explore issues of homelessness and poverty in the state and design and construct a small cabin intended to provide short-term shelter for a person who is homeless. Goals of the initiative include raising awareness of and education about homelessness.” During the final stage of the competition, the five teams were given $1,000 to fund the construction of their micro shelters. Assisted by instructors Bud McMillion and James Williams, “The Snurkies” received first place in the competition. The team included: McKinley Green, Reagan Rorie, Staton Whitten and Tyler Woodson.
Arkadelphia High School would like to thank: Jeff Rorie Keith Green Sherman Whittle Blake Blake Batson Adam Beene who helped move the microshelters from Arkadelphia to Russellville and set them up before the competition. We appreciate you all!
Badger Scholar Banquet
Arkadelphia High School awarded Badger Scholar honors to 129 students during the 37th annual Badger Scholar Banquet on May 15. This year, over 400 people attended the Badger Scholar Banquet, located at the Garrison Center Ballroom on the campus of Henderson State University. The Badger Scholar Program, partially funded by the CONE Foundation and Henderson State University, is an academic reward program for Arkadelphia High School students, beginning under the administration of AHS Principal Dr. Steve Castleberry. Dr. Castleberry wanted to motivate students and reward them for their academic achievement. During the inaugural year of the Badger Scholar Program, only around a dozen AHS students were honored. In 1986, AHS Principal Herman Thomas and a student committee redesigned the program to the format used today. In order to become a Badger Scholar, students must sign an intent form declaring interest in becoming a Badger Scholar and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA for each of the first three nine weeks. The First Year Badger Scholars are awarded a Badger Scholar pin and certificate at the ceremony. Second Year Scholars receive a Badger Scholar t-shirt. Third year Badger Scholars receive a personalized plaque. Fourth
Year Badger Scholars receive a personalized letterman blanket. All Badger Scholars are awarded a locker in an area preferred by the students. First Year Badger Scholars for 9th grade include: Cabb Batson, Caleb Cornelius, Kristen Curtis, Olivia Dixon, Aisha Faiq, Wyatt Forthman, Sawyer Goodrum, Madison Green, McKinley Green, Darbeigh Hale, Patrick Hayes, Kristine LeGuin, Lynli Lowry, Hannah More, Sydney Motl, Yebo Moyo, Reece Nowlin, Eli Perrin, Cannon Turner, Cole Turner, and Staton Whitten. First Year Badger Scholars for 10th grade include: Samuel Coventry, Morgan Daniel, Lynn Duncan, Devin Jensen, Madison Lamb, Alex LeGuin, Kylee Overturf, and Jamari Whitaker. First Year Badger Scholars for 11th grade include: Carson Almond, Niya Box, Jamiah Brumfield, Emesha Larry, Lyndi Porter, Carson Smith, Symone Jones, and Jenna Purifoy. First Year Badger Scholars for 12th grade include: Kayla Barnes, Rachael Jarrett, and Brianna Tucker. Second Year Badger Scholars for 10th grade include: Mary Jane Adame, Ally Adkison, Tyler Allen, Kamryn Bell, Caroline Cissell, Garrett Collie, Caroline Derby, Michael Evans, Hannah Fenocchi, Addy Groom, Sumner Huerkamp, Camille Jones, Nicholas LeVar, Colleen Lloyd, Shannon Mecum, Faith Ochello, Jenna Patterson, Owen Phillips, Alec Ruble, Diana Summerville, Lauren Trippett, Trudy Vo, Josh Wallace, Andrew Webb, and Angelmaa Wempe.
Second Year Badger Scholars for 11th grade include: Baylee Bethell, Keaton Goodrum, Kristopher Hall, Angel Marciano, Drew Saunders, and Foxx Ward. Second Year Badger Scholars for 12 grade include: Evelyn Durrett, Jalise Hayes, Kenzi Land, Cole McMillan, Destiny Walker, Kiki Youmans, and K’lee Zeagler. Third Year Badger Scholars for 11th grade include: Elizabeth Adair, Khennedy Brunson, Jack Burnham, Jimmy Castro, Mollie Daniell, Parker Davis, Fateemah Faiq, Allie Harris, Scott Holbrook, Blanton Matthews, William Matthews, Ryan Motl, Radreka Perry, Taylor Savage, Ashlyn Taylor, Kacie Thomas, and Haley Zeiler. Third Year Badger Scholars for 12th grade include: Mikayla Adams, Griffin Brown, Nicholas Gerber, Rachel Gierth, Macey Green, Aabrejah Hill, Christopher LeVar, Autumn Loy, and Nia Nelson. Fourth Year Badger Scholars include: Jakaisha Arnold, Jack Bennington, Tea Burgess, Tiara Burgess, Preston Crowder, Nova Franklin, Jared Garner, Keawanna Hale, Jatasia Jenkins, Tierra McCraney, Sidney Medley, Pempho Moyo, Kierstyn Noel, Turner Pentecost, Cameron Porchia, Stephany Quintero, Emilee Roberson, LaCarol Rone Newborne, Alexis Summerford, Chandler Taylor, Kayla Thompson, Abby Turner, Dalon Turner, and Abby White.
Second Year Badger Scholars - 11th and 12th Grade First Year Badger Scholars - 9th Grade
First Year Badger Scholars - 10th Grade Third Year Badger Scholars - 11th Grade
First Year Badger Scholars - 11th and 12th Grade
Second Year Badger Scholars - 10th Grade
Third Year Badger Scholars - 12th Grade
Fourth Year Badger Scholars
Arkadelphia Promise Signing Ceremony
Approximately 120 Arkadelphia High School seniors participated in the Arkadelphia Promise Academic Signing Day on Wednesday, May 17, at the Arkadelphia High School Gymnasium. The students signed letters of commitment to Arkansas colleges including Arkansas State University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southern Arkansas University, and the University of Arkansas. Executive Director Jason Jones welcomed those in attendance and introduced Guest Speaker Mary Eldridge, Director of Programs for the Ross Foundation and co-founder of the Arkadelphia Promise. Bryan McKinney, Chairman on the Arkadelphia Promise Board and Dean of Ouachita Baptist University’s Hickingbotham School of Business, introduced the keynote speaker of the ceremony, Kendra Pruitt, J.D. The class of 2017 is the seventh class to obtain the Arkadelphia Promise Scholarship and will receive approximately $450,000 over the next four years to help pay for their college degrees. The college retention rate for AHS graduates is 20 percent higher than the state and national averages. The Arkadelphia Promise was first announced on Nov. 16, 2010. The mission of the scholarship is to increase the college-going rate for local students, reduce the number of students dropping out of college for financial reasons and provide for a more educated workforce. The Arkadelphia Promise is funded by the Ross Foundation, a local non-profit organization, and Southern Bancorp, a community development financial institution headquartered in Arkadelphia. For more information on the Arkadelphia Promise, please visit www.arkadelphiapromise.com.
Employee Awards Dinner The Arkadelphia Board of Education hosted Arkadelphia Public Schools’ Annual Awards Ceremony and Employee Dinner on May 25 at Ouachita Baptist University’s Walker Conference Center. During the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Donnie Whitten recognized current administrators, teachers, staff and faculty that have been employed at Arkadelphia Public Schools for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years. Whitten also announced this year’s retirees. All employees recognized during the ceremony were awarded a gift for their service. Twenty-Five Years of Service Pictured: Jasper Benton, Paul Hale, Vanilla Hannah, Jimmy King, and Glenda Williams
Five Years of Service Pictured: Leah Clark, Jodie Daniell, David Gustaveson, Callie Hunley, Tonya Knox, and Jessica Wright Not Pictured: Jennifer Coon, Tami Green, Randi Hasley, Donna Jones, Jana Kelly, Joshua Minchew, Marcus Mildrew, Gearnis Quarles, and Melanie Williams
Fifteen Years of Service Pictured: Barbara Baker, Sherry Benker, James Lloyd, Kaila Murphy, and Dolores Williams Not Pictured: Jacqueline Hill
Ten Years of Service Pictured: Amy Bright, Tina Calhoon, Cynthia Gierth, Kanesseia Hall, Jennifer Hurst, Laquita Jones, Crystal Parillon, David Smith, Ashley Wesley, and Mary Williams Not Pictured: Courtney Barras, Kaki Forthman, Stacy Goza, Annette Keeling, and Junius Williams
Twenty Years of Service Pictured: Sherry French, Donnie Whitten, Donald Williams, and Patricia Wright Not Pictured: Lorrie Adams, Zina Bailey, Bennie Jones, and Maggie Thomas
Retirees Jane Watson, Central and Perritt Primary School Art Teacher, 6 years Jean Smithey, Central Primary School Teacher, 11 years Patricia Wright, 21st Century and Special Programs Director, 20 years Randy Hicks, Arkadelphia High School Dean of Students, 26 years
Retirees + 30 years Judy Young, Speech Therapist, 34 years Sharon Clark, Career Orientation Teacher, 35 years Carolyn Wood, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent, 35 years Melinda Morris, Principal at Central Primary School, 37 years
Commencement
121 seniors graduated from Arkadelphia High School on Saturday, May 20 at the Duke Wells HPER Gymnasium on the campus of Henderson State University. Pempho Ellen Moyo, the daughter of Lloyd and Ruth Moyo, delivered the Summa Cum Laude speech. Moyo is President of the AHS Beta Club, President of the Black History Month Committee, a 4-year Badger Scholar, and a member of the AHS Quizbowl Team, AHS National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Moyo attends United Pentecostal Church, where she is a member of the Youth Group. She will be attending Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The seniors chose Beverly Slavens, an AHS english teacher, to deliver the faculty challenge. Senior Jackson Henry Bennington, the 2016-17 Student Council President, responded to Slavens’ challenge. Summa cum laude graduates earned a GPA of 4.001 or better and a composite ACT score of 21 or better
with no sub scores lower than 19. Summa cum laude graduates included the following: Mikayla Lynn Adams, Tea Nicole Burgess, Preston Rhodes Crowder, Nova Jean Franklin, Jared Christian Garner, Sidney Brooke Medley, Pempho Ellen Moyo, Connie Stephany Quintero, Sara Emilee Roberson, Alexis Margaret Summerford, Chandler Katlynn Taylor, Kayla Marie Thompson, Abigail Loren Turner, and Mary Abbygail White. Parents of these graduates and of those who achieved Magna cum laude (GPA of 3.750 to 4.000 and a composite ACT score of 20 or better with no sub score lower than 19), Cum laude (GPA of 3.500 to 3.749 and a composite ACT score of 19 or better with no sub score lower than 19), and/or Advanced Diploma status presented medallions to their children who earned these distinctions. Senior class officers directed the welcome, the Pledge of Allegiance, the dedication of the senior flowers, the introductions of Moyo and Slavens, and the closing. Officers
included: Mary Abbygail White, President; Chandler Katlynn Taylor, Vice President; Alexis Margaret Summerford, Secretary; Kayla Marie Thompson, Treasurer; and Jackson Henry Bennington, Reporter. The AHS JROTC Color Guard opened the 2017 Commencement. The AHS Band, under the direction of Jim Lloyd, played the processional and the alma mater. Dr. Donnie Whitten, superintendent of the Arkadelphia Public Schools, and Mr. David Maxwell, Principal of AHS, awarded the diplomas to the graduating class. Ms. Cheryl Merk, assistant AHS principal, and Mr. Randy Hicks, Dean of Students, assisted with the diplomas. Juniors who earned the top grade points escorted the Class of 2017. These students included the following: Waylon Cargile, Jimmy Castro, Mollie Daniell, Fateemah Faiq, Keaton Goodrum, Allison Harris, Scott Holbrook, Jordan Jarboe, Taylor Savage, and Haley Zeiler.
Peake Rosenwald Fun Day
APSD’s Parents as Teachers group and Peake Rosenwald students enjoyed “Fun Day” at the Arkadelphia Aquatic Waterpark to wrap up another great year!