First time ever on the market, this custom-built dream home is nestled at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac on 2.53 acres, backing up to mature trees for a peaceful, wooded backdrop. Ideally located just 10 minutes from downtown Rogers and less than 20 minutes from the new Walmart Home O ce, this property o ers both convenience and privacy. With three spacious levels and a total of 5,130 heated square feet, there's plenty of room to spread out while still enjoying a warm and inviting atmosphere. Thoughtfully designed with quality craftsmanship throughout, the home features a safe room, a partial backup generator, and energy-e cient solar panels that keep utility bills remarkably low. Perfectly suited for everyday living and entertaining, this one-of-a-kind retreat o ers timeless nishes, modern comforts, and a tranquil setting you'll fall in love with the moment you step inside. Don't miss your chance to own this sanctuary in the heart of Northwest Arkansas.
Young Voices, Local Stories: A Teen Take on Rogers
With this issue’s theme, Kids & Pets , we decided to try something new. While the first half of the magazine is filled with relevant content on child- and pet-related services and tips in Rogers, the second half was written by the kids of Rogers themselves.
We worked with the four high schools in the city: Rogers High School, Rogers New Technology, Heritage High School, and School for Advanced Studies. Students in journalism classes from each of the schools worked together to write an article using one of a few writing prompts provided. We gave them the opportunity to write about youth culture, teenowned businesses, or education.
Our goal in this collaboration was to provide local students with the opportunity to see their hard work published, to offer our readers a glimpse into the world of our area teens, and maybe even to spark an interest in the field of journalism itself. It sounds as if the kids enjoyed the project, and we truly hope you enjoy reading their words.
I love how August’s issue brings together two things that are so important to many families. As both a parent and someone who’s had pets all my life, I know how meaningful it is when both worlds come together in daily life. If your pets are your kids and you hate leaving them at home, check out our feature on the many pet-friendly patios in Rogers. Find places to eat, drink, and socialize with your furry friend by your side.
When you’re ready to take that summer vacation, check out our article on K9 Luxury Pet Resorts — a boarding facility bred from the owners’ desire to create an upscale environment to leave their own beloved dogs. For all your pet’s medical needs—from preventative care to high-tech diagnostics and surgical services— Animal Medical Center’s two convenient locations have you covered.
And for parents looking to add a little more to their child’s education, we highlight Kumon Rogers. More than just tutoring, Kumon offers a full program on reading or math dedicated to helping students be self-sufficient learners, teaching them skills like discipline, focus, and problem-solving that last a lifetime.
Kara Isham, Jessie Varnell, Jacob Fraire, Wednesday Bewley, Evelyn Crisostomo, Kenady Enyart, Marcuz Torres, Adelyn Wright, Katherine McClain, Natalia Acosta, Brithney Gonzalez, and Midori Holt
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Meredith Mashburn, Amber Hall
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
More Time to Play!
Celebrate the best days of your life, every day, in a community that seamlessly blends comfort, elegance, and vibrant social living. For one monthly price, our professional team takes care of everything—from chef-inspired cuisine to weekly housekeeping—giving you the time and freedom to live life on your terms.
city scene
1: Marc Zabal and his son, Luke, 14. Luke and his brother created JT Lure Craft. 2: Chelsea and Eliseo Medina of Slayer Operations at the Rogers Farmers Market. 3: Summer with Once Upon a Time Books showcases their new bookmobile. 4: Dawn and Max Bachman of K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, 3707 W. Southern Hills Boulevard. 5: Fit Body Bootcamp ribbon-cutting at 4301 S. JB Hunt Drive. FBBCRogers.com. (479) 526-3332 6: The new Hotel Avail ribbon-cutting at 4100 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway. 7: Animal Medical Center in Pinnacle Hills.
ALEXIS ROACH
ISABELLA RAQUEL
AMBER HALL
business monthly
Hotel Avail Rogers, Tapestry Collection by Hilton Now Open
Across from the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion, Hotel Avail Rogers is within walking distance of several restaurants, businesses, and local entertainment, with the Rogers Convention Center and Pinnacle Hills Promenade a short drive away. Take in the scenery from its rooftop restaurant or unwind in a balcony suite. The hotel also offers more than 8,000 square feet of event space. Located at 4100 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway in Rogers. Call (479) 348-8200.
School for Advanced Studies in Downtown Rogers Now Enrolling
The School for Advanced Studies is a tuition-free public charter school for grades 5-12, located in the historic former Lane Hotel in downtown Rogers. With seminar-style classes, specialized academic pathways in high school, and a student-driven culture, the School for Advanced Studies creates an environment where intellectual curiosity is celebrated. Students thrive in collaborative communities, developing crucial leadership skills for the 21st century. Now enrolling for the 2025–26 school year.
The Fermentary Public House Opens in Lowell
Located close to the Razorback Greenway in Lowell, The Fermentary Public House is a welcoming hub where locals, travelers, and cyclists can gather, connect, and share in the experience of great food and drink. The restaurant recently opened, starting with a regional food vendor for consistency while building relationships to bring in more ingredients from local farms and producers. By supporting local agriculture, the restaurant aims to become Northwest Arkansas’ leading farm-to-table brewpub.
Photography by School for Advanced Studies
Photography by The Fermentary Public House
A growing number of breweries, cafes, and eateries in Rogers are embracing a dogfriendly vibe, opening their patios to fourlegged guests and giving pet owners more places to sip, snack, and socialize alongside their pups. Here are some popular spots.
BRING YOUR FUR BABIES ALONG AND ENJOY SOME OF THE BEST PATIOS IN ROGERS
ARTICLE BY KARA ISHAM
DOWNTOWN
Ozark Beer Co., 109 N. Arkansas St. Downtown’s local brewery features about two dozen drink options, including beers on tap, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages. The brewery also partners with a rotation of local food trucks that offer a variety of fare.
Flashback Pizza & Milkshakes, 105 S. 3rd St.
This local restaurant offers pizza, milkshakes, and other comfort food, along with '80s and '90s arcade games, board games, and trivia nights.
Nola’s Pantry, 103 W. Chestnut St., Suite 100
This specialty food market and cafe offers breakfast items, lunch sandwiches, and more, with visitors also able to shop and take home speciality food items that are offered on the menu. Closed evenings.
Tusk & Trotter DTR, 106 W. Elm St.
This Bentonville favorite now has a second location in downtown Rogers. Tusk & Trotter is a casual dining spot offering gourmet food featuring a full assortment of beverages and food choices that focus on American comfort food.
Havana Tropical Grill, 203 N. 2nd St.
This friendly, fun, and vibrant Cuban restaurant features traditional Cuban fare along with a variety of tropical drinks. On Friday and Saturday nights, Havana also offers the chance to enjoy Latin music and dancing starting at 9 p.m.
Botanical at City Pump, 623 W. Walnut St.
This international sports pub’s new
Rogers location offers great drinks along with a huge patio, stage, yard games, televisions to watch your favorite international competitions, and food trucks. The Pump also offers pop-up brunch events. Both the outdoor and indoor spaces are dog-friendly, welcoming all well-behaved pooches on leashes.
PINNACLE AND UPTOWN
Rendezvous Junction Brewing Co., 2225 S. Bellview Road, Suite 101
This local brewery offers some two dozen regular and rotating beers on tap. It also offers weekly events like Bingo and trivia, speciality events, watch parties, and concerts. Food is available from local delivery.
Natural State Beer Co., 5214 Village Parkway Suite 140
Located directly on the Razorback Greenway, Natural State offers local beers and other speciality drinks in an open, fun environment. The brewery specializes in European lagers and allows customers to bring in food from surrounding restaurants and food trucks.
Uptown Kitchen and Taphouse, 4204 S JB Hunt Drive, #40
This microbrew pub offers 100 taps dedicated purely to the best local, regional, and national craft beer, with a few taps reserved for draft wines, hard ciders, and premium cocktails. The drinks pair perfectly with the classic American food menu.
Wright’s Barbecue, 5001 W. Pauline Whitaker Parkway
This popular eatery, which also has a Bentonville location, serves handcrafted and pit-smoked barbecue offerings including brisket, nachos, and other comfort foods. Along with beer and other beverages, it’s a family-friendly and casual place to watch sports and hang out.
OTHER ROGERS LOCATIONS:
New Provence Brewing Co. 1310 W Hudson Road
Featuring hand-crafted beer, New Provence offers a selection of year-round classics, special offerings, and small batch brews. With a focus on community and sustainability, the brewery also offers weekly events as well as partnerships with local food trucks.
PAMPERED POOCHES
For some pet owners, their fur babies are the most pampered members of the family.
For those who struggle to leave their beloved pups for even a day—or who simply want to socialize them in a safe, supervised setting—Northwest Arkansas’ premier luxury pet boarding and daycare resort offers the perfect solution.
K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, conveniently located just off Pleasant Grove Road and I-49 in Rogers, offers upscale boarding and daycare options in a state-of-the-art facility staffed by a highly trained, professional team.
Owners and longtime Northwest Arkansas residents Dawn and Max Bachman founded K9 Resorts to fill a clear gap they discovered while researching local boarding options for their own dogs: a true luxury experience for pets was missing from the area.
The Bachman’s wholeheartedly believe that every dog deserves the cleanest, healthiest, and most enjoyable boarding and daycare experience possible.
K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel offers premier boarding and daycare experience for dogs
ARTICLE BY KARA ISHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBER HALL
“Dogs are just special. They give more to humans than humans give to each other,” Max says. “The foundation of every decision we make is what’s best for the health, happiness, and safety of the pet.”
While both Dawn and Max hold full-time corporate jobs, Max had long dreamed of owning his own business. During their research, they found the K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel franchise and were drawn to its quality and philosophy. Today, theirs is the only K9 Resorts location in Arkansas—and it is 100% family-owned and operated.
Max notes that only top-end materials were used in the facility’s construction, with safety and cleanliness driving every design choice to ensure a hotel-like experience for dogs.
“We want to give not only the pet owner the best experience possible—but also the pet,” he says.
That experience includes continuously refreshed air for improved air quality, non-porous flooring, and medical-grade equipment, as well as soundproofed walls that help reduce stress for anxious pups.
“We want to give not only the pet owner the best experience possible— but also the pet.”
Boarding guests can choose from three accommodation styles:
• Cozy compartments for dogs accustomed to crate training
• 5x7 executive suites
• 8x8 luxury suites complete with TVs and chandeliers
The highly-trained team keeps pets active and engaged throughout the day with enriching activities like water play, holiday crafts, birthday parties, and even group photo shoots.
Dawn says K9 Resorts has been a true labor of love for their entire family. Their oldest daughter works at the resort, and their youngest is known for constantly "promoting" the pet hotel to friends and neighbors.
Max adds, “We’re just proud to serve the community and its dogs. It’s been a joy.”
Learning, One Page at a Time
At Kumon of Rogers, personalized instruction helps students build confidence, discipline, and love of learning
Long before homework becomes a nightly struggle, some children are already building the habits that make learning second nature. At Kumon of Rogers, students as young as 3 begin a quick but powerful routine—daily practice in educational concepts that emphasize self-learning and resilience over quick results.
Kumon is a discipline-based program offering two core subjects: math and reading. It typically involves 15 to 30 minutes of daily practice, depending on a child’s age. Through consistent, independent work, students build strong study habits and problem-solving skills that will guide them through their learning of additional subjects in school and through their educational journey.
ARTICLE BY HEATHER JARVIS
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
ISABELLA RAQUEL
Students enrolled in the program attend an in-person class twice a week at Kumon’s Rogers location at 2603 W. Pleasant Grove Road, and complete assignments at home the rest of the week. The provided worksheets are designed so that children can learn on their own through daily practice.
Just as every child is different, Kumon’s programs are customized to each student’s individual learning pace and needs.
“Learning is a messy process,” says Srividya Venkatasubramanya, instructor and owner of Kumon of Rogers. “There's no straight way to learn — nobody learns in a straight line. We keep falling off the track here and there, and then you have to be brought back again and again. That's my job as an instructor, to see what is different in each child and respond to that.”
Since its inception, Kumon of Rogers has worked with more than 1,000 students. Srividya says that on average it takes around six to eight months in the Kumon curriculum for children to reach and surpass their grade level, and in less than a year, most students are studying above their current grade level.
She emphasizes the importance of tailoring the programs to fit each student’s unique needs, allowing them to progress at their own pace. She notes the experiences of her own children: her daughter, who consistently ranked in the 99th percentile in school and advanced quickly through Kumon’s material, and her son, who faced attention challenges and required a different approach. Despite their contrasting learning styles, both successfully completed the programs.
“The goal is not the point, the journey is. It’s how you get there, the hard work that you put in,” Srividya says.
The programs are for ages 3 and up, and Srividya says starting at a young age is beneficial to teach healthy study habits early.
“Too often, people wait until the problem shows up,” she says. “The point of Kumon is to stay ahead of the curve. If you start early, this becomes muscle memory, this becomes a habit in your life.”
Her oldest students are typically in high school, although she does see adults learning English as a second language in the reading program, or college students taking the math track.
Originally from India, Srividya and her husband moved to the U.S. in 2001. She has a 20-year background in education with three master’s degrees from three different continents. Srividya decided to open her own Kumon location in Northwest Arkansas 15 years ago after her family relocated to the area for her husband’s job.
Srividya says she loves the concept of Kumon, giving children the tools to think for themselves, practice, make mistakes, and practice more. It continually encourages them to learn more, and emphasizes discipline over instant gratification.
“The joy of learning is that it's hard work,” she says. “Everybody thinks that for you to enjoy learning, everything has to be easy. It's actually the opposite. When you struggle and you learn and you achieve, you are so satisfied with your success.”
ARTICLE BY HEATHER JARVIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISABELLA RAQUEL
PERSONALIZED CARE FOR Every Pet
ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER BLENDS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY WITH INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION
At Animal Medical Center in Rogers, veterinary care is personalized—not one-size-fits-all. As a privately owned practice, its experienced doctors provide high-quality, individualized care tailored to each pet’s unique needs.
That same commitment to personalized care extends to the hospital’s advanced medical offerings. As a full-service facility, Animal Medical Center is committed to improving access to top-tier veterinary care by providing surgical procedures and diagnostics with some of the region’s most sophisticated equipment. Services include CT imaging, specialized soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, and routine preventative wellness care.
“When you come to Animal Medical Center, you can expect us to meet you where you are,” says Dr. Lindy O'Neal, a veterinarian and co-owner of the hospital. “If you want high-end care with no stops, we can offer that. If you need a medication trial first, we can offer that. We are proud of our specialized equipment and techniques, but we aren't so proud that we can't take baby steps also.”
“We take the extra step to make sure your pet is treated the right way, the first time.”
The highly skilled staff uses fear-free techniques to help minimize stress and anxiety during each pet’s visit. And with seven doctors on staff, there is a personality to meet the needs of every owner and pet.
“We take the extra step to make sure your pet is treated the right way, the first time,” Dr. O'Neal says.
Animal Medical Center offers two convenient locations. Midtown, a quaint hospital in the heart of Rogers at 205 S. 20th St., was the original location built in the 1990s. The hospital’s Pinnacle location at 1203 S. 43rd St. was built in 2020 and offers a larger footprint for more advanced veterinary medicine. Both hospitals share a database so pet owners can visit either location without having to worry about a lack of continuity of care.
Dr. O'Neal and her business partner, Dr. Kyle Fugett, own both Animal Medical Center locations, keeping the practice locally owned at a time when more small animal hospitals are being acquired by large corporations. Dr. Fugett is also expanding his expertise and will soon complete training in performing echocardiograms.
While Animal Medical Center provides top-ofthe-line medical care when needed, Dr. O'Neal stresses that keeping up with preventative care can be one of the most beneficial aspects to owning a pet.
“Animals are so stoic, and they often don't let on that they're experiencing a problem until it's a real problem,” she says. “Keeping up with annual exams, regular health screens, and asking questions about changes in your pets' appearance, gait, appetite, and activity level can really help us piece together a puzzle that we didn't know needed solving.”
shaping our culture and community
Youth culture in Rogers
Rogers City Lifestyle teamed up with local high school journalism students on a series of articles about youth culture, business, and education. This article is part of the series, written by Jessie Varnell and Jacob Fraire from Rogers Heritage High School.
As summer heats up, local teens are finding new ways to unwind, stay active, and make their voices heard. From sipping lattes in cozy cafés to rallying around causes that matter, youth culture in Rogers is vibrant, connected and constantly evolving. Whether it's the comforting hum of Onyx Coffee Lab, the packed pickleball courts at Mount Hebron, or the growing push to destigmatize mental health through student-led clubs, Rogers youth are shaping their own culture and community.
Downtown coffee shops Onyx Coffee Lab and Iron Horse Coffee Company provide a comforting atmosphere, allowing teens the opportunity to catch up with each other and relax. Onyx stands out as a favorite, praised for its specialty drinks and aesthetics. However, with high accolades come high prices.
“Onyx is a really nice place where I can hang out with friends. As for pricing, you’re getting what you paid for. It's marked higher because it’s higher quality,” says Renata Calderon, a junior at Heritage High School.
ARTICLE BY JESSIE VARNELL & JACOB FRAIRE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACOB FRAIRE
Despite its aesthetics and top-notch coffee, people find that their prices limit the number of times they can visit.
Another hot spot for youth is the local mall, Pinnacle Hills Promenade. This mall caters to those of all ages, offering an aquarium, a movie theatre, a Dave & Buster’s Arcade, many local shops, and various restaurants. This uptown destination allows teens to have a “day-trip getaway” without going far from home.
Many are looking to stay active and get some sunshine. Over the past year, pickleball surged in popularity, piquing adolescents’ interest across Northwest Arkansas. Containing eight pickleball courts, people visit Mount Hebron to play the sport.
“Mount Hebron provides more activities to do in Rogers," says Brett Williams, an upperclassman at Rogers High School. "Pickleball is a cheap activity that family and friends can all participate in. Now that we’re in the summer season, I can go any time of day with
my friends. We are all able to come together and do something we love."
Along with youth pop culture, hangouts, and shopping trips come more serious and important social matters that many teens are beginning to form opinions about and get involved in activism. One of these matters is mental health, which is considered a taboo topic by many.
A stand-out group amongst the youth of Rogers that tackles this issue is Friends of Rogers. This club has a chapter at both Rogers High School
and Rogers Heritage High School. Their focus is to lower the stigma surrounding mental health and bring more awareness to mental health issues within our current society through awareness walks and fundraisers. This club has also played a large role in uniting the two high schools by allowing both groups to come together and stand for the same cause.
“All year long, Friends of Rogers has been building bridges between both high schools through walks and events dedicated to mental health awareness. What began with Max Delgado’s vision at Rogers High School has now grown across campuses, where Samuel Cline and I brought it to Heritage to keep the momentum going," says Ella Siwiec. "The truth is, mental health doesn’t have a ‘type’—anyone can be going through something, whether you see it or not. We just want to break the stigma, start real conversations, and remind people they’ve got a whole community behind them.”
Passion
Jordan Duran, 11th grade, showcases a variety of homemade cookies.
ARTICLE BY STUDENTS AT ROGERS HIGH
SCHOOL
Meet the teen entrepreneurs of Arkansas running businesses powered by passion, skill, and vision
Into Profit
Rogers City Lifestyle teamed up with local high school journalism students on a series of articles about youth culture, business, and education. This article is part of the series, written by the team at Rogers High School Mountie Spectrum newspaper: Wednesday Bewley, Evelyn Crisostomo, Kenady Enyart, Marcuz Torres, and Adelyn Wright.
In communities across Northwest Arkansas, a new generation of entrepreneurs are transforming the business scene—not with decades of experience, but with youthful determination and high ambitions. From baking sweet treats to launching a self-care business, these teenage entrepreneurs are doing it all.
Driven by creativity and determination, these teens are turning their hobbies into side hustles, and are not only building real-world skills, but also making an impact within their communities.
“I like knowing that I can make something and give them a good smile on their face,” says Jordan Duran, 11th grade. “I didn’t know a lot of people before I started selling and now I have people who are my regulars. It kind of brought me closer to getting to know people and being more out there.”
As these teens are navigating through their own personal journeys and the challenges of running their own businesses, they are learning from their past mistakes and have some advice for those getting ready to start one of their own. To better understand what it takes to succeed from scratch, it’s best to hear from those who have experience and valuable insight.
“Get ready to fall and get right back up,” says Nayhda Aispuro, 10th grade. “Surrounding yourself with others that have similar goals is a great way to keep pushing and stay motivated. Haste, poor judgement and impulsive decisions can often lead to mistakes. We all make mistakes, don’t worry, nor
beat yourself up about it, we just have to take our time and learn from them. Patience and taking the time to plan and execute carefully rather than rushing is key to achieving goals.”
Always have something to fall back on, Duran says. “Also, make sure you have a start plan before you begin your business because when I started out, I didn’t plan and I had no materials. Making sure you have a source of income to make purchases towards your business helps a lot.”
While many may start their business for some extra pocket money here and there, others have bigger dreams of launching their brand into a well-recognized name, venturing far beyond their hometown. For those with high ambitions and a long-term goal, the early hustle is just the foundation of the bigger picture that leads to a booming business.
“My mom and I want to open a little store where people can come in and shop among the vintage and modern-style flowers we sell. We plan on mixing the modern and vintage styles, creating our own unique product,” says Esmeralda Almaraz, 11th grade.
A bouquet designed and created by Timeless Florals, a business run by Esmeralda Almaraz and her mom.
ROGERS NEW TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING YOUNG LEADERS
Leaving a Legacy
ARTICLE BY STUDENTS AT ROGERS NEW TECHNOLOGY
“We won't wait for the world to change, we'll be the ones who change it.
Rogers City Lifestyle teamed up with local high school journalism students on a series of articles about youth culture, business, and education. This article is part of the series, written by students from Rogers New Technology High School.
This year, the Rogers New Technology High School Wolves will become the Rogers Academy of Leadership and Innovation Vanguard. A vanguard—a group that leads the way—embodies a learning environment driven by the core values of leadership, service, and innovation.
Through project-based learning, community engagement, and learner empowerment, Rogers Academy of Leadership and Innovation focuses on developing young leaders. This year will be one of finding balance between the legacy established by learners from the past with the hope, work, and dreams driving the future of education. Whether a legacy of leadership and service, work ethic and drive, or culture and community, Rogers Academy of Leadership and Innovation continues to set the standard for empowering young people to lead and serve in their communities.
THE DAYLIGHT PROJECT BY KATHERINE MCCLAIN AND NATALIA ACOSTA
In our junior year, we co-founded the Daylight Project, a community organization that empowers women across NWA through service, education, and connection. As women interested in predominantly male fields of study, we wanted to increase access to the resources and support necessary to reach their goals. Through this experience, we have learned how meaningful community support can impact others. Through the challenges we’ve faced, like navigating tight deadlines, dealing with last-minute cancellations, coordinating dozens of moving parts, and facing rejection from potential partners, we have learned
that progress comes when we step into the future with purpose and resilience.
These moments taught us resilience and reminded us that real change requires adaptability and persistence. We won’t wait for the world to change, we’ll be the ones who change it, and make a future we’re proud of, for women across the country.
MENTORSHIP BY BRITHNEY GONZALEZ
Learner mentorship at Rogers New Technology is our largest legacy project where we build culture and create leadership opportunities.
Through collaboration, reflection, and adaptation, we innovate and curate the program to our ever-changing learner body. Creating a culture that promotes growth and develops community that extends beyond one 45-minute block on Friday has taken work, and ultimately, has developed true leadership potential and skills for more than just a select few. This is yet another chapter of the legacy of the school, and I am extremely proud of the work that my team has put into making our unique and inclusive culture.
The next generation of leaders for the mentorship program for Rogers Academy of Leadership and Innovation are prepared to continue that legacy by honoring the leaders who came before. I hope they remember to be honest about their experiences, their failures, successes, and flaws. Going forward, I am excited to see how they build off of the legacy I left and create a legacy of their own.
BECOMING THE VANGUARD
These are just two examples of leadership development, both within and outside the walls of our school. Project-based learning isn’t only about teaching the standards or checking off graduation requirements. The goal of facilitating the skills necessary for young people to take an active role in their communities and their worlds is the most important part.
At the top of opposite page, Katherine McClain organizes products from their period product drive that collected over 40,000 products to donate in NWA. Bottom left, mentors hula hoop in competition, building culture by having fun. Bottom right, Katherine
and
host a booth at the Volunteer Drive in order to educate area high schoolers about their nonprofit and ways to get involved.
McClain
Natalia Acosta
CABINETS MADE TO BE SEEN
LIBERTY BELLE THRIFT: Fashion with Purpose
THRIFTED TREASURES WITH HEART, HISTORY, AND A BOLD MISSION
ARTICLE BY MIDORI HOLT
“I’ve always loved secondhand shopping, and my friends always said I have a special eye for pieces.”
— ANNALEE GRAT
Rogers City Lifestyle teamed up with local high school journalism students on a series of articles about youth culture, business, and education. This article is part of the series, written by Midori Holt from School for Advanced Studies, located in Rogers.
As we all know, keeping up with the latest fashion trends can be exhausting. It seems that every time you open social media, there’s a new one floating around, but what if I told you that shopping could be so much easier—and your wardrobe would get a major upgrade at the same time?
Look no further because Liberty Belle Thrift is here for you! It is a small business run by Annalee Grat that’s focused on ending fast fashion one clothing item at a time. Before we can understand her goals as a small business owner, it’s important to take a closer look at the beginnings of Liberty Belle Thrift.
“I’ve always loved secondhand shopping, and my friends always said I have a special eye for pieces,” Annalee says. That’s where the spark began.
About a year and a half ago she started selling clothing through her Instagram. Her main source of clothing was the Goodwill bins—where items are at their final stop before being sent to landfills. At first, she sold mostly to classmates and friends. It wasn’t until March 2024 that her business gained traction, but then a tornado stuck and wrecked her plans of becoming a retailer. With all of Rogers in disarray, she found it hard to continue the business, so it took a backseat to her other priorities.
This year, however, she was given loads of opportunities to use professional equipment and to get help relaunching, so this time she decided to create a brand rather than a simple Instagram account. Thus Liberty Belle Thrift was born.
“The name Liberty Belle Thrift actually comes from my middle name, which is Liberty, and then Belle, which is the French word for beauty,” Annalee explains. It’s a clever play on words, but don’t let the cute name fool you; the journey hasn’t been without struggles. Annalee remarks on how difficult it was to find the motivation to start, knowing it would be a lot to handle.
“Even when I had started, it was just really hard to build my identity with Liberty Belle Thrift,” she says. Most small business owners can relate to the struggle of starting, especially in a competitive market like fashion.
With the rise of consumerism, the need for brandname items has really skyrocketed, but it’s important to remember the value of supporting local businesses as well.
Annalee’s final message to everyone on behalf of Liberty Belle Thrift is simple: shop secondhand.
“Anything you want already exists, and there is no reason to buy another just to clutter the world even more. We have enough clothing on this earth to dress 10 generations, so why on earth would you want to add more to that?” Annalee passionately adds.
Not to mention, older clothing is usually better quality than fast fashion nowadays, so it will last you longer anyway. Plus, who wants to pay egregious amounts for clothes when Annalee is selling them for way cheaper?
I implore everyone to go check out Liberty Belle Thrift’s instagram page, @libertybellethrift, for more information and to find your new favorite outfit. She is currently selling most of her clothing to NWA buyers at pop-ups around town, so keep an eye out for one of those, too.
AUGUST 7TH
Thank A Teacher Celebration
Rogers High School | 8:00 AM
This annual event celebrates local teachers who are making a big difference in the world. The Rogers Lowell Chamber of Commerce organizes the celebration fair and complimentary lunch as an opportunity for local businesses to engage with the district’s educators. This is a great opportunity to present products and services to 1,500+ faculty and staff from the public schools.
AUGUST 14TH
Art on the Bricks Art Walk
Downtown Rogers | 4:30 PM
On the second Thursday of every month, explore pop-up art exhibits by local artists and craftsmen, then stick around for live music from 7–9 p.m. Every month features new artists, exhibits, and venues to explore.
AUGUST 25TH
Ronald McDonald House
Charities Annual Golf 4 A Cause Tournament
Pinnacle Country Club | 8:00 AM
The Ronald McDonald House Charities golf tournament raises essential funds to support families through its growing network of programs. These include the Ronald McDonald House® programs at Washington Regional in Fayetteville, Mercy Fort Smith, and the Ronald McDonald Family Room® programs at Mercy NWA.
