Three Arkansas born-and-bred sports standouts were honored April 26 at the 2016 Legacy Award Luncheon, an event to raise funds and awareness for Junior Achievement of Arkansas. The event took place in the ballroom of the Doubletree Hotel in Little Rock.
A host of bank professionals, educators and other community leaders gathered to pay homage to former NFL player and Super Bowl XXXI winner Keith Jackson; former Razorback footballer Stephen Jones; and former NBA All-Star Sidney Moncrief.
Sheffield Nelson introduced Jones, chief operating officer and executive vice president for the Dallas Cowboys. Moncrief, managing partner with Moncrief One Team, was introduced by Mack McLarty, while Walter Hussman introduced Jackson, founder of Positive Atmosphere Reaches kids. The presenters are all Legacy Award laureates.
Board chairman Jennifer Ruhlman welcomed guests, and event chairman Phillip Jett spoke. The Franklin Elementary School Choir sang the national anthem.
The group's 2016 Nelson-Summit Award, given to a business providing notable support of Junior Achievement, was presented to Simmons Bank. Representatives Martie North and Rex Nelson spoke on Simmons' behalf. Nelson announced an additional $20,000 donation from the bank, to be shared by Junior Achievement programs in Arkansas and several other states.
Junior Achievement's mission is to prepare youth for economic success.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 05/08/2016