School News

Courtesy photo Students at Greenwood High School and Charleston High School were able to showcase May 8 the knowledge they've gained through concurrent credit robotics courses from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith when they programmed a robot to serve coffee from a Keurig coffee maker. The students programmed the robots to open the Keurig, grab a K-Cup, place it in the Keurig and start the brewing process. After the coffee brewed the robot took the coffee and poured it into a separate cup. The students are taking the robotics courses regional workforce grants from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to help train students for emerging workfore needs.
Courtesy photo Students at Greenwood High School and Charleston High School were able to showcase May 8 the knowledge they've gained through concurrent credit robotics courses from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith when they programmed a robot to serve coffee from a Keurig coffee maker. The students programmed the robots to open the Keurig, grab a K-Cup, place it in the Keurig and start the brewing process. After the coffee brewed the robot took the coffee and poured it into a separate cup. The students are taking the robotics courses regional workforce grants from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to help train students for emerging workfore needs.

UAFS skills

Students attending the Western Arkansas Technical Center at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith have been recognized for superior achievement in a special awards ceremony which included the announcement of outstanding students, director's honor roll, SkillsUSA gold star members and Starfish awards.

To be nominated for outstanding student awards, students must have a minimum of 3.00 cumulative grade point and have demonstrated honesty, integrity and a strong work ethic. Along with a plaque, each outstanding WATC students received a $500 book scholarship to continue their education at UAFS.

The Outstanding WATC Students included students attending classes on the UAFS campus as well as students from the programs offered by WATC in a satellite center located on the Waldron High School campus in Waldron. The 2017 Outstanding WATC Students are: Joseph Harwood of Van Buren, automotive technology; July Parish of Mansfield, computer graphic technology; Kyle Self of Southside High School, Fort Smith, computer engineering; Ryan Waldrop of Van Buren, Alma High School, criminal justice; Kaitlyn Finch of Van Buren, early childhood education; Haley Gilstrap of Alma, electronics technology; Peyton Parker of Van Buren, graphic design; Shayla Smithson of Lavaca, health sciences; Ruthie Reyman of Waldron, health sciences; and Andrew Rogers of Van Buren, welding technology.

WATC Starfish awards were presented to students who went above and beyond expectations, exuded passion for the WATC program and helping peers succeed, and demonstrated exemplary leadership skills. Two Starfish Awards, along with a $500 book scholarship to UAFS, were presented to Rachael Keomany of Fort Smith, Northside High School; and Shariesa Feimster of Huntington, Mansfield High School.

WATC Director's Honor Roll Awards were presented to 89 students who exhibited outstanding academic achievement with a grade point average higher than 3.75.

Students receiving the director's honor roll Award were: Haley Gilstrap, Thomas Long and Ryley Parker of Alma High School; Haley Petty of Van Buren High School; Allison Rogers of Alma High School; Adrianna Mott and Jesse Scott of Booneville High School; Johnathon Singleton of Charleston High School; Sidney Bieker of Greenwood High School; Makayla Carter of Hackett High School; Hector Figueroa, Erica Guzman, Tykia Johnson, Rachael Keomany, Callie Lasiter, Aleah Reves and Jennifer Souvandy, all of Northside High School, Fort Smith; Madeline Burgin, Tanner Coleman, Zechariah Fingerhut, Linsey Franklin, Kenleigh Godwin, Faith Greenfield, Emily Johnston, Micah Murdock, Katie Ogdon, Payton Oxford, Daniela Reyes, Jennifer Reyes, Briley Rosamond, Kyle Self, Marissa Stevens, Tori Taylor, Alesha Thach and Tyce Yarborough, all of Southside High School, Fort Smith; Ward Breeden, Madison Franks, Madison Oelke, Destiny Strozier, Michaiah Tompkins, Kyler Tracy and Zoe Leonard, all of Greenwood High School; Britnee Null, Whitney Silva, and Stacy Spalding, all of Hackett High School; Kara Chronister, Shariesa Feimster, Eden Jones, July Parish and Bailey Walker, all of Mansfield High School; Shayla Smithson of Lavaca High School; Nicholas Marrone of Van Buren High School; Smart Vang, Mackenzie Conney and Zachery Goodlin, all of County Line High School in Branch; Danielle Randolph of Waldron High School; Valerie Nguyen of Scranton High School; Jacob Burton, Abigail Crelia, Brandon Cross, Jacob Evans, Katelyn Evans, Kaitlyn Finch, Carter Freeze, Tayler Glover, Joseph Harwood, Dawson Love, Brayden Moore, Kai Mortensen, Logan Osman, Chandler Petray, Andrew Rogers and Peyton Weege, all of Van Buren High School; Daisy Akins, Lori Gallup, Emily Haga, Hannah Hale, Cameron Harris, James Hayden, Adora Kiatoukaysy, Lucas McCullough, Alexie Mortimore, Ruthie Reyman, Madison Riddle, Adrianna Slater, Elizabeth Soisouvanh, Tori Staggs and Zerek Stewart, all of Waldron High School.

SkillsUSA gold star members are students who earned more than 25 participation points throughout the school year. Students collected point by attending SkillsUSA functions and volunteering in the community. These students earn $300 book scholarships to UAFS. Recipients include Brandon Cross of Van Buren; Laichia Moua of Cecil, County Line High School; Jesus Mejia of Waldron; Alesha Thach of Southside High School, Fort Smith; Abigail Welborn of Van Buren; and Smart Vang of Paris, County Line High School.

Additionally, scholarships were awarded to WATC students who placed first in the recently completed Arkansas SkillsUSA leadership and skills conference and "Early Step" scholarships were given to selected high school juniors, allowing them to enroll in English composition during the summer term.

UAFS surgical technology

BreAnna Grady of Huntington, a student at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, received the first-ever Daniel Castleberry memorial student scholarship at a workshop of the Arkansas State Assembly of Surgical Technologists.

The scholarship was open to any student currently enrolled in a surgical technology program in Arkansas. The requirements for the scholarship included an application, membership in the Association of Surgical Technology (AST) and a 500-word essay, titled "What I Enjoy the Most About Scrubbing."

Full Sail University

Samantha Reed received her bachelor of science degree May 5 from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., with a degree in game development. She was recipient of four directors awards: programming 2, project and portfolio 1, applied human computer interaction and computer networks. She also received the perfect attendance award, the advanced achievement award and was named valedictorian of her class.

Reed is a 2015 graduate of the Arkansas Arts Academy in Rogers. She is the daughter Stephenie and Tommy Reed of Rogers.

Louisiana State University

The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge conferred doctor of veterinary dedicine degrees to several local students during the 41st annual veterinary medicine commencement exercises May 8.

Alexandra Estha Lee Canfield of Fayetteville will join a small animal practice in Elgin, Texas; Aubren Briana Cabe, of Greenwood will join a small animal practice in Little Rock.

Henderson State University

Spring commencement ceremonies were held May 12 at Henderson State University. Local graduates include:

Ryssa May of Avoca, graduate degree; Robert Humphries II of Everton; Joseph McClung of Fayetteville, graduate; Christen Million of Fayettevile; Elizabeth Burton of Fort Smith, graduate; Brandon Huber of Fort Smith, Michael McMahen of Fort Smith, Parker Milam of Fort Smith; Colton Holland of Garfield; Kevin Kaeser of Harrison, graduate; Caleb Williams of Harrsion; Miranda Dubberly of Huntsville: Alyssa Huber, Kimberly Beard, Chloe Brown, Alli Clayton, Brittany Jones, Dylan McNiel and Lynlee Russell, all of Paris; Amy House of Van Buren, graduate; Josiah Bradley Burns of Van Buren.

The New School

Four seventh-graders at The New School in Fayetteville qualified for the Duke University talent identification program, which identifies students with exceptional academic abilities. Jennings Hix, Lucas Kellar, Julian Sanker and Jaya Sharma won state recognition. TIP tudents take the ACT or SAT college entrance exams, with those who scored well provided additional resources and opportunities designed for accelerated students. The program evaluates score levels to benchmark grades against the national percentile rankings for high school juniors and seniors. Kellar achieved a score above the 90th percentile ranking and will be honored with grand recognition at the national ceremony in Durham, N.C.

NAN Our Town on 05/25/2017

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