BATESVILLE — While some baseball and softball all-stars across the state are finishing up their seasons on the field this summer, Ben Stone, an upcoming sophomore at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, has completed his first year of college as a different kind of all-star.
Stone, 19, was named the college’s Academic All-Star for the 2013-2014 school year, a title that will earn him a $500 scholarship, along with the opportunity to represent the college at the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges’ annual conference in October.
Stone said he initially chose UACCB because he wanted to save money and live at home in Cave City.
“I wasn’t really ready financially to go to a big school, and I wanted to make sure I was completely and totally ready to go out on my own,” Stone said.
During his first year at the community college, Stone was involved with two clubs.
“I was a senator for the Student Government Association, and I’m going to be president next semester,” Stone said.
He was also a member of Circle K International, a collegiate and university community-service, leadership-development and friendship organization with more than 12,600 members in 17 nations, according to the organization’s website.
Stone said he enjoyed his first year at UACCB and looks forward to his sophomore year because of the faculty and staff at the college.
“The faculty and staff always are looking for ways to help their students,” Stone said. “They find a way to communicate with you.”
Stone has a grade-point average of 3.9, but when he’s not studying, he said, he enjoys music and movies.
“I like to watch classic black-and-white movies,” Stone said.
Stone said he also likes to sing and play guitar in his spare time, and he does a little photography, but reading takes up a lot of his time.
“Reading is one of my biggest hobbies,” Stone said. “I read as much as I can.”
When he finishes his sophomore year at UACCB, Stone said, he plans to continue his education.
“I’m always down for more education,” Stone said. “I want to get as much education as I can. I love learning.”
Another hobby Stone has taken up is videography, which will also play a role in the career he plans to pursue — broadcast journalism.
Stone is looking to earn a bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville or Arkansas State University-Jonesboro.
Staff writer Lisa Burnett can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or lburnett@arkansasonline.com.