Northwest Arkansas Community College
Northsest Arkansas Community College recently recognized 395 high school students as Rising Scholars for having excelled in college classes at NWACC.
High school students can take NWACC classes on the NWACC campus, through the Early College Experience program, or through the Northwest Technical Institute Secondary Career Center. To receive the award, graduating high school seniors must be enrolled in or have completed at least 12 college credit hours while maintaining a 3.00 or higher NWACC grade point average.
NWACC recognized 395 students as NWACC Rising Scholars in spring 2019:
Bentonville High School: Meagan Atchison, Emily Baskett, Ashley Carlsen, Madison Carroll, Taylor Carter, Pierce Coenen, Gabrielle Collins, Madisyn Dryden, Timothy Farmer, Lauren Flohr, Chase Fogle, Ryley Gamel, Bradford Garnett, Brianne Gehring, Lewis Hamilton, Anthony Hansmann, Annette Harrison, Alyssa Herndon, Jacob Hogate, Reilly Hokanson, Troy Jones, Arjun Kirshna, Noah Kruse, Griffin Langford, Ashlee Lemmons, Bailey Marshall, Evan Matthews, Kealie Mcclain, Samuel McCullar, Chloe Moore, Carson Moore, Destanee Muraida Connell, Collin Oglesby, Faith Pearrow, Kiana Radcliffe, Connor Rivaldo, Madison Shell, Burton Stacy, Matthew Starr, Alexa Stockand, Logan Stucki, Emma Tilmon, Molly Townsend, Davis Wiggins, Meleri York
Bentonville West High School: Kobe Anderson, Madison Barker, Alyvia Brodersen, Duyen Cao, Alexandra Clifton, Sadie Cunningham, Billy Curtis, Amy Dang, Addison Dawson, Amber Doty, Skyler Fredrickson, Jaclyn Hood, Krista Hunt, Bryanna Joiner, Anna Kash, Brandon Krug, Travis Lane, Valeria Loyola, Abigail McCain, Chloe McConnell, Lacey Pettigrew, Nolan Poindexter, Shelby Pruitt, Naeomi Rodriguez, Kacey Sakamoto, Brittany Secrest, Jacob Self, Jaydra Smith
Decatur High School: Jacqueline Hernandez, Samantha Skaggs, Dania Uribe
Don Tyson School of Innovation: Mary Asencio, Marvin Barnett, Jesse Bearden, Kaitlyn Bratti, Alondra Cruz, Dulce Favila, Torin Flanigan, Trevor Gumm, Miguel Hernadez, Marlen Juarez, Tayllor Leach, Kimberly Lopez, Hannah Monk, Cesar Moradel, Dyllon Moss, Dawson Moss, Sandra Pena Palacios, Colton Petty, Maison Phipps, Riley Pittman, Savannah Poulos, Nallely Solis, Madison Taylor
Elkins High School: Allison Coleman, Sophia Hollingsworth, John Kramer, Karsyn Ritchie
Farmington High School: Mary Beard, Mark Dooly, Cristina Gomez, Eric Hill, Felicity Hunt, Julia Knox, Abigail McNutt, Hanna Meadors, Madison Osnes, Emma Patrick, Kaylee Purifoy, Allison Selph, TatumVinyard, Reagan White, Manuel Whitmore, Jaden Wilson
Fayetteville High School: Barret Adams, Audrey Bridgforth, Isabella Couch, Lauren Dowden, Parker Evatt, Amelia Greenwood, Aidan Hodskins, Kylie Jones, Coleman Mallery, Lauren Maritan, Tyler McAnally, Alex McNamee, Trindyn Meadows, Jackson Newman, Jacob Nolen, Avery Olmstead, Sophie Pretzer, Riley Rhodes, Kathryn Ritter, Evelyn Ritter, Jessica Robinson, Abby Rogers, Amber Rowett, Jacob Shaw, Caroline Stites, Emily Terry, Wyatt Vanlandingham
Gentry High School: Matthew Anderson, Makayla Case, Whitly Cochran, Lauren Folger, Ashley Guess, Jaydon Jarnagan, Liliana Navarrette, Stevie Peters, Ayden Smartt, Harley Stanfield
Gravette High School: Hannah Dunlap, Hannah Frakes, Laney Houghton, Kaitlyn Reynolds, Zoe Zimmerman
Greenland High School: Ethan Holte, Erin Morgan, Kole Rector, Hayden Stout
Haas Hall: Caroline Crank
Har-Ber High School: Grace Blackburn, Ethan Carney, Katherine Carranza, Lauren Cloud, Faith Davis, Jade Farmer, Abigail Garrison, Skylar Kreps, Austin Lafferty, Sophia Mangham, Madison Reese, Rachel Ross, Frederick Shanks, Gracie Stephenson, Victoria Sugg, Gabrielle Verucchi, Makenzie White, Sydney Wyler
Heritage High School: Julio Arreaga, Aidan Cantele, Carter Christian, Faith Cornog, Falysha DiBasilio, Morgan DiBasilio, Bethany Evans, Angela Gaucin, Kellie Gurwell, Nathan Hodges Mayra Lara Murillo, Brandon Leavitt, Lilli Martin, Hannah Martin, Oscar Medina, Juan Olvera, Ulysses Ortega, Maria Ortega, Luke Russell, Logan Russell, Aries Sanders, Maybre See, Emily Soden, Chloe Stevens, Emily Terrell, Anna Thiessen, Jacob Zluticky, Nick Zondlak
Home-School Students: Chole Blue, Susana Clayberg, Mackenzie Cook, Kayleen Echegoyen, Anna Hall, Brannon Hood, Mary Hubbard, Lon Keith, Madeline King, Hannah Lawler, Ashton Morgan, Jase Nichol, Josie Nixon, Sarah Richardson, Lilliana Sharum
Life Way Christian: Caden Darby, Conner Floyd, Drew Fowler, Ethan Genser, Maxwell Green, Annie Grisham, Martin Grisham, Natalie Helms, Emma Horton, Nathan Johnson, Ansley Mathews, Rachel Sanders, Anna Smith, Allison Smith, Callie-Lillian Valdez, Benjamin Wallis
Lincoln High School: Haylee White
New Tech High School: Layne Adams, Sinia Aguilar, Moises Albarran, Jazmin Andrade, Cody Beeson, Edgar Canales, Nicholas Chambers, Tessa Chambers, Rosamaria Chapa, Brianna Depner, Karina Escobar, Dmitry Girenko, Madeline Gomez, Elena Gonzalez Gorostieta, Hannah Kriehn, Riley Maxfield, Gensis Osorio, Venkata Panabakam, Darya Pelphrey, Skye Porter, Wren Priest, Katie Roethle, Amy Sandoval, Luke Smith, Sophia Soto, Taylor Voight, Parker Wolf
Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy: Xavier Aguilar, Hunter Bradshaw, Nicholas Coble, Heather Keener, Abby McGarrah, Khloe Pike, Cassandra Porter, Isabella Rowlee, Jacy Schwyhart, Victoria Scrogham, Alyssandra Suddath, Alyssa Taylor, Mackenzie Villa, Nathaniel Wood
Pea Ridge Public School: Kaitlyn Box, Mackenzie France, Adolfo Hernandez, Pedro Hernandez, Anika Holliday, Bailey Johnson, Devin Mathis, Dalton Nesbitt, James Patton, Carson Rhine
PRISM Education Center: David Spielmaker
Rogers High School: Logan Anderson, Jackson Barclay, Georgia Brain, Grace Carroll, Caroline Chumley, Breanna Cornog, Alexander Dunham, Ally Figenskau, Hayes Henagan, Amelia Hewins, Jada Hill, Philip Jackman, James Keith, Kirsten Martin, Charlie Mathews, Brittany Matthews, Kaylan Melvin, Jacob Mounce, Leia Partain, Delaney Pfeffer, Allison Primm, Anna Randels, Cole Reese, Jasmin Reyes, Miranda Rios, Berenice Salazar, Efren Salinas, Mason Sell, Kristen Stalder, Colin Stare, Nathan Tharp, Katelyn Whitham, Michael Willis
Shiloh Christian High School: Summer Beale, Adam Bicak, Alexandra Bottorff, Christopher Bowerman, Kassandra Boyett, Rachel Brooks, Ethan-Mack Brown, Aaron Bruns, Cierra Clayton, Madison Darr, Trey Davis, Matthew Deeds, Madison Demers, Sarah Dilatush, Charlie Dutton, Morgan Evans, Caleb Fink, Katelyn Franzke, Abigail Gearhart, Preston Hall, Jonathan Kearney, Autumn Kennedy, Allison Lee, Kurt Lentine, Faith Lymburner, Travis Mahler, Hattie McDonald, Delaney Price, Karlie Ramsey, Alexis Richards, Carley Rodes, Margaret Rogers, Shea Sandefur, Taylor Brown, Alexa James, John Nygren, Caitlyn Wyrick, Rachel Schneider, Wesley Solomon, Blake Thomson, Kate Turpin, Harrison Williams
Siloam Springs High School: Chase Callahan, Hadley Crenshaw, Alvaro Serrano, Jaelee Snyder, Kacey Soderquist
Springdale High School: Lauren Bench, Jasmine Black, Caitlyn Bunch, Talyn Day, Kinley Farriester, Brooke Fasske, Kenlee Hill, Luis Mejia, Colton Miller, Amyrossita Mota, Esmeralda Nino, Tanner Sargent, Zoe Schmidt, Cole Shockley
West Fork High School: Landry Lichty, Jenna Scott, Rosanna Scott, Cassidy Vanhook
NWACC also recognizes area high schools for their commitment to offering students concurrent enrollment opportunities. To be recognized as an Early College Experience School, 10 percent or more of the students participating in the NWACC Early College Experience program must be recognized as NWACC Rising Scholars. High schools recognized in May 2018 were Bentonville High School, Bentonville West High School, Decatur High School, Don Tyson School of Innovation, Elkins High School, Farmington High School, Fayetteville High School, Gentry High School, Gravette High School, Greenland High School, Har-Ber High School, Heritage High School, Lifeway Christian, New Tech High School, Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy, Pea Ridge High School, PRISM Education Center, Rogers High School, Shiloh Christian High School, Springdale High School and West Fork High School.
Missouri Southern State University
Lauren Sutherland of Fort Smith, Haylee Pyburn of Gentry and Hannah Smithson of Springdale have been inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma chapter of Missouri Southern State University.
Phi Eta Sigma is the oldest and largest freshmen honor society and has more than 375,000 chapters. Full-time, first-year freshman must attain a 3.5 GPA or higher during the fall or spring semester in order to be invited to join. Members have the opportunity to earn honor chords to be worn during commencement.
Missouri Southern State University
The Honors Program at Missouri Southern State University recently welcomed Fletcher McSpadden of Fayetteville, Maria Socha and Alex Wilkerson of Pea Ridge and Kambry Layne Landwehr of Prairie Grove as incoming freshmen to campus for a signing ceremony.
During the April 24 ceremony, the students penned their intent to join the university's Honors Program. They were selected from an applicant pool of more than 110 and represent the best students the area has to offer.
Berry College
Jordan Senn of Bentonville recently earned a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Berry College in Rome, Ga.
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
High School students enrolled in the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith's Western Arkansas Technical Center have been recognized for superior achievement in a special awards ceremony which included the announcement of Outstanding WATC Students, SkillsUSA medalists and Starfish Awards.
The Outstanding WATC Students included students attending classes on the UAFS campus as well as students from the programs offered through a satellite center located on the Waldron High School campus.
The 2019 Outstanding WATC Students are:
Boles: Charley Slagle, Waldron High School, health sciences.
Booneville: Aaron Frost, Booneville High School, welding technology.
Fort Smith: Alma Diaz, Southside High School, early childhood education; Emma Friery, Southside High School, early childhood education; Luke Hinton, Southside High School, information technology; Adella Hosier, Future School of Fort Smith, criminal justice; Amethyst Williams, Future School of Fort Smih, computer graphic technology.
Lavaca: Hannah Stevens, Charleston High School, graphic design.
Van Buren: Patrick Davis, Van Buren High School, automotive technology; Kyler Poor, Van Buren High School, electronics technology.
To be nominated for Outstanding Student awards, students must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average at UAFS, have completed a minimum of one semester, be currently enrolled in the program for which the award is given, be eligible to walk in their high school graduation for the current year, be in good standing with the WATC program, and have demonstrated honesty, integrity and a strong work ethic.
Along with a plaque, outstanding WATC students received a $500 book scholarship to continue their education at UAFS.
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 Christopher Lowman of Alma, Alma High School, and Ethan Owens of Fort Smith, Southside High School.
UAFS and WATC students also won a total of 11 medals, including three gold, in the 2019 Arkansas SkillsUSA Championships.
Awards were given in the secondary and post-secondary division and included gold, silver and bronze medals for first, second and third places.
Winners were:
Boles: Charley Slagle, Waldron High School, silver in Nurse Assisting.
Fort Smith: Joselina Roman, Northside High School, gold in Early Childhood Education; Maria Sanchez, gold in Early Childhood Education
Rudy: Kristina Jameson of Rudy, Alma High School, silver in Early Childhood Education.
Waldron: Evan Akins of Waldron, Waldron High School, bronze in Health Knowledge Bowl (team of four); Mason Day of Waldron, Waldron High School, bronze in Health Knowledge Bowl (team of four); Clayvin Lunsford, Waldron High School, bronze in Health Knowledge Bowl (team of four); Ethan Martin, Waldron High School, bronze in Health Knowledge Bowl (team of four); Gabriela Sandoval, Waldron High School, bronze in Medical Terminology.
In addition to the medals, WATC gold medal winners received a four-year $1,000 scholarship to attend UAFS.
SkillsUSA is a national organization for both high school and college students. The organization is designed to provide quality educational experiences for students enrolled in technical, skilled and service programs.
Presidential Scholars
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the 55th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing Rachel Stall of Clarksville, Arkansas School for Mathematics & Sciences; and Sojas Wagle of Springdale, Har-Ber High School, for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Arkansas State University
The Honors College at Arkansas State University hosted its 10th annual Honors Recognition Ceremony and Reception May 10, in the Cooper Alumni Center.
The ceremony was for 2018-19 graduates from Agriculture; Engineering and Computer Science; Liberal Arts and Communication; and Nursing and Health Professions. The 6 p.m. ceremony is for graduates from the Neil Griffin College of Business; Education and Behavioral Science; Sciences and Mathematics; and Undergraduate Studies.
Those designated Graduating in University Honors have successfully defended an Honors senior thesis, completed a minimum of 24 credit hours in Honors coursework, and are graduating with a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade point average. This distinction is recognized on their diplomas and their formal academic transcripts. These students are also presented with a gold Honors medallion and a certificate in recognition of their accomplishment. Those graduating in University Honors are: Meredith Carvell of Bentonville.
Students 'Graduating in Honors' have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours in Honors coursework and are graduating with a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade point average. This distinction is recognized on their diplomas and their formal academic transcripts. These students are also presented with a silver Honors medallion and a certificate in recognition of their accomplishment. Those graduating in Honors are: Brenden Scott of Magazine.
Those earning an Honors Certificate have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours in Honors coursework and are graduating with a 3.00 or higher cumulative grade point average. These students are presented with a certificate in recognition of their accomplishment. Those earning the Honors Certificate are: Hannah Barr of Fort Smith and Kamri Rogers of Harrison.
Graceland University
Melinda Johns of Centerton has been named to the dean's list for Graceland University's (Lamoni, Iowa) 2019 spring term, with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.64.
East Central University
Bryant Newell of Fayetteville was awarded a bachelor's degree from East Central University in Ada, Okla., during spring commencement ceremonies May 11 in the Kerr Activities Center.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Rhonda Thomas of Berryville, Joyce Hunnicutt of Fayetteville, Felicity Doan of Springdale and Karenne Saylor of Van Buren were recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Unmanned Aerial Systems program hosted its inaugural Drone Day competition recently with flight and build competitions that encouraged creative thinking in this emerging industry. Teams of competitors from Northside, Southside, Van Buren, Siloam Springs and Future School high schools, and Ramsey Junior High School competed in the event.
The UAFS Drone Day event ran in conjunction with International Drone Day, whose roster boasts more than 150 events held May 4, 2019, across more than 50 countries, all with the intent of inspiring enthusiasm for unmanned aerial technology.
The aerial obstacle course required students to fly drones they either built or 3D-printed through a series of vertical and horizontal poles, as well as around mesh tubes and walls. Teams also presented their projects to judges in addition to flying the competition route. Teams were judged on presentation and the ability to navigate the course, as well as the time to completion.
First place winners were:
Anything That Flies presentation: Northside High School
3D-printed presentation: Team Zenith, Siloam Springs High School
Anything That Flies obstacle course: Van Buren High School
3D-printed obstacle course: Team Zenith, Siloam Springs High School
Team Zenith of Siloam Springs High School also earned the overall award after completing the obstacle course with their 3D printed aircraft in an impressive 48 seconds.
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith junior Taylor Wewers has been selected as a prestigious John Paul Hammerschmidt (JPH) fellow by Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3). The fellowship will allow her a unique opportunity to spend the summer fully-immersed in national legislative affairs at Congressman Womack's Washington D.C. office.
The JPH Fellowship, established in 2013 through a partnership between UAFS and Congressman Womack's office, is named for former Arkansas Representative John Paul Hammerschmidt (1966-1993), who passed away on April 1, 2015.
The holistic program highlights the complexities of the U.S. House of Representatives, including conducting extensive legislative research, gaining insight into the budgeting process, attending hearings, monitoring activity on the House floor, and assisting with constituent communications and general office matters, allowing highly-motivated college students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the legislative process first-hand.
Taylor, who is a native of Fort Smith, is pursuing a degree in international business with a double minor in political science and history. She is active in the university community and serves as a member of several organizations, including the Student Government Association, First Bank Corp. Student Leadership Council, First National Bank's Collegiate Ambassadors Board, and Rotaract.
John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellows earn college credit for completing the strict curriculum of legislative tasks throughout the fellowship.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas Little Rock theater major Selena Gordon has performed in musicals, plays, and even national films, but this semester she worked to create a performance of a different kind -- one meant to awaken her audiences' unexpressed emotions.
Gordon spent this semester creating "Wake-up!" -- a performance that uses overbearing sensory aspects, such as lights, sound, and gestures to stir emotions.
Gordon, a Fort Smith native, is a member of the Chancellor's Leadership Corps.
Last fall, Gordon was one of about 100 undergraduates who received up to a $1,000 grant to conduct original research, creative works, and community service projects this semester as part of the Signature Experience Awards program created by Chancellor Andrew Rogerson.
Gordon proposed a project in which she would apply the theories of French dramatist Antonin Artaud, which she studied in Lawrence Smith's Dramatic Criticism and Theory class, to a script she had written. Smith served as Gordon's faculty mentor for the project.
Campbellsville University
A total of 2,592 students received degrees upon completion of all requirements for graduation during the 2018-19 academic year at Campbellsville University (Ky.) during three commencement ceremonies.
There were 2,011 students receiving master's degrees; 255 receiving bachelor degrees and 12 being awarded associate degrees in the May 3 and 4 ceremonies.
Sayed Ahmed Ashfaq of Bella Viista graduated with master of science in information technology management
Chandrakanth Bodanam of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Kashi Budda of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Sai Burugupalli of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Venkata Makineni of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Kruti Patel of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Praveen Pulichintha of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Rajesh Dronavalli of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Namitha Kodi of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Srikanth Kolluri of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Greeshma Matoori of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Samatha Movva of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Balakrishna Paladugu of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
Priyanka Pallapothu of Bentonville graduated with master of science in information technology management
NAN Our Town on 05/16/2019