Center offering technology funds
School districts in LeFlore, Sequoyah, Latimer and Haskell counties can apply for classroom grants as funds are available from the Pervasive Parenting Center to assist with purchasing supplies for their special education classrooms. The Pervasive Parenting Center is a nonprofit organization that launched in January 2014 to help families in eastern Oklahoma find resources available for people diagnosed with autism and other disabilities.
The center recently donated more than $600 to Panama and Pocola schools. The Panama school used the funds to purchase a document camera to help with visual learners, as well as the visually impaired. They also bought a new printer for the special education classroom. Pocola school used the funding to help purchase weighted blankets for their classrooms.
To date, the center has donated more than $2,000 in grants throughout eastern Oklahoma.
Visit www.pervasiveparentingcenter.org or contact Kodey Toney at (918) 658-5076 or ktoney@pervasiveparentingcenter.org for information.
Tribe offering education tours, grants
The Cherokee Nation will accept grant applications for its spring education tours from Monday through March 23. The sponsored tours provide an exclusive look at the Cherokee Nation’s rich history and culture. Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism awards the grants in the spring and fall to elementary public schools within the tribe’s 14-county jurisdiction. Grants are available for grades third through sixth, and funding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Special rates also are available for seventh through 12th grade and college students.
Complimentary curriculum is provided to schools that receive the grant and is available to teachers upon registration. Curriculum includes a teacher’s guide to prepare students for the education tour as well as a student activity.
Visit www.VisitCherokeeNation.com to apply. Call (918) 384-7787 for information.
UAFS to hold drone course
The Center for Business and Professional Development at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will host a three-week test preparation course for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 test to become a commercial operator of unmanned aerial aircraft, more commonly known as drones. The courses will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings and 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday mornings, with classes starting Feb. 13 and ending March 1. The course fee is $359 per person. A separate $150 fee is required to take the FAA Part 107 exam.
Contact Dave Robertson, director of the Center for Business and Professional Development, at dave.robertson@uafs.edu or 788-7799 for information.
CHAMPS applications being accepted
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest Regional Campus is accepting applications from students who will be entering eighth, ninth or 10th grades and are interested in exploring careers in health care for its one-week intensive Community Health Applied in Medical Public Service (CHAMPS) programs. UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, 1125 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville, will host a CHAMPS program during spring break, March 19-23, and a second session June 4-8.
During the CHAMPS program, students will participate in hands-on activities including dissection, casting/suturing, CPR training and more. Students visit with health professionals in family and internal medicine, nursing, pharmacology, laboratory sciences, physical/occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, radiology, radiation therapy, kinesiology and ophthalmology to learn more about these professions. Additionally, students will visit Northwest Arkansas Community College, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and John Brown University to learn about college entrance requirements, support programs and the various pathways to a medical education and a health care career.
There is no cost for students accepted to the program. The deadline for applications is Feb. 16 for the spring break program and May 11 for the summer program.
Visit http://regionalprograms.uams.edu/regional-centers/uams-northwest/recruitment/champs or www.arkansashealthcareers.com to apply. Contact Ana Sanchez, UAMS Northwest pre-health professions recruiter, at (479) 684-5177 or apsanchez@uams.edu for information.
ACT prep classes available
Registration is open for Cherokee Nation Foundation’s spring ACT prep classes. The six-week course is offered to juniors and seniors in Sallisaw and Fort Gibson. The program is offered for free to citizens of any federally recognized tribe and costs $150 for nonnative students. Preference is given to Cherokee Nation citizens.
Classes will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Carl Albert State College Back building, Room 8127, 1601 S Opdyke St. in Sallisaw. Dates for the class are Feb. 27, March 6, 13 and 27 and April 3 and 10. The pre-test will be held from 8-11:45 a.m. Feb. 24. The mid-test will be held from 8-11:45 a.m. March 17. The National ACT exam will be given April 14.
Visit www.cherokeenationfoundation.org or call (918) 207-0950 to apply or for information. Enrollment deadline is Feb. 21.
Tribal art competition accepting entries
Native American youth are eligible to participate in the 2018 Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition and Show scheduled for April 7 through May 5. All artists must be citizens of a federally recognized tribe, in grades 6-12, and are limited to one entry per person. There is no fee to participate in the competition.
Entries will be received from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 29 at Cherokee Nation Businesses, 950 Main Pkwy. in Tahlequah. All submissions must include an entry form attached to the artwork, an artist agreement form and a copy of the artist’s CDIB card or tribal card.
A reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. April 6 at the Cherokee Heritage Center, 21192 S. Keeler Drive in Park Hill, in conjunction with the 47th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show. Winning artwork selected from the Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition will remain on display throughout the duration of the Trail of Tears Art Show.
Visit www.CherokeeArtMarket.com for applications and complete rules. Contact Deborah Fritts at (918) 384-6990 or cherokeeartmarket@cnent.com for information.
All-American program seeks nominations
The Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods recognizes the 12 best high school anglers in the nation and is accepting nominations through Feb. 16. The program is designed to reward young athletes for their performance in tournaments, leadership in their communities and involvement in conservation efforts.
To be considered, a student must be nominated by a parent, coach, teacher or other school official. Students currently enrolled in grades 10 through 12 with a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible.
Visit Bassmaster.com/allamerican for information or to submit nominations.
CASC online ranked No. 5
BestColleges.com has named Carl Albert State College as one of the best online community college for 2018. Over 600 community colleges offer online programs, and CASC has been ranked No. 5.
The information posted at BestColleges.com says, “At CASC’s virtual college, students have access to flexible and affordable education. CASC offers both degree and certificate programs, and students take courses delivered both asynchronously and synchronously.”
Contact Sarah Brown, CASC coordinator for the virtual campus, at (918) 647-1471 or sbrown@carlalabert.edu for information.
ATU, Mexican university join forces
Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and Universidad Tecnologica de Matamoros of Mexico have entered into an agreement that establishes a formal education partnership between the two universities, according to a recent news release from ATU. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president, and Dr. Gloria Ivett Bermea Vázquez, rector for UTM.
The memorandum will allow the schools to share resources where possible, collaborate on solutions economic, business, government and academic challenges and develop and maintain communication.
Names of note
Several area students were recently named to the dean's list for the Fall 2017 semester by Harding University in Searcy including Rachel Banks and Isaac House, both of Alma; James Libby of Booneville; Bethany Brown, Raissa Ames, Alize Boatright, Alexander Keller, Rachel James, Chantel Ceaser, Ashton Spencer, Nadia Nelson and Chelsie Jones, all of Fort Smith; Sarah Robbins, Logan Hollinsaid, Anna McCoy, Kelsie Dye and Jacob George, all of Greenwood; Christian Mendez of Lavaca; Hollee Phelps and Connor Purvis, both of Mena; Jessa Heavin of Paris; and Sarah Fouts, Timothy Smither and Jennifer Balcom, all of Van Buren.
Jayde Flake and Anna Vincent, both of Fort Smith, were recently named to the dean's honor roll for the Fall 2017 semester by the University of Central Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.
Several area students were recently named to the dean's list for the Fall 2017 semester by Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia including Megan Humphrey of Barling; Tamra Hudson of Cove; Dustie Cummings of Fort Smith; Carrie Craver of Grannis; RebaFaye McLellan of Hatfield; Elizabeth Baker, Michelle Cox, Jamie Grasman, Jerusha Tedder, Breuniece Turner and Adrianna Wolfenbarger, all of Mena; and Clarke Henson, Allison Thoennes and Simon Tursky, all of Van Buren.
Several area students were recently named to the president's list for the Fall 2017 semester by Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia including Olivia Faught of Alma, Cheyenne Bell of Cove, Kara Richardson of Grannis, Jeffrey Brannam of Lamar, Tara Davis of Mena, Devangi Patel of Van Buren, Alyssa Duncan of Waldron and Candace Ford of Wickes.
Nigel Spears of Fort Smith was one of two University of Arkansas at Little Rock students selected to attend the Southern States Communication Association's 28th annual Theodore Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference. The conference will be held April 4-8 in Nashville and provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to present and discuss their research with faculty and fellow students, as well as explore graduate study opportunities. Spears's research topic was "African American Men vs. Society: How We Feel About Protesting."
Timothy Guest of Mena recently graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.
Several students were named to the second quarter honor roll by Alma Middle School including Madyson Barber, Gavin Biggerstaff, Brooke Bowlin, Kassidy Brasher, Mason Bray, Stephen Brister, Branson Brogan, Ethan Burris, Rachel Callahan, Jackson Daily, Jacob DeSanto, Gabriel Dietz, Caleb Downs, Madison Downs, Miranda Gibson, Tayla Gil, Carlos Gonzalez, Journey Harris, Abigail Hayden, Katelynn House, Eliza Johnson, Taylor Jones, Mason Lewis, Ashley Maxey, Malia McGill, Jackson McMurray, Lillian Medlock, Jaxon Moore, Kenedy Myers, Julia Nutt, Ian Rhoads, Haley Riddle, Phallyn Roberts, Billie Rose, Alexander Scrimsher, Zoey Shook, Holly Smith, Aryan Tapia, Zoe Thrift, Whitney Watson, Destanie Adkins, Bryson Arellanes, Kate-Lynn Byron, Alondra Cerda, Josiah Daniels, Hannah Dooly, Caden Farris, Angela Foulk, Sharon Frizell, Rylee Gregory, Simon Hamblin, Kaylee Henry, Tatum Hesson, Dalen Hutchinson, Paisley Jackson, Haylee Jordan, Olivia Kimes, Madeline Lanich, Marti Lineberry, Matthew McCarver, Cooper Myers, Conner Newton, Kaige Ocasio, Olivia Parker, Brittney Pennington, Genesis Ramirez, Layden Richardson, Alyssah Seratt, Andrew Alexander, Madolyn Armstrong, Caleb Evenson, Summer Flippin, Reese Flynn, Kaylee Gilmore, Tyler Gribbin-Riley, Haynes Jennings, Hunter Johnston, Paige Jones, Maddoux Judkins, Alexia Julian, Zachary Millsap, Amity Oliver, Shamia Pippen, Addison Quinlivan, Katherine Railey, Alexis Rayburn, Carmen Recinos, Bailey Sims, Kelsey Smith, Drake Stogsdill, Autumn Tate, Christian Tweedy, Ethan Waits, Hunter Anderson, Charles Bowen III, Maici Burden, Breanna Carter, Sydney Davis, Emma Edwards, Tiala Edwards, Julie Guth, Ashley Harper, Devyn Hurston, Briar Lovell, Zachary Martin, Ryan McKown, Tristan Mullis, JR Neighbors, Haylee Ratliff, Taylee Reeves, Rachel Revell, Brianna Roberts, Daye Shelby, Riley Weaver, Destiny Wheeler, Kaydence Williams, Jacob Owens, Lilli Anderson, Sydney Boblett, Tyson Castleberry, Dyllan Chukes, Andrew Cureton, Ella Dickey, Katy Hampton, Makinley McCartt, Madelyn McCuan, Natalia Moore, Hayden Mourney, Kylie Poole, Marcelino Rodriguez Jr., Connor Shirley, Kilie Whitney, Mali Williams, Brooklyn Ahumada, Madyson Click, Julian Davila, Colin Dewater, Paul Eubanks, Coleman Fletcher, Logan Grazier, Sydnee Jordan, Kamryn Kelley, Wesley Limbocker, Taylor Maclachlan, Jacob Moore, Autumn Reed, Kaitlyn Reese, Hudson Reeves, Declan Saunders, Alisha Seratt, Aidan Wiley, Gabriel Wilkinson, Haydn Bednar, Lexus Bush, Cory Cook, Aaron Edwards, Kaylee Edwards, Destiny Fondren, Katiria Gonzalez, Colby Kimmons, Kayden Lamb, Nickolas Lanich, Raylee Lindsey, Mary Maroney, Alexander Ocasio, Chance Oliver, Samuel Rice, Hannah Seal, Joshua Wagley, Jonathan White Jr., Koda Winchester, William Wingfield, Nikolas Baker, Hunter Bowles, Denver Kelly, Destiny Kidd, JR Kilgore, Keegan Newton, Jessica Speer, Christian Sullivan, Trenton Thompson, Savannah Tucker, Japheth Barnhill, Allison Garcia, Alexie Holt, Draden Keech, Nevaeh King, Zane Lewis, Seth McCullar, Ayden Mills, Francisco Recinos Jr., Christopher Salazar, Evan Sanderson, Coby Small, Elizabeth Welch, Andrew Wilson, Loyalty Wright, Sarah Banks, Carter Bates, Noah Downs, Daniel Dyer, Taylor Greer, Faithlynn Hargis, Jocelyn Harless, Derek Hatcher, Magalie Higgins, Rachel James, Noah Likens, Lydia Mann, Jael Nunez, Mariah Osburn, Madison Parker, Emmalyne Pointer, Sherman Reed, Kaitlyn Sampley, Dharma Sanders, Emmalee Scowden, Teresa Serrano, Axl Spain, Savannah Thomas, Katelyn Valdez, Grantland Allen, Sydney Atha, Damon Carter, Samantha Crook, Emalie Griffin, Evan Hewitt, Jordan Johnson, Jarrett Joslin, Katherine Major, Clayton McCoy, Emma Moore, Kelsey Morris, Olivia Reed, Reagan Birchfield, Demetrio Cerda, Dillon Flanagan, Emily Hatley, Lane Higgins, Anna Howard, Kaitlyn Kelley, Nathan Machen, Aiden Mackay, Baleigh McCabe, Madelynn Scowden, Magen Sharp, Avery Slates, Abigail Smith, Neal Swarnes, Kaleb Taylor, E.J. Thompson Jr., Miguel Araujo-Zavala, Dominic Bailey, Lamond Baird, Emma Bullard, Michael Carson, Johnathan Carter, Mick Clawson, Daisy Doyel, Patrick Engelke, Tanner Gil, Kiersten Goss, Kelsea Lloyd, Blake Matheny, Bryson McCaslin, Amelia Nichols, Lily Patino, Brant Peppas, Yancy Rainwater, Trinity Rhodes, Emma Robinson, Kaden Thomas, Trinity Transue, Parker Tudor, Jackson Wright, Laila Boyd, Ryan Carter, Madison Harrison, Brady Noyes, Ashley White, Jenna Williams, Derek Bailey, Rowan Butcher, Emily Carter, Makia Cravey, Jimmy Dyer, Jaydah Easter, Eli Jerrell, Powell Leverett, Logan McKay, Kaylynn McKinney, Zachary Miller, Raylie Morgan, Caden Nesbitt, Madalynne Painter, Ian Pledger, Dawson Shelby, Skyler Smith, Liam Stidham, Kadence Stone, Kalie Lewis, Tyler Riddle, Matthew Schlegel, Presli Taylor, Lucas Allen, William Blades, Zoey Brown, Sonja Burnett, David Cater, Brendon Cottrell, Saige Dye, Cole Evenson, Kadence Kious, Annmarie McCallister, Serenity Smith, Mathugh Whitaker, Makinzie Erwin, Logan Evans, Chadwick Hurlburt, Carley Jones, Zoe Piaquadio, Hailee Tash, Macybeth Tobler, Draven Breshears, Ranger Brumley, Isabella Carbonia, Trinton Dickey, Joshua Gulley, Sophie Hebert, Mitchell Irons, Jacob Jones, Thomas Landers Jr., Darcy Lingo, Austin Maxwell, Noah McClanahan, Shooter Owens, Colton Pate, Adam Patton, Tristan Shipp, Dayanara Torrez, Raquel Carcamo, Halena Dugger, Kaden Hodge-Vickers, Logan Jackson, Ethan Kizziar, Joshua Bennett, Sky Bennett, Ethan Burrows, Madison Buskirk, Colten Davis, Damian Diffee, Alex Dirling, Gage Fitzgerald, Brandon Garner, Michael King, Lincon Medlock, Shawn Rankins, Elijah Rodgers, Bailey Spears, Dakota Stallings, Kaitlin Tanner, Tyler Transue, Jacob Ward, Lexus Williams, Mason Brown, Collin Williams, Rashaud Abdul-Khaliq, Ashlyn Fuchs, EllaRhea Gardner, Kymber Johnson, Brianna Langston, Brian Moses, Landon Moses, Debra Sindle, Jaiden Steele, Ashton Ajuria, Teagen Carlile, Chase Cherry, Bryar Coody, Aden D'Amico, Hero Dahlem, Danny Ehrhardt, Ava Fondren, Caleb Hathaway, Hannah Hinds, Jasmine Johnson, Vincent Lato, Cheralyn Mahony, Alexa Morse, Ryan Revell, Vickie Sims, Olivia Spencer, Calvin Stephens, Brook Stephenson, Carly Toney, Toby Turner, Gene Alexander, Samantha Baker, Gracee Bright, Blaine Chambers, Alexis Chatman, Megan Christensen, Lucas Hayes, Kenley Henry, Haley Jackson, Rebekah McIntosh, Jillian Mills, Madisyn Ming, Janessa Morgan, Ryan Morris, Tommy Poole, Shivam Raja, Annabeth Sanderson, Rylee Smith, Emma Wilbanks, Cara Willmon, Jacob Christie, Isaac Heard, Brian Leonard Jr., Kylee Lineberry, Zeke Nichols, Gentry Sneed, Madeline Williams, Madelyn Adair, Taylor Barrett, Halyn Carmack, Jaelynn Dean, Henry Dray, Meagan Nichols, Kayleigh Roller, Dakota Sharpe, Shaylin Waldrop, Nyobe Adeshina, Benjamin Bugaj, Caden Gifford, Kade Goodnight, Addison Graham, KaNise Henderson, Justice Lincks, Madeline Major, Kaitlyn McAllister, Hagen Moore, Kaitlyn Moore, Conlee Morgason, Shelbi Pennington, Maci Robins, McKenzie Butler, Camryn Floyd, Kalei Hargis, Kaslyn Hatton, Ian Holland, Daniel Howard, Phoebe Lowrimore, Makenzie Martin, Niah Parks, Taelynn Perry, Colton Shirley, Katie-Olivia Spears, Ethan Thrift, Riley Vann, Brilee White, Emely Zarate, Jasmine Alexander, Landon Barber, Kristopher Campbell, Tara Denton, Jacob Fraley, Cruz Gonzalez, Tristan Goodson, Christina Hall, Thomas Hillis, Thomas Jackson, Brandy Ketcherside, Chloe Lewis, Bryson Mayes, Mara McLaughlan, Dalton Sims, Colby Thomas, Jayda Vanourny, Gracelyn Williams, Colton Wormke, Eric Dover, Alyssa Holdcraft, Rhyanna Jacks, Zane Lunsford, McKenzie Rushing, Tyson Shepherd, Cooper Balkman, Autumn Becker, Melody Cooper, Abagail Klass, Chandler O'Kelley, Rex Robins, Pyper Stephens, Jada Williams, Raylea Willis, Drake Beckford, Blake Breese, Landon Burkhart, Dylan Cluck, Lane Gates, Hunter McAlister, Judson Parker, Colby Perkins, Samantha Pixley, Hunter Prescott, Elizabeth Shores, Kathryn Thrift, Kelton Allison, Sara Brumley, Drew Daniel, Dalton Davis, Tate Driggs, Jasmine Dufresne, Aurora Porter, Jr Rasmussen, Laura Riley, Shaylee Valdez, Levi Wiebke, Levi Burkhart, Erin Coulter, Brianna Eubanks, Stewart George, Dayton Hopp, Conner Stacy, Zoe Taylor, Nykollus Dyke, Wyatt Fletcher, Anthony Garcia, Victoria Guth, Katey Harrower, Landon Hill, Kristen Lindley, Martina McGhee, Emily McKown, Lendsay Morris, Aaron Pardue, Brooklyn Reed, Erin Roberts, Andrew Shook, Kevin Sill, Tyler Williams, Justin Chenault, Joshua Lane, Betsy Reynolds, Victoria Berry, Tiana Blythe, Christian Carpenter, Kolton Cowan, Katelynn Hoover, Kevin Mills, Dillon Mitchell, III Moore, Trentin Sanderson, Alyssa Stanley-Phelps, Jose Valencia, Andrew Villines, Madison Williams, Charlee Ball, Cheyenne Hallmark, Alexander Hughes, Gavin Hughes, Alexxis Johnston, Piper Jones, Kayleigh Lingo, Isabell Martinez, Dylan Mormile, Logan Mundy, Adrienne Pound, Devin Reed, Christa Shaddon, Amanda Shores, Isaiah Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Hallee Turner and Shantae Wallace.
David Flores of Van Buren was named to the dean's honor roll for the Fall 2017 semester by Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan.
Asher Ellis recently won the Immaculate Conception Catholic School geography bee for the second year in a row. Carson Lane won the school's spelling bee.
Kristen Sharp was recently crowned Miss Ozark Highlands 2018 at the 22nd scholarship pageant at the Clarksville High School Fine Arts Center in Clarksville. She also received the physical fitness and interview awards. She is the daughter of Warren and Tawana Sharp of Van Buren. The Miss competition first runner-up winner was Isabella Catron, daughter of Dr. Kyle and Melissa Catron of Van Buren. The Miss competition community service award winner was Kaelyn Church, daughter of Robert and Kim Neal and Todd Church of Cedarville.
Callie Pixley was crowned Miss Ozark Highlands Outstanding Teen 2018 and received the physical fitness and audience appeal awards. She is the daughter of Kevin and Lisa Pixley of Van Buren. The Outstanding Teen competition first runner-up was Gabriella Collins, daughter of Michael and Deann Collins of Fort Smith.
Sharp and Pixley will represent Johnson, Franklin, Logan, Newton, Pope, Yell, Boone, Conway, Crawford, Boone and Sebastian counties at the Miss Arkansas pageant in June in Little Rock.
Scholarships
The Degen Foundation, 7000 Chad Colley Blvd. in Fort Smith, recently awarded 23 scholarships totaling $25,500 to assist area students working toward a degree in various medical fields.
Sarah Aclin of Fort Smith and Kaitlin Butler of Muldrow each received $500 awards.
Miranda Butler of Muldrow; Ashley Campbell, Hannah Clemons, Olivia Davis, Haley Chance, Claire Pinter, Hope Durham, Amber Morgan, Bailey Whittington and Rachel Wingfield, all of Fort Smith; Mallory Heft of Charleston; Breckin Horton of Spiro; Kylie Johnson of Alma; Hannah Spandle of Greenwood; Katie Steiner of Sallisaw; and Madison Stoudt of Lavaca all received $1,000 awards.
Melissa Chick and Jill Morphew, both of Greenwood, and Brandy Weidman and Elise Harpenau of Fort Smith all received $1,500 awards.
Shelby Nolte of Fort Smith received a $2,500 award.
Applications for the first cycle of 2018 scholarships will be accepted through March 30. Visit www.thedegenfoundation.org for information or to apply.
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