AHS Choral Department presents "State Fair"

The AHS Choral Department presents "State Fair" opening Friday, May 2, at 7 P.M. Showtimes continue on Saturday at 3 and 7 P.M., and conclude on Sunday with the final performance at 3 P.M. Tickets cost $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Call ahead to (870)245-8133 or (870)245-8120.

From the cast - 

Katlynn Williams, AHS junior, as Vivian- “I love that moment when we’re on stage and we have the realization of ‘Wow, this is why I love doing this!’ Performing… it’s a beautiful, hectic, wonderful experience and I’m glad to be part of it with such great people!” 

Jessica Cornelius, AHS senior, as Margy Frake- “Being in the musical is amazing! There are so many people who want to do their best to make this play the best it can be and I am honored to work alongside all of them!”

Julie Williams, AHS junior, as Emily Arden- “Everyone involved in the musical is a gifted and dedicated performer and we all love coming together to perform. We are always excited to get started and a little depressed to see it end. We appreciate all the dedication from our director, parents, and friends who have worked tirelessly to make it all come together beautifully!”

Sloan Wayland, AHS junior, as Judge Heppenstahl- “Ain’t no swine finer than Iowa swine!”

Makayla Bird, AHS junior, as Eleanor- “The musical is always a great way to bring the choir closer as a family and every year we laugh and joke and have a good time. I love it and I love everyone involved.”

Kenny Taggard, AHS graduate ('13), as Wayne Frake- “The Arkadelphia choral program is filled with wonderful people and amazing talent. There's so much potential, and I hope they continue to take hold of it.”

Act I

It is late summer 1946 on the Frake family farm in Brunswick, Iowa. The Frakes are preparing to leave for the Iowa State Fair. Father, Abel, is confident his prize boar, Blue Boy, will win a blue ribbon, but neighbor, Dave Miller, isn’t so sure. He makes a $5 bet that something is bound to go wrong for at least one member of the family. Abel accepts the bet. Abel’s wife, Melissa, has her heart set on a blue ribbon for her mincemeat. Son, Wayne, is disappointed that his girlfriend has to stay at home. Daugh­ter, Margy, is feeling down and doesn’t understand why. Her suitor, Harry, pressures her for an answer to his long-standing marriage proposal; she agrees to give him an answer when she returns home.

So it’s off to the Fair. Arriving at the midway, Wayne heads straight for the ring toss where he is hus­tled by the barker. A glamorous woman intercedes on Wayne’s behalf He is smitten before he even gets to know who she is. At the beer tent, Abel and his cronies sit around trading stories about their loved ones. Meanwhile, a young and somewhat world-weary reporter, Pat Gilbert, arrives to cover the Fair. He sets his sights on Margy, who remains aloof until he begins to win her over. Wayne happens by the Starlight Dance Meadow in time to catch the floor show. The star attraction is Emily Arden, the woman he met earlier in the day. Over a beer she tells Wayne she is determined to become a Broadway star. He asks for a date, charming her with his boyish enthusiasm. She agrees, but on her terms.

The next morning, Margy bemoans the life Harry is planning for them. Abel is so excited at the prospect of victory and winning his bet with Dave Miller that he proposes an evening of family fun and dancing.

At the Exhibit Hall that afternoon the pickles and mincemeat are being judged. As it happens, Me­lissa’s mincemeat has been amply spiked, which sends the judges into giggles of delight. She wins the blue ribbon and a special plaque. Pat is on hand to capture the euphoric moment. From a moonlit hill, Wayne and Emily watch the fair below. He has fallen head over heels, but she remains cautious.

At the Starlight Dance Meadow fairgoers gather for a dreamy waltz. Abel and Melissa dance roman­tically, Wayne and Emily arrive with a distinct glow, and Pat and Margy share a first tentative kiss as Harry arrives unexpectedly.

Act II

It is the final day of the Fair. Despite Harry’s presence, Pat and Margy are clearly growing fonder of each other. As Margy rushes off to cheer for Blue Boy, Pat’s friends help him realise he is no longer his old self. Blue Boy is finally declared the winner of the hog-judging competition, and Abel cannot contain his joy.

Pat learns he has landed the Chicago job interview he has been waiting for, but it means catching the next train out of town. Reluctant to leave Margy in the lurch, he races off just as she arrives for their date. The scene shifts to the Starlight Dance Meadow and Emily Arden’s final performance. Both women realise their relationships are in trouble. Later that night Wayne proclaims his love for Emily, but she breaks it off. Back at the family campsite, Abel and Melissa are basking in their victories. Melissa is concerned about the children, but Abel assures her that they have each other. Wayne staggers in having drowned his sorrows. In his stupor, however, his thoughts turn to his girl back home. Under­standingly, Abel helps his son "Walk it off." On the darkened midway Margy is still waiting for Pat. The Fair is almost over, and she realises he is probably not coming. Harry enters, pleading to Margy to accept his proposal. She can’t - she realises she just doesn’t love him.

The Frakes return home. There is a spread in the local newspaper chronicling their adventures at the Fair, written of course by Pat Gilbert without any of them knowing. Dave Miller reminds Abel that the $5 bet hinged on everyone having a good time at the Fair, and whilst Wayne is thrilled to be home and is making big plans with his girlfriend, Margy seems a little low. At that very moment, who should arrive but Pat, out of breath and full of apologies, but he has just landed the job in Chicago and wants Margy to join him there. The lovers rush into each other’s arms as Miller reluctantly hands over the five dollars.

APS News

sean.ruggles@arkadelphiaschools.org


Interested in learning more about the Arkadelphia Public Schools? Find us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, issuu, Vimeo, and YouTube. Graduate to Good Living... We Promise.

Arkadelphia selected as host for Senate and House Committee on Education meeting

Arkadelphia Public Schools was selected by the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet to host the Senate and House Committee on Education joint meeting on Tuesday, May 6. The joint legislative committee, comprised of 40 senators and representatives from across Arkansas, will hear presentations related to national Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs. Beginning at 10 A.M. in Arkadelphia High School’s Little Theater, AHS students will lead a tour of the three STEM-focused programs on their campus, which are New Tech, Project Lead the Way (PLTW), and the Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST) Initiative. AHS was one of the first schools in Arkansas to be actively involved in all three programs, and was one of the first districts chosen by the state to become part of the New Tech Network. Real-world application of learning, critical thinking, problem solving, and the use of modern technology are emphasized in the project-based learning environments of these programs.

“AHS is implementing New Tech, Project Lead the Way and EAST. With these programs, combined with outstanding outreach to the business community, Arkadelphia rightly deserves the ranking in the top 1 percent of the nation's high schools.” 

-Artee Williams, Chair, Gov.'s Workforce Cabinet

“The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet chose Arkadelphia High School as the venue to highlight the success of STEM Works to the General Assembly,” Artee Williams, Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, said. “Under the leadership of their board and administration, Arkadelphia High School is implementing New Tech, Project Lead the Way and EAST. With these programs, combined with outstanding outreach to the business community, Arkadelphia rightly deserves the ranking in the top 1 percent of the nation’s high schools.” 

“We are pleased to host the House and Senate Education Committees in Arkadelphia next week,” Dr. Donnie Whitten, Superintendent of the Arkadelphia Public Schools, said. “Our students have planned an outstanding STEM showcase.”

STEM Works education models are revolutionizing the classroom experience for today’s high school students. Anyone would agree that teamwork and collaboration on projects is an important aspect of the workplace, which is why STEM programs make this a priority in the classroom.

“New Tech has allowed me to learn how to work with others and share responsibility,” Mackenzie Suggs, AHS sophomore and New Tech Ambassador, said. “Because I am learning this in high school, I am better prepared for college and my future career.”

Increased exposure to a variety of cutting-edge technologies is also a primary element of STEM Works. Often, students discover their natural talents and find more opportunities to thoroughly explore their interests in these classes.

“EAST has given me the opportunity to learn new skills with technology,” Rylee Maxwell said. Maxwell, who is also a sophomore and New Tech Ambassador at AHS, said that he has gained valuable experience with professional-grade video equipment, a green screen, and editing tools.

 
“These skills can help me once I get out of high school because I feel like I want to go into the film industry later. EAST has given me the opportunity to see what I want to be when I grow up,” he said.

Critical thinking in hands-on learning scenarios means students go beyond memorizing information. Instead, teachers guide students through a project, which promotes a deeper understanding of the core concepts.

“I have learned how to take the information my teachers provide, and apply it to the problem the project presents. We need to know how to solve problems, not just answer questions on a test.” 

-Mackenzie Suggs, AHS sophomore & New Tech Ambassador

“I have learned how to take the information my teachers provide, and apply it to the problem the project presents. We need to know how to solve problems, not just answer questions on a test,” Suggs said.

Following the student-led tour, the legislative portion of the meeting will begin, during which the committee members will hear presentations from national and state education leaders including Williams, who will deliver an overview of STEM Works. Also on the agenda to present are New Tech Network’s Director of New School Development, Dr. Kristin Cuilla; Program Coordinator from the Arkansas Department of Career Educations for PLTW, Tim Johnston; President and CEO of EAST Initiative, Matt Dozier; and the Director of Arkansas Department of Higher Education, Shane Broadway. The agenda concludes with the presentation of the Arkansas Digital Learning Study from Dr. Ed Franklin, Chair of the Quality Digital Learning Study Committee.

The meeting is open to the public. 


APS News

sean.ruggles@arkadelphiaschools.org


Interested in learning more about the Arkadelphia Public Schools? Find us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, issuu, Vimeo, and YouTube. Graduate to Good Living... We Promise.

AHS Quiz Bowl team advances to state championship

The AHS Quiz Bowl team will compete for its third state title on live television on Saturday, April 26, at 1:30 P.M.

The Arkadelphia High School Quiz Bowl team will compete for its third state title on live television on Saturday, April 26, at 1:30 P.M. AETN will broadcast the state finals from their Conway studio where Arkadelphia will face Maumelle High School for the 4A championship in what head coach Steve Patterson said should be a “very evenly matched” contest.

“What it will boil down to will be which team positions themselves best for the different categories of questions,” team captain and AHS senior Noah McMillion said.

A quiz bowl match consists of four rounds where a team of four players competes against one opposing team to answer questions in a competition similar to Jeopardy. The questions are categorized by subjects, which range from entertainment and pop-culture, to Greek mythology and quantum physics.

“The questions are made up of material included in the Arkansas frameworks,” Patterson said, meaning that any senior-level Arkansas high school student should be able to answer the questions since the information is contained within the state department’s curriculum frameworks.

Of the four rounds of play, the first and fourth are “toss-up” rounds with 20 questions. The individual team member who sounds his or her buzzer first must answer that question. In rounds two and three, team members may confer with each other before answering.

“Most teams have one person who is their star and answers most of their questions,” Patterson said, “but we have several strong players."

Twelve players fill a team’s roster, and once regional play begins, a team must continue to use the same 12 players through state-level competition. AHS’s roster includes four seniors: Dalton Huerkamp, Seth Daniell, Devan Moses, and McMillion. Daniell and McMillion were named to this year’s all tournament team. Sierra Westberg, Julie Williams, Matt Savage, Tyler Sanders, Kaleb Reid, Chase Masters, Johnathan Miles and Race Craft complete the 12-player team, which, according to Patterson, “Shares a variety of backgrounds and personal talents which contribute to their knowledge of different subject areas.”

“We are really good with fine arts and physics,” Patterson said. “But the team members all have a diverse knowledge-base, and they compliment each other well.”

Teamwork is a critical aspect of the game, but remaining unaffected by the pressure of being put on the spot in front of peers and judges present the biggest challenge aside from actually answering challenging questions correctly.

“[In Quiz Bowl], you can't be bothered by being on the spot and potentially making mistakes in front of others. That will be a little harder on live TV.”

-Noah McMillion, AHS senior and Quiz Bowl team captain

“Enjoying working together is more important than anything,” McMillion said of the team’s chemistry, “but you also can’t be bothered by being on the spot and potentially making mistakes in front of others. That will be a little harder on live TV.”

Where some extracurricular activities may teach a concept that can benefit a student with classroom work, such as a volleyball player developing a strong work ethic that she can apply to doing homework; quiz bowl reinforces, or even increases, actual classroom learning.

“We constantly find ourselves in a quiz bowl competition answering questions from something we just covered in class, or,” McMillion said, “we hear something in class and think ‘that’s likely to come up later [in a competition]’.”

Just as athletes often go beyond what is asked of them during practice or strength training, AHS’s quiz bowlers are putting in extra effort.

“We all go out of our way to study topics on our own,” McMillion said, “out of a personal interest in the subject, as well as being a better quiz bowl player.”

Team members cited their experience in band, G.T. classes, and personal reading as the top contributors to their understanding of the more unusual topics. 

“I’m very proud of this year’s team,” Patterson said. “We are very excited to represent AHS.”

Saturday’s other finals include Benton versus Greenwood in 6A, Morrilton versus Watson Chapel in 5A, Episcopal Collegiate versus Fountain Lake in 3A, Cedar Ridge versus Hazen in 2A, and Haas Hall versus Lisa Academy in 1A.

APS News

sean.ruggles@arkadelphiaschools.org


Interested in learning more about the Arkadelphia Public Schools? Find us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, issuu, Vimeo, and YouTube. Graduate to Good Living... We Promise.

AHS ranks in top 1 percent of nation's high schools

AHS ranks in the top 1 percent of high schools in the nation, and No. 4 in Arkansas, as seen on the image above which was taken from The Washington Post's story. 

Arkadelphia High School was recently ranked in the top 1 percent of the nation’s high schools, and No. 4 in Arkansas by the Washington Post. Earlier this month, the Washington Post published the annual High School Challenge Index, which rates the nation’s high schools in terms of each school’s academic rigor. According to the article’s author, Jay Mathews, “The Challenge Index is designed to identify schools that have done the best job in persuading average students to take college-level courses and tests.”

“It is outstanding for AHS to be recognized in this manner,” Donnie Whitten, Superintendent at the Arkadelphia Public Schools, said. “We are proud of our faculty, staff and administration for their hard work and dedication to excellence.”

“We are proud of our faculty, staff and administration for their hard work and dedication to excellence.”

-Donnie Whitten, APS Superintendent

Whitten continued, saying “AHS’s rankings as No. 213 in the nation and No. 4 in Arkansas demonstrate a commitment to challenging our students with the most rigorous curriculum possible.”

AP, or Advanced Placement, classes are college-level classes offered to high school students in a wide variety of subjects. If a student scores high enough on the AP exam, then they can earn college credit for that subject. The curriculum of these classes offers students challenging course work and an example of the increased demands of college classes. In 2012-13, AHS administered 561 AP exams to 199 students, 34 percent of AHS’s enrollment. All core subject-area teachers at AHS are Pre-AP or AP certified and, during the 2013-14 school year, AHS offered 11 AP classes in subjects such as Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Government, Biology and Literature. AHS also offers AP tests in two additional classes where teachers mentor students who excel in specific, advanced subjects.

“The most important aspect of the AP curriculum is to challenge these students early so that they are better prepared for college,” David Maxwell, AHS Principal, said.  

College retention rates of AHS graduates reinforce the claim that exposing a greater number of high school students to more rigorous curriculum does increase their chances of success after graduating high school.

“The freshman to sophomore college retention rate for AHS graduates is 15 percent better than that of the national average,” Maxwell said. “Our kids can afford to stay in college because of the Arkadelphia Promise, and just as importantly, can make the grades to stay in college because of the education we’ve made available to them.”

“The freshman to sophomore college retention rate for AHS graduates is 15 percent better than that of the national average. Our kids can afford to stay in college because of the Arkadelphia Promise, and just as importantly, can make the grades to stay in college because of the education we've made available to them.”

-David Maxwell, AHS Principal

“Our students wouldn’t be able to achieve at this high of a level without the tireless effort of the AHS faculty and the support of our community. It is truly a blessing to be part of a community so dedicated to academics and education,” Maxwell said.

To calculate the Challenge Index for the Washington Post’s rankings, Mathews divides the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other college-level tests a school administered by the number of graduating seniors. The article states that, while not a measure of the overall quality of the school, the rating can reveal the level of a high school’s commitment to preparing average students for college.

“I designed the list to identify the schools working hardest to challenge average students with Advanced Placement tests, good preparation for both college and the workplace. This is in contrast to the usual ranking of schools by test score averages, which is more of an indication of how affluent the parents are than of how good the school is,” Mathews said.

“I decided not to count passing rates in this way because I found that many high schools kept those rates artificially high by allowing only top students to take the courses. AP… [is] important because they give average students a chance to experience the trauma of heavy college reading lists and long, analytical college examinations. Research has found that even low-performing students who scored a two on an AP test did significantly better in college than similar students who did not take AP,” Mathews said.

APS News

sean.ruggles@arkadelphiaschools.org


Interested in learning more about the Arkadelphia Public Schools? Find us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, issuu, Vimeo, and YouTube. Graduate to Good Living... We Promise.

Kindergarten Registration

2014-15 kindergarten registration begins Monday, April 7!

2014-15 kindergarten registration will begin Monday, April 7, and continue through Friday, April 11. Students who will be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2014, and will be attending Arkadelphia Schools should register. Please bring the child’s birth record, shot record, and social security card to Perritt Primary between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. any day that week. At registration you will be given an appointment for your child’s state required screenings to be provided free of charge at Perritt on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

APS News
sean.ruggles@arkadelphiaschools.org


Interested in learning more about the Arkadelphia Public Schools? Find us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, issuu, Vimeo, and YouTube. Graduate to Good Living... We Promise.

27th annual "Just Say No" Walk coming soon!

Perritt Primary's 27th annual "Just Say No!" Walk is Friday, April 11, 2014.

Head Badger Football Coach J.R. Eldridge will be the featured speaker at the rally which begins at 9 A.M. at Perritt Primary School. After the rally, Arkadelphia Police and Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson will lead the parade of students, staff, family & community members to Cornerstone Baptist Church at the intersection of Walnut and 26th streets, where refreshments will be provided by the Farm Bureau Ladies Group.

Perritt's Nickelodeon Choir, AHS's No-Smokemon, Cheerleaders, Barney the Badger, Jazzlers, Jazz Band, HSU Step Dancers, and others will also speak and perform.

Please make plans to be part of this year's event and help teach our community's children the importance of living drug-free.

Perritt Primary School serves PreK-1st grade students in Clark County, Arkansas - Home of the Arkadelphia Promise.


APS News
sean.ruggles@arkadelphiaschools.org


Interested in learning more about the Arkadelphia Public Schools? Find us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, issuu, Vimeo, and YouTube. Graduate to Good Living... We Promise.