With the days of summer drawing to a close, there is an all-too familiar anticipation growing. The start of school triggers different emotions for everyone, but hopes are high for the upcoming academic year. … Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all said we are ready to “get back to normal.” But what is “normal?” What will the 2021-2022 school experience be like for our students and teachers? … These Texarkana Superintendents explained their views of the educational excellence in our community and shared their hopes for the days ahead:
Jonathan Weaver, Associate Director at ESPN … Jonathan’s Emmy’s… … 2018 Sports Emmy Award for “Outstanding Sports News/Feature Anthology” for “E:60” Associate Director … 2020 Sports Emmy Award for “Outstanding Studio Show-Daily” for “SportCenter” Associate Director … 2020 Sports Emmy Award for “Outstanding Technical Team Studio” for “College GameDay” Associate Director … Jonathan Weaver grew up in Texarkana and is a 2007 graduate of Pleasant Grove High School.
Choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions you make for your child. A very reasonable fear many parents have is the transition a child makes from the gentle world of home to a large, busy schooling environment. Fortunately, we are blessed in Texarkana with wonderful options, making this transition easier. A smaller campus is a good option for some families because they are often more conducive to individual care while still achieving excellent academic outcomes. When a child has access to a smaller school environment, some find that in education, bigger is not always better!
Coming into the Miss America Organization as a first-time local title holder, I thought I knew who I was and who I was meant to be. When I graduated college in 2019, I was set on becoming an MD/PhD. I had a 519 on the MCAT, the right resume, the right volunteer service and the right credentials. But something was missing. I was ready to begin a ten-year journey into medicine, and I felt purposeless.
When I think about my Miss Arkansas experience, I think about dreaming big, finding my voice, exhibiting resilience, building friendships, and cherishing family.
Hello! My name is Melody Stotts, and I hold the title of Miss Southwest Arkansas 2020. I never pictured myself as a pageant girl. I grew up following the Miss Arkansas Competition with my mom. We enjoyed watching the talent portion the most, especially the vocalists.
If you would have asked fourth grade Izzy where she saw herself in five or ten years, I can assure you the Miss Arkansas stage would not have been among the answers. I remember from my childhood, the young women who walked the stage were poised, polished and put together, and as a child I was the purest form of “tom-boy” a young girl could be.
Jarrion Lawson, Olympic Track and Field Athlete … Getting his start at Liberty Eylau High School, sprinter and long jumper, Jarrion Lawson placed third in the men’s long jump at the 2012 World Junior Championships. Competing for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, he won five individual NCAA championship titles and one relay title between 2014 and 2016. Lawson turned professional after the 2016 collegiate season and signed an endorsement deal with ASICS.
What do Albert Einstein, Sammy Sosa, Dave Matthews, Henry Kissinger, Martina Navratilova, Alex Trebek, Mila Kunis and Jackie Chan all have in common? … The answer is, they were all born in other countries and immigrated to the United States. Their contributions to academia, education, sports, music and television have made them household names and the idols of the generations that follow them.