Ashdown High School Senior Perspective
As the valedictorian of the Class of 2023 at Ashdown High School, I could not express my gratitude for all the opportunities offered at Ashdown Public Schools. Being a member of many clubs, organizations, and aspects at AHS changed my life forever. At the beginning of high school, I would have never imagined all the opportunities I would be presented with. From the countless skills I developed to the many friends I made, I could not say any of it was possible without AHS.
Some of the opportunities presented to me were medical classes, SkillsUSA, multiple concurrent classes, National Honor Society, many different types of AP classes, Beta Club, student council positions, and being a part of the Purple Pride Marching Band.
These opportunities allowed for many skill sets to develop over time. Certain clubs, such as SkillsUSA, allowed for many opportunities to be presented to me due to my leadership skill set. I have competed at the state competition for SkillsUSA for three years, and the preparation given to me by Ashdown High School allowed me to place in the top three each year. Because of this, I have been to the SkillsUSA national competition two years in a row and have placed in the top 10 in the nation both times.
Another opportunity to provide many meaningful friendships and leadership skill sets is being a Purple Pride Marching Band member. During my high school career, I have been involved in the PPMB for all four years and have been in a leadership position for three years. I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am to be a part of the Purple Pride Marching Band. The PPMB provided me many different opportunities, such as competing at local and state competitions, meeting some of my forever friends, and gaining a sense of pride for our Ashdown community.
Ashdown High School's medical classes changed my life. From these classes, students learn many different things about the medical world, such as anatomy, medical terminology, psychology, healthcare foundations, and the world of pharmacy technicians. Due to these classes, I became interested in the medical world and was chosen to attend MASH, where I learned about the many different types of medical positions and the ins and outs of a hospital. I even participated in a mock trauma scenario where I got to go to the top of the hospital and see the helicopter land. This opportunity piqued my interest in the medical field, and I am currently deciding whether to go into the medical or business worlds because of the many opportunities provided by Ashdown Public Schools.
Through all of these opportunities, Ashdown was there every step of the way, from the amazing teachers to the community's support. I am eternally grateful to Ashdown Public Schools for providing these opportunities that truly changed my life and the friendships and relationships that came about because of Ashdown Public Schools. Go Panthers!
