Prom 2026 will be themed “The Great Gatsby: A Night in the Roaring Twenties” and will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8:00–11:00 PM at the Arkadelphia Recreation Center. Tickets are available online for all juniors and seniors, and juniors or seniors may invite a sophomore guest. The evening will include games, prizes, refreshments, and the crowning of Prom King and Queen. Ticket prices are $25 in February, $30 in March, and $35 in April, and donations to the prom fund are welcomed to help make the event even more special. Students are encouraged to purchase tickets early and prepare for a memorable night of celebration.

Our school celebrated counselors Mrs. Shalonda Johnson and Ms. Elizabeth Morris with baskets of their favorite treats and heartfelt notes from students sharing the impact they have made on their lives and education. One student shared that “Mrs. Johnson is helpful and supportive — she knows what students need to be successful and helps them understand how to achieve it,” while another described Ms. Morris as “one of the most selfless people I know… she helps students, faculty, and staff with their mental health.” We are grateful for these outstanding counselors and the care, guidance, and encouragement they provide each day.

Future Ready Live provided students with an inside look at the growing field of manufacturing, featuring Mick Handloser from Siplast. He outlined the steps for moving from high school to a high-earning career in our region, emphasizing both technical skills and the mindset needed for success. Students gained a clear roadmap for future opportunities. This amazing experience was made possible through the leadership and partnership of the Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce and Siplast, whose investment continues to create meaningful opportunities for our students.

The Arkadelphia Promise announced Lyndi Greenwich as the December Teacher of the Month. Mrs. Greenwich, an Algebra I teacher, has made a strong impact on students’ math skills and their confidence both inside and outside the classroom. She has also served as a leader and mentor, supporting her colleagues and the math department team. This recognition honors teachers who demonstrate excellence, passion for student success, and dedication to the profession—qualities Mrs. Greenwich consistently displays. She received a cash award made possible by the late Janice Stanford’s generous legacy donation to the Arkadelphia Promise Foundation. Congratulations to Mrs. Greenwich, and thank you for your commitment to academic excellence.

Eight Badger Football seniors signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Under the leadership of Coach Trey Schucker, the football program celebrated this outstanding group of student-athletes and their hard work. Cameron Archer, Amari Ford, Blake Moody, and Xzavion Williams signed with Arkansas Baptist College; Kasey Pye, Orion Roberts, and Grant Rollins signed with Arkansas Tech University; and Kelton Wilson signed with Ouachita Baptist University. We are proud of these seniors and congratulate them on this exciting next step.

Students once again had the opportunity to participate in the Pinnacle School of Real Estate Pre-License course, which prepares them to take the real estate exam upon completion. This year, Crye Leike Pro Elite Realty offered the course free of charge, with local owner Kim Byrd providing instruction. Students meet monthly in Mrs. Cloninger’s class and work toward completing 60 hours of instruction this spring. We are grateful to Crye Leike Real Estate for investing in our students and supporting their future career goals.

Students earned national recognition for their leadership and service. Our chapter was named one of 100 schools nationwide in the Entrepreneurship Month Support Local Business Campaign and one of more than 1,000 chapters to earn the Service Season Badge. These accomplishments highlighted their commitment to supporting local businesses and serving the community, while gaining recognition at the national level.

FBLA members made an impressive showing at the District IV Spring Conference, with 35 students competing in 27 events and 27 members qualifying for the State Leadership Conference in 20 events. The chapter also earned 1st Place for Largest Chapter Membership and 3rd Place for Largest Chapter Membership Market Share. Students earning top honors included Kaden Bryant, Kyla Crow, and Brinnya Davis (1st, Entrepreneurship); Raena Wheeler (1st, Hospitality & Event Planning); Spirit Golden, Kentayvon Green, and Aeva Waddell (1st, Intro to Business Presentation); Chloe Gray (1st, Intro to Social Media Strategy); Isabel Clark (2nd, Advanced Accounting); Dani Thomason (2nd, Healthcare Administration); Sophia Clark and Carsyn Vaughan (2nd, Public Service Announcement); Brylee Russey (2nd, Public Speaking); Zoey Windham (2nd, Visual Design); Trace Young (2nd, Who’s Who); Kaeley Pope (3rd, Intro to Business Concepts); Karington Beene (4th, Intro to Retail and Merchandising); Nevaeh West (4th, Intro to Supply Chain Management); James Bautista, Caelan Davis, and Caden Whitaker (4th, Marketing); Kalyn Garrett (5th, Advertising); Izzy Morris (5th, Intro to FBLA); Amarianna Thrower (5th, Intro to Marketing Concepts); Maqai Beasley (5th, Intro to Public Speaking); Bre’Yonna Brown (6th, Intro to Information Technology); and Gerren Williams (6th, Real Estate). We are proud of the dedication and leadership shown by every member as they prepared for the State Leadership Conference this spring.

The Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an Agriculture Education and FFA Open House at the Agricultural Education facility, welcoming community members to tour the agri shop and learn more about the program. Guests had the opportunity to see student work, explore the space, and hear about the impact of Agricultural Education. We appreciate the Chamber for organizing the event and thank everyone who attended and continues to support our schools and FFA program. The strong community involvement reminds us how fortunate we are to have such dedicated support.

Students in Ms. Judith Davis’ class honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through research and creative expression. They identified five of Dr. King’s core characteristics and displayed them on a “Dream Tree” while reflecting on the meaning of the MLK holiday. Students also presented reports on his life and leadership and wore shirts featuring one of his powerful quotes. Their thoughtful work showed respect for Dr. King’s legacy and a strong understanding of the values he championed.