Author: Donnie Sewell

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts has been designated as a charter member of the National Speech and Debate Association.

The achievement is the highest honor the organization offers. Schools earn the designation in the organization’s Honor Society through outstanding participation over the past three years by students and educators in activities such as speech and debate competition, community service and leadership activities.

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts recognized the winners of the West Central Regional Science Fair during an awards ceremony held on Feb. 24 in the Creativity and Innovation Complex on campus.

Shreyam Tripathi, a senior from Conway, won first place overall for his project in the Medicine and Health Sciences category. Sydney Hammond, a senior from Conway, won second place overall for her Environmental Science project while Charlotte Boehme, a senior from Little Rock, finished third overall for her Plant Science project.

The three overall winners were awarded a trip to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair to be held May 14-19 in Dallas, Texas. The event is the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition. More than 1,800 high school students from around the world are expected to compete for nearly $6 million in awards during the Regeneron ISEF.

Two Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students have earned recognition in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards regional competition with one advancing to the national competition.

Michaela Stevens, a junior from Hot Springs, received a Regional Golden Key for her poem “expired film” in the writing competition. Recipients of Golden Keys advance to the national competition, which will announce award winners on March 22.

Gwen Oliver, a junior from Jonesboro, received a Regional Silver Key for her mixed-media artwork “Simplistic.”

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts announced a $100,000 grant from the Oaklawn Foundation during a ceremony Thursday held on the school’s campus.

The grant was dedicated for the Selig Hall Auditorium as part of a $5.5 million restoration of the former St. Joseph Hospital convent and chapel complex, which was completed in September 2022, converting the spaces into additional residential housing for students, a campus mental health hub with offices for professional counseling staff, a new student union and an auditorium. The renovated facility is named in honor of former Hot Springs Mayor Helen Selig, who was among the earliest and most vocal proponents of bringing the school to the city.

Rising sophomores throughout Arkansas are invited to apply for Summer At ASMSA, a weeklong free residential summer camp at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts in downtown Hot Springs.

Summer At ASMSA participants will spend a week exploring a variety of exciting and fun topics. Campers will participate in hands-on session during the day, enjoy a variety of fun activities in the evenings and live in the Student Center during the week.

Summer At ASMSA will be held Sunday, June 11, through Saturday, June 17, 2023. Each of the camps is free with no costs for tuition, meals or housing. Campers are selected through a competitive application process. Priority application deadline is April 10, 2023.

Upon arriving at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts as a sophomore, Rose Brown began seeking for ways to get more involved in the world of science. This year, the senior from Donaldson found a special opportunity to do so.

Brown is participating in the Our Future is Science Scholar Program. Our Future Is Science is a joint program between the Aspen Institute and Coda Societies that aims to position societally-minded youth as leaders and innovators who will push science forward in the 21^st century.

The Scholar Program brings together teens from across the country through a series of talks and interactions with diverse experts in science, social justice and career development. The goal is to introduce the Scholars to new perspectives and ideas about STEAM disciplines and their interactions with social justice.

Twenty-one students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts received honors at the Region 2 All-Region Band auditions held Jan. 21 at Lake Hamilton High School in Pearcy.

The students who earned recognition include:

• Eliana Adamos, a senior from Harrison, 1st Band, 5th Chair, Flute;
• Grace Adams, a junior from Lamar, 2nd Band, 11th Chair, Flute;
• Shea Stabila, a junior from Pangburn, 1st Band, 6th Chair, Flute;
• Zephyr Smith, a senior from Hot Springs, 1st Band, 2nd Chair, Flute;
• Haley Tripp, a senior from Nashville, 1st Band, 3rd Chair, Flute;
• Chilong Vang, a senior from Lincoln, 1st Band, 15th Chair, Clarinet;
• Emily Xiong, a junior from White Hall, 2nd Band, 7th Chair, Clarinet;
• Kenlee Motley, a senior from Hot Springs, 1st Band, 2nd Chair, Bassoon;
• Dem Dixon, a senior from Hot Springs, 2nd Band, 1st Chair, Alto Saxophone;
• Carter Horton, a junior from Conway, 2nd Band, 3rd Chair, Alto Saxophone;
• Kacie Koen, a senior from Benton, 1st Band, 3rd Chair, Tenor Saxophone;
• Quade Martin, a junior from Vilonia, 2nd Band, 1st Chair, Baritone Saxophone;
• Alex Back, a junior from Benton, 1st Band, 7th Chair, Horn in F;
• Courtland Callis, a senior from Alexander, 1st Band, 3rd Chair, Horn in F;
• Gwen Oliver, a junior from Jonesboro, 1st Band, 8th Chair, Horn in F;
• Quinn Corp, a junior from Charelston, 2nd Band, 1st Chair, Trombone;
• Chelsea Nwankwo, a senior from Alexander, 2nd Band, 6th Chair, Tuba;
• Landon Samples, a junior from White Hall, 1st Band, 5th Chair, Tuba;
• Drew Johnson, a senior from Crossett, 2nd Band, 2nd Chair, Percussion;
• Trent "Ivy" Monroe, a junior from Conway, 2nd Band, 6th Chair, Percussion; and
• Elizabeth Show, a junior from Bismarck, 2nd Band, 10th Chair, Percussion.

Giving back to his community through service is nothing new for Matt Brown, a member of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Class of 2000.

As an attorney, Brown has served as coach for Conway High School’s mock trial team and worked with youth in the Faulkner County Teen Court. He was a member of the Conway Planning Commission, helping guide the city’s growth. He’s also served as a Justice of the Peace on the Faulkner County Quorum Court.

Recently he added the title of state representative to his list of accomplishments, becoming a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, representing District 55, which includes a large portion of Conway. He was officially sworn in during a ceremony on Jan. 9.