Author: Donnie Sewell

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts lost one of its earliest Hot Springs advocates on Friday with the passing of Helen Selig.

Selig died Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was 84. A memorial mass will be held at St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church in Hot Springs at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, followed by a reception.

Seven students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. recently announced the names of the Finalists for the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The students who are all members of the Class of 2022 will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $3 million that will be offered this spring and summer.

Whether you’re a student seeking an opportunity to explore exciting topics as part of a summer camp or you’re wanting to take selected online courses for credit during summer break to get ahead, the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts is offering two free programs to meet those needs this year.

Serving as a public school counselor can be a very rewarding job. It can also be quite overwhelming at times.

Most counselors are tasked with a wide range of duties: providing academic advising, assisting with college planning, and serving as a front-line mental health worker for students to name a few. Add in the fact that most schools nationwide are understaffed in relation the number of students per counselor and it becomes clear that despite the best efforts of those professionals, some students are likely missing aid they need — academically and mentally.

Sara Brown, Ph.D., director of institutional advancement for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, recently was named a Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International.

The CFRE designation is the only accredited certification for fundraising professionals and is recognized as the global standard for fundraising professionalism. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education and demonstrated fundraising achievement. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a fundraising executive and have agreed to uphold accountability standards and the Donor Bill of Rights. About 7,500 professionals around the world hold the CFRE designation.

The best path to prepare for success at a college or university isn’t the same for every student. One of the most important messages that high school students and their parents should hear is that scholarly development and college admissions are not “one size fits all.”

That’s a message that Bret Vallun, associate dean of college counseling at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, shares with his students. He previously served as a Student Success Coordinator at the school. In his new position, which he started during the summer of 2021, he assists the students through the college application process.

Three high school seniors at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts were among 67 students statewide recently named candidates for the 2022 United States Presidential Scholars program, considered one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts recently recognized educators from across the state with the annual Teacher Impact Award.

The Teacher Impact Award recognizes educators who helped shape and guide incoming students at ASMSA. Students nominated teachers who aided their growth both intellectually and emotionally. There were more than 100 teachers nominated for recognition. Every educator who was nominated received a certificate of recognition. A letter highlighting their recognition also was sent to each educator’s principal.

Several Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students earned recognition at recent regional jazz band and orchestra competitions.

Four members of the ASMSA’s band earned ASBOA Region II All-Region Senior Jazz Band recognition during the regional competition held on Dec. 4 at Lake Hamilton High School in Royal. The students qualified to participate in the All-Region Jazz Clinic which was held Jan. 7-8 at Lakeside High School in Hot Springs and to audition for the All-State Jazz Band on Feb. 4.