Author: Donnie Sewell

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra recently debuted a new work by Dr. Thomas Dempster, a music instructor at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts.

Members of the ASO performed “Canticle of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini” during the March 1 River Rhapsodies concert at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. The series presents collections of chamber pieces that demonstrate the versatility of the performers beyond the orchestral stage. The piece was composed for a septet consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola and cello, Dempster said.

Four Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students have been chosen to participate in  the 2022 Governor’s Young Artist Exhibit.

The Governor’s Young Artist Exhibit features works by Arkansas high school students who entered the Governor’s Young Artist Competition. Students’ works selected for recognition in the competition will be on exhibit at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in April. Almost 300 pieces were entered in the competition, and around 60 were selected for the exhibition. An awards reception at the Governor’s Mansion is set for April 23.

Alyx Allred, a senior at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, won a $3,000 scholarship in the Thea Foundation Scholarship Competition.

Allred placed seventh in the Creative Writing category for her short story “Universal List” and received the Rebsamen Fund Scholarship. The theme of this year’s competition was “Reflection/Refraction.” Thea Foundation awarded $219,000 in scholarships to 36 students in five categories: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Film and Fashion.

Several Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students earned recognition at the 2022 FBLA District IV Spring Conference and advancing to the upcoming state competition.

The district conference was held on Feb. 2 at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope/Texarkana in Hope. Students who placed in the top six of their event qualified to compete at the state FBLA conference that will be held April 4-5 in Little Rock.

Several Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students recently earned recognition from the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association.

Seven students placed in the ASBOA Region II All-Region Concert Band on Jan. 22 at Lake Hamilton High School in Royal. It was the second year in a row where every ASMSA student musician who auditioned for the band earned a place in the Region II All-Region Concert Band.

Three Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students earned a trip to the 2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair after being named overall winners in the annual West Central Regional Science Fair recently held at the school.

Senior Abby Berger of Jonesboro won first place overall in the regional science fair competition hosted by ASMSA on Feb. 24-25 followed by senior Claire Green of North Little Rock in second place overall and senior Danielle Luyet of Conway in third place. The students are eligible to compete in the 2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair that will be held in Atlanta in May.

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.