September 23, 2019  |  Board of Education Recognitions

Superintendent’s Star Award Winners

Valeria Barillas is a shining 5^th grader at Spradling Elementary. Her constant smile, positive attitude and willingness to help anyone in need makes her a student who everyone wants to be around. She is a role model for younger students and a leader among her classmates. She is the daughter of Oscar Cuchillia and Roxana Cuchilla Barillas.

Amaya Brewer who is a 5^th grader, is a bright light in the hallways at Euper Lane Elementary. She is always smiling, helping others, and reading her favorite books. Amaya is a hard-working student who is focused on her learning. She is helpful to her classmates and shows everyone what it means to be a Euper Lane Eagle! She is the daughter of Charles and Stephanie Brewer. 

Perla Cartagena is a shining 6th grade STAR at Carnall Elementary. She is a very strong leader, great helper, and role model. Perla leads the way by giving her best effort every day in and out of the classroom. She is a strong reader, writer, and mathematician. In addition, she is a valuable member COLT News team, Safety Patrols and the Green House team. She is also the morning DJ, and she helps new and younger students in many ways. She puts the EXTRA in Extraordinary! She is the daughter of Manuela Sanchez and Juan Cartagena.

Anthony Chansyna is a remarkable fifth grader at Howard Elementary who is a role model for his classmates. His second-grade teacher stated, “The year I had Anthony, he had a family member dealing with serious health issues. He had the best disposition and spirit through all of it. Anthony is always willing to help out anyone in need.” This Star student is also the defending 2018-19 Howard Spelling Bee champion. He uses his academic talent to tutor kids who struggle in math and science. He is an excellent example of a Growth Mindset and a natural choice as a Superintendent's Star Student. He is the son of Phouthachak Chansyna. 

Camden Danciu, in the first few weeks of his fourth^-grade year at Morrison Elementary School, has quickly proven to be a quiet leader. Other students follow his outstanding examples of hard work, fantastic behavior and respectful and kind manner. Camden thinks ahead and is always quick to share ideas and willing to help. His work is thorough and demonstrates just how much he values his learning. He is consistently demonstrating the values we prioritize at Morrison- safe, respectful, responsible and kind. He is the son of Jonathan Danciu.

Kayla DePaz is a sixth-grader at Bonneville Elementary who demonstrates a positive attitude every day. She always has a smile, a kind word, or encouragement to share with others. She is a student who you can rely on to help with others. She will do whatever is needed-when it is needed. Kayla's classmates describe her as person who can always make them laugh. She brightens everyone's day! She is the daughter of Carlos Manzano and Noi Rasavong.

Hayden Eckelhoff is a remarkable sixth-grade Star Student from Cook Elementary. Hayden has great attendance, completes all assignments, has a strong sense of who he is, and easily leads others to be the best they can be. He is eager to learn new things, he is thoughtful and always sets a positive tone and he has a terrific   sense of humor. Teachers can count on him to step up when they need someone to rely on! He is the son of Troy and Melissa Eckelhoff.

Adelaide Fink is one of Ms. Gooch’s second graders at Woods Elementary. At the beginning of the school year Addie visited Woods Assistant Principal Marna Boltuc, and asked if she could start a reading program called “Patriot Page Turners.” With this idea that she got from a book, Addie came up with a competition to help motivate all students to participate, and with her infectious charm and character, she described the program in a speech she prepared for the entire school. Woods is very proud of this young emerging leader. She is the daughter of Tyler and Sara Fink.

Kha'Madri Goodwin’s teachers, past and present, agree that she is one of the most helpful fifth-grade students at Trusty Elementary School. She is very polite and respectful to everyone around her. She makes sure her work is complete and she encourage others. She is a model of positive attitude, academic achievement, work ethic, and social success. She has been selected as one of only 14 fifth and sixth-grade girls who will participate in the Royal Jewels leadership program. She is the daughter of Aquayah Malone. 

Mrs. Williams, Khylie Hilburn’s, fifth-grade teacher at Sutton Elementary School, has been bragging about Khylie this year. She is always respectful to staff and students. She works very hard to be the best student she can be, and she is always willing to help. She is a bright and shining star and an outstanding choice as Sutton’s September Superintendent's STAR student. She is the daughter of Brian and Ashely Hilburn.

Student Recognitions  

2018-2019 Ramsey Quiz Bowl Team

We are proud to recognize the 2018-2019 Ramsey Junior High Quiz Bowl Team for their outstanding performance in the 2019 Arkansas and National Quiz Bowl competition. This team made up of Leen Samman, Ella Friery, Micah Alt, Caroline Keck, Logan Chumley, Urvi Sharma, Jackson Jennen, Jordan Kennedy, Kadence Douglas, Braeden Wear, Vincente Otero, Sam Pritchard, and Dipa Patel placed second in the New Orleans Quiz Bowl contest and earned a fourth-place overall ranking in the 2019 National Quiz Bowl Tournament. Teams managers were Makenzie Burns, Quan Le and Olivia Jennings. They were advised by Amanda Jeremiah Allen.

National Merit Semi-Finalists

Over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. We are delighted to recognize nine outstanding students for their proven success on the 2019 PSAT.

Benton Anderson, Northside High School, Mahdir Anower, Southside High School, Kenneth Clardy, Southside High School, Martina Gooden, Southside High School, Joshua Hannan, Southside High School, Heber Martin, Southside High School, Angelica Phan, Southside High School, Madison Settlage, Southside High School, and George Welsch, Southside High School.

Staff Recognitions

Arkansas Imagination Library

Dr. Sarah Biggs Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, Parent & Community Services, was nominated by Fort Smith Area United Way Executive Director Eddie Lee Herndon, and subsequently selected to serve on the Advisory Committee of the Arkansas affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Congratulations on this appointment to this important state committee.