Update

Searcy High School Student Council gave 8th grade students a tour of Searcy High School and highlighted a number of classes and programs in order to better prepare them upon their first day at the high school campus.

The Searcy Youth Advisory Council recently hosted a concert at Citizens Park in downtown Searcy. The performers included Lilli Grace Barden, Ryleigh Atkinson, and Silas Carpenter. The funds raised from the concert will be used to fund grants for local non-profit groups who benefit the youth of White county.

Sidney Deener Elementary School hosted a fun-filled day with a motorcyle parade, hot dog supper, and movie night for Deener families. Approximately 400 people joined in the fun throughout the day. We offer a great big "thank you" to First Community Bank for grilling hot dogs for the family night. Fun included Kona Ice, the movie "Mouse and the Motorcycle", and a book fair.

Searcy High School students enrolled in the pre-educator program recently participated in the Educators Rising State Conference held on the campus of UCA in Conway. Students interested in a career in education were able to hear from Arkansas' Teacher of the Year, learn about opportunities for future educators, and attend a college fair. The pre-educator program of study at SHS is a two- or three- year sequence and is funded by a grant from the Walton Foundation.

McRaeElementary faculty and students are so excited about our new outdoor classroom! Research has shown that outdoor learning can have huge benefits on student mental and academic performance. Plus, just look at all of these sweet faces who are looking forward to using this outdoor classroom for years to come! Pictured below are students from Mrs. Anderson's 2nd grade class, Mrs. Russell's kindergarten class, and Ms. Dye's kindergarten class.

Congratulations to the following Spanish students for placing on the National Spanish Exam.

Ms. Haynes Spanish I Students

George Acevedo Bilingual Silver Medal

Brylee Green Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Mrs. Martin's Spanish I Students

Hannah Bond Outside Experience Honor Medal

Adrian Sanchez Outside Experience Honor Medal

Andrea Gray Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Elijah Sandlin Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Mrs. Delgado Spanish II Students

Wendy Velasco Bilingual Silver Medal

Elizabeth Acevedo Bilingual Bronze Medal

Emily Perez Bilingual Honor Medal

Emelie Suarez Bilingual Honor Medal

Addison Bulkwater Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Easton Faulkner Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Eliajah Haer Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Ava Sciba Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Jackson Smith Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Demauria Williams Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Ms. Nielsen's Spanish III Students

Melanie Perez Bilingual Silver Medal

Valeria Rico-Acevedo Bilingual Honor Medal

Leslie Rodriguez Bilingual Honor Medal

Ms. Nielsen's Spanish IV Students

Roselyn Amaya Bilingual Honor Medal

Anthony Gomez Bilingual Honor Medal

Alyssa Day Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Ashley Le Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Chad Osborn Classroom Experience Honor Medal

Ann Ramey - 2nd place Extemporaneous Reading & participation certificate

Chase Kemper - 3rd place Extemporaneous Reading & participation certificate

Aliyah Perry (not pictured) - participation certificate

Michael Supratman - participation certificate

Gowen Bailey - participation certificate

Simone Hofheinz - participation certificate

Hannah Bond - participation certificate

Students in Mrs. Rose's physics class at Searcy High School uses the SHS Oculus VR system to tour the International Space Station during their unit on rockets. Pictured is Katelyn Handley participating in the tour.

Abby McMullin, Madalyn Bailey and Jordan Bowman represented The Lion yearbook staff at the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) annual convention in Jonesboro on April 21-22. ASPA recognizes high school students throughout the state for their excellence in broadcast, newspaper, film, literary magazine and yearbook programs. Students are awarded for work submitted prior to the convention as well as for contests completed on site.

The Lion staff was recognized with several Superior ratings based on the worked they submitted from the 2022 yearbook: Madalyn Bailey, Jordan Bowman and Danielle McSpadden for Student Life Layout; Micah Castleberry, Abbie Randall and Allison Cleveland; for Academic Layout; Seth Ingram, Lexie Eddins and Camryn Childers for Sports Layout; and Gabie Eddins, Cyntia Torres and Ashten Bryant for Clubs/Groups Layout. Editor Abby McMullin earned a Superior rating and Best of ASPA (best in the state) for her Academic Photo submission.

At the end of the convention, the staff was honored with one of the most coveted awards ASPA bestows. For the first time, The Lion earned the “All Arkansas” ranking for the 2021 yearbook, About Face. At the end of each calendar year, ASPA invites schools to have their publications assessed for General Excellence, and those that earn Superior ratings are further judges to determine the best of the state, or “All Arkansas.”

SHS Yearbooks can still be ordered at Jostens.com until May 13, 2022.*

Vice-President-Jimmy Simpson

Secretary-Philip Williams

Member-Roy Showalter

Member-Dr. Michael Liles

Superintendent-Dr. Bobby Hart