EAST INSIGHT
EAST Conference 2025 Mad Lib
Welcome to EAST Conference 2025! This year’s theme, “If You Know, You Know,” invites us all to dive into a (adjective) world of discovery and connection! With more than (number) students, educators, and exhibitors coming together, every moment is a chance to (present tense verb) and unlock new ways to change the world.
(adjective) (number)
(present tense verb)
On Tuesday night, join us for EAST Fusion, a special evening networking event where you can connect with fellow students. This is the perfect opportunity to (ve rb) and share your passions over (plura l noun) in a (adjective) atmosphere.
(verb)
(adjective) (verb)
Kick off the first full day of Conference with our Opening Session featuring (adjective) speakers and projects that inspire you to (verb) the future. Afterward, attend a variety of Breakout Sessions to build skills in areas like (EAST skill) and (EAST skill). Each session will challenge you to think (adverb) and develop as a leader.
(plural noun) (number)
Then, explore each program’s booths, where you can see (number) student projects that wow our Conference Showcase judges and celebrate creativity, skill, and problem-solving. You’ll witness firsthand how EAST students tackle challenges in (EAST skill) and (EAST skill) with (adjective) ideas that are reshaping our world.
(EAST skill) (EAST skill) (adjective) (adjective) (postive emotion) (adjective ending with -ing)
Cheer for your peers in exciting Conference competitions, like the Tech Support Olympiad and brand new Make48 Innovation Experience! Here, students will demonstrate their abilities, aiming to impress with their (adjective) presentations and creativity.
And don’t forget our Leadership Teams, who will be there capturing every (positive emotion) highlight, assisting with (adjective ending with -ing) tech problems, and helping our very (positive adjective) guests!
(EAST skill) (EAST skill) (adverb) (adjective) (postive adjective)
End EAST Conference with a powerful Closing Session that celebrates each of your (adjective) achievements.
(adjective)
As EAST Conference 2025 wraps up, we look back on all we’ve learned and look forward to the impact you’ll continue to make. Until next year, remember: the power to change the world is in your hands—let’s make it (inspirational verb)!
(inspirational verb)
Table of Contents
AN OVERVIEW OF EAST INSIGHT
Erin Rappold of Vilonia High School received the 2024 Matt Dozier EAST Legacy Award which honors her work as an outstanding EAST facilitator.
PROGRAM OF INFLUENCE
The EAST Program of Influence initiative honors programs that exhibit EAST’s best practices and provide their students with the best possible educational environment.
PAGES 8-9
SEMINAR 2024 RECAP
PAGES 10-11
Our educators got “Amp’d Up” for the school year at our annual professional development seminar! Take a look at the dozens of opportunities they explored to blend education with entertainment.
ALUMNI FEATURE
PAGES 12-13
From filming student council videos at Nettleton High School to working on Netflix films in her career, follow Mary McDade’s journey through the EAST environment into the industry she discovered as a student.
COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING
PAGES 16-17
Thanks to a new community service tracking tool on our website, students can now log the thousands of service hours they earn during their time in EAST.
High school football is a core part of the student experience, and in EAST, our students are seizing the opportunity to work with professionals in sports broadcasting.
MEET OUR STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS
PAGES 21-23
The Student Contributors program is back for another year with new students and new opportunities! Learn more about them and what they plan to accomplish this school year.
Letter from the Editor
This month marks three years of my employment at EAST, and the growth and change I’ve experienced here is something I can’t put into words. When I started, my only work experience was seven months as a small-town TV news reporter who largely flew by the seat of my pants — and I essentially knew nothing about EAST.
But over these three years, I’ve met so many of you-whether it’s on a Zoom call or in person-and each time, I feel I change a little bit. While others on staff at EAST have taught me a lot, I’ve learned the most from students. EAST students care about their world, and they’re excited about its future. There is nothing more energizing than chatting with a group of eager students working on a project, big or small.
I started working at EAST because I’m passionate about education and believe it’s the key to unlocking a brighter future for all of us. I’m thankful for the students who’ve given me a chance to share their stories and for the ones who’ve let me teach them a thing or two.
However, there’s one thing I’m absolutely certain of: the lessons I’ve learned from EAST students far outweigh the lessons I’ve shared with them.
Cheers,
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor Bradley Brewer
Designer Jocelyn Johnson
Contributor
Emily Hale
Student Contributor
Joanna Wijaya
EASTinitiative.org
communications@EASTstaff.org
news.eastlink.me/podcast
BRADLEY BREWER EDITOR
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited materials lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of the EAST Initiative. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the copyright holder. All copyrights are recognized and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review.
New EAST Programs for 2024-25!
Each of these schools received a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education to assist with installing an EAST program. For more information on applying for this grant and starting an EAST program at your school, contact Growth@EASTstaff.org!
Brookland Middle School in Brookland, Ark.
Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Ark.
Clinton Primary School in Hope, Ark.
Fox Meadow School of Creative Media in Jonesboro, Ark.
Friendship Aspire Academy Little Rock Middle School in Ark.
Friendship Aspire Academy Southeast Middle School in Pine Bluff, Ark.
Mayflower High School in Mayflower, Ark.
Poyen High School in Poyen, Ark.
Sloan Hendrix High School in Imboden, Ark.
Southwest Middle School in Searcy, Ark.
University Heights School of Medical Arts in Jonesboro, Ark.
A Helping Hand: 2024 Matt Dozier EAST Legacy Award Recipient Erin Rappold
BY BRADLEY BREWER
Since 2022, the Matt Dozier EAST Legacy Award has been presented to one outstanding facilitator each year at EAST Seminar as a way for facilitators to recognize the achievements of one of their own.
This peer-nominated award was established by the EAST Board of Directors to honor Matt Dozier, President and CEO, for his 20 years of dedicated service to EAST Initiative and to highlight his early contributions as one of the first EAST facilitators.
The 2023 recipient of this prestigious award is Erin Rappold of Vilonia High School. A veteran of 12 years with EAST, Rappold has served in various leadership roles, including on the Facilitator Advisory Board and as an
early adopter of the Wellington Engagement Index. Her dedication extends beyond her students; she is also a valued resource and mentor to her fellow facilitators.
Rappold’s nomination described her as a supportive and approachable figure within the EAST community. Her positive demeanor and willingness to assist others have made her a go-to resource for both new and experienced facilitators.
“As a new facilitator, Erin has been an incredible support for me,” shared Jodi Brewer, the EAST facilitator at Vilonia Middle School. “She consistently offers valuable advice and listens to my concerns. Her guidance over the past two years has profoundly impacted me, and I am grateful for her friendship.”
While Rappold is deeply committed to supporting her peers, her primary focus remains on her students, whom she inspires to learn and serve their communities by fostering an environment of exploration and self-discovery. Kristin Hogan, an EAST alumna from Vilonia High School, formed a strong bond with Rappold and credits her for much of her personal growth.
“Mrs. Rappold is incredibly intentional in her communication and connection with students,” Hogan said. “She takes the time to understand each of us and connects with us on a personal level. She cares for her students as if we were her own children, allowing us to be ourselves while encouraging us to think creatively and critically.”
Rappold now joins the esteemed ranks of previous award recipients, including Brittany Berry, the current EAST facilitator at Helen Tyson Middle School and a nationally recognized educator, and the late Jeanne Roepcke, a beloved facilitator at Batesville High School Charter.
The award was presented to Rappold by Alicia Humbard, Senior Director of Program Services at EAST, during EAST Seminar’s Opening Session. Humbard expressed her admiration for Rappold, stating, “It was an honor to present Erin Rappold with this well-deserved award. She is an exceptional facilitator and an invaluable resource to countless others. Her positive energy and compassion create an inspiring environment for her students and everyone around her.”
Professional Development with EAST
BY BRADLEY BREWER
EAST: Education Unleashed is a program designed to support all Arkansas educators, not just EAST facilitators. Over the summer break, Education Unleashed hosted four free professional development sessions, covering topics ranging from discovering free classroom software to more specific areas like 3D printing and coding.
LETS: 3D Printing
Joel Gordon from MatterHackers led 59 educators in the process of setting up and using Bambu Lab X-1 Carbon 3D printers. And here’s the best part, each educator in attendance took home the 3D printer they worked with, completely free of charge, thanks to our partnership with Arkansas NSF EPSCoR.
Other marquee classes offered by EAST include:
This [class] showed us a new tool and showed us different ways on how to use it, and it was more interactive and hands-on versus just writing lists of things that don’t necessarily apply to me. ” “
- Heather Ratchford, Teacher at Fayetteville High School
EAST Program of Influence Level 1 Requirements:
• Attend EAST Conference
• Earn at least 12 hours of Student Training
Complete Required Facilitator Training
• Updated student numbers and inventory
Level 2 Additional Requirements:
• Host an EAST Night Out community event
• Register Student Champions to lead program
Setting the Standard Programs of Influence honored for their engagement and excellence with best practices
BY BRADLEY BREWER
More than 120 EAST programs across Arkansas are celebrating the distinction of being named a Program of Influence, an honor recognizing schools for their engagement and best practices that can be shared with school officials and community partners.
“Program of Influence is all about celebrating the amazing work done by these standout programs,” said Troy DeBill, Program Coordinator. “It highlights their great engagement with community partners throughout the year, and the best practices they follow
in their classrooms. Beyond that, it gives these educators another avenue to share their best ideas and strategies with their school community and beyond.”
EAST at Osceola High School is a returning Program of Influence after earning the honor following the 20222023 school year. Facilitator Allen Landry emphasizes strong community involvement, which is a core characteristic of a Program of Influence and reflects the work his students do with their partners.
“I am in awe of our students and what
they are accomplishing with us,” Landry said. “This recognition is entirely due to the hard work and dedication of these remarkable, talented students we have at Osceola.”
Another program that has been steadily rising is EAST at Dardanelle High School. The Program of Influence distinction marks a tangible milestone in the growth of their students and reputation in the community.
“Being awarded the EAST Program of Influence was such an honor for our EAST program at Dardanelle,” said Lauren Taylor, the EAST facilitator at Dardanelle High School. “Our students worked hard throughout the year to make sure every task was completed and they loved seeing their hard work pay off. It is important for our program to earn the distinction to show our community and our school that we are going above and beyond to make a difference and even through our failures in some areas we are giving it our full effort and learning in the process.”
EAST is a competitive environment, with hundreds of submissions for honors like the Founder’s and Cornerstone
Award, project competitions and leadership distinctions are submitted by students each year. Not everyone can win, but every program can be a Program of Influence and be recognized for doing the right things for their school and community.
“Our kids were hungry for an award or honor from EAST,” said Dusty Beck, facilitator at Wonderview High School. “We believe that we have done some great things, but it hasn’t been enough for a Judge’s Choice award at EAST Conference. The Program of Influence gave us recognition and a source of pride.”
Amp’d Up for EAST!
BY BRADLEY BREWER
More than 180 EAST facilitators joined together in Rogers, Ark., to get “Amp’d Up” for the 2024-25 school year. EAST Seminar 2024 provided three days of educational breakout sessions, fun networking activities, and connections with valuable community partners.
43 Educational Breakout Sessions: EAST facilitators had exclusive access to a treasure trove of knowledge from hands-on experiences with STEM hardware and software to managing classrooms with diverse students.
Four Unique Networking Events: Each night of EAST Seminar allowed facilitators to come together and enjoy each other’s company while working on their own skills. Many even contributed to the EAST Scholarship Fund during our Seminar Social event!
Creating a Film Legacy:
EAST Alum Mary McDade
BY BRADLEY BREWER
When most people think about EAST, they think of STEM technology like 3D printers, drones, and GIS — but there’s plenty of room for more creative ventures.
Mary McDade, an EAST alum from Nettleton High School, took advantage of the technology and structure her program provided by building the skills that have led to her directing her own films and working on-set for Netflix movies and television series.
When Mary was in school, EAST was the only class where she had real hands-on time to discover her passion.
“It was great because EAST had Photoshop, they had editing materials, and I could just play around with everything,” Mary said. “It was a different way of learn ing; being able to figure things out for myself instead of just sitting in a classroom and listening to a lecture worked so much better for me. So that’s where my interest in filmmaking started.”
That interest in film making had humble beginnings as Mary’s first projects were creating videos for her school’s student council. Still, her work quickly caught the attention of local television stations who wanted to utilize her talents.
Sandra Taylor, EAST facilitator at Nettleton High School, remembers how dedicated and passionate Mary
was in her filmmaking career even as a student.
“One memory that sticks out to me is when she, along with other EAST students, stayed at the mall in freezing weather to capture footage for a Black Friday ‘Shop Jonesboro’ video for the city,” Taylor said. “She has always had a knack for using her personality in her craft to inform, promote, and entertain. Watching Mary grow from a shy EAST student to the confident filmmaker that she is today is mindblowing.”
Following her time in high school and as an undergrad at the University of Arkansas, Mary continued her pursuit of a career in film by moving to New Orleans to earn a Master’s Degree in Film Production. It’s there she built her career by working on several notable projects.
“I’ve worked on a show called Leverage: Redemption which has been one of my favorite sets to work on because I’ve been able to make meaningful connections with the cast and crew,” Mary said. “I also recently worked on a Netflix action movie called ‘Carry On’ which was awesome because I got to work with people like Jason Bateman and Taron Egerton.”
While working on projects as a crew member has opened many doors for Mary,
her true passion is creating films of her own. She recently completed work on a short film titled “Mama Love,” which debuted at the New Orleans Film Festival before then being screened at the Oasis Film and Digital Media Fest in her hometown of Jonesboro.
“It was the first time I’ve shown anything like that in my hometown,” she said. “There’s not a huge film community in Jonesboro, but the community that is there is largely driven by the EAST programs in the city.”
Mary’s assessment of EAST’s impact on the Jonesboro film community can be attributed to the fact that the film festival’s organizer andAnnie Camp Junior High School’s EAST facilitator are the same person - Lorenzo Balderas.
“The hope was to encourage students to make films and help them recognize that they didn’t have to be in Hollywood to do it,” Balderas said. “It even allowed me to invite some of my students to volunteer for the event so they get to learn more about it from the backend. Heading into year three, we’re making an even bigger push to include as many EAST programs as possible.”
The Oasis Film and Digital Media Fest provided Mary the opportunity to show the results of the foundation her
community helped her build. It also gave her the chance to pour back into current EAST students with aspirations for a film career.
“I got to meet an EAST student that Mrs. Taylor put me in contact with the previous year,” Mary said. “It’s a good feeling knowing that things are still going and are getting better. Part of the reason I came back was because I knew there could be students who had my passion but didn’t know how to break into the space.”
By taking advantage of the resources and freedom provided by EAST, Mary McDade created a career for herself while inadvertently laying the foundation for those who are using EAST to find their passions today.
“It’s more of a mindset that I learned in EAST that you should try to do something even when you feel like you don’t have the skills yet,” Mary said. “Sometimes you make something and you’re frustrated that it’s just not there yet, and that’s okay. You just have to keep doing it and EAST allows for that because your grades are more reflective of your effort rather than the final product.”
Hope for Change
BY BRADLEY BREWER
Each year, more than 6,000 U.S. military veterans die by suicide*, a rate more than double that of the general population. Two EAST students from John Tyson Elementary School, Kevin Nguyen and Luke Ajayi, decided to take action to help mitigate this alarming crisis on a local level through their EAST project during the 2023-24 school year.
Kevin and Luke initially struggled to find inspiration for their project, until they came across an article in Arkansas Living. In it, Buddy Hasten, President and CEO of the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation, expressed his concern about the high suicide rates among military veterans. This sparked the idea for their project.
“We decided to create a commemorative coin and a card with contact information for the suicide hotline, so veterans would have these resources readily available in case of a crisis,” Kevin explained. “The idea is that they can always carry the coin and card with them, ensuring they have access to help when they need it.”
Designing and producing the coins proved to be the biggest challenge for Kevin and Luke. Initially, they attempted to 3D print the coins, but the fine details were difficult to capture accurately.
“When we were 3D printing, the words weren’t clear because the print was too imprecise,” Luke said. “So, we decided that laser engraving wooden coins would be a better option because the engraving is much more
accurate and easier to read.”
The students received assistance from three other EAST programs: Westwood Elementary School helped them learn how to use 3D printers; Sonora Middle School’s former EAST facilitator, Derek Ratchford, adapted their design for wooden coins; and Helen Tyson Middle School provided the laser engraving, as Kevin and Luke didn’t have the necessary equipment in their own classroom.
After successfully producing and engraving hundreds of cards and coins, Kevin and Luke recorded a video explaining their project for submission to the “Everyday Heroes” competition at EASTcon24. They also shared the video with Hasten, who was so impressed that he invited them to present their project on stage at the electric cooperatives’ Arkansas Summer Directors’ Conference.
“I was both nervous and excited, but it was a really cool experience because I got to meet a lot of people and share our project,” Luke said. “We spent all summer preparing for our presentation and we met many people who were
in the military.”
Jennifer Boogaart, EAST facilitator at John Tyson Elementary School, shared that the students had lunch with Hasten and his wife, and had the opportunity to interact with numerous state legislators and veterans, many of whom were emotionally moved by the students’ passion for this important cause at such a young age.
The students also visited the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks, where their project significantly impacted both the staff and the veterans receiving treatment. One veteran was so touched that he presented Kevin and Luke with a military challenge coin in recognition of their efforts to improve the mental health of U.S. military members.
“They were rockstars,” said Kerri Williams, a social worker at Veterans Healthcare of the Ozarks, in a message to Boogaart. “One of my veteran coworkers was tearful. They often feel that the younger generation isn’t aware of or doesn’t care about veterans, so the fact that these students did this project is deeply
touching. They’re spreading not only hope but also joy to my team.”
Now students at Helen Tyson Middle School, Kevin and Luke plan to further improve the quality of their coins with access to new technology and more experienced classmates. They are also seeking new partners to help distribute their coins more widely, continuing their mission to support the mental health of U.S. veterans.
*Statistic provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Education Accelerated by SERVICE and Technology
BY BRADLEY BREWER
Community service is a core pillar of EAST, and with the added focus on service from the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), EAST staff members have worked for months on creating a seamless experience for our students to log their service hours and to help track their community partners.
Community Service Tracker:
The marquee update to EASTinitiative.org that will benefit our programs is the implementation of the Community Service Tracker. This new feature allows students to log their hours in an easy-to-complete form and to include specific information regarding the type of service and with whom they worked on the project.
Upon the approval of entries by the facilitator, hours will be automatically add and assigned to each student over their time in EAST. Community service hours will stay with students
even if they graduate to other schools with EAST programs. Facilitators will also have the opportunity to celebrate their students’ work by printing automatically generated certificates that reflect the amount of time a student has devoted to community service.
Several EAST programs beta-tested this new feature during the previous school year, and are not only excited about its capabilities, but by how it will benefit their students and encourage them to become more civically engaged.
“Kids were able to enter their hours and specify what sort of work they were doing,” said Leeann Mobley, the EAST facilitator at Morrilton Senior High School. “One of my freshmen was able to log all her hours and has met her graduation requirement. I think it will be great going forward as we can more easily see how much work we have done with which partners.”
Our new Community Service Tracker enabled early adopting programs to report incredible numbers of service hours from students of all ages!
2,915 hours at Vilonia High School
490 hours at Ahlf Junior High School
309 hours at Midland Elementary School
Community Partner Database:
EAST students work with thousands of clients and community partners each school year, but as students and facilitators move on, sometimes programs fall out of contact with those they have served the most.
Thanks to our new Community Partner Database, programs can archive information about everyone in the communities they work with and create a one-stop shop for EAST students to stay connected and develop new project ideas.
“The new database offers opportunities to secure dependable relationships with community partners,” said Stephanie Cooper, the EAST facilitator at Paragould High School. “It gives students the luxury to see who consistently supports EAST. We can also use it to be reflective on how we select community partners, opening our eyes to what sectors we may not be reaching out to. If I had knowledge of those connections when I was a new facilitator, it would have saved us a lot of time and resources.”
Leaving a Handprint
Children’s Safety Center of Washington County
BY BRADLEY BREWER
Clients and community partners are essential to the world of EAST, providing students with incredible opportunities to learn and grow. Nonprofit organizations, in particular, offer a wealth of problems to solve and experiences to gain. The Children’s Safety Center of Washington County is one such organization that has collaborated with EAST programs in Northwest Arkansas for more than a decade.
In recent years, projects with the Children’s Safety Center have ramped up, especially as the organization began moving into a new building. A key concern during this transition was preserving the history represented by hundreds of children’s handprints on the walls of the old building.
“When kids finish the difficult process of interviewing with us, they get to paint their hand in whatever color they like and leave their mark on our wall,” said Peyton Stewman, Marketing Strategist at the Children’s Safety Center of Washington County. “When we were preparing to move, we had to find a way to keep those handprints, as they are a powerful symbol of our mission.”
Stewman, an EAST alumna from Har-Ber High School, was tasked with preserving these meaningful handprints. To achieve this, she reached out to local EAST programs for assistance.
“With help from leadership at Springdale Public Schools, I connected with multiple programs to find solutions to our problem,” Stewman explained. “This led to two projects: Sonora Middle School created a virtual tour of the old building, while Springdale High School photographed each handprint and converted them into vector files.”
The virtual tour developed by Sonora Middle School included details about each room’s purpose and featured stories of children who had passed through the center, highlighting their handprints. The vector files created by Springdale High School allowed the center to project the handprints onto the front of the new building at night.
“If I had tried to do all this work myself, it would have taken me two years,” Stewman said. “The students were incredibly mature and professional, even signing confidentiality agreements without any issues.”
After the move, the Children’s Safety Center expanded its collaboration with Helen Tyson Middle School, a partnership that has saved the organization tens of thousands of dollars.
“They developed a virtual tour of our new facility, which is three times larger than the original,” Stewman said. “The tour includes video attachments, compelling stories, and links to resources, helping children and their parents understand what to expect when they come to us.”
EAST students at Helen Tyson Middle School are also creating fidget toys for children visiting the center and designing stuffed animals modeled after the center’s therapy dog.
Stewman has enjoyed seeing the impact of EAST students on her organization and the growth in their skills, highlighting the mutually beneficial relationship between EAST programs and their clients.
“There was one middle school girl whose communication skills improved so much that we no longer needed to coordinate through her facilitator,” Stewman shared. “She took ownership of the project, and her team presented the virtual tour to our entire staff with such pride that it brought us to tears.”
Community Partner Spotlight
Arkansas Sports Network
BY BRADLEY BREWER
The start of the new school year also signals the beginning of Friday night lights, and EAST students across the state are making livestreaming high school football games a core part of their program.
These opportunities have become more accessible than ever thanks to a new partnership with Arkansas Sports Network (ASN) a platform that hosts streams and creates its own productions to spotlight student athletes in Arkansas.
Brad Caldwell, General Manager of ASN, has already worked with several EAST programs including Lamar High School, England High School and Batesville High School Charter. He says that his mission is to support students while they pursue their interests and to give them a platform to learn and succeed.
“I think it’s important to get people into broadcasting,” Caldwell said. “Sports broadcasting is a staple in our country, and every school has someone who is its voice, and it’s important to pass that along.”
A prime example of this is ASN’s work in kickstarting Lamar High School’s livestreaming program by inviting students to assist in broadcasting the 2022 5A State Basketball Tournament.
“They really helped us get off the ground by working hands on with our kids,” said Matt Little, EAST facilitator at Lamar
High School. “We’ve had Zoom calls with them to help our students with improving our graphics and streams in other sports. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their help.”
ASN’s video series “Hometown Heroes” has been largely supported by EAST students, and Caldwell said he is open to working with any high school program that would like to contribute to his series, as well as lend a helping hand to any program interested in sports broadcasting.
EAST facilitators and students can reach out to Caldwell by contacting arsportsnet@gmail.com.
Social Media
Meet Our Student Contributors!
Last year, the EAST Communications Team launched the Student Contributors Program, an opportunity for students to work with staff to share the stories happening in EAST on our website, email newsletter and the EAST Insight magazine.
This time around, we are expanding the program to feature more students in four distinct roles boosted by their skills and interests.
“I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to serve again during my senior year! I have been Student Champion for two years in a row for my program and served on the Documentation Team at EAST Conference 2024! Outside of EAST, I am the captain of Paragould High School’s Varsity cheerleading team. I absolutely LOVE going shopping, spending time with my friends and teammates, and going swimming!”
Sara Cline, Paragould High School
“I was recently elected Student Council President and I am on the Sr. High Cheer team along with the Lady Lions softball team. I have been a part of the EAST program at my school for 2 years and one of the many things I enjoy about EAST is getting to work with clients throughout my community to create different designs that suit their needs.”
Logan McKelvey, Hamburg High School
“I’m going into my second year with EAST, embracing my role as a social media manager while also learning how to graphic design and show off my EAST program’s abilities. Beyond EAST, you’ll find me on the slopes snow skiing, cheering on the Wynne Yellowjackets, competing in pageants, and cherishing moments with friends.”
Reese Oguin, Wynne Junior High School
“I love exploring different types of writing, especially in broadcast/journalism! Outside of school and EAST, I love hanging out with my friends, playing sports, listening to music, and praising Jesus!! I am so excited for this upcoming year and everything I will get to do!”
Emma Kelley, Wynne High School
“I am thrilled to continue sharing amazing EAST stories. Over the past few years, I have strived to advance my journalism skills, allowing me to earn national awards and receive a National Scholastic Key, the highest accolade for a student in written communications. Within EAST, I have specialized in the world of audio and visual media, working on a variety of projects for the Batesville community.”
Hayden Taylor, Batesville Charter High School
“I play volleyball and soccer, and I have a passion for reading, writing, baking, and art. I am also involved in Quiz Bowl and choir. My favorite music artists are the Oh Hellos, Jorge Rivera-Herrans, avnd Anson Seabra. My
favorite color is dark purple, and I play the piano and ukulele. I have harbored a long-lasting dream to be a published author as an adult, but I may also go into the networking field.”
Josie Sandlin, Searcy High School
“As Student Champion the last two years I have absolutely loved preparing for and attending EAST Conference, making friends across the state, and growing my skills and confidence. I believe wholeheartedly in the mission of the EAST program, and I am grateful for this exciting opportunity. I can’t wait to grow even more through this incredible program.”
Virginia Smart, White Hall High School
“I have been in EAST since I was in the 6th grade. Within EAST I was Student Champion for the 2023-2024 school year, on the cover of the fall 2022 EQ Magazine, and have attended EAST Conference for the past 2 years! Alongside EAST I also cheer for PHS! I can’t wait to start this year and see all the opportunities being a EAST Student Contributor gives me!”
Katelynn Reed, Paragould High School
“I’m an independent artist and animator with a passion for making my own cartoons! I love to create and tell stories inspired by everything that makes me happy and who I am! I also LOVE mice! Very important detail!”
Ryan Beck, Northeast Tech - Claremore
Designers
“I’m excited to be entering my third year in EAST as a freshman at Valley View Junior High School and love graphic design, video editing, and being an EAST student! I love promoting a positive environment and always seek to improve and excel in anything I do.”
Junior High School
Student Training Highlights
BY BRADLEY BREWER
EAST continues to provide students with exclusive access to hundreds of hours of unique Student Training classes led by industry professionals. In these classes, students learn how to utilize technology found in the workplace, giving them a headstart in pursuing careers in STEM.
During the 2023-24 school year:
13,000+ hours of training were earned by students
6,766
1,055 students attended in-person training sessions students completed a student training course
These students had a plethora of in-person and online, on-demand courses to choose from. Here are just a few of their favorites:
• Piloting a Drone
• Advanced Design in Fusion 360 for 3D Printing
• Architectural Concepts in ArchiCAD
• Thinking with Code
• Website Design from Beginning to End
• Photography with a Smartphone
These courses are led by trainers with decades of experience in their respective fields and a passion for preparing students for their future careers.
I’ve seen EAST students eagerly participate in workshops to learn new technology skills for projects aimed at helping fellow students or their community. Project-based learning, provided by EAST classes and workshops, challenges students to problem solve and innovate in ways not found in a typical classroom. These experiences build a deep sense of resourcefulness, an essential skill for any future career.
- Chloe Hiley, Freelance 3D Artist
Working with EAST students is incredibly inspiring! It’s amazing to see how quickly they grasp new concepts during our hands-on training sessions. By the end of class, students who started with no prior knowledge are confidently building websites and mobile apps—it’s so exciting to witness their growth and potential. Their enthusiasm fuels my passion for teaching and shows just how powerful practical learning can be.
- James Levisee, CEO of Lingo Technologies
The hands-on training provided by EAST gives students an opportunity to develop their individual skills beyond the traditional classroom environment. Students can see how the subjects they study are applied in the real world as a benefit for themselves as well as their communities. Making the connection between classroom study and real-life execution helps sharpen their skills as well as preparing them for careers once they graduate. EAST does an outstanding job in providing these opportunities for all students of various backgrounds, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
- Brandon Guillot, Aviation Program Analyst
Now You Know EAST Conference 2025 Logo Competition
BY BRADLEY BREWER
EAST Conference is the most important week in the EAST Network for thousands of students, as it’s the week everything they work for pays off. Because it’s such a crucial week, preparations for EAST Conference 2025 began immediately following this year’s event with the opening of theLogo Competition.
Following the announcement of the Conference theme IYKYK - If You Know You Know, students were given three weeks to submit designs that were later reviewed by a panel of EAST staff members.
More than 110 designs were submitted, and Alyssa Jones of Murfreesboro High School was chosen as the winner. Alyssa said the theme was challenging to work with and forced her to think outside the box.
“I had no idea what direction to go with,” Alyssa said. “Once we got back from [EAST] Conference, we began brainstorming and my idea was centered around text messages and the technological aspect of it because it’s an abbreviation you don’t typically say out loud.”
When the EAST events team reached out to Alyssa to tell her that she won, her reaction was probably not one you would expect.
“I honestly forgot I submitted the logo,” Alyssa said. “Last year, I came so close to submitting but decided not to because I didn’t think it was good enough, and I had similar thoughts this year. Of course, I was utterly shocked and I remember saying ‘thank you’ over and over again while my facilitator was jumping up and down.”
Alyssa’s work was not finished when she won the competition, however, as she then teamed up with EAST’s designer Jocelyn Johnson to make final edits to the logo and to begin building
Primary Logo
Secondary Logo
Hashtag Logo
Original Logo
Alyssa Jones, Murfreesboro High School
an entire brand from Alyssa’s concept.
“Alyssa is incredibly talented and working with her was an amazing collaborative experience that requires a quick turn-around-time in addition to being able to change every aspect of your design just so we can see what it looks like from an objective point of view,” Johnson said. “The process also required Alyssa to break down the logo and add in elements that we can use for a secondary logo as well for Conference pieces in the future. Alyssa already had a great foundation by using text bubbles and the magnifying glass in the original design. The fun part was deciding what to put in the magnifying glass. We ultimately decided to use a 70’s detective inspired spiral becuase we thought it could make a fun video or animation element during Opening and Closing Sessions at Conference.”
This experience of working with a professional in the graphic design field is often one of the most valuable benefits of winning the Logo Competition. Alyssa learned about the many things that go into creating a brand as well as some advanced design principles.
“She was so nice and so patient,” Alyssa said. “She taught me what parts were most important and that focusing on little things can change the whole logo. It was great to work with a professional in a professional setting because we don’t have many opportunities like that in our school in a small town.”
While Alyssa is excited to see how the logo is used throughout EASTcon25 next year, she will view it through the lens of an EAST alum as she graduated high school in May. As she steps into the next phase of her education, it’s obvious that the experiences gained from winning the Logo Competition have catalyzed her future.
“It was a step in the right direction for me,” Alyssa said. “I graduated high school this year and I’m pursuing a career in marketing and design, so to win this competition was validating and makes me feel that I can do well in the field.”
TIPS FROM THE DESIGNER
Best Practices for Creating a Logo
Your logo will appear in both print and digital formats, so be sure to provide a high-resolution version, ideally created in Adobe Illustrator.
• Keep It Simple
A simple logo is memorable, easy to recognize, and versatile across various media.
• Choose Fonts Wisely
Limit yourself to no more than two fonts. A good rule of thumb is to combine one fun, creative font with one that’s easy to read.
• Use Colors Thoughtfully
Colors should enhance your design and support your brand’s story. Start with two or three colors, and always ensure your logo looks great in black and white. If it doesn’t, you may be relying too heavily on color.
• Take a Break, Then Review
Once your logo is complete, step away from it for two days. When you return with fresh eyes, you’ll be better able to make objective final adjustments.
Starting a New EAST Program
with Poyen High School
BY BRADLEY BREWER
EAST programs are currently in 250 schools across Arkansas and beyond, but if your local school doesn’t have one, you might be curious about what it takes to start a program and the benefits it can bring.
Poyen High School is one of the newest additions to the EAST network for the 2024-25 school year, and their excitement was obvious when they were awarded the DESE-EAST Grant, which provided the funding to give Poyen access to professional-grade STEM technology, including 3D printers, cameras, vinyl cutters, and premium software—equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars. For this rural school, the resources were a game changer.
“As a small school, many of us didn’t even know what devices like 3D printers were,” said Caden Edwards, a senior EAST student at Poyen High School. “Having access to tools like that, along with powerful computers and software, will help us learn skills that could lead to jobs we wouldn’t have had the chance to pursue otherwise.”
Beginning this school year, high school students in the state of Arkansas must complete at least 75 hours of community service to graduate. With EAST now a part of their curriculum, Poyen students have more opportunities to meet this requirement while also gaining the tools and skills to create
meaningful change in their community.
“It’s important for our students to not only use the technology but to understand the value of public service,” said Susan Kissire, superintendent of Poyen School District. “We didn’t start EAST to check off the community service requirement, but it certainly helps. More importantly, it’s something we’re proud to be doing.”
Starting an EAST program might sound daunting, especially when applying for a large grant, but the process is simpler than it seems. Tami Baker, EAST’s Director of New Program Growth, explains that the first step is as easy as expressing interest by emailing Growth@EASTstaff.org.
“It only takes a few steps to get a program started,” Baker said. “Once a school administrator contacts me, I’ll provide all the information they need—from applying for a grant to determining how much space is required.”
Autumn Henry, one of the EAST facilitators at Poyen High School, was an integral part of pushing for an EAST program at the school and says the process was a straightforward one.
“We filled out the form on the website and asked EAST to come inspect our space to make sure we could accommodate all of the technology,” Henry said. “Of course we had to have approval from our administration and in addition to the grant, we also had community support to help us reach the funding we needed.”
2024-25 New EAST Programs Received:
• Canon XA60 video camera
• GoPro Max 360
• Blackmagic Mini ATEM Pro ISO
• Nikon Z50 Mirrorless Camera and lenses
• Rodecaster Duo kit
• Epson Education Wide Format Printer
• Matterhacker 3D Printer Bundle - Bambu Lab X1 Carbon
• Carbide 3D Nomad 3 CNC Machine
• Siser Romeo Vinyl Cutter Bundle
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