Crossing Over Into the Founder’s Circle REPRESENTING THE CCHS EAST FOUNDER’S TEAM: Bo Cook: 10th Grade, 4 Years in EAST Ciara Stephens: 10th Grade, 4 Years in EAST Joseph Harvey: 12th Grade, 1 Year in EAST Macie McCommon: 10th Grade, 4 Years in EAST Lexi Jarrett: 10th Grade, 4 Years in EAST
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or EAST at Cross County High School, winning the Founder’s Award felt like the culmination of years of growth. After being a Founder’s finalist in 2020 and winning a Cornerstone Award in 2021, this year was finally the time for the Cherry Valley school to enter the Founder’s Circle alongside two other Northeast Arkansas schools. was your reaction when you learned Q: What Cross County won Founders? Bo: At the beginning of this year, our EAST Facilitator
Mr. Blake said, “We can win Founder’s this year, guys.” I knew the amazing projects we did for our community and how we made an impact in several individual lives, but for us to win the biggest award for EAST, seemed almost impossible. When the day came for the announcement, my EAST class gathered around a big table, eager to hear our names called for the award. Then, the internet went off. If I recall correctly, my thought was, I guess that means we didn’t win. However, with a few clicks on her phone, Ciara pulled up the livestream, and I heard our school was announced as Founder’s Winner. I was overwhelmed with excitement and a headache from Joseph shouting, “WE DID IT!”
you nominated yourselves for Q: When Founders this year, why did you think your program was a great choice to win?
Ciara: I think something that stands out about our program and made it worthy of winning Founder’s is how interconnected everyone is. It is an amazing working environment because if anyone ever has
