Michael Laing awarded scholarship

The Preceptor Alpha Beta Sigma Phi recently presented Michael Laing with our 2023 Scholarship that is warded to a senior who is continuing their education.

Graduating with honors, Acorn High 2023 Senior, Michael Donavon Laing is the son of Todd and Amy Laing, and brother of Mary Claire Laing.

As a drummer, Laing has been a very active member of the Acorn Concert Bands for seven years; an active sixyear participant in the Acorn choir; an active member of the National Honors Society; and he plays outfielder for the Acorn fighting Tigers baseball team.

Presently, he is striving to obtain his pharmacy technician certification while attending the Medical Professions Educational Program at the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, where in the fall, Laing plans to further

Samantha Sellers to be new Louise

Durham Elementary principal

tot River School District. She has also worked for CRSD as the Kindergarten through sixth-grade literacy coach and the district’s English as a Second Language Coordinator.

Earning her Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from Southern Arkansas University (SAU), Sellers carried on her formal education earning an additional master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and an educational specialist degree in administration, all from SAU.

his medical science education while pursuing a degree in pharmacy.

Arkansas Children’s Week at Mena pre-K

Submitted by Mark Hobson

Mena Public Schools is pleased to announce Samantha Sellers as the latest addition to its leadership team.

Sellers was hired to serve as the Louise Durham Elementary Principal for the 2023-2024 school year.

Sellers is a 2008 graduate of VanCove High School and began her teaching career in 2011 as a second-grade teacher at Vandervoort Elementary School in Vandervoort. She is currently serving as the principal of Vandervoort Elementary and the curriculum coordinator for the Cossa-

Having eight years of classroom experience, Sellers understands the pivotal role that pre-K through second grade will play in the future of our state indicated in the new “LEARNS Act.” However, her mission has always been to ensure that all students have a physically and academically safe learning environment that is motivational, data-driven, and above all conducive to student learning within every facet of education.

Sellers stated that through the development of a collaboratively created school vision and organizational focus on improving student learning, Louise Durham Elementary School can continue to flourish.

She also stated that early childhood education is her love and where her heart and expertise are focused.

Arkansas Children’s Week (ACW) has been a statewide tradition for more than 30 years. ACW is a celebration of children of all ages and their educators and families. Apr. 15-21, Mena’s pre-K had a glow in the dark party, outdoor centers,