From the United States Senate

Inspiring future Arkansas leaders

Opportunities for young Arkansans to learn more about government through firsthand experience and serve their communities are plentiful and worthwhile. Public service and civic engagement are incredibly important, which is why my staff and I provide multiple avenues for high school, college and graduate students to grow personally and professionally.

John Boozman

Tips to get your student prepped for college entrance exams

While school was out for the summer, Springdale’s Nora Shitandi had a front-row seat to a unique lesson on American government as a U.S. Senate Page. The rising high school senior said her experience in the prestigious program was one she wouldn’t forget.

The Senate Page program is a way for students to continue their high school education in the nation’s capital while also contributing to the daily business of the greatest deliberative body in the world. They provide vital assistance to the chamber’s operations and interact with senators and staff. During the school year, pages attend classes to obtain academic credit and continue their education. The Senate Page program offers fall, spring and summer sessions. This summer we were blessed to have Shitandi and Fayetteville’s Joshua Ofodile representing Arkansas as pages.

A few years ago, we launched the Congressional Youth Cabinet (CYC) for Natural State students who want to learn more about the legislative process.

This initiative is designed to inspire public service among Arkansas youth and involve the next generation in creating policies. Participants represent their community and discuss issues facing our state and nation, working with my staff to research an issue and create solutions culminating in a presentation at the end of the year. I enjoy watching the proposals come together, and I am always impressed with the hard work and attention to detail the students bring to the table to address something they are passionate about. The CYC is open to high school juniors and runs throughout the school year. We are accepting applications for the next group of students through September 1. College and post-graduate students also have a role to play in the nation’s capital or at a local congressional office in Arkansas through my office’s internship program. Interns in the Washington, D.C., office learn about the legislative process and the federal government by working closely with the policy, communications and constituent services staff members. By assisting my state staff, interns gain direct insight into how a senate office serves and represents Arkansans — including by advocating on their behalf with federal agencies — engages with the community and helps share feedback with my entire team.

Participants in these programs are truly the leaders of tomorrow. I am grateful for those who choose to take part in these experiences, and my hope is always that they learn as much as possible and walk away with practical skills and valuable knowledge. Time spent representing their state will undoubtedly help them in their future pursuits, and I can’t wait to see where these talented, aspiring leaders end up.

These opportunities all have a lot to offer youth and young adults in our state, and I look forward to welcoming them to the ranks of public service and community engagement in the months and years to come. To learn more about these programs visit the Educational Opportunities page on my website (boozman.senate.gov) to get all the details or start the application process.

(StatePoint) Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. To adequately prepare for the SAT or ACT, consider these tips:

Practice, practice, practice

Encourage your student to take free online practice tests early and often. Not only is this an effective way to get familiar with the types of questions that will be on the test, it can give your child a sense of where they stand currently and help them identify areas where they may need some extra review.

It’s helpful to simulate test day as much as possible. Have them take the practice test in a quiet place and time each portion of the test accurately.

Have the right STEM tools

Acing the math portion is easier when you fully understand the principles behind the test questions. Fortunately, you can affordably equip your student with tools that facilitate that understanding.

Casio, dedicated to making STEM education more engaging, has developed the fx-CG50, a graphing calculator in the brand’s PRIZM line-up that offers a color LCD with a full textbook-style display. Jam-packed with features that enable students to solve the most challenging equations, it offers the ability to easily draw three dimensional graphs such as planes, cylinders and spheres, and view them from various angles in order to better analyze their shape. Plus, a cross-section option and special zoom function can be used for greater analysis.

Build vocabulary

An expansive vocabulary is not just useful in the real world, it can greatly improve a student’s chances of success in the English, reading and writing sections of the exam.

Getting familiar with some of the more frequently used words on the test is important. However, it’s best to break up the studying into chunks. Select a few words to master each day with flash cards. Hopefully, students will start to see etymological patterns that will help them make educated guesses when they don’t know a word.

Take a break

It’s tempting to assume a last-minute study session the evening before the exam is going to make or break their performance, but a mental breather is actually a better use of time. Urge your child to get a good night’s sleep not just the night before the test, but that entire week. Pre-test jitters may lead to insomnia, but having a solid foundation of rest will help ensure your student is alert on test day.

The morning of the test, encourage them to eat a healthy, filling breakfast and do activities that will warm up their brain, such as reading a book or solving a crossword puzzle.

Sufficient preparation and great study tools can alleviate college entrance exam anxieties so that your student walks into their testing center with confidence.

Mena FFA Chapter named 1 Star Chapter

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, August 7, 2023/National FFA Organization)

— The Mena FFA chapter of Mena, Arkansas, has been recognized in the 2023 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization.

The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

Chapters that received star ratings during judging this summer will be recognized at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo, November 1-4. All-Star-rated FFA chapters receive honors made possible by corporate sponsor John Deere.

“At John Deere, we believe that FFA will grow the next generation of leaders capable of changing the world for the better,” Aaron Wetzel, vice president of production systems at John Deere, said. “Star chapters help inspire these vital leaders through their exceptional commitment to FFA’s mission, which they bring to life through inspiring agricu!tural education, rich career exploration,. and meaningful community service.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 5O states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cotton accepting service academy nominations

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 2, 2023)

– Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) announced today that he is accepting applications for service academy nominations. To be considered for a nomination, applicants must submit by Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.

“Students who attend U.S. service academies and go on to serve their country in uniform are the pride of Arkansas, and I encourage each young Arkansan with a sincere interest to apply,” Cotton said.

Interested students can find the application, along with information on eligibility and other requirements, here: https://oampublic.senate.gov/constituent/login/1db3bd4dc662-42c6-a041-e4f3ac44e44c/.

Please contact Nicole Millar 501223-9081 for any additional questions.