CRHS relaunching foreign exchange program

By Patrick Massey

WICKES - Cossatot River High School

is seeking parents to host foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year as part of an educational and cultural experience for its students and families

Cossatot River previously offered a similar program and Superintendent Dr. Tyler Broyles said the district is excited to bring it back.

“We’ve had this in the past, but we have it approved now for Cossatot River High School,” said Broyles. “Many community members have asked me about revising it. Under the leadership of one of our principals, Dr. Mary Lowery, she got us approved. We’re very excited about revising that program for the upcoming school year.”

Broyles added that the experience can be a life-shaping one for both sides of the program.

“It’s a long lasting relationship, great cultural experience on both sides, and one more thing we can offer at Cossatot River,” said Broyles.

For more information, call Jayme at 479-243-8744 or Camden at 479-2165707, or visit www.studentexchange.org.

LITTLE ROCK, AR (04/26/2023)--

Payton Davis of Mena from Acorn High School was nominated to represent his community and school at Arkansas Boys State 2023, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.

Davis will join more than 500 young men attending the program’s 82nd session at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from May 28 to June 2.

“Arkansas Boys State is a legacy program that has produced remarkable local, state, national and international leaders,” said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State. “That Payton was nominated to attend speaks volumes to his character, pursuit of excellence and desire to make his community stronger.”

During his week at Arkansas Boys State, Davis will be assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, he and his peers will administer, from the ground up, a mock government as if it were real: run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges and engage constituents.

“We like to say that Arkansas Boys State is a week that shapes a lifetime, and our tens of thousands of alumni can attest to that,” said Jackson. “We’re thrilled that Payton is joining us and will experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Davis and his peers at Arkansas Boys State will be guided through their experience by more than 60 volunteers who serve the program.

The staff of volunteers includes college students and career professionals with interests and expertise in education, finance, industry, politics and government, journalism, and more.

The week’s activities, including keynote speakers, general assemblies, and election speeches, will be streamed live by Arkansas PBS on their Arkansas Citizens Access Network: https://www.myarkansaspbs. org/arcan.

Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long summer program has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp. Learn more at arboysstate. org.

During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends - all with our guiding principle that “Democracy Depends on Me.”

Mayor Smith visits Holly Harshman reading clubs

By Ethan Nahté

Mena Mayor Seth Smith visited the reading clubs at Holly Harshman elementary on May 3. The book “Take me to the River” by Will Hobbs is set around Big Bend National Park on the Texas/Mexico border, with the Rio Grande dividing the two. The history of a small Mexican village that is an actual place on the

Rio Grande was discussed… its ups and downs, economically.

The reading clubs discussed the economy of Mena, and students wrote individual letters to Mayor Smith. His response was to come visit with a power point presentation, charts and lots of enthusiasm!

He shared how he attended Holly Harshman, sat in the HHE library, grew up to explore so much in the world and returned home to make his home of Mena an even stronger place.

Two goals were accomplished through Mayor Smith’s visit: 1.) to encourage the students they have a bright future where they can be influential in a positive way, 2.) to explain how Mena is growing and how it will affect them in this bright future. Reading Clubs that meet each morning in the school library participated.

Mena Head Softball Coach Ray Hunter was selected as the 4-4A Coach of the Year. The Mena Ladycats are the 4-4A Conference Champs. They ended their season in the 4A North Regional Tournament on Thursday, losing to Farmington in extra innings 7-3. They finished the season with a 16-10 record.

(Submitted photo)

Mount Ida Lions show spirit in Regionals

By Ethan Nahté

The Mount Ida Lions showed some ferocity and spirit as they went to the Regional playoffs in southern Arkansas last week. Despite some wins and some close calls, the championship wasn’t in the cards for either of them, although the boys made the finals.

The baseball team went into the Regional playoffs as the 7-1A District Champions. They played the Bearden Bears in the first round of baseball at the Regional 1A-4 tournament in Bradley on Thursday. The Lions started the bottom of the first with a home run by Jacob Whitfield and did not let up.

The Lions then faced the Hampton Bulldogs in the semi-finals round the next day. The first inning saw the teams tied 0-0, then the Lions opened it up at the bottom of the second, scoring seven. Hampton scored their only run the next inning, while Mount Ida went on to score four more runs in the sixth, winning the game 11-1.

Saturday’s games were delayed due to storms throughout the night and early morning, leaving Bradley, Arkansas, not too far from the Arkansas/Louisiana state line, sweltering as the Lions were going against the defending 1A state champs, the Taylor Tigers. Despite their previous wins in District and the previous Regional rounds, Mount Ida seemed to have used up their pitchers.

Taylor scored one in the top of the first, then five more in the second.

By the third inning, and after two pitcher changes, Taylor was ahead 13-0 before Mount Ida finally crossed the plate.

By the fifth inning, the Lions had managed to prevent the Tigers from scoring again, but it was too little, too late as they only plated one more run with Jacob Woodfield hitting his third home run in the championships. Mount Ida lost 13-2, finishing as the 1A-4 Regional Runner-up.

The boys take on County Line in the state playoffs at 12:30 on Thursday, May 11. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on KQOR 105.3 FM.

The Mount Ida girls went into the Regional tourney as the 7-1A District Runner-up. They squeezed past Hampton Thursday night with a 10-9 victory.

Friday night against Bradley became a nightmare for a team that only had nine players and no back-ups. Peyton Macejewski collided in the outfield with Brecken Scott going for a fly ball. Peyton left the game and the team had to play with eight, leaving the right and left fielder trying to cover their own territory plus center field. Bradley took advantage and dropped one ball after another into center, blanking the Lions 10-0.

Saturday, on the wet fields in muggy conditions, the girls had to start with a full roster against Emerson. Peyton made it through the first pitch and that was it for her. Another injury forced the girls to forfeit, placing them fourth in the Regional tournament.

The softball team takes on Scranton at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 11.

Bearcat football spring scrimmage and alumni tailgate

By Ethan Nahté

The annual Mena Bearcat alumni tailgate party begins at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, near the front entrance of the stadium. The get together is for all former Bearcat football players, cheerleaders, band and staff to come enjoy some free food and fellowship.

At 7 p.m., the spring football scrimmage is scheduled to begin.