Sophia Vacca chosen as 2023 Homecoming Queen Holiday Neufeld selected as Maid of Honor

Article

and photos by Ethan Nahté

Seniors Sophia Vacca and Holiday Neufeld both were surprised as they were chosen as the 2023 Homecoming Queen and Maid of Honor, respectively, before the kickoff of Friday night’s game against Fouke.

Vacca was crowned by the 2022 Homecoming Queen Carmen Puckett. Vacca said the first thing that went through her mind when they announced her name, “It was unreal. I was so excited… my heart was beating,” she answered, still overcoming a slight shortness of breath. “I feel very, very loved, and that feels nice.

“Whatever queenly duties they’ll have me do, I’ll do them,” she said with a laugh.

Vacca said when she graduates, she’d like to go to Dallas and earn her degree in psychology.

Neufeld said when she heard her name announced, “I was really happy and I was kind of surprised, too. I was really happy though, mostly,” she replied, laughing. “It was a shock.”

Neufeld had barely gotten seated for photos when she had to rush back to sing an a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“That was a little stressful, but it’s over now,” Neufeld said. “Now, I can sit and enjoy the game.”

The court cheered the team on from the end zone. They also moved to the sidelines at halftime to take in the performances by the Fouke and Mena marching bands, as well as the cheerleader routine.

By the time Mena had scored twice in the third quarter, many of the girls were cheering alongside the cheerleaders, still in their formal gowns while the remainder ate popcorn, interacted with the crowd and continued supporting the team.

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I would like to say a big “THANK YOU!” to all who help maintain our roads: from those who fill in potholes, grade and repair roads, to those who pick up trash (and to those who never throw trash out!) and mow the roadsides. It not only makes driving safer, but also enhances the natural beauty we are so blessed to enjoy, pride in appearance. Your efforts are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Sharon Christopher

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the Tourism Industry in Polk County. Fall Foliage is usually a very busy time for us. We’re asking people to come spend their money in our county and drive on rough pothole ridden Highway 71. We’re asking them to drive across a very narrow bridge at Potter while meeting a big 18 Wheeler Semi-Truck.

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Alec Farmer, chairman, Arkansas Dept of Transportation: am writing concerning U.S. Highway 71 in Polk County, Arkansas. Highway 71 is in deplorable condition in Polk County. It’s disconcerting that even Highway 71 in front of the Arkansas State Highway Department’s work yard is in terrible condition. If you don’t believe me, please drive the length of Highway 71 through Polk County. Highway 71 is a major north-south route through the United States. We have lots of commercial trucks full of freight driving on Highway 71 in Polk County.

Please look at your map and see where 1-49 has been completed in the United States and where the work has not even begun. It looks like it is 80% completed from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, with the longest unfinished section of 145 miles between Fort Smith and Texarkana, Arkansas, which includes all of Polk County. I am 72 years old. I doubt that last 145 miles will be completed in my lifetime. So, I am just asking you to repair and improve Highway 71 in Polk County, while I am living.

I know northwest Arkansas is booming economically now. Our Polk County would like to boom a little, too. We’re trying to improve our economy. We depend a lot on

I read an article in the Summer 2023 edition of Arkansas Highways Magazine, that is a publication of the Arkansas Department of Transportation and given out at the tourist information centers. In it was an artiele about Jonesboro Eastern Bypass Groundbreaking. In that article ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor told the crowd, “Better roads lead to a better economy, which leads to a better life for everyone.” Please help give the tax paying citizens of Polk County a chance at a better economy by repairing and improving Highway 71.

Margo Kimp, Mena

First thing I’d like to say is that NO ONE has the right to call me up and say “You have no right to send this letter in”. This happened to me about 3 months ago, then they hung up on me! Everyone has the right to express their opinions whether anyone else agrees with it.

Each time I have submitted a letter, it’s absolute truth. I have a brother, a great-niece & a son & daughter-in-law that hate me, maybe other family hate me also. I have a sister I know I’ll never see again I am handicapped, anyone with eyes can tell that. I have a handicap tag hanging in our auto. Why do some people park in handicap areas when they obviously don’t need to? If my hubby tries to park

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Email: NEWS@MYPULSENEWS.COM in an area designed for the handicap & I’m not getting out, I make him move! Some places don’t even have handicap parking, why is that?

Some people don’t believe in being on Facebook cause they think others will find out something they don’t want others to know, well people have lots of ways to find out about ANYONE.