EDUCATION BRIEFS

Several local students were among the more than 500 graduates who received degrees on Aug. 13 during summer commencement at the Farris Health and Physical Education Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

They include:

Sherry Allison, of Rogers, Bachelor of Business Administration

Whitney Arnold, of Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

John Bland, of Bentonville, Bachelor of Arts

Matthew Clinkscales, of Springdale, Bachelor of Business Administration

Lindsey Cosio, of Springdale, Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication

Stephanie Lea Long, of Rogers, Master of Science in Education

Stephanie Nelson, of Springdale, Bachelor of Science in EnvironmentalScience

Nathaniel G. Schultz, of Springdale, Bachelor of Science

Tristan Tiarks, of Bentonville, Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Winners have been announced in the poetry and art competitions held as part of the Hispanic Heritage Festival on Oct. 19 at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.

Poetry contest winnerswere Mario Almaraz from Rogers High School for his poem “Borders,” first place;

Paloma Guadarrama, Rogers High School, for her poem “Pandillas,” second place;

Jesus Garcia, Rogers High School, for his poem “The Gridiron,” third place; and Kandi Garcia, Crossroads Alternative High School in Rogers, for her poem “Jazlin,” honorable mention.

Poetry entrants presented their original works before a panel of judges made up of Silvia Armstrong of Van Buren, retired Spanish teacher from Northside High School, and UA Fort Smith faculty members Brenda Ross and Mary Sobhani, both of Fort Smith. Students were scored on dramatic presentation, poise and posture, as well as pronunciation and clarity of the poem. Winning poems will be published in next year’s edition of “Azahares,” UA Fort Smith’s Spanish literarymagazine.

The works by art students were judged by UA Fort Smith faculty members Ernest Cialone, Travis Brown and Bryan Alexis, all of Fort Smith. Artwork was judged on content, style and creativity.

The Hispanic Heritage Festival was sponsored by the World Languages Department and the College of Languages and Communication. Assistant professor Martha Bieber of Fort Smith was festival coordinator.