Tarah Lyons, NorthWest Arkansas Community College student, told those gathered for the school's scholarship luncheon on Feb. 25, "It's impossible to fail at NWACC if you are determined to succeed." She attributed that to the scholarships supported by those at the luncheon, along with other areas of support the college offers students.

The annual gathering, hosted by NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation at the Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies on the Bentonville campus, gives donors, college administration and faculty and students an opportunity to get to know each other.

The foundation's Plant a Seed Gala will be April 3 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The Quality of Life honorees are Archie Schaffer, Cox Communications and Rotary Clubs of Northwest Arkansas.

Those helping support students included Melba Shewmaker, Ric Clifford, Joe Spivey, Dayle and Dan Shewmaker, Emily Bremmer, Dennis Smiley, Ed Clifford, Rob Dodd and Christine Davis.

The Walton Arts Center drew a sold-out crowd of 440 masked Walton Arts Center patrons for the fourth annual Masquerade Ball on March 1 at the center.

The mask-required Mardi Gras-themed celebration hosted by the nonprofit organization's Corporate Leadership Council of nearly 50 members netted some $200,000 for the center's arts education programs.

Scott Tassani of General Mills announced the company's $15,000 sponsorship for the arts center's History Through the Arts programs to teach Arkansas history through live theatrical productions. Along with "Digging up Arkansas," the center's repertoire now includes "Bear State of Mind" and "Down the Dirt Road Blues."

Those donning masks for education through the arts included honorary chairmen Cindy and Duncan Mac Naughton, Nicole and Scott Tassani, Mechelle and Jack Sinclair, Courtney and Matt Kistler, Laura and Greg Fogle, Kathy and Joe Farnan, Shea and Nick Nabholz, April and Craig Shy and Sara Lilygren and Alex May.

Dancing with the Stars of Northwest Arkansas waltzed on to a seventh successful annual fundraiser for the Amazeum children's museum March 8 at the Hammons Center. The sold-out event, with 650 guests, brought in more than $160,000. Children's museum organizers announced plans to break ground April 16 in Bentonville near Crystal Bridges.

This year's volunteer celebrity dance contestants were Tina Winham of Nuk, Cindy Mac Naughton, community volunteer, Missy Clifton of Premiere Dermotology, Wyley Elliott of Celebrate Magazine and Rod Bigelow of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Judges were Annetta Young of Tyson (DWTS veteran), Marshall Ney of Mitchell Williams Law Firm and Don Bacigalupi of Crystal Bridges.

Missy Clifton swept the awards, taking home the People's Choice Award for the most money raised and the judge's DWTS Grand Champion Award.

Among those being amazed by dazzling dance steps for the Amazeum! were Elda and Eric Scott, Gisele and Mike Ruiz, Heather and Dave Incao, Luisa and Chris Lamson, Jeff Long, Drew Collom, Sandy Edwards and Kelly Zega.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 03/16/2014