People & places

Walker named Trammel honoree

Mindy K. Walker of Rogers has been named the recipient of the Northwest Arkansas Community College 2016 Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award. Named in honor of community volunteer, highway commissioner and former NWACC trustee Dick Trammel, this award seeks to recognize an outstanding alumni who has achieved success in his career field and made a positive impact on the community.

Walker graduated from Bentonville High School in 1995, while balancing her coursework and single motherhood. She later enrolled at NWACC and earned an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice in 2010. While at the school, Walker served a work-study assignment in the professional development office. Walker went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas in 2013. Although she considered enrolling in law school after receiving her bachelor’s degree, Walker instead decided to foster disadvantaged children and became the “mom” of eight, taking in five children in addition to her three biological daughters.

Walker is a certified mental health paraprofessional and currently works as a juvenile justice service coordinator at Youth Bridge, where she runs a peer mentoring program for troubled youth and conducts electronic monitoring of youth on probation. In addition to her role at Youth Bridge, she voluntarily directs the region’s Mother to Mother Ministry, an organization that provides mentors to mothers in need.

Walker will be recognized during the annual NWACC commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. May 14.

Banks: A Good

Fight

Bennjamin Banks of Rogers, a 40-year-old husband and father of two, has been fighting adenoid cystic carcinoma for 18 months. This rare form of cancer is called the “orphan” disease because so little is known about it. Banks has completed four stage-one clinical trials with unfavorable results thus far, in Houston, making more than 30 trips for treatment lasting from two days to a week each trip.

During his year and a half battle with the cancer, he has had to undergo a complete laryngectomy, which resulted in the loss of his voice, but his will to fight and win has not been affected.

A charity event called “Bowling for Benn” has been organized by friends to help with his children’s college funds and other family expenses as he continues to fight. The bowling, silent auction, food and music fundraiser is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fast Lane Entertainment, 1117 N. Dixieland St. in Lowell.

Learn more about Banks and his fight against cancer on his Facebook page, where he blogs about his experiences. Search “Don’t Walk Away from a Good Fight.”

Elmdale plans

reunion

Elmdale Elementary School in Springdale is turning 50 years old. A reunion is planned for past and present students and faculty. Come help them celebrate from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the school. A small program is planned and items will be on display from throughout the years.

Information: (479) 750-8859.

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