Northwest Arkansas Community College
• Sara K. Polanco of Springdale received the Golden Eagle Award for September at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Polanco seeks an associate's degree and plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas, where she will pursue a degree in finance.
Adjunct instructor Marie Imus was one of the individuals nominating Polanco. She praised Polanco's strong work ethic and her willingness to assist other students through words of encouragement or by forming a study group.
Barbara Goodman, director for Washington County, also nominated Polanco. Goodman supervised Polanco when she was in a work-study role and then hired her as a part-time computer lab assistant in August. Goodman noted that Polanco is a helpful and caring person.
• Preston Wade Reed of Fayetteville received the Golden Eagle Award for October. Reed seeks an associate's degree in nursing at NWACC, with hopes of becoming a nurse practitioner.
Terrica Kisner, an instructor in NWACC's Early College Experience program, nominated Reed. Kisner worked with Reed when he was serving as a certified nursing assistant and Kisner was a charge nurse. "During our time working together, he assisted me in many ways," she wrote. "The most notable in my mind was when he assisted with the passing of a hospice patient. This was not an easy passing, and he stayed with me for 16 hours until the gentleman passed. His help during this difficult time stands out as an example of his determination to help others. He showed compassion and a level of understanding of the needs of others that very much impressed me."
At NWACC, Reed was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and has participated in its meetings and community service projects. He also is exploring participation in the Student Nursing Association to help with that organization's fundraising and community service.
• Renato Betim of Fayetteville received the Golden Eagle Award for November. Betim is seeking an associate's degree and plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas.
Gloria Mallow, NWACC's English for College and Career coordinator, nominated Betim. "In the 15 years I've taught at NWACC, I have never seen a more hardworking, motivated student," she wrote. "This is a generous person who not only wants to be successful -- but wants others to be as well."
Mallow also cited Betim's willingness to share about his own experiences in Brazil as an enriching aspect of class discussions. "He has many times been my teacher -- sharing about his culture and beliefs during class discussions about cultural awareness, as well as setting an example for behavior when facing challenges."
University of Arkansas
at Fort Smith
Jennifer Hosley of Greenwood, a student of University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, was one of two student veterans in the nation to receive the 2017 Patriot Scholarship by the Student Veterans of America and Raytheon, a scholarship that will fund $10,000 towards her post-graduate education. She plans to earn a master's degree in educational administration after she graduates, to pursue her dream of teaching politics.
During her time at UAFS, Hosley served as the president of the UAFS chapter of the Student Veterans Organization for two years, which earned several awards, and was named the university's nontraditional student leader of the year in 2016.
Fort Hays State University
Lauralyn Terherst of Alpena is a summer 2017 graduate of Fort Hays (Kan.) State University, with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology.
John Brown University
The board of trustees at John Brown University in Siloam Springs recently approved construction of the Peer-Andrus Studio and Project Barn, to provide studio and project space for art and engineering students. The new building is named after Charles Peer, professor of visual arts, and Dave Andrus, professor of visual arts and department head, who together founded JBU's visual arts program in 1990. The school received a $2 million grant from the Windgate Foundation to fund the art studio portion of the new $3.25 million facility.
Phi Kappa Phi
Two local residents recently were initiated into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, a national collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Paige Bowen of Rogers was initiated at University of South Alabama in Mobile, and Rachel Ford of Siloam Springs was initiated at University of Mississippi in Oxford.
Haas Hall Academy
Rebecca Moll of Haas Hall Academy has been named the Arkansas history teacher of the year by Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Moll, in her 13th year at Haas Hall Academy, was recognized during a school-wide celebration Nov. 14. Gilder Lehrman recognizes outstanding kindergarten through 12th grade American history teachers across the country. Each state winner receives a certificate of recognition, a $1,000 award, a collection of classroom resources to be presented in his name to the school library and an invitation to participate in a Gilder Lehrman teacher seminar. Each winner's school will become a Gilder Lehrman affiliate school.
Moll is the social sciences department head and teaches Advanced Placement U.S. history, government and politics. She also is athletic director for the school, coaching cross country, swimming and rowing.
Arkansas Energy Rocks!
Jaime Cavitt, a teacher in the Springdale school district, received The "Arkansas Energy Rocks!" outstanding educator award during the Arkansas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners annual meeting Sept. 28 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. Cavitt works with gifted and talented students at Walker Elementary and Hellstern Middle School. Presenting the "Energy Rocks" award were Mike Callan, AIPRO president, Stephens Production Company; Andy Miller, president of the Arkansas Energy Education Foundation, Southwestern Energy; Cavitt; Marty Durbin, executive vice president, American Petroleum Institute; and Tom Parker, executive director, Arkansas Petroleum Council.
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Two representatives of Northwest Arkansas Community College were honored at the October conference of the Arkansas Association of Continuing and Adult Education. Former adult education student Zowe Decator was the recipient of the Luther H. Black Scholarship, recognizing an Arkansas High School Diploma (GED) graduate who demonstrates outstanding leadership, citizenship and professional promise. Viktoria Eldridge was honored as the 2017 Adult Education teacher of the year. Eldridge has been teaching in NWACC's program for five years and currently teaches students who are 16 and 17 years of age and pursuing GEDs before they begin college classes.
Bentonville
Garden Club
The Bentonville Garden Club awarded scholarship to University of Arkansas students Juan Moscoso and Autumn Brown during the scholarship luncheon Nov. 3 for students in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
NAN Our Town on 11/16/2017