I experienced two enlightening and optimistic moments simultaneously one day this week.
One was the event I attended, and one was an announcement about our high school during that event. Two separate things, and yet they both impact each other.
It started when I attended an event sponsored by Walmart and hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Economic Council.
In attendance were 50 community leaders gathered to discuss how together we can have a stronger impact on our region in light of some interesting economic data compiled and reported by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation:
• Arkansas ranks fourth in immigration growth from 2000 to 2010. The Southeast section of the U.S. has had the largest increase in immigrant population.
• Immigrant Latino men have the highest employment rate among any immigrant or native-born group in Arkansas.
• In 2010, immigrants contributed more economically to our state than Arkansas state and local governments spent on essential services to their households — a $3.4 billion net contribution. Cumulative contributions: $3.9 billion (consumer spending plus tax contributions), minus $555 million (essential services) for $3.4 billion (net economic contribution).
This gathering included key business leaders, educators and community members, and I was honored to be included.
During the meeting, I was alerted U.S. News & World Report had released its 2013 Best High Schools rankings. I am pleased to announce Bentonville High School is ranked second in the state. Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville is ranked first.
How exciting it was to be in the midst of a Northwest Arkansas Economic Council meeting discussing how we can have a greater impact in economic development and find out two of our high schools are one and two in the state.
Not only did they rank in the top 10, but so did Heritage High School and Rogers High School. Haas Hall Academy received Gold status and Bentonville, Heritage and Rogers received Silver.
How humbling to be among leaders who not only represent Northwest Arkansas, but many who lead globally, and also to be among all of the great high schools in Northwest Arkansas.
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are evidence our high schools are also preparing students for the challenges we were discussing at this very meeting.
As I was meeting among great leaders, credit also must go to the central office curriculum and professional development directors, school administrators and teachers who lead and professionally work with students every day of the school year.
I also feel I cannot leave this article without honoring Kim Garrett, Bentonville High School principal, who is moving on to Springdale and who led the way for Bentonville High School being recognized not only in Northwest Arkansas but also nationally.
As a school district leader, I left thinking how we truly live in the greatest region in America. But I also left empowered to want to do more, to work even harder with our neighboring school districts and figure out how we can all support each of our unique subpopulations.
The day finished with the development of a collective vision — one that revolved around our aspirations of becoming a community of global talent. I feel our schools are already going down this path.
The one the thing I have learned living in Bentonville is once we aspire to a new goal, it will happen, and I am anxious to play my role.
MICHAEL POORE IS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT.