• College tuition continues to increase significantly, making it more challenging for high school graduates to afford higher educations. And, with campuses shut down because of covid-19, it's critical that students continue to have access to online learning. That's why 27 students from around the country were selected by Jobs for America's Graduates to each receive $1,000 for college scholarships, thanks to funds raised after T-Mobile's #TossYourCap TikTok Challenge. After thousands of students participated in the charitable challenge last month, T-Mobile donated $200,000 to ensure that the students can attend college this fall. The funds also went toward Jobs for America's Graduates' emergency covid-19 response efforts, to help ensure that 75,000 students enrolled in their programs across the country continue to receive the online learning they need while schools are closed. Two of the scholarship recipients chosen from Little Rock were Nadin Lopez, who plans to study art at the University of Arkansas, and Paige Poindexter who will be attending the University of Memphis.
• Rita Willbanks (Class of 2019) was recognized as the 2020 Rookie of the Year Master Gardener. Each year the executive committee at The University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, chooses a new Master Gardener who has volunteered hours above and beyond the required 40 hours. Willingness to serve in various capacities and on multiple projects is also considered. Willbanks has logged many more hours than required and served as the fair booth committee chairman. She also serves as the committee chairman for the Spring Park sanctioned project. Additionally, she works at the county fair, the Master Gardener Plant Sale and the Black House project.
• University of Central Arkansas student and a recent alumni have received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for the 2020-21 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Sophia Ordaz of Little Rock and Alexander Battaglia of Bella Vista have been offered Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships. Ordaz and Battaglia are two of more than 2,100 U.S. citizens who are to study, conduct research and teach abroad in the 2020-21 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers academic and professional achievement, as well as their records of service and leadership potential in their respective fields.
Arkansas Achievers is an opportunity to give recognition to Arkansans for their achievements.
Civilian and military achievements are accepted.
Please follow these guidelines:
Achiever(s):
1) Must be an Arkansan or have graduated from a school in Arkansas.
2) Received an award, scholarship, medal or promotion.
Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted.
No photographs please.
To submit an Achiever, email us at [email protected] with the words "Arkansas Achievers" in the subject line.