Students Receive Recognition at State Capitol

On Tuesday, March 31, two students from Ashdown New Tradition Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) were recognized by Governor Mike Beebe as “Outstanding Alternative Education Students” in  a ceremony at the State Capitol.

Sophomores Tony Gaines and Gerren Thompson  were formally recognized by the Governor as “students who have turned challenging circumstances into great accomplishments.”  He further stated, “You courageously decided to take responsibility for your future by completing your diploma requirements, achieving hard-earned goals that will improve your quality of life and enhance the quality of life for those in your community.”

 ALE Student Leadership Recognition Day at the Arkansas State Capitol is sponsored by the Pygmalion Commission on Alternative Education, Arkansas Department of Education, and the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators.  Students attending the event have received honors in academics, skills acquisition,  community awareness, and involvement on their school campuses.

 Tony and Gerren both received Certificates of Recognition from the Arkansas Department of Education that commended them for “accepting the challenge and maintaining the resolve to accomplish positive goals for future success.”  Both students were considered to “stand out as a positive role model within your school and community.”

 Students’ activities for the day included a meeting and photo opportunity with Governor Mike Beebe, meeting with Legislative and Department of Education leaders, and a tour of the Capitol, as well as a tour of the Clinton Library and lunch at the Library’s Café 42.

 Others who attended with Tony and Gerren were Channon Branch, ALE student at Arkansas High; Mike Walker, Ashdown Schools superintendent; Rosa Bowman, Ashdown School Board member; Linda Walker, New Tradition principal; Katrina Williamson, New Tradition social studies teacher and 2007 ALE Teacher of the Year; Sandra Rhone, teacher at Arkansas High; and Sharkey Britt, parent of Channon Branch.

 Tony is the son of Tony Gaines Sr. and Noemi Gaines of Ashdown.  Gerren is the son of George Thompson Jr. and Wynne Bell of Ashdown.