25-26 AHS Journalism

By Kaelyn Turner

Ashdown High School seniors Abigail Wrinkle and Laynie Horn are making the most of their final year while reflecting on the memories and lessons that have shaped their high school journeys.

Abigail is involved in cheer and theater and also enjoys shopping and spending time with friends. Her favorite high school memory dates back to the first semester of her freshman year, when homecoming, football games, and dress-up days brought excitement and . As a senior, she’s most looking forward to long-awaited traditions such as painting parking spots and decorating vehicles.

Laynie, who balances school with work, treasures time with her friends and family. Her most memorable moment came when she and a friend left school for a quick trip to Sonic—only to be called to the office when they returned. For her senior year, she’s most excited about creating lasting memories with her closest friends. Both agree that the hardest part of graduating will be no longer seeing their childhood friends every day.

Looking ahead, Abigail plans to attend UA Cossatot before transferring to UAMS to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. Laynie also plans to continue her education at Cossatot in the Physical Therapy Assistant program.

When asked about the teachers who influenced them most, Abigail named Mrs. Jewell, citing her valuable advice and genuineness. Laynie credited Mrs. Elkins, Mrs. Crutchfeild, and Mr. Hopkins for their impact. “They were the best teachers I’ve ever had, and I learned so much from them,” she said.

Both seniors offered words of wisdom for younger students: pay attention in class, stay on top of grades, don’t be afraid to try new things, and remember that high school is what you make it, so make it enjoyable.

By Lyanne Ploenes

Do you ever wonder how your kid gets to school if you don’t drive them, or how they have already had lunch when they get home? You might think, ‘It’s their job, and they get paid, so why care?’ But we should care—because everything they do is dedicated to giving students a safe, enjoyable, and clean environment to learn in. 

Sharon Parker, a bus driver of 20 years, states: "The most rewarding part of my job is getting the kids to school safely.”

A bus driver's challenges are often traffic as well as bad weather conditions.

Bus drivers not only treat students with respect, but they also make it their priority to ease students’ burdens. Doing this job well requires patience, kindness, empathy, and a great deal of strength.

In today's world many perceive it as self-evident to just go on with your day and not worry about your kids in school. When students arrive teachers take care of them. Janitors and custodians work tirelessly to keep the school safe and clean. If there’s a problem with your schedule, the school secretary is there to fix it in no time. Those are the real heroes of a school day.

These people do their best day to day letting  your kid have a good and successful school day. In many people's opinion, they don’t get nearly as much recognition as they deserve.

Remember that these individuals care deeply for your students and put love into the work they do. It's easy to give them a sign that you appreciate their work and what they do because what they have to deal with every day is grumpy students as well as many other conflicts. A simple thank you can go a long way.

By Lynneah Bentz

When we think of heroes, parents, firefighters, and law enforcement officers often come to mind. But what about the everyday heroes who often go unrecognized—teachers? They dedicate their lives to shaping the future, yet their stories are rarely told. Why did they choose to teach? What do their day-to-day lives look like? Who looks up to them? 

At Ashdown High School in Arkansas, teacher Debbie Brown shared her perspective. When asked who looks up to her, Mrs. Brown replied that her nieces and nephews look up to her. She stated that her biggest role model is her mom. When asked why she chose this path, Mrs. Brown shared “I’ve always wanted to teach because of my love for children.” 

Mrs. Brown’s story is just one of many that showcase the genuine intention and dedication that teachers bring to the classroom every day. While their efforts may not always make headlines, the impact they leave on their students, families, and communities is insurmountable. Teachers like her remind us that true heroes don’t always wear uniforms or stand in the spotlight. Sometimes, they’re found at the front of a classroom, shaping the future one student at a time.

By Kaelyn Turner, Michelle Bentz, and Lyanne Ploenes

Friday Night Lights is about more than just football. It’s about the energy in the stands, the rhythm of the band, and the spirit on the sidelines. To capture the entirety of the hard work that students put into each football game, we have interviewed a football player, a band member, and a cheerleader to share their experiences.

At every game, the cheerleaders strive to get the crowd hyped. It takes lots of energy and endurance to cheer through an entire game. According to MaLiyah Scott, “the most rewarding part of cheering is watching the crowd feed off their energy.” The Ashdown High School cheerleaders have done an amazing job so far and will try to maintain the spirit throughout the whole season. 

The band amplifies the crowd’s energy with music that makes people cheer. The band plays songs such as “Godzilla” and “Shout It Out” to get the audience excited. Adalie Aylett plays the trumpet for the high school band. She states that her primary goal is to enhance crowd engagement. Adalie claims that even though performing can be scary, she loves playing alongside her friends and supporting her school.

As for the football players, Friday nights represent much more than just the score. They're a chance to showcase their hard work and dedication to the sport. When asked about the best part of playing, Wesley Carthone stated, “The adrenaline, to know that people are watching you, and when we get to run out onto the field.” He says that he feels they do better when the crowd is energetic. Wesley’s biggest goal for this season is to make all-state and all-conference and to become a better player overall. His favorite memory from a past game is when Bryson French returned the kickoff in the first game and they scored six points.

In summary, students put a lot of effort into football season beyond the game itself. Cheerleaders, band members, and football players combine their talents to bring to life the unforgettable atmosphere of Friday Night Lights. Together, these groups unite the community through their performances, reminding everyone that football season is about  much more than a simple score.