24-25 AHS Journalism

By Erin Crow and Madlyn Purcell

The Serenity Cafe is one of the highlights at Ashdown High School. This business is not known town-wide but is the big talk of the publicity in the High school. The cafe is a student-led business that Jill Turner supervises.

  The business supervisor, Jill Turner, indicates that the students learn and gain growth on professional and personal levels. Not only does this help students grow professionally and personally, but it also helps them learn to take negative customer feedback and de-escalate situations. The goal of the class is for each team of students to recognize the change in themselves and to become leaders in the school and community. The students also perceive the thought that their opinion does matter and is not being pushed to the side. As they notice that their opinions matter they eventually learn to consider their other team member’s opinions and come to team decisions. Jill sees a big difference conjuring in the student's future as they work together and build relationships, leadership-wise. She sees the difference already reflected in her students as they participate in class and are active team members. The students are active in ensuring the customers are the number one priority through the service and product. According to Jill Turner, “They are excited to get the doors open and start your day with a smile and a great drink!” As all these factors start working together the students develop teamwork, communication, customer service, and negative feedback responses. They are being prepared for the rough business world out there through the support of Jill Turner and the Serenity Cafe. 

In addition to current knowledge acquired by Jill Turner, two students with past year experience provided more information regarding the Serenity Cafe. When asked about what the cafe has to offer, Allison Pena, who had worked the previous year said “The Coffee Shop has about everything and anything you can imagine to get”. The cafe has many drinks, whether it's a frappe or smoothie, and much more to choose from, anyone can find their special drink there. According to Joshua Muldrew, also a former student-employee, his goal for the Serenity Cafe is “To make customers happy”. Both employees are buzzing with excitement for the newcomers who are learning to carry out their progress, attitude, and goals for the cafe as a whole. 

After speaking with the leaders of the Serenity Cafe, the daily customers were later interviewed. 11th grader, Courtney Jackson, was interviewed about her thoughts on the Serenity Cafe. She was asked about her favorite drink, if she enjoyed it, if there was any worker improvement, if there were new products, etc. Her responses were amazing, she has the java chip most of the time and would like to see a peppermint mocha in the cafe. The coffee shop provides good service in her opinion. She says,” The coffee is what I love the most. The workers are nice and polite, and the coffee is really good. I give it a 10 out of 10.” This interview had a very positive outcome, especially since this customer truly enjoys the Serenity Cafe.

It is concluded that the Coffee Shop will not disappoint when it comes to the workers or the drinks. Everyone in the cafe is doing everything possible to ensure a bright future for the Serenity Cafe and its staff.

By: Mack Anderson, Kinley Smedley, and Macy Smith

Ashdown High School has started a tutoring program that will begin on Monday, October 7th. Tutoring will be Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 to 8:00 before school and 3:30 to 4:30 after school. The program's main goal is to offer assistance to students who need help in their respective subjects. The high school's primary focus is to improve overall test scores and enhance the learning environment. Abigail Sellers, an 11th grader at Ashdown High School, discusses the qualifications required to become a tutor. She says, "You have to be recommended by a teacher, go through specific tutoring training, and have passed all the classes you will be tutoring for." Students interested in tutoring or being tutored should meet in Mrs. Pierce’s classroom, 507, located in the 500 hallway.

By Carley Forbes and Ella Morrison

We recently interviewed Kameron Adams regarding the golf tournament that took place in Millwood, September 24. He gave us some of his favorite information about golf, his history, and basic facts about the game. He shared with us that the team practices for a month before they start competing. To be on the Ashdown High School team it’s completely free, you just have to buy your own clubs. 

The team only plays 9 holes when they compete. His favorite memory of golfing is “... when I got my first eagle.” His top average score is 43, with a good score ranging from 36-45. Having the majority of his friends on the team influenced him to join.  Top place he enjoys golfing at is Glenwood. The team has won 3 out of 14 games. He has never had a hole in one. His favorite club to golf with is an iron.

By KatLynn Bagley, Kalee Crowley, and Lauren Strube

Ashdown High School elected officers for this year’s FBLA team, with the first conference being held on October 23rd, 2024. This program’s main purpose is to improve communication skills, and build leadership. With so many benefits, Mrs. Jill Turner says, “oh it’s a wonderful benefit!” Experiencing things students have never imagined experiencing. Students who were interested in FBLA talked to Mrs. Turner in room 404 and made arrangements to be a part of the team and  can’t wait to see where this year's FBLA team goes further on in the future.

FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America is an organization in which students grades 6-8 and 9-12 compete  to learn different skills such as leadership skills, knowledge, real world experiences and connections necessary to succeed in business. Not only is this organization a possibility for students to see growth in confidence and communication skills, it also helps to provide opportunities for students to explore different career paths in business. 

In hopes to see everyone succeed, FBLA works together to grow all at once. This organization won’t disappoint if you're looking to get educated further through  business matters. Where members and staff look forward to a bright future, Future Business Leaders of America is the key.

By Kalee Crowley

Ashdown High School hosted a chili fundraiser for the FBLA, Esports, and Robotics clubs. The fundraiser was intended to raise money for these following programs in order to  provide the students with food, equipment, and anything else they needed to accomplish their goals in these clubs. A total of $301 was raised and split between the three clubs within a time period of three hours. Starting right after school we as a team began preparation for this fundraiser for the community. 

These three clubs intended to work together to make everything go smoothly, assigning each member with specific requirements.  After interviewing, Mrs. Crutchfield says, “The benefits to this fundraiser are, involvement, and being able to work together, donating time to help other people.” We hope to see more opportunities to come together and help our community at large. 

By Mack Anderson, Kinley Smedley, Macy Smith

Ashdown High School senior, Brodie Mitchell is currently on Homecoming Court in hope of winning Homecoming Queen. The Homecoming Queen will be crowned at the football game on November 8th.

Brodie is involved in many school activities, such as cheerleading, student council, and Beta Club as Historian in her Junior year. She is currently SkillsUSA Chaplain and a member of Panther Theater. She states, “I think being more involved in school activities helps you have a wider variety of friends in all grades, which can help you get votes.” 

Brodie is confident that she can win. “I am ecstatic to have this opportunity out of all the amazing girls who had the possibility of being chosen,” Brodie says. With the help of the AHS students, she may be our 2024 Homecoming Queen.

By Journey Gulley and Logan Vest

Ashdown High School is hosting the Homecoming Dance Nov. 2, and the Homecoming Game Nov. 8.  Homecoming has been a ceremony at Ashdown High school since 1915, as well as Homecoming Court. This allows female seniors to dress up and walk for the Night of Homecoming Queen. We asked a couple of Homecoming Queen contestants a few questions on how to win, and what are good traits to win. 

Nataleigh Wharton, a contestant for Homecoming Queen, states that she is very excited to be chosen for 2024 Homecoming Court. She feels that she has amazing traits that will help her win. She also says that she thinks that in order to win you have to be charming and have personality. She also says that ever since she was a little girl, she thought that the girls doing Homecoming were beautiful and that inspired her to do this. Her dress is “A white, icy, blue, iridescent color.”

Another interviewee, L’Syra Britt, thinks that being a good friend and being helpful to other classmates is a good trait to help her win Homecoming. L’Syra did this because she was not able to do the pageant. L’Syra is a football manager, and plans to be an athletic trainer in her future. Unfortunately, we know nothing of her outfit.

Written by Sanaia Gulley and Erin Crow

Ladies and Gentlemen our very own AHS Homecoming Queen and Maid, L’Syra Britt and Lakenya Williams. These young ladies were voted our queen and maid because of their kindness, attitude, and school spirit. 

Homecoming Queen, L’Syra is an outgoing and dependable person at Ashdown High School. For the school's athletic department, she works very hard. In every sport Ashdown has to offer, she works as a manager. After high school, L’Syra wants to attend Lyon College in Batesville, AR for a degree in sports medicine. Also, she commented she was nervous “The day before homecoming we had practice doing our walk down the field and me and Kinze had swapped places.” Therefore, she didn’t know if she was in the right or wrong spot. When the time came around to announce the winners for this year’s Homecoming Queen and maid, L’Syra was shocked that she was called Homecoming Queen. 

The Maid of Honor, LaKenya, is a very kind-hearted person with a great sense of humor. She is also a great leader. LaKenya has great sportsmanship; she plays in almost every sport Ashdown can offer and kills at it. After high school, LaKenya wants to go to school to study radiology. During the announcement, LaKenya stated she was standing there talking to her father Kent and he said “You are gonna win something… You're going to be Maid of Honor.” Next thing you know they were calling out LaKenya Williams for the 2024 Homecoming Maid of Honor.

 These girls have gone above and beyond typical expectations as high school students. So, let's give it up for L’Syra Britt and LaKenya Williams for all their hard work, joyful faces, attitude, and school spirit. AHS 2024 Homecoming Queen and Maid of Honor, ladies and gentlemen. 

Written by Erin Crow and Kalee Crowley

Ashdown’s annual auction, better known as “Sold On Ashdown" was held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Ashdown High School. Many citizens supported their city’s auction and bought some incredible items. 

Ashdown’s annual auction is held to raise money for something that the community would enjoy. In the past, the money that was raised was used to help build the splash pad at Ashdown City Park. Last year the money was used to build an obstacle course at the park and was just finished last week. This year it is still being decided on what to use the money for. 

Jill Turner, one of the citizens who attended the auction, informed us about how the day at the auction went. She mentioned the importance of this event, and how extraordinary it is to see so many people support their town. Jill had mentioned that the auction was very fast-paced, especially with the live auction, with the auctioneer, Mr. Nutt. Curious about what Jill Turner thought were the most interesting items sold, she said, “Four items, a Dolly Parton signed guitar, signed helmets by the Eagles and Kansas City, a hand carved wooden, 5-foot tall Indian statue, and a Chevrolet Spark car.” Jill explained that the amount of money raised from the auction was over $109,000, and was more than they had thought they would make. This year the auction had some incredible items that everyone will surely remember. 

Overall, this money that was raised by the community from the auction, Sold on Ashdown, will go towards something that Ashdown can benefit from and enjoy. Everyone is excited to see what the money will go towards for this year.

By Darra Gaines, Jackson Dickens, Ja’Ryiah Garfield, and Kylie Moore

L’syra is a senior at Ashdown High School. She won homecoming queen. Although she didn’t necessarily sign up to be on the homecoming court, she was still elected by classmates due to her personality and kind soul. She felt nervous because so many other beautiful contestants could've won. Britt stated that even if she didn't win, she would’ve been happy to see other classmates win. When she was asked if you didn’t win, who would you want to win she stated, “I would want Lakenya to win”. 

Britt participates in extracurricular classes like track and field for Ashdown High School, she does shot put and discus. She also is a basketball manager for our varsity girls basketball team helping and traveling along with them every game. Britt once was a volleyball manager but stopped. She was also a football manager for our boys this year. She is very helpful when it comes down to her classmates and helping them. 

Britt’s favorite class is math, thanks to her engaging teacher who makes the subject enjoyable and relevant. After high school, she plans to attend Arkansas Tech University to major in exercise science. Planning to go to college is a major step in anyone's life. This shows how committed she is to her future and all the things she worked for in highschool. Overall, Britt has planned herself out a great future. 

L’syra Britt does a lot to support the Ashdown community and is involved in lots of outside of school activities. She’s going to college and going to do great things after high school. This concludes how she feels about being a senior and everything that comes with it. 

By: Logan Vest, Michelle Balderas, Journey Gulley

“Teacher of the Year” is an award system where teachers from the campus can vote for who they think is the most valued teacher. You must have been in the same school for at least three years to be qualified to be a nominee, and if nominated the year before, they can’t be nominated the current year. The district uses a rubric on how to grade the teachers. The rubric is based on how the student body feels about the teacher and also the other teachers' opinions. The teacher must have appropriate relationships with the students and must cultivate and promote their success. 

High School students Logan Vest, Michelle Balderas, and Journey Gulley all interviewed the winner of  “Teacher of the Year” for High School and District, Mallory Elkins. We asked her a series of questions about how she felt about achieving this award and a few questions of her background on teaching.

One question we asked was “How do you feel about getting High School and District Teacher of the Year?” Elkins explained that it was an honor and she wasn’t expecting it. “It’s a nice pat on the back… teachers do a lot and I wish everyone could get an award each year.” This shows how she is being very selfless and appreciative of her reward. We then asked if she had any specific traits that helped her gain this award. She goes on to explain that she expects her students to give some positive feedback about her teaching. She wants all teachers to have a good connection with students and that if you aren’t able to achieve this, then you aren’t exactly a “good teacher”. 

After asking her a couple of questions of her reward, we asked a few personal questions on her teaching life. “What inspired you to teach for a career?” Elkins talked about her family. She states “It’s in the family...” Mallory wants to be able to help kids and that “It has a large appeal to it.” Elkins’ teaching style is different from other teachers. She likes to come off as strict and firm at the start of the school year and by Thanksgiving or Christmas, she will form friendly relationships with the students. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing kids mature and grow into young adults. “Fifteen years down the road you guys won’t remember the whole plot of Romeo and Juliet, but fifteen years down the road, you will be an accountable citizen.” This shows how much she cares for her students and reflects on how serious she takes her career.

Elkins is passionate about her career and is proud of what she does. She is an amazing teacher that deserves many awards to come.

By Erin Crow, Journey Gulley, and Michelle Balderas

Nataleigh Wharton is a senior this year at Ashdown High School. She has attended this school district since kindergarten. Nataleigh has always been academically inclined, strong-minded, and friendly. This has helped her become a member of many school activities.

She is active in many clubs and activities such as volleyball, student council, National Honor Society, Beta Club, football manager, Ashdown High School’s Theater, and was even on the Homecoming Court. Just like she engages in several school activities, she also participates in community events like the auctions, Special Olympics, fundraisers, and helps out with tutoring in the elementary school. Nataleigh has always been a big help and an open-minded person, so it was no surprise when we discovered her goals and dreams.

Nataleigh will attend Hawaii Pacific University during the fall to become a marine biologist. She is excited to be able to leave Arkansas to start a “new” life and to live out her dream job. She has always wanted to become a marine biologist ever since she was little. She explained that she knew the exact moment she figured out her love for sea animals. It was when she and her family went on vacation to Dauphin Island. They went to an aquarium and saw a new tank filled with stingrays, and as she was touching it, she automatically fell in love with them. Apart from just moving to Hawaii to obtain her dream career, she also explains how she’s always wanted to live next to a beach with a loving family, but in later years, after she graduates from university.

Nataleigh mentioned that she wouldn’t be able to accomplish everything she has without her mom, who is also her role model. Her mother, Mallory Wharton, has been a big inspiration and someone Nataleigh can look up to. She is one of those who have pushed her and been there for her throughout all of it. 

By Elise Bowman, Brooklyn Denton, and Ella Morrison

Brodie is a Senior at Ashdown High School. She has attended Ashdown since kindergarten. After high school she plans to attend college at Ouachita Baptist University, and study pre-med. Brodies favorite high school memory is getting a sack on powderpuff.

She has been a cheerleader since third grade, so ten years. Her favorite memory from cheerleading has been when the team all went shopping in Hot Springs. Her favorite thing to do outside of cheer is going camping or going to the lake. She has been a varsity cheerleader for three years.

She was one of the captains on the cheer team for the 24-25 season. Brodie's favorite teacher she has had is Issac Cross. One thing she loves about being a senior is getting to leave school at 12:00 everyday. Brodie is excited for life after high school to experience new things.

Brodie was the lead role in the fall musical Legally blonde. In the spring musical she will play grandma Tala in the musical Moana. Her favorite part is when she gets to walk down the aisle and sing her solo. She is very excited. She said “I've wanted to do this play for awhile.”

By Darra Gaines, Jackson Dickens, Ja’Ryiah Garfield, and Kylie Moore

Ebony Roberts is an 18-year-old in 12th grade with her own nail business. Ebony started doing nails because she got bored and she liked the thought of doing nails. Ebony started small, just with buying acrylic kits, and became pretty good at it. She practiced on her nieces and herself. At first she wasn't so great but it was never horrible but as you can see now she learned from her mistakes and became better. 

Ebony says she couldn't imagine a future without doing nails. Ebony states, “I would not be the same person if I did not do nails.” Although she takes pharmacy tech which is her favorite class because of the teacher. Ebony could have another career, she still would prefer doing nails. She says that she is going to go to cosmetology schools for nails because she has her head set on doing nails in her future. 

Her confidence on doing nails right now is an 8/10, because she’s still doing nails in her garage. Once she moves out and stops doing nails in her garage, she will feel a confidence level of 10/10. She said her financial gain is really good. She has some slow weeks but that doesn’t stop her financial gain. 

Ebony is a very hard-working teen and has plans to do nails in the future. Even though she has slow weeks sometimes, she doesn't let that get to her. Instead she just works harder to do what she loves.