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.