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.

By Layeken Cook, Adalie Aylett, Lynneah Bentz, Lyanne Ploenes, and Kaelyn Turner

With the arrival of spring, a new set of activities are in full swing at Ashdown High School. Student athletes are busier than ever with softball, baseball, the special olympics, trap, and track events. Oftentimes, community members and even the athletes' peers overlook these extracurriculars because they are not as well known as fall and winter sports. The AHS Journalism students have conducted interviews with students in a variety of athletics to gather information about spring sports and what may not be known about them. 

Softball season is well underway, with only a few games remaining before the District and State Tournaments take place. To get a firsthand account of what the sport entails, we have spoken with Adilyn Gore. Adilyn plays shortstop and has been a member of the team for two years. Gore stated that this year’s team is special because they have “an excellent and experienced coach leading our team, which is full of talent.” The biggest challenge she’s faced thus far has been “working hard to get and keep my position.” Motivation is the key to success in any sport, and Adilyn finds hers through her friends. Adilyn is a prime of why we as a community must show up for one another.

The Panthers Baseball Team–current state champions–are a cherished group in Ashdown. Cade White, pitcher and third baseman for the team, has detailed his experience as a member. When asked what goals he has for the season, he proudly answered “to win the state championship.” White also shared that, to him, being a part of this team is more than just that “(it’s a) brotherhood.” He continues on this point explaining, “If one person succeeds, it feels like I am too.” Finally, we asked him to share one thing that most people fail to realize about baseball, to which Cade replied “it is very easy to get in your head.”

Another approaching event set to take place on May 1st is The Special Olympics. Two participating students, Chanette Jones and Alyssa Bentz have given their input on the upcoming games. Chanette participates in Sandpit and Shotput, while Alyssa races in the 200 meter dash and the tennis ball roll. Chanette told journalism students that her favorite event out of the two is the Sandpit. When asked how it feels to be a part of a team, Chanette responded, “(it feels really) good because I get (a day dedicated to) having fun with friends and family.” On the other hand, Alyssa claimed that she is most excited to enjoy “delicious food and a break from school.” This truly reflects how fun the day will be and how every person involved can surely find something up their alley. Both expressed the importance of supporting this event, especially so that awareness can be raised for special needs children. 

This year, Ashdown High School has the honor of hosting the 2026 State Track Meet on May 5. We have spoken with Jiaxin Chen, a sophomore currently competing in her second year of track and field. Jiaxin is a middle-distance runner and races in the 4x400 and the 800 meter dash. Jiaxin admittedly gets nervous before races, but perseveres for her team. When asked why fans should attend track meets, Jiaxin replied “because I do so well and am cool.” Students and the community alike have a great time participating and watching the events.

Lastly, Koen Cox has given feedback as a member of the trap shooting team. Koen stated that the most important skills are “hand coordination, speed, and reaction time” during a competition. Because of the extreme-level of focus required for the sport, Koen claimed that singing songs to himself helps his concentration. 

The dedication of our students, coaches, and fans is appreciated by all. With so many activities and functions transpiring, it is critical that we support Ashdown High School as much as possible. The diligence and resolve of these athletes should not go without recognition. Softball, baseball, the special olympics, trap, and track each present an opportunity to advocate for our school.

By Lyanne Ploenes

While many students are still deciding on what to do after high school, PJ already has his bags packed for college. In his 4 years of high school, he especially enjoyed working at the coffee shop, instructed by Miss Turner. Additionally, he has been participating in work life after school for quite a while now. PJ says the greatest advantage of senior year is to be able to leave early and have a bigger emphasis on your personal life in the final phase of adolescence. Just like many other students, some of his favorite teachers who have supported him through his educational career are Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Edmonds, and Mrs. Thornton. After graduation, Phillip Clement will be attending the University of Arkansas to study fiber optics.