Arkansas High Band Students recently competed for seats in the All Region Orchestra in Conway, Ark.

On September 19, more than 500 students who play stringed instruments competed for seats in the All Region Orchestra in Conway. Eight students from Arkansas High School and North Heights Junior High made high enough scores to qualify. They played a concert on September 24.

The winners were: Christina Cannady, Sydnee Pritchett, Courtney Coker, Faith Stearns, Ethan Pyle, Patrick McKerlie, Marco Moya and Nicholas Smart.

Texarkana and Hot Springs students were 2016 Arkansas’ Top Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recipients. The search is under way for Arkansas’ top youth volunteers of 2017. Now through November 8, students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their community through service within the past 12 months.

“After 21 years of conducting The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, it’s clear that young volunteers across the United States are making significant contributions to their community, said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “By shining a spotlight on their service, we hope that more young people will be inspired to serve their communities and make a difference to the people around them," he said.

Arkansas’ top youth volunteers of 2016 were Shelby Dunphy-Day, a student in the Texarkana, Arkansas School District who planned two “six-leg” fun run races in downtown Texarkana to raise money for the local animal care and adoption center; and Katelyn Bondhus of Hot Springs, Ark.

State honorees receive $1,000, medallions and all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C. for the 22nd national recognition events. Applications are available online. 

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