Conway Area, AR News

Each year, Conway Academic Signing Day recognizes a select few of the high-achieving graduating seniors from Conway Public Schools, St. Joseph School and Conway Christian School who have received significant academic awards and substantial scholarships. The event is hosted by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and is presented by Acxiom Corporation.

This year’s 23 honorees met one of the following criteria to be selected for Academic Signing Day:

• a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher and the recipient of a top scholarship from the four-year accredited college or university of their choice;
• a National Merit Scholar or National Merit Finalist designation;
• an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy;
• the winner of a state or national scholarship program; and
• the recipient of a Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship or Governor’s Scholarship.

Bart Shaw, vice president of operations at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said that the event is a public and fun way to recognize academic excellence.

“Academic Signing Day is based loosely on letter of intent ceremonies for athletic scholarship recipients and provides insight into the collegiate destinations and academic achievements of Conway graduates,” Shaw said. “Conway Area Chamber of Commerce started this event to provide high academic achievers and their support systems with the recognition they deserve.”

The ceremony took place on May 17 at Worsham Performance Hall on the campus of Hendrix College. One by one, honorees stated where they plan to attend college, signed a placard indicating their choice, and received an award. Jeff Standridge, vice president of global operations at Acxiom, was the keynote speaker.

“Acxiom has a multitude of bright and academically gifted individuals, many of whom were educated in Faulkner County schools,” said Standridge. “Acxiom recognizes that education is critical to economic development, so we want to honor those students who excel.”

Other sponsors for Academic Signing Day 2012 were Conway Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Log Cabin Democrat, Crain Buick GMC, First Security Bank, Smith Ford and Southwestern Energy.

This year’s signees will attend 13 colleges and universities in six states:

Eileen Frances Ablondi – College of William and Mary
Jennifer Allison Adolph – Arkansas State University
Stephanie Grace Barger – University of Arkansas
Mallory Shay Brooks – University of Central Arkansas
Jean Grief Corbitt – Centre College
Harrison Daniel – Ouachita Baptist University
Jack Aaron Evans – University of Central Arkansas
Molly Anna-Marie Evans – University of Arkansas
Alex E. Fahr – John Brown University
Kaycee Elizabeth Gifford – University of Memphis
Mary Ruth Gomez – Ouachita Baptist University
Bradley James Hamlett – John Brown University
Jeffrey Allen Hazel – University of Arkansas
Joshua Cody Lewis – University of Arkansas
Bonnie Alan Magee – Ouachita Baptist University
Calli Nicole Morrison – Arkansas Tech University
Maria Grace Nabholz – Baylor University
Robbi Dallas Riggs – Lyon College
Leah Carol Riner – Oklahoma State University
Benjamin Clay Southerland – University of Arkansas
Valentin Dimitrov Velchev – University of Central Arkansas
Seth Quentin Washispack – University of Arkansas
Parker Hamilton West – Texas A&M University