The stage was packed from side to side with students on Monday morning as Alma High School held its March Victory Celebration. This monthly assembly is all about recognizing the accomplishments of students and staff across campus. From academics and athletics to fine arts and leadership, this celebration highlights the many ways AHS students continue to succeed and represent their school well.
Airedale MVPs
Students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior, strong character, and model the “Do Right and Be Kind” spirit were recognized as Airedale MVPs:
• 12th Grade: Isabella Chapen
• 11th Grade: Ellie Reeves
• 10th Grade: Chloe Kovalck
• 9th Grade: Aybrie Price
• Faculty MVP: Coach Garrett King
Staff & Faculty Honors
• Varsity Beacon Award – Innovator of Spirit: Mr. Kirkendoll
• Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award (National Association of Agricultural Educators): Mrs. Kisia Holland
• AHS Teacher of the Year: Michele Ikenberry
Academic Excellence
• Blake Holsted, recognized as a National Merit Finalist
• Science Fair winners at both the school and regional level, including Grand Champion Erick Mulligan
• Regional Science Fair honors, with Enrique Garcia earning multiple recognitions and qualifying for ISEF
• History Day winners at both the school and regional levels
• Poetry Out Loud: Morgan English named AHS winner and state competitor
• Quiz Bowl teams qualifying for state competition
• Model UN students receiving honorable mention at the Model Arab League competition
Student Organizations & Leadership
• DECA competitors earned numerous top placements, and the chapter was recognized as a Gold Chapter at the Thrive Level
• Technology Student Association (TSA) members earned several competition placements and elected three AHS students as state officers
• Educators Rising students earned top-three finishes in multiple state competition categories
• HOSA students attended and competed at the state conference for the first time
• River Valley Career Launch seniors participated in regional job interviews with employers
•FFA students competed in multiple Career Development Events, with Logan Flanagan and Dakota Williams participating in the Auctioneering CDE Contest, and Rylee Holmes and Laramie Carr placing Top 5 in the Laser Division at the Girl Power CNC competition.
Fine Arts Achievements
• Theatre students earned multiple Superior and Excellent ratings at the Arkansas Thespian Festival, along with All-State recognitions and a showcase selection
• Choir programs earned strong scores at CPA and will advance to state assessment
• All-State recognitions in choir and band, including Karson Sims as 1st Alternate Tenor Sax
• AHS Winterguard earned Scholastic Guard Champion at competitions in Alma and Bryant
• Alma Varsity Dance placed 5th in Pom and 7th in Hip Hop at UDA Nationals
• Alma Varsity Cheer finished State Runner-Up and 3rd place at UCA Nationals
Athletics Highlights
• Varsity Boys Basketball finished the season with 23 wins, placed 2nd in the 5A West Conference, and qualified for the state tournament
• Rebecca Gillingham and Brylynn Lamproe represented the AHS Swim Team
• Harper Jernigan set a school softball record with 14 strikeouts in a game against Booneville on March 3
• All-Star / All-State / All-Conference selections recognized
Additional Honors
• Peyton Jones, recipient of an NJROTC Scholarship
• NJROTC Drill Teams earning multiple top finishes at the Tinker Air Force Base Drill Meet
• Most Outstanding Airedales: Brayden Peppas and Breella Hughes
Keep being awesome, Airedales - we’ll celebrate again in April!