Readers say ‘yes’ to indoor pool
Education News for North of the River plus headlines and sports
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The Headlines
Meetings: The Maumelle City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
Events: Father’s Day is this Sunday. Plan accordingly. The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce will be having a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. today at Pooch Pointe, 301 Millwood Circle, suite 102.
Readers say ‘yes’ to indoor pool
The results are in, and for readers of ArkansasNewsrtoom.com, they would be much more likely to join Maumelle’s Center on the Lake if an indoor pool was part of the facility there.
In Week 1 of the polling, 62 percent of the respondents said they would be more likely to join, while 35 percent said no while 4 percent said it would depend on cost.
You’ll note that the respondents total out to 101, due to the poll’s rounding function.
In week 2, 50 percent said yes, 40 percent said no and 10 percent said it depends on cost. And all praise to even numbers.
Currently, Center on the Lake charges Maumelle residents, $135 annually, and non-residents $210, for the Gold Pass, which allows use of the facility from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, while Friday being from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Silver pass, which allows use from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, is $35 annually for residents and $50 for non-residents. There’s also a free option for low-income people.
In comparison, both North Little Rock and Sherwood offer indoor pools in city-owned facilities.
For North Little Rock’s Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center, the Core Hours membership is $45 annually for daily access from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, while weekends offer more limited hours.
The extended hours membership is $150 annually and runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. along with weekend use. North Little Rock charges the same rate for city residents and non-residents.
Both Maumelle and North Little Rock are for those 50 and over.
Sherwood’s Bill Harmon Center is through that city’s Parks & Recreation department and memberships are for those 5 and over.
The annual rate for 50 and over in Sherwood is $144. They also have more extended hours.
As a personal aside, I also answered yes in the poll because, while I’m over 50, am I “old” to the point of joining a senior center? That answer is a firm no.
But, swimming is a superior exercise. Doctors, who can be very annoying, suggest 150 minutes of weekly exercise, and swimming is both aerobic, good for the heart, and anaerobic, good for the muscles, which can’t be said of running, which is just the worst, or bicycling, which isn’t as bad but I lack the requisite death wish to brave this state’s highways and byways.
So, for an indoor pool, I’d join up. It appears many others feel the same way.
Education
Maumelle’s Aynsleigh Washam named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List at Mississippi College
Aynsleigh Washam of Maumelle was recently named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List at Mississippi College in Clinton, a suburb of Jackson.
Dean’s List inclusion, a student must maintain a 3.5 grade point average, based on a 4.0 system. The student must take a full course load of at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit with all academic courses impacting their grade point average.
Mississippi College is affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention.
Maumelle’s Millikan has work showcased
Maumelle’s Geneva Millikan was among over 250 students whose outstanding academic work was showcased during the recently held 2024 Baldwin Wallace University Ovation Day of Excellence.
Millikan, a graduate of Maumelle High School, is majoring in acting, presented "Boy Gets Girl - An Analysis of Stalking and Online Dating."
Each spring, the Ovation Day of Excellence celebrates student achievement, showcasing student success in research, scholarship, experiential learning, the arts and more through posters, videos, live presentations and performances. Participants must complete a submission process and have a faculty mentor who sponsors their work and gives approval to present.
This year's events included a student art exhibition, music, dance, theatre, opera and the Ovation Soapbox, where students advocated for issues they are passionate about. The opening ceremony featured alumni speaker Kayla Strata '16, a digital marketing entrepreneur, and music from "Star Machine," a musical comedy about an aspiring singer who lands on an American Idol-like TV show, by BW students Gideon and Hank Temple.
Baldwin Wallace University is in Berea, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.
Southeast names Spring 2024 President’s List
The following North of the River students have been named to the spring 2024 Dean's List at Southeast Missouri State University.
Jacob Rivera of North Little Rock
Camilla Ricaurte of Maumelle
Tiarrah Jackson of North Little Rock
Students named to the list earned at least a 4.0 grade point average and completed at least 12 hours of standard graded credit in a semester.
SNHU names Winter 2024 President's List
It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University congratulates the following North of the River students on being named to the Winter 2024 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Nikylia Maxwell of Maumelle
Miesha Dennis of Sherwood
Glenda Canady of North Little Rock
Julia Moody of North Little Rock
Wendell Dison of North Little Rock
Toya Walker of North Little Rock
Corey Johnson of North Little Rock
Lucy Johnston of Maumelle
SNHU names Winter 2024 Dean's List: Southern New Hampshire University recently named the following North of the Rover students on being named to the Winter 2024 Dean's List. The winter terms run from January to May.
Kalenna Smith of North Little Rock
Regan Modrell of North Little Rock
North Little Rock’s Fareed Feroz Al Panjwani graduates from Cumberlands
All members of the University of the Cumberlands family wish to congratulate Fareed Feroz Ali Panjwani of North Little Rock on their graduation from the university. Well done, Patriot!
Just under 6,000 students make up this year's graduating class. Approximately 170 graduates completed an associate degree, 1,250 finished a bachelor's degree, 3,770 received a master's degree, 270 completed an educational specialist degree, and 530 earned a doctoral degree. Graduates represented many different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures, but they all now have one thing in common: they made it!
Perez named to Dean's List at Cumberlands: In recognition of academic performance, the Office of Academic Affairs at University of the Cumberlands has announced Sherwood’s Kami Perez was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester.
To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours (a full course load), maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 for the semester, and be in good academic standing.
Compton on Spring 2024 Dean's List at Belmont University
North Little Rock’s Lindsay Compton was named among the students who qualified for Belmont University's spring 2024 Dean's List. Approximately 44% of the University's 7,338 undergraduate students qualified for the spring 2024 Dean's List.
Dean's List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
Belmont is in Nashville, Tennessee.
North Little Rock’s Claire Green a national champ
National championships don’t come easy at Mississippi State University but that’s what the Bulldogs are as the university’s Debate Team claimed the national title.
Among the team members is North Little Rock’s Claire Green, above, a senior biochemistry major, and who was “recognized for outstanding personal achievements and team contributions, as well as for being named semifinalist - Varsity Division.”
The national title was from the International Public Debate Association, the largest intercollegiate debating association in the U.S., with more than 200 colleges and universities from across the country competing.
The format gives teams 30 minutes to prepare for each round on a new topic.
Among the school’s Green and Mississippi State defeated along the four days of competition include: Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Southern Methodist, Boise State, Cal State, Abilene Christian, Dallas Baptist and Union.
Mississippi State’s win rate in the preliminary rounds was 66 percent and they sent more students to the elimination rounds than any other school.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi inducts new members
The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Taylor O'Donald of Maumelle at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Tiffany Armstrong-Moore of Sherwood at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Jasmin Avery of North Little Rock at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Stefanie Vestal of North Little Rock at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
They were among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Duff gets accreditation in Public Relations
Jessica Duff, executive director of communications for Pulaski County Special School District successfully completed the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations, entitling her to use the APR professional designation.
The announcement was made by the Universal Accreditation Board, a consortium of nine professional communication organizations that directs this competency certification program.
“I am beyond thrilled to achieve this accreditation,” Duff said. “I was inspired by my colleagues who worked hard to earn professional degrees and certifications in their respective fields and wanted to do the same. This accreditation was an arduous process that represents my dedication to proper and effective communication for our District.”
The Accreditation program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the profession. The Examination is designed for public relations professionals with at least five to seven years of job experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in a communication field. Candidates who successfully complete the rigorous process, including presenting her portfolio to a Panel Presentation of three peers and sitting for an examination, are granted the APR.
Sports
Upcoming Travs games
At Tulsa — Now through Sunday
Opponent – Wichita
Tuesday, June 18, 12:05 p.m.
Summer Camp Day
Thursday, June 20, 6:35 p.m.
$3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and Concessions deals, including Hot Dogs, Soft Drinks, Cotton Candy, and a Select Canned Beer & Seltzer!
Friday, June 21, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Music of Seattle | Presented By Farm Bureau Insurance
Saturday, June 22, 6:05 p.m.
Salute to Seattle & Jersey Auction: Join the Travs in paying tribute to the Mariners' hometown!
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game!
Jonatan Clase Bobblehead Giveaway: Presented By First Arkansas Bank & Trust | First 1,000 Fans (one item per person)
Sunday, June 23, 1:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday: Get $2 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin (only available at DSP Box Office)
Kids Baseball Clinic: Kids 13 and under are invited to join Travs players on field for a baseball clinic starting at noon! | Presented By Hog Wash
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game!
At Springfield, June 25 - June June 30