38th Annual Academic Excellence Awards

A collage shows the 38th Annual Academic Excellence Award recipients. (Submitted photos)

Each year, The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Weyerhaeuser Co. honor the top 5% of the graduating classes from all seven public school districts in Garland County, as well as the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts.

This annual event was started in 1986 by Ray Owen Jr. while he was on the Education Committee for the Chamber of Commerce and the tradition has continued. Weyerhaeuser has been a sponsor of this event since 2006 and The Sentinel-Record is an in-kind sponsor.

This year's banquet will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

The following is a listing of the students being honored this year. The biographies and photographs were provided by the Chamber of Commerce:

Cecilia Apale

Apale is the daughter of Alicia Apale and Felicia Apale. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is a member of National Honor Society. She plans to major in business/marketing at National Park College.

Bethany Breshears

Breshears is the daughter of Shane and Stacey Breshears. She attends Fountain Lake High School, where she is involved in archery, journalism and a member of Beta Club. She plans to attend National Park College.

Reagan Carrouth

Carrouth is the daughter of Eric and Renae Carrouth. She attends Lake Hamilton High School, where she is a member of FBLA, the varsity track and field team and varsity golf team. She plans to major in business at Ouachita Baptist University.

Nasya Choy

Choy is the daughter of Edmond Choy and Swee Heng Ang. She attends the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where she is president of the Robotics Team, a student researcher and president and founding member of the Dance Club. She plans to major in aerospace engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Elizabeth Clutter

Clutter is the daughter of Amy Clutter. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is vice president of HSWCHS's Tri-M program, a participant in Marching and Concert Band and Theatre Program stage manager. She plans to major in languages and literature at Davidson College.

Charlotte Vina Colgrove

Colgrove is the daughter of Dr. Michael and Elizabeth Colgrove. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is Student Council vice president, National Honor Society president and on the volleyball team. She plans to major in biology at University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Honors College.

Elyse Curtis

Curtis is the daughter of Jessica Edwards and Matthew Curtis. She attends Fountain Lake High School, where she is a member of the marching and concert band, Student Council and Beta Club. She plans to major in psychology/pre-law at University of Arkansas.

Jedidiah DeWeber

DeWeber is the son of Paul and Georgeta DeWeber and Heather DeWeber. He attends Lake Hamilton High School, where he is a member of marching band, winter winds/percussion and the cross country/track team. He plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas.

Audrey Divers

Divers is the daughter of Shelby and Fred Divers. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is captain of the varsity volleyball team, a member of National Honor Society and a Lakeside Ambassador. She plans to major in animal science at the University of Tennessee.

Cole Felts

Felts is the son of Chris and KaChera Felts. He attends Cutter Morning Star High School, where he is a member of Beta Club, Gifted and Talented and the archery team. He plans to major in biology at University of Central Arkansas.

Winifred Formby

Formby is the daughter of Dee Formby and Ronnie Formby. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of the Ozark Leadership Institute, the Lady Rams Soccer Team (No. 19) and National Honor Society. She plans to major in interior architecture and design at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Matthew Goodwin

Goodwin is the son of Ben and Regina Goodwin. He attends Jessieville High School, where he is a member of Beta Club, Varsity basketball and golf teams. He plans to major in industrial engineering at University of Arkansas.

Jacob I. Harbin

Harbin is the son of Jim and Brandy Harbin. He attends Cutter Morning Star High School, where he is a member of the Varsity baseball team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Beta Club. He plans to major in biology at University of Central Arkansas.

Teddy Headlee

Headlee is the son of Jennifer Headlee and William Headlee. He attends Lakeside High School, where he is a member of Boy Scouts, the Lakeside Quiz Bowl team and Lakeside Young Democrats. He plans to major in political science at Iowa State University.

Caleb Jade Herring

Herring is the son of Jade and Cindy Herring. He attends Fountain Lake Charter High School, where he is a member of Our Promise (Young Men of Distinction), National Beta Club and National Honor Society. He plans to major in biology at University of Central Arkansas (Schedler Honors College).

Matthew Hill

Hill is the son of Rebecca Westbrook. He attends Mountain Pine High School, where he is a member of band and a sous chef. He plans to major in nursing at National Park College.

Claire Hudnell

Hudnell is the daughter of Jason and Melissa Hudnell. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of Lakeside Thespian Troupe 2123, Lakeside District Press and senior class president. She plans to major in university scholars with an emphasis in political science and film at Baylor University.

Sarah Humphries

Humphries is the daughter of Amy and J.J. Humphries. She attends Lake Hamilton High School, where she is state president of Arkansas Technology Student Association, a National Code Organization student ambassador and a member of the Lake Hamilton High School track team. She plans to major in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity at Baylor University.

Avery Hunt

Hunt is the daughter of Laura Hunt and Lewis Hunt. She attends Lake Hamilton High School, where she is a member of Lake Hamilton Varsity Cheer and president of National Honor Society. She plans to major in mechanical engineering at University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Chelsee Selene Jeronimo

Jeronimo is the daughter of Apolo and Norma Jeronimo. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club and a Hot Springs SDA Church youth adviser. She plans to major in biochemistry at Andrews University.

Emma Kate Johnson

Johnson is the daughter of Sheri and Jeff Johnson. She attends Lake Hamilton High School, where she is a secretary of National Honor Society, a five year member of Steppin' Wolves and a competitive dance team member at DanceArts Studio. She plans to major in marketing/digital market at University of Central Arkansas.

Roman Lancaster

Lancaster is the son of Jason and Melissa Lancaster. He attends Lakeside High School, where he is a member of the Lakeside tennis team, Student Council and National Spanish Honor Society. He plans to double major in accounting and finance and minor in Biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University.

Sabrina Long

Long is the daughter of Jack and Donna Long. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of the Lakeside tennis team, Lakeside Chamber Singers and National Honor Society. She plans to be a STEM major at University of Alabama Tuscaloosa.

Samantha Long

Long is the daughter of Jack and Donna Long. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of Lakeside Chamber Singers, National Honor Society and Beta Club. She plans to be a STEM major at University of Alabama Tuscaloosa.

Christian Lu

Lu is the son of Hui-Fang Lu. He attends Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where he is lead researcher in independent original capstone research on bacteriophage impact on E. coli antibiotic resistance, a summer intern at UAMS on attacking cancer stem cells using sesquiterpene lactones and captain of the ASMSA Ping Pong Club. He plans to major in biochemistry.

Lucas McCain

McCain is the son of Tiffany and Kevin McCain. He attends Lake Hamilton High School, where he is a member of National Honor Society, Mu-Alpha Theta, a four-year multi sport member of football and track and two-year member of basketball and wrestling. He plans to major in mechanical engineering at Harding University.

Zane McCain

McCain is the son of Jennifer and Keith McCain. He attends Lake Hamilton High School, where he is a member of the Lake Hamilton Varsity Basketball team, a delegate at Arkansas Boys State and member of Mu Alpha Theta. He plans to major in biochemistry/pre-pharmacy at Arkansas State University Honors College.

Sarahi Medrano

Medrano is the daughter of Magaly Lozano and Jose Medrano. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is a member of Hot Springs Dance Troupe, National Honor Society and the Gifted and Talented Program. She plans to major in radiologic technology at National Park College.

Lainey Mungle

Mungle is the daughter of Chris and April Mungle. She attends Fountain Lake High School, where she is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society and Beta Club. She plans to major in aviation at Henderson State University.

Bryan Norwood Jr.

Norwood is the son of Annette Norwood, Bryan Norwood and April Folsom. He attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where he is a member of National Honor Society, the International Baccalaureate Organization and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He plans to major in music education at University of Central Arkansas.

Lily Orr

Orr is the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Orr. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of the soccer team, National Honor Society and 4H Shooting Sports. She plans to major in occupational therapy at University of Central Arkansas.

Allison Parker

Parker is the daughter of Kyle and Jennifer Parker. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is webmaster, historian and honor thespian for Troupe 78, president and founder of HSWCHS Crochet Club and first chair, second violin in the HSWCHS Orchestra (All Region ninth grade). She plans to major in computer science/neuro science at Southern Arkansas University.

Jayden Patel

Patel is the son of Pankaj Patel and Meghna Patel. He attends the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where he is a Community Leader, president of the Computer Science Club and placed second at the 2023 JOLT Cybersecurity Competition against professionals in the industry. He plans to major in computer science.

Sheyla Praetzel

Praetzel is the daughter of Dr. Daron and Karen Praetzel. She attends Lake Hamilton High School, where she pole vaults for the Lake Hamilton Track Team, is on the Lake Hamilton Tennis Team (Girls Singles 5A South Champion), and on the Lake Hamilton Dive Team. She plans to major in health science studies at Baylor University.

Hunter Pye

Pye is the son of Heidi and Matthew Pye. He attends Jessieville High School, where he is a member of the track team, band and Beta Club. He plans to major in political science and finance at Ouachita Baptist University.

Emma Qualls

Qualls is the daughter of Trip and Shannon Qualls. She is a member of Lake Hamilton High School, where she is senior class vice president, a Varsity cheerleader and Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas' Teen. She plans to major in nursing at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Laura Ramos

Ramos is the daughter of Fidel and Petra Ramos. She attends Lake Hamilton High School, where she is a member of the cross country team, National Honor Society and Beta Club. She plans to major in nursing at Arkansas Tech University.

Celeste Rea-Garibay

Rea-Garibay is the daughter of Kandy and Dean Gould. She attends Fountain Lake High School, where she is a member of the Hot Springs Youth Advisory Council, Fountain Lake Student Council and National Honor Society. She plans to major in psychology at University of Central Arkansas.

Mimi Reagler

Reagler is the daughter of Karen and David Reagler. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is Student Council president, an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program candidate and Southern Region programming vice president of the National Federation of Temple Youth. She plans to major in biology and environmental sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

Olivia Reed

Reed is the daughter of Alex and Patricia Reed. She attends Jessieville High School, where she is a member of band, Beta Club and Gifted and Talented. She plans to major in game animation and simulation design BFA at Southern Arkansas University.

Danielle Rivera

Rivera is the daughter of Sarah and Michael Rivera. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is a member of Thespian Troop 78, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and Girl Scout Troop 6364. She plans to major in musical theater at Ouachita Baptist University.

Tessa Rivera

Rivera is the daughter of Richard Rivera and Sherry Houston. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is president of the National Honor Society, a Student Council senior representative and Varsity Girls Bowling captain.

Amelia Rogers

Rogers is the daughter of Heather and John Rogers. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of the Lake Valley Student Ministry, Lakeside Varsity Women's Basketball team and National Honor Society. She plans to major in biology at Harding University.

Grace LeAnn Shelor

Shelor is the daughter of Jennifer Shelor and Brian Shelor. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is a member of National Honor Society, the bowling team and the International Baccalaureate Career Program. She plans to major in interior architecture and design at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Myia Shroff

Shroff is the daughter of Charity Lynn Jensen and Rajesh Shroff. She attends Lakeside High School, where she is a member of the ACE Club, National Honor Society and volunteers at animal shelters. She plans to major in biology at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Hope Savannah Smeltzer

Smeltzer is the daughter of Emily Smeltzer. She attends Lake Hamilton High School, where she is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club and Student Christian Life. She plans to major in social work at National Park College.

Dominick M.C. Spradling

Spradling is the son of Roy Fields and Cindy Fields. He attends Mountain Pine High School, where he is a member of band. He plans to major in game design and electrical engineering at National Park College.

Ali Springsteen

Springsteen is the daughter of Heidi and Bob Springsteen. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is a member of the soccer team, National Honor Society and the leadership team within her youth group. She plans to double major in business and graphic design at John Brown University.

Trystan Shea Stabila

Stabila is the daughter of Amy and Salvador Stabila. She attends the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where she is a member of the Astronomy Club, Wind Ensemble and the Cover Artist Club. She plans to double major in physics and music performance at Amherst College.

Michaela Stevens

Stevens is the daughter of Kyle and Jennifer Stevens. She attends the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where she is club president of Model United Nations, a student ambassador for the Office of Institutional Advancement and club secretary for the Young Medical Professionals. She plans to major in English.

Bianca Thomas

Thomas is the daughter of Sharlene Waller and Brandon Thomas. She attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where she is a member of National Honor Society and Gifted and Talented, was a Hot Springs Rotary student guest and on the Lady Trojans Volleyball team. She plans to major in biology at Hendrix University.

Chiking Vang

Vang is the son of Phaa Vang and You Moua. He attends the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where he is a member of the Computer Science Club. He plans to major in computer science at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Chandler James Watson

Watson is the son of Jessica Watson and Artie Bettis. He attends Hot Springs World Class High School, where he is a I.B. Career Pathway student with a focus in business and computer science. He plans to major in biology at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Jonah Wilburn

Wilburn is the son of Janet and Josh Wilburn. He attends Mountain Pine High School, where he is a member of Student Council, the FCA and the football, basketball and baseball teams. He is undecided on a college or major.