Local among ATU Tradition Keeper grads
Seventeen fall 2023 Arkansas Tech University graduates have earned the ATU Tradition Keeper designation, including Gregory Bishop Jr. of Pine Bluff.
ATU Tradition Keepers are students who have “maintained the value of the student experience while completing their degree,” according to the ATU Alumni Association.
ATU fall commencement will be Saturday. Tradition Keepers receive green recognition cords to wear at commencement. They also receive special recognition in the commencement ceremony program and the ATU Tradition Keeper designation is reflected on the graduate’s official university transcripts, according to a news release.
TRADITION KEEPERS
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Honorees are Gregory Bishop Jr. of Pine Bluff, Kaija Blackman of Jacksonville, Emily Bolanos of Dardanelle, Kishawna Brown of Russellville, Grace Carpenter of Benton, Aimee Cioppa of Pottsville, Grace Davis of Cabot, Jackeline Delgado of Clarksville, Stephon Hall of North Little Rock, Cole Hendrix of Russellville, Diana Nava of Russellville, Jennifer Scott of Van Buren, Allison Spears of Van Buren, Allee Southerland of Paron, Jacob Stover of Mount Ida, Chinsar Undrakhbayar of Mongolia and Larry Yarbrough of El Dorado.
Gillett to host Coon Supper
The Gillett Farmers and Businessmen’s Club will host the 80th annual Coon Supper at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 in the Gillett High School Gymnasium.
For the past four years the club awarded the Gillett Farmers and Businessmen’s Scholarship to area graduating seniors. Each student receives a $4,000 scholarship that encompasses four years.
The club continues to use all proceeds from the Coon Supper to fund scholarships and will award more scholarships to seniors graduating in 2024, according to a news release.
The businessmen’s group is a non-profit and non-political club. It helps with efforts such as summer programs, school programs, an educational endowment fund, athletic and scholastic awards, and community service.
The Gillett Coon Supper is the first and one of the largest events of its type held at the beginning of each New Year. The event will be attended by many national, state and local politicians, and people from all over Arkansas and surrounding states. There will be recognition of the students from Gillett participating in DeWitt High School activities. Coon Supper T-shirts and hats will be available this year.
For ticket information, contact Larry Bauer at (870) 830-4002, or write to P.O. Box 577, Gillett, AR, 72055. For program information contact Wes Long at (870) 830-0160.
Audubon Society plans gathering
The Three Rivers Audubon Society’s Christmas Potluck Party will be at 11:45 a.m. Saturday in the classroom of the Delta Rivers Nature Center. Delos McCauley will present a PowerPoint program entitled “A Trip to the Galapagos Islands” where he recently visited. Anyone interested in birds and the Audubon Society is welcome to attend, according to a spokesman.
1st Ward pantry sets giveaway, parade
The First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry, 1201 Commerce Road, will host its 2023 Christmas Giveaway and Parade from 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 22.
The parade honors the Pine Bluff High School Football Team, the 2023 5A Conference Champs. The parade will include the PBHS Dance team and cheerleaders, according to a news release.
The event also recognizes Bill and Shari Jones of Sissy’s Log Cabin. Details: Debra Allen, First Ward Living Grace executive director, (479) 301-1096.
VFW auxiliary announces ceremony
The John and Roy Horn Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4455 Auxiliary will conduct a Wreath Placement Ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday at Graceland Cemetery, 2122 W. Pullen St.
The ceremony is in honor of all veterans, according to a news release.