Agri business grad to attend Clinton School
After his May graduation with a degree in agricultural business from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Trenten Wills plans to attend the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock. The institution has awarded him a full-tuition scholarship, as well as stipends for living expenses.
UAPB’s graduation is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Wills said his decision to apply at the Clinton School was influenced by several UAPB alumni, according to a news release.
“It all started with Frank Dorsey, dean of Student Involvement and Leadership, who sent me to a leadership conference called ‘Engaged Arkansas,’ where we were able to learn leadership development techniques and talk a little about the school,” Wells said. “After that, I became the executive president of the Student Government Association, and my chief of staff connected me to another alum, Jason Meghee, who became a mentor to me. He encouraged me to apply to the Clinton School with the aid of UAPB alumnus Reginald Ballard, who is also a Clinton School graduate. After hearing success stories and truly understanding the mission of the Clinton School, I realized that it aligned with my values and would be able to fulfill all my needs.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Wills said he hopes to obtain a strong understanding of what it means to work in public service, since that has been one of his priorities throughout his education. He wants to develop ways to aid others domestically and internationally.
“I intend to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program to obtain both my master of public service degree and a Juris Doctorate degree in just four years,” he said. “My aim is to practice law for a few years and then run for office. My ultimate goal is to reestablish the core mission of being a public servant.”
Wills credits Tomekia White, Ph.D., and Nina Lyon Bennett, Ph.D., for their advocacy of the SAFHS 1890 Scholarship Program, which allowed him to obtain his degree debt-free. At UAPB, he most values the connections he made and the opportunities that helped him advance his education and career.
Wills was a member of the UAPB Collegiate 4-H Club, MANRRS Club (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences), Carolyn F. Blakely Honors College, Union Programming Board, Black Male Achievers, Political Science Club, National Society of Leadership and Success and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
NAACP to honor ACT-SO winners
The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP announced the winners of its 2024 ACT-SO Competitions. The winning youth will receive awards in a ceremony today from 2-4 p.m. at Bethany Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 1923 S. Olive St., according to a news release.
The winners, awards and contest categories are:
Felicia Jones – 12th grader: Watson Chapel High School (2 Gold Medals: Drawing and Painting)
Sylvana Burgess – 11th grade: Pine Bluff High School (Gold Medal: Photography)
Allahni Branch – 12th grade: Watson Chapel High School (Gold Medal: Music/Classical-Vocal)
Angel Holloway – 11th grade: Pine Bluff High School (Gold Medal: Sculpture)
Jamya Wells – 9th Grade: Pine Bluff Junior High School (2 Medals: Bronze in Painting and Silver in Drawing)
The winners of gold medals will represent Pine Bluff at the National NAACP Competitions scheduled for July 10-15 in Las Vegas.
ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, & Scientific Olympics) is an empowerment program of the National NAACP whose mission is to highlight and celebrate the academic achievements of African American high school students. Thousands of contestants assemble at the event to showcase their academic talents and win millions of dollars in prize money and scholarships.
“We are proud to send these young people as not only as our contestants but also as our ambassadors to spread the word that academic achievement is important to Pine Bluff,” said MaryAnn Lee who chairs the Pine Bluff NAACP branch’s ACT-SO program.
The branch is raising funds to support the travels of these students to the national competition. Donations may be sent to the NAACP at P.O. Box 9068, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. Note on the check: ACT-SO. The NAACP is a 501©4 organization and donation may not be tax deductible. Please check with your tax advisor, according to the release. Details: Maryann Lee, (870) 718-5330.
Area Agency tells menu
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas is serving lunches from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Here’s next week’s menu:
Monday — Chilli and beans with corn chips, shredded cheese, coleslaw, emerald pears, and milk.
Tuesday — Beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes, zesty squash, hot roll, fruit, and milk.
Wednesday –Fajitas, Mexican rice, Mexicali corn, orange, and milk.
Thursday — Ham and cheese sandwich, chips, apricots, pike cake, and milk.
Friday — Chicken pasta salad, broccoli and cauliflower salad, crackers, sherbert, and milk.
Details: Strachota Senior Center, (870) 543-6323.