Magnolia High School

Teacher Appreciation Week The Magnolia School District celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-7. Thanks to all the dedicated teachers and staff members for all you do for the District!

Magnolia District Art Show May 5-8

Get your ‘20-‘21 yearbook today! $55 exact cash or check. Available for pick up during 5th period only (12:30 - 1:20) Wednesday and Thursday, in the Media Center.

The visual artists of the Magnolia School District cordially invite you to attend the 2021 district art exhibition entitled An Appetite for Art. The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, mixed media projects, ceramics, crafts, and 3-D sculptures. AP Art students will have their own displays. The exhibition will be held at Panther Arena located on the Magnolia High School campus on May 5-8. Open to the public: May 5 & 6 from 3:30 to 5 pm May 7 from 10 am to 5 pm May 8 from 10 am to 2 pm

BAND BOOSTERS TO HOLD MEETING The Magnolia Band boosters will be hosting an interest meeting on Monday, May 3 at 6 PM in the MHS Band Hall. All parents of band students are encouraged to attend. The support that our boosters provide is absolutely critical to the success of the band program. Whether your child is just starting band, or is getting ready to graduate, we would love to involve you! If you are unable to attend, use the zoom link below to participate in the meeting virtually. > > Chris Sanders is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. > > Join Zoom Meeting > https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74958788499?pwd=WW5WY3FNdGYyUVg4Y1QvclR3Q2gzQT09 > > Meeting ID: 749 5878 8499 > Passcode: panthers > > Band booster meeting > Monday, May 3rd > Magnolia High School Band Hall”

MHS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM BANQUET Magnolia High School’s Internship Program held its annual Employer Appreciation Banquet at the Magnolia High School Auxiliary Gym on April 6. Students in the program worked together to show each employer how grateful they are to work with such inspiring individuals. The theme for the evening was A Night in Paris! The Internship students were responsible for planning and implementing every step of the banquet. The guest speaker for the evening was Mr. Darnell Ford, Magnolia High School. Mr. Ford shared encouraging thoughts with the students. Presiding over the program were Internship president, Keshunti Brantley; vice-president, Makayla Bradford; secretary, Chloe Lambert; treasurer, A.J. Williams; reporter, Mynasia Crockett; and historian, Denasia Hardin. Students, Doria Beasley with the MHS OWLS Program, Keshunti Brantley with Magnolia School District Registrars office, Zoie Dixon with Story’s on the Square, Imanol Guzman with Dairy Queen, and Megan Reyome who works for MHS – Art Department spoke on their positive experiences with the program. Magnolia High School Principal, Chris Carter challenged the seniors to strive for greatness. Students and businesses participating in the 2020-2021 Internship Program are Doria Beasley, OWLS, Magnolia High School; Keshunti Brantley, MSD Registrar, India Burton, Taco Bell; A’Darius Franks, Kindergarten Food Service; Imanol Guzman, Dairy Queen, Ja”shaun Hartsfield, MHS Food Service; Dennis Jones, City of Magnolia; Emma Rich, Magnolia Veterinary Services; A.J. Williams, Magnolia Middle School; Qua’najah Willis, MHS Media Center; Marley Bismark, Kindergarten; Makayla Bradford, MHS Band; Demarian Carter, Mac’s Fresh Market; Mynasia Crockett, Eastside; Zoie Dixon, Story’s on the Square, Patrick Graham, Graham Law Firm; Denasia Hardin, Wee Care; Chloee Lambert, Chicken Express; Todd Metcalf, Brookshire’s; Dallas Nalls, Brookshire’s; Cammie Neill, Dairy Treet; Megan Reyome, MHS Art Department; and Tyrese Wilson, KFC. During the school year, Internship students worked 12,534 hours and earned $122,422. Any employer interested in employing a part-time worker for the 2021-2022 school year is encouraged to call Internship Coordinator, Jodi Waters at 901-2542 to arrange for interviews with prospective students.

2021 GOVERNOR’S SCHOLASTIC HONORS DAY Magnolia High School seniors, Sierra Putney and Angie Saldana were recently recognized as 2021 Governor’s Scholastic Honors students. The girls both have the same grade point average, which ranks them as the top two students in the MHS senior class. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Directive on Indoor Venues, the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced on behalf of Governor Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson that the 2021 Governor's Scholastic Honors Day would be celebrated virtually this year. Governor Hutchinson expressed his admiration of the achievements Arkansas’ most outstanding high school seniors have made, especially during these trying times. The Governor's Scholastic Honors Day is an annual event that highlights academic achievement throughout the state.

Magnolia High School Internship program held its annual Employer Appreciation Banquet on April 6th. The students, their employers and guests were honored to have as their guest speaker, Mr. Darnell Ford. The students raised the money for the banquet through fundraisers throughout the year. The Internship students were responsible for planning and implementing every step of the banquet. Great job Senior Internship students for 2021. We would like to thank our wonderful employers and administration for their support.

Magnolia High School honored new and returning Mu Alpha Theta Members. 36 Seniors were honored and 60 Juniors. Congratulations to this group of elite Mathematics students.

MHS HONORS STUDENTS WITH ADVANCED PLACEMENT RECEPTION Magnolia High School hosted an Advanced Placement (AP) Reception April 16 in the Magnolia High Cafeteria and honored a number of students for their academic accomplishments. The awards included cash, yard signs, honor cords, and medals. Farmers Bank and Trust, who provided cake for the attendees, sponsored the event. Magnolia High principal Chris Carter announced this year’s awards recipients. In May 2020, 151 students who were enrolled in AP courses took 227 AP exams. From that test administration, 49 students, some of whom graduated last spring, passed 64 tests. AP tests are scored 1-5 and all scores of 3, 4, or 5 are considered passing. At the banquet, students who passed an AP exam last May were awarded a $100 cash incentive for each passing score and a yard sign that reads, “An MHS AP Scholar Lives Here.” The checks and signs went to Cage Arnold, Eli Barnett, Maggie Cassidy, Lindsey Cornwell, Peyton Creech, Leila Dadgar, Chris Dai, Olivia Ferguson, Ethan Franks, Troi Kacsir, Emily Kelley, Cade Key, Kade Kuykendall, Tristan Malone, Hallie May, Seth McKamie, Thomas McWilliams, Emmi Miller, Heather Millican, Sierra Putney, Megan Reyome, Jadelyn Snider, Clara Souter, Reagan Sweeney, Samuel Trout, Rachel Ward, Zaria Whitaker, Elizabeth Wilson, and George Wilson. Students who passed AP tests but graduated in May are also getting the cash incentives. They are Azaria Broomfield, Gabrielle Bulliard, Elizabeth Burgess, Lauren Chambliss, Joseph Goza, Megan Green, Haley Huffman, Haley Johnson, Hunter McLaughlin, Bethany Morgan, Raegan Nix, Adam Pieratt, Terrianna Robinson, Jordan Sigala, Victoria West, Parker Williams, Amy Wooldridge, Abigail Young, Kateijah Young, and Kevin Zhao. Students who have passed multiple tests are designated for higher honors by College Board, the governing organization for Advanced Placement nationwide. AP Scholar status is granted by College Board to students who pass three or more AP exams. These students were presented black and silver cords to wear at graduation: Leila Dadgar and Emmi Miller. Others named AP Scholars were members of the Class of 2020: Elizabeth Burgess, Megan Green, Haley Johnson, Jordan Sigala, Amy Woolridge, and Abigail Young. AP Scholar with Honor status is granted to students who pass four or more AP exams with an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken. The student who achieved this status – Sierra Putney – was presented with an engraved medal to wear at graduation. ¬ AP Scholar with Distinction status is granted by College Board to students who pass at least five AP exams and earn an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams. The 2020 graduates who earned this status are Gabrielle Bulliard, Adam Pieratt, Parker Williams, and Kevin Zhao. Also recognized at the event were the AP and Pre-AP teachers: Amanda McMahan, Katherine Long, Melanie Ladner, Laurie Hicks, Hunter Fowler, Melissa Chandler, Shauna Jackson, Kaci Myers, Julie Carter, Katie Herren, Connie Hinton, and Morgan Smith.

To Parents/Guardians: There will be a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for eligible students at Magnolia High School on April 29th beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Panther Arena. Eligible students will receive Dose 1 of the Pfizer vaccine. Students must be 16 or older by April 29th to receive the vaccine. Students who received Dose 1 on April 8th will receive Dose 2 at this time. The consent form (front and back) must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the campus nurse by Monday, April 26th. Consent forms are required for Dose 1 and Dose 2. Forms are also available at the high school front office and on the district website. For your convenience, click the following link to download a PDF of the consent form so you can print it off, sign, and turn in: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1218099/MRMC_-_COVID-19_Vaccine_Consent_for_Public_-_Generic-_ENGLISH.pdf If you have any questions, please call 870 901-2547.

20-21 Yearbooks are on the way! Although pre-order is no longer available, we do have 115 copies left that will be sold first come, first serve! Books are $55 exact cash or check only. Come see Mrs. Goodwin King to reserve your copy!

MHS Swim & Dive 2021-22 Informational Meeting

MAGGIE GRACE CASSIDY AWARDED ARKANSAS GOVERNOR’S DISTINQUISHED SCHOLARSHIP Magnolia High School senior, Maggie Grace Cassidy has been awarded the 2021 Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship. Maggie Grace is the daughter of Tommie and Mitch Cassidy. Students meeting the minimum eligibility criteria are eligible to be named Governor’s Distinguished Scholars. The student must earn either a 32 composite score on a single ACT or 1410 combined math and critical reasoning score on a single SAT and either a 3.50 academic grade point average or be selected as a National Achievement Finalist or National Merit Finalist. Financial need of the student is not a factor in the award of the scholarship; therefore, no financial information is required. The Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship pays up to $10,000 per year for tuition, mandatory fees, room and board. The scholarship is disbursed by the institution the student is attending and apportioned according to that institution’s academic terms. The student must be enrolled in at least 15 semester credit hours (12 semester credit hours the fall term of the freshman year) to receive funds for that term.

MHS Students Host EAST Night Out

MHS STUDENTS ATTEND EAST CONFERECE 2021 Each spring, more than 3,500 students, teachers, parents, and community and business leaders attend the largest EAST event of the year, EAST Conference. This year’s theme, Homecoming, is about celebrating 25 years of students from various talents coming together to network with other students, share stories and ideas, and showcase projects that inspire change within their communities. Due to Covid-19 guidelines, this year’s conference was held virtually. Brister Baptist Church was gracious enough to allow the students to use their fellowship hall to set up their conference booth and provided wi-fi for the team to attend classes/sessions virtually.

PITTMAN SELECTED MHS TEACHER OF THE YEAR Magnolia High School Spanish instructor, Mercedes Pittman, was selected as the campus 2021 Teacher of the Year. As a young woman born in Chillán, Chile, Mercedes Pittman learned to value education and to this day considers it a privilege. In 1991, with limited English language skills, family friends offered to sponsor her, and Mercedes came to the United States on an adventure that would last a lifetime. Early on, Mercedes sat in classes at Southern Arkansas University just to become a better English speaker. She also worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant at Magnolia Hospital while volunteering in the Magnolia Hispanic community to translate for medical and legal appointments. Through determination and hard work, she later entered Southern Arkansas University on an academic scholarship, eventually graduating with a Spanish major and Social Work minor. She later went through the naturalization process and became a citizen of the United States. Mercedes taught in El Dorado and Camden before coming to Magnolia High School in 2006. She continues to tutor university and high school students in Spanish and helps Hispanic parents who cannot speak English in school-related meetings. At Magnolia High School, Mercedes teaches with passion and loves students as her own, even those who are not in her classes. She tries to motivate students to take advantage of every opportunity to learn things and better themselves. Mercedes frequently says, “Kick-it baby,” and the phrase has become a school-wide euphemism for “do your best!” She shares the culture of Chile and the Spanish-speaking countries of the world in a way she hopes fosters understanding and tolerance of diversity. Mercedes serves as the MHS Foreign Language Department Chair and is an active fan of school sports. She is the Panther Band “mom” to hundreds of musicians and can be seen at every football game, both home and away, holding instruments or pinning up girls’ hair. She also sponsors a student-led Christian group, Chosen Generation Youth Fellowship. Mercedes meets with the group twice a week after school to prepare music and messages for their meetings on Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m. Mercedes is married to Jay Pittman, and together they have two grown children. Both children are graduates of Magnolia High School. Their son Jay has a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biophysics, and their daughter Pristine is currently in medical school. Mercedes is a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Magnolia and serves as a choir member. She is also a member of the Arkansas Foreign Language Teacher’s Association. In her spare time, Mercedes enjoys cooking, singing, entertaining, and ping-pong.

Reminder: 9th and 10th grade students will be taking the ACT Aspire test tomorrow, April 13th, AND next week, April 20th! Students need to bring charged laptops (and chargers) to school tomorrow!

Magnolia School District will host its annual District-wide art show in the Panther Arena May 5-8. This year’s theme is “An Appetite for ART” and the community is cordially invited to attend the exhibition. Art will be included from all district campuses. You do not want to miss it! Come and support the visual arts of Magnolia School District! Students will be visiting May 5-6 during school hours. The art show will be open to the public May 5 and May 6 from 3:30-5 pm, May 7 from 10 am-5 PM, and May 8 from 10 am-2 pm. This year, 2021 Magnolia District Art Show T-shirts will also be sold. Money raised from the T-shirt sales will help support the art students and will go towards the cost of putting on this year’s art show. Anyone wishing to order a T-shirt should print and fill out the order form, then turn it in to a campus art teacher along with cash or check. All orders need to be turned in by April 21. Checks should be made out to Magnolia Art Club. Click below for a T-shirt order form https://5il.co/rfqk

Magnolia School District will host its annual District-wide art show in the Panther Arena May 5-8. This year’s theme is “An Appetite for ART” and the community is cordially invited to attend the exhibition. Art will be included from all district campuses. You do not want to miss it! Come and support the visual arts of Magnolia School District! Students will be visiting May 5-6 during school hours. The art show will be open to the public May 5 and May 6 from 3:30-5 pm, May 7 from 10 am-5 PM, and May 8 from 10 am-2 pm. This year, 2021 Magnolia District Art Show T-shirts will also be sold. Money raised from the T-shirt sales will help support the art students and will go towards the cost of putting on this year’s art show. Anyone wishing to order a T-shirt should print and fill out the order form, then turn it in to a campus art teacher along with cash or check. All orders need to be turned in by April 21. Checks should be made out to Magnolia Art Club Click below for a T-shirt order form https://5il.co/rfqk