News clippings, news releases, and ""The Tiger,"" Little Rock Central High School, October 20, 1989
LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Volume 95 LIhle Rock, Arkantei, October 20, 1989 Number 5 Distinguished grad! Central High was recently visited by the schools first black graduate, Mr. Ernest Green (above), who visits with Principl Everett Hawks. Mr. Green, who served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor in the administration of President Jimmy Carter and who is now an executive with an investment banking firm in Washington, D.C., came to Central so he could be photographed by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, which is doing a series of articles on the desegregation of public schools in the South. Mr. Green said his reception at Central High now is very pleasant." which was not the case when he and eight other black students integrated Central in 1957. Soldiers had to be sent by President Dwight Elsenhower to integrate the school. Mr. Greens last visit had been In October of 1987 when he and the eight other black students who integrated the school came here for their 30th reunion. The reunion was sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the group that brought the lawsuit that integrated Central and ended the dual education system in the South. Tuesday's College Night will be on Fair's campus By CORA CRARY College Night, an annual activity of the Little Rock School District, will be next Tuesday at J. A. Fair High. Purpose of College Night, which will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude at 9 p.m.. Is to acquaint students and their parents with most colleges in Arkansas and with many of the major colleges In other states. information about admission requirements, scholarships, and work programs at about 89 different colleges will be available. College Night Is structured so that those attending can attend the formal presentations of two colleges. Time is also allowed so that those in attendance can browse through the booths. A School District official said that when colleges were Invited, they were questioned on whether they wanted a classroom for a formal presentation or If they preferred a booth to hand out literature. About half of the invited colleges requested rooms for formal presentations. From 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there will be informal browsing. In addition, there will be a special financial aid workshop. The first structured session will be from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 7:99 p.m. The second structured session will be from approximately 6 p.m. to 8:29 p.m. There will also be Informal browsing from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Colleges that will be represented Include Arkansas College. Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech, Art Institute (See DISTRICTS on Page 2.) Homecoming turns sour as racial fighting erupts By NICK COCKCROFT ed down, so we left. Minutes Homecoming Week '89. which later, we were called back and was last week, turned sour and arrived again on the scene." tarnished the naUonal reputation of Central High. After their second arrival, numerous policemen remained Racial violence erupted during on the campus or In the area the Homecoming pep rally last throughout the remainder of the Wednesday morning and before it school day. was over, there were approxAbout one-third of the student imately 300 students Involved in a body, however, left school after brawl. More than a dosen students were slighUy Injured. Only two. though, had to be treated by local physicians. Before the incident last week. Central was considered to be a national leader in the field of human relaUons. Even though Central was the first high school In the South to Integrate and did so amid turmoil and International attention, the school had not experienced any racial incidents In many years. Because of Its superior academic program and Its model human relations program, year before last Central was one of two high schools in Arkansas chosen for participation in the National (Jovemor's Association's Model Schools Program. School officials are still Investigating the causes behind last week's brawling. The Homecoming parade had Just ended and the pep rally, which was on the front campus, was In progress when the violence erupted. According to both students and administrators, the violence began when a white student set ablaze an effigy of a Jacksonville Red Devil that had been part of one of the floats. The effigy was hung from a tree limb. The burning effigy fell from the tree and caught a black student's car on fire. The owner of the car and about eight others then attacked a white male student whom they thought had set the effigy ablaze. (The white student attacked was not Involved in setting the effigy alaze, according to a school official.) righting then spread over the front campus and the fights were along racial lines. It took approximately 80 minutes for all fighting to cease and for order to be restored to the campus. Mr. Everett Hawks, principal, said that students from other schools were Involved in the brawl. He did not know why they were at Central's pep rally. Young men from the neighborhood, who are not students at Central, were also believed to have participated In the brawl. "When I saw smoke (from the dummy), I went toward it and saw 8 lot of blacks beating on (white senior) WUson Howe. Mr. Hawks said. "I went to try to protect Wilson and somehow fell the incident. Mr. Hawks and others express- ed their dismay at the brawling. "It's been a real setback for Central with all the adverse publicity we've received. Mr. Hawks said. "We will all have to pull together to keep this kind of thing from never happening again." Dr. Ruth Steele, superintendent, said that she expected Mr. Hawks and other personnel at (See PIOHTS on Page 4.) Attendance reward... Perfect attendance will soon be rewarded. Mrs. Angel Nash, who Is chairman of the school's attendance committee, has announced that awards will be given to students with perfect attendance at the end of each grading quarter. Mrs. Nash, who is an instructor of English, believes that providing awards each quarter to those with perfect attendance will hopefully improve the school's dally attendance by "about 9 per cent. Awards to be provided will Include bowling passes from a local bowling alley, movie passes, and gift certificates. Names of those with perfect attendance will also be printed in the Tiger. The first grading quarter will end on Wednesday. November 1. AT WORKICentral's new sophomore senatorsAdam Kirby (center) and Kelly Eddings (right)began work immediately after election to the offices. They ore selling a Metro coupon book to junior Shanquelos Edmondson. Student Council is selling the coupon books as a major fund raiser. Sophomores select senators
Eddings, Kirby gain positions Adam Kirby and Kelly Eddings to the ground. I managed to get have been elected to the two Wilson Into the building and this senators positions for the was the only act of violence I sophomore class. saw. Mr. Hawks was struck and he Itiey were elected to the positions in an run-off election Prt- lost his watch while trying to get day, September 29. Howe back Into the building. xn winning election to Position I, Kirby defeated Latlsse Maye In Howe was one of two students who had to be treated by physt- the run-off. In winning election to clans. The other was Junior Darrell Haire, a black student, who was transported by ambulance to a local hospital's emergency room. Position II. Eddings defeated Sarah Webb In the run-off. Position candidates eliminated in the general election ------- were Mary Staley and Leslie There were no police present Townley. Position 11 candidates when the brawling started and elimhiated In the general election school officials said the police did ~ ..............- not arrive for 30 minutes after they were called. Police Lt. Bert Jenkins, were Clark Atkins, Jill Floyd, Dorrian Myles, Ehryn Parker, Stephanie Shepherd. Alan Ty- ----- - - singer, Ramonda Woodley, and however, defends the time it took Dana Yarbough. the police to arrive. We were called at 10:19 a.m. and arrived at the scene at 10:22." he said. "By then, the situation had calm- The two senators are the only elective officers from the sophomore class. TTiey conduct all necessary business for the class, they serve on the Principal's Cabinet, and they serve on the Student Council executive committee. Kirby attended Ehilaskl Heights Junior High last school year where he was Involved In Student Council, the Debate Club, and the peer counseling program. This year at Central, he Is a member of the International Club, French (Jlub, and TAILS. Eddings went to Horace Mann Junior High last school year where he was a member of Student Council and the Judo Club. At Central, he Is a member of the Students for Black Oilture and is a Are marshal. Any sophomore who had registered to vote in the school's student elections and who met School District requirements for participation In extracurricular activities was eligible to run for sophomore senator.Page 2 Ending a tradition! Traditionally, seniors have been assigned seats at the front of the auditorium. That changed this school year. Students are a,ssigned seats in the auditorium according to their first period classes, meaning that some seniors have now been placed in the balcony, an area that in past years had been reserved for sophomores and kindergarteners. Some of these seniors say they are insulted at having to sit in the balcony. Principal Everett Hawks said that because homerooms were eliminated this school year, it was decided that for security reasons all students would be assigned to seats on the basis of their first period classes. However, the seats had been assigned by grade level long before the homeroom system was establish^ last school year. The senior class has formed a committee to deal with this issue. One suggested plan that might work involves English teachers. Students would be assigned to sit with their English classes in the auditorium, with the senior classes all being seated in the front. All other teachers would be assigned to help the English teachers supervise their students. We most certainly want well-behaved assemblies and recognize that there must be adequate supervision, but we also want the seniors to be happy. The new plan, if adopted, might just make everybody happy. Districts College Night will be Tuesday evening (Continued From Page 1.) of Dallas, Austin College, Baptist Medical System Schools, Baylor University, Centenary College of Louisiana, Christian Brothers College of Memphis, Colgate University, Cornell University, Cottey College, and Davidson College. Also, Dillard University of New Orleans. Draughon Business College, Drury College, Grambling Stale University. Harding University. Harvard. Henderson State University, Hendrix College, Hllllns College, Jarvis Christian College. John Brown University, LeMoyne Owen (College. Lincoln University of Missouri, and Louisiana Tech. Also. Memphis State. Millsaps College, Mississippi State University, Morris College, Mount Holyoke College, Norfolk State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Paul Quinn College, Philander Smith College. Phillips University, Pulaski Vocational Technical School, Randolph-Macon Woman's (College. Rhodes College of Memphis, Rice University, Schreiner College, Sewanee/The University of the South, Shorter College, and South Central Career College. Also. Southern Arkansas University's Technical School. Southern Arkansas University. Southern Methodist University, Southern Technical College. Southern University and A & M College, Southwest Baptist University, Southwestern University, Spelman College, Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Center. Stephens College. St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Stillman College, and Swarthmore College. Also. Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University. Trinity University of San Antonio. Tuskegee University. University of Alabama. University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas at Monticello. University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, University of Arkansas College of Medicine, University of Arkansas College of Nursing. University of Central Arkansas. University of Colorado. University of Dallas, and University of Mississippi. Also, University of Notre Dame, University of the Oaarks, University of Texas, University of Tulsa, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, Washington and Lee University, Washington University. Webster University, Wellesley College. Westminster College. Wiley College, William Woods College, Williams College. Xavier University, and Yale University. Recruiters from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy will also be available to explain college benefits available for enlistees. ROTC officials from both the Air Force and the Navy will also be TODAY Tiger Football Game With Conway Wampus Cals, Wampus Cat Stadium, at 7:30p.m. MONDAY Senior Picture Orders To Be Taken by Representatives of Davis/Pack Associates, Room 103, All Day Admissions Officer From Washington-Lee University in Lexington, Va., Guidance Office, at 9 a.m. Admissions Officer From Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., Guidance Office, at 9:66 a.m. Admissions Officer From Trinity University in San Antonio. Texas, Guidance Office, at 12:35 p.m. Admissions Officer From Emory University in Atlanta. Ga., Guidance Office, at 1:32 p.m. Admissions Officer From Rice University in Houston. Texas, at 2:31 p.m. TUESDAY Senior Picture Orders Taken by Representatives of Dav is/Pack Associates. Room 103. All Day Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Rooms To Be Announced. From 9 a.m. to 12 Noon THE TIGER 'Black Rain' gains praise from critics
Mother Nature's annual show begins By MEREDITH PITTS There's a movie In Tiger Town that rates as a must see." That movie is "Black Rain," which Is currently one of the nation's top drawing movies and which co-stars Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia. The movie has Douglas cast as JiV a New York City detective who Is assigned, along with his partner (played by Garcia), to deliver ROUND TIGER TOWN a brutal killer to Osaka. Japan, to stand trial there. The prisoner escapes and Douglas and Garcia must find him. Black Rain has been widely-hailed by critics, who contend that It Is one of the "most suspensful movies" of the decade. Critics also say that Garcia, who was bom In Cuba, will become one of the nation's super stars. Mother Nature has started painting the countryside In her many hues. Some believe that the foliage this fall will be especially colorful. If you enjoy looking at the colors of fall, this might be a good weekend to travel to nearby Hot Springs or Petit Jean State Park. Even the city's parks are looking colorful. Teacher provides information about global studies program To the Students: The purpose of our global studies program here at Central Is to promote global awareness In all areas of our educational process. Students are offered a wide range of courses to qualify for a available to explain college ROTC programs and benefits they offer. In addition, there will be a representative of the U.S. Naval Academy. The Arkansas Air National Guard and the Arkansas Army National Guard will also have recruiters to explain programs they offer. College Night Is supervised by a committee consisting of a counselor from each high school In the Little Rock School District. Representing Central on the committee Is Mr. Sam Blair, chairman of the school's guidance department. Student Council, Room 247, During Lunch Period College Night, J. A. Fair High School, at 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY Admissions Officer From Texas (Christian University In Ft. Worth, Guidance Office, at 8:60 a.m. Admissions Officer From Loyola University In New Orleans, La.. Guidance Office, at 9:66 a.m. Admissions Officer From Webster University In St. Louis. Mo., Guidance Office, at 10:64 a.m. THURSDAY Admissions Officer From Schreiner College tn Kerr- Tiger 'Toons .. HFY UftRV. .But 'fou THE- fJi/ Si^A-iOKlWI? OA/ 5^ 5 T 15 TOP MOVIE IDetectives Nick Conklin (right), played by Michael Douglas, and Masahiro Matsumoto, played by Ken Takakura, pursue a brutol killer in the Paramount thriller, "Block Rain." The movie is showing at local theaters. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will present Its Spotlight Pops I Concert at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Robinson Center Music Hall. Mr. Sid Caesar, the legendary funny man of television, will appear at the Popa I Concert. Mr. Caesar plays the saxophone. His first public appearance playing the saxophone global studies creditworld history, world geography, and economics, in addition to the course global studies Itself. We are fortunate to have exchange students representing 13 countries at Central this year, making Central truly an "international community. And, the International Club helps promote their activities and Interests. For the past two years, four teachers from Central (Mr. Jerome Muldrew, Mrs. Beth Rule, Mrs. Angel Nash, and Mrs. Dorothy McDonald) have participated in the Atlas Project. global studies project sponsored a by the International Center, which Is located at the University night-of Arkansas at Little Rock. These teachers have attended sessions In Mexico and Guatamala. They have then shared their knowledge with our school through faculty meetings, multi-cultural workshops, and school-wide presentations. We in the social studies department are proud of our young program here at Central and plan to initiate more activities and involve more students and teachers In the coming months. We will continue our reports in the upcoming issues of the Tiger. Mrs. Rosemary Brewer, Social Studies Teacher Ville, Texas. Guidance Office. at 6:60 a.m. Admissions Officer From Bowdoln College in Brunswick. Maine. Guidance Office, at 9:66 a.m. Admissions Officer From Vanderbilt University In Nashville. Tenn., Guidance Office, at 12:36 p.m. Admissions Officer From College of Wooster In Wooster, Ohio, Guidance Office, at 1:33 p.m. Admissions Officer From Rhodes College in Memphis. Tenn., Guidance Office, at 2:31 p.m. Wffz 9 irii 3161 ADO LIKE Itvrty- BUT 7^ ARE fx 5TIU-\J I $crtOO u\ \ October 20. 1989 came when he was 13. Mr. Caesar will bring two actors and his accompanist who will assist him in an assortment of scored pantomimes, monologues, and satires. The program will present a variety of musical genres from the elementary "Grieg Plano Concerto," to Jazz, and to portions of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony." Infomation about available tickets and their prices may be obtained by calling the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra office at 666-1761. Several local bands. Including "Trusty, Hatful Day," and The Numbskulz, will perform at the Women's City Club this evening. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are IS each. The Women's City Club Is located at 4th and Scott Streets In the downtown area. Oktoberfest In Hot Springs wll continue through tomorrow at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The annual German celebration is popular with many Tiger Town residents. There are activities tonight, tomorrow afternoon, and tomor- The Tiger unu Roct csniui Publication written and edited by students of Uttle Rock Central High School, ISM South Park St., Little Rock, Arkansas KtOt. and printed by students of Metropolitan Vocational-Technical Education Center, 7701 Scott Hamilton Or.. Little Rock, Arkansas 722M. Published *4 times during the school year and distributed free of charge to each student and faculty member. Subscriptions available by mall for SlO per year. Advertising rates available upon request. Co-Edi tors . Nick Cockcroft and Cora Crary Assistant Editor ... Sonya Beard Sports Editor (and Immediate Past Editor) Ad Manager .. ... Derek Maus .Leeland Jones Business Manager ... Shane Cook Cartoonist. Staff......... .... Drew Caldwell . Aaron Briggs, Coe Carroll, T. J. McDaniel, Crystal Najera, Nikki Northern, Owen Pfeifer, Meredith Pitts, and Stephanie Pulliam Photographers . . Bryan Adams, JonattiM Buford, Blake Byrd, Jason Farrar, Dimitri France-let, Wayland Hill, Chris Moore, Joy Ritchey, and Sarah Webb Adviser . Mr. Charles Lance by Drew Caldwell Q 7 41 I a c October 20. 1989 THE TIGER Pag* 3 TRIP WINNERS!These Hi-Sleppers will soon be taking trips. The three Hi-Sleppers in the bottom row will visit the Aloha Bowl in Howaii
ihey are (from left) senior Kami Preston, [unior Holly Harrison, and senior Kathy Nicholas. The three Hi-Slepper officers on the top row will be visiting New York for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Porade
they are (from left) junior Koren Stephens, senior Quinn Coldwell, senior Corye Moses, and junior Allyson Hardin. ^TOfdsWorth ^wBooks Company Student Discounts! 10% Off AU Purchases Fiction & Literature Quality Magazines Music and Books on Cassette Open every night till 8:00 p.m.l Take a break from the mainstream and come see us! 1 Block East of N. University on Kavanaugh Includes visit to Hawaii Pepsters win major trips By COKA CRARY Because of their performance at a summer spirit camp, members of the school's Hl- Steppers may be taking trips this school year to the Aloha Bowl In Hawaii, the Cotton Bowl In Dallas, and Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York City. The Hl-Steppers, which Is a precision drill team, won numerous av/urds al the National Cheerleaders Association Drill Team Camp in Conway during the summer. The team won the Precision Dance Award of Excellence and the Grand Sweepslakes Trophy for Dance and Basic Drill, the highest awards obtainable at the camp. The Shining Star Award was given on a dally basis to the squad displaying "a positive attitude, enthusiasm, congeniality, poise, and discipline." The Hl- Steppers received the award each of the three days they were in attendance at the camp. Of the 578 girls attending the Conway camp. 40 were chosen for the Superstar Nominee Award. Three from Central were chosen for the award. They were senior Kami Preston and juniors Holly Harrison and Kathy Nicholas. The three have been Invited to attend the Aloha Bowl In Hawaii. The Aloha Bowl is played on Christmas Day. The Hl-Stepper officers were invited to perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The officers are senior Quinn Caldwell, captain: senior Corye Moses, co-captaln: junior Allyson Hardin, first lieutenant
and junior Karen Stephens, second lieutenant. Too, the entire Hi-Stepper squad earned an Invitation to perform in the Cotton Bowl Parade in Dallas on New Year's Day. More than 1,000 drill team members from across the nation are expected to march In the Cotton Bowl Parade, which will honor the 50th anniversary of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes. The Hl-Steppers are currently trying to raise funds to finance the trip to Dallas. In addition to those already mentioned, other members of Hi- Sleppers are Arllcia Bromfield and Latonla Pearson, seniors
Loukeshia Jones, Monique Martin, Susan Moss, Retting Olive, Keltha Pansy. Vedea Walker, and Kody Wilson, Juniors
and Leslie Beene, Jill Floyd, Kerry Shae Fox. and Sharmlen Swinton, sophomores. Mrs. Janis Molock, the school's business manager, is sponsor of Hl-Steppers. Official enrollment to be 1,863 for '89 Central High's official enrollment for the 1989-00 school year is 1,883, a decrease of 181 over last year. That was the enrollment on October 1, which is the enrollment used by the State Department of Education to determine state aid. Enrollment on October 1 of last year at Central was 2,044. Central has 720 white students and 1,110 black students. Black students account for 60 per cent of the school's enrollment. as compared to 57 per cent last school year. WB LOYD & OOM PAW Modeling are Senior Rebecca Thom and Junior Elizabeth Smiley and fda^. 5821 "B" Street, In the Heights 666-7793
i N d u c J Get a Great Deal on a Combo Meal Fee luat S1.S7 you'H gM a gnat kb. \ kamOurgar made from 100* Pura fraah Baal. fuHy Oraaaad Including tomato, amas 'Ona Of A KM' Maa and a iSot. aarvMg of icy sold Coea-eola. S1.97 VARSinjO & MEMORY^Wk Time never changes a great thing. R. Johns Ltd. now introduces the Varsity &. Memory class rings styled after the classics of the past. These rings feature your personal name, mascot name, oval fireburst stone, one school letiercrest on stone and a color shield showing your two school colors. Varsity ft. Memory. . . Classics forever. Regular Price *8995 (Save 10%) *805ONLY R. lOHNS, LTD. CLASS RINGS Offer expires Nov. 30, I989. Sherman Sparks 0 Designers of Custom Jewelry S&S SPARKS GOLDSMITHS 7412 BASELINE ROAD LITTLE ROCK. ARKANSAS 72209 (501) 562-4631 Sarah Sparks Page 4 THE TIGER October 20. 1909 RIVER CITY r COMPACT ri I g,|7= IMC.I I r ^4 2^ PILE UP!Senior tailback Charlie Bruce runs the North Pulaski Falcons. The Tigers will play into a pile of defenders in a recent game with the Conway Wampus Cols on the road tonight. Alter Homecoming loss Tigers face Cats tonight Ih DEREK MAUS For Ihe wwiid siruighi year, a field goal has made Ihe Jiflerenee in a Tiger Honweuniing game loss. Ihe Tigers will iravel lo Conway lonighi lor a game al 7:.in coming off a Standings (As of Monday) Conf. Overall .1-0 loss to the Jacksonville Red Devils last Friday at Quigley Stadium. As was the case in Iasi year's game, a field goal provided the margin of victory. Jody Urquhart convened on a 25-yard ai-lempl monieni.s into the second quarter for the only score of the game. Conway kicker Lance Ellison made a Northeast drew first blood when they blocked a punt by Howard out of the back of the end zone for a safety. With 3:38 left to play in the first quarter, the Chargers 1^ 2-0. Senior tailback Charlie Bruce, who had 139 yards on 17 carries on the night. last-second field goal last year lo give answered with an 88-yafd scamper down Conway a 17-16 win. the left sideline for a score al the eight The Tigers had a chance IO score late ' -------------------- Sthaii Hills Central Ciiiiwas .laeksiinvtile Northeast Ole Main Calxit .North Pulaski W L 4 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 5 0 4 W L T 5 2 0 4 5 0 2 4 0 5 4 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 1 5 1 1 6 0 LAST WEEK'S GAMES .bteksonville 5. Central 0 Sylvan Hills 52. Conway 17 Ole .Main 21. North Pulaski IS Northeast 2S, Calxit 7 in the fourih quarter after a 35-yard pa.ss from senior quarterback Chris Gunn lo junior flanker Doug Switzer gave the Tigers a first down at the Red Devil 30. However, ihe drive stalled al ihe 24-yard line and senior Kyle Howard's 41-yard Held goal aitempi was wide left and short. The Tigers managed only 109 yards of ollense against the Red Devils. The lo.ss dropped ihe Tigers to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the AAAA-Nonh conference. Jacksonville improved lo 3-4 overall and 2-2 in conference. On Friday. October 6. Ihe Tigers were on ihc road al Northeast lo play Ihe Chargers. nunuic mark of the second quarter. Howard's PAT niade ihe score 7-2, Sophomore tailback Marc Bridges provided the final score of the night late in the third period when he plunged in from the three-yard line to culminate a 73-yan], 17-play drive. The eura-poini attempt was no good, but the Tigers led 13-2. The Tigers mainiained control of Ihe game from that point on and Northeast never threatened again. The Tigers gained 235 yards on the night while limiling Nonheast lo only 116. The Tigers also capitalized on ftxir Charger turnovers. As of Monday, the Tigers stood in secund place in the conference behind The Tigers came away with a relative- S. .y..l.v.a..n.. ..H...i.l.ls...,. .u..n..b..e..a.i.e..n.. .i.n.. .A...A..A...A...-.N..o..r..t.h. ly easy 13-2 win in cold and wcl play. Conway. Jacksonville, Ole Main and conditions. Northeast are all (i^ for third ptace at 2-2. OVER 11,000 TITLES IN STOCK Alternative, Rock, Collectible, Classical, Jazz, and Hard To Find Special orders taken! Every week a weekly special! 100700 Rodney Parham Rd. Little Rock, AR 722n Modeling fothlonablo swooters from Creative Native ore juniors Bryan Adams and Jock Mulhollan. Creative Native has a wide variety of sweaters in stock. From the Andes For THIS WEEKS GAMES Central al Conway Sylvan Hills at North Pulaski Cabot at Jacksonville Ole Main at Northeast Fights mar pep rally (Continued FYom Page 1.) Central to identify those responsible for the brawling so that they could be recommended for expulsion. She said legal action would be taken against any nonstudents. Dr. Steele said that Central would receive additional security. Both Mr. Hawks and Dr. Steele .said there would be no more outdoor pep rallies at Central. Both also said it was fortunate that there was no school last Thursday and Friday because of the Arkansas Education Association convention. "Hopefully, the four-day weekend will have a calming effect." Dr. Steele said. There were no incidents at Cen-tral's Homecoming football game on Friday night. Student leaders, both white and black, said they were disgusted at the brawling and said it was not Indictative of Central High, which they said is "a good school that has good race relations." / I BUftGtRSAFRIES^ orUonsQs business furnishinqs, inc. corner of 3rU & cumberlond 310 e thtrd p o. box 5442 hKle rock or 721205 Office (501) 571-0300 5812 Asher Ave. Across from Coleman Dairy 7506 Geyer Springs L.R. 100% Wool _ Beauti/ul You Sweaters 100% Alpaca Silky, Affordable THE CBEATIVE NATIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS OF THE AMERICAS, INC SOI Main St. 572-3276 Monday-Friday 10-6 EAT WISE CENTRAL HIGH Same Great Food, Same Low Price ONLY FIVE MINUTES AWAY! SHOP AND COMPARE AT WE ALSO THE PERFECT CURE FOR m'ff ROLL FGLBL DISCOUNT RECORDS croaa from U ALM ..OponTMIO 'A LB. BURGER CAJUN FRIES 20 OZ. DRINK $1.99 HAVE REGULAR FRENCH FRIES $.49 SHOP AND COMPARE AT KIDS MEAL (Small Burger, Small Reg, Friea, 14 OZ, Coke) $1.67 J 10B Wednesday, January 3,1990 Arkansas Gazette Arl<ansas^ C^azette. a CRAIG A. MOON Pubiither WILLIAM T. MALONE Chairman WALKER LUNDY, fc/ztor F0vn<M in i819 A Gannett Newspaper WILLIAM E. WOODRUFF, Eovndor J. N. HEISKELL, Editor 1902-1972 HUGH B. PATTERSON, Qtairmon Smtritut JOHN HANCHETTE M.E./Newi DAVID B. PETTY M../Spom and Features JERRY P. DHONAU, Edifonoi Page Editor ROBERT S. McCORD. Sonior Editor EVAN A. RAY, V.P., Fmoneo and Adminiftration EDGAR A. MAJOR, V.P., Advortning Diroctor DONALD W. DAVIS, y.P., Grwiation Director RONALD KRENGEL, V.P., Production Director N. SUZANNE MILES, V.P., Marketing Director MARTHA JEAN MeHANEY, y.P.. Personnoi Director School safety comes first Metropolitan Supervisor Eugene Reviile School and McClellan High School, as a way to ' told the community in the school plan he illustrate a broader problem. At Central a presented yesterday that a recurring theme he young man who apparently was not a student encountered last fall in meetings with parents there slipped into the building before classes was concern about school safety and began, went to the first-floor office of an security. Shocking incidents earlier in the day assistant principal and attacked her with a at two high schools underscored the point. knife before fleeing untouched. At McClellan a Tn these juxtaposed events it becomes crystal 12-year-old girl walking across the campus a clear in our mind that the greatest immediate few minutes later was robbed and raped by a priority in all three school districts of Pulaski man wearing a ski mask. County is assuring a safe school environment.. Parents must have that assurance or else the A strong suggestion emerges from all of this. finest and moat expensive academic programs Greater emphasis on safety is needed in ail that Reviile or anyone else can draw up will go three districts of Pulaski County, to improve for. naught. security and reassure parents. Each school One should recognize that given the size of should have a security system, tailored to its this- urban community some violent incidents needs and devised in cooperation with security are likely to occur regardless of what security professionals. Ibis might mean that at sprawl-me'asures might be taken. Schools do not exist ing Central, for example? more of in a vacuum. If the public perception is that entrances will need closer monitoring. It might ,1 they are not safe, then the effect on parents T mean a system^ requiring LD. cards'*?^ ( weighing whether to choose public or private entrance, as some other urban schools provide. education will be the same. As long as even the perception persists among significant num-b^, no desegregation plan can succeed. Reviile devotes a section of his plan to security, and some of the ideas are unexceptionable. But on the whole it comes up short. It is not realistic or entirely fair to put the major responsibility on school principals and then let them figure out what to do. Examine specifically the cases of what hap-ed at Little Rock Central High It might mean any number of steps that security professionals can identify. At McClel- I Ian it might mean guards constantly patrolling the grounds. . _ Before the school districts spend millions^ upon millions of dollars on sweeping new desegregation plans, they should first provide . the maximum assurance to edgy parents that f the schools will be safe. Only in an environ-^ ment perceived to be safe can desegregation -^ed yesterday Kock nign ssuucccceeed. 1 i .tp- FORUM 1 i . Thursday, January 4,1990 Arkansas Gazette 11B' School security gets lots of talk but not much action There have been some bewildering reac- high school and starting shooting, tions to the brutal beating and stabbing of Ellen Linton, a Central High Stoool vice A f ' A-------?-------------------------haps even inflammatory, a charge the Asior Central in 1989, not counting such biracial committee likes to against ---------- common occurrences as bomb threats, the press. principal, in her office stealing and fist-fights, a man held a knife .... before school on Tues- to the throat of a 15-year-old student in a day: -v . As for Assistant Superintendent Ander- impossible to desegregate schools vrithout ,SideX except for one in order that ill convincing parents that the schcwls are persons going in could be monitored. Al^. it suggested that interior doors class- , . ---------------------------------.-..-VW... son, I think he would have to look high and odemanded money low to find teachers, parents or studento Bullets were fired into ' m _.i. . . secure and that their children will be saf^ Yet. other than t^, he has offered to .vvw. auu, uuuceivaoiy, oiiices - be brag this abou^ a_dozgn or so pages of locked when occupied, and it urged that all [diirition ipruli- LhT^JrillSlisirLjlniiiti: t' -' rooms and, conceivably, offices ^be a We have a very ade- Bullets were fired into a crowd of 50 iho today woul'd'irerS 'hi8"^Se^ security ^force students on their lunch break by persons ----- koxa ! uy perauua ment of security at Central Hi^ School, driving by the Mhool ... Neighborhood However, it might well be adequate if ed a racial brawl involv- the promises made by some of S superi-. mg about 200 students during a homecom- ore foUowing other incidents at Centoa? secondary schools. ing^p raUy. had been kept. 7 Thu last incident provoked Mr. Guy and For example, back in February. Geor/e hwbuacial committee colleagues to blame Cannon, who was then the supeStendeT dangerous than any toe violence on what they called a state of said that two uniformed LitUe Rock S unto attheschooLThiswus licemen would be patrolling CentS A rt /- caused, they said, by an elitist clique" of School during lunch and before and after teachers and administrators who school every Ly. This lasted only a short You htvTre ^X ttTev black toe. WheS^S StiirSSlan^X the aa^r:ow a^% S.^^S? "".I Sf''SSlTS'S^d^?.'S SwouuTetmorep^lLe'^re^^ past tew montlu. ardent has been killed, mittee s remarks led to her being atUcked Eugene Reville the court-anoointed Sorat''Eva S^
^ll5"r" young black nran, but you'could say Metr?polito Superelsor shot at by a gunman who walked mto a that the charges were unjustifiable, per- school guru, tells every audience that it is - A regaty - --I---- wtAv ,JV11UU1 ...-Xit
i|ptuuriiuu Victor Anderson, asais- hangers-on provoked a racial brawl involv- igjX*0tSii he released Tuesday. ^s no mystery about what shoi teachers and students should hwe and d^lay iD cards. ^done to secure Central High School or* sped any of the other schools in the Little Rock District. It's written down in plain English in a 181-page report released the end of Robert McCord March by a School Safety Task Force appointed by the Little Rock School Board. The 55-man task force checked out -California security expert wrote a I section for Central, identifying the', jO seal outside entry to the band - - ^e also recommended more liailway light^convex mirrors and added security in comdors that led to Ellen Lintons, offide. need ] towerJ pep-rally violence, she pieced that Cen- -We can spend millions on buildings,- lawyers, experts and glitzy programs, but -., nothing is going to stop white flight, or,^ reverse it, until our schools are safe. 'This is especially true of Central, our inner-dis-" - -7-........................trict school and the one the whole world wns have been earned out. If only a few of \ knows about. '4 schools in other states and brou^t in ^jperts likeGgfirge-StttttrifleWef^^Na^ Center at PepfSWino Univ'^^^ "" leW Safety Pepj ciifomia. - ^ut virtually none of the recommenc lem had. theres a good chance that Ellen [inton might have been spared her lenta of terror. mo- For one thing, the report proposed that outside, school- building doors,.be loci(^ (but capable of opening from in- \ The school board and the administrators must secure it from without as well as-- within. Its studenu and the brave teachers- -1 and administrators have a right to demand? this. So does the community, whose scars' are much older than Miss Hintons. ' -i ' ll A 5* JI r ! ARKANSAS nEMOp[^AT__THy3SDAY. AUGUST 22^.1.991. _ 7B 80 Central teachers hit streets to welcome teens 1 BY DANNY SHAMEER Democrat Staff Writer A van carrying some Central High School teachers slowed as it approached Margaret Buford's home Wednesday. Principal John Hickman gazed at a student list, then di- . rected the van to stop. A group of teachers poured out, rang Bufords doorbell and wished her well for the new school year, which begins Monday. It was nice to be welcomed back to school by the teachers and the principal, said a surprised and smiling Buford, . calante, who became famous 17, a senior who lives in the Foxcroft area. rz: 1 Oskilir kaookH Buford was one of a number of students picked at random Wednesday as about 80 of Centrals 120 teachers spread out across the city in their annual community walk. Unlike last years inaugural event, in which groups visited homes at random in Centrals attendance zones, the teachers paid mostly unannounced visits to the homes of Central students. The group left Central in four loaned church vans after watching Stand and Deliver, a movie about Jaime Es- for successfully teaching calculus to underachieving students in Los Angeles. The walk-through was new for Spanish teacher Samuel Loya, who joined Centrals faculty in October 1990. This opens up the community, Loya said. I think it showed the students that teachers are interested in them as people. Kimberly Brown, a student teacher from Hendrix College who will work in Audra Dennis American history classroom this year, said she thought the experience was inspiring. I felt that the community walk showed how Centrals administrators and teachers felt about what goes on in the com- * munity, she said. Also, I ' think it gave an invitation for fellow students, parents and , friends to feel free to become, , part of the educational experi- J ence. At the East End home of Denise and Tyrone Womack,' , two Central students, a group? of teachers met a parent and a grandparent in one visit. This is what is important, Hickman said on the trip back to Central. Whats missing in' education today is personal contact. I think we gave that today. *0 5Friday, September 13, 1991..Gazette Central principal 1 to address summit , Gazette Staff i
i: John Hickman, the Central High > School principal, got an on-the- i spot invitation Thursday morning i to speak at a national education summit in Washington next week t I sponsored by Fortune magazine. The invitation came during a i breakfast meeting at the Capital 1 Hotel with James B. Hayes, pub- k lisher of Fortune magazine. Hick- ! man was talking about Central and its accomplishments when Hayes t suggested that he give his perspective at the summit, said Skip Ruth-
erford. one of five people at the breakfast. It's a tremendous honor for John and certainly a significant t t- I. achievement for the Little Rock tjs ! School District, Rutherford said. A Gov. Bill Clinton also will speak J at the summit, as will Education i -L. Secretary Lamar Alexander, Na- t tional Education Association Pres- i -i s ident Keith Geiger and Ernest ' _______f I ' Boyer, president of the Carnegie DU>cr picsiuciib VI uiiv .S Foundation for the Advancement < 1 of Learning. Hickman couldnt be reached for comment late Thursday afternoon. Ruth Steele, superintendent of Little Rock schools, said Hickman had her blessings to go. She attended last year. The summit, titled The Role of Business in Edu- s < cation Reform: America 2000, the d j Vision and the Challenge, runs 8 1 Monday through Wednesday. dt . Rutherford said Hickman would bJ offer his remarks during a session Jj on personal perspectives. Wendy R Kopp, the founder and president of fi Teach for .America, also will partic- ipate in that portion of the summit. IArkansas Democrat Established 1871 .Arltitnszis igr (gazette Established 1819 Arkansas Democrat An Independent Daily and Sunday Newspaper MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 14, 1992 13 from Central earn recognition Thirteen students at Little Rock Central High School have been named Advanced Placement Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level AP examinations. Eleven are now college or university freshmen. Only about 11 percent of the 388.000 students who took AP examinations in May performed well enough to merit such recognition. The College Board recognizes three levels of achievement: the AP Scholar with Distinction, the AP Scholar with Honor and the AP Scholar. At Central: Two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning grades of 3 or better on five or more AP examinations, with an average exam grade of at least 3.50. They are Jonathan Casciano of Brandeis University at Waltham, Mass., and Jesse Tseng of Harvard University at Cambridge, Mass. Two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning grades of 3 or better on four or more AP examinations. with an average exam grade of at least 3.25. These students are Emily Holmes of Tulane University at New Orleans and David Luchin of Rhodes College at Memphis. Nine students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP examinations with grades of 3 or better. They are Byron Hawks, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C.
Jonathan Klet- zel of Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill,
Steven OConnor of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Samantha Pearson of Washing- . ton University at St, Louis
Ginger Sipes of Arkansas College at Batesville
Jeffrey Soo of Rice University at Houston
Cari Sun- dermeier of Swarthmore College at Swarthmore, Pa.
and Jed McCaleb and Christian Rudder, Central seniors.2B THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29. 1992 Near Central, police guard segregationist UY CANNY SHAMEER IJRfn'Ktat-Gazf'tIe Educalion Wtiler Fill)' police officers, 20 coun noflemonsliator.s and reporter,s I nun television stations, a radio station and a newspaper gath-ored in front of Central High .''I'hooi on Wednesday to listen o one man issue a call to re-thcni 19,57." The 10-minute address by Richard Barrell, general coiin- -el for I he Mississippi-based Na-lionalisl Movement, cost Lillie IPick some anxiety, not to men lion $2,500 in police overtime pay. We can't ignore it. but we have to learn how to respond, not overrespond," said state Bep. Bill Walker of Lillie Rock, ho watched from a distance, concerned about student and < 'unmunity safety. I'hi.s man goi more protec- Hon Ilian our governfir whos I iinning for presidenl. If we -'vorreacl, we make a bigger plalform oiil of if than it de- -ervE's. Walker said, I.I- Charles Holladay, Police Department spokesman, said police were present to protect Ioth Barretts constitutional rights and Central students well-being. The mornings events began about 9:45 a.m. when John Hickman. Centrals principal, gathered his 1.199 students at a special assembly designed to stop rumors. He told the students 59 percent of whom arc black -- Ihat a man would stand outside their famous school in about an J i Im > izr-' - I III!'in lJ\ RIOT POLICE Lillie Rock Police surround the scene Wednesday morning in front of Central High School to prevent a disturbance as Richard Barrett of the Mississippi- based Nationalist Movement issued a call to "re-hour to spout views on segregation. Central became a national battleground over integration in 1957. Federal troops were used to bring black students to the previously all-white Central. Hickman told the students to follow their norma! schedules and ignore Barretts presence. Outside, two signs hung from the schools front. One read
"Say it Loud. We're Diverse and Proud. Another read: Central is United. We are One. Protesters of Barrett carried signs that read: Say No To Racism and Bigotry is a Bad Idea. Some of them shouted continuously as Barrett, surrounded by a wall of police, spoke to Arkansns Drmocfal-Ga/i^llo^Mikc Stewart deem 1957." The remark was a reference fo the desegregation battle that put the school and Little Rock in the history books 35 years ago. About 20 people, including two whites, protested as the man spoke. the media. One teacher quipped afterward: A big deal was made of this. But if no one had showed up to listen, that man would have leR and no one would have known he had even been liere." Barrett spoke about It) min Utes, calling for a reversal of the invasion of Central High 35 years ago. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1993 Police arrest student on cocaine charge at LR Central High BY JIM BROOKS Denrocral-Gazelle Police neporler Police were called to Little Rock Central High School twice in three hours Wednesday. arresting one slndent on a drug charge and stopping a car from which a gun was allegedly pointed. I*olicc arrested Robby Walk er. 18, of 1811 Wolfe St. about 9:1,5 a.m. on a posse.ssion ofco- caine with intent to deliver charge after a school security guard allegedly saw him trying to stop cars in front of the school. .leanette Wagner, a Little There, Walker was Rock School District spokesman, said the guard saw some students wailing for a bus in front of the school, and exchanging things. Wagner said llial the guard saw Walker hold up a plastic bag to a car driving by." The guard then look Walker and an- othcr 18 year-old student to Vice Principal Michael Peter- son s office, she said. searched and school officials found a plastic bag containing a substance that was tested and found to be cocaine, Wagner said. Peterson called the students parents and also notified police, Wagner said. A police report said that during the search, Walker placed a small plastic bag ' containing what appeared to be five rock.s of cocaine and $116.37 into his hat. The other student was released without being charged, police said. Walker was being held without bail Wednesday night ill the Little Rock Jail. Officers were once again sent to the school about 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, when another security guard said the driver of a passing car pointed a gun out his window. The car identified by the guard was slopped by police al 14111 ami Park strecls, but the officers found no gun.Arkansas Democrat (gazette MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1993 Copyright 5 1993, Little Rock Newspapers. Inc. Central educator named to panel Sam Blair, chairman of the guidance department at Little Rock Central High School, was named to the National Merit Scholarship selection committee for the second consecutive year. The 16-member committee, composed of college admissions directors and high school counselors, met in Evanston, Ill., from Jan. 17-22 to select the 1993 National Merit Scholars.Arkansas Democrat ffiazcttc FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1993 Cooy'i$ril c 1993. t.W9 Rock Newssaoers. Inc. Few whites at race relations forum Forum Poor showing leaves blacks troubled, angry BY LARRY RHODES Oemocrai-Gazene Slaft Writer Black speakers and the organizing group for a race relations conference held Thursday in Little Rock suggested they were preaching to the choir after only eight whites attended the event. At least 83 people attended the half day conference, sponsored by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Many of i " H 'Ju .. tfOa those attending were ministers. I The event was an attempt to help participants to recognize and respond to issues faced by the African-American working in a predominately white organization," according to literature distributed at the convention. Convention officials said they expected a better response from the white business community. However, of the eight whiles counted by a reporter in the audience, four were employed by the convention. We continue to struggle with that trying to get members of the white community to attend these kinds of events, said Dr. Jack Kwok, di rector of the Department of Cooperative Ministries, a division of the convention. "A lot of the white community, from my experience, do BLACK PERSPECTIVES Doris Nash, a teacher of communications and drama at Central High School in Little Rock, speaks Thursday to participants at a forum sponsored by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention not see the need for race relations work. They don't see a problem. The white community only sees a race relations problem when there is a problem. a trauma (and) then they become very concerned. As soon as the crisis is over, their concern dissipates. I wish I knew the answer." The conference was entitled Perspectives of the African- fl Arkansas Oemoeial-Gazelle/Scotl Carpamei called "Perspectives on the African-American in a Predominantly While Organization." Nash gave the academic perspective in helping recognize issues faced by blacks working in a mainly white organization. American in the Predominantly White Organization. Each of the four speakers was a black Little Rock professional. Attorney Wendell Griffen, a partner in the Wright, Lindsey and Jennings law firm, was critical of the lack of attendance by whites, who he said, have the power but not the answers to affect marked improvements among the races. I wonder where all the white people are today," Griffen said in his opening remarks. This conference is being attended by a community that doesnt need it.... We were invited to your house but you were not home. Griffen said racial problems created by whites in power must be corrected before soci- See FORUM, Page 38 Continued from Page 18 ety, collectively, can move forward. He noted that those making decisions often are unfamiliar with the problems they have been charged to resolve. How many times have they asked you how you would address a particular problem." Griffen said to a chorus of . amens from a large contingent of black ministers. White leaders dont know how to fix the mess they have all of us in. Theyve just got the power. The answers must come from people of color. Griffen shared the podium with Doris Nash, a drama and communications teacher at Little Rock Central High School: Dawson Williams, director of the Baptist Student Union at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: and James Haymon, pro- grammer/manager at Systematics Telecommunications Services. Avoiding the issue and being silent on it will not solve the problem, Haymon said. Kwok said many of Central Arkansas largest employers I were mailed information about the conference. He noted that ! each of the utility companies, as well as state, city and county government personnel directors. were informed of the conference. "There were none of them, or their representatives, present as far as I know," Kwok said. Messages left for officials of some of the companies were not' returned Thursday afternoon. Arkansas Democrat (Ipazctte MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1993 Copyright 1993. Little Rock Newspapers. Inc. The old ways at Central High are for the past This newspaper is not unbiased when it pertains to racial matters. The racist attitudes of this paper shine through. Our well respected principal, Mr. Hickman, is known for allowing students to enter events who cannot afford to pay. It is obvious that this accusation against him was greatly distorted. Many of his actions were misconstrued to make such allegations seem justified. Central is no longer just a school for white children. Hickman attempted to make our school well representative of all who attend. He did not allow certain teachers to allow the advanced classes to remain all-white because they did not deserve to be. He attempted and did change the teachers way of teaching only the selected students from certain neighborhoods. He has been labeled by the ! selected few who thought they could control Central and they want him out. The old ways of doing things at Central are for the past, Hickman is now being penalized for those actions. Central is no longer just a symbol of white supremacy because we are here to stay. There are few white principals who can maintain the kind of control Hickman has maintained. There are few principals who get in- volved with the students and can really help African-Americans feel that a school is ours as well. John Robert Starr is not African-American. How can he make a remark that Dr. Jerry Jewell is an embarrassment to the African-American race? He believes that he can tell us how to feel and think. Does this mean that because of Starr, African-Americans should be- lieve that all white people are stupid and racist? African-Americans must demand to be judged on an individual basis. What we have always asked is for equal, unbiased and individual treatment based upon our own merits, not as a group or based upon the actions of another. IKEIA JEWELL BOGARD Little RockArkansas Democrat (gazette WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1993 Copyright O 1993. Little Rock Newspapers. Inc. Gang members beat student at Central A Central High School student told police that four youths who said he spent too much time with the Crips beat and kicked him about 3:30 p.m. at 14th and Park streets. The student said four teenagers, whom he identified as members of the East Side Players gang, pulled up next to him as he left school. The youth suffered bruises and minor cuts on the right side of his face and neck, but did not go to the hospital, police said. The teen-agers left in a green 1978 four-door Honda Accord, the student said.Arkansas Democrat THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1993 Copyright c 1993, Little Aock Newspapers. Inc. Central student named semi-finalist in Presidential Scholars program Alyssa N. Wenger, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Galen R. Wenger, and a graduating senior at Central High School, has been named one of approximately 2,500 semifinalists in the 1993 Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from more than 2.5 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 1993. From these semifinalists, 141 will be selected as the 1993 Presidential Scholars. The White House will announce their selection in early May. Now in its 29th year, the Presidential Scholars Program is the highest federal honor bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. The 2,500 semifinalists were selected for their exceptional performance on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT Assessment of the American College Testing Program. Further consideration is based on students essays, self-assessments, description of activities, school recommendations and school transcripts. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 500 Finalists in April. Final selection of the 141 Scholars will be made by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of some 30 eminent citizens appointed by the President. They will select one young man and woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. students living abroad
up to 20 students from 1 the creative and performing arts
and 15 students at-large. Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C., for several days in mid-June to receive the Presidential Scholar medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in activities with their elected representatives, educators and others in public life.Arkansas Democrat (gazette FRIDAY, MARCH 12,1993 Copyright 9 1993. Little Rock Newspapers, Inc. LR police find guns in car, ticket 2 teens Little Rock police took guns from two teen-agers about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday after Central High School security employees alerted officers that the youths had driven near the school. Officers stopped four people inside a 1980 Honda Accord at loth and Park streets. Police said that they found a loaded .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun and a loaded .22-caliber revolver under a seat. Police ticketed two of the boys, ages 16 and 17, on charges of carrying a weapon and released them to their parents. Police did not arrest a 44- year-old man and another teenager inside the car.Arkansas Democrat C^azette THURSDAY, APRIL 8,1993 6 state scholars up for high honor 5 500 in rm f sen from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwemth of Puerto Rico and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad, plus 15 students at large. The Presidential Scholars program, established in 1964, recognizes and honors the nation s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. The scholars are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas, including academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in school and community. Six Arkansas students in- , n.j, 'ni eluding a pair from Central High High SchooL Rocky C. Tsai, Fayetteville Angela F. Webber, Conway nounced later this month be in the ^n The finalists from Arkansas Malinda R. Allen, Central High School. Christian T. Rudder, Central High School. . Ashley N. Arrington, Arkadelphia High School. Robert D. Cullen of Fort Smith, Greenwood High School. later this month. The Commission on presidential scholars will select up to 141 Presidential Scholars up to 121 on the basis of broad academic achievement and up to 20 students on the basis of their academic and artistic scholarship in visual arts, performing arts or creative writing.Arkansas Democrat W (gazette SATURDAY. APRIL 17. 1993 Copyrighi O 1993, Liflie Rock Newspapers. Inc. roup invited to help ease tensions at Central High aX^HAREESE HAROLD Democrat-Gazette Staff Writer J
An Arkansas race relations organization will meet with Lit- tle'Rock Superintendent Mac Befhd next week to discuss eas- ing'racial tensions at Central High School. i Ron Lanoue, executive director of the Arkansas Council of The National Conference of Christians and Jews, said Friday he and Bernd will decide on a format for a workshop on dealing with racial tensions arising at Central during Prin- tilial John Hickmans suspension.
yWe already are working with a group of Central students who are involved in Accepting No Boundaries, a student organisation thats been active since But now weve been invited to meet with the students to bring together the two sides supporting and opposing Hickman s suspension. Ron Lanoue the 1989 racial disturbance there, Lanoue said. But now weve been invited to meet with the students to bring together the two sides supporting and opposing Hickmans suspension. Students and teachers have said relations between black and white students are more volatile at Central since Hickman was suspended with pay in January on allegations of mishandling school funds and claims of sexual harassment. Lanoue said his civic education organization, which sponsors problem-solving programs and workshops on eliminating racism, could help Central students better handle and express their concerns and differences. Wed like to take a half a day or a day to work with the Central students, he said. Wed give them a chance to air their grievances and opinions and to begin a dialogue on how they can put their school back together. NCCJs prejudice-reduction workshops are free. Most are conducted outside school settings and target students and corporate and community leaders interested in learning the benefits of functioning in racially diverse surroundings. But the organization needs money to continue its programs, which is why Lanoue said it hopes to raise at least $100,000 at its annual dinner fund-raiser Thursday. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will speak at the dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Excelsior Hotei, and Gov. Jim Guy Tucker will receive the NCCJs 30th annual Humanitarian Award. Tucker is being honored, Lanoue said, for his outstanding personal, corporate and political contributions to the people of Arkansas. Tickets for the event are $100. Proceeds will be used for NCCJ workshops and seminars held year-round. For instance, each year since 1986, the NCCJ has held Any- town retreats, weeklong programs bringing together high school students from different races, religions and cultures. During the retreats, students learn to combat racism. In addition, the organizations Ourtown seminars are held twice a year. Ourtown participants including business, religious, civic and media leaders discuss methods needed to improve race relations throughout the state and within their individual establishments. To purchase dinner tickets and for information on future NCCJ workshops, call Lanoue at the NCCJ office, 372-5129.Arkansas Democrat (gazette * * WEDNESDAY, JULY 21,1993 3B principals son tells 911 before dying Oernocrat-Gazeite staff Wfitef Circle^ I ve shot myself in the the receiver near the right side lie information officer said ofhishead. Tuesday. CTemocrat-Gazetta Staff Writer The 13-year-old son of Linda - Watson-Swain, acting principal - of Little Rock Central High School, died Monday night in a self-inflicted shooting at his North Little Rock home, police said. Circle. Ive shot myself in the chest. I need some help. Police and rescue workers Police said Tuesday that according to audio tapes at the dis- - patch center. Derek Swain called 911 at 6:10 p.m. Monday, saying, Im at 40 Dove Creek were dispatched within one minute and arrived to find the house locked, according to dispatch personnel and police. According to police, officers peered through a window and saw Derek lying on the kitchen floor. An officer forced open the back door and found the boy lying lifeless on the floor, the telephone cord around his feet and A small hole in the boys blue T-shirt revealed a single gunshot wound to the left side of his chest, police said. A .38-caliber revolver was found in a second- level bedroom, according to a police report. Police said they checked the house but couldnt find signs of anyone else. We believe that he was alone, Sgt. Steve Canady, pub- Canady said that while the death wasnt being investigated as a homicide, police couldnt say positively whether the death was accidental. Right now its unknown, Canady said. Police wouldnt say Tuesday who the gun belonged to. but Canady said it didnt belong to Dereks mother. She arrived home about 6:45 p.m. Derek, Watson-Swains only son, attended Mann Magnet Junior High School. Watson-Swain was named acting principal of Central on Jan. 7 by Superintendent Mac Bernd after Bernd suspended principal John Hickman and recommended that the school board fire him. Before being named acting principal. Watson-Swain was one of three vice principals at Central, where she had worked since the start of the school year. She also was completing her doctoral dissertation at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Previously, she was an assistant principal at McClellan Community High School. : Before becoming an employee of the Little Rock School District in 1987, Watson-Swain taught in the Pulaski County Special School District and'in Hammond. Ind., and Topeka. Kan. FRIDAY. MAY 22, 1992 9B 2nd woman arrested in Central incident A second woman was ar- rested Thursday for carrying a weapon on school grounds in a Monday disturbance at Central High School. S_tephanie McCullough, 21. of Sol? W. 51st St., was arrested on charges of aggravated as- sault and carrying a weapon on school grounds.
Police said McCulloughs sister, Trina Sikes, an 11th- grader at the school, was involved in a fight with Tomeka Fletcher. 18, who was sus- pended from school last week. In the fight. Fletcher allegedly pulled a 6-inch knife. McCullough, who is not a Central student, allegedly pulled a gun and pointed it in the direction of the fight. Principal John Hickman and Assistant Principal Michael Peterson wrestled the gun from McCullough, police said.
Fletcher was disarmed and arrested Monday on charges of second-degree battery, carry- ing a weapon on school grounds and criminal trespassing. McCullough turned herself in to police about 6:15 p^m. Thursday. She was being held Thursday night on $7,500 bail in the Little Rock Jail.Arkansas Democrat (Gazette SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1993 Copyright 1993. Little Rock Newspapers, Inc. Central High to host Marshall memorial A memorial service for the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Little Rock Central High School Auditorium, 1500 Park St. The memorial is sponsored by the Little Rock branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Harold Flowers Law Society. As a lawyer, Marshall played an active role in the 1957 Little Rock Central integration crisis. Wiley A. Branton Jr., whose father worked with Marshall during that time, will be keynote speaker. For more information on the event, call 376-7399.Mememoering iviarsnaii AiLinsas Dciiiwral MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1993 Copyiiahl c 1993. LilHo Hock Newspapers, Inc. B )
P' . I 1 1 , 4 ' / ii: fig J Arkansas Oemocrai-GazeRe/Rick McFarland MARSHALL MEMORIAL Chris Mercer (rear) introduces two of his children. Crystal, 9, and Justin, 8, to Daisy Bates (seated) after a memorial service Sunday at Central High School in Little Rock. The memorial was for former J.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Mi- Central High fitting site for memorial Marshall won desegregation ease that foreshadowed LR crisis BY LAnnV RHODES Deinocrnl-Gazelle Siad Wiiler 'I'lie mail credited with effecting one of the gre.itesl cliangcs in public cducnliuii tIiruugh his argninents before the U.S. Supreme Court was remembered Sunday in Little Itock. .Inslice Marshall devoted over 60years of i //Z.s adult life trying to guarantee equal rights for all. - fViley Branton Sr., who helpeil Marshall argue 1956 ! desegregation case I'^ornier Snpi eine Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who died of heart failure Jan. 24 at age B4, was remembered at a memorial service held at Lit tie Hocks Central High School, the focus of the Little Hock desegregation crisis in the 1950s. It was fitting, according to some, that Marshall would be honored on a school campus that he successfully argued to have integrated. Marshall and former Pine Bluff attorney Wi- l(\V Branion Sr. won the 1956 Cooper vs. Aaron desegregation case that foreshadowed the crisis at Central. Brantons son, civil rights attorney Wiley Branton Jr., delivered the keynote address at the service, sponsored by the crimination. ... However, 1 think .lustice Marshall would be the first to say the battle has not been won. Marshall was a frequent visitor to Little Rock in the mid- 19,50s. He was director-counsel of the NAACP and worked closely with the elder Braiiton to see that Little Rock schools were integrated. Marshall and Branton won the Cooper vs. Aaron desegregation case in Little Huck just month.s tieforc the historic standoff at Central. "He had the greatest legal mind of his time, said noted civil rights leader Daisy Bates of Little Rock, who knew Marshall personally. "He would come over to the house and he alway.s talked about what he wanted to try to do to make thing.s equal. Branton said Arkansas and the nation "owes a debt ol gratitude to Marshall. Attor ney Chris Mercer jokingly .said Marshall owes a debt in Little Rock, too. Little Hock chapter of the Na- Rock tional Association for tlie Ad- He had Ihe greatest legal mind of his time. He nonld came over to ihe house and he abvay.s talked about what he wanted to try to do to make things equal, - noted civil rights leader Daisy Bates of Little vancement of Colored People and the W. Harold Flowers Law Society. "Justice Marshall devoted over 60 years of his adult life trying to guarantee equal rights for all, Branton said during the service, which was attended by 09 people, many of them lawyers. "He was able to take what life gave him, excel and distinguish himself, Branton said. "He helped eradicate from our society the cancer of bigotry, prejudice and dis- "He owes us something, too, as many free meals as he had in Daisys kitchen, Mercer said to laughter. He had a good taste for food and drink. Bates confirmed after the memorial service that "yes, he could eat pretty good. Marshall argued 32 desegregation eases before the Supreme Court and was sue cessful in 29 of them. He was the first black ap pointed to the nations highes court.Arkansas Democrat (gazette THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1993 Copyright 1993. Littte Aock Newspapers. Inc. B Committee wants search to go national for Central principal I BY DANNY SHAMEER Democrat-Gazette Education Wnter A committee helping to find a new principal for Little Rock Central High School has recommended a national search begin. The committee also suggests that the Little Rock School Board hire a Central principal for the 1993-94 academic year, with the understanding that the person would fill the position for only that year. The principal-for-a-year whom the committee does not want to be referred to as an interim principal could be considered for the permanent position as part of the national search. The Arkansas Democrat- Gazette learned about that recommendation Wednesday morning from three search committee members who asked not to be identified. The nine-member search committees recommendation has not been made public. And so far the Little Rock School Board which met in executive session to discuss unspecified personnel matters for more than two hours Wednesday night has not yet acted on the committees recommendation. Estelle Matthis, interim superintendent for the Little Rock School District, said Wednesday night after the board meeting that information on a Central principal for the new school year will be forthcoming. She said she could not comment further about the matter Wednesday night. Former Superintendent Mac Bernd suspended John L. Hickman Jr. as Central principal Jan. 7, based on allegations of sexual misconduct and mishandling of school funds. Hickman s appeal hearing to the school board has been on indefinite recess since the spring because one board member is ill and has not been able to participate. Since then, the district has not renewed Hickmans contract, He went off the district payroll June 30. Hickman, now the Gould School District superintendent, has denied any wrongdoing as Central principal. When Bernd suspended Hickman, he named Assistant Principal Linda Watson Swain as the schools acting principal. The district began a search for a permanent replacement when the school year ended. Six people applied for the position, including Hickman. The search committee interviewed five people, including Swain, earlier this month. Also interviewed were Walter Marshaleck, Mabelvale Junior High principal
William Broadnax, Henderson Junior High assistant principal
Rudolph Howard, the districts hearing officer
and Michael Peterson, an assistant principal at Central. Central is the districts largest high school and one of the most famous schools in the country. The school which has a wide reputation for academic excellence became internationally known in 1957, when federal troops escorted nine black students who had tried to attend classes when the school was all-white. The Central principal position has always attracted wide interest throughout Little Rock.2B ' SATURDAY, JULY 31,1993 Arkansas Democrat (gazette 1-year Central principal named as search goes national sition as the school gets its third Bluff, and a master'sJrom Roo- . BY DANNY SHAMEER Democrat-Gazefle Education Wnler -A Little Rock School District administrator will fill in as Central High School principal for jhje 1993-94 academic year, and a national search will begin for a-permanent successor. ' "Estelle Matthis, the districts .interim superintendent, decided Friday that Rudolph Howard, the districts student hearing officer, will be reas- gigned to Central as principal, beginning Monday. Howard wont be referred to as an interim principal, but he .takes the reassignment with the .understanding Uiat the position is for one year. He may be con- dered for the position permanently, however. ,.,.,
,The district is concerned ^bout the welfare of the kids and recognizes, in spite of all the trauma Central has experi- enced, kids are the No. 1 priority, Howard said. I will try to ensure that they are afforded the atmosphere conducive to enhancing further the rich heritage of academic excellence that Central is noted for. Central is the districts Hickman Jr., who was popular with many Central students. largest high school and one of the most famous schools in the country. The school which has a wide reputation for academic excellence became internationally known in 1957, when federal troops escorted in nine black students who had tried to attend classes there when the school was all-white. The Central principal position always has attracted wide interest in the community. That interest intensified Jan. 7 when former Superintendent Mac Bernd suspended John L. Bernd suspended Hickman as Central principal based on allegations of mishandling school funds and of sexual misconduct. Bernd named Linda Watson Swain, an assistant principal, as acting principal Jan. 8. Some students and parents protested Hickmans absence, even staging an occasional sit-in last winter. Hickmans appeal hearing before the Little Rock School Board has been on indefinite recess since the spring because one board member is ill and has not been able to hear testimony. Since then, the district has not renewed Hickmans contract, and he went off the payroll July 1. Hickman denied any wrong- doing and is now the Gould School District superintendent. Matthis accepted recommendations from a committee that spent part of the summer searching for a new Central principal. The recommendations are
A national search to find a Central principal. The search committee will serve as the national search committee. Howard and any of the other finalists can apply for the position. An extra assistant princi- pal for the school. This would bring the total number of assistant principals to four. The extra-assistant principal is being added because the schools enrollment has reached about 2,000 students. The board has budgeted for the position. Additional support to assist in creating a smooth tran- new principal in the last seven months. The search committee felt that going through a national search would ensure no one would be overlooked for the job. Howard, 55. spent three years as an assistant principal at Central from 1983-86. He was Southwest Junior High School principal in 1986- 87, and McClellan High School principal in 1987-90, before becoming the districts student hearing officer. He said that, alough his job as hearing officer kept him in touch with students andpar- ents, he has missed the atmosphere of a school. Howard received a bachelors degree from Arkansas AM&N College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine sevelt University in Chicago. He was born in Chicago. spending half his childhood there and the other half in Parkin (Cross County). , His career includes five years as a teacher and 23 years as an administrator, primarily in Chicago and Little Rock schools. The Little Rock district began looking for a new principal when the school year ended. Six people, including Hickman, applied. / The search committee interviewed five people, incl^iding Howard and Swain. The others were Walter Mai shaleck. Mabelvale Junior High School principal
William Broadnax, Henderson Junior High School assistant principal
and Michael Peterson, an assistant principal at General. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7,1993 Bess Thomas Flack Retired guidance counselor, English teacher at Central High BY SUZI PARKER Central High School in Little Rock. Democrat-Gazette Staff Writer CONWAY After guiding hundreds of high school students onto their paths for the future, Bess Thomas Flack, 83, a retired English teacher and guidance counselor, died Friday. She was born in Morganton (Van Buren County), the dangh- ter of the late Robert Thomas and Molly Collums, both schoolteachers. Moving around in search of ideal schools for their children, Flack graduated from Damascus High School in 1927. She continued her higher education at Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway. After receiving her bachelors degree, Flack continued her ed- ucation at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and received her masters degree. We always knew we would go to college. There was never any doubt, Zelda Thomas, her sister, said. Beginning her teaching career at South Side High School in Bee Branch (Van Buren County), Flack also taught at Benton. In 1954, she settled at Continuing to teach during the crisis of 1957, her sister said Flack was never frightened during the turbulent times at the school and strongly believed in letting nothing stand in the way of her teaching. Flack also worked as a counselor at the high school, guiding Ernest Green, one of the first nine black students to graduate from Central High. She helped him to get a big scholarship to a school up East, her sister recalled. She married Joe Clyde Flack, a worker at what was then Fort Roots Veterans Hospital in North Little Rock, and became mother of his two children from a previous marriage. Loving her stepchildren as her own, Flack helped educate them and send them to college. Getting an education was the most important thing to Bess, Thomas said. Although she had poor eyesight, Flack loved to read. She also loved to crochet and knit, giving colorful afghans to her relatives. After her husband retired, he became a sergeant of arms for the state Legislature, and Flack enjoyed attending Legislative sessions. , They also never missed a U of A football game, Thomas said. They also fished and traveled all over the country together. After her husband died in 1988, Flack began to declineln health. For the last two years, she was in a coma. I would try and tell her about her students ... but she was in a coma and I dont know if she understood, Thomas said. Flack was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Eastern Star and Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
She is survived by her stepdaughter, Betty Leinhart of Morrilton
three sisters,. Robbie Thomas and Zelda Thomas of Conway, and Katie Hargis of Wichita, Kan.
and one brother, Dr. Roy E. Thomas of Con- way. - Funeral service will be aVl p.m. Monday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, "tn Bigelow. Family visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. at the funeral home. lift 1B SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,1993 Copyri^t Little Rock Newspapers, Inc. Campus brawls, gunshots return to Central High PARAMEDIC BBWHWa s 5 a*. H k ' i f ! s ( 'BY OLIVIER UYTTEBROUCK Democrat-Gazette Police Reporter Gunfire outside a Central High School football game and a series of campus brawls Thursday and Friday between rival gang members marred the second week of classes. Little Rock police said. An occupant of a car fired an undetermined number of gunshots outside Centrals Quigley Stadium about 9:20 p.m. Thursday, about the time a game ended, police said. A man driving in the area told police a bullet grazed his head. School officials said Friday they couldnt confirm that shots were fired in the vicinity of the stadium Thursday night. Early Friday, a 16-year-old Central student was beaten on the campus lawn at 15th and Park Streets, police said. Rudolph Howard, principal at Central, said he would expel at least two of the boys attackers. - The student who was beaten, _ . Thomas Blake of Little Rock, was treated at Arkansas Childrens Hospital for cuts and bruises and released. The attack occurred at 8:45 a.m. About three hours later, a brawl erupted in the schools cafeteria when members of a street gang hurled chairs at youths in a rival gang. Students in the crowded cafeteria scrambled for cover, and several were struck by flying chairs, students said afterward. About 15 guys were actual-ly throwing chairs, said one student waiting for a ride home minutes after the incident. I ve never seen anything like it. People were running so they wouldnt get hit by chairs. Another student said she was struck in the leg by a chair. In the midst of the pandemonium, someone started yelling: Gun, gun, the student said. Excited students spilled out the door of the Tiger Den into See CAMPUS, Page 7B i A BU Arkansas Oemocrat-Gazette/Stave Keesee CENTRAL HIGH TROUBLE Central High School Principal Rudolph Howard speaks on a two-way radio Friday outside an ambulance that contains an in-jured student after a fight on campus. iCampus L Cofitinued Iron, Page IB the courtyard as security guards sprinted toward the cafeteria to stop the fight.
We dont feel safe at Central ho more, the 17-year-old sophomore said. Thats why Im trying to transfer. i Two students involved in the 'fight were sent home, police said. A 16-year-oid student told police he was hit over the head with a chair as he was leaving the cafeteria. The boy was seen by a school nurse. No other injuries were reported. t Police arrested a no-student, Mfred Boykins, 16, of 2705 jVashington St. on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct after he wandered onto the campus and was recognized by school officials. Thursday night, police were old shots were exchanged be-ween rival gangs in the vicinity Jf Central. I Officers stopped one of several youths dressed in gang colors running through a street, police said. The youth said gunshots were fired from a late-model Mercedes Benz. Police made no arrests. Jimmy Williams, 20, of Little Rock told police he was driving in the area of 16th and Park streets about 10 p.m. and heard gunfire, then felt something whiz past his head. He later found a slight wound on his head he thought was made by a gunshot. A doctor told police he didnt think the wound was caused by a gunshot. Several Central students who attended the game said they didnt hear gunshots during or after the game but were told later that shots had been fired outside. Howard refused to comment on the events Friday, referring questions to Jeanette Wagner, spokesman for the Little Rock School District. Wagner said four of the six boys involved in the fight Friday morning were identified. Three were sent home from school, and the fourth ran away. Arkansas Democrat (gazette MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13,1993 3B Arkansas teachers bring back bleak picture of life in Russia BY KRIS HUNTER Oamoerw-Gazene Staff Writer Citizens of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics survived communisms oppressive days of winding ration lines. Yet today, the Republic of Russias people still wait in line for their issuance of hope and a chance to not struggle for the bare necessities, according to Tandy Cobb, a 12th-grade English teacher at Little Rock Central High School. fThey love their country, Cobb said. But they look at their day-to-day experiences wittefit-tle hope Uiat things will change because it has been hard'on them for so long." Cobb was one of five Arkansas high school teachers who each received a $3,000 scholarship from the American Field Ser-vice/ Arkansas to go to Russia this summer to teach English. Though in operation since 1986, this was the first summer the program sent educators to Russia... Cobb spent five weeks in the Russian city of Krasnodar, where he taught doctors, businessmen and others who wanted to learn casual, conversational English. The fall of the Iron Curtain gave them freedoms unimaginable under communism, Cobb said, though they still seemed consumed with burden because inflation has most families strapped for money, so they still feel trapped. To get to her class every day, Cobb walked Krasnodars unpaved roads, lined with crowded housing projects and street peddlers selling everything from jewelry to tennis shoes. In those humble surroundings, she said, it was common to find two, or sometimes three, families all sharing two-or three-bedroom apartments just to make ends meet Her host Saida Bzhasso, was a 24-year-old teacher, fluent in Russian and English. Bzhasso shares a small, three-bedroom apartment with her parents and younger brother. Both parents work, yet even with Saidas income they make just enough money to barely get by without going hungry. With a monthly salary of 17,000 rubles, equivalent to $17 in American money, Bzhasso could not afford to live on her own. Cobb said food prices were so outrageous that everybody has a garden to supplement the groceries that they can afford. Cobb said that unlike the United States, where doctors and engineers can afford a high standard of living, the higher education professionals make less than $100 each month. As the chief of pediatrics at a local hospital, Bzhassos father earned the U.S. equivalent of $40 each month. Danny Young, another field service scholarship recipient, said he sensed the Russians were in despair because the changeover to capitalism hasnt made things better for them yet Young, principal of White Hall High School in Jefferson County, spent three weeks teaching in Moscow. Some of bis students said although they still made very little money, at least with communism we all had jobs
now there is unemployment he said. The other scholarship recipients were Mary Green, a Pulaski County high school teacher who spent three weeks in Krasnodar, Mollie Williams, a Dardanelle (Yell County) High School teacher who spent three weeks in Moscow, and Suzanne Miner, a Berryville High School (Carroll County) teacher who Arkansas 0mocfai.Ga2eBerflkW McFaftand PICKIN' AND GRINNIN Russian exchange student Vastly Vashchenko. 17, plays the balalaika, a three-string instrument from Russia, for Tandy Cobb, a teacher at Lit-tie Rock Central High School. Vasily is a senior at Central, and Cobb recently spent five weeks in Russia in a foreign exchange teacher program. spent five weeks in Stavropol. Like Cobb, Young said he could see the division of the social classes was causing turmoil because the average citizen is no longer expected to be on the same level as his neighbor. Though there are more social freedoms, day-to-day living has lost the secund that communism provided. College-educated professionals feel unappreciated. Cobb said. The professionals are among the most vital to the community
yet they are among the lowest paying jobs, she said. I lived as the average Russian family would live, Cobb said. That experience was incredible. They are a wonderful, sincere group of people who just want a chance at a better standard of living. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1993 EDITORIALS I Time to act Save our schools T|he photograph spoke a thousand words, all of them sad. It showed a man standing in the doorway of an ambulance, speaking into a two-way radio. Inside the vehicle, a medic leaned over what looked like a stretcher. The man using the radio wasnt a cop or a fireman. He was Rudolph Howard, principal of Central High in Little Rock. Inside the ambulance lay an injured boy a Central student beaten by classmates on the lawn of the school. The attack was one in a series of violent incidents at Central High. Hours after the beating, rival street gangs battled in the schools cafeteria with chairs. Kids eating lunch were struck by flying furniture. The night before, shots had been heard at a Central football game. In a statement that may have said even more about the general condition of American education than the speaker in-why so many kids left. Her guess? Maybe there are just fewer kids in the city, due to declining birth rates. Hmmm. The good lady has two more guesses. Hint: Could more parents have decided that public education in Little Rock was no longer worth the risk? Things werent always this way. And they don't need to be now. Authorities can start by punishing those who commit violence in the schools. Officials at Central High collared at least two students involved in the dining-hall brawl. Both got sent home. Doubtless after a stem talking-to. How about expelling tended, one student said, We dont feel safe at Central no more. Thats why Im trying to transfer. Transfer? To where? The problem goes way beyond Central High. According to Mark Stodola. chief prosecutor for Pulaski County, getting a "high school education in Arkansas has become a dangerous ambition. During the 1991-92 school year, he says, authorities confiscated 175 weapons 44 of them guns from students in Pulaski Countys schools. Between 1990 and 1992, students in Little Rock schools physically assaulted teachers 44 times. In a recent survey, 14 percent of the Arkansas high school students who were asked claimed to have brought a weapon to school. A lot of folks didnt wait for statistics like these to come out before pulling their kids out of some schools. Little Rocks school district lost 766 students this year. Estelle Matthis, the districts acting superintendent, said she didn't know them? Or, better yet, having them arrested? And charged with battery. Any kids who terrorize their classmates deserve a trip to the county jail, not the principals office. Isnt it time we got serious? Putting more cops in schools might help, too. Nobody wants to see airportlike security in . classrooms. But its a lot better than chaos. Little Rocks police department already has placed five of its officers in city schools, including Central High. Louie Caudell, the police chief, says his department wont have officers in all 13 of the districts secondary schools until next March at the earliest. Training the new cops will take at least that long. That may be too long. Rather than waiting for new recruits, the department could reassign some cops for the task perhaps the ones now busily impounding hundreds of cars found with expired registrations or inspection stickers. First crises first. Little Rock must do what it takes to ensure the safety of its students. Nothing not better sports or higher academic standards or even total compliance with the desegregation plan will be enough to save local schools if kids are afraid to show up for class. Conclusion: The time to act is now. The future of the public schools depends on it. 2B ^THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14,-1993 Pulaski Arkansas Democrat (gazette leaders meet on Central steps to initiate black youths program BY CYNTHIA HOWELL , I Democrat-Gazette Education Writer
Some of Little Rocks most successful black men stood on the steps of Little Rocks Central High School on Wednesday to demonstrate their commitment to the city's youths, particularly black males at Central. :
The purpose of the event, organized by the new Dr. Martin Lixther King Jr. Commission, was to encourage more black men to become involved in the schools, said Tracy Steele, the eftmmissioQs executive direc- :! The event marked the initia-tiion of a program in which each man will work with a small group of students over the course of the school year to t^ach them methods of resolving conflicts and prepare them for summer jobs. , Schools are still the best place to reach our children, Steele told the crowd. The approximately 50 men participating in the ceremony Wednesday came from various backgrounds and careers, Steele said, but they share a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of black youths, who are sometimes called an endangered species because of the violence and failures among their ranks. We want to help students set a direction for their lives and set their focus on the real world, Dr. Henry P. Williams, Little Rocks new school superintendent, said in an interview. Many African-American men see no hope for themselves. They dont see any opportunities, and they dont see the future. They self-destruct. We must show them there is hope. Williams was one of the main speakers at the ceremony, which was attended by Centrals ROTC students, student leaders, and Centrals Gentlemens Club, a student organization. Other speakers included Jesse Mason Jr., a member of the Little Rock Board of Directors, and Capt. Horace Walters from the Little Rock Police Department. Rudolph Howard, Centrals principal, asked the King Commission for mentoring help earlier this year. He said the mentors will meet with their groups of students on weekends and in the evenings to teach them the late Kills approach to problem resolution and to prepare the youths for summer jobs that the mentors may help provide. Howard said he expects about 100 to 125 men and as many students to participate in the program at Central. The 25-member King Commission was established by the Legislature earlier this year. ( Arkansas Democral.QazenScoR Carpenter ROLE MODELS Members of the Central High School Gentlemens Club and other Little Rock role models stand on the front steps of Central High School during a rally Wednesday called by the Dr. Marlin Luther King Jr. Commission to encourage black men to become more involved with schools. Arkansas Democrat ^QSazcttc RI inday, OCTOBER 24,1993 Srr.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ Ministers gather on Central High steps, pray for end to violence BY JERRY DEAN Democrat-Oazene Staff Writer A dozen local ministers prayed for an end to violence Saturday on the steps of Little Rock Central High School Larry 0. Walker of Glory Cloud Ministries Inc. in Little Rock billed the event as a call to prayer to God for our youth and for schools in trouble. The 10 a.m. service was delayed nearly until 11 a.m. as organizers wrestled with an empowerment problem a cranky generator and cantankerous sound system. schools were committed to maintaining church-state separation. He said the school would not participate, but added that Walker and others had a right to address the community on their concerns about violence. Walker asked crowd members to wave if they loved Jesus. When many responded, the preacher said he saw the demons going out of this place. The Rev. Roosevelt Wilson of Dominion Word Christian Fellowship in North Little Rock called the event less a religious service than an effort to focus our faith, pull down strongholds, break the power of darkness. The Rev. Lonnie Bouldin of the Agape Church said the Among participants were Word Aflame Fellowship, St. John Baptist Church, Greater Paradise Baptist Church, Full Counsel Christian Fellowship, Mt Nebo AME Church, Antioch Baptist Church, Clayton Chapel church was asleep 20 years ago Baptist Church, Word of Outwhen Satan used an individual to remove prayer from public schools. He added: Thank God for the opportunity to come on this campus and pray for our youth. If the church is unwilling to work to change society, he said, then lets not have church. reach Christian Center, Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, New Life Christian Fellowship, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, The Lighthouse Cen- ter. Holy Cross Baptist Church, Parkview Christian Church, Cloverdale Assembly of God and New Hope Baptist Church of Pine Bluff. Benny Johnson, Central Highs security chief, said the
events organizers were denied I
use of the schools electricity
and had to provide their own ' generator. Central High School Principal Rudolph Howard said the -+ 1Howards steady, not flashy, at Central Helm BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazene Education Writer Rudolph Howard, the new principal at Central High School, celebrated the end of the first nine-week grading period this year by leading his staff in song. If youre happy and you know it. clap your hands, he began in his deep bass voice, while his faculty watched in surprise. It was a light moment for a group that has not smiled much in recent years. For Howard, it was a time to breathe a sigh of relief for making it through the first nine weeks on a job infamous for chewing up principals and spitting them out. Howard, 55, the districts student hearing officer, was appointed principal this summer by then-interim Superintendent Estelle Matthis. He earns $61,000, plus a $900 stipend. He will serve this year while a national search for a permanent principal is conducted. The search has not yet begun, but when it does, Howard is eligible to apply. Howard took over from John L. Hickman Jr., who was suspended in January amid allegations of financial and sexual misconduct. Hickman was not rehired this year and now works as superintendent of the Gould School District in Lincoln County. But Howard, an erect, white- haired, mustachioed man with a low-key formal manner, doesnt discount the differences between himself and the dynamic Hickman. Mr. Hickman was very well- liked and had a positive impact on students and parents, Howard said. In some ways, he is a hard act to follow, althou^ I am not in competition with him. My purpose is to move the school forward. The district wanted someone here that could build a rapport with the staff and with Tracy Steele, director of the states Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, to provide black boys with adult mentors. He expects about 125 mentors to participate in the yearlong project, which he hopes will result in summer jobs forthe boys. Fitting in Students said they are willing to give Howard a chance. But they also miss seeing Hickman in the halls. LaTanya Laird, 17, a senior, said students this year are trying the new administration, seeing how far they can push it. But Bennie Johnson, a campus security guard, said the school has been fairly calm after some major fights occurred early in the fall. School is no fun anymore, said Daniel McQueen. 16, a junior, noting there are fewer assemblies. At a rare pep assembly, when students stood up to cheer, school staff members made them sit down. Students praised Central and its broad academic program. Alison Hargis, a Central English teacher and a parent of a Central student, said Howard trusts teachers to do what is correct and educationally sound and that the atmosphere between the faculty and the administration is no longer adversarial. A lot of us looked at other options. We sort of had a pact, an unspoken one. to see how it goes this year, she said. -Were gunshy. But she said the staff has no major complaints. She praised Howard for calling the police to the school earlier this year when there was a fight. At first glance that may look bad for him, but that was not his concern. He did what was best, she said. Rudolph Howard On his bad days, he comes across as dictatorial, but I believe he is working hard to be fair. said Matilda Buchanan, a former Central teacher whose fights with Hickman were bitter and public and finally caused her to leave the school. Buchanan, the mother of two Central students, said her children like Howard and that the school year is going well for them. Buchanan worked at Central when Howard was an assistant principal. Frank Martin, executive director of the Classroom Teachers Association, said Howard isn't much of an original thinker, but he does his homework and is reliable. Martin said Howard works well with the teaching and support staffs, and the association has not had many grievances against him. I expect him to do nothing else but an excellent job, school board member O.G. Jacovelli said. Hafeeza Majeed, a Central parent who coordinated student support for Hickman last year, said Howard has outstanding qualifications as a principal. However, she questioned whether he would be able to get to know students well enough in a way that could prevent violence among them. Dreamed of being a doctor Howard has worked 28 years in education in Arkansas and Chicago, but as a younger man he fought against being an educator. He wanted to be a doctor, a dream his younger son, Jeffrey, is now fulfilling. An older son is going to school in Forrest City. His second wife, Etta, is an elementary counselor in the Little Rock district. I didnt want to go into education, Howard said. I didnt like the idea of low pay, long hours and little gratitude. Howard was born on New Years Eve in 1937 in Chicago to James and Harriet Howard. He was the only son and youngest of four children. One of his sisters also is a Little Rock School District administrator. Howards father, who now x lives in Parkin (Cross County), was in the Navy. Life in Chicago was rough for a young boy. When he was in third grade, Howard went to live with his grandmother, Annie Ralston, on her 80-acre farm in Parkin. They raised animals, cotton, com and soybeans. He claims he was a tractor-driving champion in the area. Farm life is the best education you can give a kid, he said. Farm life gives a kid mobility and a chance to get to know himself. You can find a quiet spot in the country. You cant do that in the city. Years later. Howard, who returned to Chicago as a young adult, would once again move back to rural Arkansas so his two sons could have the experiences he had. Howard graduated first in his 1955 class of 13 at Central High School in Parkin. He won a partial scholarship for music and academics to what was then Arkansas AM&N in Pine Bluff. Howard was in Pine Bluff in 1957 when nine black students integrated what was then the all- white Little Rock Central High. President Dwight Eisenhower had to use federal troops to escort and protect the nine at the school. We watched Central closely, he said, but we were not participants. Mobility was nil. Little Rock was 45 miles away and we didnt have cars. We had our own problems. He and his college friends were working for civil rights in their own way, refusing to sit at the back of city buses and demanding service at Pine Bluff restaurants that had refused to serve blacks. Howard said he was never arrested for his acts, mostly just yelled at. Chasing rainbows After college, Howard and his first wife left Arkansas to chase rainbows in Chicago. Howard returned to school, attending Chicago Teachers College, where he got hours in psychology and education: the University of Illinois, where he studied pharmacy
and Roosevelt University, where he obtained a masters degree in educational administration. He also has an administration specialist certificate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He worked 13 years in Chicago public schools, including Fenger High, which had 5,200 students, and Cooley High, a rough school in the middle of housing projects. With encouragement from his former professor. Dr. Morton El- lenbogen, Howard was the second black member of the staff at Waller High School. At still another Chicago high school, Howard operated an attendance, behavior and counseling program in which he worked with problem students, teaching them their lessons and social skills until they could return to their regular classrooms. Tired of shoveling snow, the family moved to Cotton Plant (Woodruff County), where Howard was principal of the high school for four years in the mid- 70s. In time, he became interested in a Little Rock job and was hired in 1982 as an administrative assistant at Hall High, which led to an assistant principalship at Central. Howard said he has a penchant for landing difficult jobs. He became a principal at Southwest Junior High after the schools popular principal. Dr, Carroll Jones, was killed in a car accident. When the district acquired 14 schools from the Pulaski County Special School District, Howard became principal at McClellan High, one of the countys old schools. In deciding to go to Central. Howard entered a volatile situation. After Hickman was suspended, school officials struggled last spring to keep the school open and operating smoothly. Its a marvelous job, said Everett Hawks, a former (Central principal who now works at McClellan. He cited the schools his- tory, the strong staff and the alumni support and the intellectual range of the students. But the pressure is tremendous, Hawks said. You are always in the public eye. Its a fishbowl of a job.MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993 cause them to put past experiences behind them. The district did not want any setbacks at this school. Not like Hickman Hickman was young, visible, energetic and controversial. People connected to Central either loved or despised the man. Hickmans most bitter enemies were among the faculty who said he disregarded their abilities, and resented his demands about leaching methods, and his tendency to interrupt classes with assemblies and announcements. But even Hickmans detractors gave him credit for operating an orderly school and working to improve the lot of black boys, who are more likely to drop out or fail in school. Howard says he does not have a magnetic personality and isnt interested in a high profile He describes himself as a goal-oriented, stick-to-it person with a job to do. I try not to react to public opinion, he said. Ive been here (in Little Rock) more than 10 years. I dont get wiped out if what IS being said about Central is blown out of proportion. I keep my focus on students, parents and staff ed. So far, the reviews on Howards work at Central are good. Fair, loyal, dedicated, determined, by-the- book, experienced and a team player were descriptions of Howard given in interviews by parents and school district employees. More than one person noted that Howard didnt put himself above mowing tlie grass at Central and that his work hours begin early, end late and often stretch into Saturday. He has won accolades for his work with the Parent Teacher Student Association and city government leaders to improve safety at the school and in the neighborhood. Pat Rudder, PTSA co-presi- dent, said Howard and parents met with Mayor Jim Dailey, Police Chief Louie Caudell, and Municipal Judge Bill Watt recently to explore options. New securi- ty measures at the school this year include a police resource officer, morning and aRernoon patrols by officers on bicycles and more security on the school parking lots. The group also will work with Howard to improve the schools appearance. ''From where I sit the school has turned 180 degrees. The faculty and administration are talking to each other this year, Rudder said. ''My daughter wouldnt go to any other school. Rudder also praised the school s academic program, saying his son, a freshman at Harvard University, thinks college physics is a breeze thanks to the courses he took at Central. On another community-related project, Howard is working12B FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12.1993 Aikansas Democrat gazette 17 Central High students, alumni achieve advanced placement Seventeen former and current Little Rock Central High School students have been named Advanced Placement Scholars by the national College Board in recognition of exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement exams. About 11 percent of the 424,000 students who took placement examinations in May received the recognition. Advanced Placement courses and exams enable students to get college credit for academic work done in high school. Four Central alumni were honored as AP Scholars with Distinction for earning scores of 3 or better on five or more Advanced Placement exams. They had to have an average score on the exams of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale, 5.0 being the top score. The students were Malinda Allen, now a freshman at Cornell University in New York
Nicole Farrar, a freshman at Tulane University at New Orleans
Jed McCaleb, a freshman at the University of California at Berkeley
and Christian Rudder, a freshman at Harvard University at- Cambridge, Mass. Three students were named Advanced Placement Scholars with Honors by earning grades of 3 or above on four or more AP tests with an average exam grade of at least 3.25. The students were Mark Dowell, a freshman at Hendrix College at Conway
Janet Goode, a freshman at New York University
and Daniel Hott, a senior at Central. Ten others qualified for the Advanced Placement Scholar Award by completing three or more exams with grades of a 3 or better. Those students are Jeremy Bufford, who attends Tulane University
Keri Douglass, a student at Wellesley College at Wellesley, Mass., Kristin Houle, who attends Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio
Benjamin Lord, who attends New York University
Jason Maginn, who attends Hendrix College
Story Matkin-Rawn, who attends Smith College at Northampton, Mass.
Caroline Miles, a student at Wesleyan University at Middleton, Conn.
Jade Sung, a student at Yale Universi^ at New Haven, Conn., and Eric Chen and Matthew Dorfman, both seniors at Central. Students who receive grades of 3,4, or 5 on one or more of the college-level AP examinations in 16 fields qualify for enrollment in advanced college courses and/or credit at more than 2,800 colleges and universities nationwide. At Central, 100 students took 144 Advanced Placement exams last spring.ARKANSAS TIMES NOVEMBER 18.1993 LETTERS CENTRAL MUSEUM Max Brantleys idea about a Central High Museum is excellent His comment that the 1957 crisis had several villains also caught my eye. I recently re-read the chapter about Little Rock in CBS newsman Harry Reasoners memoirs. He believed that to be a villain one has to think of himself as a villain. He did not believe that anyone involved in this crisis thought of himself as a villain and, consequently there were no villains. This is an interesting contrast to his comment. Everett Tucker III Little Rock The idea for a Central High memorial is wonderful. If citizens are needed for a committee of any kind to develop the idea, I would be willing to lend a hand. Bech Brickell FaronIn order to compete in the world arena, America will have to train her students to be more competitive in math and science. One hundred and fifty young Arkansans have taken that challenge to heart. This Sunday, the students from the new Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences take you on a personal, insider's tour of their new home. Inside the Arkansas School: Beginning November 21 on News 4 at 10 KARKArkansas Democrat azcttc FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19,1993 Central High excellence According to your Nov. 12 back-page article, 17 Central High students, alumni achieve advanced placement, there is excellence coming out of Little Rock Central High. After reading mostly negative articles about the Little Rock public schools, especially Central High, in the Democrat-Gazette, Im wondering why the reason, for this excellence has escaped you. In the interest of balanced reporting, maybe you could follow the backpage article with some front-page facts. LALLY R, BROWN Little RockARKANSAS TIMES * DECEMBER 2.1993 CENTRAL MUSEUM Regarding Max Brandeys Nov. 4 column on a Ceniral High Memorial: Uis high lime for Litlle Rock to memorialize the 1957 crisis, but 1 hope he will become acquainted with several points. The Future-Lilde Rock Steering Committee recommended that a blue ribbon committee be appointed to develop a master plan for the Central High School Museum and revitalization of the Mosaic Templars of America Buildingas an African-American Cultural Center. The recommendation does not necessarily mean that the Central High museum and the cultural center would occupy the same site, though they might. The fonner black Masonic hall he men- dons is die Mosaic Templars of America Head- quailers Building, a very important African- American landmark, not only for Litde Rock but for the state and nation. Before its demise during the Depression, the black fraternal organization had 1 (X),000 members in 26 states. The existence of the building is evidence that there is a great deal more to African-American history in Lillie Rock than the Central High crisis. While it may or may not be the proper place to memoralize Central High, the citys rich African-American history should notcon- dnue to be ignored. He states that its time for legislation to make Central a national historical site. Central High already is a Nadonal Historic Landmark. The National Park Service only funds and o()cralcs historic sites dial it owns and it seems unlikely that die Seivice would acquire afunc- doning high school, although it might operate an adjacent interpredve center. However, the Service is woefully underfunded and often unable to detail adequately with the buildings and sites already under its jurisdiction. Although some federal funding might be obtained, a partnership among the various levels of government, as well as private fund-raising, may be needed to make ihe memorial possible. His suggesdon that boarded-up and condemned neighbotinghouses could be replaced by a museum ?uid visitors center might not meet witli the approval of residents of the neighborhood, many of whom are valiantly working to stabilize die neighborhood. Central High Neighborhood Inc., the neighborhood | association, should bea key player in deciding what happens. I hope he keeps talking about Central High,. but not diminish die importance of other aspects of our history or of the neighborhood in the process. Cheryl Nichok bale Rock j in WEDNESDAY, DECEMBERS, 1993 Colleges give Central high marks in survey LR school among 26 mentioned most BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Dantocrar-GazeRa Education Writer Central High School is one of the countrys most distin^ished and exemplary public high schools, according to a recent survey of admissions directors at 41 prestigious colleges and universities. Shelley M. Blumenthal, a high school guidance counselor at Blacksburg High School in Blacksburg, Va., conducted the survey as part of his research for a doctoral dissertation on characteristics of successful high school ^idance programs. Central is clearly one of the most distinguished schools in the country and it prepares students extremely well for admission to highly selective colleges. Blumenthal said in a telephone interview. In June 1992, Blumenthal asked admissions directors at 41 institutions to list 10 public high schools they believed were exemplary and had outstanding guidance departments. Colleges in the survey included Harvard University, Haverford College. Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oberlin College, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of North Carolina, Vassar College, Emory University and Yale Uni- versity. Admissions directors at 31 ofthe 41 colleges responded. Central was one of 26 public high schools most frequently named in the survey, Blumenthal said. Other schools included Beverly Hills High School in California, Scarsdale High School in New York and the North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics in Durham. Central High School Counselor Sam Blair was elated by the survey results. One of the most reassuring things the survey tells me is that See CENTRAL. Page 10B I Central I Schools listed as exemplary Continued from Page 1B you dont have to send kids to an expensive boarding school or to a private school to go to a selective college, or to even get a leg up to go to a selective college," Blair said. Blair called the study good news for Central. Tfs fulfilling to get the appreciation," he said. We dont always feel we get it. It validates what we are doing. About half of the lop 20 percent of each graduating class at Central goes to college out of state, many of them to top schools, Blair said. Top students in last years class are now attending classes at Harvard, Brown, Yale. Cornell. New York University and Tulane University. Besides Blair, who has been a Central counselor since 1977, Central counselors include Bette Callaway, Ann Ivey, Ann Graves, Lynda Johnson and Pat Watson. Among the 26 exemplary schools named in Blumenthals survey, three of the top four vote-getters were schools that have admissions requirements: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Stuyvesant High School in New York City and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia. Another top vote-getter was New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, III., which like Central does not limit enrollment to those who can inf et certain entrance requirements. .
IBlumenthal sent question- ridires to the 26 schools to de- Twenty-six public high schools, including Little Rocks Central High, were identified as exemplary schools with strong guidance programs in a recent survey of college admissions officers at the country's lop colleges. Seven of ihe schools have competitive admissions pdicies. Those schools are: Hume-Fogg Academic High School in Nashville, Tenn., Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora. Louisiana School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches, North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics in Durham, Stuyvesant High School in New York City, Thomas Jefferson High School lor Science and Technology in Virginia, and University High School in Tucson, Artz. Other identified schools that do not require students lo meet admission retermine their common characteristics and their college guidance activities. Unlike several of the identified schools, Blumenthal said Central has a relatively high minority enrollment and is not in an affluent neighborhood, although students who live in some of Little Rocks most prosperous areas are assigned to the school. Centrals record of achievement among both black and white students may be of particular attraction to colleges and universities, Blumenthal speculated. Central, which has a 65 percent black enrollment this year, has produced 10 percent ofthe states National Merit semifinalists over the past 10 years and one-third of all the black semifinalists, he said. The school leads the state in the number of black students named semifinalists for the Na- ] quirements are: Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles, Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in Maryland, Beverly Hills High School in California, Little Rock Central High
Cherry Creek High School in Colorado, Clayton High School in Missouri
Evanston Township High School in Illinois: Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Cal., Horace Greeley High School in New York, Lexington High School in Massachusetts, Lincoln High School in Portland, Ore., Millbum High Scfxxjl in New Jersey: Mountain Brook High School in Alabama, New Trier Township High School in Illinois, Palo Allo High School in California, Scarsdale High Schoch in New York, Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, Calif., Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Md., and While Station High School in Memphis, tional Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students. Following are some of the features Blumenthal found among the 26 schools, which ranged in size from 400 to 2,980 students
The average per-student expenditure was $7,685. The average ratio of counselors to students was 1 to 261. As a general rule, each counselor at an identified school worked with the same group of students the entire time the students were in high school. A majority ofthe identified schools had a guidance director who assumed all administrative duties and had only a small or nonexistent student load. Guidance offices in the identified schools included support staff and computer equipment. which eased the compila- lion of transcripts, midyear grade reports and other records. The schools offered an average of 18 Advanced Placement courses as part of the curriculum. Advanced Placement is a College Board program that enables students to obtain college credit for accelerated high school work. Most ofthe schools offered weighted grades for Advanced Placement courses. For example, a grade of an A" in an Advanced Placement course might be worth 5 points in calculating grade averages instead of the traditional 4 points. Counselors at the identified schools generally were members of professional associations, which enabled them to network and obtain professional development. Central, with an enrollment J of about 1,800, has six coun- , selors this year with a student load of about 300 each. Blair J said. , The school offers more than 100 courses, including 12 Advanced Placement courses and six foreign languages: Spanish, French, German. Japanese, . Greek and Latin. AP grades are weighted. Central has an international studies component in the curriculum that is not of- , fered at other Pulaski County area schools. The counseling office includes two computers for use by the counselors and students. ' Blair said. The administrative duties are shared by the staff. The staff members are members , of professional organizations, I including the National Associ-
ation of College Admissions , Counselors, which Blair said was especially beneficial.Arkansas Democrat T& (gazette MONDAY, DECEMBER 13,1993 Shh! Central Highs got a secret A doctoral candidate in education named Shelley Blumenthal in Blacksburg, Virginia, may know something about Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. Its something that may have escaped a lot of folks in Arkansas or even Little Rock itself of late. Mr. Blumenthal discovered Centrals cl
This project was supported in part by a Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives project grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Council on Library and Information Resoources.