Opportunities abound for high school students

By Fred Walker

LITTLE ROCK — The Izard County Consolidated School District was created in 1985 by the voluntary consolidation of the Oxford and Violet Hill school districts. A new high school was constructed in 1987, and a new middle school for grades five through eight was completed in 2006, both in Brockwell.

Other renovations at Brockwell include a fine arts complex that houses band, choir, art, drama and physical education completed in 2006; a 9,600-square-foot livestock barn and show arena constructed in 2007; a baseball and softball complex that has hosted seven state tournaments including the 2008 Class 1A state baseball and softball tournaments that was completed in 2000; the middle/high school library that has been recently renovated with all new furniture, an LCD projector and 24 wireless laptop computers; and a new bus garage that has also been recently completed.

This district has always been progressive. I have been here since 1993, and the school board members have always been receptive to providing opportunities for our students.

The vast number of opportunities our students have is more indicative of larger districts than a district of around 525 students. It is a proven fact that if a student is involved in school activities he or she will do better academically, and the opportunities are here for all students to be involved in something that interests them.

The Izard County Consolidated School District is a place where everybody is somebody.

Izard County Consolidated High School was named last year to the U.S. News and World Report’s list of America’s Best High Schools and has long excelled in academic competitions.

The high school chess team has been the Class 1A-3A state chess champion for seven consecutive years and has three returning players from last year’s championship team. Sophomores Ryan Walker, Trisha Arnold and Doug Reeves are returning players.

Kendall Wallis is the coach of the chess team.

The high school Quiz Bowl team has won one state championship (1995) and has been state runner-up twice (2001, 2002). The junior high team won the Class 1A state championship trophy last year, and sophomores Jed Shales, Chris Stanton and Doug Reeves are hoping to excel on the high school level this year.

The Izard County Consolidated School District is a school district that provided numerous opportunities for students to find their niche.

(Fred Walker is superintendent of Izard County Consolidated Schools.)at a glance Grades: Nine through 12 Enrollment: 160 Mascot: Cougars Colors: Black and gray Athletics: 1A basketball, baseball, softball, golf, track, cross-country, shooting sports Principal: David Harmon Address: Highway 9 North Brockwell, AR 72517 Phone: (870) 258-7788 Web site: http://icc.k12.

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Three Rivers, Pages 54 on 10/09/2008