Your voice united with other rural Americans has been heard in Washington. Postmaster General has announced a compromise to keep rural post offices open, by reducing hours rather than closing. See What's New for Press Release.
RCA's 2011 Annual Report is now published. See photos and read about the work of our members and staff in 2011 under the "What's New" link above.
Archive for the 'Dermott' Category
2012 Champions of Rural Arkansas announced
The board of Rural Community Alliance is pleased to announce the 2012 Champions of Rural Arkansas. RCA takes the opportunity every two years to recognize some folks from different parts of the state who are making a difference in rural Arkansas.
The honorees will be presented awards at a reception on Friday March 30 at 6 pm at the Arkansas Activities Association at 3920 Richards Road in North Little Rock. Our members and supporters are invited to attend. Business attire is appropriate. Appetizers will be served.
We appreciate Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas for again sponsoring this event.
From NE Arkansas our co-honorees are: The Gentlemen of Knowledge from Rivercrest High School. These impressive young men participated in a student-voice program and tackled academic achievement head-on with their peers. The results are as impressive as these young men.
Congressman Rick Crawford from Jonesboro is our other NE honoree. He has co-sponsored the All Children are Equal Act that would bring back $2.5 million in Federal Title I funding to Arkansas’ schools. He also sponsored the Protecting Our Rural Post Offices Act, which would give relief to many of Arkansas’ rural post offices that are in the cross-hairs of USPS.
Our NW honoree is Andy Anderson of Diamond City who as a volunteer garnered the support of 22 water systems and their customers in north Arkansas to construct the Ozark Mountain Regional Water Project. The $72 million project is currently under construction and will solve water issues for many residents of north Arkansas.
Our SW honoree is Randy Abbott of Delight who is the driving force behind the work of volunteers of South East Pike County Alliance and their efforts to revitalize the town and preserve the musical heritage of the area.
The SE honoree is Rather Clark of Dermott who has been a strong advocate and leader for Dermott School and the Revitalization Project in Dermott.
The late Governor Winthrop Rockefeller is our central Arkansas honoree and will be remembered and recognized for his vision and support of rural Arkansas. This year marks the Centennial Anniversary of his birth.
Frank Henry, Jr. of Dermott will receive the Lifetime Achievement award for his life of service to Chicot County, Dermott, the port authority, chamber of commerce, Crawfish Festival, and the list goes on!
Please join us and help celebrate the work going on in rural Arkansas!
Dermott YEN group takes initiative and re-paints sign
The "before" view of old sign
Youth repaint sign
The "after" version
Stamp out Smoking event hosted in Dermott
Dermott Project Leader Rather Clark helped coordinate a Stamp Out Smoking event sponsored by Tabernacle Church in Dermott. Featured guest was Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former U.S. Surgeon General.
Dermott Elementary School Receives $100,000 Grant
Dermott Elementary has been named a recipient of the Lenore Annenberg School Fund grant in the amount of $100,000. RCA Policy & Education Director Lavina Grandon advised Elementary Principal Terry Swilley about the grant opportunity last fall. He and Dermott teachers completed the application and were notified just a few weeks ago of the award. The funds will be used for a mobile computer lab, science lab equipment, library books, literacy materials and equipment and training for teachers in place-based education that will be provided by The Rural School and Community Trust. Congratulations to Dermott students and staff, and thank you to the Annenberg School Fund and The Rural School and Community Trust!
RCA Board Member Andrew Taylor and Rural Trust Board Member Lavina Grandon presenting grant award to Elementary Principal Terry Swilley
Ms. Tabor talks about science projects students will do with the new equipment.
Dermott Board Member Andy Brannon, RCA Project Leader Rather Clark, Principal Terry Swilley, Mrs. Floyd Gray, Mayor Gray, Chamber Mgr. Frank Henry
Dermott Youth Empowerment Network receives $1,000 grant from RCA
Timothy Johnson, Cydney Broadnax, Advisor Tonya Broadnax, Malayshia Griffin, Renee Carr
Dermott’s Youth Empowerment Network (YEN) learned about the Wealth Creation approach over the past several months and looked at how to build the seven forms of wealth: social, political, intellectual, individual, financial, natural, and built (infrastructure). Yellow Wood Associates provided web-based training for the youth on wealth creation and also provided a challenge grant for the group. The youth chose a philanthropy project to implement in their hometown and will host a Health Fair for the community next week. Tonya Broadnax is advisor for the Dermott YEN group. On Wednesday RCA’s Renee Carr presented a check in the amount of $1,000 toward the group’s upcoming health fair and other projects.
Dermott Elementary connects with business/civic community
An innovative program at Dermott Elementary begins its second year. The Adopt-a-Classroom program was introduced by Principal Terry Swilley last year as a means of connecting local businesses and civic organizations to students and teachers in the classrooms. He believes that both the students and businesses benefit. Following is an overview of the program.
Dermott Elementary School Adopt-A-Class Program
Dermott Elementary School is in the process of developing an Adopt-A-Class Program in cooperation with local business. Each classroom will be paired with an adopter from the community. Certificates-of-Adoption will be displayed in the classroom, on a “Wall of Adoption” in the school, and at the adopter’s place of business or office. Examples of the type of activities the adopter may be involved in are:
- Reading to the class on Dr. Seuss Day and other occasions
- Sponsoring field trips to adopter’s business or organization
- Talking to the class about the business, its goals, how it’s run, etc.
- Attending Doughnuts for Dads or Muffins for Moms breakfast
- Participating in Career Day
- Presenting sponsored awards on awards day
- Attending holiday celebrations or parties
- Giving motivational talks to students before state test
- Be a part of or give input to improvement and/or leadership committees
Dermott Elementary, the adopting business, and the community all have much to gain from the Adopt-A-Class Program. Some of the benefits would be:
Increased communication between the school and the community
- The students developing an understanding of the businesses and how important the businesses are for Dermott
- The students will be exposed to positive role models
- The students will develop a greater sense of community
- The businesses will experience firsthand what is happening in the schools
- The businesses will help the school understand how it can better serve the businesses and community
- The businesses will help the schools provide a fuller educational experience for our children
Dermott members attend Monticello training
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Julia & Quin
- Dermott members
Dermott Community Assessment
Rural Community Alliance worked in cooperation with the Dermott Survey Committee, city officials, and the community to produce the following community assessment in September 2009. Click the following link to access the document.
