MonticelloLive

Drew Central High School senior Quanica Bealer raised over $2,000 in a charity tournament for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Now in its third year, Senior Project at Drew Central High School has evolved into learning how community service benefits others. Bealer, along with fifty-six other seniors at DHS must complete a project that consists of a ten-page research paper, project, portfolio and presentation. Projects do not have to be directed to community service. Students can select projects that are geared toward careers or a personal learning experience. Each phase of Senior Project is part of their senior English grade.

Having completed the paper and project now, Bealer will be putting her portfolio together that demonstrates her project and presenting before a panel of community leaders who will serve on the panel of judges May 14.

Tracy Rodgers, Senior Project Coordinator volunteered during the tournament to run the scoreboard and announcements. “I had no idea how to run the scoreboard but with the help of one of our students Sam Prescott I learned and had fun. Quanica did a wonderful job with this project and I am so proud of her. I really appreciate the teachers, staff, community, and the students for helping her and more importantly helping Arkansas Children’s Hospital” Rodgers stated.

Organizing a softball tournament is not an easy feat as Bealer learned. “If it wasn’t for my mentors, Misty Jones and Mike Pennington, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this. I had no idea how much work it took to do something like this. I am so happy everything worked out” Bealer said.

Bealer had a specific goal in mind when asked to select her project. Her main objective was to raise money for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and she never wavered from that goal. It took her more than four months to find mentors who had experience and knowledge to help her.

“I didn’t realize I would end up finding my mentors right on my own school campus” Bealer stated.

Misty Jones, Drew Central district nurse and helped Bealer organize the tournament which included recruiting volunteers, ordering concession food, completing the tournament brackets, establishing the tournament game rules, and a variety of other details.

Mike Pennington, Drew Central board member and volunteer for the Log-A-Load Annual Benefit for Arkansas Children’s Hospital was instrumental in introducing Bealer to other volunteers and personnel representing Children’s Hospital. Pennington also volunteered to cook during the softball tournament.

Nine teams played in the tournament with players ranging in age from 6 to sixty-seven. The Yackers team took home the first place trophy while The City of Monticello team came in second; and third place was awarded to the Winchester team. The tournament winners received a trophy donated by Athletic Awards and Apparel along with a certificate of appreciation.

If you are interested in serving on the panel of judges or becoming a mentor for Senior Project contact Tracy Rodgers at (870) 367-6076.

Pictured Above: Front (left to right): Angel Mathews, Park Tipton, Sarah Brannon, Sherrell Shipp, Matt McDaniel, Quanica Bealer; Back: Gerrald Caine, Matt Pace, Andrew Brannon, Daniel Titsworth, Gary Pace