The Miss Arkansas Pageant will be held June 23 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. This year one of Monticello’s own will compete for the Miss Arkansas title of the Miss America preliminary pageant. Sarah Tucker holds the title of Miss Dogwood and is busy preparing for her chance at the crown. Here is her story.
Sarah’s parents are Gary and Beth Tucker. She and her family have lived in Monticello her whole life. She attended Monticello schools and graduated from MHS in 2006. She now attends the University of Arkansas where she received vocal and academic scholarships. She plans to major in Speech Pathology.
Sarah has not always competed in pageants. Her mother steered her away from competing when she was younger to protect her from the disappointment that comes with beauty pageants. When Sarah was 13 she talked her family into letting her enter the Petite Miss Drew County Pageant. She was crowned the winner and that sufficed her until she was 17. Then she entered the Teen Miss Arkansas preliminary pageants in Monticello and Star City. She placed 1st runner-up for Teen Miss Monticello. She received 1st place in Miss Teen Star City and secured her spot for Miss Teen Arkansas. The Miss Teen Arkansas Pageant is in conjunction with the Miss Arkansas Pageant. Sarah got a taste of the excitement of the state pageant in the Summer of 2005 where she placed in the top 10 and won Most Photogenic.
In the fall of that year, Sarah was crowned Miss Drew County. She represented our area in the Miss Arkansas State Fair Queen Pageant. She won the overall interview in the Southeast District and placed 2nd runner-up in the final pageant.
Sarah came to a point in her life where she did not want to pursue pageants but to focus on school and going to college. She quickly adjusted to college life. She does well in her classes and is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Sorority. It was her sorority that encouraged her to enter another pageant. Lambda Chi nominated her as their representative for the Miss Sorority Pledge Queen Pageant where she placed 1st runner-up. The judges at the sorority pageant noticed Sarah’s talent and encouraged her to compete in the Miss Arkansas preliminary pageant in the Fayetteville area that would be held the following week. Sarah took the challenge, prepared for the pageant in several short days and won the title of Miss Dogwood.
Sarah’s title, Miss Dogwood, may be from northwest Arkansas but her heart is from down south. The people of Monticello have been so supportive of Sarah and her upcoming pageant. Last week Sarah along with her family and friends hosted a dinner theater. The fabulous food was prepared by Paul Smith and Jean Alexander. The audience of close to 200 people were entertained by some of our local talent. There was a silent auction with items provided from different businesses in town. Many Monticellonians who believe in Sarah helped make the event a success. The money that was raised will help Sarah with the expenses that come with the Arkansas pageant. She is so thankful for the support of her home town and plans to use the money to buy her evening gown, interview outfit, voice lessons and interview coaching.
To compete in the Miss Arkansas pageant the contestant must come prepared with a platform they deem important. Sarah’s platform is voter apathy. If Sarah wins the title of Miss Arkansas she will use her platform to help educate young people she will meet through out her reign the importance of voting. Sarah feels so strongly about her platform that she is not waiting to get a crown before she shares her concerns. Sarah has personally helped register the last three senior classes of MHS to vote.
It is not a surprise that Sarah will sing as her talent at the upcoming pageant. She is singing “If I Had My Way” by Linda Edder. This song was written as a tribute for the events of 9/11. Sarah feels the song shows patriotism and is beautiful. If Monticello has it their way Sarah deserves to be the next Miss Arkansas. She is beautiful inside and out. With or without a crown, she is a winner. One Monticello Life – Sarah Tucker.




















Since moving back to Arkansas Shanna has realized how hard it is to get a job with a meaningful salary and benefits without a high school diploma. This spurred her on to get her GED. She wanted to be able to have a job that would support her family and also be able to start saving for her children’s education.
It is baseball season in Monticello. Kids four years old and up are busy playing ball on various leagues around town. Not only does baseball bring out the little tykes to play ball but with that comes the support and cheers of parents. At one of the local baseball games many supporters are near by to cheer on their favorite sport star. One of these parents is Curtis Barrow. Here is his story.

In the Japanese culture when you name your children you consider the meaning of the name and pick it based on what you want for your child. Yukiko means “to explore life on your own.” When her parents chose this name for her their wish for her was for her to experience all this world had for her. She definately has taken that challenge. In naming her own child she chose Jessaca Mioko which means “beautiful cherry blossom.” Because it takes ten years for a cherry blossom tree to bloom Yukiko takes these early years with Jessaca seriously. She feels that Jessaca is in the process of blooming. Her hope is that Jessaca will continue to be nurtured by the love of her family and friends. Yukiko feels this time is best for Jessaca to work on her talents and education in anticipation for the day she will blossom into a beautiful talented young lady. After last nights performance Jessaca proved that she is in bloom. Much of this is due in part by the loving care of her mother, Yukiko Shepherd – one Monticello life.
Estrallyn grew up in Monticello. Her mother was a school teacher and her father worked in a grocery store. Because her parents worked she spent much of her time with her grandmother, Thella Hankins. Thella was the President of the Garden Club in her day and did not neglect to teach those who came behind her the art of gardening. Not all who learn are blessed to have a green thumb, but for Estrallyn gardening came easy.
The 4-H Shooting Sports Progam has been a “blessing” for Terry. He does not get paid financially for his involvement or time but says that watching the kids grow and learn is payment enough for him. Terry is passionate about the organization and what it teaches the kids.
After college, she traveled to Missouri’s Chilacotti Business College, her father’s alma mater. Upon completion of business college, she had planned to work in civil service in Washington, D.C.; however, the trip was cancelled because her friend who was to accompany her backed out. Her parents didn’t like the idea of her going that far alone. Louine decided to hunt for work in Little Rock. It was there in 1941 at a dance at the Fredericka Hotel that she met Bob.
JB & Amy Duncan met as college students at the
After only three more months, JB was grateful to learn that his division was being sent home. He had completed his term of service. JB returned to Monticello, college and his new wife. They moved into married student housing at UAM.
At that point, Linda was ready for a slower pace of life. Her husband had retired and she was looking forward to spending more time with him. So in October 2005, she became the 
At the end of the internship she was voted on by her peers and manager for the
Frank grew up in Mazatlin, Sinaloa, Mexico. His father worked in the transportation business. His mother was a busy housewife, with three sons and eight daughters. Frank was the second oldest. He was schooled in Mazatlin and went to college in 
It is Christmas time in Monticello, and Christmas decorations are up and out for all to enjoy. One house that captures the imagination of Monticellonians this time of year is 502 North Main. Behind the doors of this beautiful home live James and Sue Cathey. This is their story.
The Cathey’s moved to their current home in November 1991. James said that he had "always wanted a house with stairs, basically growing up as a pauper." When the couple bought the house they were newly-weds. James and Sue actually met at the annual
The Cathey’s are very active in community life. They attend the Wood Avenue ARP Church where James not only plays the organ and piano but is also the choir director. You’ve probably seen them watching parades from the front porch of their home.
This past week at the
In looking toward the future, she mentioned that the church is starting a new building project.
Priscilla Hopkins Houdlette Smith was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1918. Her father was a civil engineer who designed the majority of interstate highways in that state. Her mother was a house wife who died during the birth of Priscilla’s sister, Claire. Priscilla was seven years old at the time. She and her sister were raised by their grandmother for most of their lives.
"When I met Smitty, he was changing his son’s diaper. I knew then he needed a mother for his kids," Priscilla smiled.
As she received her personal tour of South Arkansas Rehabilitation this past week, she was wheeled into the children’s room that has been dedicated to her. On the wall there is a picture of Priscilla working with a child who was a polio victim. The words below the photo say "In appreciation of your contribution to the physical therapy profession and the many patients you served, and for the inspiration you have provided those of us who have followed in your footsteps… Thank you! We love you! Your friends at South Arkansas Rehabilitation." Priscilla Smith will never be able to estimate the lives she’s literally touched over the years. Our community is grateful for such a life: One Monticello Life.
Her freshman year she married a schoolmate, Tommy Simpson. After her first year in college, they moved to South Carolina for two years where Tommy served in the Air Force. In 1970, the couple moved back to Monticello and had their first child.
Unwilling to simply go to work and return home, Mae is currently on a committee to restore her old school house in Selma. She and several others are worked towards making Selma Junior High School a historical site. The building is used now for banquets and group meetings like the Masons and Eastern Star organization of which Mae is a member. Mae is also an active member of 16th Section Missionary Baptist Church. 
Carolyn Wilson was one of the tenants in the house who even wrote a book which is currently out of print. You may find a copy in the Monticello Library. Its title is
"High school was a tough period for me and my family," Rob said. "Basically everything I ever believed was called into question. I went from the kid whose dad preached at the biggest church in town to the kid who didn’t really have a church anymore. I didn’t know what was going on."
When asked why he and the MBSF spend so much time trying to reach students, Rob responded, "Because Jesus changes lives."
After Coach Paschal graduated from high school, he was recruited by UCA to play football and by UAM to play baseball. He went to UCA in 1981. Soon after that, however, he tore his shoulder. He ended up at UAM to play baseball. After shoulder surgery and a couple of years playing baseball, he returned to football. He played for UAM his last one and a half years.
When asked how the football players might describe their coach, he replied, "I don’t know what they would say. My nature is pretty hard-nosed. I have to watch myself and not get too focused, where I have blinders on and all I see is football. I try to widen back out and get these things in (points to his Bible on his desk). Kids come and talk to me, and all I want to talk about is blocking and tackling, when they really want to talk about life.
This is how you would describe Ruth & Ruby Brown. You might have seen these identical twins around town on Fridays. This is their day to eat lunch at a local restaurant. And most days, they wear the same color. This is by coincidence usually. Not only are Ruby and Ruth twins, they also married brothers! Here is their story: Ruby and Ruth Barrett Brown were born in 1930. They were raised in Warren. Their father was a farmer, and they have two brothers and two sisters. Their father died when they were young. Their mother raised the six children with the help of their grandparents who also farmed. The Brown brothers moved from Cleveland County to Bradley County in 1945. The Browns also farmed. There were five children in their family, four boys and 1 girl. It was at Macedonia Baptist Church that T.H. and Larkin Brown met the twins. "We were at church, and there they were, sitting on the pew," Larkin recalls about the first time he met Ruby and Ruth. "Back in those days, we didn’t date until you were 16. Me and Ruth were 15 at the time." Ruby also said they were all friends until they could start dating. "We rode to school in a taxi. So we went to school together before we dated," she said. Both T.H. and Larkin served in the U.S. Military. T.H. served in China during World War II. Larkin served during the Korean War. But war did not keep these brothers and twins apart for long. After T.H. returned from the war, he finished high school. In 1948, Ruth and T.H. married. One week after Larkin came home from Korea in 1952, Ruby and Larkin were married. Each couple moved frequently, for the mens’ jobs. T.H. attended Chicago Electrical School and worked for Entergy for 42 years. Larkin attended
T.H. and Larkin were asked what it was like being married to twins. Larkin said it was "great," because "If I want to go somewhere, all I have to say is, ‘Ruth called,’ and she’d go over there. Then I can go and do what I want to," he said with a grin. T.H. said, "I haven’t been married to anybody else, so I don’t know. All I can say is I got the best looking of the bunch!" Larkin is quick to respond, "That’s the only one that would have you!" Ruby and Ruth drink coffee together every morning. The twins do not do much without the other. They all attend
Mr. James Carpenter was born in 1938 and raised in Hamburg by a farmer and housewife. He is the 8th child of nine children. He has four brothers and four sisters. He went to school in Hamburg and managed to march in his high school’s graduation ceremonies, but he lacked a little to get an actual diploma.
Mr. Carpenter was on his way to the car wash so he could look for change. He said, "If I had not got beat up or ran over, I would worked at Wal-Mart 14 years today and could have retired 3 years ago."















