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AR-CDA Presentation Speech:
Arkansas American Choral Director Association recognizes an individual whose unwavering dedication, quiet strength, and lasting impact shapes the choral community in Arkansas in extraordinary ways. The Trailblazer Award, named in honor of the incomparable Carrie Taylor, stands as a tribute to those who lead not for recognition but out of a deep love for students, music, and excellence

Carrie was more than a teacher—she was a mentor, a model of grace and grit, and a tireless champion for choral music across our state. Her legacy lives on in the countless people she empowered and inspired, and in the standard of excellence she set for all of us.

This year’s honoree has walked a remarkably similar path.

After what many might consider a well-earned retirement, this individual returned—not for accolades or titles, but to stand in the gap where students needed them most. In doing so, they didn’t just sustain a program—they revived it. And in true Trailblazer fashion, they did so with humility, strength, and a quiet confidence that continues to ripple through the lives of students and colleagues alike.

They have lifted others, modeled excellence, and quietly shaped the future of choral music in Arkansas. And I can say, personally, that I am one of the many who have been changed for the better because of them.

It is with great pride and deep gratitude that the Arkansas- American Choral Director Association present this year’s Trailblazer Award in honor of Carrie Taylor, to… Mrs. Bennie Vincent. 

After 31 years of teaching dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading to amazing students from Monticello and Southeast Arkansas, I am excited to announce my retirement from KDF.

From our humble beginnings at the old skating rink on 425 south to our dance and gymnastics spaces on the Monticello Square and, finally, to KDF’s current home since 2001, The Lord has blessed us with countless relationships with students and families over the years. Big thanks to them for the support and love they have shown me and my family. The Monticello / SEARK community has supported KDF and has made my career in dance such a joy!

I want to thank my husband, Steve, for his tireless support and for helping me make KDF a reality. Thank you to my sons, Cody, Clint, and Cade, for always supporting me and all the “dance projects.” To my parents, thanks for giving me the gift of dance when I was young that fueled this incredible journey. Thank you to my sweet friends who were always there to help and support !

To all members of the KDF Team over the 31 years, thank you!  We couldn’t have done it without you. Special thanks to Mary Ramsey, the best gymnastics teacher around, for our wonderful 24 year partnership.

KDF is very near and dear to my heart!
News about its future will be announced in the coming days!

?? Ms. Kim

We have an incredible opportunity available in our community for kids. 
Between now and July 31st, any kids ages 5-10 that register to join cub scouts will save $40! Instead of $125/ year,  it’s only $85!
We are also having an end of summer day camp August 1-3 for $65.
That’s three days of messy experiments,  outdoor fun,  and lunch included! Kids 6 and under must have an adult partner with them,  7-10 can be dropped off daily @ 8:30 and picked up at 5. 
We also have options for year-round school kids who cannot attend Friday and for siblings. 
They may register online at beascout.org and use the code JULY40

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On Thursday, October 10, 2024, at approximately 6:45 a.m., Arkansas State Police Troop F Trooper David Menotti attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Tahoe for speeding on U.S. Highway 425 South in Drew County. The driver failed to yield, initiating a vehicle pursuit passing multiple vehicles during the chase..

The fleeing vehicle ultimately pulled into the Interfor Plant property, where the driver — a Black male later identified as Demorcus L. Smith, of Crossett — exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Trooper Menotti quickly secured the scene, locating a red hoodie, two semi-automatic pistols, a bag containing suspected marijuana.

Smith was apprehended shortly thereafter on the plant property without incident. After being read his Miranda rights, Smith admitted to Trooper Menotti that he had been operating the fleeing vehicle.

The jury watched the video of the chase, heard the interview with Smith, and was presented with the facts that the evidence recovered from the scene was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for testing. Lab results confirmed the presence of 47 grams of marijuana, and both seized firearms were verified to be operable.

The jury found Smith guilty of fleeing in excess of the posted speed limit, possession of marijuana, and felon in possession of a firearm.

During sentencing, the jury heard evidence that Demorcus L. Smith was charged a as a habitual offender based on prior felony convictions, including: 2014 , Sexual Assault in the Second Degree; 2017 Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and 2020 Possession of a Schedule IV/V Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver Possession of Marijuana with Purpose to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia to Facilitate Drug Transactions and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

The jury recommended a sentence of 15 years and a $10,000 fine on the fleeing count, 15 years and a $10,000 fine on felony possession of a firearm, and a 6-month sentence and a 25 hundred dollar fine for the offensive possession of marijuana. The jury recommended that the sentences run consecutively.  Judge Robert Gibson III followed the recommendation of the jury and sentenced Smith to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and $22,500 worth of fines.

On December 10, 2024, Detective Ben Hines of the Monticello Police Department conducted a traffic stop after observing what appeared to be a physical altercation between the driver and passenger of a vehicle. As he approached the car, Detective Hines testified that he saw the defendant, Ms. Shook, place her hand near the side of her seat. A subsequent search of the vehicle by Hines and other officers led to the discovery of a glass pipe—commonly used to ingest methamphetamine—stuffed in the seat where Ms. Shook’s hand had been seen. Ms. Shook was taken into custody, fingerprinted at the jail, and later released.

Ms. Shook was charged as a habitual offender based on her three prior convictions. Under Arkansas law, a person may be designated a habitual offender if they have multiple prior felony convictions. At the time of her arrest, Ms. Shook had three prior convictions for drug paraphernalia from events that arose on July 28^th, 2020, October 27^th,  2020, and December 31^st, 2020, all for possession of drug paraphernalia used to ingest methamphetamine. She had completed probation on those offenses in January 2024.

A jury trial was held on June 24, 2025, at the Drew County Courthouse. Jurors heard testimony from Detective Hines, other responding officers, and an expert from the Arkansas State Crime Lab who tested the glass pipe and confirmed the presence of methamphetamine residue.

After considering all the evidence presented at trial, the jury found Ms. Shook not guilty.