One day when I was in middle school the art teacher was trying to get everyone to take home their projects. She handed me one with the initials “MH” that wasn’t mine, but when I told her that she said I don’t have anyone else with those initials. Those were my initials, and she said it had been in her classroom a long time and was probably mine and I forgot. But it was a much better piece of pottery than I had or would ever be able to make. It truly was a work of art. I know what I’m capable of making and it wasn’t that. Mine always look like a monkey made them. Middle school Madison didn’t have much interest in pottery I guess.
I put it in my locker and went on. Sometime later my locker shelf collapsed on it. And of course once it was broken to oblivion the rightful owner came to ask me about it, the real MH of this piece. He was very grace giving when I told him what happened, but I still think about that incident sometimes.
Now you’re gonna wonder why I told you such a random story. I am giving a recipe for salt dough to make ring holders, or foot print/hand prints, or whatever else you might make out of clay. Mostly I just wanted to share that story because even with it having been over 10 years ago it still pops into my head.
Anyway, salt dough is fun! It’s drying, so not the best to play with. I have play dough recipes for that, and highly recommend sticking with them over salt dough if you want to let your kids create. Salt dough is ideal for ornaments, and trinkets. I read after I made ours that it won’t last just indefinitely, but I’m okay with that. It will give our recipients an easy end. Did I mention these are our Mother’s Day presents? You didn’t read that mom and mom in law.
Salt dough can air dry which makes it ideal for at home use! We used dried flowers to decorate, but beads, sequins, paint, etc. could be used!
Ingredients
-2 cups flour (plus more for flouting surface)
-1 cup salt
-1 cup water
Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix. Once combined flip onto a floured surface and continue working. Add flour as needed to get rid of stickiness. We ended up needing about 2.5 cups of flour.
Roll out salt dough and use cutters to make shapes or wing it!
There’s a feeling when everything is going well. It’s like a beam of joy and happiness as if nothing could go wrong. Ah yes, the perfect life. But then one day after months of greatness you stump your toe on the door and…..THAT’S IT, life is officially horrible! Now of course we all know that although a stumped toe can be painful, it’s not the end of the world. That’s the mindset that the Mansfield Tigers baseball team took after falling to the Greenland Pirates in the 2A West Regional Championship game. The loss was painful, but there’s a whole 2A State Tournament ahead of the Tigers and they’re eager for some more opportunities to play some good ol’ baseball.
Braxton “Bugga” Byers stretches it out to get an out at first base. Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
The Tigers ran a gauntlet schedule leading up to the 2A State Tournament. They were rained out of multiple games, traveled long distances to play, and took on larger teams through their diamond campaign. That didn’t damper their moods for the game nor their ability to play…..and win. Mansfield racked up a 20-5 overall record while clinching the 2A-4 Conference Championship, the 2A-4 District Championship, went undefeated in conference play, and closed out the 2A West Regional Tournament as the 2A West Regional Runner-Ups which earned the Tigers the 2Seed in the 2A State Playoffs. Again, the toe may be sore from a loss, but the players can still hit bombs and run the bases en route to a possible State Championship.
Fisher Willsey sends a solo shot going…going…..GONE! Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
As the bracket goes, Mansfield isn’t alone in the great teams who have dropped one or two games in the season. In fact, only two teams have a better overall record than the Tigers. The Woodlawn Bears (27-3) and the Greenland Pirates (22-4) sit atop the 2A while the Riverside Rebels are only a loss back from Mansfield. Then there’s a slew of teams that are getting hot at the right time heading into the State Tournament. That means Mansfield could face some stiff competition in the State Tournament, but the Tigers won’t let the records detour them. Records are from the past, the games are played now.
Tyler Turnipseed snags a quick throw and go to first base for an out. Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
“We’ve had a great season so far,” said Head Coach Layton Robinson. “The tough non-conference schedule we started the season with prepared us for the postseason play we’re about to go into. There are going to be some tough teams in this tournament but we have a great depth of talent. We honestly believe that we can hang with just about anyone out there”. Coach Robinson isn’t stretching the truth on the Tigers depth either. Mansfield has leaned on that depth heavily due to star pitcher Drew Elmore being out for the majority of the season.
Cole Kindle slides into position anticipating a line drive in his direction. Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
To fill the void, pitchers Trey Vaughan and Cole Kindle have stepped up to the mound to tack on a dictionary of strikeouts in the books. Catcher, Fisher Willsey, not only calls the pitches and is solid behind the plate, but he’s also one of the best hitters on the team. Braxton “Bugga” Byers is a home run threat any time he is at the plate to bat. Defensively, Peyton Martin and Tyler Turnipseed are two of the best infielders that Coach Robinson says he’s seen all year. Then the Tigers have skills in the youth department as Winston “Mr. Utility” Allison can play anywhere the coaches need him and play those positions without flaw while Cooper Edwards is what Coach Robinson calls a “highly competitive and hardnosed gritty Freshman as an outfielder and when he’s up to bat”. If that’s not enough to concern the Tigers upcoming opponents, Drew Elmore will be back on the mound for the State Tournament.
The Tigers make it look easy as 1, 2, 3 as they walk off the field with another three-n-out. Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
The Tigers will face their first test of the 2A State Tournament on Thursday, May 11th as they take on the Sloan-Hendrix Greyhounds at 12:30pm in Prairie Grove. The Greyhounds will not be a walkover team by any means as they finished 2nd in the 2A-2 conference with a 14-9 overall record. The catch will be that Mansfield will finally have a fresh healthy roster in the Tigers dugout for their Round1 game. If the Tigers come out with a win, they’ll head back to Greenland and go toe to toe with the winner of Thursday’s Woodlawn versus Buffalo Island game on Friday, May 12th at 3:00pm. So throw on some steel-toed boots because the 2A State Tournament is ready to play ball. Are you?
When a team starts out with a 4-3 record, it’s easy to think that they could have a really long season ahead of them. The Lady Tigers faced that exact situation after starting off with a 3-0 winning streak before dropping back-to-back games to Atkins and Quitman. Mansfield rebounded to shock the Ft Smith Northside Lady Grizzlies with a 2-1 win but were slaughtered 10-0 by Mena the very next day. The early inconsistency could have led to Mansfield’s players turning on each other, but instead, the losses brought an extreme focus of togetherness to the Lady Tigers squad.
SR catcher, Brooklyn Adams, secures a strike pitch at the 2A West Regional Championship game. Photo courtesy of Jeannie Keomoungkhoune
Mansfield’s last loss on the softball diamond came on March 14th. Since that time, the Lady Tigers have gone on to win 18 straight games, gone undefeated in conference play, and have tacked on a 2A-4 Conference Championship, a 2A-4 District Championship, a 2A West Regional Championship and earned a spot in the Arkansas 2A State Softball Tournament as the 1Seed. How’s that for focus? Led by JR pitcher, Alyson Edwards, Mansfield’s immaculate defensive game has held their past 18 opponents to a mere 24 combined points. That’s an average of only 1.3 runs allowed per game. Then there’s the sluggers at the plate. The Lady Tigers outscored their opponents 222-24 in their 18 game win streak. If you do the math, that means the heavy hitting Lady Tigers have averaged an astounding 12 runs per game. The Lady Tigers hot streak has set them up with a 25-3 overall record to this point which is the state’s best record currently in 2A softball.
JR Alyson Edwards slides into home for another score against Lavaca in the 2A West Regional Championship game. Photo courtesy of Jeannie Keomoungkhoune
With all of the record setting numbers and on field dominance the Lady Tigers have recently had, it’d be simple for the team to look well beyond their competition in the upcoming 2A State Tournament. If they do that though, they’ll surely fall short of their State Championship goal, and they know it. The Lady Tigers are fully aware that they are in the mix with the likes of Woodlawn (20-8), McCrory (21-4), East Poinsett County (28-6), Mt Vernon-Enola (18-5) and a Quitman team that gave Mansfield one of their only three losses earlier in the season. All it would take is one poor performance and Mansfield would be out of the running for a state title. A poor performance though is something that the Lady Tigers aren’t going to let happen. With the unmatched focus and constant practice Mansfield has going into the State Tournament, they will not go down without at least putting up one heck of a fight.
JR Kynslee Ward gets to third base & eyes the home plate at the 2A West Regional Tournament against Lavaca. Photo courtesy of Jeannie Keomoungkhoune
“When outsiders look at our team, they try to find out the key players” said Head Coach Donnie Eveld. “They look at Alyson Edwards, Brooklyn Adams, Kynslee Ward, Cole Smith, Natalie Allison, and Skylynn Harris. All are great athletes, but really, it’s our team as a whole who has been the key to our success so far this season. We’ll have to take the State Tournament game by game and not look too far ahead of ourselves. Every game will be a new challenge, but I think our team is ready to take on any challenge thrown at them in the tournament.”
Coach Eveld has a word with Mansfield pitcher Alyson Edwards and catcher Brooklyn Adams. Photo courtesy of Jeannie Keomoungkhoune
Mansfield will play their Round1 game in the 2A State Tournament against the Bigelow Lady Panthers (8-12) in Greenland on Thursday, May 11th at 10:00am. Although the Lady Panthers have an 8-12 overall record, Mansfield will not take them lightly. Bigelow finished fourth in the 2A-5 Conference which is nothing to shake a stick at. If Mansfield makes it past their Round1 opponents, they’ll face the winner of Thursday’s Spring Hill versus McCrory game in Round2 on Friday, May 12th at 10:00am in Greenland.
The regular monthly meeting of the Waldron School Board was held in the Central Office Building Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were Tammye Sherrill, Angela Hunsucker Clay Woodall, Konnor McKay and Mac Davis. Others present were Superintendent Daniel Fielding, Misty Owens, Chris Lipham, Darla Jeffery, Zack Taylor, Kim Solomon, Kristi Sigman, Jim Almon, Tonya Cluck, Josh Atchley, Keith Brigance, Randi Hickman, Ryan Walker, Toni Dozier and Cheyenne Smith.
President Woodall called the meeting to order at 6:29 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Mr. Konnor McKay began the meeting with a word of prayer.
Angela Hunsucker led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Konnor McKay to approve the Consent Agenda items: A) Approval of the April 11th Minutes; B) Approve Financial Reports and Expenditures; C) Approve Purchase Orders for Curriculum Associates; D) Approve Invoice for Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc.; E) Approve Invoices for Plumb Construction; F) Approve Policy with Health Special Risk, Inc. for Student Insurance for the 2023/24 School Year; G) Approve ADE Special Education Local School District Application for Part B Funds, Statement of Intent. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Tammye Sherrill and seconded by Mac Davis to approve Policy 2.4L-Superintendent’s Responsibilities for District Security and Resolution. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Angela Hunsucker and seconded by Konnor McKay to approve the Emergency Response Team one-time equipment stipend. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Tammye Sherrill and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to approve the 2 out-going and 1 in-coming School Choice Applications. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Tammye Sherrill and seconded by Mac Davis to add Item D) Approve Petition of Transfer. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Tammye Sherrill and seconded by Konnor McKay to approve the Petition of Transfer for an in-coming student. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjourned to executive session. Time dismissed: 6:42 Time returned: 7:44
A motion was made by Tammye Sherrill and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to accept the resignation of Sharon Earls as Food Service Cook as of the end of 2022/23 SY. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to accept the resignations of: Mark Brigance as Coach and HS Teacher as of the end of the 2022/23 SY;
Wayne Douglas Powell as HS Teacher as of the end of the 2022/23 SY; and Elisabeth Maxwell as MS Math Teacher as of the end of the 2022/23 SY. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Tammye Sherrill and seconded by Mac Davis to approve the Salary Schedules for the 2023/24 SY. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Tammye Sherrill to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
The River Valley Regional Food Bank would like to thank the United Way of Fort Smith for the recent $15,000 grant award the food bank recently received through United Way’s annual community impact campaign.
The food bank is a proud member of United Way of Fort Smith and provides support to more than 150 nonprofit member agencies across eight counties in Arkansas. The food bank feeds nearly 100,000 people a month.
Each dollar contributed to the food bank provides 10 meals to a family in need. While this grant funding will provide 150,000 meals to families in the River Valley facing food insecurity, due to the rising costs of food and transportation expenses, it will only provide just about eight percent of the funding we need to purchase one truckload of food and about one percent of the funding we will need to feed our neighbors in need.
Spring is a critical time for fundraising. The food bank receives no federal or state funding and relies on donations throughout the year – especially as the summer months near as children get out of school — to ensure access to nutritious foods for our neighbors facing hunger. Continued community support through donations will help the food bank offset costs related to food purchase, as well as freight costs and transportation expenses, and fund necessary improvements to equipment and our facility.
Community members looking to learn more about how to support the River Valley Regional Food Bank’s mission may visit rvrfoodbank.org, or find the RVRFB on social media. The food bank can also be reached by phone at (479) 785-0582
Randy Wayne Hill, 54, of Bates, Arkansas passed from this life, Sunday, May 7, 2023 at his home. Randy was born April 22, 1969 to Larry Hill and Mary (Sherrill) Stafford in Waldron, Arkansas.
Randy was married to the love of his life, Joy Hill for 28 years. He was a life long logger and was one of a kind. Randy enjoyed farming cows and loved his dogs. Randy was full of laughter and was a natural story teller. If you were not laughing at the end of one of his stories he would laugh big enough for both of you. Randy enjoyed spending time with his family and and always wanted to see them happy.
Randy leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Joy Hill of the home and Ethan Sales. His five children: Dewayne Peek and Trish of Porum, Oklahoma; Dustin Peek and Misty of Kinta, Oklahoma; Allen Peek of Kinta, Oklahoma; Kaylene Hill and Craig Pasold of Evening Shade, Oklahoma and Mac Hill of Waldron, Arkansas. Grandpa “Honey” will forever remain in the hearts of his 14 grandchildren: Anna Peek, Lariat Peek, Kyzer Peek, Kayven Peek, Faelynn Peek, Tegan Peek, Tagan Peek, Brazen Peek, Trever Peek, Raven Peek, Serinity Peek, Bella Pasold and Kyle Pasold. Randy is also survived by his mother, Mary Stafford and Joe of Bates, Arkansas; three siblings: Charolette Duncan and Aaron of Bates, Arkansas; Curtis Hill and Amber of Bates, Arkansas and Shane Stafford and Amanda of Bates, Arkansas. Randy will be missed by all that knew him including a host of nieces and nephews and many aunts and uncles.
Randy was preceded in death by his father, Larry Hill; his mother-in-law Miranda Terrell and father-in-law Johnny Blevines; grandparents: Sam and Mildred Sherrill and Herman and Julieann Hill as well as his one of a kind uncle Charles “Tater” Sherrill.
Randy’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Bates Baptist Church in Bates, Arkansas with Bro. Larry Free officiating. Interment will follow in the Weeks Cemetery in Weeks, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Randy’s pallbearers will be Dustin Peek, Michael Duncan, Todd Abbott, Clint Johnston, Keith Miller and Byron Cummings. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Abbott, Mark Deadmon, Brandon Falkenberry and Randy Roberson.
Randy’s visitation will be Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.
After two consecutive appearances in the 3A state playoffs in 2020 and 2021, the 2022 season found the Eagles left with having to replace several senior starters. Combine this with a move to a new 3A-4 conference that is extremely competitive and features road games in excess of two hours from Paris, the football program endured a long, tough season last fall.
The grueling schedule and lack of depth resulted in several injuries throughout the season. Several players played each week with injuries making each Friday a gut check for the Paris players.
But, hope springs eternal, and spring football practice is a new beginning with a renewed focus and set of team goals for the 2023 season. On a positive note, the program played several young players last year and will insert more players from a successful junior team from a year ago. It will still be an uphill battle for Paris, but the trend is heading in a positive direction with more numbers on the varsity this coming season, along with a talented class of junior high players that most agree is the future of the program over the next four to five years.
Paris head football coach Jeff Weaver will begin his third season at the helm of the Eagles football program. His first year was 2021 when he guided the program to the second round of the state playoffs. Last year was a year that everyone saw coming, and Coach Weaver was left with a team that was down on numbers and talent from the graduation of the 2021 team. And as spring practice begins this month, Weaver will be looking to not only develop talent for his current team, but also furthering the development of his younger talent that will play in the future for Paris.
RNN Sports attended practice on Tuesday, and the increased numbers and talent were evident in comparison to last year’s roster. The team is still young and relatively inexperienced, and in the words of Coach Weaver, no one in the conference is going to feel sorry for them next season. The Eagles have a lot of work to do before they kickoff the season, and that work will resume this week and next before the program moves into the summer phase of workouts that will include football camps and preseason practice.
Stay with RNN Sports as we bring you coverage of the Eagles’ preseason preparation for the 2023 season!
The Greenwood Bulldogs released their 2023 Football Schedule in March
The 2022 Class 6A State Runner-Up released their schedule in March. While the opponents remain unchanged the venues do change this upcoming season. The level of talent the Bulldogs will face during the season will also raise some eye brows.
The AAA Benefit Game against Fayetteville will be August 15th at Smith-Robinson. Fayetteville brings back Drake Lindsey, the 6-5 signal caller is garnering interest with offers from Colorado State, UAB, and UNLV.
The Pioneers from Stillwater, OK make the trek to Greenwood in Week 0. Last year the Bulldogs faced an unorthodox defense and OSU Head Coach Mike Gundy’s son Gage Gundy. Stillwater brings another talented QB this year in Conner Quintero. He currently holds an offer from Oregon. This will be the first repeat opponent from Oklahoma since Sand Springs in 2019. Stillwater beat Greenwood’s past two Oklahoma opponents Choctaw (2020) and Muskogee (2021) en route to a Oklahoma Class 6AII State Championship.
Week 1 has the Bulldogs on the road to Fort Smith Northside. Last years game came down to a last second “Hail Mary” from Kane Archer to Grant Karnes after the defense had a big stop and got an onside kick. Northside will be loaded with talent as well with a strong incoming Sophomore class.
The longest trek of the 2023 season is to Mountain Home. The Bombers have faced Greenwood in the regular season and the playoffs for the last few years. They used wins over Siloam Springs, Van Buren, and Greenbrier to eek into the playoffs. A surprising win over Marion had them facing Pulaski Academy. They kept it close in the first quarter 12-7, then the Bruins found another gear to lead 44-14 at the half.
Siloam Springs is the 2nd home game of the season.
The Bulldogs go on the road but not to far, just over the river into Van Buren. The Pointers will have their 2nd season under Head Coach Moe Henry but without UCA signee Malachi Henry. Greenwood secondary could be tested again by a talented QB in Bryce Perkins. He took a visit with Notre Dame and University of Louisiana-Monroe. There may be an emerging heir to the spot left by Henry in Jaydn Johnson.
Greenwood is back at home against Greenbrier on September 29. Greenwood will have a bye week before traveling to Lake Hamilton. Lake Hamilton was a big game for the Bulldogs last years as it was surrounded by comments regarding Greenwood’s run defense against a running power like Lake Hamilton. Greenwood would shut out Lake Hamilton 24-0 in last years contest.
After two years of playing in Russellville the ‘Dogs host the Cyclones before going against the traditional Private School Powerhouse teams Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian. Pulaski Academy like Greenwood, does not just lose players they just re-load with the next man up. This year Greenwood will travel to Pulaski Academy in what will be a big game for both schools and a re-match of the last two meetings between the schools where both won a game a piece.
Little Rock Christian was able to jump out to a 21 point lead over the Bulldogs in the first half last year, and are returning Auburn commit Walker White, the shifty Ronny Anokye, and a defense that stalled the potent Greenwood offense in the first half. This year, the Warriors will be coming to Smith-Robinson, which barring injuries on both teams could be a showdown for the final game of the season.
Coming off a second straight State Runner-Up campaign the Greenwood Bulldogs took to the game field to start the first of eight Spring practices in preparation for the Spring Game on May 25th.
The sun rises above the hazy silhouettes of hills. The lights of Smith-Robinson burn bright as they reach toward the sky that holds clouds that look painted against the ever lightening blue. “Inside! One on one! Let’s Go!” Exclaims Coach Chris Young as they rotate to the next drill. Spring practice has begun in Greenwood, and this edition of Bulldogs is poised to write their futures and add upon the chapters of success that many have done before them
“I was really happy that we show that 100% of our guys showed up at 5:40 on Monday morning.” Head Coach Chris Young commented.
Offensively, the storyline and questions are answered very quickly. Highly touted Freshman QB Kane Archer is the apparent Heir to the spot vacated by graduating Hunter Houston. Houston would become the second QB to throw for 3,000 yards in consecutive season at Greenwood. While Archer will be the just the 2nd Sophomore QB to start since Brooks Coatney in 1996 for the Bulldogs. Freshman Cooper Goodwin took quite a few reps sharing time with classmate Archer.
At Receiver the Bulldogs saw the emergence of Sophomore Grant Karnes, alongside Juniors L.J. Robins and Peyton Presson last fall. Sophomore Isaiah Arrington, who had several catches and touchdowns last season, steps up in a new look receiver corps. While the Bulldogs are losing talented three-sport Receiver Aiden Kennon, they are still a deep set with Junior Reed, Sophomore Hudson Meeker and Jaxon Cole who all saw time on Friday nights.
Running Back spot saw Junior Brayedan Davis getting a majority of the reps alongside classmate Isaiah Niles, who moves from a Lineman position. The Bulldogs have had a good stable of Running Backs over the past few seasons with Hendrix signee Jake Glover being the most recent.
Offensive Line returns three and are looking to replace the spots held by Seniors Cooper Young and Hayden Webb. Junior Ryan Shortes anchors the line from the Center position that he has held since his Sophomore season. To his left, Freshman Guard Cody Taylor, who has earned several Power 5 offers after a breakout season last fall. At the end of the line on the right side is Ashton Stein at Tackle. Christian Fleming and Brett Woolsey have stepped into the vacated roles and look to make the Greenwood Offensive line that much stronger. There are a talented group of Freshmen Offensive Lineman also chomping at the bit to earn some playing time in the future with Landon Billy, Brady Permenter and Akira Fujibayashi.
Defensively the Dogs are looking for a middle Linebacker to replace the Missouri Western State signee Evan Williams as well as the safety position of Storm Scherry.
Defense returns a very experienced secondary with Juniors Brady Mackey, Braden Skaggs, Landon Nelms and Josh Allen. Sophomore Kaylor Jasna saw plenty of reps in the spot his brother Jayden Jasna. anchored two years ago. All-Conference Defensive End Sophomore Cash Archer returns as well as Juniors Eli Whitaker, Kaleb Garner, and Riley White who all made a large impact on the Coach Jason Gill lead defense. Ryan Frank has moved from Offensive Line to Defensive Line at the Tackle position along side Sophomore Mark Garrettson in a spot held by Seniors Tanner McKusker and Logan Taylor, who signed to Wrestle with Williams Baptist University in the spring.
Special Teams Bodey Steinfeldt returns as kicker, while being a part of the Soccer team that earned a berth in the State Playoffs. Deep snapper Jack Edwards recently earned an offer to Lyon College in Batesville.
“We were better, we are trying to do some new things to get more physical as a football team.” Head Coach Chris Young said following practice “Obviously it was first day, so there were a ton of mistakes. But it’s going to give us the opportunity to get stuff on film and spend some time looking at it and get better as a football team.”
“We have got to get more physical running the football and that’s not just the Offensive Line. That’s running backs. That’s play calling. That’s Quarterbacks. We’ve got to be able to run the football.” Coach Young said.
On the more physicality of the defense in the first practice Coach Young mentioned “We’ve changed our tempo a little bit, letting them be more physical on the inside. We’ve added some tackling drills to let the kids compete a little bit at the end.”
The Bulldogs have seven more practices before the Spring game on May 25th at 7:00 pm.
Greenwood Athletic Director Dr. Dustin Smith has accepted a new position in the Broken Arrow School District in Oklahoma.
After a 7 year stint with the Greenwood School District, it was announced that Dr. Dustin Smith will be leaving for an Executive Director of Athletics roll in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. During Dr. Smith’s tenure at Greenwood he oversaw eleven athletic programs win twenty-two State Championships. With the most recent being the Girls Basketball in March, with four more teams vying for an opportunity at a State Championship this week between Baseball, Softball, and Soccer.
“We have experienced success, but I don’t take credit for any of it personally. It has been an investment of time and a willingness to serve others.” Smith said. “I subscribe whole-heartedly to the saying that I serve so others can shine. Any successes I have had have been as a direct result of team-first approach. I look forward to serving the coaches and student athletes at BA so they can shine.” [Quote sourced from Broken Arrow Public Schools]
Dr. Smith’s signature style was felt during the height of Covid, when he posted videos weekly regarding new rules and regulations. For his work during that time and overall what he had accomplished he earned the Emerging Industry Leader for Interscholastic Athletics by the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security.
It was common practice to see Dr. Smith driving a bus to an away game or even donning a headset from time to time and sharing the booth with Tim Terry on a sports live stream.
Whomever Greenwood selects as their next Athletic Director they will certainly have some shoes to fill and a legacy to uphold. From H.B. Stewart to Jerry Cecil and now Dr. Dustin Smith, the Greenwood Athletic Programs has been extremely blessed with excellent leadership.
From Resident News Network Sports, we want to thank Dr. Dustin Smith for what he has done for our team of writers and photographers. We wish him and his family the best of luck on his future success at Broken Arrow.
