Families gathered at Waldron City Park on Sunday, April 5, for what became both a celebration and a moment of reflection, as Mayor David Millard hosted his final Easter Egg Hunt after eight years of the beloved community tradition.

Mayor Millard, joined by his wife, spent part of the afternoon seated on a park bench, watching as more than 175 children poured into the park, baskets in hand, eager to begin the hunt. The scene carried special meaning, as the annual event—one of the mayor’s favorites—was originally started in memory of his father.

This year’s hunt was the largest yet. Organizers placed more than 4,200 eggs across the park, including 200 “golden eggs” containing special prizes. Millard added an extra 2,000 eggs to the original 2,000, ensuring there was little ground left uncovered before the children quickly gathered them.

Each egg contained candy or small prizes, and several children also went home with bicycles awarded during the event.

Organizers credited the success of the event to favorable weather and strong community support. Eggs were supplied through Sunny Bunny Easter Egg Company, and volunteers played a key role in preparing and organizing the hunt.

Special recognition was given to Sheri Thompson, who stepped in as the Easter Bunny on short notice, as well as behind-the-scenes volunteers Brandon Nelson, Regina Oliver and Jerry Ruth for their continued dedication over the years.

The event welcomed children ages 2 to 10 and drew families from across the area, continuing a tradition that has become a staple of the Waldron community.

As the final eggs were collected and families departed, the 2026 Easter Egg Hunt marked not only another successful year, but the closing chapter of a tradition led by Mayor Millard—one that has brought joy to hundreds of children and families each spring.

A fourth-grade student from Mansfield Elementary School turned heads this week after delivering an extraordinary performance across multiple divisions at the 2026 Mansfield Chess Tournament.

Ethan Nguyen, competing against students from nearly a dozen area schools, achieved a rare and remarkable feat—posting perfect records in three separate tournament sections over the course of three days.

On Tuesday, March 31, Ethan opened the tournament in the 3rd–4th grade division with a flawless 5-0 record, quickly establishing himself as one of the standout competitors of the event.

He followed that performance on Wednesday, April 1, by moving up to the 5th–6th grade division, where he again went undefeated with a 5-0 record. Ethan’s day included a pivotal sudden-death playoff victory over Mena’s top player to secure third place for the Mansfield Tiger Chess Team. The win effectively pushed his Wednesday record to 6-0 and played a key role in earning the team a third-place finish in the division.

Not finished yet, Ethan advanced once more—this time competing in the 7th–9th grade division on Thursday, April 2. Facing older and more experienced junior high opponents, he once again delivered a perfect 5-0 performance, completing an unprecedented three-day run.

In total, Ethan compiled an outstanding combined record across all divisions while earning three gold medals—one in each section he entered. His contributions also helped secure a team trophy for Mansfield in the 5th–6th grade division.

Beyond the medals and match results, Ethan’s performance highlighted his ability to compete well above his grade level, positioning him as a promising and impactful competitor for future Mansfield chess teams.

With consistency, composure, and a sharp strategic mind, Ethan Nguyen’s performance this week stands as one of the most impressive showings in recent tournament history—an achievement that has drawn pride and admiration from his school and community alike.