Board honors State Champion wrestlers and writers

At its March meeting, the Van Buren Board of Education recognized members of the Van Buren Wrestling Team, and two state champion writers. 

Coach Petree and members of his VBHS Wrestling Team were honored for their record-breaking season, that included several high place finishes at the Arkansas State Tournament. Among the students present was State Champion Wrestler RJ Riley, who captured the top title in the 285 weight class. Eighth grader Lilian Jones also captured the championship title at the Girls State Tournament on March 2.  During the presentation, wrestlers (pictured left to right) Mason Hayes, Christian Carney, Trevor Edelen, Rj Riley, Addison Loney, along with Coach John Petree, shared about the season and the sports continued growth at VBSD.

The Board also recognized two student writers. Jentry Myers, a senior at Van Buren High School, and Katelyn King, an eighth grader at Butterfield Trail Middle School, were named state winners of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Scholarship Essay Writing Contests. Myers took home first place in the Arkansas VFW Voices of Democracy Youth essay contest for her entry, "Why My Vote Matters." King won the Patriots Pen essay contest for her piece, "Why I Honor the American Flag." This was a second consecutive win for King, who won state last year, and placed eighth nationally.  Myers and King will go on to represent Arkansas at the national competition, where they will be eligble for several thousand dollars in scholarship funds. Both essays were submitted by the Robert Jack VFW Post 1322 of Van Buren, which holds the distinction of being the oldest VFW post in the Arkansas.

Congratulations to these talented students!