LRSD News

High school seniors in the Little Rock School District accepted more than $19 million in scholarships this year, according to the district's high school principals and counselors. This figure is for scholarships actually accepted by students, not simply offered to them. The Class of 2011 broke last year's record of $17,338,239 with a grand total of $19,610,527. Little Rock Central High School topped the list with $9,527,131 in scholarship money accepted; Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School followed with $4,614,876; Hall High School students accepted $3,000,467 in scholarships; students at McClellan Magnet High School accepted scholarships worth $1,360,629; and J.A. Fair Magnet High School students earned $1,107,424 in scholarship money.

As demonstrated at the recent Academic Signing Day where the district's top academic students "signed" with their chosen college or university in a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion, LRSD graduating seniors will attend some of the most respected colleges and universities in Arkansas and around the country, such as Princeton, University of Arkansas, UALR, Columbia, Hendrix, LSU, University of Georgia, MIT, Baylor University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Each of the LRSD's five high schools honored its top two students with the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. If you've ever wondered exactly what a valedictorian is, it is a person -- usually the highest-ranking graduate -- who delivers the valedictory or "farewell" speech at a commencement ceremony. The salutatorian, usually the second-highest student in the class, delivers the welcoming or "salutatory" address at the ceremony.

Recognized as Little Rock Central High School’s valedictorian, David Z. Ye is the son of Wei-Wen and Jian-Hui Ye, and he is planning to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Boshan Zhao, Central's salutatorian, is the son of Zhijun Lui and Wei Zhao. Boshan will attend Stanford University in the fall.

J.A. Fair Magnet High School's valedictorian is Austin Klais, son of Christopher and Nancy Klais. Austin has plans to attend Arkansas Tech University. Keny Patel is J.A. Fair's salutatorian. Keny is the son of Pravin and Meena Patel. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Jamena Cash was honored to be the valedictorian for Hall High School's Class of 2011. Jamena is the daughter of Katherine Cash-Woods. She will attend Oxford College at Emory University in the fall. Hall's salutatorian is Sheridan McKisick. She is the daughter of Sherrie and Eric McKisick. Sheridan has plans to attend Wellesley College.

Amber Thomas is valedictorian for McClellan Magnet High School's Class of 2011. The daughter of Larry and Beverly Thomas, Amber will attend Southern Arkansas University next year. McClellan's salutatorian is Ebony Shelton. She is the daughter of Tony and Johnetta Shelton, and she is planning to attend UALR in the fall.

Valedictorian honors at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School were awarded to Miriam Pearsall. She is the daughter of Tracy and Glory Pearsall, and she will attend Princeton University in the fall. Joshua Woods is Parkview's salutatorian. He is the son of Michael Woods and Sandra Stoudamire, and he will attend Columbia University.

The Little Rock School District wishes all students in the Class of 2011 best wishes and success in all future endeavors.