Students Excel at EAST Conference

Students from throughout Springdale Public Schools competed in the 2024 EAST Conference from March 12-14 in Hot Springs.

More than 3,500 students, teachers, parents and community and business leaders gather to attend the EAST Conference annually, according to the conference website. The event is an opportunity for students to showcase projects that make a difference in their communities, to network with peers and industry professionals and to experience a professional conference unlike any other.

EAST is a statewide initiative that empowers students to use technology to meet recognized needs in the community, according to the program website.

Some 230 Springdale Public Schools students, 26 facilitators and a support team of parents, administrators and chaperones attended the event.

Hunt and John Tyson elementary schools were competition winners, and Sonora Elementary School earned a Judge’s Choice Award. The district likewise had 17 finalists in the conference's 21 competitions.

The district EAST team showcased some 130 student-driven community projects at the national conference, and each of the district’s 26 EAST programs setup professional trade show booths, made formal presentations to several review panels and were recognized for their achievements and accomplishments.

Event Cornerstone winners included Lakeside Junior High School and Westwood Elementary School. Westwood Elementary was recognized throughout the conference as the winner for Community and Collaboration. Lakeside Junior High was recognized throughout the conference as the winner for Project Sophistication and Innovation.

Students Tasa Erakdrik of Knapp Elementary School, Lina Traslavina of George Elementary School, Rebecca Biggs of Lakeside Junior High School, Harlie Pianalto of Hunt Elementary School, Nora Breeding of Shaw Elementary School and Wilbur Alvarenga of Monitor Elementary School were recognized with Difference Maker awards.

Difference Maker Award ribbons and pins are given to students who’ve presented a project in a manner that made a great connection or impact, for getting caught in an act of kindness, for going out of their way for others and other notable acts worthy of recognition. The students were likewise Leadership Team Members, who served as event ambassadors and technical support.

Competitor winners include:

• Tech Tutorials: Hunt Elementary School, "ATEM Mini Pro Tutorial" by Harlie Pianalto and Sophia Casamayor

• Everyday Heroes: John Tyson Elementary School, "Hope for Change" by Kevin Nguyen and Luke Ajayi

Competitor finalists include:

• 3D Print It UP: Sonora Elementary School, "Conductive Touch Board"

• Audio Visual: Parson Hills Elementary School, "Playground Communication Board"

• EAST Influencer: Addison Sims and Amy Lemus-Peraza of John Tyson Elementary School

• EAST Project: Parson Hills Elementary School: “Playground Communication Board” and Turnbow Elementary School, “STEM for All”

• Everyday Heroes: Central Junior High School, "Junior School Resource Officers"

• Go Map 24: Sonora Elementary School, "Bears with Mange" and John Tyson Elementary, "Vietnam War Memorials in Arkansas"

• Perfect Pitch: John Tyson Elementary, Kevin Nguyen for "Hope for Change"

• Tech Tutorials: Sonora Elementary School, "How to Photogrammetry"

• Visual Voyage: Parson Hills Elementary School, "Apartment for Rent"

Thank you to Brittany Berry with Helen Tyson Middle School,

who compiled information for all distrcit schools to share in this story.

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