Ashdown High School EAST hosted its 2^nd annual Open House on October 6, 2009

Ashdown City Councilwoman Shirley Jackson is hosted by Brennan Brown on the left and Gregory Gaines on the right at the EAST Night Out.  Brennan's EAST project includes heading up a group of students that will be presenting a drug prevention presentation during Drug Free Week to Mrs. Jeffries' junior high science classes.  Gregory is a member of the STC rap group who perform at various venues to promote making good choices.  Joni and Jim Harris in the background check out the projects of EAST students, including their daughter Erin's

   Several dignitaries and parents were present to witness the skills and abilities of the EAST students.

The EAST Initiative is a nonprofit organization that provides new ways of learning for modern students.  EAST classes focus on student-driven service projects through the use of the latest in technology.

EAST schools are equipped with classrooms containing state-of-the-art workstations, servers, software, and accessories, including GPS/GIS mapping tools, architectural and CAD design software, 3D animation suites, and much more.  Students find problems in their local communities, and then use these tools to solve them.  This radically different approach to learning shows tremendous results --  students are better prepared for both college and the business world, and they care more about learning.

AHS EAST students are involved in a variety of service projects and were happy to share their work and excitement with visitors at the Open House.  Individual students explained their projects to guests and how they were impacting their community in positive ways.

Tanner Markle demonstrated how to use Sketchup, an architectural modeling software.  Tanner is completing a project he started last year that involves creating a model of a boat wash that could be built to help with the evasive plant problem at Millwood Lake, drawing the interest of State Representative Steve Harrelson at the Night Out.

Tony Gaines and Kris Brown displayed their Sketchup 3D model of the proposed new Ashdown City Library, giving citizens an opportunity to take a “virtual tour” through the building.  Tony and Kris plan to take their project to civic organizations and club meetings where they might be invited to share their work with the community.

EAST student Katelyn Duncan shared details about her Relay for Life project  with State Representative Steve Harrelson.  Katelyn and her group are sponsoring a haunted house at the old high school to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  

EAST students Gregory Gaines, C. J. Allen, and Anthony Bradley have created a performance project.  They are the famous (at least locally) STC rap group that created the song “Stop, Think, Choose.”  They have performed on the state capitol’s steps during Kick Tobacco Day, at Central Mall in Texarkana, and for area schools, including a performance at College Hill School on Friday, Oct. 23, as part of the school’s drug free celebration.  Their song “Stop, Think, Choose” will be the a feature song in the upcoming December drama production by Mrs. Jeanne Jackson’s AHS drama classes.

Another group of EAST students are currently working on a project that will assist senior citizens in making health care choices and enrolling in Medicare. 

Rosa Bowman, Ashdown School District school board member, asked facilitator Nancy Stuart how projects originate.  Stuart explained, “Projects can begin when a student sees a need in the community or when a community member approaches EAST with an idea.”   Therefore, the students are always open to suggestions and welcome input from anyone who knows of an area where they can be of assistance.

City Council member Shirley Jackson thanked the students for the great job they are doing.

The EAST lab and facilitator Nancy Stuart can be contacted at Ashdown High School, phone number 870-898-3562, ext. 1016.