LITTLE ROCK – More than 248 EAST programs from Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma gathered at the Hot Springs Convention Center the week before Spring Break to pick up awards and celebrate wins during the EAST Initiative’s annual conference.
EASTCon23, as it was colloquially known by the students in attendance, kicked off the week with a blacklight dance party on Tuesday night and closed with a raucous Closing Session on Thursday afternoon, led by and starring students from EAST programs.
Built on the cornerstones of project sophistication and innovation, student growth and engagement, and community and collaboration, EAST provides students in programs across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Pennsylvania the opportunities to think critically and innovate change in their communities, EAST Chief Executive Officer Matt Dozier said.
Evan Pratt-Hall, a senior at Arkansas School for the Blind in Little Rock, was named this year’s Lindsey Parker Award winner. Eight years ago, EAST began honoring one member of the Conference’s Student Leadership Team who exhibits determination, a powerful and positive work ethic, and an unflagging dedication to helping make Conference the best experience possible with this award. The award was named for a former EAST standout from Harrisburg, Ark., after her death in 2014.
Lindsey’s son Knox and her mother Joan were on-hand to present the award to Pratt-Hall.
“Think of it as the MVP of the All-Star Team,” Dozier said from the stage before asking Pratt-Hall to join him to accept the award. “If that makes sense, then Lindsey was the Hall of Famer we hope the members of this team will become. This recognition is our way of paying honor to Lindsey and to these incredible leaders who make Conference the special experience it is.”
Northeast Tech from Claremore, Okla., became the first school from Oklahoma to be named by EAST as a Founder’s Award winner. The Founder’s Award and Cornerstone Awards recognize programs that exemplify the core principles of EAST. These competitions give students the opportunity to reflect on their experience in EAST and to tell the story of their program’s success.
Founder’s Award Winners:
· Northeast Tech (Claremore, Okla.); Sonora Middle School (Sonora, Ark.); Warren High School (Warren, Ark.)
Cornerstone Award Winners:
· Cornerstone Student Growth and Engagement Winner: International Studies Magnet School (Jonesboro, Ark.)
· Cornerstone Community and Collaboration Winner: Douglas MacArthur Junior High School (Jonesboro, Ark.)
· Cornerstone Project Sophistication and Innovation Winner: Westwood Elementary School (Springdale, Ark.)
Best of EAST Conference Winners:
· Best of Conference: Dressed to a Tee Winner – West Fork High School
· Best of Conference: EAST in Print Winner – Monitor Elementary School (Springdale)
· Best of Conference: Signature Design Single Booth Winner – Wynne High School
· Best of Conference: Signature Design Super Booth Winner – Monticello Middle School &
Monticello Intermediate School
EASTCon23 by the numbers:
· 59 – the number of student leaders serving as Ambassadors and on either the Documentation or Technical Support teams. These students are responsible for many aspects of the Conference, and are essentially serve as auxiliary staff during the Conference;
· 13 – sponsors for this year’s event
· 31 – number of exhibitors
· 29 – number of breakout sessions hosted by sponsors and former EAST students
· 63 – the number of Difference Maker award pins handed out by staff and students during Conference.
Below is a complete list of competition winners. This list, plus pictures, can be found online at https://www.eastconference.org/highlights/2023.
2023 Conference Logo Winner: Kadan Newson, Osceola High School
EAST Project Competition Winner: Sonora Elementary School
EAST Influencer Award Winner: Nettleton STEAM School
Multimedia Competition Winner: Parson Hills Elementary School (Springdale)
Everyday Heroes Competition Winner: Hunt Elementary School (Springdale)
SketchUp Competition Winner: Harrisburg High School
Go Map Twenty-Three ARCHGIS Activity Competition Winner: Robert F. Morehead Middle School (Pine Bluff)
Judges’ Choice Award Winners: Alpena High School; Don Roberts Elementary School (Little Rock); Murfreesboro High School; Lincoln High School; Nettleton STEAM School (Jonesboro); North Little Rock Middle School; Quitman High School; Joe T. Robinson High School (Little Rock); Searcy High School; Oaklawn Stem Magnet School (Hot Springs); Arkansas School for the Blind (Little Rock); Wilson Intermediate School; Lincoln Middle School; George Elementary School (Springdale); Fountain Lake Charter High School (Hot Springs); Pinkston Middle School (Mountain Home); Hunt Elementary School (Springdale); Green Forest Schools; Linda Childers Knapp Elementary School (Springdale); Academies at Rivercrest High School (Wilson); Lakeside Middle School (Hot Springs); Horatio High School; Lamar High School; Cossatot River High School (Cove); Harrison Middle School; Hamburg High School; Washington Junior High School (Bentonville); Beebe Middle School; Dardanelle High School; Harrison High School; Harrisburg High School
3D Print It Up Competition Winner: Sulphur Rock Magnet Elementary School
Fay Jones Architectural Competition Winner: Don Tyson School of Innovation (Springdale)
Drone Competition Winner: Hackler Intermediate School (Mountain Home)
Picture This Competition Winner: Murfreesboro High School
Archicad Competition Winner: Morrilton Senior High School
Tech Support Olympiad Competition Winner: Cross County, a New Tech School (Cherry Valley)
Intentionally Inventive Marketing Competition Winner: Helen Tyson Middle School (Springdale)
Music Competition Winner: Lakeside High School (Hot Springs)
Perfect Pitch Competition Winner: Har-Ber High School (Springdale)
Hello My Name Is… Interview Competition Winner: Batesville Junior High School Charter
Mapping App Competition Winner: Fountain Lake Charter High School
Create a New Reality VR Competition Winner: Helen Tyson Middle School