Pea Ridge High School

6 PEA RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL | 12.30.2020 By Randy Rice Three of the most impressive components of the new Pea Ridge High School complex are the Athletic Center, Fine Arts Center and Community Clinic—a school-based health center. And nobody is more excited about them than the gifted educators and administrators who get to use them. We caught up with these talented individuals and asked them to talk about their respective areas in this multi-faceted facility. Athletic Center "The best way I can describe it is that it's got a pretty good wow factor," Tony Travis, Athletic and Activities Director for Pea Ridge High School began. "When you walk in, you're just knocked out by the sight. I know our students, faculty and, of course, the community are going to be extremely proud to have a place like this to watch our athletes compete." The beautiful arena is equipped with 1,800 seats with more standing room capacity around the concourse. Those seats are a combination of chairback seating on both sides with bench seating in the end zones. A state-of-the-art digital score board hangs from the ceiling at center court. And, in keeping with the multi-faceted concept of the high school complex, there is a concession stand that will be run by the students in the food service pathways program and a professional control booth working the scoreboard, music and broadcasts run by students who have chosen that area of study. Surrounding the arena are lockers and showers for both men and women, changing rooms dedicated to visiting teams and viewing rooms with stadium seating to review games and strategies. There is also a new weight and workout area that even includes an aqua therapy room with a jacuzzi. "On Tuesday and Friday nights during basketball season everybody in town turns out when there is a home game," Tony said. "It's the biggest thing going on in town. So this facility will truly be enjoyed by the entire community." Fine Arts Center Unlike the athletic department which made a move up from one facility to a much nicer one, the fine arts department literally came from having nothing. "We've been doing concerts and performances in gyms and in cafeterias," Choir Director Sara Beth Eubanks explained. "It's really been a challenge just trying to put on musical productions. We would build temporary stages, rig together sound systems. Sometimes we performed at the local church. So this new facility really changes everything." Situated right next to the Athletic Center, the Fine Arts Center is a modern 750-seat theatre. With stadium seats, full-size stage and dressing rooms, the students can finally get the full experience of what it is like to perform in a professional setting. It also offers lots of opportunities for those students studying sound, lighting and broadcasting to hone their skills on the very latest equipment. "In my musical theatre class, if a student expresses interest in pursuing a career in the arts, I work on preparing a student to go out into performance world. They learn everything from how to audition to creating a resume," Sara Beth said. "And this new facility allows them to imagine themselves as a professional artist. In my choir program I encourage my students to not just improve on their given talent but to build up other important skills. Learning how to communicate with their director and other teachers, for instance, is a skill that they're going to use when they go to college and then venture out into the working world and have to communicate with their bosses. " For Pea Ridge Band Director Matt Pohl, this is his 16th year in teaching but his first year at Pea Ridge. He agreed that the center is a true game-changer for both the school and the community. "The students and the Pea Ridge community have never had anything like this," he said. "It's an amazing space and so versatile." With the band continuing to grow and branch out, the new center can finally handle the needs of the department. "We have 79 students in high school band," Matt said. "And we have a great new wonderful band room that has enough storage for two bands, which is what we needed to grow." Matt also has put together a student jazz band that he is very proud of. "We had seven students in jazz earn a spot in regional competitions, which is quite nice. And three of those are All State qualifiers which means that come February they'll get to audition against students throughout Arkansas." School-Based Health Center The Pea Ridge Community Clinic was an idea that had been discussed in the district for some time. It became a reality when the new school opened. "We have a nurse practitioner, Erin, a medical assistant and a patient coordinator and they all work with Community Clinic," Clinic and Community Coordinator Alex Jackson said. "We also have myself and our school nurse. So it's a really great combination of Pea Ridge High and community people. We work together like a team to serve the needs of our students that are in our building and the other students out in our district as well as everybody else in the community." The Community Clinic is open to everyone. In fact, 56% of the patients that they've seen in the first 100 days have been adults. They accept all insurances and operate like a primary care provider's office. They also supply transportation for students within the district which is important because it helps improve access for students who are now able to go to the doctor and get what they need and then to return to school. It also allows parents to stay at work knowing that their child is taken care of in a place they know and trust. Of course, the educational aspect is equally important. "I'm most excited about our connection to our career and technical education programs," Alex said. "Right now we're in the beginning stages of rolling out a medical assisting program which will give a huge opportunity in workforce development for students that are interested in exploring different healthcare careers. My goal for our students is that they can see themselves working in healthcare or see themselves working in a position that can be connected to it. It will give them some different career opportunities to consider." The new Pea Ridge High School complex: State-of-the art facilities to benefit students and the community Alex Jackson Clinic and Community Coordinator Matt Pohl Band Director Tony Travis Activities and Athletic Director Sara Beth Eubanks Choir Director

• Cover