April 2023

Hello Clay County Courier readers, Spring is here! However, it hasn’t felt much like it as the days preceding the start of spring saw temperatures well below freezing. With the winter hibernation over, many places that had closed for seasonal repairs are back open again.

The Knobel community came out to an Easter egg hunt enjoyed by local children on Saturday, April 1 that was hosted by residents and the city of Knobel. Those helping with the event included Kelley Vallance, Carley Vallance, Marilyn Jones and Mary Hancock who hid Easter eggs. Tamera Tate and Kim Hobbs who cooked hotdogs, and Marcia Woodhouse and Carley Vallance who registered children for the hunt and prizes. Others who provided refreshments assisted in the egg hunt were Mayor Tim Hobbs, Betty Weese, Anna Russom, Deloris Tyler, Darrell E. Tyler, Jayetta Wilson Tyler, and Tina Stormes. The event was sponsored by the Quack Shack, Walmart - Pocahontas, Stateline Liquor Store, Legacy Equipment of Corning, McDonalds of Corning, Carley Vallance, Carter Cox and Knobel Grocery Store.

Harper Rorex, a senior at Sloan Hendrix High School is a recipient of the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship. This scholarship is the most academically rigorous scholarship program offered for high school seniors. In order to receive this scholarship, students must have a minimum superscore or composite of 32 on the ACT and a 3.50 academic grade point average. This scholarship pays tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board up to $10,000 per year. Harper is the son of Clifford and Amanda Rorex. He is the grandson of Bob and Cathy Harpole and Terry and Carolyn Rorex and the great-grandson of Ann Ladd of Corning.

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Two members of the Corning High School Band traveled to Searcy last week to participate in a concert for the Arkansas Small School Band Association hosted by Harding University, and Eric Colgrove, Director of Bands. Chelbi LeGrand (alto saxophone) and Matthew Lane (trumpet) were honored for their hard work and skill through achieving All Star Honors Band. The two students practiced for nine hours on Friday, March 31 and four hours on Saturday, April 1 for the concert. A piece written by Valerie Laney-Rowe was premiered for the All Star Honors Band.

Standardized testing week April 17-21 During the school year, your child may take one or more standardized tests. While we can debate whether or not a single standardized test accurately measures the performance of students, it can’t be denied that standardized tests play a major role in today’s schooling.