21 Sep 2011 Governor congratulates Conway students

Gov. Mike Beebe was on hand at a recent assembly at Conway High School to congratulate more than 100 students who received financial incentives for their academic success.

CHS is one of 31 schools in the state participating in the Arkansas Advance Initiative for Math and Science (AAIMS) Program. Funding is provided through a national grant from Exxon.

According to Donna Whiting, supervisor of gifted programs for the Conway district, 137 current junior and seniors and 81 seniors who graduated last year, earned cash incentives for their grades on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

Students are eligible to receive $100 for each outstanding score, and some students took up to six tests and earned $600.

“We are delighted that our students have performed so well on AP exams,” said Conway superintendent Dr. Greg Murry. “It is a testament to the great work that our teachers do each and every day in preparing students for both academic success and success in all aspects of their lives. To be recognized as one of the top performing schools in the state on AP exams should give our parents and community great assurance that our public schools are doing well.”

Beebe was on the Conway campus because of the school’s level of success in only its first year of participation in the program. Tommie Sue Anthony, president of AAIMS, presented achievement certificates to Joel Linn, principal at Conway High- West, and Travis Barrentine, principal at Conway High-East.

Local business, civic and education leaders were also invited to attend.