Highlighted Events

Events are in reverse chronological order.

2026 (2nd Annual) Medical and Emergency Services Preview Day

The H.I.R.E.D! program, which is a program available through a partnership between APSRC, the Walton Family Foundation, and small, rural schools in Northwest Arkansas, hosted their 2nd annual Medical and Emergency Services Preview Day at the Washington County Sheriff's Office at the end of April. Over 100 students from Gentry, Gravette, Greenland, and Lincoln were invited to learn more about hands-on careers in the medical and emergency services fields. An overwhelming number of students are interested in careers in medicine or as emergency services personnel, but with limited access to experiential learning opportunities for career awareness and readiness in those professions, due to limitations such as HIPAA and age restrictions, the H.I.R.E.D! team created this event to allow their students to gain a better understanding of their future careers. 

The morning began with a demonstration of a bomb squad, drug dog, that is trained to detect illegal substances if a search becomes necessary while out in the field. We then pivoted to different speakers for different careers. This year, careers that were featured included - EMTs/EMRs, Firefighter, Occupational Therapist, Radiologist, and a staff member from the recently opened Alice Walton School Of Medicine. Individuals with these careers spoke to students about entry into that career, education/training needed, what the job was really like, and potential salaries. Students also participated in a "mini career fair" where local and regional college and industry partners came to network with student and increase their awareness regarding those careers.

After lunch, students then pivoted to expos that provided greater insight into what soes jobs are like and where the students might work. We began with a presentation to show students what being tased was like (a requirement for certain emergency personnel) and saw a demonstration for what it looks like for pepper-spray balls to be shot at individuals who resisted police officer's attempts to calm them. This was great a great opportunity to see the intense nature of some of these fields. Then students rotated through the Washington County Coroner's Office, Dispatch, and their mobile dispatch office. Additionally, students were able to walk through an ambulance from Central EMS and see what that environment would be like. This wrapped up the day and students were able to return to their schools with more knowledge on their future plans. 

We would like to thank all our participating partners and speakers, as well as the Washington County Emergency Operations team for their generosity in hosting our students for this event. A special thanks should also be given to Laurie Smith, the Medical Pathways and MECA advisor at Lincoln High School, for her facilitation of this partnership with the Washington County Sheriff's Office Team. 

Greenland High School Hosts Opportunity for College and Trade School Bound Seniors

During the week of October 7th (2024), Greenland high school seniors hit financial aid and scholarship applications hard! On Monday night of that week, they were able to receive assistance with their financial aid applications, whether that was their FAFSA Account creation or state scholarships (such as the AR Challenge or AR Future grant) with the help of their H.I.R.E.D! and NWACC Career Coach. Additionally, throughout the rest of the week, seniors were welcomed to the career center, and were given the chance to apply to any/all colleges they were interested in, with the school offering to pay fees (if needed) for one of those applications. They had over 50 seniors apply during this time! 

Huntsville Career Coach, Stetson Ledbetter, Featured for Winning Educator of the Year at Huntsville

Stetson Ledbetter was selected as Educator of the Year during the 2024 graduation. Click the link about to read more about his work and what this means for his work with this community. 

Lincoln Career Coach, Sarah Simmons, Celebrated for Her Role

With 35 years in education, Sarah Simmons was recognized for her work with her students in Lincoln in March of 2024. Click the link above to read more about her celebration and the impact she has had on students. 

CDL Training Event Feature in Arkansas Trucking Report: "Road Scholars: CDL Test Prep"

Starting on page 38. 

CDL Training Event Spring '24

Click here to read about the article that the Arkansas Trucking Report shared regarding the CDL Test Prep that the H.I.R.E.D! team put together. 

Walton Family Foundation Article: "Putting Rural Arkansas Students on Pathways to Fulfill Career Dreams"

Click here to read about the work that H.I.R.E.D! is doing, as was featured in an article from the Walton Family Foundation.