Dawson Welch, 18, signed a letter of intent to run cross-country and track for the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.
“I’m excited to be signing for a D1 school, where I will continue to develop with established coaches, who will have experience with developing runners to elite levels,” Welch said.
The senior runs mid- and long-distance track for Har-Ber High School and has trained in the sport for 10 years. Welch said he runs the 800-meter in 1:53.02 and a mile in 4:08.94.
The future Volunteer said he plans to major in hospitality management.
“I want to manage tourist experiences at resorts around the world,” Welch said.
He thanked all the coaches who’ve contributed to developing him as an athlete to help him come so far in his sporting career.
“I especially want to thank my mom and Coach Shawn for cheering me on and pushing me to do my best,” Welch said. “Finally, I want to thank God for guiding me and giving me this amazing opportunity.”
Welch lives in Tontitown and is the son of Ricky and Andrea Yarbrough.
Tyler Ridley of Har-Ber High School committed to pitch baseball for Crowder College in Neosho, Mo.
“I'm very excited to move on to the next stage in my life and to play college baseball,” Ridley said.
“It has always been a dream of mine to play college baseball ever since I was little. I'm just very thankful for the opportunity that the Crowder coaching staff has given me.”
Ridley, a 17-year-old senior, lives in Springdale.
The Wildcat pitcher said he’s played baseball for 12 years and posted a 7-0 record as a sophomore pitcher.
Ridley said he plans on majoring in engineering in college.
“I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, but I've thought about hardware engineering,’ he said.
Ridley said his parents are Angie Ridley and Leonard Ridley.
Wildcat softball player Madison Pratt signed a letter of intent to compete for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, Okla.
“College softball has always been a goal, and I could not be happier about this opportunity,” Pratt said.
Pratt, 17, is a senior at Har-Ber High School and said she’s played softball, primarily as a centerfielder, for 12 years.
“One notable highlight is my grand slam against Springdale,” she said. “Through all of the games and all of the various fielding positions, some of my favorite highlights would be the home runs, the diving catches, the walk off hits and throwing people out at home.”
Pratt lives in Elm Springs, she said, and is the daughter of David and Ashley Pratt and Zach and Colby Schlessman.
She said she plans to major in physical therapy in college.
“I want to become a physical therapy assistant to help people become stronger and overcome their injuries,” Pratt said.
The student athlete said she’s grateful for all those who’ve contributed to her athletic career.
“I would like to thank my parents for supporting me through the years and for pushing me through tough times,” Pratt said.
The student athlete also recognized the development she experienced alongside her teammates and through the coaching of Erica Derryberry, Candi Bailey, Larry Tinkler, Shane Gunter and Aaron and Kali Piha.
“They have taught me the importance of a team, and I’ve made so many memories with them that I will never forget,” Pratt said. “I’ve become a better player and person because of softball, and I can’t thank the sport enough.”
Springdale High School students competed at the state JAG Student Leadership Academy Competition in Little Rock yesterday. We had 2 state winners. Diana Martinez got 1st place in Employability Skills and Vanessa Colin got 2nd place in Career Preparation. Both students will receive a scholarship for an all expense paid trip to the JAG National Student Leadership Academy in Orlando Florida. We are very proud of their hard work and excited for the opportunity they have earned. #SpringdaleFamily
Lauren Milligan, 17, signed a letter of intent to play golf for Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla.
“I am super excited, because this has been my dream since I started playing golf,” Milligan said.
The Har-Ber High School senior said she’s played golf for eight years.
“I shot 69 at the Highlands, and that was my first time shooting in the 60s,” Milligan said of competing at Highlands Golf Course in Bella Vista her senior year. “I also won state four times.”
Milligan lives in Springdale, she said. Her parents are Carmen and Tony Anderson.
She said she plans on majoring in psychology in college and looks forward to a future in coaching.
“I want to be a college golf coach, because I love being on the course and coaching others,” Milligan said.
Austin Jones, 18, committed to play baseball for the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
“I feel very blessed and fortunate for this opportunity,” Jones said.
The Har-Ber High School senior said he’s played baseball for 13 years.
Jones lives in Springdale and is a right-handed pitcher and centerfielder for the Wildcats, he said. He’s committed to pitch for Central.
His career highlights include pitching with the 2022 6A-West All-Conference-First Team, he said. In 2022, Jones went 2-1 with one save and had a 1.03 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched as a Har-Ber athlete. He went 2-0 on the mound with one save and 29 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched in 2021.
“I would like to thank my mom and dad, my teammates and also my coaches for this opportunity,” Jones said of playing college baseball.
His parents are Chris McLeod and Gina McLeod, he said, adding he’s unsure of what he’ll major in for college or what future career he’ll pursue.
Har-Ber High School’s Galatia Andrew signed to play basketball for Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo.
“Being able to sign with a college is truly a blessing, and I’m so excited and honored to say I am,” Andrew said.
Andrew, 17, is a senior who said she lives in Springdale.
She played volleyball and basketball as a point guard for the Wildcats and looks forward to competing at the collegiate level, Andrew said.
“I’ve always wanted to play a sport in college,” she said. “Watching all the athletes on TV and seeing all my family members do sports inspired me to be like them when I grow up.”
Andrew has played on all-state and all-conference championship teams in volleyball, competed with conference-championship basketball teams and was named to the Prep Girls Hoops Top 100 and as a Super 64 Player of The Week.
Watch Live
Har-Ber High School I Early National Signing Day | 9:30 AM
https://youtu.be/zkTuloX-VTA
Principal Kelly Boortz gives the Don Tyson School of Innovation Charter Report to the School Board tonight. The school seeks to ensure all students graduate with a diploma and accelerated learning connected to the arts, college, business or industry! #SpringdaleFamily
School Board President Randy Hutchinson announced at tonight’s meeting that the board received an Outstanding Board Award, an Arkansas School Boards Association award given to boards in recognition of members’ continued professional development. #SpringdaleFamily
Assessment and Accountability Director Kelli Langan presents the Report to the Public to the School Board at tonight’s meeting. The district seeks to pursue educational excellence and ensure a safe and inclusive environment to empower a community of learners! #SpringdaleFamily
The School Board celebrated district Federal Programs Director Kimberly Glass this evening for serving a second term as President of the American Association of Employment Education! #SpringdaleFamily
School Board President Randy Hutchinson recognized Board Member Eddie Ramos this evening for obtaining his Certificate of Boardsmanship. Ramos completed about 25 hours of training through the Arkansas School Boards Association to earn the recognition! #SpringdaleFamily
Workforce Training Director Rodney Ellis recognized participants in the Earning and Learning program at the School Board meeting tonight. The program helps participants balance jobs and their education as they work toward graduation and future careers! #SpringdaleFamily
Watch Live
Springdale Public Schools | November School Board Meeting | 5:00 PM
https://youtu.be/GQMSSu4J1qo
Springdale High School Choral Department Presents:
Writing Letters to Santa
Youth Winter Basketball | Register by Dec. 12
What a fun day exploring the library at Westwood Elementary! Students explored different genres of books and checked out ones that most interested them!
What is your favorite book? #SpringdaleFamily
What is National School Psychology Week?
