Family, friends, teachers and administrators gathered at Arkansas High’s Red Wall Tuesday morning to honor five of the school’s graduates who will continue their education at the next level.
Five outstanding young ladies appear bound for careers in the medical profession when they leave Arkansas High later this month.
Sydnee Pritchett is headed to Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., where she’ll continue playing soccer and study to become a physical therapist. She is the daughter of Jeff and Billie Pritchett.
Cheerleaders Erin Wherry and Alison Westbrook will go in opposite directions with Wherry enrolled at East Texas Baptist University, and Westbrook at Arkansas Tech University. Dancers Savanna Thomas and Tamara Biddle have scholarships to Lyon College and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, respectively.
“Arkansas Tech has always been one of my choices for college,” said Westbrook, a captain for the Lady Backs’ cheering squad, and member of National Honor Society. “It has one of the best nursing programs, and that’s going to be my major. It was a good choice for me. I have always liked helping people.”
Alison is the daughter of Kim and W.L. Westbrook.
Five colleges attractive to Lady Backs
Wherry said she originally planned on attending Lyon College in Batesville, Ark., but changed her mind when she learned about the acrobatic competition at ETBU in Marshall, Texas. In addition to being a cheerleader, Wherry played volleyball and softball at Arkansas High for four years. She is the daughter of Racheal Davis and Michael Davis.
“Acrobatics at ETBU is a form of cheerleading,” said Wherry. “I’m really strong for a girl, and just love throwing people around. I just got a job, so I have work, school and sports. I’m used to juggling things around. Pre-med will be my major. I really want to do cosmetic surgery, but if it doesn’t work out I can always go to physical therapy.”
Dancers Savanna Thomas and Tamara Biddle also have plans to join the medical field. Both were members of the Arkansas High Red Line. In fact, Biddle has been dancing since she was 2-years-old. She is the daughter of Anthony and Tammy Biddle.
“I’ve been dancing for fifteen years; it has always been a part of me,” said Biddle. “I love performing for people, and just can’t imagine life without it. I chose UALR because they have a good medical program.”
While equally impressed with Lyon College, Thomas also liked that her grandparents reside in Batesville. Savanna is the daughter of Clinton and Victoria Thomas.
“When I went on a campus tour of the college everyone was so kind and helpful,” said Thomas. “I’m going to double-major in psychology and biology, then go to medical school.”
These five Arkansas High scholars have started a trend.
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