Contact: Ruth Ellen Whitt
Executive Director
Leadership Texarkana
903.792.0011
[email protected]
LeadershipTexarkana.com

Texarkana, USA – January 3, 2020 –

_{Tonya Dunphy}

_{Community and Parent Involvement Coordinator, Arkansas High, TASD
LT CLASS OF 2018}

_{This is Tonya’s 20th year in education at Texarkana Arkansas School District. She is currently the Community and Parental Involvement/AP Coordinator at Arkansas High. Tonya sponsors three clubs at Arkansas High: the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), Youth 2 Leaders (Y2L) and the Interact Club which focuses on youth volunteerism in our community.  Tonya has also taken advantage of opportunities to work with community youth through her involvement with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) training as well as co-facilitating Leadership Texarkana’s “Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Leaders” training held every summer.}  

_{Tonya believes it is very important for students from all schools to be given the opportunity to work together because they are the key to having a more united community in the future that’s willing to work together for a common goal.  She says: “My personal mission is to find ways to work with youth in our community, no matter what school they attend… My current position allows me to have an impact on students, teachers, parents, and community members. I remind myself daily that my actions will either have a positive or negative effect on someone else. In John Maxwell’s book, 360 Degree Leader, he discusses it doesn’t matter what position you hold in your organization everyone can have a positive influence. As a leader of young adults, I try to instill this ideal of leadership and empower students to want to get involved in their schools and community. I want them to believe their contributions can cause a magnitude of ripple effects.}

From the 2019 Leadership Texarkana Class

Texarkana USA: A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.
Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Speaking of Second to None... 

SPOTLIGHT ON 

1. Day of the Dead Celebration
Friday, Nov. 2
5:30-8:30 p.m., Truman Arnold Student Center at Texarkana College. Fun, FREE community event for the whole family embracing Hispanic culture - featuring entertainment including an Aztec Dance and a Folklore Dance, face painting, music, authentic Mexican food, costume, karaoke, altar contest and other fun activities, with presenters from local universities and colleges. Hosted by the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at Texarkana College.

Dr. Jason Smith
Superintendent, Pleasant Grove ISD
LT Class of 2018

Jason Smith serves as Pleasant Grove ISD superintendent and has served over 20 years in public education and has been named the lone finalist to become the next president of Texarkana College. Jason has a doctorate of education administration from Texas A&M University - Commerce and extensive experience as an educator, with three years as a classroom teacher, three years as a middle school principal, four years as a high school principal and thirteen years as a Texas Superintendent. In 2007, Jason and his brother founded a company called TeacherTube.com; for two years, Jason left public education to serve as full-time CEO of the company. The company grew to over two million members before being acquired by a Salem Media Group. 

From the 2019 Leadership Texarkana Class

Stepping Up to Make a Difference 

Texarkana USA: A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.
Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Speaking of Second to None...

SPOTLIGHT ON 

1. Taste of Texarkana
Tuesday, Oct. 23
Four States Entertainment Center, 5-8 p.m. It's time for Harvest Regional Food Bank’s 27th annual Taste of Texarkana! Your opportunity to try specialty dishes made by over 40 local restaurants and vendors as well as live music, and samples of specialty beer and wine. Online ticket sales end Monday at 12 p.m. Tickets also available at Harvest Regional Food Bank and at the door.

Texarkana USA: A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.
Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Speaking of Educational Riches...

SPOTLIGHT ON

1. 2018 Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure Texarkana
Saturday, Oct. 20
RACE DOWNTOWN! Celebrating the 20th year of giving back to the Texarkana Community, race opening ceremonies begin at 8:30, with 5K at 9AM and Family Fun Stroll at 9:30. Proceeds raised will go towards community grants that provide breast health services such as screening, diagnostics, and education. For more: 903-791-9585. Register online at www.komenarkansas.org.

Things to do in Texarkana October 8-14, 2018 

SPOTLIGHT ON

Join the Big Lift movement to get #GoTXK trending to claim and showcase Texarkana's innumerable virtues and celebrate ALL of what's to love about Texarkana, USA. We challenge you to join in and share what YOU love using #GoTXK! 

T-TOWN TOP TEN

Things to do in Texarkana October 1-7, 2018 

SPOTLIGHT ON

Stepping Up to Make a Difference 

Jennifer L. Stuart

Employee Benefits Strategist 
Stepka and Associates, Inc.
LT Class of 2018

Fat Jack's Sports & Oyster Bar: Thanks for making Texarkana TWICE as beautiful!

Totally T-Town Food Faves 
From the 2019 Leadership Texarkana Class

"Big Jake's Beef Brisket."

Texarkana USA: A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.
Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Speaking of One of a Kind...

Texarkana USA: A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.
Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Speaking of Second to None...