PEA RIDGE — One of 23 schools selected of the 244 school districts in Arkansas, Pea Ridge High School has been honored to be a part of the Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Advanced Placement, a program which will help prepare students for college, according to Tommy Sue Anthony, director of the program.

Students from Pea Ridge High School attended an assembly Friday afternoon to hear more about the AP program.

Mayor Jackie Crabtree and State Representative Donna Hutchinson were joined by School Board president Jenny Wood and the faculty of the school to hear the presentation.

"You students, you did the work that led the state to bestow this honor on you," Hutchinson said. "I'm proud of you.

"This will open doors for you that you can not imagine."

Principal Rick Neal said members of his faculty had prepared all summer and received additional training for the program.

"You're part of a special group," he said.

Anthony said just taking advanced placement classes assures students of having a higher grade point in college.

"Congratulations, Blackhawks. Have a good year," Anthony said.

School, Pages 7 on 08/26/2009