Jonesboro Workforce Committee Talks Scholarships, Leadership

A pair of programs for junior high and high school students in Craighead County prepares them for their future both in and out of the classroom, members of a Jonesboro Regional Chamber committee said Wednesday.

The chamber’s Workforce Development Committee discussed the chamber’s Arkansas Scholars and Junior Leadership programs during a meeting at the chamber office in Jonesboro.

Shelle Randall, who is the workforce training director for the chamber, said the programs give students an opportunity to learn.

“It broadens their knowledge of their community. They learn about their local government, healthcare and non-profits,” Randall said.

At least 1,300 eighth graders will go through the scholars program starting in March. To participate, a student has to have a 95 percent attendance rate in school, a “C” or better grade average in each of the core classes in school and have to graduate school in eight semesters.

The program is open to students at Bay, Brookland, Jonesboro, Nettleton, Riverside, Valley View and Westside.

David Eckert, who chaired the meeting Wednesday, said the program especially the attendance rate is appealing to employers.

“It definitely helps with employment,” Eckert said.

As for the junior leadership program for high school juniors, the students have been busy.

The group recently took a tour of area businesses and also met with city and county officials, Eckert said. The students are also working on a service project Dec. 10 for students at the Learning Center, a physical therapy clinic in Jonesboro for children who are developmentally disabled.