Mena School District

Mena High School rising senior Katherine Wilson is the daughter of Phillip and Kristi Wilson. Kate was a delegate to the American Legion Auxiliary Arkansas Girls State 2025 and was sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was elected by her peers as a Senator for the Nationalist Party. "I want to give a big thanks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars for giving me the opportunity to attend Girls State. It was a great opportunity to meet people and immerse myself in the mock-government experience that Girls State provides. It was a very interesting, crazy week that I won’t forget anytime soon! Also a huge shout out to the American Legion Auxiliary for putting on the program. I’m very thankful to be part of such a supportive community that enables so many opportunities for my classmates and me." - Kate Wilson

23 days ago, Mark Hobson

Mena High School rising senior Eli Swall is the son of Steve and Stacy Swall. Eli was a delegate of Arkansas Boys State 2025 and was sponsored by Ginger Sterner of Edward Jones. "Participating in Boys State was an unforgettable experience that gave me a powerful introduction to leadership and how government works from the inside out. I want to sincerely thank Ginger Sterner and Edward Jones for their support, and express my deep appreciation to the American Legion for organizing this outstanding program. Boys State was more than just an event, it was a transformative first step into civic engagement, and I’m incredibly grateful for that opportunity." - Eli Swall Eli is pictured with the elected State Treasurer of Arkansas Boy’s State, Zeke Young. Zeke selected Eli to be his Chief Deputy and Eli was able to meet Treasurer Thurston and some of his staff.

24 days ago, Mark Hobson

Mena High School rising senior Jackson Thompson is the son of Cory and Candace Thompson. Jackson was a delegate of Arkansas Boys State 2025 and was sponsored by Brian Erickson of Freedom Pharmacy. "I want to thank Brian Erickson of Freedom Pharmacy for giving me the chance to experience something such as Boys State. I learned a lot alongside my fellow classmates and youth of Arkansas and hope to implement it in our community. I also want to thank the American Legion program for organizing the overall experience of boys state and am grateful for the opportunity!" -Jackson Thompson

25 days ago, Mark Hobson

Welcome Leilani Day to the team at Mena Middle and Mena High School. I am so excited to be back home and have the opportunity to coach the sport I enjoy so much as well as teach the subject that made me want to become a teacher. I am excited for the school year and all the new beginnings it will bring.

25 days ago, Mark Hobson

Welcome Lindsey Sawyer to the team at Louise Durham Elementary. My little family and I moved back to Mena to be closer to family after 3 years in Siloam Springs. This will be my fourth year teaching 1st grade! I am so excited to pour into Mena students as my teachers once did for me.

29 days ago, Mark Hobson

Mena Public School Administrators have been attending the Leadership Institute hosted by the DeQueen Mena Education Service Cooperative at Degray Lake State Park this week. Mena staff continues preparations for the 2025-2026 school year which begins on August 13th. See the complete school calendar at the link below. https://www.menaschools.org/page/school-calendars

29 days ago, Mark Hobson

Welcome LaShea Holder to the team at Holly Harshman Elementary. I just recently graduated from Reach University with my education degree, and I’m so excited to join the team as the new 3rd-grade literacy teacher! I’m passionate about helping students grow as readers and writers. Outside the classroom, I’m a proud wife and girl mom who loves spending time with family. I can’t wait to get to know my students and their families!

30 days ago, Mark Hobson

Welcome Audrey Youmans to the staff at Holly Harshman Elementary!!! Hello, everyone. I am originally from Texas and moved to Mena with my husband Travis and kids 8 years ago. We have four children, Liliana, Makenzie, Kate, and Derek, and we love Mena and everything it has to offer. I recently graduated from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education specializing in STEM. I am so excited to work as a literacy teacher in 4th grade and cannot wait for a year full of learning, growth, and fun!