Twin sisters Lanetta and Lanyce Williams commit to the University of Memphis during a press conference.

Story written by AHS Senior and ACS Sports Reporter Aaron Moser

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (ACS) — Last week, AHS Seniors Lanetta and Lanyce Williams popped balloons filled with blue confetti to climatically announce that they were committing to the University of Memphis.

In front of a small crowd of people and flashing cameras in the AHS rotunda, the sisters unveiled their Memphis Tiger apparel alongside cheers from their family and AHS students. “They’re going to live their dreams at the University of Memphis,” their father Lance said.” “It’s a blessing.”

The sisters’ love for basketball began overseas while learning the game from their father, who played four years at DePaul, then 15 years professionally in eight different countries. “Watching my dad play made me want to play,” Lanetta said.

“He helped and guided us, but he didn’t hand us anything,” Lanyce added about their father’s impact on them. “It made us work harder for what we wanted.”

Despite their overseas basketball journey, they have decided to stay within 30 minutes of home for their college careers. “We feel Memphis is our family,” Lanyce said. “Why move away from your family when you can stay right here?” (more…)

Tina Quarles, a junior at AHS, speaks to local and award-winning filmmaker Kevin Brooks.

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (Arlington Community Schools) – Just two years ago, Tina Quarles lived in another state, another town, another school district. She had an interest in filmmaking, but her options were limited when it came to exploring the fire that burned within her.

“My old school didn’t have a film program. Film, what’s that?” she joked.  Whether it was fate or luck, she had the opportunity to transfer to Arlington High School, where she not only found a film program but also other students of like-minded interests.

Quarles’ love for cinematography sparked years ago. As a little kid, she said, she’d imagine fantasy stories in her head, elaborate tales just waiting to be heard. She hoped those stories would someday inspire an audience in more ways than one. Last year, she saw that come to life after her film, Amber, won Best Performance in the Memphis Youth Indie Film Festival – the film was also screened at the 2017 Indie Memphis Film Festival. (more…)

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (Arlington Community Schools) – Arlington Community Schools will soon add a new School Safety Officer to its elementary schools.

Superintendent Tammy Mason announced the law enforcement addition during Tuesday’s board meeting. The SSO, who is required to have prior law enforcement experience, will be split between Donelson and Arlington Elementary Schools.

ACS currently contracts with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to provide two School Resource Officers at the high school and one at the middle school. This new position brings the total number of positions to four district-wide. The position will be paid for by the Tennessee Department of Education’s School Safety Grant, which is also helping the district pay for additional safety-related equipment at each of the four schools. (more…)

Story written by AHS Senior and ACS Student Sports Reporter Aaron Moser

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (Arlington Community Schools) – Just hours after scoring five touchdowns against Raleigh Egypt on August 17, Arlington Senior Running Back Kenneth “Kenny” Walker Jr. announced on Twitter that he had received an offer from Austin Peay University.

In another prolific performance on Friday night, Walker ran through the St. George’s Gryphons to add five more, bringing his season total to ten touchdowns in just two games. He has contributed 60 points to the total of 105 Arlington has scored in their two victories to start the season. It’s easy to see why the offers are still rolling in.

Walker first caught the eye of college coaches and scouts during his junior year when he ran for 1,195 yards and 24 touchdowns.  His name then appeared in several preseason articles, and his blazing start to the 2018 season has only increased that publicity. (more…)

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (Arlington Community Schools) — Congratulations to Bailey Bridgers, a 2018 graduate of Arlington High School, who has received a second place scholarship of $1,000 through the National Spanish Examinations.

Students become eligible for the scholarship by scoring in either the gold, silver or bronze categories on the National Spanish Examinations.  Students must then submit an application form along with a sample of their Spanish language writing and speaking.  Their written and oral proficiencies are evaluated by a committee.

“Earning a scholarship for any student on the National Spanish Examinations is very prestigious,” said Kevin Cessna-Buscemi, National Director of the Exams. “Only 12 students are chosen from among the 150,000 students who take the National Spanish Exams each year.” (more…)

Do you have a child enrolled at Arlington High School that needs help preparing for the ACT? We’re happy to announce that Jane Ross Tutoring will conduct a series of full-day student workshops for AHS students!

Sessions are FREE (seriously, absolutely free) and will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on: (more…)