Emily Collins, an AHS and theatre alum, helps direct students during the annual summer theatre camp.

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (ACS) – Emily Collins spent her life in the Arlington High School theatre. Her dad, Mark E. Collins, was the longtime director of AHS’ program – his influence so far-reaching that the auditorium now bears his name.

The younger Collins, now 23 and a recent graduate of the University of Memphis, remembers the days well of watching her dad in his element. “Just being in my dad’s theatre has always made me feel closer to him,” Collins said.

Her dad, a 20-year veteran in education, died in 2008. Collins was just 12 years old.

Despite the passing time, her memories of her father in the theatre haven’t faded. She still remembers the auditorium seat he directed from and his voice calling out cues.

All of those memories came rushing back last week when she helped direct the annual ACS Summer Theatre Camp. “There was something very special and different about teaching in his same space,” she said. But it wasn’t until the very last day of camp, at the final dress rehearsal before the big show, that Collins was reminded
of how the theatre has impacted her life. Collins wrote about the experience on social media. (more…)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (ACS) — The Arlington Middle School Dance Team returned home from summer camp this week with a first-place prize and several All-American designations.

The team attended the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Camp at Mississippi State University and won first place in the pom routine category. They were also awarded a superior trophy for their routine evaluations.

Six members danced their way to becoming UDA All Americans and were invited to dance in the 2018 Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade: Bree Alvarado, Julianna Brower, Bailey Duckett, Savannah Holley, Ellie Grace Holst and Bailey Nicholson. (more…)

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (ACS) – The Arlington Middle School football team has announced two dates for rising 7th and 8th graders who plan to play on the school’s inaugural season.

Registration and uniform and helmet fittings will be held on Wednesday, June 27th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the AHS Football locker room. Collecting fees are $150. A Riddell representative will also be in attendance for those who wish to order a helmet (Helmets must be paid for at the time of order).

Approximate helmet cost: (more…)

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (Arlington Community Schools) – Arlington Community Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Jill Hodum has been selected as the new principal for Donelson Elementary School.

Dr. Hodum joins ACS with more than 20 years of experience as an administrator and educator in both public and private schools.

“Dr. Hodum is the perfect fit for Donelson Elementary and Arlington Schools,” said Superintendent Tammy Mason. “She has a proven track record of maintaining high student achievement and has the innate ability of training teachers. I believe her experience coupled with her passion for student success will continue to push our community forward.”

Dr. Hodum began her career in 1991 as a classroom teacher in Brownsville, Tenn. In 1996, following a five-year stint as an assistant principal, Dr. Hodum was named the principal at Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson, a job she held for nine years. With her love for public education, Dr. Hodum later accepted a position with Jackson-Madison County Schools where she served as principal of Alexander Elementary School. Her most recent administrative position was at Chester County Middle School in Henderson where she again served as principal.

Dr. Hodum received her Doctorate of Education Degree from Union University in June 2016 and her Master of Science Degree from the University of Memphis in 1996. (more…)

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (Arlington Community Schools) – Caroline Henson didn’t care that a camera was in her face taking pictures – she was only focused on one thing.

“I’m not paying attention to that,” she said as her friend told her she was on camera. “I have to focus on this painting.”

Caroline loves everything about art. It’s why she returned to Arlington Elementary School for summer camp. “It may be summer, but I wanted to be back here,” she continued.

The rising 3^rdgrader said she’s attended AES’ summer art camp for as long as she can remember. We’re guessing that means about two to three years. Caroline said she keeps returning because it allows her to get better at art and learn new skills, something art instructor Courtney Juneau had hoped for.

“We do things at art camp that they can’t do in class,” Juneau said. One factor for that is cost. The other is class size. “But these kids also have a passion for art…this is their main interest, so they put everything they have into it.”  (more…)

AMS faculty and staff pose under the Bobcat mascot mural on the last day of school.

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (Arlington Community Schools) – For 18 years, Arlington Middle School has sported the Bobcat as its mascot. Depending who you ask, determines how the school chose the mascot in the first place.

Opened in 2000, AMS was in need of a mascot. District administration, then part of Shelby County Schools, tasked the principal at the time, Pat Prescott, to make the decision. Here’s where the different versions come into play.

One rumor suggests Prescott – who was busy opening the school and not exactly worried about which wild animal to choose as the school’s furry buddy – looked out the window of her office and saw a Bobcat Excavator, a mechanical shovel or digger used at construction projects.  “I have an excellent idea. A Bobcat!” is how we imagine Prescott telling her bosses as if she had an epiphany. (more…)