Month: September 2019

Today, bottled water is a common beverage available in grocery stores, convenience stores and offices. But in 1871, Mountain Valley Spring Water Co. was the first to sell bottled water from coast-to-coast.

It’s signature clear green bottle continues to contain water from its original source — a spring in the Ozark Mountains. Using the water’s health-boosting benefits to market their product, the company has developed a business plan that also promotes a healthy environment.

The combination of capitalism and environmentalism is what drew the interest of Dr. Neil Oatsvall, a history instructor at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and Arts. In a recent publication, Oatsvall examines the company’s ability to make a profit while promoting health while using a natural water source and protecting it from environmental harm.

“Bottling Nature’s Elixir: The Mountain Valley Spring Water Company, Environment, Health, and Capitalism” is the lead article in the Spring 2019 Arkansas Historical Quarterly, a publication of the Arkansas Historical Association.

“While we normally think of the interaction between nature and capitalism to be all bad — businesses take from the natural world and harm it to make a profit — I found that Mountain Valley is the rare company that has made its name based on natural purity and protecting the environment,” Oatsvall said.

“In their advertisements especially, Mountain Valley has tried to promote natural wholesomeness for how it can help human bodies and health.”

Oatsvall said no company is perfect, and Mountain Valley ran afoul of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration twice decades ago — in 1914 and 1953. Each time the company shifted its marketing focus in ways that complied with laws and statutes while still focusing on nature and health.

The recent journal article is the second Oatsvall has published about Mountain Valley, previously studying the company’s advertising practices in “Advertising Indians,” which was published in the Summer 2018 edition of Gastronomica: The Journal of Critical Food Studies.

Mountain Valley was a good subject for his academic studies for a few different reasons. Being locally situated helped his research tremendously, but it being a national company also meant he wasn’t chronicling a “mom and pop” organization.

“More than that, I think the ideas contained within the company’s advertisements and history speak to larger issues of how we humans should interact with the world around us, and how what it means to be healthy has changed over time,” Oatsvall said. “The specific subject may be bottled water, but the articles are more about how humans have navigated fundamental issues of nature and culture.”

Oatsvall said while Mountain Valley was not able to provide much support for his research, the contacts he made at the company have always been helpful. Most importantly, they always granted permission for Oatsvall to use images from the company in his articles, he said.

“Getting image permissions can be time consuming and expensive, but Mountain Valley was always gracious in that regard and let me use the images for free,” Oatsvall said.

Both of Oatsvall’s articles are available to read on his blog at https://asmsa.me/oatsvallmountainvalley.

Three Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students were selected for the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association South Region Orchestra.

Seniors Amanda Carson of Russellville and Victoria Hwang of Maumelle and junior Aly Navarro are participating in this year’s South Region Orchestra clinic at Mills University Studies High School in Little Rock. The clinic is being held Sept. 20-21.

Carson will represent ASMSA as the principal bassoonist in the all-region Senior High Full Orchestra. Hwang was selected as fourth chair, first violin and Navarro was chosen as a second violin section player for the same orchestra. Auditions were held Sept. 14 at Conway High School. Nearly 600 students audition for spots in each of the three orchestras with the Senior High Orchestra reserved for the top players in grades 10-12 throughout the southern two-thirds of Arkansas, said Dr. Thomas Dempster, music instructor and band director at ASMSA.

“I am proud of these three students for auditioning and placing into all-region orchestra,” Dempster said. “Many students in Arkansas do not get the opportunity to perform in full-orchestra settings, and I’m grateful that the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association sponsors this event.

“I’ve been teaching Amanda and Victoria for the past year and have witnessed some remarkable musical growth in both of them, and neither shy away from a challenge. I’ve just met Aly this year, but I’m pleased with her talent and ability and willingness to audition for something so competitive.”

The South Region Orchestra Clinic occurs annually in September. The concert for all three orchestras — including the Junior High String Orchestra, the Junior High Concert Orchestra and the Senior High Full Orchestra — will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 21 in the Mills Performing Arts Building. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts has officially opened the search for the Classes 2022 and 2023. Beginning this application cycle, all early applicants will receive the benefit of receiving an ACT voucher to take the test at no cost.

Applicants who have completed the online application for admission to ASMSA by Dec. 1 will receive a voucher for the February 2020 ACT test date as part of the school’s upwARd Promise program. Applicants will also receive access to prep tools to improve their understanding of the exam. A valid ACT or SAT score is required as part of the application process, which also includes essay questions, teacher recommendations and an interview on campus. The standard application deadline is March 1.

“The rigorous application process assists our staff and faculty in identifying well-rounded young Arkansans—students who possess a strong sense of character, actively give to their communities, seek out the most challenging coursework available, and apply themselves to the best of their abilities,” said Charlie Feick, interim director of admissions.

ASMSA’s upwARd Promise is a five-part commitment to access and success for all Arkansas high school students with additional structures to support low-income and first-generation college pathway students. In addition to the ACT voucher, the program provides students who attend ASMSA the opportunity to:

• earn a minimum of 30 hours of college credit while finishing high school. Recent graduates have averaged 50 hours—or three full semesters of college study— during their time at ASMSA. These courses save families roughly $14,000 in tuition and fees. The $500 annual concurrent credit assessment is waived for students with financial need.
• live in a residential setting alongside 230 talented and motivated peers with no additional cost for housing, meals and textbooks. All students have access to other specialized technology throughout campus, including gigabit wireless internet.
• the chance to explore the world and experience other cultures through ASMSA’s Global Learning Program. More than 400 students have participated in study abroad, cultural exchanges, language immersion and other global learning opportunities.
• receive college planning and coaching that positions students to compete for admission to top universities and major scholarships. ASMSA alumni have been offered nearly $250 million in college scholarships. ASMSA’s Student Success Office assists all students find the school and opportunities that are the best fit. Students with need are positioned to compete for the QuestBridge National College Match, U.S. Presidential Scholars, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Program and other prestigious awards.

Admissions representatives from the ASMSA Office of Admissions are sharing information about the program with students at schools across the state through in-person visits.

“The ASMSA Office of Admissions is on the road, taking great pleasure in meeting with talented and driven students and supportive educators throughout Arkansas,” Feick said. “We enjoy connecting with young people and informing them of the myriad opportunities ASMSA is able to offer to them through our research, entrepreneurship, and artistic experiences, global learning program, and a unique residential experience where students are able to live, learn, and grow together.”

Multiple events allow students interested in ASMSA to visit campus. Preview Weekends, Preview Days, Focus Weekends provide students opportunities to be immersed in a hands-on activity with faculty members and to take a tour of ASMSA. Science and Engineering Institutes—both on campus and across the state—engage participants in fun learning activities.

“We hope to see all prospective students and their families on campus,” Feick said. “Visiting campus affords the opportunity to engage directly with current students, faculty, and staff and to get a feel for the warm and welcoming culture of the ASMSA community.”

To RSVP to attend campus events, go to visit.asmsa.org. For more information on the application process and the upwARd Promise program, visit asmsa.org/admissions.

The annual Arkansas Fall Golf Classic benefitting the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts will be held Friday, Oct. 4 on the Park Course at the Hot Springs Country Club.

The four-person scramble is being presented by The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. Entry fees are $600 a team or $150 per player. The entry includes greens and cart fees, lunch and tournament gifts.

There are also several sponsorship opportunities available. Most sponsorships include a complimentary team in the tournament as well as other perks. It is an excellent opportunity to network and get to know Chamber investors and businesses from across Arkansas. The golf holes will provide promotional opportunities, refreshments, contests and games.

Check-in and lunch will be from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. with a noon shotgun start.

ASMSA has been ranked consistently among the nation’s top public high schools. Students at the school come from across Arkansas, living in a residential setting that provides a community of learning.

Current sponsors of the tournament include Relyance Bank, First Security Bank, Mid-America Science Museum, Aladdin Food Management Services and Gross Funeral Home.

To register a team or to receive more information about available sponsorships, contact Betsy Atkins, Chamber vice president, at (501) 321-1700 or by email at betsy.atkins@growinghotsprings.com or Vicki Hinz at ASMSA at (501) 622-5474 or hinzv@asmsa.org. For more information on ASMSA, visit asmsa.org.

Eight Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students were named National Merit Semifinalists for the 2019-20 academic year by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced the names of the Semifinalists for the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program on Wednesday. The students who are all members of the Class of 2020 will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $31 million that will be offered next spring.

The ASMSA seniors named Semifinalists are:
• Yoo-Jin Ahn of Jonesboro;
• Ronan Devlin of De Queen;
• Tristan Eoff of Little Rock;
• Carson Hardin of East End;
• Jason Hoang of Hartman;
• Howard Orlina of Little Rock;
• Emily Smith of Cabot; and
• Haven Whitney of Searcy.

“We congratulate these students for their exceptional accomplishment, and we wish them the very best as they work through the National Merit Scholarship Program's rigorous process,” said Stuart Flynn, dean of academic affairs at ASMSA. “This achievement offers them a learning opportunity that can become a springboard to an extraordinary senior year and the many possibilities beyond.”

To be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as a junior. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of anticipated graduating seniors.

Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist standing, including a detailed scholarship application that includes information about a Semifinalists academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. It was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by the corporation with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions.