By: Hayden Taylor, Batesville High School Charter

EAST students from eight programs, with a total of 230 students from across central and northeast Arkansas, gathered on September 24 for the second annual EAST Summit in Searcy, Ark. During this training, students enjoyed a presentation by Matt Dozier, President and CEO of EAST Initiative, and Troy DeBill, Program Coordinator for Facilitator Services. Following the EAST staff’s encouraging introduction, many business leaders from the Searcy community spoke on various topics including project management, project promotion, and how to tell your EAST story. A diverse group of students with different years of EAST experience collaborated with each other as well, sharing different ideas that could be taken back to their local EAST programs.  

The Summit encouraged students to think outside the box, not only in their projects, but in their community collaboration. Attendees were reminded that Community partners may come from different places - including some we may not expect. During one session, students brainstormed how to work effectively with partners and how to pick up on who they want to work with. Sometimes this is unplanned collaboration, but oftentimes it is the most effective, and can lead to us accomplishing great things. 

Students also had time to collaborate with one another. They interacted in a verbal game of Bingo where they found various students who have different roles within the world of EAST such as Student Champions, Student Contributors, and previous EAST Leadership Team Member, to name a few. Such connections are vital within EAST and are the foundation of the entire identity of an EAST program. 

EAST students are constantly completing great projects, yet not many people get to celebrate their accomplishments. Chloe Massey, a seven-year EAST student, spoke on her takeaway after the session, telling how “she learned how to share her program’s achievements quickly and effectively.” EAST Senior Director of Communications Jamie Moody, and Designer Jocelyn Johnson held breakout sessions for each of the students to help them promote and share their program’s successes. Johnson focused on graphic design and branding for EAST programs, while Moody outlined ways students can share their program’s achievements through the press and media outlets, both of which are important to EAST’s success.

Students left exhilarated and ready to return home to continue doing amazing things within their communities. Mrs. Martin, the EAST facilitator for Searcy Junior High and High Schools programs, says her ¨goal is to welcome the same programs back next year, along with the possibility of adding several more to enhance the event." Along with Mrs. Martin, everyone is super excited to return next year!