Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hale Attends Event

Ben Hale attended Past Times in the Parks, a social studies-based enrichment residential program housed at Old Washington Historic State Park, from June 10 through June 24. He is a McRae Middle School student.

Past Times in the Park is an AEGIS (Academic Enrichment for Gifted in Summer) program for 30 rising seventh and eighth graders selected from all areas of Arkansas. Fifteen boys and fifteen girls were selected.

The AEGIS program was provided through a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education authorized by Act 3, 6 and 9 of the Legislature.

The primary focus of the program was the cultural heritage of historic Arkansas socieites, primarily southwest Arkansas. During living history days and evenings, students participated in field trips, seminars, tours, demonstrations/re-enactors, and authentic activities which characterized native Americans, explorers, pioneers and 19th century town life in Arkansas.

At the closing awards ceremony Ben was named Mr. Past Times in the Parks 2000. He was selected for demonstrating outstanding qualities in the spirit of Past Times in the Parks.

Past Times in the Parks was directed by Nell Rockett, supervisor of gifted programs at Southwest Arkansas Educational Cooperative in Hope.

Instructors included Sandra Matthews, teacher of the gifted; Carey Walker, park superintendent; Jack Pratt, historical interpreter; Bob Erwin, teacher, and numerous other interpreters and guest presenters.

Ben is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Hale.