Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Four GHS Students To Attend Girls State

When Arkansas Girls State convenes at Harding University in Searcy for its 55th session from June 1 through 6, four Gurdon High School juniors will represent Gurdon.

The students are Kara Thomas, Jojo Gattis, Tara Hughes and Kimberly Robertson.

The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors Girls State. The girls are selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, character and honesty.

Contributors who are lending their financial support are Gurdon Rotary Club, C.D. and E. Club, Austin Capps, Kadohadacho Club and First State Bank.

Louise Davies, Girls State chairperson and president of the local American Legion Auxiliary, stated that the experience of living in mythical cities and counties as self-governing citizens will be both an educational and rewarding experience.

One day will be spent at the State Capitol in Little Rock.

Thomas is the 16-year-old daughter of John and Martha Thomas.

She is a junior at Gurdon High School where she is involved in many things. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Spanish Club and is the junior class treasurer.

Kara has also been in the GHS choir for three years and has earned a chair in the Southwest All-Region choir the past two years.

Outside of school her hobby is playing the piano. She is a member of First United Methodist Church of Gurdon.

Gattis is the 17-year-old daughter of Jimmy and Sharon Gattis and the granddaughter of Virginia Brandon and the late Tommy Brandon and Betty Gattis and the late Dwight Gattis.

Jojo is a four-year letterman of the cheerleading squad, a member of National Beta Club, a Spanish II Club member, and a member of First Baptist Church in Gurdon.

She has also been awarded among the United States Academy and Who's Who Among American High School Students.

Hughes is the daughter of Terry and Vicki Hughes. She is the granddaughter of Paul and Frankie Goza and Andy and Francis Hughes, all of Arkadelphia.

Tara is a junior at Gurdon High School. She has been cheerleader for five consecutive years and she has been a member of the GHS tennis team for three years.

She is currently secretary of the junior class, member of the Beta Club and FBLA. She is a member of the Red Springs Baptist Church, where she is active in the youth group and choir.

Robertson is the 17-year-old daughter of Jack and Susan Robertson and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Robertson and the late Mr. and Mrs. Leon Jones.

She is a junior at Gurdon High School, where she is vice president of her class and an academic letterman.

Kimberly has been a Go-Devil cheerleader for five consecutive years and has competed in numerous regionals, state and national competitions. She has been a member of the tennis team for two years. She is a member of Beta Club and secretary of FBLA.

Kimberly was third runner-up in the 1996 Miss GHS pageant and second runner-up in the 1996 Forest Festival Queen pageant.

She has just recently spent a week in Washington, D.C., with the Close- Up program. Beech Street Baptist Church is where Kimberly attends church and is active in her youth group and choir.