Summer orientation for Class of 2009 will be Friday

Lyon will welcome students and parents of this year’s freshman class at a summer orientation Friday. Thirty-one students along with 46 guests are scheduled to attend.

Students will  meet with mentor groups, have their ID picture taken, get parking permits and have an opportunity to receive assistance with business office matters, computer and mailing services, financial aid and other areas of interest.

Second and third orientations are scheduled for Friday, July 15, and Thursday, August 18.
 

Lyon SAFARI begins today

The first of two sessions of Lyon College’s S.A.F.A.R.I. program got under way today

The fifth year of the summer program for youngsters who have completed grades K-7 began with a session that will run through June 17. The second will be held June 20-July 1. Registration is still open for the second session.

Each session will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students who have completed grades K-2 may elect to attend half-day sessions, either morning or afternoon. Students who have completed grades 3-7 attend for a full day.

Lyon S.A.F.A.R.I (Summer Academics – Fun and Recreation Included) is designed to provide students with enriching, challenging and enjoyable learning experiences in a variety of content areas.

A variety of recreational activities are also offered, including swimming, archery, golf, Highland dancing and others. Students create a daily schedule that matches their own interests and talents.

More information also can be found on the Lyon SAFARI Web page at www.lyon.edu/webdata/groups/safari/.
 

New chapter and milestone birthday celebrated Lyon held the inaugural kickoff picnic for the Batesville Chapter of Alumni, Parents and Friends May 26 in Couch Garden. Lyon also celebrated the 90th birthday of William Carl Garner, a 1938 alumnus of the College at the event.

‘On the Same Page: The McKissacks’ premieres June 15

An installment of the Arkansas Educational Television Network’s popular book show, “On the Same Page,” filmed in Batesville during the recent Ozark Foothills FilmFest, will premiere at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, on the statewide public television network. “On the Same Page: The McKissacks” focuses on husband-wife team, Patricia and Fredrick McKissack, authors of over 120 books of non-fiction and historical fiction for young readers.

The St. Louis couple works on biographies and history about the African American experience as a team, Frederick leading the research and Patricia the principal writer. Patricia also writes historical fiction on her own, drawing heavily on the couple’s research as well as her own family history. Patricia McKissack has received a Boston Globe/ Horn Book Award, a Jane Addams Book Award, and an NAACP Image Award for her historical fiction. Her work “Mirandy and Brother Wind” received the prestigious Caldecott Honor and “The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural” was honored with the Newbery Medal. Two works co-authored by the McKissacks, “Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman?” and “Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters,” received the Coretta King Award.

The McKissacks were presenters at the recent Ozark Foothills FilmFest KidsFest, reading from their work and discussing the film, “A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, A Slave Girl,” based on a Patricia McKissack novel of the same name. The film and the McKissacks program was presented to 1,600 area students in grades 3 through 6 in two sessions at Independence Hall on April 5. The McKissacks conducted an evening discussion session for parents and teachers at the Bevens Music Room on the campus of Lyon College. Patricia McKissack read her latest book, “Precious and the Boo Hag,” for the group. 

The McKissacks were filmed during their presentation and discussion with the students. They also took part in a more formal interview with “On the Same Page” producer Casey Sanders on Wednesday, April 6, at the Mabee Simpson Library at Lyon College. Both events form the content of the McKissacks program. In addition to the premiere on June 15, the program will be rebroadcast on Wednesday, June 22, and Wednesday, June 29 at 9:30 p.m. 

Festival president Bob Pest commented on the importance of the broadcast: “The quality of the program and the opportunity to be part of this extremely popular and respected program convinced us that we should be doing more to share the festival presentations involving influential authors, composers, actors, directors, and scholars. We’ll be recording all of the major presentations at future festivals for a variety of broadcast, internet, and educational uses. We are extremely appreciative of the cooperation we received from both Lyon and UACCB during the filming.”

Jeremy Brown of Lonoke High School signs with Lyon College

The Lyon College Scots Basketball team has signed Jeremy Brown, a 5-10 guard from Lonoke High School. Brown prepped at Lonoke under Coach Wes Swift. Swift said, “Jeremy is a very good defender and shooter. He should also be a great leader because he was the starting quarterback for the football team the last three seasons.”

Jeremy helped lead the Jackrabbits to an 18-14 record and into the quarterfinals of the Class AAA State Tournament. Jeremy led his team to the quarterfinals of the AAA State Tournament for four straight seasons. During his senior season, Brown averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game. Jeremy was also named all-conference, all-region, all-state, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Academic team, and Arkansas Prep Hoops All-Arkansas team. 

“Jeremy will be a tremendous addition to the Scots basketball team, said Scots Head Coach Kevin Jenkins. "He runs the floor very well, plays aggressive defense, and is a natural scorer. I am very excited that Jeremy will be joining the Scot family next year. He has been a team leader four years on a very good Lonoke team and should be able to come in and contribute early because of his ability. We feel that Jeremy will be a great asset to the Lyon College community.”
 

Sports camps at Lyon

Summer sports camps have begun on the Lyon campus with basketball already under way and baseball and tennis starting this week. Click on the links below to find out details about each camp.