Take A Seat

Stephanie McCullough is a volunteer with Rogers Ozone. Through Ozone, she has participated in the Walton Arts Center’s “Take A Seat” program, in which the WAC offers non-profit organizations free tickets to several of their state-of-the-art productions. Stephanie shares about her experience here:

“I am so thankful for the opportunities provided by the Walton Arts Center’s Take A Seat program. In March, I was able to spend time not only with Meredith, my Ozone mentee, but with two other campers and with a co-counselor the girls adore. We all went to dinner and to see "The Mikado," a comic opera. I really love the chance for these young ladies to experience bits of culture that would otherwise be outplayed by the noise of today's popular boy bands. "The Mikado" was a legitimate opera with a live pit orchestra complete with opening overture. I very much appreciated the time to catch up with my girls!

Soon after that show, I took Meredith and her best friend to see the Harvard Glee Club. Being a music major, I loved the wide span of genres and time periods they covered in their concert. From Renaissance to Baroque to folksongs to Harvard football tunes, the night was a great learning opportunity in seeing the roots and namesake of such a popular TV show so manyteenagers love. The TV show can't compare to the harmonious sounds of REAL Glee!

The last Take A Seat show I saw with Meredith was the "100 Years of Broadway." Meredith loves musicals, but opportunities to see legitimate performances while in high school are rare. She had a great time!

Meredith and I had a ton of fun spending the extra time together on these excursions. I am so thankful this program works with Camp War Eagle to help fulfill CWE's purpose of serving the cultural needs of the precious children of Northwest Arkansas. I wish more counselors would take advantage of it and share these special chances with kids!”

Stephanie is a sophomore studying music at the University of Arkansas. This upcoming summer will be her second as a counselor at Camp War Eagle.

Rogers Ozone: Primetime Student Leadership

Rogers Primetime has an incredible group of students who have stepped up and taken the lead with the Student Leadership team.  As the inaugural class of our fledgling Student Leadership program, these students have persevered through some rough schedules (we met at 6:00 am last semester!) as we've tried to find what works best.  

Mac, Celina, Tauney, Emma, Ernesto, and Andrew meet weekly to encourage one another and take part in the multiple facets of the leadership program.  They spend time each week memorizing the key verse of the teaching for the upcoming Club, and have found that songs and hand motions really help!  They purposefully engage their peers at club, as well as interact with new students, as they strive to be role models to their peers.  They even wrote "Ye Olde Rules Skit," a medieval look at the rules for club.  Their desire to make club the best atmosphere possible is infectious, as they endeavor to create an welcoming environment where all students, regardless of religious affiliation, can come to have fun and hear truth.  

These students have been such a great help to their peers and to the directors as well.  With their input this year, this program is sure to continue to grow to establish young kids into respectable leaders within our program.

Primetime Girls' Nature Day March 12, 2011

On March 12th, Primetime (middle school & junior high) girls from Springdale and Bentonville had the opportunity to see the beauty of the Natural State up close and personal. Over 20 students and leaders from the collective cities descended upon Devil’s Den state park south of Fayetteville for a day of hiking, exploring and a great time on a beautiful day.

And with temperatures in the 70s and not a cloud in the sky, a beautiful day it was!
Upon arriving to the park, the girls got acquainted through an icebreaker activity. Soon after, the girls prepared their own sack lunches and it was time to head to the trail.
The excitement was palpable as the girls passed into the woods, and began their trek up a rocky slope. Even as the sun rose higher in the sky and foreheads began to shimmer with sweat, the girls were troopers, making the best of everything, maintaining great attitudes. As they hiked, girls were instructed in trail safety and the importance of  “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics.

After an hour of walking (and a few water breaks), the group arrived at the destination. The girls marveled at the beauty of the sight, glad to get a chance to sit and take it all in! It was time for sandwiches and oranges, apples and trail mix, and the girls were more than ready for a refueling break.
Once pictures were taken and views were soaked in, Bentonville Ozone Director, Ellie Chase, gave a brief teaching from Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”  Girls were challenged to recognize God’s greatness, faithfulness and righteousness not only in the vastness of the world around them, but in their own lives as well.

After a hike down the mountain with newly found energy, the girls dipped their feet in the creek and skipped quite a few stones. All in all, the day was an incredible opportunity for the girls to experience recreation outside of their usual day to day. There were no cell phones, no computers, only nature and community. Springdale Ozone Director, Erin Wiltse, said of the experience, “It was amazing to spend the day with the girls in a place that was a bit out of their comfort zone, really just enjoying each other and the gifts our Creator has given us.”