The Clinton Arrow Podcast

To earn the title of National Merit Finalist, students must take the PSAT as well as complete a few rounds of requirements to secure this coveted scholarship opportunity. Add to that a 36 on the ACT and you may have two great opportunities towards your future. 

I sat down with two students who have achieved both of these marks and asked Owen McCleese and Grayson Fortenberry about their journey setting them up for great futures. 

Judah Upkins, a 1st Grader in Mrs. Rone's Clinton Park class, fills us in about a few things happening around the Clinton Public School District at the start of the 2025 calendar year!

With the end of the fall 2024 semester approaching, Dr. Ivory Gray and his staff at CJHS have scheduled an open house for all current 6th graders and their parents to explore the halls and offerings of Clinton Junior High School, CPSD's 7th & 8th grade campus.

I sat down with Dr. Gray and CJHS counselor Leslie Herrin as they explained what the event will be and how the idea came about.

CJHS 8th Grader Colton Ouellette had an idea to start a club around one of the fastest growing sports in the nation—Pickleball.

I spent time talking to Colton about how he went about starting the club and those who helped him along the way.

CHS Junior Jamaya Ivory had an idea to start a club aiming to help students when it comes to their mental health. Her club, "Building Eager Ambitious Minds," or "BEAM" seeks to provide an engaging environment for learning about mental balance and self awareness. 

I spent time talking to Jamaya about how she went about coming up with the idea as well as highlighting those who helped her along the way. 

CHS Senior Anna Smith fills us in about a few things happening around the Clinton Public School District during December of 2024.

Clinton Junior High School student Edwin Zhang lets us know a few things happening around the Clinton Public School District during November of 2024.

Dr. Bill Hardin, Clinton's Career & Technical Director, sits down with us to talk about how CTE classes are funded and how decisions are made. He shares about how Clinton's CTE program has intentionally progressed over the decades to become one of the elite CTE programs in the state of Mississippi, producing an educated workforce and offering students numerous opportunities to invest in their own futures. 

Eastside student Brooklyn Funchess lets us know a few things happening around the Clinton Public School District during October of 2024.

From the start of the 2nd Nine Weeks to National Custodian Appreciation Day to Walk to School Day to District Celebrations and Extracurriculars, October is slated to be a fantastic month!

Clinton Park's longtime principal Kelli Pope talked about how Clinton Park Elementary school earned its A-Rating, coming in as the third-ranked elementary school according to the 2024 MDE rankings. We also explored how teachers and students utilize their time to ensure success for the "Littlest Arrows."