Stuttgart High School’s Class of 2025 tosses their caps in celebration at Ricebird Arena Friday night. Photographer Hollee Davis captured the moment, marking a special farewell for 100 seniors—and a homecoming for Hollee, who, alongside Coach Lance Davis, has watched many of these students grow up.
As promised, caps were in the air last Friday night at the new Ricebird Arena as the Class of 2025 bid farewell to Stuttgart High School one final time. Hollee Davis captured the moment perfectly—as she always has—preserving a memory for 100 SHS seniors to look back on for the rest of their lives. It was a special night in many ways and so great to have Hollee back in Stuttgart. She and (Coach) Lance watched many of these seniors grow up, and I’m sure they regard them as being like family.
The final weeks of school are filled with awards and recognition for jobs well done, both academically and athletically. Here are a few more…
Stuttgart High School seniors Sophie Holladay and Colby Barnett were honored at Arkansas Governor’s Honors Day, representing SHS among the state’s top academic achievers.
Sophie Holladay and Colby Barnett were recently recognized at Arkansas Governor’s Honors Day. These seniors represented SHS at the event, which celebrates the state’s top academic achievers. Ricebird Nation couldn’t be more proud of these two for representing us with excellence.
The final spring sports have wrapped up and, to nobody’s surprise, many Ricebirds were recognized for their performances. The Ricebird Track and Field athletes were a force every time they showed up this season. Quarterion (QT) Johnson earned All-State honors, while All-Conference recognition went to Deontae Clark, Lane Saul, Eli Hillman, Chance Clark, Treymon White, Quarterion Johnson, Liberty Green, Leighton Conyers, Zaniya Colvin, Jammerion Gregory, Triston Robinson, Dawson McKelvey, Jamarion Hoard, and Adrian White. Is that a lineup, or what?!
Ricebird Girls Soccer athletes earning honors were: All-State, Bell Price, along with Anna Kate Bulloch, Sydney Fuller, and Cassandra Gonzalez receiving All-Conference recognition. The Ricebird Boys Soccer team also received plenty of honors, with Elliott Boyd earning both All-State and All-Conference, while Ian Hillman, Dawson McKelvey, and Lane Saul were selected All-Conference.
Ricebird Softball had a great season—full of ups and downs—and capped it off with a trip to the Regional Playoffs. MyKayla Hale earned both All-State and All-Conference honors, while Kaci Cline was named to the All-Conference team.
The Ricebird Baseball team knocked it out of the park this season, advancing to the Regional Playoffs and winning two of three games to earn a spot in the State Tournament. J.D. Hertzog won All-State and All-Conference honors, with Austin Fontenot, Caiden Scaife, and Dagan Duncan making the All-Conference roster.
With the Class of 2025 now graduated, the Class of 2026 takes center stage—beginning last night with the Ricebirds Football Spring Scrimmage. It was great to be back at The Ned for Ricebird Football. While we associate football with fall, it’s a year-round effort for players to reach their best, with off-season workouts, weight room goals, and summer camps filling the calendar. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what it takes to continue that great Ricebird tradition.
Holman School, once known as Holman High, stands as a proud part of Stuttgart’s educational history. Now serving as the Holman Community Center, the facility remains a symbol of tradition and legacy just three blocks south of West Michigan on Buerkle Street.
Speaking of traditions, Stuttgart is full of them. And SHS is not the only public high school with a rich tradition in our town. Holman School, often referred to as Holman High, is a vital part of Stuttgart’s educational history. The last high school class graduated from Holman in 1970, but the facility continued to serve the Stuttgart Public School System for several years after and now functions as the Holman Community Center. Though the facility sees limited use and maintenance is an ongoing concern, unlike the “old” Stuttgart High School I talked about last week, Holman proudly remains and is ready to serve when needed. Located three blocks south of West Michigan (Hwy 79) on Buerkle Street, it spans a full city block. I urge locals who haven’t yet done so to take a minute to stop and read the history of Holman School on the historical marker located out front next to Buerkle Street. Holman School is certainly a part of Stuttgart’s rich educational tradition.
Here’s another kind of tradition we definitely want to keep going—the great performances at The Grand Prairie Center. Tracy Byrd is coming in June and good seats are still available. Let’s pack the house and keep those great acts coming!
Go Byrd(s)!
Country music star Tracy Byrd is set to perform at The Grand Prairie Center in June. With great shows like this, the tradition of top-tier entertainment in Stuttgart continues—don’t miss it!
