Atwill champions Blytheville schools

The state of Blytheville Public Schools is great, Superintendent Richard Atwill told the standing-room only crowd Thursday evening.

Atwill's address was part of this year's "All That Jazz," which included art displays, performances by choirs and bands and even a dance troupe, complete with decorative masks and drums.

The evening also included food prepared and served by students in the food preparation classes at Blytheville Charter School.

Atwill said he was very proud of the attendance at the event.

"This number rivals the number of people we have at athletic events," Atwill said. "Our school is not just about athletics. It's not just about academics. It's about all that we do for the children of Blytheville. It's all very important."

The event included displays of artwork completed by students, ranging from paintings and drawings to sculpture, mass media creations and musical and dance performances by students.

The superintendent said he was even more proud of the students who created all the artwork and provided all the entertainment and food for the evening. The artwork received a boost from the Thea Foundation, a non-profit foundation that provided $14,000 worth of art supplies to the district this year, Atwill said.

Atwill also pointed out that student participation in all arts has increased over the last few years.

"The band went from 35 members to 53 students in one year," he said. "The band went from zero trophies to 17 trophies for excellent ratings in one year."

Parents of students in the district and patrons of the district should receive the most recognition for the district's successes, Atwill said.

"I want to thank all you parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who bring your children to school, to events like these. You deserve all the credit," Atwill said. "We could not do this without all your support."

He went on to say that the work is done on behalf of the students.

"It's about the children. It's not about me or the teachers," he said. "The state of the schools in Blytheville, Ark., is fantastic."

dhilton@blythevillecourier.com