VBHS Arkansas Scholars Awards Ceremony

The Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, in conjunction with the Van Buren School District, will honor 159 of Van Buren High School’s most exceptional students at its 2021 Arkansas Scholars Awards Ceremony on April 20.

Arkansas Scholars is a prestigious distinction given only to graduates who have achieved a 95% or better attendance record in their four years of high school. The students must also have a "C" or higher average and have completed all the required courses to graduate in four years. Each scholar is presented with a certificate at the ceremony and awarded a medallion at graduation. 

The ceremony will take place at the Van Buren Fine Arts Center and will include a special program honoring the graduates. 



Keynote Speaker


Justin Urso, Director, McMillon Innovation Studio
 
 
Justin recently joined the University of Arkansas as the Director of the McMillon Innovation Studio.  He has worked in 3 corporate headquarters and has started numerous ventures in his career.  His passion for education and innovation was a key driver in bringing him to the studio.  He has served as an advisor on the Walton College Deans DREAM Team advisory board and been a mentor for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation since 2014.  In his role, he is focused on finding the next great innovators and entrepreneurs at the university.  Prior to joining the studio Justin was a full-time entrepreneur and co-founded the retail technology company Skosay which landed large CPG clients such as Kellogg’s, Tyson, and Coty Products.  Years later he launched a long-time passion project, Big Box Karaoke, downtown Fayetteville that won the Small Business of the Year award in 2019.  He is also the co-founder of the local marketing company, Concord Adams.  An entrepreneur in his own right, he is dedicated to learning.  He received his B.S.B.A in Business Economics and MBA from the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business.