Murmil Education Center, a facility in the El Dorado School District that provides alternative learning services for K-12 students throughout the district, recently celebrated a statewide award for a student, Keaton Nixon, along with a mini grant given to the program as a whole.
Nixon was awarded The Diamond Award on behalf of the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators (AAAE) in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education-Division of Elementary and Secondary Education-Alternative Education Office. The recognition ceremony took place at the Arkansas State Capitol on February 13. Murmil Education Center also received The Ray of Hope mini grant on the same day.
The program is comprised of K-12 AE students and the HUB program, according to Murmil AE director Kasey Porchia, and currently serves about 152 students. She added that during the previous two years combined, Murmil has served over 340 students. Of those, 52 have transitioned back to their original schools, 55 graduated during the 2022-23 school year, and the program is currently on track to graduate 56 students in May.
"MEC provides a wealth of opportunities for our students to experience success so that they can become productive members of society. MEC uses a hands-on approach to learning as well as technology-driven instruction so that students may work at their own pace," Porchia wrote in an email to the News-Times.
"MEC has established a ladies and gentlemen's club where we are teaching our students etiquette, respect for themselves and others, implementation of team building and social skills among other things, will be hosting an upcoming college and career fair, host community events such as Harvest and Spring Fest, Mother/Daughter Brunch, College Tours and other field trips, bring in guest speakers, monthly haircuts at Jason Alan Barber Shop, among many other activities," she continued.
According to Porchia, MEC established a committee of 13 community members in August 2023 known as the "Murmil On the Move Committee.'
"This committee has played an integral role in the success of our program. We are appreciative of their efforts in our endeavors to produce successful students who will soon become successful adults," Porchia said. Porchia further extended gratitude to the El Dorado community, El Dorado School District and Superintendent Jim Tucker, the El Dorado School Board.,Dawson Education Service Cooperative, Murmil Staff, parents, and "most importantly our MEC students who are grabbing a hold of our vision and have been receptive to receiving our help."
Porchia credited those efforts for the recognitions for Dawson and the program in February and the state Capitol.
"Murmil Education Center will continue striving to provide the best educational opportunities for our students as we aim to give them the best there is to offer in assisting them on their journey. Everyone's journey is different, but makes it no less impactful as we are certainly in the midst of future leaders of our next generation and that is what makes this journey worthwhile," she said.