Emma Faddis, a recent graduate of Bentonville West High School, has been named the 2026 Freshman Scholarship recipient for District 3 by the Arkansas School Boards Association Educational Foundation. The $2,500 scholarship goes to the child of an Arkansas school board member who’s heading to college, and Faddis was chosen based on academic performance, leadership, and community involvement.
Faddis earned a weighted GPA above 4.0 while taking Advanced Placement and concurrent college courses. Outside the classroom, she stayed busy with student council, the National Honor Society, and cross country. Her mom, Jennifer Faddis, serves on the Bentonville School Board, which made Emma eligible for the award.
She’ll be heading to Ouachita Baptist University in the fall to study psychology, with plans to become a therapist. “Helping others has always been a big part of who I am,” Emma said in a short statement included with the announcement.
The scholarship is one of several given out each year by the ASBA Educational Foundation to recognize students connected to Arkansas school board members. It’s meant to support not just academic excellence, but leadership and community service—areas where Emma stood out among a competitive group of applicants.
Her high school counselor, Michelle Rodriguez, said Emma often took on more than what was required. “She’s the kind of student who’d ask how she could do even better after already earning top marks,” Rodriguez said. “That drive, combined with her empathy, makes her a great fit for the field she’s going into.”
Bentonville West has produced a number of high-achieving graduates in recent years, many of whom stay in-state for college. Emma’s decision to attend Ouachita Baptist aligns with that trend—though she says she’s also considering grad school eventually, possibly at the University of Arkansas.
Her mom, Jennifer, said the family is proud of Emma’s work ethic and her clear sense of direction. “She’s always known what she wanted and worked hard to get there,” Jennifer said. “This scholarship is just another step in that path.”
The ASBA Educational Foundation has awarded scholarships since 1989, giving more than $1 million to students across Arkansas. The program is funded entirely through private donations, with no state funding involved. Each year, high school seniors apply and are reviewed by a committee made up of education professionals and community members.
For Emma, the scholarship isn’t just about covering part of tuition—it’s validation of the long hours spent balancing schoolwork, leadership roles, and training for cross country. “It feels good to know that people noticed the effort,” she said.
She’s not taking a break this summer, though. Emma plans to work part-time and volunteer with a local youth mentorship program before heading to campus in Conway. “I want to get involved right away,” she said. “That’s how you grow.”
Other recent Northwest Arkansas graduates earning recognition include a handful of students from Rogers and Springdale who were honored by their respective school districts for academic and extracurricular achievements. Several are attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, while others are heading to colleges in Missouri and Oklahoma.
Emma’s next step—starting at Ouachita Baptist in the fall—feels like a full-circle moment for the family. Her aunt also graduated from OBU, and her mom went to college in Arkansas before becoming a school board member. “We’re all about supporting local institutions,” Jennifer said. “Emma’s carrying on that tradition.”
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
