Arkansas night held at Northside

Photo by Mike Eckels Martha Smith Gomez and brother Emilio take center stage with a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, fiddle-playing rendition of “Shortnin’ Bread.” Both Gomezes were part of the entertainment at Northside Elementary’s “Arkansas Night” on May 7.
Photo by Mike Eckels Martha Smith Gomez and brother Emilio take center stage with a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, fiddle-playing rendition of “Shortnin’ Bread.” Both Gomezes were part of the entertainment at Northside Elementary’s “Arkansas Night” on May 7.

DECATUR -- "Mama's little baby loves shortnin, shortnin" filled the cafeteria of Northside Elementary school as Martha Smith Gomez, on fiddle, and her brother Emilio opened the program for the "Arkansas Night" festivities concert May 7.

Elementary students from the Decatur school spent the past several weeks researching the history of Arkansas. The students translated what they learned into artwork, photographs, sculptures and song to tell the story of this great state.

The displays covered Arkansas history from the early native Americans to diamond mining to the rebirth of Decatur in the '50s.

Also on display throughout the school were exhibitors from a few of the national and state parks and museums from around the area. Some of the exhibitors included Hobbs Mountain State Park, Pea Ridge Military Park, Shiloh Museum and Crystal Bridges.

More than 500 guests attended this year's event.

"I would like to thank the students, families, faculty and residents of Decatur for making this year's event a successful one," Jeff Gravette, Northside Elementary principal, said.

General News on 05/14/2014