Rotary Student of the Month- Sarai Balderas
De Queen High School senior Sarai Balderas was named October Student of the Month by the De Queen Rotary Club on October 12th. Sarai is a member of the National Honor Society and consistently appears on the Honor Roll. She’s been involved in FCCLA and serves as a committee chair. Sarai competed on the third-place horse judging team at district as a member of FFA. She also participates as a member of the Spanish Club and the yearbook staff. As a sophomore, Sarai competed in track as well as Miss DHS Pageant where she received the Community Service Award. Speaking of community service, Sarai has completed 115 community service hours and has helped the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce produce flyers. She enjoys volunteering at St Barbara Catholic Church, assisting with blood drives, and many other community activities. The daughter of Gerardo Balderas, and the late Ana Moreno, Sarai plans to attend Arkansas Tech University where she’ll study to be a Physical Therapist Assistant. Arkansas Tech has awarded her a $4,000 per year academic scholarship.
Football Pickem Contest
Bod Edgin is the winner of the week 6 football pickem contest. Bob only missed 3 games and missed the Arkansas/Texas A&M tiebreaker score by 6 points. Bob came in your #1 Country Studios earlier Thursday afternoon, October 8th, to pick up his check for $25. Make sure to turn in your newspaper entries into our sponsoring locations or to KDQN by 4 pm on Fridays to be eligible to win $25 for the football pickem contest.
Arkansas Ballot Issues Discussed at Rotary
At the October 5th De Queen Rotary Club meeting, University of Arkansas Extension Service agent for Sevier County Janet Cantrell passed out the 2026 Voter Guide. It’s a neutral, research-based guide to the 2026 Arkansas Ballott Issues. It’s produced by the Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Four issues on the November General Election ballot have been referred by the Arkansas General Assembly to voters. There are no statewide citizen initiatives this year where citizens collect signatures to get an issue on the ballot. On election day, voters will decide more than who will represent them. Voters will decide whether to approve or reject proposed changes to the Arkansas Constitution as well as a state bond issue this year. Issue #1 defines who is eligible to vote in Arkansas. Issue #2 is the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment. Issue #3 would allow the Legislature to create programs, loans, and grants, using public money and to create economic development districts. Issue #4 would allow up to $500 million in water, waste disposal, and pollution abatement bonds. The 2026 Voter Guide explains the pros and cons of each of the issues as well as what supporters and opponents say about them. 40,000 guides were printed statewide. Sevier County received about 1,200 guides. Copies have been made available at libraries, public school buildings, governmental offices, and at a few businesses. If you would like to download a free copy, go to: www.uaex.uada.edu/ballot . Cantrell (left) was introduced by Rotary President Josh Zylks (right), who arranged the program.
Cancer Survivors Highlighted at Rotary
At the September 28th De Queen Rotary Club meeting, Sevier County Cancer Survivors organization member Linda Frachiseur accepted a $200 contribution and outlined the group’s highlights for the year. The Cancer Survivors aided 28 individuals this past year with donations totaling $6,011. Frachiseur, who has been involved with the local cancer survivor’s effort for the past 25 years, says that most of the assistance is provided in the form of $100 gas vouchers at the Sevier County Farmers Co-op service station. Occasionally gift cards for out-of-town use are provided to individuals traveling for treatments in Little Rock or Houston. The major fundraiser for the local group is the annual cancer survivor dinner in June at the Church of Christ Family Center. Survivors and their caregiver eat for free. The meal is open to anyone else at a cost of $5 per plate or by donation. In previous years, businesses have donated enough door prizes so that every survivor in attendance goes home with one. Donations may also be made to the Sevier County Cancer Survivors account at Diamond Bank. For more information or to request assistance, you may reach out to Frachiseur at 870-584-9592. Following her presentation, Rotary president Josh Zylks (right) gave Frachiseur (left) a $200 check on behalf of the club. Frachisuer was introduced by Rotarian Tammy Huddleston, who arranged the program.