The annual East Conference begins on Tuesday

Over 240 schools, together with thousands of students and educators from all over the region, are expected to take part in the annual East Conference this week in the Hot Springs Convention Center.

The event begins on Tuesday at 1 p.m. with registration and Tinker Space Setup, followed by the East Fusion Social Event at 6:30 p.m. The opening meeting begins on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the OZK Arena bank, while exhibitions, competitions and breakout sessions take place all day long. The final meeting will take place on Thursday at 1 p.m.

Last year, more than 3,500 pupils, teachers, parents as well as community and economic leaders took part in the conference. It gives students the opportunity to present projects that make a difference in their communities and at the same time change networking with colleagues and industry experts.

The finalists of the local competition include:

Anna Flores and Kyri Boatright from the Hot Springs Junior Academy (3D print IT Up competition).

Sam Howard and Tristan Reeves by Fountain Lake Charter High School (Audiovisuelle Multimedia competition).

Anabelle Kramarenko, Dakota Rhodes, Eli Schrader, Zayden Richardson and Ryland Kramarenko from the Fountain Lake Charter High School (GO-Map 25 Arcgis).

Malik Thompson, Emely Sepe and Trinity Moos from the Hot Springs Junior Academy (Make48 Innovation Experience).

Ethan Ratliff of Hot Springs World Class High School (music competition).

Preston Rideout of the Lakeside High School (music competition).

Emma Jones and Aria Patel from the Hot Springs Junior Academy (Pitch Perfect Competition).

Drew Dettmer from the Cutter Morning Star High School (Tech Support Olympiad).

Leo Cervantes from Hot Springs World Class High School (Tech Support Olympiad).

Miss Arkansas Camille Cathey will act as spokesman for the East Alum Keynote, and five schools in Arkansas receive first -class award. Cathey will share her passion for volunteer work, which she discovered during her time in the East program of the Wynne High School.

“East Conference is an annual congress in which the MINT formation on non-profit services is celebrating the students, how they have a positive impact on their communities, received honors through dozens of competitions and attend the outbreak sessions for outbursts of education,” says a press release.

Six schools are honored during the opening meeting with the founders and Cornerstone Awards, in which programs are recognized that best exhibit the three cornerstones of east: student growth and commitment of the pupils, community and cooperation as well as refinement and innovation of projects.

The winners of the 2025 founder include Northeast Tech in Claremore, Okla.; Sulfur rock -elementary school in Batesville; and Westwood Elementary School in Springdale.

The Benton High School are among the recipients of 2025 Cornerstone Award; Don Robert's primary school in Little Rock; And Warren High School.

“The East conference is more than just an event – it is a celebration of innovation, creativity and the incredible effects that students can have when they get the right tools and opportunities,” said Matt Dozier, President and CEO of East Initiative, in the press release. “This conference shows the brilliance of young heads that solve real problems, and demonstrates not only their technical skills, but also their leadership and passion for the difference.”

The center of the University of Arkansas for advanced spatial technologies will be awarded the Directors Award during the closure on Thursday. The award is awarded annually to a person or organization in order to honor their decades of working in the upbringing of East Students in geospatial technologies and to be a core partner of East since its foundation.

East, an acronym for education that was accelerated by service and technology, is a non -profit organization with its headquarters in Little Rock. The Greenbrier High School for the first time offered East in 1996. The initiative now has programs in more than 250 schools in three states.

“The students encourage the east to think critically and innovatively in order to create positive changes in their communities with the technology that East offers for their classrooms,” it said. “East offers students all year round through training and professional development for East educators and for all class teachers through Education Unleashed.”

More information about EAST can be found at: