Today's #CougarSeniorSpotlight post goes to upcoming graduate Faith Ann Son!
After graduation, Faith plans to attend college to obtain a degree in Radiology Sciences. Faith has been a part of the BETA Club at Izard County High School. Faith said that Mrs. Faulkner is the teacher who has had the greatest impact on her life.. she said, "She who made me realize what career I wanted to go into."
Faith, we're very proud of you and look forward to cheering you on in the next chapter of life. Best wishes in all that you do!
IC STEM School will be partnering with Box Hound Marina at their annual kids fishing derby, as part of our participation in the School of Conservation Leadership program. Save the date for May 10!
Welcome back to Cougar Nation, Coach Carr Hill!
Coach Hill will be teaching English and will be Cougar Football's Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback and Linebacker coach. Coach Hill said, "I am very grateful and excited for the opportunity to return to the Izard County community where I was a part of the staff during the 2022 and 2023 football seasons."
We're glad to have you back, Coach!
#CougarNation
Cougar Nation, help us welcome our newest addition to the team for the 25-26 school year!
Nick Ivey will be joining us as a high school special education teacher and football coach. He'll be working with the entire football program including Mighty Mite up through Varsity. Coach Ivey is very excited to get started and anxious for the new year to begin. He said, "I am very privileged and excited to be a part of such an athletically esteemed school as Izard County. I recently graduated from Arkansas State University where I spent two years as a Student Equipment Manager for the Red Wolves football team! I will be coaching the Offensive and Defensive Lines. Go Cougars!"
Welcome to Cougar Nation, Coach Ivey! We are so glad to have you on board!
#CougarPride
The track meet planned for tomorrow afternoon (Thurs, 4/3/25) has been canceled due to the weather. We will be replacing it with the Sr. Bomber Relays on April 24.
No softball and baseball games tonight!
A big congratulations is in order for our poultry judging team! They were just named the Arkansas 4-H STATE CHAMPION Poultry Judging Team 2025! They have punched their ticket to compete at nationals in Louisville this fall. Way to go girls! We are so proud of you!
Registration for incoming kindergarteners is happening now at Izard County STEM Elementary School. Families interested in registering their child can stop by any time during regular school hours. The elementary will host a formal event on Wednesday, April 23rd. Families who stop by on the 23rd from 8:30-9:00 am will be able to tour the kindergarten classrooms, meet the teachers, get a swag bag, and have a photo opportunity.
Children must turn five on or before August 1, 2025 to enter kindergarten in the upcoming school year.
Quinn Johnson, Olivia Spray, Makensie Yancey, and Gabe Spray have all been named to the Top 5 Players in 2A Basketball by the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association (ArBCA)!
What a year these Cougars have had... congratulations to you all! We are so proud of you!
#CougarPride
Congratulations to Coach David Harmon who has been named the 2A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year by the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association (ArBCA)!
We are so proud of you and thankful for your leadership, Coach Harmon!
#CougarPride
Reminder to families with a Class of 2025 Senior📣 This Friday is the last day to order a senior recognition ad in the yearbook! Seniors have been given another copy of the information sheet with available ad sizes and prices.
We are less than two weeks away from the 3rd annual Bigs & Lils Ball, hosted by the ICHS Future Business Leaders of America. If you've not yet ordered your tickets, be on the lookout for an order form in your kiddos take home folder, or contact Mrs. Jackson.
Cougars Triumph Over Tuckerman
With a final score of 12-8, the Cougars defeated conference opponent Tuckerman this evening!
The Cougars were the first to get on the board when Cash Arnhart hit a solo homerun to centerfield. Izard County lost the lead for the rest of the first inning, but it didn't last long. The Cougars flipped the game on its head in the top of the second, scoring five runs on two hits to jump back ahead 6-3. The biggest blow of the inning was a double by Xander McCandlis that drove in to.
Xander McCandlis earned the win for Izard County. He gave up six hits and four runs (three earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking three. Cash Arnhart appeared in relief for the Cougars.
Izard County tallied 11 hits in the game. Braxton McCandlis led the Cougars with three hits in four at bats. Cash Arnhart and Braxton McCandlis each drove in two runs for IC. Noah Mosley collected two hits in five at bats.
Way to work tonight, Cougars!
Lady Cougars Fall To Tuckerman On Walk-Off
Izard County Lady Cougars fell to Tuckerman Lady Bulldogs 4-3 on the final play of the game. The game was tied at three in the bottom of the eighth when Tuckerman hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.
The Lady Cougars got on the board in the third inning after Hollie Johnson drew a walk, scoring one run.
Megan McBride took the loss for Izard County Lady Cougars. The pitcher went seven and one-third innings, surrendering three runs on 15 hits, striking out nine and walking two.
Makensie Yancey and Reese Johnson each collected two hits for Izard County Lady Cougars. Reese Johnson, Willow Warden, and Quinn Johnson each drove in one run for Izard County Lady Cougars.
The Lady Cougars play at home tomorrow against Heber Springs Varsity.
Today's #CougarSeniorSpotlight post goes to upcoming graduate, Michael Riggs.
Michael plans to completing his certification for welding and then finding a good-paying job. He says that his favorite memory of his time as a Cougar has been making it to the State Tournament for Bowling. His most impactful teachers have been Mr. Blankenship and Officer Brett... "Mr. B has taught me how to weld and Officer Brett taught me to be a better me."
Michael, we'll certainly miss your positivity and kindness throughout the halls of ICHS. We wish you all the best!
Big week ahead in Cougar Sports! We've got a lot of baseball and softball, a couple of track meets, a Peewee basketball night, and the annual Senior Showcase. You've got plenty of opportunities to support our student-athletes this week!
There is a little rain in the forecast this week, and as always, we'll post any schedule updates/changes due to weather just as soon as we know about them, so check back often!
Have a great week, Cougar Nation!
Congratulations to the Izard County Cougars and Lady Cougars for their rankings in the final state basketball poll in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today! The State Champion Lady Cougars finished No. 1 and the Cougars were No. 4. Also, congratulations to Junior Olivia Spray for making the Super Six to Watch in 25-26 on the All Arkansas Preps Team!
#CougarPride
We are excited to announce that Izard County STEM School District has received a $5,000 Emerson Grant! Additional details will be released soon.
The Cougar Baseball team hits the field today in the Forrest T. Wood - Wood Bat Classic hosted by Flippin at Norfork. They play Heber at 12:00 and Norfork at 4:00. Take advantage of this beautiful day and go watch some baseball!
Go Cougars!
We move the #CougarSeniorSpotlight to upcoming 2025 graduate Josie Lynn Morgan!
Josie is in the Cougar Band and BETA Club and is a member of the Quiz Bowl and Lady Cougar Softball teams. She's also the Vice President of FBLA.
When asked about her favorite memory, she said it was attending the 2025 BETA Convention trip. Her favorite teacher is band director, Mr. Phillips. She said, "He always pushed me in the right direction, and was the key person in my journey of learning and performing music."
Congratulations, Josie! We wish you all of the best in your next journey!
