Thomas receives Pringle Scholarship

EUREKA SPRINGS -- Eureka Springs High School graduate Byron Thomas was selected from among a statewide pool of applicants as the 2012 recipient of the Pringle Scholarship through Arkansas Community Foundation.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of one of ARCF's Youth Advisory Councils who has demonstrated outstanding involvement in YAC and in the community at large.

Youth Advisory Councils are groups of teens who work together to raise money for their own charitable endowment and use the proceeds from the endowment to make grants to local nonprofit organizations serving children and youth.

Thomas joined the Carroll County Youth Advisory Council in 2007 and has participated in every aspect of the YAC program, from raising funds for the YAC endowment to assessing needs in the community and working with fellow YAC members to determine which local charities to support with grants. He also attended the statewide conference for YAC members in 2009 and 2011.

"For the past five YAC grant cycles, Byron has been very active in the grantmaking decisions," said Tina Cone, former adult advisor to the Carroll County Youth Advisory Council. "His observations and comments are insightful."

In addition to his involvement with the YAC program, Thomas participated in Eureka Springs High School's soccer team, foreign language club, art club, drama club, Young Democrats club and robotics team. He also plays bass guitar in a local band and is active in his church youth group.

Thomas earned a 3.4 grade point average and tailored his high school curriculum to focus on art and technology courses. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and major in graphic design.

Arkansas Community Foundation makes grants to improve the quality of life in our state and collaborates with individuals, families and organizations to build local communities through philanthropy. ARCF ended fiscal year 2011 with more than $150 million in assets and has provided more than $90 million in grants since it began operation in 1976.

Contributions to ARCF, its funds and any of its 27 local affiliate offices are fully tax deductible.