8th-grader urges Bentonville board to reinstate EAST program

An 8th-grader from Washington Junior High School appealed to the Bentonville School District Board of Education on Dec. 17, asking the board to reverse a decision to remove the EAST (Education Accelerated by Service and Technology) program from junior high offerings.

Hadley Rosequist told the board EAST gives students “the chance to explore different areas … without having to commit to a specialized class” and described student-run projects that range from graphic-design enterprises to prosthetics and adaptive equipment in partnership with community organizations. “EAST allows students to lead their own learning,” she said, adding that the program offers opportunities to compete, attend a student-run conference and develop real-world skills such as marketing and product design.

Rosequist said the district’s argument that specialized classes such as engineering or coding make EAST unnecessary misunderstands how young students discover interests. “In junior high, most of us don't know yet what we're interested in,” she said, and losing EAST would remove a low‑risk way to sample pathways before choosing year‑long, specialized coursework.

The student asked the board to reconsider the removal “for future school years” so that junior high students retain a broad, exploratory class that can prepare them for high school and career pathways.

The board heard the comment during the public‑comment portion of the agenda; the transcript does not show a board response or a formal pledge to revisit the East program during the meeting.