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1st Quarter Victors: 21 Students Make Grade in All Classes
 | | Essie Jones, Albert Franklin, Dyamond Dees, Breanna Ellis, and LaShai Gholston were among those students recognized for their achievement. |
At the mid-term, 21 students passed all of their courses and were well rewarded for their efforts. As part of ASA's recognition and incentive program, the students were awarded with a certificate and a $20 gift card. ASA will continue to recognize students at the mid-term and end of term. For the credit-earning end of terms in January and June, students will earn ASA jackets. Those students recognized for their achievement at the mid-term were: Marissa Berry (10), Keiarra Coleman (11), Dyamond Dees (11), Breanna Ellis (11), Albert Franklin (11), LaShai Gholston (12), Chatelia Nicole Hamp (10), Rebuka Harris (12), Essie Jones (11), Sabrina Jones (11), Tiara Jones (11), Takeeyah Liggins (11), Rian McCollum (11), Undrena Morrow (10), Tiffani Noland (12), Carolyn Phillips (10), Samaria Porter (11), James Stewart (10), Toyenaizha Warren (12), Antoinque Williams (12), and Nicole Young (11)
Visit the photo gallery on our school website and Facebook page for more pictures.
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 ASA's First 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Features Student and Staff Talent and Teamwork Forget the NBA Championship and March Madness. The event of the basketball season was the first ASA Annual 3-on-3 Classic, match-up of the basketball skills of students and staff members in December. The idea was to create an activity where students and staff could play and compete together, and to encourage female participation. The tournament featured three-member teams (including one female player), playing on a half court. Team winners and individual effort was recognized at a banquet in December. First place winners were Antonio Breashear's team (which included Brandon Lee and Ronisha Johnson) and second place winners were Ms. Kelly Smith's team (which included Albert Franklin and Tevin Johnson). In the photo above, Carolyn Phillips (right) guards Kendra Johnson (left) as Mr. Kosin and Mr. Lupo cheer their players. |
 | | Peace Circle participants (from left): Breanna Ellis, Albert Franklin, Jermaine Mullen Jr., Stephen Washington, Tamera Smith, and Marqueisha Daniels. |
Peace Circles Teach Patience and Respect
With the help of Peace Circles, ASA students are learning to listen patiently and speak more carefully. The sessions, held each Friday, began in December and are guided by Antonio Breashears, an ASA counselor. Last year, the concept of Peace Circles was introduced in the Austin community to "teachers, barbers, hair stylists and church members, so the concept is taught not just in school," says Breashears.
The idea is to teach anger management and conflict resolution so that petty disagreements don't escalate into violence. At ASA the Peace Circles are targeted to four groups: teen parents, students who've had run-ins with the police, students with academic deficiencies, and students referred by counselors. Students come together to talk on topics relevant to their groups. Recently, teen parents heard from a speaker from Family Focus in Lawndale about services available to them.
While Breashears provides guidance, students take the lead in conversations as they sit in a circle, speaking only when they hold the talking stick. "This teaches them patience and to think about what they want to say," Breashears says. "They have to stay respectful and not talk over each other." The sessions are aimed at teaching that the greatest elements of conflict resolution are self-respect and respect for others, he adds.
Visit our website or Facebook page for more pictures.
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 Alumni News: Search for Second Chance Led Moss to ASA and on to University of Arkansas
When Ashton Moss was released from Christian Hope Academy because his family could no longer afford the tuition, he searched for another high school to get himself back on track. While he was searching, he stayed busy by playing basketball and that's how he met Jesse Jones, the basketball coach at ASA.
"I didn't want to sit around and feel sorry for myself," Moss says. That drive led him to the BBR Youth Center where Jones saw him playbasketball. "I told [Jones] my testimony, that I needed a second chance."
Part of that second chance was a determination to do well in school. "In the hood, it might be lame, like I'm not cool. But when you see me on the court," Moss says he would show another side of himself. Moss played small forward at ASA and won the slam dunk competition last year. "I can't be another statistic," he says about his determination to succeed.
Moss, the valedictorian of the graduating class of 2013, has gone on to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The biggest adjustment from high school to college is understanding the importance of time management, says Moss. His advice to ASA students: "I want to say if I can do it, you can do it. But, no pressure. So, I say take everything one day at a time and walk by faith and not by sight."
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 Dyamond Dees:
It's not every day that a teacher looks up, sees a student and feels compelled to take a picture. But Mr. Kosin saw such a look of concentration in Dyamond Dees that he took her picture with his cell phone. "I saw a student fully engaged in the topic and I took the picture," he says. The topic is a student-chosen subject of a 10-page research paper for Mr. Kosin's Social Justice class. Dees' topic is the link between mental illness and incarceration. She argues that our society is incarcerating the mentally ill rather than treating them. In her paper, Dees examines the causes and effects of the problem, and possible solutions.
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Lab Open for Learning
After much anticipation, the ASA's new state-of-the art Science Lab is finally open for some hands-on learning. Students Jermaine Almond, Breanna Ellis, and Albert Franklin are all well-equipped, including safety goggles, for science experiments.
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NEW STAFF:
Campbell joins ASA as
Guidance Counselor
Sandra Campbell joined the staff in October as guidance counselor. Campbell "absolutely loves being able to help students graduate and go on to college." Her general advice to students is to stay focused and stay on track to graduate. Outside of ASA, Campbell sings in her church choir, and is an active member of the Marshall High School Alumni Association.
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Room 202 Wins Holiday Door Prize
The gray-tinged snow and cold wind of January can't erase the festive memories of the holiday spirit and the keen competition for best holiday door decorations. The winner for 2013 was Room 202 for its Sponge Bob theme.
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Birthday Celebration
What better way to celebrate a birthday than dressed in an ASA Trjoan shirt and sharing cake with staff? That's just how Mrs. Simpson celebrated her 73rd in December. Best wishes for more birthdays to come.
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ASA Mission
To accept students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally by educating, supporting, celebrating and empowering students to achieve a higher quality of life.
ASA Vision
To cultivate compassionate, self-sustaining, globally-minded, critical thinkers who can compete and succeed in the world economy.
ASA Core Values
Integrity
Discipline
Compassion
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