In 1975, two female students were expelled from Mena High School after spiking the punch at a party with two bottles of beer. Feeling the punishment was excessive, the students took legal action, and the case was eventually heard by the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled that school boards have a responsibility to assure that the constitutional rights of students are upheld.[4]
Academics
The assumed course of study for students is to complete the Smart Core curriculum developed by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), which requires students complete at least 22 units for graduation. Students complete regular (core and career focus) courses and exams and may select Advanced Placement classes and exams with opportunities for college credit via AP exam. As of 2008–09, Mena High School offered 14 programs of study in career and technical education in 12 career pathways as determined by the Arkansas Department of Career Education.[5] The school is accredited by the ADE and has been accredited by AdvancED since 1930.[6]
Extra Curriculars & Fine Arts
Students may participate in various musical and performing arts including band (concert band, jazz band), choir and theater (drama, stagecraft) The high school conducts on-campus performances at Mena's Ouachita Little Theatre[7], and on campus performances in the Performing Arts Center.
Athletics
The Mena High School mascot is the bearcat with the school colors of red and black.
For the 2012–14 seasons, the Mena Bearcats participate in the 4A Classification within the 4A Region 4 Conference as sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association with student-athletes competing in football, volleyball, baseball, basketball (boys/girls), cross country (boys/girls), golf (boys/girls), soccer (boys/girls), softball, tennis (boys/girls), track and field (boys/girls).[8]
Football: Home football games are played at Randall Whorton Field at Boyd Stadium. The Mena Bearcats won a state football championship in 1976, and were state runner up in 2014.
Soccer: Home boys and girls soccer games are also played at Randall Whorton Field at Boyd Stadium.
Basketball: Home basketball games are played in the Union Bank Arena.
Volleyball: Volleyball games are also played in the Union Bank Arena.
Notable alumni
Norris "Tuffy" Goff (1924)—Comedian in radio and film known for his portrayal of Abner Peabody on the rural comedy Lum and Abner.
Chester Lauck (1920)—Comedian in radio and film known for his portrayal of Lum Edwards on the rural comedy Lum and Abner.
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