Highland grad receives 2018 Boyd Carpenter Scholarship
Derek Mullins, a 2018 graduate of Highland High School, is presented with the Boyd Carpenter Scholarship from FNBC by Molly Carpenter, Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations. Boyd was Molly’s grandfather and is the late-President and Chairman of the Board of FNBC. Boyd’s strong support of education led FNBC to create the scholarship in his name over 30 years ago.
Derek Mullins, a 2018 graduate of Highland High School, has been selected as the recipient of the Boyd Carpenter Scholarship, awarded annually by FNBC Bank. This is the 34th year for the $4,000 scholarship.
Mullins completed his high school education with a 3.94 GPA and is enrolled at Arkansas State University. He plans to complete a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and enroll in the University’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, located on the Jonesboro campus. His ultimate goal is to return to Sharp County, where he was raised, to serve its residents as a physician.
In October 2017, he enlisted with the Arkansas Air National Guard and is currently completing Basic Training.
Along with exceling academically, Mullins was very involved in extracurricular activities and leadership positions. He was a percussionist in the Highland Band for 7 years, a member of the Highland Boys Basketball team for 6 years, and participated in Track & Field and Football. He was active in Quiz Bowl, serving as co-captain in 2017. He was a member of the National Honors Society, BETA Club, the Highly Gifted and Talented Program, and founded Highland’s Math Club. He also served as Student Council President and Senior Class President.
He received the 2017 Arkansas Activities Association Interscholastic Star Student Recognition Award. He has made the Ozarka College President’s List through his concurrent coursework, and received the “Excellence in Research” award at the Sixth Annual Central Arkansas Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In 2016 he received the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists (Harvard University, Cambridge) full tuition scholarship.
When not involved with school activities, Mullins volunteered at the Hippotherapy Camp at McBryde Therapy Ops, the Annual Cherokee Village Harvest-Fest, and the Annual Christmas Angel Tree Group at the Ash Flat Church of Christ. Through the Future Business Leaders of America, he served over 50 volunteer hours with the Itty Bitty Book Box Project.
He works part-time at both Progressive Eye Center as an Optometric Technician and the White River Medical Center Emergency Department as an Emergency Medicine Technician. He can also be found helping out in the concession stand at the Ash Flat Ball Park during summer little league.
Mullins is the son of Terry and Anne Mullins.
An outside committee was selected to review all applicants and conduct interviews with their top candidates.
Established in 1984, the Boyd Carpenter Scholarship honors the late-FNBC Bank President and Chairman of the Board who was a devoted advocate of education. The endowment fund is managed by the Arkansas Community Foundation.
Graduating seniors from Izard, Fulton and Sharp County are eligible to apply. Renewable up to four years, the recipient must maintain a 2.5 GPA on a 4-point scale, or equivalent.
