MAUMELLE, Ark. -- Maumelle High School student, Keeley Ausburn, has been named to the 2020 Arkansas Times Academic All-Star Team, which is made up of debaters, musicians, scientists and championship athletes. The All-Star Team highlights students who are exceptional in and out of the classroom. Congratulations Keeley!
KEELEY AUSBURN
Hometown: Maumelle
School: Maumelle High School
Parents: Jeremy and Danielle Ausburn
College Plans: Hendrix College, Conway
In addition to holding an incredible academic record, Keeley Ausburn is also the author of a one-act play based on her own childhood and has directed her peers in the story. But of all the accomplishments of her high school career, Keeley is most proud of her work with the Peaceful Syrian Initiative. Keeley founded the student advocacy group after learning of Syria’s struggles from Natalie Larrison of Little Rock, the outreach director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force and the main coordinator of the Wisdom House Project, a secret school for orphans in Idlib, Syria. “I had to do my part,” Keeley said. Not only did Keeley begin to volunteer, but she decided she wanted to motivate her peers to get involved. The Peaceful Syrian Initiative has done just that: made change in the world and allowed Keeley to see her friends and classmates “light up at a new opportunity for activism.” Keeley plans to maintain her advocacy as she attends Hendrix College this fall. She wants to continue educating Arkansans about the Syrian civil war and to study abroad while pursuing her studies in political science and English literature. After Hendrix, her sights are set on the Clinton School of Public Service and law school to continue to work to fight for human rights. One secret to accomplishing so much and caring so deeply about the difficult issues of our world? Baking. Keeley says she’s able to relax some by “consuming [herself] in a recipe,” whether cakes, custards or delicate macarons, and sharing the delicious treats with her friends. NG
Source: Arkansas Times