NSD Second Annual 2024 Hall of Fame Banquet
On Saturday, the Nashville School District conducted its second annual Hall of Fame Banquet.
The Hall of Honor inductees included Dr. James Davis Allen, Neva Byrd, Louis “Swampy” Graves, Danny Howard, and Amy Holcombe Ball Johnston.
The Hall of Fame inductees were Jarred Carlyle, Jim and Joe Dildy, Jasmin Ellis, Tony Fincher, John Floyd, Leslie Hendrix, Kera Hinds, Willie Hopson, George Jones, Shawn Scoggins, Alan Tollett, and Jay Turley.
Dr. Tom Deblack oversaw the presentation of the Hall of Honor and Hall of Fame inductees.
Today’s focus is on the Hall of Honor inductees.
Dr. Allen, a 1966 honor graduate of Nashville High School, earned his medical degree from UAMS College of Medicine in 1974 and then joined the Navy. Dr. Deblack noted that Dr. Allen is distinguished in both the medical community and in Batesville, having served as the only orthopedic surgeon there for many years. Dr. Allen stated that he was honored to receive this award and would cherish it for the rest of his life.
Byrd was an English and French teacher at Nashville High School for over 30 years. She served as Chair of the Howard County Library, was named Woman of the Year in 1979 and 1995, co-authored the written history of Howard County, and is a founding member of the Howard County Heritage Club. David Byrd accepted the award on behalf of his mother Ms. Byrd.
Graves, editor and publisher of the Nashville News, moved to Nashville in 1950, the same year he acquired the newspaper. He was once named Man of the Year and served as president of the Rotary Club. Additionally, Graves was elected to the Howard County Quorum Court and served on the Howard County Housing Authority Board.
Howard dedicated 33 years to the Nashville School District as a teacher, coach, Junior High School Principal, and superintendent. He was esteemed across the state by leaders in Arkansas. Deblack mentioned that Howard often asked, “Is this good for the Kids?” John Howard, Danny Howard’s son, wrapped up the acceptance speech with the tale of a determined Scrapper.
Amy Holcombe, a 1939 graduate of Nashville High School, wrote the Nashville Alma Mater in her junior year, 1937. She served on the Nashville School Board, and she also authored four poetry books.
The Hall of Fame inductees will be featured tomorrow.
