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The purpose of the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor is threefold. First, to recognize and honor the great students and other individuals who have brought Honor to Van Buren High School (VBHS); second, to establish in the hearts of our Van Buren youth a motivating influence to excel; and third, to foster pride, preserve good sportsmanship, scholarship, and citizenship in our school, city, and community.
Van Buren High School Hall of Honor is a memorial to the outstanding students and other individuals who, through their achievements and or athletic endeavors, have brought honor to themselves, their school, and the community of Van Buren.

Candidates for membership in the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor shall be former Van Buren High School students and/or personnel who meet the requirements set forth in the constitution. Candidates must receive a two-thirds majority vote from the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor Board of Directors.

  • Academic — All men and women who were outstanding scholars, were on the honor roll after eight semesters, and brought Honor to VBHS by their outstanding post high school academic and/or professional careers.
  • Contributions — All men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the athletic programs at Van Buren High School.
  • State Champions — Individual and team State Champions from any sport. Candidates shall become eligible for induction five (5) years after graduation.
  • All State — Individuals who have been selected to any recognized All State Team. Candidates shall become eligible for induction five (5) years after graduation.
  • Memorial Award — All men and women who earned varsity athletic monograms during high school and, after high school, brought honor to Van Buren High School by their outstanding civic achievement or post high school athletic careers.
  • Distinguished Service — All men and women who have contributed meritorious service to VBSD.
Hall of honor ceremony
Holly Brown Hall of honor ceremony

VBSD Hall of Honor

Francis Garroutte

Francis Garroutte

Education:

  • Van Buren High School Graduate, 1951

Sports Career:

  • All-State Basketball player in 1950 and 1951
  • State Championship Team in 1950 and 1951
  • Holds a record for 62 points in a game vs. Greenbrier in the Joe T. Robinson Invitational Tournament (92-62)
  • After High School, she played for the Hazel Walker All-Star Team, where she became known as “Goose”
  • Played in the LPGA Tour for one year

Awards and Honors:

  • Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1991

 

James E. West

James E. "Kentucky" West 

Education

  • Van Buren High School Graduate, 1946
  • All-State basketball on State Quarter Finalist; #2 distance runner in the 880
  • Member of the El Toro Marines basketball team in 1946-47 (11th Naval District Champions, 3rd place in All Navy and Marine Tournament)
  • Attended the University of Arkansas from 1947-52
  • Lettered in basketball, track and cross country
  • Graduated from the University of Arkansas Law School in 1952, 2nd in class

Accomplishments

  • #2 distance runner in the Southwest Conference in Track and Cross Country
  • 2-mile run Record Holder
  • 4-mile relay Record-Setter
  • Distance medley Record-Setter
  • Southwest Conference Champion in 1950 and 1951, 2nd place runner

Career

  • Managing Partner with Daily, West, Core, Coffman & Canfield (now of counsel)
  • He was the first and only Graduate of Van Buren to be President of the Arkansas Bar Association
Mark Douglas

Mark Douglas 

Education

  • Van Buren High School Graduate, 1978
  • Rushed for 1,242 yards his Senior Year.
  • High School All-American, All-South, Associated Press All-Super Team, Southwest Times Record All-Area Team, All-State, and a member of the All-Star Football team
  • Member of the 1977 State Championship Football Team
  • Bachelors of Science in Education, Physical Education, University of Arkansas, 1983
  • Member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
  • Football Scholarship to the University of Arkansas
  • Lettered in football from 1979-1982
  • Sugar Bowl (1979)
  • Hall of Fame Bowl (1980)
  • Gator Bowl (1981)
  • Bluebonnet Bowl (1982 – exemplary performance certificate)
  • Masters of Science in Recreational Administration, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, 1987


Career

  • Program Director for Millcreek of Arkansas in Fordyce, AR
  • Areas of Expertise are Administration, Training and Recruitment, Team Building Dynamics, and Therapeutic Recreation