Fifty-seven high school students attended the 2026 Arkansas Student Officers Leadership Academy (SOLA) at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
The academy began on Tuesday, June 2, and continued through Friday, June 5. Those in attendance developed their leadership skills, networked with peers in other organizations and made plans for their respective organizations in advance of the 2026-27 academic year. They also conducted a hygiene drive to benefit the Russ Bus community service organization.
Organizations represented at the 2026 Arkansas SOLA were Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Educators Rising, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), SkillsUSA and Technology Student Association (TSA).
“These are all different categories and different individuals, but we all share the same common goal,” said Bowen Forbis of Fayetteville, vice president for Arkansas DECA. “Everybody wants success in their life. I feel like these groups provide a foundation for the skyscraper of success that we seek. Having the opportunity to meet leaders like these is an honor.”
The high school students were joined at the academy by approximately 35 state advisors, career and technical education professionals and support staff.
This was the fourth consecutive year ATU has hosted the Arkansas SOLA. The academy is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education, the Arkansas Association for Career and Technical Education and Arkansas Tech University.
