UALR Children International (CI) will host its own “Academy Awards” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at St. Andrews Church, 8300 Kanis Road in Little Rock.

Performances by students enrolled in CI after-school and youth programs will honor outstanding faculty, partners, and volunteers who have enriched the lives of Children International children and families.

This year, CI will recognize 10 HOPE Scholarship recipients. Graduating seniors from J.A. Fair, Central, Hall, and McClellan will use their $400 scholarships to pursue degrees from UALR, University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff, the University of Central Arkansas, the University of Memphis, and other colleges.

HOPE recipient LaToya Geter was chosen among 100,000 CI youth to represent Children International at the United Nations Youth Conference in August before she enrolls at UAPB in the fall.

UALR and Children International established a partnership in 1994 to nurture and provide educational enrichment, health and dental care, family assistance, and special gifts to Little Rock children and youth. Educational services include: after school programs for 280 elementary students, summer camps, a seven-year College Prep Program, and other youth initiatives.

UALR CI coordinates the Future Smiles Dental Clinic located in Wakefield Elementary School, the only school-based dental clinic in an elementary school in Arkansas.