Six top scholars graduating this spring from Little Rock School District high schools have made their choice to attend UALR this fall.

They were among 79 students honored this week at the district’s Academic Signing Day, a celebration at the Governor’s Mansion where the scholars announced where they would study next fall.

The Public Education Foundation, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, and its Create Little Rock initiative hosted the sixth annual Academic Signing Day Program. The ceremony, sponsored by Centennial Bank, is modeled after similar activities involved in signing days for athletes.

Scholars choosing UALR are Chelsea Booth of J.A. Fair High School, Ebony Shelton of McClellan High School, and Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School graduates Taylor Logsdon, Keny Patel, Chris Joy Quiamco, and Christine Stuckey.

Booth, Quiamco and Shelton are among 175 incoming UALR freshmen selected for UALR’s Chancellor’s Leadership Corps. Stuckey and Logsdon were selected for UALR’s Donaghey Scholars Program.

Stuckey also won a Chancellor’s Academic Distinction Scholarship, the university’s top academic scholarship award. Patel received the top freshman scholarship at the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology.

To be selected to participate in Academic Signing Day, students must have a cumulative 4.0 grade point average from ninth through 12th grade, be the valedictorian or salutatorian or third or fourth highest academically ranked student in their class, be a senior 2011 National Achievement Semifinalist, be a National Hispanic Scholar, or a National Merit Semifinalist.

This year, 35 of the 79 honored students – 44 percent – chose to attend Arkansas colleges and universities.

Buckley O’Mell of Flake & Kelley Commercial, chair of the Chamber’s Create Little Rock talent and young professional initiative, said the key to economic development is the retention, attraction, and development of talent.

“We are thrilled that 44 of the top 79 graduates of the Little Rock School District have chosen to continue their education in Arkansas,” O’Mell said. “And our wish is that all who choose to study out of state will eventually return to Arkansas so we may better compete in the global economy.”