Ashdown High School Receives $8000 Grant for Upgrades

The Margaret Daniel Educational Foundation presented an $8000 grant to the Ashdown High School Computer Science Department along with the AHS baseball team to acquire a batting and pitching Rapsodo camera.

According to a press release, this device will record pitches, spins, angles, and swings to help perfect student’s baseball skills and provide computer science students the real-time data to analyze and communicate with the players and coaches.  Students working with Python and R along with the analysis of the Rapsody will provide AHS students with more marketable skills for the many high demand internships and careers in data analysis. Mrs. Ringgold, AHS computer science teacher along with alumni Dr. Tom Fomby and Anthony Rhône have communicated frequently to look for challenging and engaging opportunities for our students.  This grant, along with previous support for the Margaret Daniel Educational Foundation makes our school one of a kind to have such training and equipment.

Coach Chuck Cross and coach Tyler Sheppard have been tracking data by hand for all the players for several years.  Connecting with the computer science department will provide many more students career and /or college opportunities.  Many students love sports but may not go beyond high school to play.  Having job opportunities that involve data analysis is another venue for students to explore. Students with Rapsodo analysis work along with R and Python will be able to apply and procure jobs that are available and in demand.