GENTRY, AR — Gentry High School senior Courtney Lawson was recently selected as a Student TED Talk speaker for the EAST Conference, an honor earned by fewer than 20 students statewide.
Courtney’s TED Talk centers on effective time management and prioritization, drawing from her experiences as a dedicated student, student-athlete, and active participant in school and community organizations. Her message reflects real-world challenges students face when balancing academics, leadership, and service -- and the strategies she has developed to succeed.
A key influence in Courtney’s journey was a mission trip last summer that took her down the Amazon River in Brazil. That experience helped shape her focus, resilience, and leadership skills, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and purpose in high-pressure, unfamiliar environments.
Courtney is a leader in Gentry’s EAST program, a project-based learning model that empowers students to use emerging technologies to solve real problems for their schools and communities. An EAST student since sixth grade, she credits the program with helping her develop strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as the confidence to step outside her comfort zone.
“Both my mission trip and my experiences in EAST required managing multiple responsibilities at once while staying focused in challenging situations,” Courtney said. “EAST helped me learn how to organize my time, think critically, and grow as a leader—especially in public speaking. Being selected for a TED Talk feels like a meaningful milestone.”
The EAST program’s emphasis on pursuing personal passions—through technology, creative projects, and community problem-solving—has played a significant role in Courtney’s growth both inside and outside the classroom.
Following graduation, Courtney plans to attend John Brown University, where she will major in nursing, earn her RN license, and continue her education to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).