Pulse THE POLK COUNTY
FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600
May 3, 2023
Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com INSIDE: Article & photos by Ethan Nahté
Lions Are District Champs
Page 23
Special Olympics
Pages 12-13
Dreams Do Come True
For some 9-year-old girls, a dream might consist of a fantasy element involving unicorns or fairytale castles. For those seeking something more realistic, perhaps it’s a new Barbie or a bicycle. Then there are girls such as Delissa Pilant, who want a chance to get into the squared circle and to land a punch or two while being cheered on by a crowd. That might not seem too unusual in a world of undefeated two-weight world champion Laila Ali or the first female UFC Hall of Fame fighter Ronda Rousey. Certainly, other young girls look up to such athletes. What might be uncommon is that Delissa has a hearing impairment that requires her to wear a hearing aid in each ear. “I can’t hear well,” she
said. “I was born that way.” That’s not what makes Delissa’s dream unusual. It’s the next step of her journey that is unexpected. Delissa’s mother Evie Bevis said she was surprised when Delissa told her and Delissa’s step-
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See DELISSA continued on page 11
Ross awarded District Court Clerk of the Year Submitted by the Hon. Danny Thrailkill
Mena Art Gallery Month
father Simon Ahumada she wanted to box. “I was amazed with her wanting to box and fight.” She doesn’t watch boxing on television, so that was not an influence. Delissa’s reasoning, “I want to know how to fight in case I do get into a fight.” The couple support Delissa’s aspirations. Ahumada said, “It’s a good opportunity for her… she’s more active, keeping healthy, keeping focused on something she likes, and with her hearing and stuff, knowing that no matter what obstacle, she can overcome it.” Delissa doesn’t spend as much time playing on tablets or video games. Bevis said, “When she gets home from school, she’s like, ‘I’m ready to go to boxing.’” She’s boxed approximately nine months over the last year but has never fought in front of an audience outside the gym. The concept makes
Dena Ross has been a District Court Clerk since Jan. 18, 1994. She was hired as a deputy clerk but on Aug. 1, 1994, Ross became the Chief Court Clerk when Lavena Rackley retired. Ross has held the position ever since and has been very privileged to work with the Hon. Jerry Ryan, the Hon. Jake Looney and the Hon. Danny
Thrailkill. She is a member of the Arkansas District Court Clerks Association along with approximately 460 other members. Through the years as a clerk, Ross has worked many hours for the Arkansas District Court Clerks Association. She spent many years sitting on the Association’s slate of officers. She has held the positions of At-Large Representative, See ROSS continued on page 14