05/22/2026
Natural State Pest Control is very excited to announce Joclyn Strickland from Rogers Heritage High School as the 2026 Benn Banks Memorial Scholarship Recipient! We work with the Don't Walk Away From A Good Fight foundation to provide a scholarship for student athletes in Northwest Arkansas. This recipient has shown more than academic achievement. Recipients must also demonstrate tremendous character, loyalty to their team, the ability to inspire others, and courage through times of adversity.
Our incredible friend, Benn Banks, continued to embody each of these qualities during his fight against cancer. Joclyn has exhibited these virtues of character by transforming her setbacks into strengths.
When events caused Joclyn to become the sole pitcher for her softball team, she rose to the challenge, pitching up to four games per week. Over the season, she describes her body paying the price for her determination. "Eventually, I could barely put pressure on my leg because of the strain on my sciatic nerve," she writes. With her injury, she feared she'd let her team down. Because she could no longer rely on power, she made an adjustment. She'd pitch slower, paying attention to how this affected batters. "I noticed that taking a few miles off my pitches threw hitters off, so I leaned into my changeup and turned what felt like a weakness into a strength." The effects of this change rippled out-- a greater trust in her teammates as she adjusted brought the team together, and she received All-state and All-conference honors.
“I learned how to face challenges, adjust when things don't go as planned, and turn setbacks into strengths-- not just on the field, but in the classroom, in the hallway, and in life.” -Joclyn Strickland.
What an inspiring young lady. We know you're capable of great things, Joclyn, and our friend Benn would be proud. ❤
