Arkadelphia native Michael L. Ankton announced his candidacy for Clark County Quorum Court, seeking the position of Justice of the Peace for District 2.

“I’m running because I think it is time the Quorum Court pushes more inclusion, transparency, leadership and looks more like the people it represents,” said Ankton, a junior at Henderson State University and 2019 graduate of Arkadelphia High School.

Ankton is an apprentice funeral director at Williams Funeral Home, a school bus driver for Arkadelphia Public Schools and a mentor at Peake Rosenwald School.

He graduated AHS as class president, and with debate honors, and is pursuing a degree in social science education with a certificate in criminal justice.

The 20-year-old was recognized as the youngest school bus driver in Arkansas for the 2020-2021 school year. He said his work and volunteerism are not capped there, as he is well known for coaching both the high school and middle school debate teams the past five years. 

He served as founder and captain of the debate team and was section leader in the AHS Badger Pride Marching Band. Ankton recently finished his term as the first-ever vice president of judicial affairs, a department created from his efforts to improve student life on campus. Additionally, Ankton serves on the HSU General Education Committee, interim media director for Gennersaret Missionary Baptist Church and executive board member of Clark County NAACP.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, a few games from time to time and music.

He is the son of LaTasha Ankton-Evans, brother to Anyah Evans, nephew to Sandra Ankton and grandson of Minnie Ankton.

“My slogan is ‘The Future Leading the Future’ because I think it is vital to have young people planning for a world they will indefinitely have to reside in,” Ankton said.