Health Education and Human Sciences | NewsOctober 22, 2024

Capps Family Takes Home Honors

Written By: Ian Silvester

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Family of the Year award was created in the fall of 2020 by the Student Government Association (SGA). Four falls later, the award was given to a familiar face among the SGA ranks and student body.

The 2024 UAFS Family of the Year was awarded to the family of SGA President Anna Capps, a junior social work student. The Capps family was recognized during UAFS Family Weekend at the volleyball game against Fort Hays State University.

“This award means a lot to me, and I don’t think I could put how much it means into words,” Anna said after the announcement. “I will never be able to express enough thanks to UAFS and all the excellent experiences I have obtained here.”

In her nomination, Anna wrote that despite her family “being from the complete opposite corner of the state,” they have never stopped supporting her. Hailing from Star City, Arkansas, the Capps family puts nearly 500 miles on the 6-hour round-trip drive to Fort Smith to celebrate Anna’s accomplishments, “no matter how big or small.”

Anna broke the mold when she chose to attend UAFS. She noted that she comes from a long line of the University of Arkansas at Monticello legacies, but breaking the tradition of Bison green and black for the Lions meant she could reach her full potential.

“I chose to move a distance from home to obtain the best education possible,” Anna wrote in her nomination. “While this was challenging for my family and me in the beginning, they have been there to hold my hand every step of the way. They are always there to support me at times when I truly need them. They would not hesitate for a second to drive three-plus hours just to see me on a random weekend.”

But the Capps family support doesn’t just start and stop with Anna.

“My family never fails to support others on this campus. They have paid for multiple people’s dinners, clothes, (and more). Even though they are my family by blood, they have “adopted” so many UAFS students in the process of me going here,” she wrote. “My family continuously goes to extreme lengths to make the college experience for me and those around me amazing!

“I became so involved on campus because I am from far away and wanted to make a home on the UAFS campus. Seeing that other people know my family's impact means the absolute world to me.”

• Tags:
• UAFS Family of the Year
• Family Weekend
• SGA