Who We Are
In 2017 a group of Dardanelle alumni who share pride in our schools and a passion for our beloved Sand Lizard, established the Sand Lizard Foundation. It was incorporated in 2018 and began awarding scholarships in 2019.
These scholarships are intended to contribute to our community by rewarding motivated, community-minded graduates. Scholarships can be used for any learning environment including—but not limited to—vocational schools, community colleges, and four year colleges and universities. We celebrate our heritage by encouraging—in the form of scholarships—that same pride, diversity, and passion that makes Dardanelle High School graduates unique. These values exemplify our non-profit scholarship foundation.
We are “Sand Lizards helping Sand Lizards.”
What We Do
Sand Lizard Foundation is active throughout the year promoting the success of our scholarship winners, raising funds, awareness, and celebrating our community which works to help graduates of Dardanelle High School as they take the next step in education and careers. We sponsor activities and support groups like...
WORLD LIZARD DAY—AUGUST 14 We are sand lizards every day, but one day each year the world celebrates our mascot. We celebrate by inviting everyone to contribute to Sand Lizard Foundation before the school year begins.
CLASS CHALLENGE Which class can raise the most money from June 1 of each year to May 31 of the following year? Each year at the football homecoming pep rally, the trophy is awarded to the winning class. The trophy is displayed at the high school. Membership in Sand Lizard Foundation, contributions for scholarships, and dollars given directly to the class challenge all count toward the class challenge. Help your class get your year added to the trophy.
​SAND LIZARD ALUMNI RECEPTION What would Fall be like without a homecoming celebration? This reception is held every homecoming day in the library at Dardanelle High School. Stay for the pep rally and be recognized with your class. During the pep rally the winner of the class challenge is announced and the trophy awarded.
SAND LIZARD MOMS is a group of volunteers who maintain contact with these students year round. Sand Lizard Moms call, write and visit with the scholarship winners. They take them to breakfast, lunch and meet them in local coffee shops to ask how the scholarship winners are doing. Become a Sand Lizard Mom! Complete the message form on our contact page.
100 YEARS OF "SAND LIZARDS" In the fall of 1923, "Sand Lizards" was first spoken to describe the DHS football team. The name stuck and we've been "Lizards" ever since.
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Sand Lizard Foundation research revealed the site of the first football field in Dardanelle. Through the efforts of Board member Jeff Ray and Cornwell Funeral Homes, a monument was placed there 2023 to memorialize the site. A dedication ceremony is pending.
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The words on the memorial read: "In 1923, this hallowed ground was Dardanelle's first football field. A rival coach once scorned its sandy terrain, deeming it fit only for lizards. Little did they know that comment birthed the legacy of the Sand Lizards—a mascot unmatched in its distinctiveness and spirit. Today, we stand proud as Lizards, united by our unwavering devotion. Once a Lizard, forever a Lizard!"
