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You've got eMule!
Vol. 11 No. 23
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| PBHS wins statewide award through Special Olympics Missouri again |  | |
For the second consecutive year, Poplar Bluff High School has won the School of Character Award of Merit reserved for a single educational institution displaying an outstanding commitment to individuals with disabilities.
Special Olympics Missouri presented PBHS Student Council with the statewide award last month during the 75th annual Missouri Association of Student Councils Convention held in Jefferson City.
“The Award of Merit is given to one school each year, and PBHS has earned this recognition two years in a row for the work that the Student Council and the school does for student-athletes with special needs," explained communication arts teacher Jennie Randolph, StuCo co-adviser alongside colleague Stephen Patty. “The goal is to be inclusive, and this award simply shows all the efforts that these students make to include everybody.”
Gold, silver and bronze awards are also given to runners-up based on a student body’s level of involvement in the Special Olympics movement through Unified Sports, whole school engagement and inclusive youth leadership. Points are accrued for such activities as hosting and volunteering at a SOMO event, starting a Unified Sports team and fundraising, according to a press release from the organization.
“We strive to show others that not only are we all unique but it is our uniqueness that makes us a better team and better leaders,” wrote StuCo member Aaryn Johnson in the 25-page application. “…It shows that just because someone was made a little differently, doesn’t mean that they aren’t just as, if not more, capable than the rest.”
The Poplar Bluff School District has hosted the spring games at Fred M. Morrow Stadium for over a quarter-century, according to education officials. A school-wide sendoff is organized for the numerous PBHS student-athletes participating in the track and field events, featuring a police escort and cheering students.
StuCo volunteers at the event by hosting a Victory Village with games and prizes along with an after-party, and creates homemade signage for the student section. In addition to promoting and leading group discussions about SOMO, multiple fundraisers are held such as penny wars, novelty competitions and the annual Polar Plunge collectively serving to generate several hundred dollars.
Last school year, PBHS hosted its inaugural athletic letter banquet for SOMO participants, providing the student-athletes an opportunity to earn varsity letters. New this year, a Unified Champions club was launched so high schoolers of all abilities have opportunities to play sports together, explained Randolph. An inclusion day is celebrated on campus, featuring activities such as cornhole, cross country, dance, softball, soccer and soon, football and bocce ball.
Aaryn noted that StuCo has established meaningful roles for members with physical or intellectual disabilities. A ‘spread the word to end the word’ campaign was recently held, and school-wide assemblies and field trips are designed to be inclusive. “We love to help spread the message of unity and inclusion, because at PBHS we believe that everyone is important, no matter what obstacles they face and overcome,” the sophomore concluded.
Above: A representation of PBHS Student Council displays both individual and team awards including the prestigious School of Character plaque during the MASC Convention held recently at Jefferson City High School.
| Oak Grove third graders exhibit their research, acting skills |  | |
Oak Grove Elementary hosted its annual Famous Missourians Living Museum on Friday, April 21, featuring athletes, authors, aviators, entertainers, explorers, inventors, war heroes and other trailblazers with ties to the Show-Me State.
“It’s their first research project ever, in third grade – and it’s quite extensive,” third grade teacher Ashley Blume said. “We get a lot of grades out of this one project.”
Students select a notable figure from a running list, conduct research, create a poster board explaining key facts, and finally dress up as the individual to reveal to the public who they are portraying, Blume and co-organizer Christine Walker explained. Blume noted that it is her “favorite day” of teaching – an assignment that begins around the start of the calendar year.
First-year principal, Kristie Robinson, can remember inheriting the project when she started as a fourth grade teacher at Oak Grove in 2009. When she transferred to the third grade classroom after six years, the project followed her since teaching state history shifted a grade level under the Missouri Learning Standards, she noted.
Judy Cox, grandmother of Rose Wallace, who depicted architect Nelle Peters, said she could recall that the precursor to the project was the Missouri book assignment in which students displayed their state geography knowledge. A retired office manager with the Butler County Community Resource Council, Cox believes the Living Museum project started around the 2006/07 school year, based on the ages of her grandchildren who attended the elementary school.
Third grader Iris Genna, who embodied Phoebe Couzins, one of the first female lawyers in the United States, said she counted seven adults and 18 young people to whom she delivered her speech. Isis chose Couzins because the student thinks she may want to become an attorney or a marshal when she grows up. “She also wears dresses, and I love dresses,” Iris pointed out.
Classmate Mia Crain selected sculpturist Vinnie Ream, most known for creating the memorial statue of Pres. Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. Mia said she checked out a book from the school library entitled “Vinnie and Abraham,” and took interest, as art is her favorite subject. She pointed out how Lincoln was assassinated before seeing the finished product. “She got deeply affected,” Mia said of her subject.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to grow and be in front of people,” said retired Neelyville Superintendent Debbie Parish, who was there to see her granddaughter Layton Beaird play cartoonist Rose O’Neill. “I commend the administration and teachers for going the extra mile.”
Above: Davis Bader of Kaisha Pigg’s class portrays U.S. Army Gen. John J. Pershing, the namesake of the Poplar Bluff VA medical center.
Below: Third grader Rose Wallace, who researched architect Nelle Peters, receives a visit from her family during the Famous Missourians Living Museum event.
Click here to see all of our Famous Missourians, and be sure to leave a comment!
|  | PBHS Academic Team named district champions | |
The Poplar Bluff High School Varsity Academic Team has qualified to compete in sectionals, having ended the regular season with a 28-1 record, then going on to win the district championship.
“So good to see our team back on the Missouri State Tournament bracket,” posted coach Gail Karlish, the PBHS Science Department chairperson. “Congratulations to our very hard-working, never-gives-up PBHS Academic Team: the District 1, Class 6 champions!”
PBHS placed first during the Scholar Bowl Championship on Saturday, April 15, at Oakville High School, defeating Lindbergh 400:360 in the final round. The Academic Team will compete in the Class 6 Missouri State Tournament against Parkway West on Tuesday, April 25, at home.
Above: Displaying their first place Scholar Bowl plaque are Academic Team members (back row, from left) Jack Funke, Rachel Butler and Nick Howard; and (front) Spencer Wilson and Emmalein Pendley.
| March Athletes of the Month named |  | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Nevaeh Larkins and Kayson King of Poplar Bluff High School the March Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Kayson, a senior baseball player, led the team last month in most of the offensive categories during seven games, amassing a batting average of .348, seven hits – four of which were doubles, and six RBIs. He also scored eight runs. He has played the positions of first and third base, plus pitched.
“Kayson has been our senior leader of our baseball team and continues to get better every time we go on the field,” said John David Pattillo, his coach. “Through Kayson’s example, our team is continuing to get better.”
Nevaeh, a senior soccer player, had 75 saves, averaging 12.5 per game this season, as of the award presentation. She has 20 career shutouts, and owns the most saves in a single match – with 45. She is additionally an academic letterman in the Top 30 of her class.
“[Navaeh] is a great athlete on and off the field and strives to be a great student. Also, she is a captain on our soccer team as she is a great leader for us,” said Rusty Crafton, her coach. “She had been a four-year starter for us at the goalie position. I would recommend her [as] a leader of any team that I coach.”
Above: Navaeh Larkins and Kayson King are presented their AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Wednesday, April 12, at Mules Stadium.
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Foundation Golf
The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 23rd annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 28, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course, with tee time beginning at noon following lunch. All proceeds from the golf classic go toward innovative teacher grants outside of the classroom budget, and a student scholarship for a PBHS graduate entering the field of education.
Graduation
The commencement ceremony for the PBHS Class of 2023 will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Black River Coliseum.
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On Monday, April 17, KWOC reported about the Chamber Teacher of the Year banquet; and promoted our Kindergarten Center open enrollment event.
On Tuesday, April 18, KWOC promoted our annual Foundation Golf Tournament.
On Wednesday, April 19, the DAR reported about our Drama Club’s production of “The Green Murders.”
On Thursday, April 20, KFVS12 reported about Lawson Barks of PBHS leading the Mules to a second-place finish in the Notre Dame Invitational at Dalhousie, winning medalist honors.
On Saturday, April 22, the DAR reported about Adrianne Casey of PBHS signing a National Letter of Intent to play softball for Three Rivers College.
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