March 4, 2026

Spain named 2026 Missouri Exemplary New Principal

With Eugene Field recently honored among the state’s top elementary schools, it should come as no surprise that the building is being led by a regional standout.

Kristen Spain was named the 2026 Missouri Exemplary New Principal for the Southeast District of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals alongside 10 emerging education leaders across the state on Monday, March 2, at the organization’s annual Leadership Conference in Osage Beach.

“My reasons for nominating [Mrs. Spain] are largely due to her incredible enthusiasm and respect for the profession,” stated MAESP President Elect Debbie Lands, administrator of the Kelso School District. “…She is eager to learn, willing to be coached, and is one of the most humble young leaders I have met. I can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes.”

Eugene Field was honored last month as one of the state’s eight Gold Star Schools through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for performing at high levels while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students. In 2020, the elementary was named a Distinguished School under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for closing the achievement gap between student groups.

“This recognition isn’t just about me,” Spain commented. “It reflects the work of our entire Eugene Field Elementary School staff, out students and our community.” 

Spain’s career with Poplar Bluff Schools began in 2008 as a second grade teacher at Oak Grove, before transferring to Eugene Field in 2012, the year she earned a master’s in elementary administration from William Woods University in Fulton. She was a member of the pilot team that ushered in the Leader in Me initiative, the cultural framework under which the elementary has been certified as a Lighthouse School for the past decade.

“Leaders don’t get the luxury of picking their successors, so there’s always a level of concern, not just for the systems that were built, but for the people that you advocated for,” explained Jennifer Taylor, Spain’s predecessor. “With Kristen, that is one stressor I did not have. 

If anything, I get to relish in the fact that ‘I don’t you so,’” Taylor continued, half-jokingly. Taylor, who advanced as R-I assistant superintendent of personnel last school year, was named a Missouri Distinguished Principal honoree by MAESP during her tenure at Eugene Field.

Having served as an interventionist before beginning her principalship in 2024/25, Spain was working toward her second graduate degree in reading literacy from the Missouri State University in Springfield before answering the call to lead. She said she believes education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. 

“One of the strongest indicators of doing so is creating literate students and instilling a genuine love of reading,” Spain stated. “Literacy opens doors. When students can read confidently and think critically, their opportunities expand exponentially.”

At the beginning of this school year, Spain joined a group of administrators across the district to participate in a three-day School Safety Academy in Cape Girardeau hosted by the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s Center for Education Safety. “Being a part of this academy allows me to ensure we are proactive, informed and continually strengthening our practices so families can feel confident in their child’s school, no matter which campus they attend,” she explained.

Spain’s regional award follows on the heels of Dr. Rondi Vaughn, who was named 2023 Exemplary New Principal at Lake Road before being promoted to R-I assistant superintendent of curriculum. Criteria established for the honor include demonstrating a clear commitment to building excellence within the school community; developing programs designed to meet the needs of all students; and establishing firm ties to parents and the community. 

“I am deeply honored to represent the Poplar Bluff School District and the Southeast Missouri region as an Exemplary New Principal, and I look forward to living up to that title,” Spain said. “Throughout my career in Poplar Bluff, I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the very best in education, and their mentorship has shaped me in countless ways.”

The recognition program was established in 1984 for principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate. “Congrats for being recognized as the best Missouri school leaders,” wrote MAESP Executive Director Dr. J. Anderson in an award letter that Spain received in January.

Above: Eugene Field Elementary School Principal Kristen Spain earned a regional award as an outstanding early career principal this week in Osage Beach.

Lake Road captures CRC title, top R-I spellers advance

A Lake Road student won the third grade battle for Butler County, bringing back the spelling championship trophy to the lower elementary school for the first time since 2019.

Tony Webb Jr. was named the 14th annual Butler County Community Resource Council spelling bee champion live at SAM 96.7 FM on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Fox Radio Network, spelling the contraction ‘you’re’ correctly. He faced off against finalist Cohen Wilkerson of Oak Grove, after each student returned to competition following a misspelling.

“Today we have the top spellers of each participating third grade elementary school competing for the spot of top speller in Butler County,” said pronouncer Brenda Allen on behalf of the CRC Educational Enhancement Committee. A retired educator of Poplar Bluff Schools, Allen reminisced about having the winner’s father, Tony Webb Sr., as a student in her music class.

Other competitors who made it through 70 championship words before the first elimination occurred were Felicity Wilson of O’Neal, Rylan Ramirez of Eugene Field and Emma Cannaday of Neelyville. The R-I challengers advanced through three qualifying rounds earlier in the month, beginning with 340 students.

For the upper elementary spelling contest at Lake Road, 10 classroom finalists were narrowed down to two within the initial rounds on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the gymnasium. Sixth grader Paisley Hill ultimately defeated Ernie Kron by spelling the word s-o-l-e-m-n-l-y after both were brought back into the spell-off multiple times.

“We had seven final rounds where each one of them would miss a word and then our possible winner would miss the championship words, so both had to come back seven times,” explained moderator Pam Heaton, Lake Road library media specialist. “It was pretty intense for a while…”

At the Middle School, Cohen’s older sister Clara Wilkerson of the fifth grade triumphed over sixth grader Harper Olivas-Zuniga in the 10th championship round with the word t-r-a-u-m-a-t-i-c on Thursday, Feb. 19, at Kay Porter Theater.

Clara shared that her key to success was breaking words down to their roots, sometimes using mnemonic devices, with support from her mother Carey Wilkerson, a reading teacher at Oak Grove. Clara also happened to be the CRC spelling bee champion in 2024, as a third grader.

Representing the fourth grade in the spelling bee was Harrison Holifield, who declared he would be practicing to make a stronger showing next year. In order to advance to the final round, the students won a grade-level competition against the top speller in each Middle School homeroom.

Meanwhile at Junior High, Lacey Coffer emerged victorious over seventh grade schoolmate Owen Allbritton in the 12th round, spelling the 67th word c-a-n-n-e-l-l-o-n-i without a hitch on Friday, Feb 20, in the library, reported moderator Lybby Mannon, library media specialist. As a Middle School student last year, Owen went on to place third regionally in the Southeast Missouri Spelling Bee at Three Rivers College.

In order to qualify for the Junior High championship, each house team held a spelling bee with its English teacher. The top three spellers advanced to the finals. "I think it's a fantastic opportunity and gives our students who excel academically the chance to spotlight their skills and all their hard work in a fun, competitive way," Mannon said.

Clara, Lacey and Paisley alongside alternates Ernie, Harper and Owen are slated to vie in the 17th annual SEMO Spelling Bee at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. The regional winner will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May in Washington, D.C.

Above: Runner-up Cohen Wilkerson (right) congratulates spelling champion Tony Webb on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Fox Radio Network.

Below, top: Finalists Paisley Hill and Ernie Kron pose following the Lake Road spelling bee for grades 4-6 on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the gymnasium.

Middle: Clara Wilkerson receives her spelling word at the microphone, while Harper Olivas-Zuniga waits her turn on Thursday, Feb. 19, at Kay Porter Theater.

Bottom: Seventh graders Lacey Coffer and Owen Allbritton advance through the Junior High qualifier on Friday, Feb 20, in the library for a chance to compete in the regional spelling bee.

January Athletes of the Month named

The Mules Booster Club has named Lynn Cotrell and Zekey Camden of Poplar Bluff High School the Athletes of the Month for January, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Zekey, a sophomore wrestler, held a winning record of 32-8 while leading the team in bonus point victories with a margin of 78 percent, as of this award presentation. He also advanced as a conference finalist.

“Zekey is a constant positive force on the team who comes in with an upbeat attitude every day,” said Tyler Long, his coach. “One of the hardest workers in the room who is very intentional about his progress and following good fundamental systems, [Zekey] is a leader and a role model for other athletes to look” up to.

Lynn, a sophomore swimmer/diver, qualified for districts in dive while advancing to state in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Academically she is ranked in the top 15 of her class, according to Beth Lewis, her coach.

“Lynn is an outstanding competitor,” Lewis said. “She is extremely talented in many areas of swim and dive. She works hard and always has a pleasant attitude.”

Above: Lynn Cotrell and Zekey Camden are presented the AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at PBHS.

Bonus: Chamber Day at the Capitol

The Poplar Bluff School District was represented during legislative session at the Capitol on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 25-26, in Jefferson City. 

R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman and Assistant Superintendent of Business Charles Kinsey joined the business community in the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Chamber Day at the Capitol event. Culinary arts students from the Technical Career Center supplied pastries, underwritten by Rep. Hardy Billington, for the advocacy program.

In addition to visiting with legislative committees, participants attended Sens. Jason Bean and Jamie Burger’s fourth annual “Taste of the South” event for constituents. 

Above: Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman (left) visits with Rep. Hardy Billington, who served two terms on the Poplar Bluff Board of Education, concluding in 2012.

Future Kindermules

Open enrollment for the 2026/27 school year at the Kindergarten Center will continue to take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 5 and April 7-9, with extended hours from 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at 1200 Camp Road. Child(ren) must be 5 years of age on or before July 31. Please bring birth certificate, shot record and proof of residency. Enrollment is not necessary for students already attending Early Childhood Center. To make a registration appointment online, click here.

Spring Break

Spring Break will take place from Monday through Friday, March 9-13, with school resuming on Monday, March 16. An early dismissal day for teacher collaboration day is scheduled for Friday, March 6. Click here for dismissal times by building.

On Thursday, Feb. 19, KBSI Fox23 reported about Eugene Field’s Gold Star honor.

KWOC reported about PBHS Swim team members qualifying for the MSHSAA Class 1 Swimming and Diving State Championship.

The DAR reported about our Junior High’s Black History Month celebration.

On Friday, Feb. 20, MSBA picked up the story about Eugene Field poised to become a Blue Ribbon School only days prior to the dismantling of the national program.

KWOC also reported about Eugene Field’s Missouri Gold Star status.

The DAR additionally reported about the elementary school’s major recognition; as well as PBHS students taking the Oath of Enlistment from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

On Monday, Feb 23, KWOC reported about Allison Williamson of PBHS finishing 10th place in the one-meter dive at state.

The DAR reported about long-time member Dr. Cynthia Brown being named president of our Board of Education; and PBHS senior Paige Epps being crowned our Homecoming Queen.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the DAR reported about the continued support of the Poplar Bluff Lion’s Club toward our PBHS Sho-Me Marching Band.

On Thursday, Feb. 25, the DAR reported about TCC students being recognized during Career Tech Ed Month.

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