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You've got eMule!
Vol. 14 No. 15
Welcome back to The eMule! Below is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
In case you missed it, Eugene Field hosted its 13th annual Leadership Day on Thursday, April 2, at the elementary school – a student-led showcase demonstrating the Leader in Me program in practice. Click here to view the photos and be sure to hit Like, and help Tag our guests!
The following week, the Special Olympics Missouri spring games were held at Fred M. Morrow Stadium, featuring 100 more student-athletes over previous years. The regional event has been hosted at Junior High since 1970, according to news reports. Click here to view our running album, and please Share to express your support!
| PBHS student wins D.C. trip with successful essay | |
A Poplar Bluff High School junior has won an all-expense paid week-long trip to the nation’s capital as the result of winning an essay contest Wednesday, April 1, through Ozark Border Electric Cooperative.
Addison Hutson will join more than 100 high schoolers from across the state for the 63rd annual Missouri Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 14-20, for a packed itinerary of historic site visits and lessons in leadership, civic involvement and the role of electric cooperatives.
The winning essay, 1,000 words in length about a passion, details Addison’s journey of working to regain her love for soccer after experiencing a significant loss.
"Soccer had slowly become more than an activity to me; it became a place where I could feel challenged and watch effort pay off," Addison wrote. “What I did not know at the time was that the same field that once gave me pure joy would soon become the place where I learned to survive heartbreak and find strength that I didn’t know I had.”
Having been introduced to the game of soccer at age 5, Addison grew to enjoy being cheered on by her loved ones and the concentration it required. When the sport would later become a reminder of what was now missing from her life, she was compelled to temporarily walk away.
“Grief is different for everyone, but for me I was not able to handle heartbreak and competition at the same time at 11 and 12 years old,” Addison reflected. “Quitting was simply just a time to heal.”
When Addison reached eighth grade, she recognized that a part of herself was missing without the challenge soccer provided, so she gradually began practicing on her own again. She tried out for the team, this time with nothing to prove to anyone but herself. She has continued to stick with it to this day with great success.
“The lessons I learned from stepping away and coming back are that it is OK to take time to heal, that setbacks do not define me, and that returning to something that I am passionate about is always possible,” Addison went on. “These are lessons that I carry into school, relationships and other challenges.”
In addition to soccer, Addison is a member of the PBHS Swim Team, Student Council, Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After graduating from high school, she hopes to attend Missouri State University in Springfield, majoring in business.
Student delegates chosen in the contest will visit monuments and memorials including the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the Vietnam Veterans Wall, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, and will take a boat ride on the Potomac River. The Missouri contingent will join over 1,800 from across the country to meet with their respective legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
Above: Addison Hutson, PBHS junior, displays a certificate she received on Wednesday, April 1, for winning an essay contest and qualifying to participate in the Missouri Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., at the end of spring.
| Board reorganizes following election | |
Two challengers and one incumbent were sworn in to the Poplar Bluff Board of Education during a reorganization meeting held Thursday, April 9, in the Administrative Building.
Newcomers Jacob Hogg and Patty Robertson were elected to succeed Dave Elledge and Dr. Larry Kimbrow, while Dr. Mike Price retained his seat.
A lifelong educator, Robertson retired from the school system last year as assistant superintendent of curriculum and is currently employed by FCC Behavioral Health. Hogg is the owner and healthcare administrator of New Hope Assisted Living in Adalyn Estates.
Price, a retired dentist, previously served on the BOE from 2006-2012, and was reappointed to fill a vacated seat four years ago before being elected to serve a complete term. Last week's election follows on the heels of the March appointment of John Scott, who also returned to complete an unfinished term.
Dr. Cynthia Brown, the board member with the longest tenure at 22 years, was nominated unanimously to continue serving as president, with Scott making the motion, seconded by Price. Ken Davis was then nominated unanimously as vice-president, with Price making the motion, and Mike Moss seconding it.
The incoming board members volunteered to serve on multiple school committees including audit, buildings and grounds, building trades, federal programs and technology, as well as acting as delegates to the Missouri School Boards’ Association. The newly assembled board will conduct its first regularly scheduled business meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Administrative Building.
Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman presented special recognition to the outgoing board members, each of whom completed a three-year term. Besides their voluntary service, Kimbrow and Elledge have helped support the district through their various affiliations with the Lion’s Club, VFW, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Buddy Ball.
Above: (From left) R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman swears in board members Patty Robertson, Dr. Mike Price and Jacob Hogg on Thursday, April 9, during the reorganization meeting.
Below: (Left) Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman presents outgoing board member Dave Elledge a token of appreciation for his service, while board president Dr. Cynthia Brown is seated. Dr. Larry Kimbrow was absent.
| February Athletes of the Month named | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Kate Scott and Chris Law of Poplar Bluff High School the Athletes of the Month for February, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Chris, a junior wrestler, achieved a top-four finish this season and earned All-District recognition. He went on to compete for the 144-pound division at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3 State Tournament, landing in the top 12.
“Chris is a very supportive teammate who is very involved with the program,” shared Tyler Long, his coach. “[He] is someone who continues to give back and has shown a very strong character of perseverance in the face of adversity on the mat throughout his three years with us. He is a very good student and respectful young man.”
Kate, a senior swimmer, qualified for state competitions in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle events, as well as the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. She was a MSHSAA Class 1 State qualifier in the 100 freestyle and the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Previously, Kate earned All-Conference honors in the 100 and 200 freestyles, along with the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. She was named conference champion in the 200 freestyle relay.
“Kate is an amazing athlete. She has a great attitude and competitive spirit,” said Beth Lewis, her coach. “She is always looking out for her teammates and is willing to swim anything to help the team. She has been an amazing addition to the team over the last four years.”
Above: Chris Law and Kate Scott were named Athletes of the Month by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Monday, March 30, at PBHS.
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Shoe Drive
The Mules Baseball program is hosting a shoe drive until Thursday, April 30, to raise money for students through Funds2Orgs. Gently used shoes—anything from boots to flip flops—are being accepted during the school day in the box under the portico to the left of the front entrance at Junior High, located at 550 N. Westwood Blvd. Shoes may also be dropped off during Mules Baseball games, as well as at partnering business sites throughout town. The goal is to collect between 2,500 and 5,000 pounds, according to organizer Allison Bell, Junior High social studies teacher. The shoes donated will be shipped to developing countries, and kept out of landfills.
Prom
PBHS Prom will take place from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Black River Coliseum. Grand March begins at 7 p.m. with a cost of $2 for spectators. Doors open to the public at 6.
Foundation Golf
The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 26th annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, May 8, 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. To enter a team in the four-person scramble, sponsor a hole or donate a raffle prize, please call 573-785-7751, ext. 5.
Graduation
The commencement ceremony for the PBHS Class of 2026 will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, in the Black River Coliseum.
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On Thursday, April 2, WSIL reported about the $1.5 million grant the school district has been awarded to build a FEMA safe room at Eugene Field Elementary.
The major safe room news was also covered by KWOC, KFVS12, KBSI Fox23, KAIT8 and the DAR.
The DAR additionally profiled our school board candidates.
On Monday, April 6, the DAR reported about PBHS Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy receiving a Congressional Record.
On Tuesday, April 7, the DAR reported about VFW Post 6477 donating $5K to support the Poplar Bluff Mules Trapshooting Team; PBHS senior Ava Stotts signing a National Letter of Intent to run cross country for Mineral Area College; and conducted interviews with the board election winners.
KWOC reported about the Kindergarten Center’s open enrollment; and the PBHS Drama Club’s forthcoming performance of “12 Incompetent Jurors.”
On Friday, April 10, the Dexter Statesman reported about PBHS senior Corban Thomas signing a National Letter of Intent to play golf for Drury University in Springfield.
The DAR reported about 38 PBHS students having stories published through the national Young Writers USA competition.
On Saturday, April 11, the DAR also reported about Corban Thomas’ signing.
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