A Georgia-based philanthropy group has donated more than $5,000 to a popular elective class at Poplar Bluff High School to purchase several robotics kits so more students can practice engineering.

Having previously contributed tens of thousands of dollars to over a dozen PBHS students through a scholarship endowment, the Montgomery Family Foundation shifted its focus to sponsoring a science teacher who reintroduced robotics to the school system.

“Kathy Miller – her outlook, her ambitions for these kids, is contagious; it really is. There is a legacy very apparent,” explained Robert Bennett of Butler County, a local liaison to the board of directors. “Kathy Miller’s thoroughness, her due diligence in this thing over time—she had real perspective on what was necessary and truly needed—and that proved to be a turning point in our conversations.”

Technical Career Center Director Charles Kinsey was first made aware of the foundation’s renewed interest, and connected the stakeholders with the most logical programs at R-I that fell within the nonprofit’s focus area, he recalled. “This partnership has the potential to become a long-term investment, or this could be the sum total. Either way, we are extremely grateful,” Kinsey said.

Bennett visited the school district in February, and observed the students preparing for a robotics competition. Miller had a conference call with the board officers over the summer and detailed the scope of her program, which began with a Robotics Club in 2013, and eventually led to a series of semester-long classes.

At the beginning of the month, seven TETRIX FIRST Tech Challenge Competition Sets, valued at about $700 apiece, were delivered to the science department. Over the past few years, Miller was only able to come up with annual funds to purchase a single kit of lesser quality components, otherwise she would have to borrow from the after-school club, co-sponsored by social studies teacher Michael Sowatzke.

“This means us being able to have enough materials to divide the kids up, with each person actually getting a chance to work on a robot, and not just looking on,” Miller said. "Just because we're a small school in Southeast Missouri, doesn't mean we can't have an upper-level class that leaves here being able to show how to look at problems, and how to go through each of the different engineering steps to solve them.”

Established by the late Lawrence John Montgomery Jr. in 1989, the Montgomery Foundation supports programs at multiple universities across the United States, and has provided other educational opportunities for financially challenged students. Bennett became acquainted with the family through a mutual friend at East Carter, where their footprint in the region initially took shape, and he has since had an influence on their impact here.

“My interest in the school has been stimulated by the Montgomerys and their interest in young people, with robotics being a real focal point. They’re engineers, and I know a lot of our local kids,” Bennett stated. A fine furniture maker, Bennett shares a passion for the trades with the heirs of the patriarch: son Lawrence John Montgomery III and his wife Mary of Georgia, and their daughters Elizabeth and Christine.

“What we’re finding more and more with our young people, is they’re not attaining the basics; they’re really lacking the basic knowledge of trades,” Bennett continued. “You can provide all the extremely high technical stuff, but if you can’t ride a bicycle, you can’t ride a motorcycle. We can put all the CNC machines in front of the kids and teach them to push a button, but someone needs to know how to keep the plant running.”

Photos: Students in Kathy Miller’s robotics class at PBHS break off into groups on Wednesday, Sept. 8, and unbox robotics kits from Pitso Education containing structural, motion and hardware elements, along with motors, cables and batteries.

Eugene Field recently received a $1,000 donation from a random drawing in Blaich Family Dentistry’s annual back-to-school giveaway.

The nominator, Emma Hayes of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2018, became aware of the contest over Facebook and said she simply felt that the elementary had been left out.

"I chose Eugene Field because I believe the school is well-deserving and hadn't noticed anyone else comment the school's name," Hayes explained. "I believe other elementary schools like O'Neal, Oak Grove and Lake Road get a lot of attention and believed Eugene Field should too.”

Eugene Field Principal Jennifer Taylor was made aware of the social media announcement during a staff meeting. How the money will be utilized is undecided at this point, she said, but she promised it would go toward the basic needs of students and encouraging academic success.

“…It is personally very touching that a community member, not directly affiliated with Eugene Field, seized an opportunity to potentially provide extra resources for a building that was underrepresented,” Taylor reacted. “Communities thrive when citizens such as Dr. Blaich and Ms. Hayes are thoughtful and intentional in their altruistic works.”

About 25 area schools were entered in the contest, with Doniphan also winning $1,000 for gaining the most votes out of 1,500 total, dentist Dr. Eric Blaich revealed last month. Poplar Bluff Junior High was the sole winner last year, during the dental practice’s inaugural giveaway.

Above: Eugene Field counselor Esther Luna accepts a check from Dr. Eric Blaich on Friday, Aug. 20, at Blaich Family Dentistry on West Pine Street.

Poplar Bluff High School senior Addison Kirkman (above), escorted by Daniel Harris, was named the 2021 Fall Homecoming Queen on Friday, Sept. 17, prior to the Mules defeating the Sikeston Bulldogs 47-22.

Earlier in the day, a pep rally was held in the gymnasium where the court was introduced. The event was originally slated to take place outside at Mules Stadium, but was moved inside due to rain, and split into two separate celebrations by grade level.

Below: The 2021 Fall Homecoming Court was comprised of (left to right) Jacob Baller, Emilee Cheek, Devin Gatewood, McKenna Morrow, Hunter Jenkins, Kennedy Ray, Dalton Gatewood, Kennedy Rowland, Daniel Harris and Addison Kirkman.

Click here to view the rest of our photos in our pep rally album, and help us tag the students please!

The Mules Café, located at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd., is set to return with fried catfish from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Call 573-785-5768 to make a reservation or place a carryout order. Click here to view the monthly menu.

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center will host its 2nd Car & Motor Show at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 on campus at 3209 Oak Grove Rd. The cost is $20 in advance or $25 the day of to enter a car, truck, boat or side-by-side here. Platinum, gold and silver sponsorships are also being sought. For details, contact auto repair instructor Denni White at denniwhite@pb.k12.mo.us. Proceeds for the annual fundraiser go toward program-related events/trips for students to experience and discover new tools, techniques, technology and innovations offered in their respective industries.

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, the ShowMe Times highlighted our Designing Women Foundation scholarship recipients and Charlie Classics contest winners.

KWOC reported about Sparklight’s computer donation to Lake Road Elementary School.

On Wednesday, Sept. 15, the DAR also reported about the generous donation from Sparklight.

On Friday, Sept. 17, KWOC reported about Junior High teacher Hilary Taylor’s MRTF grant project.

The DAR recognized our Homecoming Queen.