May 2, 2022

Student-led effort to hold letter banquet for Special Olympics athletes

For the first time, Poplar Bluff High School hosted an athletic letter banquet for the families of students who participated in the recent Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) spring games.

Recognizing the track and field event participants in the same way other sports are celebrated, the student-led effort quickly gained support from teachers and administrators, and may even become the gold standard for other districts, according to officials.

“All students deserve the same amount of recognition and attention,” said PBHS communication arts teacher Jennie Randolph, who serves as co-adviser of Student Council with colleague Stephen Patty. “Special Olympics athletes are no different, and it’s time we show that.”

A total of 23 student-athletes lettered during the inaugural banquet on Tuesday, April 26, based on participation in the spring games and good citizenship. Chevrons will be issued for additional years for eligible students, according to R-I Special Services Director Mindy Garrett. Individual awards were presented by Special Olympics coach Kayla Keith and physical education teacher Joan Lack for categories such as: positive attitude and comic relief.

PBHS Principal Mike Owen opened the ceremony noting how SOMO representatives stated that they would seek to push nationwide Poplar Bluff's model of holding pep rallies across campus, supplying banners for seniors as well as an opportunity to letter. “This is actually exceptional,” commented Penny Williams, SOMO development director.

In Randolph’s leadership elective, students were charged at the beginning of the year with initiating projects that would make an impact at PBHS. Sophomores Nya Cram and Grace Neighbors chose to build upon the atmosphere of inclusion for SOMO athletes.

“What drove me to pick this was honestly my first Special Olympics, seeing how many people in our community loved these athletes and how excited our athletes in our school were about it,” Nya reflected. “I wanted their excitement to be there all year and I wanted to make them feel as happy as they were the one day, all [yearlong].”

The spring games have been hosted at Fred M. Morrow Stadium for decades, and StuCo is in charge of overseeing Victor’s Village, arranging light activities between events. Randolph’s leadership students committed to showing further support by creating senior banners for the upperclassmen with help from business teacher Pam Davis, and granting PBHS participants an opportunity to letter through the Athletics Department.

“We saw how much hard work these athletes put into Special Olympics, and wanted to give them equal recognition,” Grace said. “…It’s been great helping to influence change at PBHS and [helping] the athletes show off their talents.”

In March, PBHS StuCo was the only recipient in Missouri to earn the Award of Merit in the SOMO School of Character program for displaying outstanding commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities, a true understanding of unity, and a passion for raising awareness and funds for local student-athletes.

Above: (Back row, from left) Physical education teacher Joan Lack, Dominique Baucom, Karson Busse, Hayden Downs, Hunter Lawson, Christopher Chapman, Trevor Collins, Emily Faith, Charles Harris and coach Kayla Keith; (front row, left to right) Jason Bell, Skylar Elledge, Nicole Weatherford, Reba Mace, Haley James, D’Angelo Keel and Maison Dennis. Not present were Michael Breeden, Jaylum Hood-Daniels, Renee Huck, Dajireh Moore, Shawn Politte, Drake Tallevast, Julie Watson and Makiyah Watson. 

Below: With assistance from teachers Jennie Randolph (left) and Kayla Keith, freshman Maison Dennis demonstrates at the SOMO letter banquet that he is already practicing to walk across the stage come graduation time.

Inaugural signing ceremony hosted for outgoing students at TCC

Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center hosted its first signing ceremony to provide recognition for outgoing students entering the workforce, both through apprenticeships or employment, and those advancing to a technical college in a related field.

“Our overarching goal is to recognize the students who aren’t always recognized for their achievements,” stated Charles Kinsey, TCC director. “Folks come here and see signing ceremonies for successful athletes and students accepted into Ivy League schools or what have you. It was high time the Poplar Bluff community and our sending schools recognized our CTE students the same way.”

For the inaugural event series, which kicked off on Wednesday, April 13, representatives from a dozen technical institutions, colleges and businesses participated in helping congratulate the TCC’s soon-to-be graduates as students signed letters of intent with support of school officials.

The concept came from networking with other career and technical education institutions and was presented to the Board of Education pre-pandemic, noted Kinsey. But a decision was made to hold off until restrictions eased up so families could celebrate in person.

Initial participation was voluntary and, while Kinsey said he was pleased with the turnout, he looks forward to building upon the new tradition going forward. The TCC maintains an annual placement rate of over 95 percent out of the 130-150 students who go on to the workforce, college, further technical school or the military, according to Kinsey.

“That’s our mission here is to be the place that industry wants to come and recruit,” Kinsey continued. “We aim to produce students who are desirable for local employers with our programming for our greater area, and this only tightens our bonds with our partners, whom we are always looking to find new ways to serve.”

Above: (From left) TCC Director Charles Kinsey, Three Rivers College Department Chair William Cooper, student Serena Davis (holding sign) with family, and TCC building trades instructor Jody Cochran (far right). 

Below: (From left) Daniel Colvin of Baldwin Chevrolet, TCC Director Charles Kinsey, student Terry Stevens, TCC auto collision instructor Denni White and Southern Reynolds Principal Jake Hime.

(The images included here are only a representation of the students honored). Please visit the TCC on Facebook to view all of the photos!

The American Red Cross has awarded a total of $3,000 to three Poplar Bluff High School students for volunteering to collect 340 units of blood this school year, potentially helping to save over 1,000 lives.

PBHS seniors Olivia Kirkman, Emily Lovette and Salah McCormack each received a Young Minds Change Lives scholarship valued at $1,000, the organization announced on Thursday, April 21.

“Working with the Red Cross has been so rewarding for many reasons, but knowing that I am working to assist in saving lives has been the greatest reward,” wrote Emily in the competitive application. She noted that her service-learning experiences have inspired her to want to pursue family law so she can work with children in foster care.

Olivia detailed how helping to run blood drives has helped her improve her communication skills as well as taught her about organization, time management, leadership and perhaps, above all, provided her with a greater sense of compassion “standing beside people donating and even holding their hands,” she stated. Olivia went on to express how personally “fulfilling” it has been to volunteer.

Salah discussed how event organization has enhanced her drive to do community service and “make the world a better place.” She has developed a more positive mindset and has grown as a person, she continued. “I enjoy helping others because it makes me feel whole and gives me a sense of purpose, which is why I would like to spend my life helping others,” Salah said.

Last year, PBHS was also awarded $3,000 in Red Cross scholarships, divided among four students, for collecting 320 units of blood. Principal Mike Owen pointed out that not only do teachers help the student volunteers in operating the events, but faculty members are often repeat donors of blood so students can exceed their scholarship goal.

Above: (From left) American Red Cross account manager Jerrica Fox presents students Salah McCormack, Olivia Kirkman and Emily Lovette with individual Young Minds Change Lives scholarships on Thursday, April 21.

Hiring Event

PBHS, in conjunction with the Technical Career Center, will host a hiring event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, in an effort to allow outgoing students with professional resumes to interview for open positions in the community. Employers interested in having representation at the annual event are asked to fill out the form linked here. For more information, call the TCC at 573-785-2248 or email charleskinsey@pb.k12.mo.us. 

Prom

PBHS prom will begin with the Grand March at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Black River Coliseum. Doors open for students at 6 p.m. The event will be streamed by the PBHS multimedia class via their Mules Media YouTube channel.

Graduation

Commencement for the PBHS Class of 2022 is slated to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the Black River Coliseum.

On Tuesday, April 26, the DAR reported about our statewide recognition received by Food Service Director Dixie Harden; and the Special Olympics spring games.

KWOC recognized our PBHS Choir students for qualifying for state. 

On Wednesday, April 27, KWOC advanced our Foundation Golf fundraiser.

On Thursday, April 28, the ShowMe Times also reported about the recent success of our PBHS Choir students.

The DAR reported about our Chamber Teachers of the Year.

On Saturday, April 30, the DAR wrote a feature story about our own (multitalented) Gina Duckett from R-I diagnostics playing a zombie in a movie being filmed locally.

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