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Largest graduation in decades
A total of 340 students graduated from Poplar Bluff High School on Thursday, May 25, at the Black River Coliseum - our largest graduating class since 1980, according to district records.
The Class of 2017 was the first to graduate from the new state-of-the-art campus facility and the last group for Mike Kiehne to lead as principal, the beginning and end of a chapter.
He will be succeeded next school year by Mike Owen, who presently serves as assistant principal at the High School.
"We're doing things a lot differently than we were six years ago when I was hired," said Kiehne, who accepted a superintendent position in Marble Hill. "But I'll tell you one thing: We packed the house tonight!"
Education officials utilized the Graduation Center, the ICU program and advisory class to keep students on track to graduate under Kiehne's administration. Owen plans to move forward with those tools, which helped to increase the graduation rate significantly since 2011.
"In high school, these support systems are almost built in," salutatorian Katie Huskey stated to the audience. "...As we leave this built-in support system, we cannot forget to find another one."
Valedictorian Hunter Aud noted that he believes his classmates have the potential to make a difference. "Out in the crowd of graduating students, I see a group of hard-working, determined people ready to positively impact the world around them," he said.
The graduating seniors collectively earned over $1.5 million in scholarships, the counseling department reported.
Class president Samara Kilgore concluded her speech with advice from multi-Emmy Award winner Alan Alda. "You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your institution. You can't get there by bus, only by hard work and risk and by not quite knowing what you're doing, but what you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself."
Above: Principal Mike Kiehne presents distinguished graduate Maddi West a signed white robe for being voted the most inspirational classmate.
Below: The commencement marks the pinnacle of the work at the public education institution, commented Superintendent Scott Dill, saying to the graduates: "Welcome to the real world."
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here to view the entire album, and please help us tag our new grads! (Note: This is only a representation - Lifetouch will be in contact with families re: the official photos from the ceremony).
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A tradition for the past five years, the graduating seniors were given the opportunity following commencement rehearsal on Thursday, May 25, to visit their respective elementary schools.
Besides the nostalgic value, the purpose of the exercise is for outgoing students-wearing their caps and gowns-to remind the younger students what they are working toward.
At O'Neal Elementary, the Class of 2017 looked at old yearbooks from 2005-09 when they were elementary students, visited with several of their former teachers, and had fun on their old playground.
Above: Outgoing first graders wish a farewell to their A+ tutor Alexis Nicholson, who also knew some of the students from the Boys and Girls Club and AmeriCorps program.
Below: With (from left) librarian Ashley Robertson's help, Jermaine Gainwell and Cadedric Vencent find a book series they remember from grammar school called "Babymouse."
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Poplar Bluff Junior High educators figured out a sure-shot way to tap into the intellectual curiosity of students - let them decide what to learn for the day.
Following MAP testing, Junior High faculty hosted a student professional development day on Tuesday, May 23, after asking a simple survey question: If you can come to school and learn about anything you want to learn about, what would it be?
The results included self-defense, Japanese culture, germs, sign language, feline behaviors, game animals and hip hop dance. District teachers, fellow students and community partners-even the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad-volunteered to teach the range of topics.
"I didn't get much sleep thinking about it," said outgoing seventh grader Carson Nagy when asked about his level of anticipation. Of the sessions he participated in, Carson said his favorite was Highway Patrol because he learned DNA tests take much longer than depicted on
CSI,
suspects are not so easily identified and forensic scientists experience a higher degree of frustration.
Selecting five sessions apiece gave students a taste of arena scheduling, plus introduced them to possible career paths. Outgoing eighth grader Jayvon Holloway chose a welding workshop since his father works in the field, he said. He also tossed in a 'fun' class: messy kitchen experiments, taught by instructor Brandon Moon of the Technical Career Center's Culinary Arts program.
Holocaust, presented by social studies teacher Josh Wesemann, who also hosted survival 101, was suggested by outgoing eighth grader Sierra Sievers. Her favorite session, she noted, was the mystery dissection during which students handled fetal pigs under the instruction of Ashley Woolard and Krista Yarbro of PBJHS.
Communication arts instructor Julie Gambill, who helped put on a workshop about horses, commented that she gained more insight about what students do not know from the experiment.
"It's career day meets club day," incoming Junior High principal Candace Warren said. The brainchild of Warren, student PD day was conceived during a Midwest Education Technology Community conference she attended earlier this year in St. Louis. "It has every aspect-the arts, science, physical activities-to meet students' interests, expose careers and ultimately make a well-rounded person."
Above: Hicks Animal Hospital staff introduces participants to 30-year-old tortoise, Toracle.
Below: Students learn fit, a variation of CrossFit, from instructor Tara Duffey in the FEMA building.
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Sixth graders leave their mark
About 400 six graders designed and glazed tiles to serve as a backsplash for the two art rooms at the Poplar Bluff Middle School.
"The 2017 class is the first to attend and graduate from the new building," said art teacher Deana Ward, who led the project over the past month. "Students were proud and look forward to returning some day to show their children their tile."
Special thanks to carpenter Owen Heath, who mounted the tiles on the walls.
Above: Students (back to forefront) McKenzie Cassie, Hailea Sinclair and Bailey Ordway view their tiles.
Below: Cynthia Tanner's sixth grade class pose with art teacher Deana Ward.
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O'Neal Elementary students recently held a canned good drive generating more than 900 non-perishables for the Child Concern Center of Poplar Bluff.
The nonprofit, which serves low-income families, depleted its food bank supplies while providing relief during the historic flood. Teacher Allison Bell responded to the call posted on Facebook by school board member Alana Robertson, who also volunteers for the center, and held a 'can war' for the grade levels over the course of a week and a half.
The second grade brought in the most items with 377, winning a Popsicle party on Friday, May 26.
Above: Students (from left) are Alex Steen, Brandt Bell, Gabriella McGinty, Garrett Moore, Camille Blackmon and Hannah Young; and adults: (left to right) volunteer Adam Bennington, director Caleb Elkins, principal Dr. Amy Dill and third grade teacher Allison Bell.
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Summer school runs from Monday, June 5, to Friday, June 30. Have a relaxing break!
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On Monday, May 22, the ShowMe Times
reported about the district's $47k+ St. Jude donation.
On Tuesday, May 23,
the DAR reported bout our Alpha Delta Kappa sorority scholarship recipient.
On Wednesday, May 24, the DAR
reported about Mules Baseball winning the MSHSAA Class 5, Sectional 1 championship.
KFVS12
reported about the recent completion of a house by the TCC Building Trades class.
The ShowMe Times
reported about our Laseter scholarship recipient.
On Thursday, May 25, the ShowMe Times reported about our Kyle Dicken Memorial scholarship
recipient, and our Missouri
Good Sports.
On Friday, May 26, KWOC
advanced the Mules Baseball state quarter-finals.
The DAR reported about our PBHS commencement ceremony.
On Sunday, May 28, the DAR featured some of our graduates in the weekly Let's Talk segment; recognized the PBJHS Honor Roll; and reported about the all-state success of Mules Track and Field at the MSHSAA Class 5 championship.
On Monday, May 29, KFVS12
reported about MacKenzie Moore from the Class of 2017 earning her associate degree before her high school diploma.
KZIM
reported about the Building Trades program's 38th completed house.
On Tuesday, May 30, the ShowMe Times
reported about Hamiz Mirza of the Class of 2017 earning the Missouri Award for Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship.
The DAR published additional photos from our commencement and Project Graduation afterward.
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