Work is underway for the Kay Porter Theater to receive a complete overhaul of its control booth with use of original funds bequeathed by the campus building’s namesake.

During its December meeting, the R-I Board of Education unanimously approved the low bid from HD Media Systems out of Cape Girardeau to replace the theater’s audio, visual and lighting systems. Installation began the following week.

“We have an obligation to maintain all buildings, but since Kay Porter occupies a unique place in the history of Poplar Bluff for all those individuals who were intimately involved, we have an obligation to maintain this building at the highest level,” said Dr. Scott Dill, R-I superintendent. “It was important to us that we found a project that really echoed the enduring legacy of Kay Porter, and what she meant to the school district and to our community, as her name is above the door.”

The late Porter, a local philanthropist, left $1 million to the Poplar Bluff High School Drama Club among other entities in town when she passed away in 2005. Just shy of $200,000 remains in the Kay Porter fund, Assistant Superintendent of Business Dr. Amy Jackson reported to the school board.

Porter also financed the entire $2.3 million construction of the theater in 2000, according to school records. Chief Technology Officer Aaron Badgley remembers the well-thought-out theater, complete with its own woodshop for set designs, along with the expansion of what was known as A-Building on the then PBHS campus back when he was a student.

“I love this building,” commented Badgley, who has consulted with industry specialists to assess the condition of the technological components original to the facility. “The program started in the High School annex, so the upgrade was major for Poplar Bluff. There was nothing else like it at the time.”

Over the past couple of decades, Badgley noted, pieces of equipment have either experienced wear or have gone offline entirely. The upgrade will include a digital soundboard to replace the current analog system so that individual profiles can be programmed in for the various uses of the building, including playing host to educational meetings. A new state-of-the-art sound system will be suspended above the stage. LED lighting will serve as a significant energy saver for the district.

The facade of the facility also received a fresh paint job out of the district’s maintenance budget in the fall, with further plans to replace the HVAC system. The renovations will “bring the facility into the current decade and solve some long-winded issues we’ve dealt with the past few years,” according to Nick McDaniel, PBHS drama teacher.

“We’re so pleased to know that we’re getting an upgrade, but I don’t want our joy to diminish the pride we have in our facility as is,” McDaniel stated. “So many schools have their drama programs stuffed into back corners of the school, whereas ours has a professional facility.”

Above: The exterior of Kay Porter Theater recently received a facelift, and now interior work is underway on the technology components of the facility.

Below: A portrait of the late Kay Porter, a Poplar Bluff resident and philanthropist, hangs prominently in the building foyer, across from the ticket booth.

Students across the Poplar Bluff School District helped collect over $4,000 in coins to ensure area children who recently entered foster care received Christmas presents.

“When kids and teens come into care near Christmas, a holiday filled with things they want can give them a short break from the sad reality of being separated from their families,” explained Mary Haldeman, FosterAdopt Connect program director. “In addition to gifts for children just entering foster or relative care near Christmas, gift cards for caregivers to purchase items the kids likely need until the monthly stipends begin coming is helpful to the families.”

Haldeman, who taught for several years in the R-I school system prior to her involvement with the organization, reached out to educators in November to help raise funds through National Adoption Awareness Month. All students from grades K-12 agreed to participate, with the youngest grade levels producing the most pocket change.

FosterAdopt Connect offers advocacy and support for foster families, as well as provides licensing services and training. The nonprofit additionally operates Sammy’s Window, a second-hand shop, that supplies free clothing, personal hygiene products and more to children in foster care. 

Due to the fundraiser's success during its inaugural year, Haldeman said she hopes to make it an annual tradition. For more information about the social services organization, visit www.fosteradopt.org.

Above: Pictured with Dairian Lovell of FosterAdopt Connect and O’Neal counselor Gabe Thompson, students (left to right) Blayne Bell, Lukas Ethridge, Maria Young and Nora Adams display special bookmarks recently distributed by the nonprofit.

Ella Zgaynor (above) of Poplar Bluff High School, escorted by Kannon Carr, was named the 2022 Basketball Homecoming Queen on Friday, Jan. 28, during the Mules game against Cape Central. 

Ella has played softball and soccer for all four years of her high school career, lettering annually in each sport. She has additionally served as the captain of the softball team over the past two years, and plans to attend Webster University on a softball and academic scholarship to pursue a degree in biomedical science. She has been actively involved in Stand For The Silent, Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Mule Barn and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The Winter Homecoming Court, pictured during the pep rally earlier in the day, included (below, from left) Darius Graham, Samara Ball, Darian Webb, Adeeti Mishra, Kannon Carr, queen Ella Zgaynor, Nic Brumitt, Natalie Whitehead, Morgan Courtney and Frentress Williams III.

On Tuesday, Jan. 25, the DAR reported about our annual innovative educational projects funded by the Poplar Bluff School Foundation.

On Wednesday, Jan. 26, KWOC recognized our state champion Cheerleaders. 

The DAR posted a photo gallery from the annual Mr. Snowman at PBHS. 

On Saturday, Jan. 29, the DAR recognized our Junior/Senior Beta Convention winners, Homecoming Court, and Middle School Honor Roll.