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Welcome back to The eMule! Pardon the brief disruption of service - our Communications Department celebrated a new life! :) Here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District to help end your year on the right hoof. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Students give 1,600 socks to homeless vets
Eugene Field Elementary donated around 1,600 pairs of socks to homeless veterans on Thursday, Dec. 19, as a result of the Toasty Toes fundraiser.
As a reward for reaching their school-wide goal of exceeding 1,000 socks, students celebrated with a sock hop dance party in the gymnasium, with special guest appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus and an Elf.
The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center operates seven clinics in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas, serving 25,000 veterans in 700 towns and 30 counties, according to Dale Garrett, voluntary service officer with the hospital. Within the population are unfortunately a significant number of homeless vets, said Garrett, and the socks will serve to help those enrolled in relief programs or receiving transitional services.
Eugene Field Principal Jennifer Taylor noted that area businesses supported the cause and some students used their own money to purchase socks. The elementary school first adopted the service project in 2015.
Above: Dale Garrett (left) thanks Eugene Field Elementary students during the Toasty Toes fundraising event.
Below: Third grade teacher Mary Tolliver dances with students during the sock hop.
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Beta Club wins $2,500 in Dr. Pepper contest
The Poplar Bluff High School Beta Club won $2,500 in the Dr. Pepper Pigskin Points Contest. The funding will be used to subsidize the cost of a rising number of students slated to compete nationally.
Beta Club sponsors were notified on Monday, Dec. 16, by school Pepsi MidAmerica representative Tom Orosz that PBHS placed third in the bottle cap collecting contest against participating schools of similar sizes throughout the region.
This year club members "hit the ground running," according to club co-sponsor Stephanie Kuper, who noted that students have been hosting weekly advisory challenges since August and soliciting caps via their personal social networks. Collection barrels were set up at businesses across town as well as during events at Mules Stadium.
The proceeds will help send 35 qualifying students to the Beta National Convention in June in Fort Worth, Texas. A total of 74 students participated in the Missouri Senior Beta Club Convention earlier this month in Springfield, bringing home 13 awards, up from four last year. Most notably, junior Lauren Robertson placed first in 11th grade science and junior Tyler Wilkerson took first in division two creative writing. Madison Smith, a senior, won a $1,500 scholarship to Missouri State University in a competitive interview before a panel.
"Sports are just for those athletes and art is for the art department, but something I really love about Beta is that it can really showcase all aspects of what our school and curriculum is providing," said Kuper, a district instructional coach. "Quiz Bowl - that's our Academic Scholar Bowl Club; marketing and communications - that's our marketing class taught by Coach [Will] Durden. Juniors who won in creative writing and poetry - that's a huge kudos to our English teachers. Another student worked closely with Mrs. [Heather] Pullum learning Photoshop, and placed third."
Above: Beta Club members represented PBHS well on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, during Beta Con at the Springfield Expo Center.
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Lion's Club donates $500 to All-State Choir
The Lion's Club spontaneously decided to subsidize Poplar Bluff High School's upcoming All-State Choir performance, after being impressed during a Christmas caroling at the organization's weekly luncheon.
The Lion's Club voted on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to donate $500 to the All-State Choir to offset district expenses for six music students who have been selected to perform during the Missouri Music Educators Association convention on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Lake of the Ozarks.
"Following the concert, during normal business, a motion was made to benefit the program and offset the district's responsibility," explained R-I Assistant Superintendent of Business Dr. Amy Jackson, a lion. "The number of students selected is an amazing accomplishment."
All-State students include: Allison Knowlton in the alto section; Ross Dare as tenor; Michael Joseph and Aaron Taylor in bass; Jayvon Holloway-Allen, as first alternate tenor; and Kerrigan Moore as second alternate soprano. The number of qualifying students from PBHS is the most in recent memory, according to Joshua Allen, director of vocal music.
Above: The Poplar Bluff High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Joshua Allen, sing Christmas carols for the Lion's Club in the Administrative Building.
Below: A tradition of PBHS, choir students make their rounds caroling in the civic circuit.
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November Athletes of the Month named
The Mules Booster Club has named Maddi Mae Shumate and Justin Moses of Poplar Bluff High School the November Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Justin, a junior soccer player, has 205 saves, 2 shootouts, 1 goal and 1 assist this season. A three-year letterman, Justin holds the record for most saves in a season and is on track for holding the career record, according to his coaching staff. In the classroom, he maintains a 10.964 overall grade point average.
Justin displays "great character" and "works hard on a daily basis to improve his skills," said Rusty Crafton, his coach. He is a "great teammate on and off the field, always wanting to find ways to help his team improve."
Maddi Mae, a senior cheerleader, was named All-American during her freshman and sophomore years, and made All-State for jumps during her senior year. She helped lead her squad to first place regional championships during her freshman and sophomore years at St. Francis Borgia High School. She maintains a 3.7 GPA, and earned an academic letter in the ninth grade.
"Maddi Mae is the epitome of a cheerleader," said Kim Smith, her coach. "She promotes school spirit and takes pride in being a PBHS cheerleader. Her dedication to hard work and commitment to her sport is what makes her a true athlete!"
Above: Presenting Maddi Mae Shumate and Justin Moses AOM awards on Wednesday, Dec. 11, is Booster Club vice president Brian Taylor.
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Bonus: Reason for the Season
Administrative Building staff has supplied Christmas gifts for two families with three children apiece, ranging in age from 2-15 years of age. The angel tree operation for Project Christmas Promise has become an annual tradition of R-I Central Office beginning in 2018.
Founded in 2008, Project Christmas Promise-through Poplar Bluff's AmeriCorps program-will provide presents for 1,260 children in need in Butler County, an increase of about 70 over last year, reported Program Director Becky Winters.
Above: Jess Karlish (left) of AmeriCorps picks up gifts from China Reich, administrative assistant to Dr. Amy Jackson, on Friday, Dec. 13, in the Administrative Building.
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Pancake Breakfast
The PBJHS Cheerleaders will host a pancake breakfast from 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Castello's. Proceeds will help subsidize the cheer team's trip to compete nationally.
Christmas Break
School is dismissed for students through Sunday, Jan. 5, and will resume on Monday, Jan. 6. Please enjoy the holidays with your families!
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On Tuesday, Nov. 26, the DAR
reported about Eugene Field teacher Morgan Jay's special Thanksgiving lesson.
On Friday, Nov. 29, the DAR
reported about the FIRST robotics competition hosted at PBHS; and Sterling Bank's renewed sponsorship of Dave Ramsey's 'Foundations in Personal Finance' curriculum at Junior and Senior High.
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the DAR published a photo display from the BAM Show hosted at the Kindergarten Center.
On Friday, Dec. 6, the DAR
featured a Q&A with Middle School teacher Shelly Ridens on its education page.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the DAR
reported about PBHS senior Alexandria Rainwater trying out for "America's Got Talent."
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Columbia Missourian
reported about the growth and support of our trap team.
The DAR
highlighted our Senior Beta Club convention award recipients.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, KWOC
reported about the Book Fair held at PBHS.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, the DAR
reported about Eugene Field's sock collection effort for homeless veterans.
On Friday, Dec. 13, KWOC
reported about the 33rd annual Poplar Bluff Basketball Showdown.
The DAR
highlighted our Junior Beta State Convention award winners.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the DAR
published a photo display from recess at Eugene Field.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, the DAR
published a photo display from recess at Oak Grove.
On Friday, Dec. 20, the DAR
published a photo gallery from a Christmas party hosted at Lake Road; and featured a Q&A with teacher Sophia Adams of Oak Grove.
On Saturday, Dec. 21, the DAR
published a photo gallery of the Toasty Toes sock hop at Eugene Field.
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