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Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District to help start your week on the right hoof.
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MSHOF inducts PBHS Boys Golf program
The Poplar Bluff High School Boys Golf program is being inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021, joining over 800 all-time elite athletes, sports teams and programs throughout the state.
"It is our desire that this honor will be one of the most significant highlights in your career and it gives us great pleasure to recognize your contributions to Missouri sports," stated MSHOF Executive Director Jerald Andrews in a letter to R-I Athletic Director Kent Keith on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Only the third PBHS inductee in district history, Mules Golf is the first male golf program in Missouri to be chosen as a whole. Girls programs in Kansas City and Sedalia have been recognized in recent years. The selection committee receives between 250-300 nominations annually, according to officials.
"Since I first started nine years ago, I have heard about the tremendous history of the Boys Golf program, and I have heard of many names in the community who have contributed to making our boys successful," Keith said. "This is not only an honor for Poplar Bluff Schools itself, but for the whole town."
Now led by Billy Pyland, PBHS Boys Golf has earned six state championships sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association during the following years: 1939 under coach E.T. Peters; 1980 and 1981 respectively under coach Dave Porter; 1988 under coach Bruce Powers; and 1995 and 1996 respectively under coach Bill Caputo.
In addition, the team has placed 19 times in the top four-the third-most in Missouri history-out of 39 total tournament finishes, and was named runner-up five times. Individual state champions have included Craig Caringer in 1980; Brent Pennington in 1986; Colby Robertson in 1994 and 1996 respectively; and Tyler Hillis in 2004.
While Caputo served as coach over the team during the most recent, consecutive state titles, he credits the late Tom Hoover, former coach and R-I administrator, for the program's long-standing success, along with Buddy Godwin, Missouri Golf Association Hall of Fame member, who helped "put golf on the map" in Poplar Bluff, he noted.
"I would like to say it's because of me, but let me be perfectly clear, those guys [the student-athletes] made me a good coach," said Caputo, who retired as district athletic director in 2008. "Put it this way, they helped my game a whole lot more than I helped theirs."
Above: When Bill Caputo (forefront) was hired as R-I athletic director during the 1995/96 school year, he opted to remain golf coach for an additional year, then was succeeded by Billy Pyland (back) over the Boys Golf program.
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PBJHS donates over 9K cans to food pantry
Poplar Bluff Junior High donated 9,025 canned goods to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry generated by students last month, helping to sustain the nonprofit for the entire year, volunteers say.
While the canned food drive predates the school's house system, community service projects have become more competitive under the recent structure, according to Principal Candace Warren, who made note that each student brought in an average of 13 non-perishables.
Named after the legendary Three Rivers Raiders Basketball coach Gene Bess, returning victor House Bess brought in the most cans with 3,347, followed by House Giambelluca-in honor of Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame founder Sam Giambelluca-which collected 3,090 items.
Asked if the faculty members have been working to outdo one another, social studies teacher Aaron Duncan replied: "They've gotten competitive. We've been busy winning." The key to success, explained Duncan, is a high participation rate, with 72 percent of his students contributing, or 83 out of 115.
"I always tell them that we win with humility and we lose with integrity, because the cause is bigger here," said Duncan, in all seriousness. "No one's losing anything, because [regardless], we're gonna feed someone who needs, say, vegetables."
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry distributes 12,000 non-perishable food items to Butler County residents in need each year, according to volunteer Merlin DeWitt. The school's friendly competition has led to the operation's largest single donation "by far," he commented.
Last year, Junior High donated 6,677 non-perishables and in 2018 - 5,700. The top two houses will receive pizza parties, and the total points earned will go toward an end-of-the-semester field trip for the big winner.
The canned food drive is organized by the PBJHS social studies department, under the lead of Melinda Moncier, who is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which oversees the food pantry. Located on Broadway Street, St. Vincent de Paul also runs a thrift store.
Above: Eighth grader David Williams joins his schoolmates in loading up canned goods for St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at PBJHS.
Below: (Left to right) PBJHS staff members Kathy Pattillo, Candace Warren and Melinda Moncier; volunteer Merlin DeWitt; and staff members Lyndsee Moon, Emily Padilla, Aaron Duncan and Josh Wesemann pose beside the trailer.
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U.S. Army STEM trailer visits PBHS
Poplar Bluff High School students recently learned about STEM opportunities available through the U.S. Army during a special visit from the Mobile Exhibit Company.
JROTC cadets as well as other classes were led through situation, mission, and the research and development rooms of the trailer, called 'Adventure Semi 7,' as they were informed about the Army's role in medical innovations and navigation technology.
Examples of such technologies used by civilians today "for the betterment of society" that were originally developed for or by the armed forces include GPS used for Google Maps, tissue regeneration and yellow fever vaccines, according to the recruiters.
"One constant in the Army, and military across the board for that matter, is technological advancements," stated Maj. Greg Crites, PBHS senior Army instructor. "We've been on the forefront over the last 25 plus years, dating back to Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the 1990s really."
Students learned about a robot that will be capable of leaping known as SARAH, or search and rescue autonomous hardware, with a hover drone attached to it so soldiers can avoid entering certain hazardous situations. Finally they had a chance to complete a simulated mission utilizing components of science, technology, engineering and math.
The U.S. Army Mission Support Battalion typically visits larger urban population centers, but since some schools are learning virtually because of COVID-19, PBHS was able to sign up, according to organizers.
Above: Students play a video game navigating SARAH through a simulated disaster on Tuesday, Nov. 24, in the JROTC wing of PBHS.
Below: High schoolers use a PlayStation controller to pick up a water canister with a bomb disposal robot.
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School Board
The Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the Administrative Building.
Christmas Break
School will be dismissed for Christmas break from Monday, Dec. 21 to Friday, Jan. 1. School will resume on Monday, Jan. 4. Happy holidays!
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On Tuesday, Nov. 17, the DAR highlighted Poplar Bluff Schools' participation in the Museum's annual Christmas Tree Forest contest.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, KWOC recognized our Athletes of the Month.
The DAR produced a video of Middle School students sharing what they are thankful for; recognized our Middle School Honor Roll; and honored our Athletes of the Month.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the ShowMe Times reported about special guests our students were able to connect with virtually.
The DAR reported preview stories about Girls and Boys Basketball.
On Thursday, Nov. 26, the DAR provided a photo display from Kindergarten Center students learning how to lead a Pow Wow.
On Friday, Nov. 27, the DAR reported a preview story about Girls Swimming.
On Saturday, Nov. 28, the DAR reported a preview about PBHS Wrestling.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, the DAR reported about the MSHOF induction of our Boys Golf program.
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