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Vol. 9 No. 21
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
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Oak Grove student named finalist in multi-state art contest |
An Oak Grove first grader has been selected among 100 students to have her artwork featured as part of the 31st annual Picture the Music competition presented by the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association.
Lauren Chronister was chosen by a panel of expert judges as a finalist out of more than 6,000 participants, grades K-6, from Missouri and Illinois to be celebrated during a virtual awards ceremony on Saturday, March 27, according to a letter from the organization.
This year’s assignment was to listen to classical composer Florence Price’s “Juba Dance,” and draw what comes to mind. Art teacher Kim Wynne, who also serves at O’Neal, submitted several top selections from each elementary school.
She played the symphony and discussed some examples, using a program that displays moving shapes to rhythm, but otherwise the students did not have a pattern to follow or any other prompt, she said. Lauren is “advanced for her age” and has a bright future as an artist, according to Wynne.
When asked what her inspiration was, Lauren simply replied that she was “just drawing it.” With regard to her decision to use crayons, she explained: “It matters what I have.”
Wynne, who has been teaching in Poplar Bluff for over a decade, said she looks up different art competitions for students to participate in from time to time, for example, the conservation and transportations department’s “No MOre Trash!” campaign. While she has participated in the Picture the Music contest before, this is the first time she had a student named among the top 100.
Above: The Picasso-esque abstract drawing created by Lauren Chronister was selected as a finalist in the Picture the Music 2021 competition.
Below: Lauren Chronister of the first grade contemplates her next masterpiece, a rainbow chameleon, last week in Kim Wynne’s art class.
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Guests dine at mock restaurants designed by TCC students |
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center students prepared a sampling from several original menus for about 60 guests to enjoy during the revamped Senior Showcase on Tuesday, March 9, in the Mules Café.
Sponsored by Ozark Federal Credit Union, the event replaces the meal of the day concept during which culinary arts students would take turns creating a lunch of choice for the public. To prepare for the expanded format, students began to research menu pairings in the fall, according to culinary arts instructor Brandon Moon.
“I try to look at what the industry is doing and I also pull what I can from my college experience into a high school setting, while teaching the essentials,” explained Chef Moon, who obtained his degree from Sullivan University’s National Center for Hospitality Studies in Louisville. “A cook knows how to prepare the food, but a chef understands the cost of food, how to balance a meal, and seasonality, so to speak – or when to use fresh products versus store-bought.”
Along with a restaurant name, students chose cuisine themes to serve such as Italian, preparing bite-sized servings of stromboli, Italian wedding soup, babà al rum and tiramisu, or Lebanese, featuring dishes that included kibbeh and sharwama. Others chose neighborhood grill style concepts with burgers and pulled pork that are staples in the Southeast Missouri diet, said Moon.
The students worked “tremendously hard” on their mock restaurants, the instructor noted, and he is happy the juniors now have an idea of what will be expected of them next school year. The ultimate goal, Moon added, is to invite local industry professionals and allow them to scout from the soon-to-be graduates of the program.
“Talent’s one thing, but you need to learn to show up, give an honest day’s work, and be able to get along with others if you’re gonna be successful in this business, I tell them,” Moon stated. “With the community, what we’re eventually trying to do is invite restaurant owners and managers in to potentially see these aspects in our students, and hopefully want to hire them to be a benefit to their establishment.”
Above: A student sautés onions and peppers on the flat top grill in preparation for the Senior Showcase event.
Below: Students peel potatoes and perform other meal prep to get ready to serve family and friends.
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February Athletes of the Month named |
The Mules Booster Club has named Olivia Kirkman and Gatlin Taylor of Poplar Bluff High School the February Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Olivia, a junior swimmer, made the 2021 All Conference team in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and 400 freestyle relay; swam consideration state cuts in the 50 and 100 freestyle, the 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay, and the 200 and 400 freestyle relay; and was a state qualifier in the 200 medley relay and 100 freestyle. Ranked 21/359 in her class, Olivia maintains a 10.893 grade point average, according to her coach Elizabeth Lewis.
"Olivia has really stepped up this year," Lewis said. "She has really grown an interest [in] swimming and developed a will for improvement."
Gatlin, a junior wrestler, had a record of 37-5 with 22 pins, heading into states this weekend. He was the SEMO Conference, Bluff Duals and Bentonville West champion; Class 4 District 1 runner-up; and went undefeated at the Hillsboro and Collierville Duals. During pre-season, he was named All American, having placed eighth at pre-season nationals. He was voted captain by his teammates because of his “relentless dedication,” according to his coach Kelton Thompson. In the classroom, he maintains a 10.8 GPA and lettered academically.
“Gatlin is an incredible teammate who displays selfless behavior for his teammates daily. Gatlin is always team first, and leads by example in the wrestling room and classroom,” Thompson said. “His hard work and perseverance has led to incredible success on the mat.”
Above: Olivia Kirkman and Gatlin Taylor are presented the AOM awards by Booster Club vice president Brian Taylor on Tuesday, March 9.
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School Board
The regularly scheduled monthly Board of Education meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in the Administrative Building.
Spring Break
Spring Break is scheduled for Monday, March 29, through Friday, April 2. School for students will resume on Tuesday, April 6, following an additional teacher collaborative day.
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On Thursday, March 11, the DAR released a video rooting on Poplar Bluff Mules Basketball in advance of the Show-Me Showdown.
On Friday, March 12, the DAR reported about our PBHS Robotics Club winning the Connect Award.
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