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You've got eMule!
Vol. 11 No. 20
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| First Missouri Beta Club president in PBHS history |  | |
Almost 150 Poplar Bluff students participated in the recent Missouri Junior and Senior Beta conventions, earning a traveling trophy and golden ticket to nationals, and placing in 27 categories, seven of which were first place victories.
But perhaps most notably, eleventh grader Bryden Fuemmeler was elected to serve as Missouri Beta president, the first state officer in PBHS history, according to incoming assistant principal Dr. Stephanie Kuper. She pointed out that the school technically did have a transfer student from another district finish out a term here back in the 1990s.
“It's the opportunity of a lifetime for him, first of all. And for our club, to show up to Beta and win awards shows we are competing with other clubs [established] for decades,” said Kuper, communication arts teacher who serves as co-sponsor with Pam Davis of the Business Department. “The commitment of the folks in here every day after school carving out some time before running to practice to get the set completed—it was such a group effort, and Mrs. Davis and myself couldn’t be more proud.”
Bryden delivered a short speech, performed a skit with help from his schoolmates and participated in a Q&A before several thousand in attendance, each of whom had a chance to vote to determine the winner, Kuper explained. Based on the film “Grease,” Bryden used an analogy of the hot rod nicknamed “greased lightnin’” as his campaign platform at the state convention.
“Leadership is our fuel, service is our drivetrain, character is our engine and achievement is our roadmap,” Bryden told the audience. “When you’re riding with Bryden on the foundations of leadership, service, character and achievement, together you and I will take Missouri Beta to the next level!”
Bryden, who described himself as a “full-service president,” will attend the weeklong National Beta Summer Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., with PBHS sophomore Emaly Clyburn, who was previously named state leadership representative. He will also vie for national president in June during the National Beta Convention in Louisville. “Missouri hasn’t had a candidate win at the national level in several years, and Poplar Bluff needs to be the school to bring it back to our state,” Kuper stated.
Other PBHS students who qualified to compete nationally during the Missouri Senior Beta Convention on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, in Branson were: first place winners in musicology – Gracie Brown, Donna Clark, Parker Hicks and Dawson Parker; first in technology – Cole Pullam and Grace Ruesler; second in marketing & communications – Kayleigh Blanchard, Hannah Burton and Macie Winkler; third in poetry division one – Aaron Johnson; third in 10th grade Spanish – Samantha Ruiz; fourth in fiber art – Gracie Burns; fourth in 10th grade biomedical health science – Aaryn Johnson; fourth in handmade jewelry – Macie Winkler; and fifth in 11th grade biomedical – Rebecca Stevens. PBHS additionally placed fourth in campaign skit, and was the St. Jude traveling trophy winner.
National qualifiers during the Junior Beta Convention on Wednesday and Thursday, March 1-2, at the Branson Convention Center were: Junior High’s Haidyn Allen, Preston Ethridge, Jackson Kennedy and Jaxton Spain for placing first in musicology junior oral; Jackson Kennedy – first in eighth grade science; Haidyn Allen, and Ella and Kennedy Shell – third in book battle junior; and Lexus Allbritton – fifth in onsite art drawing. The Middle School’s Daniel Broege placed first in fifth grade math; Tenley Moss – first in performing arts junior solo dancer; Natalea Rommel – first in fifth grade painting; Analeigh Peach – second in fifth grade performing arts; Ace Luecke – third in fifth grade woodworking; Olivia Tinker – fourth in fifth grade spelling bee; Jude Funke, Jillian Hovis, Brevyn Price and Sadie Smith – fourth in Quiz Bowl elementary oral; Jaxson Rothenberger – fifth in fifth grade science; and Tenley Moss won a golden ticket for premier performer junior dancer. Lastly, Lake Road’s Jacob Turner placed second in fifth grade math; Maddox Campbell – fourth in fifth grade language arts; Tyler Gerdes – fourth in sixth grade language arts; and Emma Biri and Nakayla Randolph – fifth in performing arts junior duo.
Above: Poplar Bluff High School junior Bryden Fuemmeler was named Missouri Beta president during the 73rd annual Senior Beta Convention held earlier this month in Branson.
| PBHS students win $500 in statewide traffic safety initiative |  | |
A pair of Poplar Bluff High School students were awarded $500 for creating a radio commercial that focuses on the prevention of school bus stop-arm violations as part of a statewide effort.
Jasmin Martinez-Peinado, a sophomore, and junior Bryden Fuemmeler submitted the winning entry in the Show-Me I’m Worth Stopping For contest out of 115 finalists across Missouri, according to Amy Roderick, director of the Missouri School Boards’ Association Center for Education Safety (CES).
“We are thrilled to announce the winner of the student contest and extend our warmest congratulations to the students from Poplar Bluff High School for the outstanding contribution,” stated Roderick, who hand-delivered the award on Tuesday, March 7. “Their submission exemplifies the creativity and passion that Missouri students bring to the table in championing important issues.”
The top three K-12 student entries in video, audio recording and poster categories received prizes ranging from $250-$1,500, funded through the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety and Traffic Division. The PBHS duo pledged to donate $100 of the proceeds to both Student Council and Special Olympics Missouri.
Bryden explained how he and his project partner researched the purpose of the initiative, looked up statics on stop-arm violations, then listened to other public service announcements during leadership class with communication arts teacher Jennie Randolph. “Keep your focus on the road ahead of you because you never know when a child will be crossing the road,” Jasmine said in part during the recorded commercial.
About 50 R-I students from elementary to high school submitted art and other multimedia, and the Transportation Department ranked the contest entries at the district level, rewarding lunch parties for participation. The top entries were then forwarded along to the state to be judged among the other competing districts, according to Transportation Director Jon McKinney.
The initiative was a collaborative effort between the CES and multiple traffic safety partners to raise awareness for drivers illegally passing buses with their stop signs out and red lights flashing. The end goal is to make a single major impact on roadway safety, according to an MSBA press release.
Above: Amy Roderick of the MSBA Center for Education Safety presents a check on Tuesday, March 7, to PBHS students Bryden Fuemmeler and Jasmin Martinez-Peinado, along with their leadership elective teacher Jennie Randolph (far right) of the Communication Arts Department.
| Grassroots group donates weighted blankets for R-I students in need |  | |
The Missouri Association for Family and Community Education recently donated a dozen hand-sewn weighted blankets to the Poplar Bluff School District to be distributed to students in need within the Special Education Department.
Designed to relieve anxiety through the use of deep touch pressure stimulation, the weighted blankets were dispersed to schools from Early Childhood to High School earlier this month and “were gone by the end of the day,” R-I Special Services Director Mindy Garrett reported. She explained: “The blankets have been found to work well for those with autism by meeting some of their sensory needs.”
The Star Club under FAFCE-Butler County gathered each month to sew the blankets as a community project, according to secretary Chris Waite. The grassroots group of volunteers has made similar donations to the school system in the past. The organization is currently creating fidget blankets for veterans with help from grant funding, Waite noted.
Above: R-I Special Services Director Mindy Garrett (back) accepts hand-sewn weighted blankets from FAFCE members (clockwise) June Romine, Shirlene Nelson, Ruth Ann Knodell and Edna Crain on Thursday, March 2, in the Administrative Building.
| February Athletes of the Month named |  | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Zoë Freeman and Lucas Robertson of Poplar Bluff High School the February Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Zoë, a sophomore wrestler, is a two-time state medalist, having finished the season with a record of 34-6, with 28 pins. She placed fifth at the Missouri State Class 2 Championship in the 170-pound division; was Class 2 District 1 runner-up; was named the Patriot Classic, St. Charles Invite and SEMO Conference champion; received the SEMO Conference most outstanding wrestler award; placed second in the Union Tournament; and landed third in the Bring the Hammer and Kyle Thrasher tournaments.
“Zoë is now a two-time state medalist and a large part of this is because she shows up when the doors are open,” said Kelton Thompson, her coach. “She makes it a priority to continue to get better throughout the year. I am excited to see what the next two years hold for her.”
Lucas, a senior wrestler, is the second in Poplar Bluff history two-time state medalist, with 153 career wins – the second of all time, and a season record of 35-5. He placed fifth at the Missouri State Class 4 Championship in the 150-pound division; was the Class 4 District 1 champion; was the Patriot Classic, Farmington Tournament and St. Charles champion; and runner-up at the SEMO Conference and Bring the Hammer. His only losses were to either state champs or runners-up, his coach noted.
"Lucas has had an incredible career as a Poplar Bluff wrestler. His accolades go unmatched over our 50-year history," Thompson stated. "It has been my honor to coach him over the past four years. His determination and high character have helped develop him into an extremely high-level wrestler and even better young man."
Above: Zoë Freeman and Lucas Robertson are presented AOM awards from Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Wednesday, March 22, at PBHS.
| Bonus: Outgoing board president honors valued staff members | |
As his final order of business as president of the Board of Education on Thursday, March 23, John Scott honored Talika Hamilton (center) and Tori Wilchek of the Custodial Department for going above and beyond in their jobs, largely behind-the-scenes.
Scott noted how Wilchek could be seen “hustling” while she dust-mops the hardwood between Mules Basketball games at Poplar Bluff High School, and Hamilton “always seems to have a smile on her face” as she works into the evening tidying up the Administrative Building following monthly board meetings.
Scott himself was later recognized by R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill in advance of the upcoming election for completing his third consecutive term beginning in 2014, along with outgoing board member Jerrod Murphy, who served the BOE since 2017, concluding two three-year terms.
Thank you all for your dedicated service to our school system!
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Happy Easter
School will be dismissed from Good Friday through Tuesday, April 7-11, for Easter followed by a teacher Collaboration Day. School will resume for students on Wednesday, April 12.
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for the Kindergarten Center at 1200 Camp Road will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, April 18-20, with an additional time slot available from 4:30-7 p.m. on the final day. Parents/guardians are asked to bring the following items: birth certificate, social security card, shot record and proof of residency. Enrollment forms are available here. For questions, call 573-785-4905.
Foundation Golf
The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 23rd annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 28, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course, with tee time beginning at noon following lunch. All proceeds from the golf classic go toward innovative teacher grants outside of the classroom budget, and a student scholarship for a PBHS graduate entering the field of education. To enter a team in the four-person scramble, sponsor a hole or donate a raffle prize, please call 573-785-7751, ext. 5.
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On Tuesday, March 7, Fox23 reported about our Transportation Department’s bus tracking pilot program.
KFVS12 also reported about our new parent access tool.
KWOC promoted our Kindergarten Center open enrollment.
On Wednesday, March 8, KWOC reported about Lake Road Principal Rondi Vaughn being named Exemplary New Principal by the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals.
WSILTV reported about the Here Comes the Bus app presently available to Early Childhood and Kindergarten caregivers.
The DAR recognized our Junior High Honor Roll.
On Thursday, March 9, the DAR reported about PBHS senior Lucas Robertson’s record-breaking wrestling career.
The ShowMe Times reported about our Here Comes the Bus app.
KWOC also reported about the pilot program being rolled out district-wide next school year.
On Friday, March 10, the DAR recognized our Middle School Honor Roll.
On Monday, March 13, the DAR reflected with outgoing Assistant Superintendent of Business Dr. Amy Jackson about her storied career with the Poplar Bluff School District.
On Tuesday, March 14, the DAR reported about our inaugural season of the Poplar Bluff Middle School Basketball program.
On Wednesday, March 15, the DAR reported about Rondi Vaughn’s MAESP Exemplary New Principal honor.
On Thursday, March 16, the DAR reported about Here Comes the Bus.
On Friday, March 17, the DAR reported about Nathen Bunton of PBHS signing a National Letter of Intent to play football for Westminster College in Fulton.
On Saturday, March 25, the DAR recognized our recent TCC cosmetology program graduates, as well as our PBHS Students of the Month.
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