Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center instructor Michael Barrett took his PLTW computer science classes outside to pick up litter and get some fresh air following a test earlier this month when the weather broke.

“It’s our little community service,” Barrett said. “I just think the Bootheel of Missouri and the Poplar Bluff area are so pretty, and I can’t understand why people would want to litter.”

Barrett voiced his concern publicly during a Poplar Bluff Council meeting a while back, and a city official directed him to the Adopt-A-Street program. He has since enlisted his classes in helping to make the community a cleaner place.

This will mark the third school year the Project Lead the Way students have picked up trash occasionally along Butler County Road 437. The volunteer group was given an official sign that the school displays on campus, reading: This Street is Proudly Maintained by Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center.

“It’s a small thing that goes a long way, picking up litter,” stated James Fisk, Poplar Bluff city planner. “We encourage it as much as possible. We’ll take all the help we can get.”

City hall supplies the trash bags for planned cleanup events and the Street Department comes by to pick up the debris collected along the route. Volunteers must complete at least one cleanup event per quarter, and a sign displaying the individual or organization may be installed after two consecutive pickups.

The litter control program is “designed to promote a volunteer spirit and instill pride in the city,” according to the application, made available at 501 Vine St., or by clicking here.

Above: TCC instructor Michael Barrett and students from his computer science principles and integrated manufacturing classes collect bags of trash along CR 437 on Wednesday, March 2.

Below: Computer science students Emily Northern and Justin Rommel pose under the Adopt-A-Street sign, put up in September 2019, according to TCC Director Charles Kinsey.

The Poplar Bluff High School Iron Mules vied in the FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship for Missouri and Kansas robotics teams earlier this month at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.

While the fluctuating ranking for the robotics club reached as high as 11th place during the six matches, the Iron Mules did not qualify to advance to nationals this year. A total of 36 teams out of 126 teams in the region were invited to participate in the bi-state championship.

“The team members enjoyed the competition and have already been talking about what they can do to improve for next year,” reported Kathy Miller, their coach.

The Iron Mules competed in three preliminary events over the past few months, ultimately qualifying for the championship in two different ways: placing second in the league and winning the Think award, designated for the team whose engineering notebook best reflects the journey during build season as determined by a state judging committee.

In addition, the Iron Mules took home the Winning Alliance honor along with a team from Kennett during a Southeast Missouri qualifying event held virtually last month, plus won the second place Connect award for building relationships with the local STEM community (science, technology, engineering and math).

The robotics club began the 2021/22 season by hosting the Kickin' It With The Mules event in December at PBHS, followed by participating in the Jackson League Meet in January. The Iron Mules placed second at both competitions, adding to a successful season.

PBHS founded its robotics club in 2013 through the FIRST organization, which stands for: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.

Above: Pictured on Saturday, March 5, at Missouri S&T are (back row, from left) Rylan Roach, William Martin, Carter Scobey, James Conley-Halliburton and Alex Guo; and (front row, left to right) coach Kathy Miller, assistant coach Mike Sowatzke, William Montgomery, Jared Gilham, Halee Harrell, Jaron Shi and Hailey Burton. Not pictured are Isaac Pry and Walker Rowland.

The Mules Booster Club has named Addison Kirkman and Lucas Robertson of Poplar Bluff High School the February Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Lucas, a junior wrestler, finished the season with a record of 44-8, with 26 pins, adding to a career total of 117 victories. He placed fifth in the state championship tournament, was SEMO Conference runner-up, and landed third in the Class 4 District tournament. Lucas was additionally named the Patriot Classic champion, placed second at Bring the Hammer in Farmington and third at the St. Charles Invite. In the classroom, he maintains a 10.75 grade point average.

“Lucas is an excellent wrestler and student in the classroom. Lucas has a very dedicated approach to his wrestling craft and has a high wrestling IQ,” said Kelton Thompson, his coach. “Lucas is a great example to his teammates with his humble and consistent approach to being an elite wrestler. Lucas has defeated numerous top wrestlers in Missouri and surrounding states with his dedicated approach to becoming the best wrestler in Missouri every single day.”

Addison, a senior swimmer, is a four-year letterman, made All-Conference all four years and was a state team alternate twice. She qualified for the state championship this season in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay, plus swam a state cut in the breaststroke, coming up short by less than 1 second. Last year, Addison earned the Suzanne Schneider Award, the highest honor for PBHS. In the classroom, she maintains a 10.9 GPA.

“Addison is an amazing young lady. She is more than willing to help any teammate in need. She has helped several of the girls on the team with proper swimming techniques and [swim] meet protocols,” said Beth Lewis, her coach. “Addison will be missed after this season. She is one of the most improved four-year swimmers to go through the program.”

Above: Lucas Robertson and Addison Kirkman are presented the Athlete of the Month awards on Wednesday, March 9, by Booster Club vice president Brian Taylor.

A partnering soft drink distributor presented $6,000 to the PBHS Beta Club on Tuesday, March 22, for collecting the most bottle caps out of similar sized schools in surrounding states during the annual Dr. Pepper Pigskin Points contest.

The funding will be used to subsidize state and national convention expenses for the growing student organization, announced club sponsors. Click here to read the full article!

Above: (Left to right) Tom Orosz, Pepsi MidAmerica; Addison Shell, Beta Club service chair; Piper Duncan, Beta vice president; Emma Sutton, president; Gavin Vaughn, Beta treasurer; Stephanie Kuper, Beta co-sponsor; and Pam Davis, Beta co-sponsor. Not pictured is Elizabeth Ledbetter, PBHS Beta Club secretary.

Gail Karlish, PBHS Science Department chair, reported that she has recently begun riding a Lectric ebike to work: "in order to fit some exercise into my day as well as to reduce my carbon footprint, and encourage others to possibly do the same," she stated.

So far PBHS library media specialist Marci Priest has subsequently invested in an electric bicycle, which includes a throttle, integrating moped-style functionality while retaining the ability to be pedaled by the rider. “The farthest I have gone so far is about four miles with a lot of stops on the way,” commented Priest, noting that learning to balance may require some practice.

Above: Gail Karlish submitted a photo of her reflection in the library windows en route to the elevator after completing her 30-minute ride to work one morning.

Enrollment at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center for the 2022/23 will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, March 29-31, plus 4:30-7 p.m. on the final day, at the 1200 Camp Road campus. Child(ren) must be 5 by July 31. Please bring birth certificate, social security card, shot record and proof of residency. Enrollment forms are available here. For more information, call 573-785-4905.

PBHS, in conjunction with the Technical Career Center, will be hosting a hiring event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, in an effort to allow outgoing students with resumes to interview for open positions in the community. Employers interested in having representation at the annual event are asked to fill out the form linked here. For more information, call the TCC 573-785-2248 or email charleskinsey@pb.k12.mo.us.

On Tuesday, March 8, KWOC reported about the regional awards through the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals two of our building administrators earned.

On Thursday, March 10, the DAR reported about the art exhibit featuring the work of our students, grades K-8, at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum; and reported about Austin Stoner of PBHS signing a National Letter of Intent to join the trapshooting team at Hannibal-LaGrange University.

Beginning on Tuesday, March 13, the DAR began a series documenting the Sho-Me Band’s performance at Disney World.

On Tuesday, March 15, the DAR reported about the PBHS Beta Club’s $6K prize; and honored our PBHS Students of the Month.

On Wednesday, March 16, the DAR wrote a preview story about PBHS Baseball.

On Thursday, March 17, the DAR wrote a preview story about PBHS Girls Soccer. 

On Saturday, March 19, the DAR wrote a preview story about PBHS Track & Field.

On Monday, March 21, KWOC reported about our open enrollment event scheduled at the Kindergarten Center. 

On Wednesday, March 23, the DAR wrote a preview story about PBHS Tennis.

On Thursday, March 24, the DAR reported about McKenna Mills of PBHS signing a National Letter of Intent to shoot trap for Drury University.

On Friday, March 25, the DAR wrote a preview story about Mules Golf.