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Vol. 9 No. 23
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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Two Poplar Bluff sophomores named Missouri Scholars |
Poplar Bluff High School had both of its allotted student nominees accepted into the 2021 Missouri Scholars Academy—a rarity—according to counselor Dr. Regina Williams.
Mariah DeShaney and Emmalein Pendley will participate in the virtual MSA in June among 330 of the state’s academically gifted sophomores. Administered by the University of Missouri Honors College, the program’s selection process is based on grade point average, ACT scores, student essays and letters of recommendation.
In addition to each maintaining an 11.429 out of 11.0 GPA, Emmalein and Mariah were cited by their teachers for participating in athletics, band and various academic clubs, as well as being involved in the community.
“Emmalein does not simply memorize the facts that are presented to her, she wants to understand the reasons behind them,” wrote Jessica Girtman, PBHS science teacher. Girtman provided an example of how, during a chemistry class simulation, Emmalien was the only student out of 70 who had noticed that data collected did not match the predicted values and inquired why.
English teacher Jennie Randolph recalled holding a class discussion about making improvements at the High School. While some students focused on changing the school lunch menu, Emmalein worked toward finding a solution to the amount of paper waste thrown away in the cafeteria.
“Mariah is a lifelong learner whose exceptional academic skills, creativity, dedication and passion for learning have allowed her to excel academically and will continue to benefit her in future endeavors,” communication arts teacher Stephen Patty wrote. He went on to note that she has raised thought-provoking questions and ideas “in ways that had never occurred to me.”
Mariah’s math teacher, Hope Conover, added: “I witnessed her assisting her peers with concepts they didn’t understand by explaining information in a manner that is knowledgeable but not condescending; engaging peers in thoughtful, meaningful dialogue; and conducting herself in a respectful, considerate manner.”
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PBHS sophomore accepted into Agribusiness Academy |
A Poplar Bluff sophomore has been chosen alongside only 30 high school students in Missouri to participate in the 2021 Missouri Agribusiness Academy this summer.
Audrie Sievers will join her peers in receiving a tour of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in Jefferson City, then they will travel mid-state to visit agribusinesses and learn about career opportunities in animal health and production agriculture over the course of several days in June.
“I’m so proud of each of these students and the accomplishments they’ve already achieved as leaders,” stated Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn in a press release. “We hope that MAbA helps each of them add value to those skills and ultimately find their future in an agriculture career.”
Selection into the academy is based on a competitive application and interview process. Audrie serves as Poplar Bluff’s FFA chapter president and was sworn into office last week as Area 16 FFA treasurer of the association, according to agriculture education teacher Kathryn Clark.
Her math teacher, Hope Conover, said that students could often become overwhelmed and frustrated in her advanced algebra class, but Audrie is a “model student” who comes to class prepared and always asks questions to broaden her understanding of the material.
"Audrie consistently faces these challenges head-on with an open mind and optimistic spirit," Conover wrote. "She utilizes her class time wisely and is a very conscientious worker."
Above: Audrie Sievers of PBHS was one of 30 sophomores in the state to be accepted into the 2021 Missouri Agribusiness Academy.
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Class of 1992 donates in memory of classmate |
The Poplar Bluff High School library added over 75 books to its collection with a $1,200 donation from the Class of 1992 in memory of alumna Misty Ziegler.
“Misty was an avid reader and loved all books,” stated Independent Living Center of Southeast Missouri Director Jennifer Brown, an organizer of the fundraiser. "Misty was an LCSW [licensed clinical social worker] and worked hard helping people celebrate who they were and deal with their issues to live their best life."
Librarian Marcia Priest researched the selection of titles—about diversity, acceptance and overcoming challenges—and noted that the inspirational genre was popular among High School students. The books will contain an inscription within the cover dedicated to Ziegler, who passed away unexpectedly in October.
The Class of 1992 also plans to make a smaller donation to the Junior High library with the rest of its collection generated by alumni through GoFundMe, according to United Cancer Assistant Network Director Melody Chailland, fundraiser co-organizer.
Above: (Left to right) Jennifer Brown and Melody Chailland of the PBHS Class of 1992 make a memorial donation to the Poplar Bluff High School library, overseen by Marci Priest.
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St. Jude fundraising efforts exceed $1.1M |
Top fundraising students for this year’s Math-A-Thon were treated to pizza and a movie for helping to generate almost $30,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, bringing the district’s accumulative contribution to over $1.1 million.
The students are typically invited to tour St. Jude in Memphis, but since the medical center is not accepting visitors at this time, Pizza Inn opened its game room and a special showing of Disney’s “Cars” was arranged on Wednesday, March 24, at Kay Porter Theater.
The group of students—three per participating building—included last year’s top fundraisers who missed out on the reward due to the district’s wellness break. Students also received gift bags with items donated by First Midwest Bank, Lemonade House Grille, McDonald’s, Sonic and St. Jude.
The Poplar Bluff School District has been part of the Math-A-Thon since the 1988/89 academic year under the direction of former O’Neal Principal Lorenzo Sandlin, and the fundraiser went district-wide over the next decade.
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the childhood cancer survival rate from 20 to 80 percent, according to the medical center’s website.
Above: Students pictured (in alphabetical order, not the order in which they appear) are Madeline Allbritton, Brookelyn Ballow, Liam Bates, Blayne Bell, Bree Blackwell, Karter Brown, Peyton Brumitt, Dalilah Burkeen, Dakota Collins, Austin Crismon, Chandler Crunk, Logan Crunk, Stella Cummings, Maddi DeHart, Jake Fickert, Kaitlyn Hillis, Chadrick Joehrs, Natalya Johnson, Nash Ligons, Ace Luecke, Jayden Massa, Natalie Meyer, Kyleigh Moffitt, Macy Mustain, Kayden Robbins, Dalton Rommel, Natalea Rommel, Chloe Rowland, Miles Sandlin, Sheldon Schaefer, Jace Silman, Bailey Smith, Reagan Sparkman, Kerris Taylor, Maddox Wilson and Presley Wilson.
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Foundation Golf
The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 21st annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 30, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course, with tee time beginning at noon following lunch.
Organizers are seeking teams for the four-person scramble, hole sponsorships and raffle prizes. Click here to submit an entry form by Tuesday, April 27.
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. Several past recipients have returned to teach for the R-I school system.
For more information about the tournament, contact Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill’s office at 573-785-7751, ext. 9, or call past Superintendent Chris Hon—who remains involved with the foundation—at 573-718-0149. All donations to the 501c3 non-for-profit organization are tax deductible.
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On Tuesday, March 23, KWOC reported about our Covid vaccination clinic.
On Wednesday, March 24, the DAR reported about our Senior Showcase event hosted by TCC culinary arts; and recognized our February Athletes of the Month.
On Tuesday, April 6, the DAR reported about a truck donation to the TCC auto technology program.
On Thursday, April 8, the DAR reported about our board reorganizational meeting.
On Saturday, April 10, the DAR reported about PBHS senior Colin Lamberson being named the SEMO South FCA Impact Athlete of the Year.
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