The American Red Cross has awarded four $750 scholarships to Poplar Bluff High School students who completed successful applications reflecting on their efforts in helping to host blood drives.

Young Minds Change Lives scholarship recipients included seniors Lauren Dickerson, Maria Polasek, Jordyn Shearrer and Isabella Sifford, the organization announced on Wednesday, April 21.

Poplar Bluff received the most award money in the Missouri Arkansas region for collecting a total of 320 units of blood, which is a testament to the giving nature of the community, according to account manager Jerrica Fox. “It’s been that way for as long as I can remember,” she said.

The student body typically hosts a spring and fall blood drive, but this year the school also held a series of staff drives during in-service days in order to meet the threshold.

“We are so proud to have continued this tradition considering the number of virtual students that were not in our building anymore; considering the opening of the Mark Twain School, which relocated students previously on our campus to a new learning environment; and considering the pandemic in general,” said Jennie Randolph, Student Council adviser. “Our students looked for ways to continue finding donors and making the act of service a fun experience for students and staff.”

Isabella and Maria stated on their applications that they each have plans to enroll in nursing programs following graduation. Isabella wrote that the program at the University of Missouri is highly competitive, and volunteering at blood drives has prepared her for the interview process. Maria added that she has learned there is “more to life than focusing on menial tasks to allow myself to get ahead.”

Both Jordyn and Lauren commented how the experience has helped them to overcome nervousness or anxiety, and break out of their shells. Jordyn stated that she “found true joy in doing things that would help my peers and community” and service-learning helped fill a void in her life. Lauren noted that the experience allowed her to “discover my potential and how I can purposefully contribute to society.”

Above: (Left to right) Pictured with Student Council adviser Jennie Randolph, scholarship recipients were Isabella Sifford, Jordyn Shearrer, Lauren Dickerson and Maria Polasek.

Poplar Bluff Junior High yielded three out of four of the top students who placed in a recent county-wide essay contest, sponsored by the Butler County Community Resource Council in partnership with the Daily American Republic.

The writing prompt, presented to area seventh graders, was about how the civil rights movement changed education opportunities for all students.

Harley Werkmeister received a $100 Visa gift card for placing first; Claire Funke received $50 for placing second; and Kate Scott received a certificate for being named an honorable mention.

“I was uplifted,” stated volunteer judge Kathern Harris, a member of the CRC Children & Youth Succeeding in School Committee, during a meeting on Tuesday, April 20. “We have a better community because we have better schools.”

Harris noted that her colleague Linda Surber, a retired educator of PBJHS, stated that she would have been proud to receive any of the dozens of finalist entries when teaching eighth grade English.

The authors of the winning research papers made connections between Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In her winning paper entitled, “The Act That Changed It All,” Harley concluded: “There will always be a few who hate the new but we mustn’t focus on those, but rather look ahead at what’s to come. A future where everyone is free, like they should be.”

Claire pointed out how the civil rights movement “helped more people overcome discrimination besides people of color,” noting that it also gave rise to the women’s liberation movement.

“Everyone benefited from desegregated schools, even if the benefits were not known at the time,” wrote Kate, previously stating: “Today schools are melting pots of different races, religions and genders.”

Communication arts teacher Jessica Shimbo, who estimated upward of 70 of the department’s students participated, noted that the assignment complemented a book study on “The Watsons Go to Birmingham” by Christopher Paul Curtis for Black History Month.

Above: (Left to right) Communication arts teacher Jessica Shimbo facilitated an essay contest swept by students Kate Scott, Harley Werkmeister and Claire Funke of her honors English class.

The Mules Booster Club has named Olivia Carda and Joseph Hardimon the March Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Joseph, a senior basketball player, averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, and made the All-Conference and All-District teams. He helped lead the team last month to district and sectional championships, before the Mules were named a state quarterfinalist. In the classroom, he maintains a 10.0 grade point average.

“JoJo has been a joy to coach. He is an extremely hard worker and selfless player,” said Will Durden, his coach. “This year he embraced the leadership role that was given to him and was instrumental in the team’s deep playoff run.”

Olivia, a sophomore soccer player, has earned 10 goals and three assists, making her the leading goal scorer thus far this season. Her GPA is 10.286.

“[Olivia has a] great attitude on and off the field and wants to become a great soccer player for the Mules, and potentially play at the collegiate level,” said Rusty Crafton, her coach. “She has the will and determination to do just that and [I] look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.”

Above: Booster Club vice president Brian Taylor presents Joseph Hardimon and Olivia Carda with the AOM awards on Thursday, April 15.

The PBHS FFA spring plant sale will run from 8 a.m.-2:15 p.m. through Friday, April 30, in the greenhouse, located on the 3209 Tom Hoover Way campus. Proceeds go toward travel expenses for field trips and competitions. For more information, visit the Poplar Bluff FFA Facebook page.

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. 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. Click here to enter a team, sponsor a hole or donate a raffle prize. For more information about the four-person scramble, contact Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill’s office at 573-785-7751, ext. 9, or call past Superintendent Chris Hon—who remains involved with the nonprofit—at 573-718-0149.

On Tuesday, April 20, the ShowMe Times reported about the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library receiving the Friend of School Libraries award for their working relationship with R-I.

KWOC also reported about Library Director Sue Crites Szostak’s statewide award.

On Friday, April 22, KWOC reported about our PBHS FFA spring plant sale.

On Saturday, April 24, the DAR reported about Bralin Duckett of PBHS and Keira Willis of PBJHS being named the Poplar Bluff Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year.