Mark Twain School students have played a key role in helping to address food insecurity in the community, organizers say, perhaps gaining a sense of fulfillment in the process.

Since the beginning of the calendar year, teacher Darla Nunn has served as chaperone over the volunteer students at the Bread Shed. The group assists with the nonprofit's A Better Childhood program which supplies monthly food baskets to R-I families in need, the senior food distribution in cooperation with the SEMO Food Bank, and diaper drives in collaboration with the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks.

“Kids can always find the negative, but what do you bring to the table to make it positive,” asked Nunn, who leads the Jobs for America’s Graduates program at Mark Twain. “I can’t do it all by myself, but as a collective group like the Bread Shed, we can work together to make things better.”

The community service additionally functions as a resume enhancer for students, she noted, fitting in with JAG-Missouri’s project-based learning model, and the field trips have been a motivator for those who simply enjoy a change of pace in their school day. Students enrolled in Mark Twain’s life skills program in partnership with FCC Behavioral Health are invited to participate as well.

“I know I have food in a home where I can get a drink when I want, and go to sleep in a bed,” high school student Tristan White commented. “There are people out there who are hungry and homeless and don’t have anything, and I can help them.”

Jim Ward, executive director of the Bread Shed, said the work could not be carried out without helpers like the students from Mark Twain. He said that the young people greet guests and load the boxes, which often include produce, cereal, snacks, eggs, meat, bread, canned goods, bottled water and more.

The arrangement initially began about five years ago with Junior High assistant principal Corey Jameson, then lead teacher at the former Poplar Bluff Graduation Center. “The worth ethic translated to the classroom,” he recalled.

“Each student that participated in the Bread Shed volunteer opportunity became better students in school,” Jameson said. “Helping others gave them a sense of self-worth and accomplishment, some of them hadn’t experienced in a long time or possibly ever.”

In addition to the programs that the students help with during the work week, the faith-based organization rotates counties providing a mobile food pantry and clothing giveaway on weekends. Lastly, the Bread Shed serves a free hot meal on Sundays through its Breaking Bread program at its North D Street location, where mobile shower units were recently added. For more information on services available, please visit breadshed.org.

Above: Students (right to left) Tiffany Womack and Kennedy Robertson help load up a laundry basket carried by Caiden Politte of Mark Twain School on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Bread Shed.

The student-run Mules Café is set to return from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday and Friday with its very own menu for customers to choose entrees from.

“In the past we’ve had one option per day, and we still have weekly specials,” explained chef Brandon Moon, Technical Career Center instructor of the culinary arts program. “But we are trying to listen to our customers, who say they want to eat a little lighter too.”

The initial menu will feature fried catfish with a choice of sides and dessert, plus a beverage for just $7. Other October options include a pulled pork sandwich or BBQ pork nachos, country fried steak or meatloaf, and a cowboy cheeseburger or Swiss mushroom burger. There will also be an alternative option of BBQ chicken salad or chicken strips each day.

“Maybe quarterly we’ll try to create an Applebee’s, Cracker Barrel, Red Lobster or McAlister’s type of situation,” Moon continued. “Kids need a better opportunity to know what a real restaurant is like, so when they get a real job they are really prepared.”

There will be both dine-in and carryout options this year, but customers are asked to make a reservation at least one day in advance for purposes of distancing and so students can gain more front-of-the-house experience by taking orders, according to Moon.

Throughout the year, Moon said he would be seeking restaurant owners to serve as guest speakers or give tours of their business operations. The annual Senior Showcase will be hosted for industry folks to sample a mock menu and restaurant theme created entirely by upperclassmen in the final quarter.

The Mules Café is presently located in the Administrative Building at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd. Call 573-785-5768 to place a reservation. To view the entire menu, visit the Mules Café Facebook page.

Above: Brandon Moon (black shirt), TCC culinary arts instructor, teaches students about portion control in preparation for the reopening of the Mules Café.

Educators have recently captured some special moments in which students demonstrated good character at Mules Football games, gaining attention locally over social media.

Above: During the home matchup against the Sikeston Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 17, Homecoming queen Addison Kirkman was photographed in her dress helping athletic trainer Heath Willis tape up the football players.

“Instead of focusing on herself for a moment, her servant heart still chose to take care of others,” PBHS business teacher Pam Davis wrote on Facebook. Davis, who moonlights as a photographer, captured the image among others of the Homecoming court.

The Daily American Republic also featured Addison helping during water breaks with her tiara on as one of several student team managers. “I took all my pictures and did all that, and I was like, 'Alright, I'm bored' – and just came over," the senior reportedly told Sports Editor Brian Rosener.

Below: Meanwhile at an away game against the Battle Spartans this past weekend, Junior High life skills teacher Courtney Rutledge captured a moment during which the Mules Cheer Team visited with the opposing cheerleaders prior to kickoff.

“When they were all down there talking, it was a scene that just made you smile, so I asked them if I could get a pic,” explained Rutledge, “and they all went up in a stunt.”

Rutledge had traveled to Columbia to watch the football game with her daughter Quinlan, who is a junior on the squad. “Sometimes it’s about more than just a game,” Rutledge wrote in her caption on Facebook.

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center will host its 2nd Car & Motor Show at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, on campus at 3209 Oak Grove Rd. The cost is $20 in advance or $25 the day of to enter a car, truck, boat or side-by-side here. Platinum, gold and silver sponsorships are also being sought. For details, contact auto repair instructor Denni White at denniwhite@pb.k12.mo.us. Proceeds for the annual fundraiser go toward program-related events/trips for students to experience and discover new tools, techniques, technology and innovations offered in their respective industries.

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, KFVS12 reported about the $5K+ donation our robotics class received from the Montgomery Family Foundation.

KAIT8 also aired the news segment.

On Wednesday, Sept. 22, KWOC promoted our TCC Car & Motor Show. 

On Thursday, Sept. 23, The DAR wrote a feature story about our Homecoming queen fulfilling her role as team manager.

KWOC highlighted the generous donation to PBHS robotics. 

On Friday, Sept. 24, the DAR reported about our TCC students recently placing in the national SkillsUSA competition; highlighted the Montgomery contribution; and posted a photo gallery from Junior High Football.