April 9, 2025

TCC expands area sending schools to incorporate Clearwater

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has welcomed Clearwater High School to its consortium for the upcoming academic year, increasing its total network of area sending schools to 10, in addition to PBHS.

“It’s such a milestone to get this partnership officially approved,” said Dr. Leigh Ann Cornman, TCC director. Before the R-I Board of Education unanimously greenlit the addition earlier this school year, Cornman stated: “It has the potential to significantly increase our numbers at the TCC.”

The Missouri State BOE officially accepted Clearwater’s request to change its area career and technical education school designation on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Jefferson City, according to a letter from Dr. Karla Eslinger, education commissioner. 

Although the deadline was too tight for Piedmont’s school system to implement the change for the current school year, according to Cornman, that only helped to strengthen the transition plan from its previous sending school of Arcadia Valley.

TCC representatives visited Clearwater in the fall, and then hosted the incoming juniors and seniors earlier this calendar year. Upperclassmen presently taking CTE programming also offered in Poplar Bluff will be able to complete their senior year at the TCC.

“This expansion of our consortium is a testament to the power of career and technical education and it will make a positive difference in the lives of all our students who are transitioning to the workforce, whether they’re from Clearwater or our other sending schools,” Cornman continued. “Our job is to prepare them to have the skills needed to be successful.”

The TCC will host a commitment night for the families of incoming students next month. Approximately 250 students, including adults, were enrolled at the TCC as of last semester, Cornman reported. 

The last school to change its affiliation to the TCC was Dexter during the 2020/21 academic year, along with a non-consortium agreement established locally with Westwood Baptist, a parochial partner. Other long-time members include East Carter, Greenville, Puxico, Southern Reynolds, Twin Rivers, Van Buren and Zalma. 

Above: (Left to right) Missouri CTE Coordinator Roger Barnes, who was the first to notify R-I school officials of Clearwater’s approval, visits with TCC Director Dr. Leigh Ann Cornman, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman and Assistant Superintendent of Business Charles Kinsey during the Culinary Arts Center ribbon cutting held back in October. 

Oak Grove continues spell-off streak; Middle School places regionally

An Oak Grove student recently won the 13th annual Butler County Community Resource Council spelling bee at Fox Radio Network, continuing a five-year winning streak for the elementary school.

Preston Pinkerton of Oak Grove Elementary triumphed over finalist Dhanish Patel of Eugene Field in the 34th round of competition with the word s-e-l-f-i-s-h. It is impressive to note that English is Dhanish’s second language, having just enrolled at Poplar Bluff Schools last school year, his accompanying counselor Esther Luna reported. 

Other third graders who were commended for reaching the championship round broadcast live on KYEC 88.3 FM, with Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Director Shannon Midyett serving as pronouncer, were: Ashlynn Condley of Lake Road and Aniya Hicks of O’Neal. Each student representing the district's lower elementary schools made it through three previous elimination rounds, beginning with the entire grade span.

With the exception of a three-year hiatus following the pandemic, Oak Grove has consistently produced a spelling bee champion since 2018, when an Oak Grove and O'Neal student tied, upon completing the entire list of words. The following year, an Oak Grove student similarly went neck and neck with Lake Road for the title.

Meanwhile at the upper elementary level, sixth grader Owen Allbritton secured third place at the 16th annual Southeast Missouri Spelling Bee last month at Three Rivers College reportedly among 28 contestants from 18 area middle and elementary schools. 

The qualifier to represent Poplar Bluff Middle School at the community college contest took place in February. Aria Rodriguez of the fifth grade was named an alternate to Allbritton. The regional winner, from Senath-Hornersville, will go on to vie in the Scripps National Spelling Bee next month in Washington, D.C. 

Above: Preston Pinkerton of the third grade is awarded the 13th annual CRC spelling bee championship trophy on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Fox Radio Network.

Below: Middle School Principal Dr. Josh Teeter presents Owen Allbritton with the winning trophy on Friday, Feb. 7, before the sixth grader advanced to regional competition.

February Athletes of the Month named

The Mules Booster Club has named Allison Williamson and Dallas Williams of Poplar Bluff High School the February Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Allison, a junior on the swim team, placed second in the Class 1, District 1 dive competition; secured first at the SEMO Conference; and landed first-place victories at the City of Roses plus both the Zizzer Invite and Duals, where she also owns the West Plains Pool 6 dive records.

“Allison Williamson had an outstanding debut season as a first-year diver, quickly making a name for herself at the state level,” said Elizabeth Lewis, her coach. “…In addition to her success on the boards, Allison is dedicated in the classroom, demonstrating the same hard work and commitment to academics as she does to diving. Her impressive performances and strong work ethic earned her the PBHS Diver Award, capping off a remarkable first season of high school diving.”

Dallas, a junior basketball player, has averaged 12 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season, his coach William Durden reported.

“Dallas has grown as a basketball player this season,” Durden stated. “He has had a pleasant attitude and has been [highly] coachable.”

Above: Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, presents Dallas Williams and Allison Williamson with the AOM awards on Wednesday, March 5, at PBHS.

Special Olympics

The annual Special Olympics Missouri spring games are slated to take place at 9 a.m. Friday, April 11, at Fred M. Morrow Stadium.

Clue

The PBHS Drama Club will present “Clue: High School Edition” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 11-12, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, at Kay Porter Theater. Tickets are $5.

Easter

School will be dismissed Friday through Monday, April 18-21, for Easter and resume for students on Tuesday, April 22. 

Foundation Golf

The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 25th annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, May 2, 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. Click here for an entry form.

On Thursday, Feb. 27, KBSI Fox23 reported about our second annual Health Care Career Fair.

On Saturday, March 1, the DAR reported about our annual Black History Month celebration at Junior High. (In case you missed it: Click here to view our photos)!

On Wednesday, March 5, KWOC reported about PBHS hosting the MASC state convention for the first time in school history.

The DAR reported about Dylan Hall and Noah Spain of PBHS signing National Letters of Intent to play baseball for Three Rivers College.

On Friday, March 7, the DAR recognized our January Athletes of the Month.

On Saturday, March 8, the DAR recognized our February Substitute Teacher of the Month, Jo Nell Seifert; and our PBHS Student Council members, who were named MASC Distinguished Student Leaders.

On Tuesday, March 11, the DAR reported about our Health Care Career Fair; and honored our top 30 students of PBHS.

On Wednesday, March 12, the DAR recognized our Middle School Honor Rolls.

On Tuesday, March 18, the DAR reported about Gov. Mike Kehoe visiting the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center to support our district’s disaster recovery efforts. 

On Wednesday, March 19, the DAR reported about our teachers recovering classroom items from the Kindergarten Center; and our childcare and food services offered to patrons in lieu of being able to reopen school following spring break.

KWOC reported about the district providing childcare services and curbside meals during the school closure.

On Thursday, March 20, KWOC reported about our temporary relocation of the Kindergarten Center, and subsequently our alternative school.

The DAR also reported about our relocation plans to finish out the school year strong.

On Monday, March 24, KBSI Fox23 reported about MUSIC Executive Director Ron Orr touring our Kindergarten Center to assess the tornado damage.

On Thursday, March 27, KFVS12 reported about our return to school following a two-week closure.

KAIT8 also aired the segment.

KBSI Fox23 reported about our return to learn.

The DAR additionally reported about the district resuming school.

The Southeast Missourian carried the DAR’s story.

KWOC streamed the press conference.

On Friday, March 28, the DAR reported about the 16th annual Three Rivers College Southeast Missouri Spelling Bee; and Ireland Gowen of PBHS signing a National Letter of Intent to play soccer for Missouri Baptist University.

On Tuesday, April 1, the DAR reported about our school’s reopening; and commended our efforts on its op-ed page.

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