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You've got eMule!
Vol. 12 No. 18
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| PBHS named State President School by MASC for first time |  | |
Poplar Bluff High School will host the Missouri Association of Student Councils State Convention next year, a three-day workshop projected to bring to the community 1,000 students and 100 advisers.
For the first time in school history, according to educators, PBHS was named the State President School during the 76th annual MASC Convention held Thursday through Saturday, March 14-16, at Carthage High School, and will play a role in leading the organization this year.
In addition to landing the 2025 convention bid, PBHS Student Council was named a gold-level Honor Council of Excellence for the fifth year in a row; earned the Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) School of Character Award of Merit for the third consecutive year; and received the most unique event award entitled Jane’s Favorite Things, another school first.
“Our students found a way to incorporate all of their best qualities into this campaign,” said PBHS communication arts teacher Stephen Patty, StuCo co-adviser. “They showed their creativity, their dedication to service and the passion they have for creating a positive atmosphere in our school.”
Patty’s colleague Jennie Randolph recapped how student attendees gained the most votes from participating schools by drawing visitors to their “Hunger Games”-themed booth with a SOMO raffle and giveaways that included candy and friendship bracelets. In their campaign, PBHS StuCo members shared about the activities they have led, leadership positions held, awards achieved and characteristics the students strive to possess.
“I’m excited about seeing all the councils in Missouri come together and bond in our own High School,” stated PBHS junior Destiny Jackson, who holds the StuCo ‘gusto expert’ position. “It could be a lot of students’ first convention and it’s amazing they’re able to see it happen on our own campus.”
McKenzie Haynes, StuCo social media coordinator, added how she is excited about being a bigger part of the statewide organization. "It's a huge responsibility, but I am willing to take on the challenge and step out of our comfort zones as a council and with our new leadership team next year," the sophomore said. Other members expressed how they are excited about implementing their ideas in establishing a theme, helping to set up and selecting guest speakers.
In addition, StuCo has received the gold award as an Honor Council for 12 years total since 2010. In order to achieve the recognition, the highest honor that MASC bestows upon its membership, students complete benchmarks such as having a written constitution, holding a democratic election process, engaging in staff appreciation activities, presenting discussion groups at meetings, and helping to host events such as Chartwells’ annual Community Thanksgiving.
PBHS also earned the School of Character Award again in a three-way tie with Odessa and Rolla High Schools. The Award of Merit is designated for schools that display the most outstanding commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities, a true understanding of unity and a passion for raising money and awareness for SOMO athletes. In recent years, PBHS has launched a Unified Champions club, started an athletic letter banquet for SOMO participants and helped MASC donate a lifetime total of over $1.5 million to the sports organization through fundraisers.
Individual student honors received during the convention included Distinguished Senior Leader awards for seniors Bryden Fuemmeler, Grace Neighbors and Addison Shell, plus a scholarship for sophomore Evelyn Nelson to attend the Summer Leadership Workshop.
Above: Poplar Bluff High School StuCo representatives bring home numerous awards from the Missouri Association of Student Councils State Convention hosted over spring break in Carthage.
| Lake Road celebrates Read Across America week with special guests |  | |
“Remember when you’re telling the truth, you gotta sweeten it with love,” Dr. Aaron Cornman advised first graders at Lake Road earlier this month.
The morale the superintendent shared came from one of his long-time favorite children’s books to read to young students, “The Honest-To-Goodness Truth” by Patricia C. McKissack. Cornman served as one of multiple guest readers on Monday through Friday, March 4-8, during Read Across America week celebrated across campus.
“We believe having guest readers like you encourages reading and fosters a sense of community engagement and support for education,” wrote Lake Road Principal Rondi Vaughn in her call for readers. “…Whether it’s a classic tale, a modern adventure or a personal favorite, your selection will leave a lasting impression on our students.”
Harkening back to his early career as an elementary teacher and later principal, Cornman also spoke with fourth graders about the book that helped him overcome his apprehension toward reading as a boy: “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen. “Reading is the fundamental building block of getting an education,” Cornman stated during a subsequent Q&A.
Additional activities that took place at Lake Road included dress-up days to correspond with a Dr. Seuss book; visits by school partners dressed as “The Cat in the Hat” and “Pete the Cat;” a special “Green Eggs and Ham” breakfast; and an observance of Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Day, according to organizer Terri Foulks, library media specialist.
Above: R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman reads “The Honest-To-Goodness Truth” to teacher Leslie Riefle’s first grade class on Tuesday, March 5, at Lake Road Elementary.
Below: Dr. Cornman discusses his favorite book as a boy with Dede Ross’ fourth grade class during Read Across America week.
|  | February Athletes of the Month named |  | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Kelsey Kramer and Logan Hite the February Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Logan, a senior wrestler, ended the season 44-4 with 145 career wins, the third-highest in program history. He is a three-time state qualifier, three-time SEMO Conference champion and was named Academic All-State. In addition, Logan was the Bring the Hammer, Union Tournament and Bolivar Tournament champion; undefeated at the Eureka Duals; and placed third at the Class 4, District 1 tournament.
“Logan is a rare breed of athlete; his work ethic is unmatched by most,” said Kelton Thompson, his coach. “Logan loves training at a high level and loves competing at a high level. Over his high school career, Logan has really developed into [a] great leader and mentor for younger wrestlers on the team. The accolades he has racked up over the past four years in this sport are extremely impressive.”
Kelsey, a senior cheerleader, made All-State in tumbling her junior year, Academic All-State her entire high school career, All-American her junior and senior years, and won the State Championship title with her team her sophomore and junior years. She has also run track and competed on the dive team.
“Kelsey possesses a remarkable work ethic, consistently going above and beyond expectations. Her commitment to excellence is evident not only in her academic achievements, but also in her contributions to our cheerleading squad,” said Brianna Jones, her coach. “Kelsey is a hardworking cheerleader who approaches every practice, game and performance with enthusiasm and determination.”
Above: Logan Hite and Kelsey Kramer are presented the AOM awards on Thursday, March 7, by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president.
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The Mules Café sold out during its final day of service on Friday, March 8, serving nearly 100 regular customers.
The meals prepared during the final week of service in the Administrative Building location of the student-run restaurant rivaled pre-pandemic lunch service numbers, according to Brandon Moon, Technical Career Center culinary arts instructor.
A decision was made to discontinue service in anticipation of the move to the state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center, two-thirds funded through grants, on the TCC campus off Oak Grove Road at a date to be announced. “If you need a soft opening for that, let us know,” the first customer of the day, Tom Stonecipher, said half-jokingly.
The Mules Café first opened during the 1978/79 school year, according to reports by the Daily American Republic. The “new Area Vocational Food Service Classroom and Restaurant” was located in what was then named the Loughhead Learning Center on Westwood and Harper, before the building housing special services moved to Maud Street, retired educator Jackie Merriman confirmed. An original menu culinary arts paraprofessional Monica Lewis circulated on tables for the grand finale feast featured the slogan: “We go the extra smile.”
Above: TCC culinary arts students take orders during the final day of the Mules Café in its current location on Friday, March 8.
Below: Chef Brandon Moon, culinary arts instructor, calls out tickets as students spend their final day serving the public out of the kitchen in the Administrative Building.
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BOE Appreciation
March is school board recognition month through the Missouri School Boards’ Association. Special thanks to Dr. Cynthia Brown, Ken Davis, Dave Elledge, Tim Gaebler, Roger Hanner, Dr. Larry Kimbrow and Dr. Mike Price for your dedicated, voluntary service to our school system!
Easter Break
School will be dismissed from Friday through Tuesday, March 29-April 2, in recognition of Easter, followed by a teacher Collaboration Day. School will resume for students on Wednesday, April 3.
Foundation Golf
The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 24th annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 26, 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.
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On Tuesday, March 5, KBSI Fox23 reported about our annual CRC Spelling Bee live at Fox Radio Network.
On Wednesday, March 6, KWOC reported about a vintage postcard our superintendent received.
The DAR published a photo display from our Black History Month celebration at Junior High; and of our Eugene Field students learning flag etiquette from the JROTC.
On Thursday, March 7, KWOC reported about the final day of service for the Mules Café at its Administrative Building location; and PBHS receiving a Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety grant for Project Graduation.
The DAR also reported about the re-distribution of happiness project.
On Friday, March 8, the DAR provided coverage of the last day of lunch service before the Mules Café relocates to the TCC campus; and recognized our Top 30 seniors.
On Saturday, March 9, the DAR reported about the ScorBot robotic arm our TCC computer integrated manufacturing class received with a $27K Delta Workforce grant.
On Tuesday, March 19, KWOC helped promote our Foundation’s annual Golf Tournament fundraiser.
On Wednesday, March 20, the DAR recognized numerous businesses and organizations for supporting our PBHS Project Graduation initiative.
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