A total of 306 students of the Class of 2014 graduated from Poplar Bluff High School on Thursday, May 15, at the Black River Coliseum, raising the collective number of R-I alumni to 21,850, according to school records.

[Below]: This year's valedictorian, Allison Huskey, addresses her classmates as they embark upon a new journey. The salutatorian was Landon Jones.

For more scenes from Graduation Day, be sure to visit the school Facebook page this week.

Eugene Field Elementary School hosted a program for several dozen community members and educators on Tuesday, May 13, showcasing the students' leadership skills developed through The Leader in Me, which is based on Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People."

[Above]: Glee Club leaders perform "Leaders are the Bomb," an original song that students practiced synergy-one of the seven habits-to write in Tiffanie Nicolini's class.

[Below]: Fourth grader Haile Hall explains to Sabrina Skaggs why she chose her teacher Pam Heaton as her hero. Skaggs, who now serves as an elementary school principal in Bloomfield, was previously an instructional interventionist at Eugene Field, where she was instrumental in piloting the Leader in Me initiative.

Click here to view all 34 photos from the event, and be sure to hit 'like' on your favorite shots!

 

The school district raised more than $44,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through its annual Math-A-Thon fundraising activities, which included fun books, gift wrapping, T-shirt sales, the cold water challenge, jeans day and day off raffles, and business nights through which several businesses represented here donated a portion of their proceeds for an evening.

[Above, from left]: Danna Strozyk of Jump In, Barbara Rexroat of Simply Swirled, Steve Sells of McDonald's, Heather Tuggle of the Black River Coliseum Aquatic Center and Leslie Lewis of Skate City.

[Below, from left]: Wendy Rasmussen of Domino's, R-I Superintendent Chris Hon and Daphne Chandler of Marble Slab Creamery.

Not pictured is an employee from Godfather's and Long John Silver's.

  

Planners continued to meet with Poplar Bluff Junior High and 5th & 6th Grade Center administrators and educators last week, developing schematic designs for specialized classrooms within the buildings plan. The aim is to have more detailed architectural renderings completed around mid-July.

[Above, clockwise from left]: Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Patty Robertson, Dennis Young of Ittner Architects, Brett Dille of Dille & Traxel, PBJHS Principal Bob Case, Todd Powers of Ittner Architects, Ben Traxel of Dille & Traxel and Superintendent Chris Hon.

[Below, from left]: 5/6 Assistant Principal Angie Jackson, Dennis Young and Patty Robertson.

 

The Poplar Bluff High School National Honor Society inducted 29 new members during the spring ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, in the Kay Porter Theater. The members join the organization pledging to uphold high academic standards while exhibiting leadership and service both at school and in the community.

A total of 31 students from Lake Road walked or ran 100 miles or more on the new walking track at the elementary school. Five students reached 200 miles and one - 300. Nearly 20,000 miles were tallied on the track altogether.

The walking tracks, which were installed at each of the elementaries this school year, were made possible through a grant from Healthier MO Communities.

Photo credit: Reporter Donna Farley of the Daily American Republic

 

The Poplar Bluff Mules Booster Club has selected Cassidy Harris and Wesley Pyles as the April Athletes of the Month.

Pyles of the Class of 2014 was chosen for his success on the baseball diamond, with a record of six wins, one loss, two saves, 13 bases on balls, 61 strikeouts and a 1.24 earned run average in 39 and one-third innings pitched.

Harris, an incoming senior, was the track and field team captain with a high jump of five foot four inches, a 34-2 on the triple jump and a long jump of 17-3. She was voted the most valuable female at the Jackson Invitational, was the overall best female high jumper in the Sikeston Relay, and is considered the Poplar Bluff Invitational long jump and high jump champion.

Pictured presenting the plaques is Booster Club President Jason Smothers.

 

[Above]: Poplar Bluff High School Principal Mike Kiehne honored retirees [from left] social studies teacher Bill Ladd, guidance counselor Lucy Wheeler, communication arts teacher Pat Lindman and industrial arts teacher Tim Jennings, presenting each of them with a rocking chair as a parting gift, on Friday, May 16, in the Student Center.

[Below]: Also on the last day of school, Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center welding teacher Ron Pratt was presented a rocking chair as a symbol for his newfound life of leisure. Pratt is pictured holding TCC Director Charles Kinsey's two-week-old, Charlie Elayne. Charlie Elayne was born May 2 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was 21 inches long and five pounds, 15 ounces strong. Congrats to Mr. Kinsey and his wife, Christen!

 Mule Tracks

Summer School

Summer school is scheduled to run from Monday, June 2, to Friday, June 27.

On Monday, May 12, the DAR honored our district retirees.

The DAR also reported about the PBHS Academic Team winning the Scholar Bowl.

Additionally, the DAR recognized Aishwarya Krishnan for winning the Dr. Michael D. Laseter Memorial Scholarship.

Lastly, the DAR ran a photo from the Show Me Value Tour at PBJHS.

On Tuesday, May 13, the DAR reported about Lake Road Teacher of the Year, Chelsea Smith.

On Wednesday, May 14, KWOC featured Superintendent Chris Hon on Brittney on the Bluff, discussing the school's projected increased graduation rate and providing an update on the buildings plan.

KFVS12 reported about progress on the school buildings plan.

KFVS12 also reported about the Show Me Value Tour stopping at PBJHS.

On Thursday, May 15, KFVS12 recognized our Missouri Good Sports.

KFVS12 also reported about the first Kyle Dicken Memorial Scholarship recipient, Stefeny Jungbluth.

The DAR reported about Leadership Day.

The DAR also recognized Hayle Birdsong for winning the MSBA Scholarship, Lucas Tibbs for winning the Mary Lynn Wolpers Scholarship and Shamanda Tyler for winning the Foundation Scholarship.

Lastly, the DAR reported about Lucas Tibbs signing to play baseball for Lindenwood University.

On Friday, May 16, KFVS12 reported about our FFA students participating in the state convention.

The DAR reported about the graduation commencement as well as profiled this year's valedictorian and salutatorian.

On Sunday, May 18, the DAR featured the Class of 2014 in its "Let's Talk" segment.

The DAR also featured a photo spread from the Class of 2014's elementary school visit.

1. Enter email address
2. Check 'sports results'