Dozens of veterans of all branches of service, including a 91-year-old man who fought in World War II, participated in the annual Veterans Day Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Poplar Bluff 5th & 6th Grade Center.

Staff Sgt. Allen Kanell of the United States National Guard, the great-nephew of Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Billie G. Kanell of Poplar Bluff, served as this year's special guest speaker, opening the event by honoring the WWII veteran, Navy Lt. Richard Rogers.

Rogers of St Louis, who was invited by his great-granddaughters of R-I schools, is part of the greatest generation, Allen Kanell pointed out, adding: "That does not mean we do not have great generations in front of it."

Allen Kanell, who has helped the counseling department coordinate the assembly over the years, posed a trivia question to the students in attendance, asking how many American flags stand on the moon. Fifth grader Jake Montgomery answered correctly with six. Allen Kanell's daughter Lilli delivered the 10-year-old a prize, which was a camouflage schoolbag.

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Above: WWII veteran Richard Rogers, who turns 92 next month, was honored for his service.

Below: State Sen. Doug Libla attended the assembly, visiting afterward with students [from left] Alexa Noles, Hannah Corcimiglia, Sean Kirby and Adrian Hill.

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The annual Math Counts Championship took place Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Poplar Bluff Public Library, featuring the fourth grade finalists from each of Poplar Bluff R-I's elementary schools: [below, from left] Madelyn Hefner of Oak Grove, David Durbin of O'Neal, Anylah Danner of Lake Road and Audrie Harrison of Eugene Field, who won the 2014 count-off.

Math Counts is an annual arithmetic competition sponsored by the Butler County Community Resource Council and administered by Three Rivers College teaching education students. Kathern Harris [pictured above presenting Audrie with the trophy], chairwoman of the CRC Children & Youth Succeeding in School Committee, moderated the event.

Poplar Bluff High School senior Brandon Stuckenschneider signed a National Letter of Intent on Monday, Nov. 17, at E.T. Peters Gym to play baseball at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where he said he plans to study finance or biology.

Upon conclusion of the upcoming baseball season, Stuckenschneider will be a four-year letterman for the Mules. During the 2014 season, he was named an All-SEMO Conference first team outfielder and a Class 5 District 1 All-District pitcher. Stuckenschneider's 2014 batting average was .323. As a pitcher, he had a 4-1 record with an ERA of .553.

Above: Brandon Stuckenschneider signs to play baseball for Arkansas State University with [from left] assistant coach Justin Shell, outgoing head coach Stan Bullington and incoming head coach Steve Edwards.

Below: Behind the scenes, paparazzi [right to left] R-I Assistant Superintendent of Business Rod Priest, DAR Assistant Sports Editor Rob Tate and Athletics Director Kent Keith take photos of Stuckenschneider signing his NLI, while the young man's grandfather Charlie Jones also looks on.