The Iron Mules-the Poplar Bluff High School Robotics Club-placed eighth in the draper division of the sixth annual FIRST Tech Challenge hosted by Southeast Missouri State University on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

Robotics was instated at Poplar Bluff Schools during the 2013/14 school year. This past November, the elementary team - the RoboMules and the junior high team - the M.U.L.E.S. (Mighty United Lego Engineering Students) combined forces to vie in the FIRST Lego League Robotics Competition also in Cape, bringing home the Core Values award.

Competition fees, camp and equipment for the clubs have been subsidized through the generosity of Briggs & Stratton, the Academic Assistance Group and parents, including the Cmehil-Warns as well as Sharon Riley.

Top: Iron Mules include [front row from left] Diego Rivetti, Paul Sanders and Jessica Foster; [back row] Chang Chi, Diontay Cochran, Christian Cmehil-Warn and Tiffany Friday.

Middle: The sixth and seventh grade teams include [from left] sponsor Hilary Taylor and students Madison Walker, Rhianna Johnston, Clarissa Varner, Connor Becker, Lauren Robertson and Aaron Taylor.

Bottom: Briggs & Stratton engineers [from left] Jason Myers and Jonathan Eads take time out of their schedule to visit PBHS and consult with the Robotics Club as students Chang Chi, Diego Rivetti and Bryan Nguyen construct their robot for the competition.

The Briggs & Stratton Corporation Foundation donated $3,000 to Poplar Bluff Schools on Monday, Dec. 22, as part of the company's annual outreach to be used wherever there is a need, according to Briggs Plant Manager Mark Melloy. In year's past, the money has been used to purchase elementary school playground equipment.

Above: Pictured presenting the check to [left] R-I Assistant Superintendent of Business Rod Priest are Briggs Area Manager Brad Massey and Human Resources Manager Michelle Shelton.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary recently honored several of our students and teachers for their patriotism.

Poplar Bluff High School juniors Chase Burch, Nikkia Hickman and Stephanie Hobbs were awarded Monday, Dec. 15, by VFW Post 6477 on South Broadway for their winning essays in the Voice of Democracy contest. Hickman was also named a district winner. This year's theme was why veterans are important to our nation's history and future.

In addition, PBHS social studies teacher Gail Rosmarin and Craig Hamilton, who teaches music at Lake Road Elementary School, won both the local and district Smart/Maher VFW Citizenship Teacher Awards for promoting America's history and traditions effectively, instilling a sense of national pride in their students.

Above: VFW Post Commander John Holland and Betty Gilmore, chairwoman for the Ladies Auxiliary Patriot's Pen contest, present [left] Craig Hamilton and [right] Gail Rosmarin with plaques.

Below: Among other area students, [third from left] Nikkia Hickman, [third from right] Stephanie Hobbs and [far right] Chase Burch each receive a certificate and check.

Last month, Eugene Field held its annual first grade Christmas program written by teacher Cynthia Olsen called "7 Habit Santa" to highlight the elementary school's Leader in Me initiative.

Above: Cameron Burpo and Haley Jarrell perform a skit.

Below: [From left] Myles Johnson, Camron Frazier and Emmalee Burton of Mrs. Olsen's class show off their costumes. (Photography courtesy of Eugene Field guidance counselor Esther Luna).

Auto Repair students of the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center under the instruction of long-time teacher Steven Ray recently got a chance to work on a new Mercedes ambulance from Butler County EMS.

Above: TCC junior Chris Cookson applies the final touches on the repair of an ambulance, which struck a deer during a transfer, an unfortunate reality of the profession, according to Butler County EMS Manager David Ross.