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You've got eMule!
Vol. 12 No. 24
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to conclude the academic year. Congratulations to the Class of 2024! A total of 319 students graduated from PBHS, collectively earning $2,479,126 in scholarships and grants (and counting)! Click here to view our photos from the commencement ceremony and click here for scenes from our annual Senior Walk tradition.
| Hamilton earns $1K Miller Scholarship |  | |
Ja’Maya Hamilton of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 has been awarded the Margie J. Miller Memorial Scholarship, reserved for a student entering the Three Rivers College Practical Nursing Program, valued at $1,000.
Hamilton will attend Three Rivers, where she plans to work toward her Associate of Applied Science in nursing and then transfer to a university to earn her certification as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, with the ultimate goal of working in labor and delivery.
“Once I complete either the RN or LPN program, I will transfer to a bigger university to then pursue my dreams as a labor and delivery nurse,” she wrote in her essay, acknowledging that it will be a "hard job, having to take care of expectant mothers during childbirths, labors and postpartum.” However, as an undergraduate, she plans to “maintain a great grade, great work ethic and a positive attitude.”
At the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center, Hamilton has already completed the health occupations program to become a certified nurse assistant. She has participated in SkillsUSA, donated blood through the American Red Cross and volunteered at Wheatley School’s Super Kids Camp.
Miller was the director of the former Practical Nursing Program at the TCC, retiring in 1980. She served on the State Board of Nursing and was active in numerous civic and professional organizations.
Above: Presenting Ja’Maya Hamilton the Margie J. Miller Memorial Scholarship on Thursday, May 9, is R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman.
| Hanner earns $3K in scholarships through Foundation |  | |
Savannah Hanner of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 has earned the Auxiliary of the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Class of 1971 and Dr. Michael D. Laseter Memorial scholarships, totaling $3,000.
She plans to enter the Practical Nursing Program at Three Rivers College and transfer to a university to obtain both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with a goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, according to her essay.
“I chose this career because I love working with children and desire to help them become healthy adults,” Hanner wrote. “…Florence Nightingale, one of the most famous nurses of all time, once stated: ‘Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses… we must be learning all of our lives.’”
In addition to lettering in multiple sports, Hanner has served AmeriCorps along with the children’s ministry of her family’s church, Palace of Praise. She has been involved in multiple student organizations, including serving as junior and senior class president, plus she participated in the American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State.
The Laseter Scholarship, named after a Kneibert Clinic physician of over 20 years who taught physiology voluntarily at PBHS for another five years, is designated for a student with a medical field major. The PBRMC Auxiliary Scholarship is reserved for a student entering a nursing program. The Class of ’71 Scholarship is open-ended, but emphasizes service and involvement in school and community.
Above: Presenting Savannah Hanner the scholarships on Thursday, May 9, are (from right) Donna Laseter, Melissa Davis of the Class of 1971, and R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman on behalf of the PBRMC Auxiliary Scholarship.
| Hopson earns $3.5K Reddy Scholarship |  | |
LeAra Hopson of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 has been awarded the Reddy Family Scholarship, valued at $3,500, designated for a minority student of need and merit pursuing their higher education at a four-year college.
Hopson plans to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where she will major in psychology. Her ultimate goal is to work as a forensic scientist or sports medicine physician, according to her essay.
Hopson wrote about being raised by her great-aunt beginning at a young age and having some of her fondest memories growing up in Poplar Bluff during that time period. “As a child, it was important to her that I was involved in extracurriculars around town, which has shaped me into the young woman I am today,” Hopson stated.
A member of the Class of 1993, Dr. Vin Reddy was born and raised in Poplar Bluff. He started the Reddy Scholarship with his wife, Dr. Mitva Patel, as a homage to his alma mater.
Above: LeAra Hopson is presented the Reddy Family Scholarship by R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman on Thursday, May 9.
| Starnes earns $1.5K Wolpers Scholarship |  | |
Sophie Starnes of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 has earned the Mary Lynn Wolpers Scholarship, reserved for a student entering a four-year university or technical school, valued at $1,500.
Starnes plans to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where she will major in social work with a goal of obtaining her master’s degree, while gaining experience in the field. She has gotten a headstart on her prerequisites by earning her associate degree from Three Rivers College through the College Now program available at PBHS.
“I know from personal experience that when someone is struggling mentally or physically, the love they receive from you may be the reason they continue to fight through their battles, which is why I want to pursue my passion for being a social worker in struggling communities,” Starnes wrote in her essay. “…After I complete my Master of Science in social work, I will continue to grow my experience in this field and help as many struggling people as possible, which I am overwhelmingly passionate about.”
Starnes noted that she will be a first-generation college student. Since 2007, the Wolpers Scholarship has provided $27,000 to 18 students.
Above: Sophronia Starnes is presented with the Mary Lynn Wolpers Scholarship by John Wolpers on Thursday, May 9.
| Thompson earns $1K Foundation Scholarship |  | |
Lee Thompson of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2023 received a renewal of the Poplar Bluff School Foundation Scholarship, reserved for a past or present graduate desiring to become a teacher, valued at $1,000.
He is currently attending Missouri State University in Springfield, where he majors in education with a concentration on exercise science. While Thompson initially desired to become a band director, he explained that his focus has shifted to teaching health sciences.
“Since beginning my college experience, I have learned a lot about myself and my initial choice… I love kids and still plan to teach, but my concentration has shifted,” Thompson wrote in his essay. “I enjoy working out and coaching kids in the gym.”
At Missouri State, Thompson is a member of the Exercise Science Society, Pride Band and Esports Team, on behalf of which he serves as social media director. He has participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Muckfest Competition.
Since 2001, the Foundation has awarded $25,000 in scholarships to 25 students, several of whom went on to become educators for the Poplar Bluff school system.
Above: Lee Thompson is presented the renewed Poplar Bluff Foundation Scholarship by R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman on Wednesday, May 15.
| Designing Women Foundation awards over $2K to students |  | |
The Designing Women Foundation honored a scholarship recipient along with the nonprofit organization’s Charlie Classics readers on Monday, May 13, at the Bloodworth House.
Kaylee Brown of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 was awarded the Designing Women Scholarship, valued at $1,000. She plans to attend Three Rivers College, majoring in general education. Brown has been an A-honor roll student throughout her academic career at PBHS.
The top readers of their class were additionally presented with $300. At Junior High, outgoing seventh grader Isabella Teeter read 30 books throughout the school year, while outgoing eighth grader Kendall Fitzwater read 20. At PBHS, outgoing freshman Andrew Mahurin read 11 books, while outgoing junior Mackinley Cox read 15, adding to her total of 103 Charlie Classics completed since grade seven.
The Charlie Classics Reading Program is available to all Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High students. Started by Linda Bloodworth Thomason in 1990, students are encouraged to read literature with a goal of completing 100 classics by the end of their senior year. Charlie Classics readers have been awarded a total of $197,565 thus far toward their college educations, according to Linda Surber, board secretary. For more information, visit designingwomenfoundation.org.
Above: (Left to right) Junior High librarian Nikki Davis; students Isabella Teeter, Kendall Fitzwater, Andrew Mahurin, Mackinley Cox and Kaylee Brown; R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman; and PBHS librarian Marci Priest.
| American Red Cross awards $3K in scholarships |  | |
Poplar Bluff High School earned $3,000 in scholarships through the American Red Cross for gathering 390 units of blood over a series of drives hosted throughout the school year.
Grace Neighbors, Madeline Payne and Addison Shell of the Class of 2024 each earned $1,000 scholarships through the competitive application process involving a dozen outgoing seniors.
Shell, who helped promote the blood drives, schedule donors and coordinate volunteers, said her involvement taught her to "persist through challenges to reach my goals." She continued to write that "good members of a community give back to and serve others," which helps to “strengthen the bonds between community members.” Shell stated: “Communities thrive when people are looking out for and serving others, especially in times of need.”
Payne said that one of her favorite jobs during the campus-wide blood drives was to "distract and support donors” while they gave blood. She further described how the experience has benefited her in her chosen career path: “Volunteering at blood drives gives me an environment that is similar to what I’ll see as a nurse, and I am interested in seeing different aspects of health-related careers.”
Neighbors, who volunteered the maximum amount of time of the applicant pool at 138 hours, stated that service learning has helped foster her “leadership, interpersonal, compassion and organizational skills.” She wrote: “With Red Cross, I have learned how small acts can have huge effects on people’s lives through both volunteering and donating. It has taught me that taking civic responsibility is important to give what I can for the benefit of others and my own development.”
Besides collecting the most units of blood for the region, PBHS likely maintains one of the largest secondary school blood drive programs in the country, speculated Jerrica Fox-Lane, Missouri and Arkansas Blood Services Division account manager.
Above: Addison Shell is presented the American Red Cross Scholarship by PBHS Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy (right) and Jennie Randolph, Student Council co-adviser. Not present were Grace Neighbors and Madeline Payne.
Below: Earning graduation cords for volunteering or donating blood through the Red Cross were (left to right) Rachel Hamann, Preston Moore, Brooke Montgomery, Anna Hays, Zora Shoemaker, Taylor Moss, Addison Shell, Aiden Castillo, Karissa Pratt, Nya Cram and Kaylee Baker. Not pictured were Ray Bourd, Jacob Collins, Logan Crowley, Bryden Fuemmeler, Scotty Hopper, Skyla Miller, Grace Neighbors, Andryah North, Madeline Payne, Sarah Smith, Kerris Taylor and Trinity Ward.
|  | 2024 Missouri Good Sports named |  | |
A male and female multi-sport student-athlete from Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High has been selected by the Athletic Department as Missouri Good Sports under the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
Outgoing seniors Kelsey Kramer, who cheered and ran track, and Mason West, who played football and ran track; and incoming freshmen Lynn Cotrell, who ran cross country and track, and Caleb Cassie, who played basketball and ran track, received the annual Awards of Excellence on Wednesday, May 15.
“We at MSHSAA firmly believe that a positive role model such as yourself can positively influence the actions of others in your school—your teammates, younger students, your opponents and even spectators,” wrote Jason West, MSHSAA communications director. “…By taking the responsible steps in displaying positive sportsmanship, you are helping to rekindle the spirit of citizenship and are serving as a positive representative of your school and community.”
Lynn was said to be “very dedicated,” showing up and giving the “maximum effort every day” by her coaching staff. She broke the 400-meter record from 2010 with a time of 1:04:53, while being on the A-honor roll. Caleb was said to be a “great encourager,” who “takes criticism with maturity and an eagerness to learn and grow.” He also made A-honor roll.
Kramer was said to be “dedicated and self-driven,” plus “a natural born leader and go-getter." She made the sectionals for the long jump this year, while landing just outside the Top 30 in her class. West competed in the 4x400 in the sectionals this year, and was an All-Conference honorable mention quarterback, All-Region quarterback and second-team All-District quarterback in 2022. In the classroom, he has maintained an 11.091 grade point average.
Above: (From left) Caleb Cassie, Lynn Cotrell, Kelsey Kramer and Mason West received Missouri Good Sports awards from Athletic Director Kent Keith on Wednesday, May 15.
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Summer School
Summer school begins on Thursday, May 30, and runs through Thursday, June. 27. Click here for details, including bus route information.
Free Sub Training
Kelly Education will provide free DESE-approved training for aspiring substitute teachers and paraprofessionals through June for eligible candidates interested in serving the Poplar Bluff School District. The training provides a pathway for those with a high school diploma or equivalent to acquire their Missouri substitute certificate. To learn more, call 800-528-0049, ext. 2 or email EDSERecruiting@kellyservices.com or fill out the form here.
Free Summer Meals
Chartwells will provide free meals through its Summer Meal Service Program for any children, 18 years old and under, beginning Thursday, May 30, at our summer school sites – and through the rest of the summer at Eugene Field, 711 Nickey St., concluding on Friday, Aug. 9. Click here for more information!
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On Monday, May 13, Special Olympics Missouri reported about our National Banner School recognition.
On Tuesday, May 14, the DAR reported about our PBHS Golf Team winning the Class 4 State Championship.
KFVS12 also reported about our state champions.
KBSI Fox23 reported about our Special Olympics Unified Champions National Banner School award.
On Wednesday, May 15, KWOC reported about Parker Hicks of the Class of 2024 earning the Missouri Citizenship Award.
On Thursday, May 16, the DAR reported about our commencement for the Class of 2024; our valedictorian and salutatorian; Parker Hicks’ Award of Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship; and our Distinguished Student Leaders and National Gold Council of Excellence through the National Association of Student Councils.
On Friday, May 17, the DAR reported about our April Athletes of the Month.
On Saturday, May 18, the DAR reported about our $10,000 ‘Explore the Trades Skills Lab, Built By Ferguson’ grant at the TCC.
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