Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Libla family finalized a seven figure donation to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust during a signing event held at Three Rivers College on Monday, May 8. In return, the college announced that institution’s proposed athletics building would be named the “Libla Family Sports Complex.”
“We’re proud to help Three Rivers College launch this endeavor, and this is part of our commitment to giving back to the community as much as we can,” said David Libla. “By having this project named for the Libla family, it serves as a remembrance of our parents, and hopefully inspires our children and grandchildren to continue giving back to this community which has given so much to us.”
Attending the signing ceremony were Sen. Doug and Elaine Libla, and David and Mary Libla. The agreement was also signed by Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; Ben Ressel, Chair of the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees; Phil Davis, Vice Chair of the Three Rivers Board of Trustees, and Emily Parks, Executive Director of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust.
“It’s so amazing to see a self-made family building businesses, living the American dream, then giving back to their community,” said Ressel. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you to all those who have made this project possible.”
The donation makes possible the construction of the college’s new Sports Complex on its Poplar Bluff Campus, which will replace the Bess Activity Center as the home of the Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams. The current proposal is for a 75,000-square-foot structure incorporating a 3,000-seat gymnasium, offices for all of Three Rivers’ coaches, improved training and locker room facilities, and a Three Rivers Sports Hall of Fame. The facility also will have a FEMA-certified safe room capable of withstanding an F5-strength tornado funded by a $2.5 million SEMA/FEMA grant.
“The Liblas have supported our community in many ways, both seen and unseen, and their generous donation is making the Libla Family Sports Complex possible,” said Dr. Payne. “With this, we should be able to move forward with this state-of-the-art facility, that will serve Three Rivers for many years to come.”
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
The 17-year-old has placed first in his class each year for reading the most teacher-approved literary works, resultantly winning thousands in bank cards in addition to the scholarship. When Soeter was a freshman, he generously donated $500 back to the PBHS library so the school can replace some of its titles in the Charlie Classics collection. At the time, he declared that it was a goal of his to complete the challenge.
Reflecting on all the books, Soeter said: "It changed the way I think, broadening my outlook of the world and the way I understand it for the better." He added that he has enjoyed the select pieces of literature because they contain morals that he later contemplates. His favorite title of late was "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov.
Having gotten a jumpstart on reading prior to starting high school, Soeter reviewed his first book with a voluntary program mentor in June of 2011. Students can begin working toward the scholarship in Junior High.
Soeter has been accepted into Rice University in Houston, Texas. His predecessor in the contest, Fathom Hefner, attends the University of Mississippi in Oxford, according to Stacey Scobey, who is the president of the Designing Women Foundation, and also a past scholarship recipient.
The Charlie Classics program, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, was originally founded by writer/producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and has been sustained by individual donors and local businesses in recent years, most notably U.S. Bank.
Photo and article provided by Tim Krakowiak.
Dexter, Missouri – It’s that time of the year!!! GRADUATION!!! And it’s time for Swafford Photography to take their awesome graduation photos!
To help parents get a head start below is the 2015 Dexter High School Senior Graduation Photo price list, etc. On Friday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Swafford will be on hand to take formal portrait photos of graduates and their families. If you wish to purchase the photos please choose from the packages listed below!
All orders must be paid in full and placed before GRADUATION begins. You can pick up your photos at the high school office when they are available and the ShowMe Times will announce on their Facebook page when the photos are available.
Good luck to all the graduates!
Photo by Dee Loflin at the 2015 Baccalaureate in Dexter.
Scholarships were also announced for the Class of 2015 and will be listed in another article after Graduation on Friday evening. More scholarships are expected to be announced.
Mr. Dan Pollock, principal, recognized each student had earned a place in the Dexter Honor Society. He also named all those who made Top Ten Percent at Dexter High School.
Many teachers wrote notes about the students they chose to receive the faculty awards.
Mr. Derek Urhahn presented each student their award and read the letter from the teacher.
2015 Faculty Awards Presented
Agriculture - Jackson Hubbard
Art - Honey Patel
Band - Brooks Propst
Business - Jacob Harris
Choir - Shelby Gathings
C.C.E. - Dakota Silliman
Debate/Speech/Drama - Nolen Dixon
Family and Consumer Science - Jessica Ladd
Foreign Language - Caprese Bostic
Industrial Technology - Brandon Berry
Language Arts - Honey Patel
Math - Alexis Smith
Physical Education - MaKayla Waldner
Publications/Yearbook - Shyann Jines
School Spirit - Blake Horton
Science - Honey Patel
Social Studies - Lacey Midgett
Student Council - Alexis Smith
Special Recognition Outstanding STUCO Officer/Member - Hayli Petty
Shown in the photo are front row from left to right: Shyann Jines, MaKayla Waldner, Dakota Silliman, Alexis Smith, Jessica Ladd, and Lacey Midgett. Middle Row from left to right: Shelby Gathings, Jackson Hubbard, Brandon Berry, Blake Horton, Honey Patel, and Hayli Petty. Back row from left to right: Nolen Dixon, Caprese Bostic, and Jacob Harris. Not shown is Brooks Propst. He was at Arkansas State University today scheduling class for the fall semester.
Dexter High School - This listing of future activities is a service offered by the ShowMe Times, working in partnership with Dr. Sharp, Superintendent and the Dexter Public Schools for your convenience.
We hope you will mark your calendar and we encourage everyone to support our local students and their activities. The education and growth of young people in our community is the key to everyone's future!
If you would like to submit information and a picture of a student and his/her accomplishments, send it to news@showmetimes.com.
Monday, May 11
Faculty Awards Program in the BEC-9:25 a.m.
Kickin’ Cats Dance Team Mandatory Clinic in high school gym from 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Baseball Varsity vs. Portageville-Home-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 12
Golf Varsity Sectionals at Sikeston-9:00 a.m.
Kickin’ Cats Dance Team Open Gym in the high school gym from 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity Tennis Team Districts at Dexter-4:00 p.m.
Baseball Varsity at Clearwater-4:30 p.m. Bus leaves at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13
Senior Finals-1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th periods
Kickin’ Cats Dance Team Open Gym in the high school gym from 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Student Council-8th grade ice cream social in the cafeteria at 3:15 p.m.
Boys Varsity Tennis Team Districts at Dexter-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14
Senior Finals-2nd, 4th, & 6th periods
Seniors last day at Sikeston Career & Technology Center and Cadet Teaching
Kickin’ Cats Dance Team Tryouts in the high school gym-3:30 p.m.
Spring Sports Banquet in the cafeteria-5:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15
Commencement Practice in the cafeteria and BEC from 8:15-11:00 a.m.
Senior Slide Show in the auditorium from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Senior Picnic in the high school gym from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Commencement in the Bearcat Event Center-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16
Track Varsity Districts at Park Hills Central
Baseball Varsity Districts at Doniphan
Boys Varsity Tennis Individual Districts at Notre Dame
Dates to Remember
May 18/19-Golf Varsity at State Tournament
May 18/19-Baseball Varsity Districts at Doniphan
May 18-20-Boys Varsity Tennis Individual Sectionals at TBD
May 19/20-Color Guard & Drum Major Clinics at Middle School from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
May 20-Finals-1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th periods
May 21-Finals-2nd, 4th & 6th periods
May 21-Last day for juniors at Sikeston Career & Technology Center and Cadet Teaching
May 21-Locker Clean Out at 2:45 p.m.
May 21-Color Guard & Drum Major Auditions at Middle School starting at 3:30 p.m.
May 22-Last day of school for the 2014-15 school year. Dismiss at 1:00 p.m.
