By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

It’s amazing what a small group of young girls, a lot of energy, and a big splash of pink can accomplish!

The T.S. Hill Middle School volleyball teams accomplished a lot last week, with the first-ever “Dig Pink” volleyball game in Dexter. In just a handful of days the girls organized, plan and energized a benefit game to help local women facing breast cancer and along the way united area folks behind a common cause.

The gymnasium at the middle school was packed Thursday evening for the Dig Pink game, complete with a sea of pink on the court and in the stands and a real buzz that energized everyone.

Literally planned and organized in just days, the girls and their coaches and parents had put everything into place – ordered the pink balls and referee whistles, contacted a local organization that would receive the funds, collected donations for a silent auction, published the event and decorated the school. It was a complete effort on the part of the two middle school teams and their supporters.

And in the end, the effort was monumental – and raised important awareness about the fight against breast cancer and funds to help the cause.

“I am very proud of the volleyball girls and coaches in the effort they put forth not only on the court but into the Dig Pink event,” said middle school assistant principal Angie Duncan. I” am very thankful for the community support in making the event successful.”

Coach Melissa Hahn said she was excited to see the stands full of fans for the game and for the community support that “fired up” the teams.

“Teachers and coaches are always looking for ways to motivate their students/players. We want them to make those connections where they will take what they have learned, build upon it and use it in their lives. I really feel that the preparations leading up to the ‘Dig Pink’ event and the game itself provided these girls with an experience that will stay with them way beyond middle school,” Hahn said.

Hahn said the girls could feel the energy of the crowd and the support of the community behind their efforts.

“It energized them not only to play awesome volleyball, but to work hard and to give back,” she said. “Our team huddle saying is ‘How do we play? - HARD - SMART – TOGETHER’! These girls are smart, work hard and together can make a very big difference in our community.”

Working hard, smart and together the girls did make a difference, raising $2,133.95. They decided as a team that the money would be given to 18 Fore Life and designated to help local women fighting breast cancer.

Scott Kruse of the 18 Fore Life organization heaped praise on the girls and the community.

“Nothing about this community's generosity surprises you anymore,” Kruse said. “When great people run with a great idea, great things can happen and it did. The players and coaches were amazing. They literally threw this together and yet it looked as if they had spent a month planning and organizing. I would say they have proven to be champions on the court, but this shows an understanding of wanting to do something more than just win games. This was just an incredible night.”

Kruse noted that the winner of a 50-50 drawing was from Poplar Bluff. But the gentleman knew the work of the 18 Fore Life organization and donated his prize money back to the Dig Pink cause.

Hahn is looking forward to the Dig Pink event growing next year.

“We have already started planning next year's DIG PINK event and a few of my eighth grade players let me know they want to participate and help out even though they will be in high school,” the coach said. “I look forward to watching this event grow bigger every year. I also look forward to following this very special and talented group of 7th and 8th grade volleyball players over the next several years. I am confident they will continue to amaze me.”

And yes, both the seventh and eighth grade girls won their games against Poplar Bluff – both in just two sets!

Dexter's own Candy Coburn appeared this week with in a very special concert with rock-and-roll performer Bret Michaels (of the 80's group Poison).

Michaels and Coburn both performed in the Rock n' Roll Marathon Half Marathon in Dallas, which benefits the Susan G. Koman For The Cure.

The event, which is part of a series of musical-themed marathons across the country, featured live musical acts about every mile along the route. It attracted novices who have never participated in half marathons and drew seasoned runners from across the globe.

More than 14,000 runners were reported to participate in last weekend's Dallas event.

The half marathon ended with the concert featuring Coburn and Michaels.

Music students in the choral and band programs at Dexter High School participated this weekend at the District Music Contest on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. A total of nine vocal soloists, five ensembles and two piano solos and one violin solo from the choral program received I ratings. A senior madrigal (above) was one of a number of ensembles and soloists who received top I ratings and are now eligible to participate in the Missouri State Music Contest at the University of Missouri - Columbia April 29-30. Ensemble members include (seated, from left) Jessica Lesley, Lauren Powers, Malinda Mayo and Meghan Roberts; (back row, from left) Nate Watkins, Ben Rodgers, Taylor Jarrell and Brandon Sindle. Additional photos of all the ensembles and soloists from the choirs and band will be published later this week in the ShowMe Times. Congratulations to all the students for outstanding performances! (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

A ShowMe Times Report

DNA testing of hair left on a fence positively identifies a cougar. WEST PLAINS – A tuft of hair left on a fence in Oregon County March 9 definitely belongs to a mountain lion, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

MDC Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer today released results of a DNA test on hair taken from a fence along Highway M, near the community of Rover. Beringer said Conservation Agent Jerry Elliott retrieved the hair after receiving a report form an area resident who saw the cougar run across the road.

The man told Elliott that a full-grown mountain lion ran across the road in front of him and got its hind leg caught as it attempted to jump a fence on the opposite side of the road. He said the animal struggled briefly before it escaped, leaving a tuft of hair the size of a cotton ball in the top strand of the barbwire fence.

When he arrived at the scene, Elliott placed the hair in an evidence bag. Subsequent testing at the University of Missouri positively identified the hair as coming from a mountain lion, Puma concolor.

Beringer said the University’s laboratory does not have adequate reference material to evaluate the cat’s possible relationship to mountain lions from different geographic areas.

“We want to find out as much as possible about where the animal might have come from,” said Beringer, “so we will send the remaining hair sample to a genetics lab in Montana to determine the cat’s likely origin.”

Beringer said that testing could take several weeks to months. This is the sixth verified mountain lion sighting in Missouri since late November and the 16th in modern times. In cases where carcasses have been available for examination, most have been young males. Young male mountain lions go in search of new territories when they mature. Beringer said MDC has no evidence to suggest that a breeding population of mountain lions exists in Missouri.

Mountain lions, also called cougars, panthers and pumas, were present in Missouri before pioneer settlement. The last documented Missouri mountain lion was killed in the Bootheel in 1927. The closest populations of mountain lions to Missouri are in South Dakota and a small population in northwest Nebraska. Beringer said that MDC has never stocked or released mountain lions in Missouri and has no plans to do so.

To report a sighting, physical evidence or other mountain-lion incident, contact a local MDC office or conservation agent, or email the Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.

There have been no confirmed cases in Missouri of mountain lions attacking people, pets or livestock in modern times.

For more information on mountain lions in Missouri, visit www.MissouriConservation.org and search “mountain lion.”

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Every summer they descend upon the Keller Public Library like moths to a flame.

Each week they have so much fun, they forget about the fact they might be reading or learning – because the light that attracts them makes it all so darn much fun. And the light that makes it all possible is a spunky, fun-loving, vivacious woman named Jean Rahm.

Jean Rahm has help direct, organize and energize the Summer Reading Program at the local public library – bringing dozens and dozens of kids every summer. And her wit and energy and love of children make it all a smashing success.

Rahm was honored as the Friend of the Year from the Friends of the Library organization. The award was presented during the Friends’ annual Fashion Show and was presented by Library Director Pam Trammell – with the able assistance of four handsome young men who had once been students in her music classroom at Central Elementary School.

“They come from far and wide – the young and not-so-young. Newborns, toddlers and teens. Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt Fern from Florida, all who may pretend to be accompanying the children, but who secretly can’t wait for the production about to begin,” Trammell said in her introduction of Rahm.

She described the excitement that kids – and adults – share each summer at the library.

"Their excitement builds as they approach the room, because the upbeat tempo of the contagious music reaches their ears long before the door opens to reveal an ordinary room that has been transformed into a fantasy wonderland. Jaws drop and kids squeal,” she said. “The ringmaster enters, unrecognizable in her costume, but unmistakable by her energy, her infectious laugh and her gaggle of talented and willing volunteers and an ever-changing smattering of grandchildren, all eager to please her.”

Rahm has given of her many talents – and considerable time and energy – each summer for the young people’s reading program. The children pack into the library for the fun and action and excitement, and in the process they learn the rewards found in just reading a book.

The retired elementary music teacher had no idea when she went to the Fashion Show that she would share the spotlight. Her good friend Janice Barney convinced her to attend the show without sharing a word about the surprise. As Trammell gave her introduction, four young men rather stealthily made their way to the back of the room.

After the announcement of Rahm’s award was made and the crowd was on their feet applauding, Nate Watkins, Ben Rodgers, Jacob Bollinger and Drew Mason escorted their former music teacher to the podium (all four have put those early music lessons in Rahm’s classroom to good use and are today all members of the DHS Chamber Choir).

“She shares her talent community-wide, delivering a literacy program through music, animation, games, make believe, and always, always lots of fun,” Trammell said.

Rahm’s vivacious and energetic nature was evident as she was escorted down the Fashion Show runway. Not one to just walk with she can skip, Rahm took Nate Watkins on the ‘walk’ of his life – skipping down the runway and swinging around a full speed at the end of the walkway!

“You could sum her up in this way: She simply loves children, and has never lost the ability to see the world through their eyes,” Trammell said. That’s a rare gift.”

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