It may seem as though the region has seen nothing but rain and storms, hail and high winds for days on end ... but there was a reminder in the sky Wednesday evening that calmer days are ahead. A rainbow popped into view after 5 p.m. over Dexter - reminding of an Irish saying: "For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.”

By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor

If quizzed, most people who know will say that George Washington Carver is most famous for his work with the peanut.

And while the native Missourian is best know for his ground-breaking work on the little peanut, did much more work – work that continues to have a signigicant impact in our lives decades after Carver’s death.

Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Dr. Jon Hagler announced that there are just two weeks left for elementary students to participate in the George Washington Carver Essay Contest. The annual statewide contest is open to young people in grades 4, 5, and 6 and the deadline is April 30.

"George Washington Carver's contributions to agriculture are a great example of the importance of education and the power of positive thinking," said Hagler. "It's appropriate that we celebrate the legacy of this great Missourian and outstanding friend to agriculture during the height of planting season."

Students are encouraged to write a creative and inspirational essay related to this year's theme, "If George Washington Carver were my teacher..."

George Washington Carver's story of starting life in slavery and becoming a prominent businessman and scholar is not only compelling, but also positions him as an outstanding role model. His accomplishments, from advocating for soil conversation to identifying 300 uses for peanuts, continue to influence the agriculture industry.

The outstanding essay for each grade level will receive a $100 savings bond, and the top essay will receive a $200 savings bond.

Essays will be judged on creativity, originality, correctness of George Washington Carver facts and idea development, as well as grammar, word choice and organization.

Entries should be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Missouri Department of Agriculture in Jefferson City no later than April 30, 2011.

By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor

Dexter's T.S. Hill Middle School volleyball girls worked hard on the court all season - finishing with a perfect season. It was a volleyball season to remember.

But these young ladies will be remembered for something else other than their emerging skill in a sport. They will be remembered for their heart, enthusiasm, and care for others.

Earlier this month the middle school teams hosted a "Dig Pink" volleyball game to raise awareness about and funds for the fight against breast cancer. And in the planning of the event the teams voted that funds raised would stay here at home. So the team designated the money for the 18 Fore Life Foundation to help local women with breast cancer.

Thursday night was the culmination of their project when the girls presented the local foundation with donation of monumental proportions.

The teams presented Scott Kruse of the 18 Fore Life Foundation with a check for $2,133.95 from the Dig Pink game.

Kruse noted the girls have proven to be champions on the volleyball court, but that their efforts "shows an understanding of wanting to do something more than just win games."

Coach Melissa Hahn said the teams'huddle saying is "How do we play? HARD. SMART. TOGETHER!!"

"These girls are smart, work hard, and together can make a very big different in our community."

Photo Above: The T.S. Hill Middle School volleyball teams presented the proceeds from their recent DIG PINK games to the 18 Fore Life Foundation during their final regular season game on Thursday night. On hand for the presentation were (from left) Middle School Assistant Principal Angie Duncan,Shyann Jines, Scott Kruse of 18 Fore Life, Julie Hahn, and volleyball coach Melissa Hahn. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

By Jessi Shidler,
of the Rebel Yeller
and special to the ShowMe Times

ESSEX, Mo. - Richland High School music teacher Amber Duley recently resurrected an old school tradition - the Talent Show for students and faculty.

The show featured plenty of dancing, singing, music-making, sign language, and hilarious acts. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and students came to watch their friends or family in the talent show.

The Richland band paid for a light setting to make the show more professional. After expenses, the Richland band made $1,000 toward band and music equipment. Two days before the talent show, the music department keyboard had stopped working. That is one of the things on the list of things to replace with the profits.

Some of the acts included Saturday Night Live acts by Richland staff members, percussion assembles, dance-offs, and lots of singing!

“I could not have been more pleased with the outcome of the talent show!” says Duley, “Everything ran so smoothly, more so than I expected, which is due to the efforts of backstage personnel, including Mrs. Monroe, Mrs. Rhodes, Mallory Hillis, and many other teachers, parents, and students. The audience turnout was also fantastic and beyond my expectations!”

Duley is bringing back the tradition of hosting a talent show every year for the community and school. Everyone had a ball and enjoyed watching the fun and talent.

“I have received comments and congratulations too numerous to count in regards to the talent show,” says Duley. “My Facebook page is overflowing with positive feedback! I am so grateful for all the kind words and support from everyone in the entire school district and surrounding communities. I can’t wait for next year!”

Speaking of next year, the band is planning to use the gym in a graduation-style set up, for more room and better viewing. They will utilize both sets of bleachers and sell in advance floor seats in front of the stage. Next year, they will also have the talent show on a Friday, or any day when there is not school following.

The band is in the process of making a DVD-ROM of all the performances from the talent show. They will be selling them for $10 each.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

1,777 career points.
53% shooting from the floor.
74% from the free-throw line.
696 rebounds.
86 charges drawn (a MSHSAA record).
142 three-pointers in his senior season (second in the MSHSAA record books).

As you can see, Jordan McGowan had an outstanding career for the Bernie Mules. McGowan, the 18 year old son of Brian & Valerie McGowan and Charles & Tara Stewart, was a big part of helping the Mules earn a record of 128-24 during his career, including three straight District Championships and two consecutive trips to the finals of the Show-Me Showdown.

After his senior season, McGowan was named First Team All-State in Class 2.

“This means a lot to me,” McGowan said. “We had a lot of fun, and getting recognized at that level is a great feeling. It didn’t feel very good coming out with second place [in state] again, but there’s thousands of kids that wish they could have at least made it to the Final Four.”

McGowan was also named the SEMO Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, coupled with Bernie head coach Brad Botsch being named Coach of the Year.

“We have expectations, and he had expectations, but the individual stuff isn’t something we really have goals for,” Botsch commented. “We don’t look at ‘we want to make this or make that’; we just want to do the best we can as a team. If any individual awards come along the way, that’s just the icing on the cake. [Jordan] earned the honor and he’s well deserving of it. He’s worked really had to get where he is now.”

“[Jordan] is one of the hardest-working kids we’ve ever had come through this program,” Botsch added. “He’s never been tremendously blessed with athletic ability, but he’s worked hard and excelled at almost every aspect of the game. He definitely has brought a lot to our team and our program over the last four years.”

Along with all the post-season honors this young man has earned, he has also signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Three Rivers College, and will play under local legend Gene Bess. Bess is one of the winningest coaches in any level of college basketball, racking up a 1114-290 record in his 41 seasons at TRC.

“Coach Bess has the most wins in any level of college basketball,” McGowan said. “It’s going to be great to go over there and perform for him and play with the other great talents [Three Rivers is] getting.”

McGowan hasn’t been informed of how much he can expect to play, but he doesn’t seem too concerned with playing time.

“We haven’t talked about my role much, but I’m more worried about winning games,” McGowan continued. “[Bess is] one of the greatest coaches to ever coach the game and I believe if you just listen to him, he can get you anywhere you want to go. We could make a run in the post-season with the talent we have.”

Botsch expressed similar excitement for his former player, citing the long player-coach relationship the two have had.

“I’ve had three or four different players move on [to play at the next level],” Botsch said. “I’ve coached [Jordan] in some capacity since he was in fourth grade. Being able to see him move onto the next level and play for a great program like Three Rivers was a great feeling as a coach. I think he’s always been the type of kid that has the desire to play at the college level because of his work ethic. He’s a kid that you’re pretty sure as a coach that will stick with it. There are a lot of kids that go to school and play for a year, sometimes two, but I think Jordan is the type of kid that’s in it, and he’ll be committed to it.”

Always noted as a hard worker, McGowan seemed eager to get in the gym to start working for next season.

“We can start working out now if we want,” McGowan said. “We get to go to several camps this summer and I’m looking forward to it, but as far as practice, not until baseball season is over. I’ll have plenty of opportunities to get in the gym this summer and improve my game, and I’m looking forward to it.”