A Show Me Times News Report

ST. LOUIS - A group of Dexter elementary school students continued a tradition recently by lending their musical talents to a professional baseball game.

The Songmakers at Central Elementary traveled on Saturday, April 24 to St. Louis and Busch Stadium to perform at the St. Louis Cardinals - Cincinnati Reds baseball game.

Under the direction of music educator Delisa Stize, the Songmakers were invited to perform during the Seventh Inning Stretch the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." The fifth grade students - sporting their bright red "Songmakers" shirts - lined up in the outfield and led the stadium of baseball fans in the song.

The Songmakers performance was broadcast on the Cardinals state-of-the-art stadium broadcast system, with video of the group shown on the large screens throughout Busch Stadium.

Coordinating the event for the students were Stize, Central Elementary Principal Cindy Bowman and Central Counselor Dennis Keith. A large crowd of Dexter parents, family and friends bought game tickets and attended the game.

Ryan Franklin was the unfortunate man on the mound at the end of a very unfortunate top of the eighth inning for the Cardinals that day, as they watched a late lead evaporate in a 5-3 loss to the Reds. Miguel Cairo's two-run single against Franklin was the deciding blow, but only the last indignity in a truly miserable half-inning for the home team and its fans.

A highlight for the Songmakers was Albert Pujols' sixth-inning solo homer that gave the Cards their 3-2 edge after a two-run Votto homer tied the score in the top half of the same inning.

The final score of the game was Reds 5, Cards 3.

Photo Above: The Songmakers choral ensemble from Central Elementary School performed "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" recently at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game in St. Louis. (SMT photo by Leigh Ann Kincy)

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A SMT News Report

COLUMBIA, Mo. - A Bloomfield student placed in a statewide public speaking contest recently.

Anna Eftink, a member of the Bloomfield FFA Chapter, placed sixth in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Career Development Event at the 83rd Missouri FFA Convention.

Eftink’s advisor is Chad Upchurch.

MFA Inc. sponsors the competition, which requires contestants to deliver a speech based on one of three agricultural topics. Participants have 30 minutes to prepare their four- to six-minute speeches.

An additional five minutes of questions are included as a part of the overall competition. The event helps students to polish logical thinking and verbal skills needed in the classroom.

The Missouri FFA has 25,077 members representing 326 chapters. The national organization has more than 523,000 members representing 7,487 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Submitted by SMT Reader
Ronnie Shipman,
Dexter FFA Chapter Advisor

Dexter High Schools FFA (Future Farmers of America) Chapter competed in District competition recently and three teams qualified for state contest.

The district contest was held March 24 and 26 in Cape Girardeau.

The Agronomy Team placed 5th in the competition. Team members had to identify weeds and crops by looking at seeds and plants. They had to judge classes of soybeans and wheat. They also had to take a comprehensive test over al the different aspects of plant science and agronomy. Team members are, Will Baker, Dylan Sandlin and Christin Sitzes.

The Dairy Cattle team placed 7th. In this contest, members were required to rank classes of dairy cattle from best to worst and then give oral reasons in front of a judge on why they placed the class that way. They also took and test over dairy production and completed a sire evaluation study. Team members are Drew Crider, Amberly Creg, Derek Felker and Savannah Hicks.

Chelsey Massey placed second in Division One public speaking. Chelsey qualified to complete at district by placing first in area FFA competition. She wrote and presented a 3-4 minute speech based on a topic in the Agri Science I curriculum.

Photo Above: FFA members have qualified to compete at the 83rd state FFA convention held in Columbia, on April 14-15. Pictured left to right sitting- Dairy Cattle Judging team- Derek Felker, Drew Crider and Amberly Creg. Not pictured is Savannah Hicks Standing left to right- Division One speaker- Chelsey Massey. Agronomy Team, Dylan Sandlin, Christin Sitzes and Will Baker.

Dexter High School instrumental music students continued a record of success recently by bringing home top ratings from the District Music Contest.

Both the DHS Concert Band and the Woodwind Choir received top state ratings of I at the recent State Music Contest for large ensembles. The contest was held on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. The bands are under the direction of Scott Rybolt.

In addition three ensembles and six soloists receive district ratings of I at District Contest for small ensembles and soloists. These students now quality to go on and perform in the Missouri State Music Contest, to be held April 29 and 30 on the campus of the University of Missouri – Columbia.

Soloists receive I ratings include: Shelby Chappell, bassoon; Lauren Dudley, baritone saxophone; Branden Grimm, tympani; Steven Harrellson, tenor saxophone; Shelby Lintz, alto saxophone; and Alex Rybolt, trombone.

Ensembles to receive I ratings include:

• Brass Quintet: Alex Allston, Nathan Elliott. Hannah Hulls. Chuy Lara, and Alex Rybolt.

• Saxophone Quartet: Lauren Dudley, Joseph Greer, Steven Harrellson, and Shelby Linzt.

• Saxophone Trio: Rachel Foster, Steven Harrellson and Brandon Moore.

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A ShowMe Times report submitted by
FFA Advisor Ronnie Shipman

A Dexter High School senior has been selected to perform at a statewide Future Farmers of America convention.

Lauren Powers, senior at Dexter High School and member of the Dexter FFA Chapter has notified that she has been selected to perform talent during the 83rd Missouri State FFA convention. Thirty individuals and/or groups were selected from the students throughout Missouri who applied to perform their talent during the 2 day convention.

Lauren had to submit anapplication and a video of her performance to the Missouri Association of FFA office at Jefferson City. She will be performing her solo performance at the Thursday evening convention session where it is estimated that their will be approximately 5,000 FFA members and guests present. The convention will be held April 14-15 in Columbia, MO at the Hearnes Multipurpose Building.

Lauren is the daughter of Chuck and Felicia Powers of Dexter. In addition to FFA, Lauren is a member of the DHS Chamber Choir and recently received a I rating for her vocal solo and in two ensembles at District Music Contest.