A SMT News Report

POPLAR BLUFF, M0. – The men and women who graduated from Three Rivers College on Sunday afternoon received praise for their tenacity and determination in completing a degree at the region’s community college.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was the guest speaker at Sunday’s commencement, held in front of a crowd of more than 1,200 people at the Black River Coliseum.

“You know this was the path to a better job and a better future,” Huckabee told the graduates. Until last week, Huckabee was considered one of the leading contenders for the GOP nomination for president in 2012. "Your presence on this stage, receiving this diploma in an indication you are capable of doing what you wanted to do. Keep doing it.”

Huckabee praised Three Rivers and America’s community colleges in his Poplar Bluff address.

“The real builder of the workforce in America’s future is in community college,” Huckabee said. The former presidential candidate said that community colleges have the ability to meet changing needs of a workforce.

Friend and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson introduced Huckabee at the commencement ceremony. Emerson said Huckabee “understands our way of life” and appreciates the work ethic represented in the Three Rivers graduates.



Photos Above: Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee was the guest speaker at commencement at Three Rivers College on Sunday afternoon. Huckabee shared the stage with U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and TRC President Dr. Devin Stephenson (top photo). Huckabee (bottom photo) praised the college graduates for their hard work and dedication. (ShowMe Times photos by Andrew Cato)

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Stoddard Countians may now be eligible for assistance in recovering from the spring’s severe storms and floods.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced late on Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended disaster assistance to individuals and households in Stoddard and several additional counties in the state. The counties in the additional coverage are Cape Girardeau, Howell, McDonald, Pulaski, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Stone.

Under this declaration, individuals can be eligible for federal assistance to cover uninsured losses or expenses, such as temporary housing, home repair and replacement of household items.

On May 9, President Barack Obama granted a request by Nixon for a major disaster declaration for areas across Missouri hit in April and May by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. That declaration provided individual assistance for Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis and Taney counties.

"This additional assistance for Missouri families will help expedite our recovery and rebuilding," Gov. Nixon said. "State and local agencies are coordinating closely with the federal government to ensure that every possible tool and resource is available to help Missourians affected by these storms get moving again."

Working with local and federal partners, the State Emergency Management Agency continues to conduct damage assessments for public assistance.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 211. The 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626. Weather and emergency information also are available on the state of Missouri's website, MO.gov.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The top two students in Dexter High School’s Class of 2011 are two young ladies who are have been neck-and-neck academically throughout their senior year, been involved in a wide variety of activities, received top honors in the school district and state, and just happen to be close friends.

Catherine Kinchen is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011, graduating Friday evening with a 4.32000 grade point average. Right behind Catherine is Salutatorian Kaycee Dukes with a grade point average of 4.28205.

Catherine is the daughter of Scott Kinchen and Elizabeth Cabel. Her academic honors include Top Ten Percent, Dexter Honor Society, she participated in the Missouri Top 100 and Missouri Scholars Academic. She has been a member of the DHS Tennis Team, Dance Team, attending Missouri Girls State, and was a member of Foreign Language Club, DHS Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Catherine plans to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and major in engineering.

Kaycee is the daughter of Jeff and Sherry Dukes. Her academic honors include Dexter Honor Society, Top Ten Percent and she received the I Dare You Award. She was a member of the Southeast Missouri All-District Choir all four years in high school, and is one of the only Dexter students to ever be selected for Missouri All-State Choir both years of eligibility (junior and senior years). She was a member of the DHS Dance Team, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Chamber Choir and the Dexter Show Choir.

Kaycee plans to attend Maryville University and pursue a doctorate degree in physical therapy.

Three Quick Questions

Catherine Kinchen

When She Grows Up She Wants To Be: An Engineer

Favorite Word: Stradivarious

Favorite Sound: Caroline Goessling’s laugh

Kaycee Dukes

When She Grows Up She Wants To Be: A famous singing physical therapist

Favorite Word: Loquacious or “any word Mrs. Steuver taught us

Favorite Sound: “The sound of MaryRuth Boone’s voice”

Photo Above: The valedictorian and salutatorian for the DHS Class of 2011 was announced Friday morning. Valedictorian is Catherine Kinchen (right); and Salutatorian is Kaycee Dukes. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)

Editor's Note:Commencement for the Dexter High School Class of 2011 begins at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 20 at the Bearcat Event Center on Grant Street in Dexter.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

School bells will, indeed, ring this summer in the Dexter schools as the district proceeds with summer school plans.

Questions concerning the funding of the summer school program were resolved when the Missouri General Assembly recessed last week and did not reduce funding for in the district for summer school programs.

Supt. Dr. Thomas Sharp informed members of the Dexter Board of Education that students participating in summer school will report for classes on June 2 and classes will continue until Jun 29. Core subjects will be the focus o the district’s summer school program as well as credit recovery for high school students.

In addition, Sharp reported that Driver’s Education would be offered this summer as it has traditionally been in the Dexter district. Students will not need to pay for enrolling in Drivers Ed this summer. Students and parents interested in the program should contact the high school office.

At its monthly meeting recently the board considered and gave its approval to a new plan for budgets for the high school activities. Each activity group – athletics, choir, band and others – will now have a set balance of funding instead of being clumped together in an “activities” account.

“Right now it’s just in a big hodge-podge and it’s not a good way to budget,” said Sharp. “It really needs to be broken down individually. Starting off on next year’s budget we’ll have a budgeted amount for them to spend and then we’ll keep track of it. We want to keep it realistic but also give them something to shoot for.”

Sharp said the activities budgeting needed to be “more itemized and less catch-all.” He added they he would consult coaches and staff members on setting a realistic budget.

“I think it’s a good idea to do,” said board member Betty Keirsey. Keirsey is the “dean” of the school board, having served the longest of all the current members. “Everyone has to start watching what we’re spending.”

Sharp said he felt the new budgeting system will help reduce costs and allow administrators to have a better handle on spending.

“We can’t just keep on having negative balances in the activities budget,” Sharp commented. “We need a chance to set some guidestones and make it work. It’s the right thing to do.”

Sharp and Assistant Supt. Dr. Kim Flowers also explained a restructuring of the district’s Professional Development Committee to help facilitate better planning for district in-service programs for the teaching staff.

The new system for PDC will incorporate each of the building representatives who are also certified teachers in the development of the professional development programs. The adjustment will not cost the district, but instead will improve the professional programs to better fit the needs of the classroom teachers.

Sharp announced the district will receive two $700 Summer Asthma Grants through the efforts of the nursing staff. The first grant will fund opportunities to educate middle school coaches about asthma education and training. The second grant will fund opportunities for education high school students and parents on asthma management.

Both projects are to be completed by Sept. 30 and are funded by the Missouri Department of Health.

Executive Session

During Executive Session the board accepted the retirement of a high school English instructor and the high school head custodian.

English teacher Julia Galloway submitted her retirement resignation and it was accepted by the board. Galloway taught a total of 27 years, 15 at DHS. She previously taught 12 years in Chillicothe. “Mrs. Galloway has been an asset to the high school, teaching freshmen and senior upper level classes,” said Matthews. Matthews said Galloway was involved in a number of student activities and “provided meaningful guidance to the English Department.”

High school head custodian Robert Rushing also submitted his retirement resignation. Rushing began working as a night custodian in 1998.

In other business the board:

• Approved Melissa Whitaker and Peggy Potts as co-sponsors of freshman football and basketball cheerleading and middle school cheerleading.
• Hired Don Goodwin as a bus driver. Goodwin is a former DHS teacher.
• Renewed the assignments of coaches and activity sponsors wishing to continue their extra-duty assignments.
• Tapped Chris Bolin for cross country and assistant girls basketball; Leonard Morse as head girls softball; Marc Thrower as freshman football assistant coach and middle school wrestling coach.
• Approved an amendment to the district’s sick leave policy.
• Approved a change of the district’s life insurance carrier and subsequent coverage.


Photo Above: Dextr superintendent Dr. Thomas Sharp (right) discusses with board members a change in budgeting high school activities. At left is board present Herman Morse.

A SMT News Report

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Girl Scouts in Southeast Missouri will have look to another spot for summer camping experiences this summer, as the regional Girl Scout Council has suspended activities at Camp Latonka until flood damage at Lake Wappapello can be cleared.

The Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland announced Wednesday that all activites at Latonka will be suspended.

Camp Latonka was opened in 1951 by the former Cotton Boll Girl Scout Council and has been the summer home for thousands of girls and young women in Southeast Missouri. However, flooding at Lake Wappapello this spring has forced the new Girl Scout council to suspend activities.

In a news release sent late Wednesday afternoon, the council said that with water levels at Wappapello 35 feet above normal earlier this month, the decision to suspend activities was made this summer.

“It is unfortunate that the historic flood has created this tough decision,” states Jennifer M. Orban, CEO for GSMH, “but parents depend on us as an organization to provide a safe environment for their girls.”

All activities hosted at Latonka are now suspended until the water recedes and clean-up and restoration at the property can be completed. Latonka is located in Wayne County and home to summer, troop and family activities, as well as council-sponsored activities, such as summer resident camp.

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is offering summer camp at three additional locations, including Cherokee Ridge Program Center, near Sam A. Baker State Park and also located in Wayne County.

Valarie Moseley, Chief Membership/Leadership Program Officer for GSMH understands the disappointment for the girls.

“I know that many girls were looking forward to an outdoor camp experience this summer,” Moseley said. “Therefore, we will be adding additional weeks of resident camp at the Cherokee Ridge facility for those who would like to participate in activities such as horseback riding, aqua sports, and the science behind the solar system.”

Girls Scouts and their families may visit the Council’s website at www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org for more information on the additional sessions added at Cherokee Ridge.

Orban also said that individuals, companies and organizations that would like to offer donations to help with the clean-up and restoration of Latonka Program Center, may contact Angie Sullivan at 877-312-4764 ext. 1343.

Cotton Boll and four other councils in Missouri merged three years ago. Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland is based in Springfield; regional service centers are based in Dexter and Cape Girardeau.

Photo Above: The Dining Hall at Camp Latonka (Latonka Program Center). The Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland has suspended activities at the traditional Girl Scout camp due to flooding at Lake Wappapello. (SMT file photo by Annabeth Miller)