They marched out onto the field with their heads held high, marching smartly to a simple cadence, and proud of their accomplishments after a work-filled week.

The Marching Bearcat Band unveiled the 2011 field show to parents and friends on Friday evening after a week of hard work and dedication during the annual before-school band camp.

Freshmen to mighty seniors, they held their heads high, instruments with pride and performed the newly learned music and marching maneuvers.

“It’s been a successful week,” said DHS band instructor Scott Rybolt. “They worked hard all week.”

Pride was seen in the smiles of the parents and in the determination on the field by the students.

This year’s Marching Bearcats field show will feature of the music of the rock group Chicago – including hits like “25 or 6 to 4,” and “Does Anyone Really Know What Time It is.”

The band will take the field for the first time at the home opener when the Bearcats go against St. Genevieve on Friday, Aug. 26 at Charles Bland Stadium.

Drum majors for the 2011-2012 season include Joseph Greer, Kendra Stevenson and Lauren Dudley. Directors are Scott Rybolt and Jim Wade.

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Registration for classes at Three Rivers College continues through August 12 for the fall semester, which begins August 15.

Classes started for Three Rivers College on Monday, Aug. 15 and the college’s center in Dexter is a beehive of activity in preparation for the fall semester.

Crews were on hand Thursday to stripe the new college parking lot in preparation for a large number of students at the new education center.

Students needing information on classes at Three Rivers are advised to contact the college’s Welcome Center at 573-840-9605 or, toll-free, 877-879-8722 or visit trcc.edu, where visitors can find checklists for enrolling and applying for financial aid, search for classes, and view the college catalog and program offerings

. Classes begin Monday Aug. 15 and and Aug. 19 is the last day to drop a fall semester class with 100 percent credit is Aug. 19.

The Three Rivers Center at Dexter is located at 515 West Market; the center’s telephone number is 573-614-1081.

As the wheels of education begin to turn for the Dexter Public Schools, the First Christian Church and Montgomery Bank sponsored a Teachers appreciation Luncheon for all employees, teachers and administrators at the Dexter R-11 School District.

A large number of volunteers from the church were on hand to help coordinate the BBQ meal complete with the trimmings and desert. The event started at 11 a.m., and continued until 1 p..m. Thursday afternoon.

Montgomery Bank was on hand to help with the event to assist with the serving the large crowd of over 135 people. Lindsay Emillo, Dana Adams, Scott Nelson and Kyle Christian offered up a chance to win two school supply baskets.

Winners of the Montgomery Bank school baskets were April Aldridge and Chasity McLaughlin. The baskets were filled with those little extras that make a classroom a little more fun and the teachers just a little more special. Each basket was valued at more than $100.

"We had someone attend from every part of our school district," commented Dana Adams of Montgomery Bank. "And we are very pleased that all three our top administrators were there in support of the school staff ... Dr. Flowers, Dr. Alsup and Dr. Sharp."
The entire district was represented from coaches, to janitorial staff, to bus drivers as well as the teachers who are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the their kids for the 2011-2012 school year.

This was an incredible undertaking during the workday when many of the Christian Church members are busy working at their jobs. The volunteers came from many sections of the Church with CWF Ladies group and the Evening Shade Ladies group providing the side dishes, the Christian Men's group providing the meat and preparation and the CYF Youth group lead by Tim Holder provided the serving for the event.

"It's always easy when you have good people that simply want to help to make an event work," said Gary Williams.

This is the simple joys of living in a small community and taking great pride in the school system that makes it all worthwhile.

Photos Above: #1 - Teacher Kara Lummukka registered for prizes offered by Montgomery Bank at the teacher luncheon on Thursday. Helping with registration were Lindsay Emillo and Dana Adams of Montgomery Bank. #2 - Lindsay and Dana talked to school district staff as their arrive for the luncheon. #3 - Members of the Christian Youth Fellowship were on hand to help serve at the luncheon. (SMT Photos by Annabeth Miller)

A SMT News Report

A new school year, new registration system, and a great new Bearcat shirt for 2011-2012!

The Dexter PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) has worked all summer in preparation for the kick-off for the new school year and in providing a great new PTO shirt.

The shirts are available at the new district registration on Tuesday at the Bearcat Event Center and they will be at Parent Night at Southwest, Central and T.S. Hill Middle School. The shirts are $9 each; 2X is $11 and a 3X is $13. If sizes are not available, re-orders are anticipated.

All parents are invited to join the PTO for the upcoming school year. PTO membership is $2.

PTO supports the schools and its programs and help sponsor National School Lunch Week, Reading Week, and other special events such as parties and events for students as well as help with community events like the Veterans Honor Tour Program this last spring.

Photo Above: On hand Monday for district registration at the BEC were a number of PTO officers for 2011 - 2012. Helping with registration were (front row, from left) Misty McBride, Secretary at Southwest; Suzanne Collier, City Council PTO; (back row, from left) Pam Laramore, Vice President at Southwest; Amy Worley, President at T.S. Hill Middle School; Leigh Ann Kincy, President at Central; Angie Dugan, President at Southwest; and Cindy Joy, City Council President. (SMT photo)

The Dexter Bearcat Booster Club has new t-shirts and headbands ready to build the spirit of "THE BEARCAT NATION". The board of the Dexter Booster Club has been busy this summer preparing for the good times to come.

"Gonna Be A Throw Down In D-Town" is the Fall Theme and the T-Shirts look great. Senior Bearcat Football standout, Nick Summers, shows off the new "T" with other Dexter students, Kendall Adams, Avery Riley, Camden Riley and Cole Gibson.

These are great looking shirts that be available by the booster club members at various Bearcat events throughout the fall. The cost of the T-Shirts will $15 and headbands will be $12.

The DBBC has been an incredible asset to our community and school district. Stay tuned for more information about the booster club and how you can get involved.