Small town living is full of big time fun. The Dexter Bearcat Booster Club has remained a major part of building school spirit and enthusiasm among the community and students for over fifteen years. But how and where did this club that has delivered so much value to our community originate? The history of the Dexter Booster Club is worth sharing.

On November 21, 1994, after hours of planning, a group of school enthusiasts - some of the most dedicated members of Bearcat Nation - arrived at a Dexter Public Schools board meeting seeking to shine a positive light on the hope of the formation of an “Activities Booster Club”. Clubs of this nature had been resisted by the school administration for many years due to noted bad experiences in other communities.

The original organizing group included:



Other original Dexter Booster Club Members include Dr. Jerry Waddle, Debbie Snider, Joni Burleson, Jim Reiker, Phyllis Howard, Doug Cox, Sharon Guethle, Mark Becker and Bruce Christian.

Overcoming the preconceived notions of Booster Clubs being a ‘bad thing’ was not an easy task. A summary of benefits were presented to the administration that included community events to increase pride and enthusiasm for the school, a relationship ‘bridge’ between students and the community, and an involved method of raising additional funds for extracurricular activities within the district.

  Much planning took place prior to this meeting, as these community leaders wanted to build a group that would stand the test of time. Many phone interviews were performed with existing clubs throughout Southeast Missouri schools, including Sikeston, Malden, Cape Central, Kennett and Kelly. Information and organization experiences were collected from a broad group of club members, club organizers, as well as school administrators.

The insight the group compiled became the very foundation of the clubs by-laws and methods of operation. Multiple examples were shared of the positive results of these clubs, as well as areas of caution that were important to avoid.

 

---

“[The Booster Club] is the greatest thing and I would recommend it,” shared Dennis Ziegenhorn of the Sikeston Booster Club. “It allows the community to become involved with the programs. It is a wonderful, wonderful thing.”

 

---

With the presentation complete, the school board allotted for a one-year probationary period - to allow the club’s formation and operation - with the oversight of the school’s administration. Safeguards were built into the club by-laws with the intention of helping to avoid future conflicts.

Noteworthy is the leadership that was given to this project by Dr. Jerry Waddle and Dr. Ray Dowdy. Through the early ‘formation’ years, their ability to trust and offer guidance to the community leadership of the booster club board was critical to the success that the club continues to have today.

Since those early days, the club has continued to meet the purpose and objectives established in the by-laws of the Dexter Bearcat Booster Club. The very existence of the club is to “…lend support to the total student activities program of the Dexter High School and Middle School ….”


The Dexter Bearcat Booster Club has developed a rich history of support to all programs throughout the school district, while avoiding the pitfalls associated with the fears of “Clubs Gone Wrong”. The present leadership of the club continues to carry on the strong virtues of the past each year.

Longtime friends Erica Stone (from Ozark, MO) and Kelly Weston (from Dexter, MO) have used their voices and their passion for two very different reasons. Their lives have been shaped by two extremes; from the ups and downs of the music business to their unrelenting fight to save orphans in Sierra Leone with the creation of 501 (c)(3), The Raining Season.

The entire journey began with Erica and her husband’s challenge to adopt a child from the plagued African country. After an intense and grueling 3-year process, they finally brought home their little girl Jayda in 2004. It was through that experience that their eyes were opened to the devastating conditions thousands have faced since the end of SL’s brutal civil war. Kelly was right beside Erica and shared the same devotion to the people of Sierra Leone and together, with like-minded volunteers, are now running an orphanage filled with close to 100 children. The two decided they could not wait for their music career to skyrocket to make their voices heard. This is a story about two girls, armed with nothing but the will, passion and their beautiful voices to make a difference.

They have stood up against a corrupt government and child trafficking and continue to work with officials to change the country’s regulations. Their fan club, called The Tribe, is not only a place for fans to follow the music, but also gives them a chance to join the cause. Erica and Kelly’s volunteer network has grown immensely and they consistently bring more people to Sierra Leone, many of which are in the process of adopting children from the orphanage. The Nashville music community has been supportive of the cause, as well, with contributions from artists like Charlie Daniels, Reba, Little Big Town and Sara Evans.

This outreach also coincides with the release of Picking Violets debut single “That Would Be Me” which impacted radio June 15.

Kelly Weston is the former Kelly Miranda of Dexter. She is a graduate of Dexter High School. Her family and friends from home continue to follow her success and kind touch on the world on her Facebook located at KELLY WESTON.

More information on Erica and Kelly can be found at www.pickingviolets.com and/or www.facebook.com/pickingviolets.

The Top Ten

the basics

Name: Jonathan Foels
Age: 15
Class at DHS Sophomore
Hobbies: Tae Kwon Do,Jiu Jitsu, play football and sing in DHS Chamber Choir
Hometown: Dexter

the questions

1. What do you like best about Dexter?
I like the schools, and I like the size of Dexter - it's not too small and it's not too big.

2. What does the future hold for Jonathon after high school?
I think I want to go to college, major in history and be a teacher.

3. What is your favorite book?
The Cry of the Ice Mark by Stuart Hill

4. Who is your role model?
My dad - Mark Foels. He's a really nice guy, always friendly to others and has taught me a lot about life.

5. When you are 30, where do you want to be?
I want to be married and starting a family, live in a nice house and be financially okay.

6. What are three goals for this school year?
I want to be in the Top Ten Percent of my class academically, letter in football, run track this spring.

7. What is your favorite song?
Have You Forgetten? by Darryl Worley

8. Email or text?
Text.

9. Who is your hero?
Ray Carrillo.

10. Favorite Word?
"Nifty"

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The new Miss Dexter for 2011-2012 was crowned in a pageant Saturday night at the Bearcat Event Center.

Miss Madison McGowan is the new Miss Dexter. Madison, 15, is the daughter of Todd and Kriste McGowan of Dexter. She is a member of the DHS Volleyball team, Club Volleyball and is a varsity basketball cheerleader. The best things about Dexter, Madison says, are “nice people, good schools and it’s home.”

Kelsey May is the first alternate. Kelsey is the 17 year-old daughter of Patty and Perry May.

Second alternate is Hannah Noe, the 15-year-old daughter of Jonas and Jo Noe.

Miss Congeniality of this year’s Miss Dexter Pageant is Tori Seabaugh, 17, and the daughter of Steve and Heather Foster and Jeff and Alicia Thomas. Miss Congeniality is chosen each year by a vote the all of the young ladies in the Miss Dexter Pageant. It is second only in importance to the Miss Dexter crown. The recipient reflects the respect and admiration of the her peers, who vote her as the most respectful , positive, congenial, and charismatic.

The top 12 finalists, who will be featured throughout the next year as the ShowMe Times’ Miss Dexter Calendar Girls include (in pageant order):

• Madison McGowan
• Leah Noyes
• Jessica Snider
• Miranda Warner
• Morgan Cliff
• Whitney Layton
• Megan Trewatha
• Tori Seabaugh
• Stephanie Gee
• Rachel Putnam
• Kelsey May
• Hannah Noe

Mistress of Ceremonies for the pageants was Malinda Mayo; assisting on stage throughout the evening’s pageants was the retiring Miss Dexter for 2010-2011, McKenzie Mitchell.

In other pageants Saturday evening:

Little Mister Dexter

• Little Mister Dexter – Sebastian Webb, 5-year-old son of Ashley Hunsaker and James Webb
• First Alternate – Levi Cole Seyer, 3-year-old son of Kayla Durham and Tyler Seyer
• Second Alternate – Cash Murphy, 3-year-old son of Carrie and Gary Murphy

Little Miss Dexter

• Little Mister Dexter – Averee Diane Ackman, 4-year-old daughter of Trey and Amanda Ackman
• First Alternate – Katie Carrillo, 4-year-old daughter of Bobby and Christi Carrillo

Young Miss Dexter

• Young Miss Dexter - Bailey Porter, 6-year-old daughter of Mark and Samantha Porter
• First Alternate – Addyson Atherton, 7-year-old daughter of Kim and Amy Lemons and Shannon Atherton
• Second Alternate - Mia Kaylyn Williams, 7-year-old daughter of Randy and Jodie Williams

Petite Miss Dexter

• Petite Miss Dexter – Alexa Mae Werneck, 10-year-old daughter of Chad and Amber Werneck
• First Alternate – Margo Nea , 10-year-old daughter of Mark and Amber Nea
• Second Alternate – Blair Rogers, 9-year-old daughter of Robin Northern and the late Aaron Rogers

Junior Miss Dexter

• Junior Miss Dexter – Lauren Leigh Thrower, 13-year-old daughter of Lori Hawkins and Bob Thrower
• First Alternate – Ashlynn Wyman, 12-year-old daughter of Steve and Jana Wyman
• Second Alternate – Lexi May, 12-year-old daughter of Patty and Perry May

The Miss Dexter Pageants are hosted annually by the Dexter High School Choral Music Department.

ShowMe Times Photo Gallery

ORDER PRINTS! To order prints from this gallery, click to go to complete gallery, look for the "Buy" button at the top of the gallery page. You will be able to select photo sizes and other photo products and pay online using your credit or debit card.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

When you first meet McKenzie Mitchell you see a typical teenage young woman: starting her senior year in high school, excited about cheerleading competition, a vigorous and important part of the varsity volleyball squad, in the stands cheering her team on to victory on Friday nights, active in church and community groups, has a good time with her friends. If you would ask McKenzie to write the typical essay, “What I Did For Summer Vacation,” you would then see something special and unique.

Since she was a young girl, McKenzie has shined in front of a camera, and she always dreamed of modeling professionally. She has had incredible opportunities – such as being on the cover of a brochure for Busch Gardens, on billboards, in specialty clothing catalogs and other ventures. As a teen, those opportunities expanded to a much larger stage.

In the last year, McKenzie received a pair of prestigious national modeling honors: In September 2010 she was one of only 10 girls in the country selected to be in the 2011 Varsity cheer catalog. Then, earlier this year, the international designer Jovani named the Dexter teen the 2011 “Face of Jovani” – a once in a lifetime experience.

“I love travelling and meeting new people,” McKenzie said. And this was the summer of travel, meeting new people, and unique experiences. “I’ve always wanted to do this and I love modeling. It’s my greatest passion.”

Varsity is the top cheer uniform company in the country – if not the world – and their catalog has more of the look and feel of a high-end quality magazine than just the run-of-the-mill catalog. The girls modeling are photographed “in action” – just like any cheerleader in high schools and colleges across the country. Varsity is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of cheer and dance team uniforms; and schools and colleges look to Varsity for the latest and greatest trends in the sport.

McKenzie was one of 12 young ladies chosen by Varsity to be featured in this year’s catalog – 12 out of more than 1,200 who originally submitted applications for the honor. In October the girls gathered in Dallas for a weeklong photo shoot.

McKenzie explained that not all the girls were able to come together at one time due to their individual school commitments, but the Varsity personnel treated them royally while they were in Dallas. They stayed at a 5-star hotel, had their own chef, and could order room service when they wanted ... quite an experience!

“It was an experience of a lifetime,” McKenzie said. “It was an incredible experience. I still keep in touch with all the girls.”

Varsity called the Dexter teen on Christmas Eve 2010 with an incredible “Christmas gift” – Varsity selected McKenzie as one of two cheer models to fly to Orlando, Fla., for a national convention unveiling of the 2011 catalog. The convention was the first of February, and McKenzie and the other girls modeled the Varsity clothing at the convention.

This summer, McKenzie and her mother, Ann-Marie, got to fly to California to work with the Jovani team as the 2011 Face of Jovani. Jovani is one of the world’s premiere designers of prom and evening wear. “The photo shoot for Jovani was in Los Angeles, because that’s where the photographer is,” she said.

So in June, McKenzie and her mother flew west for the Jovani photo shoot. This upcoming prom season, when girls all across America pick up the 2012 Jovani book, McKenzie will be featured.

“She’s shot six dresses so far,” Ann-Marie said. “As he (Jovani) designs the dresses he ships them out there (to California). She’s seen those six, then there are other girls who are also in the book.”

The book will be on the Jovani website, on Facebook, and in every Jovani retailer’s store.

In addition to Varsity and Jovani, McKenzie works with a modeling agency in St. Louis, West Model & Talent Management, and through West she landed a job with Life Uniform - she worked at a photo shoot for Life Uniform in June, which adds another element to McKenzie’s modeling portfolio.

“As a model you have to ‘range’ ,” she said. ‘Range’ is the ability to adapt from one situation to the next, and in McKenzie’s case ranging in age from possibly a young teen to a mature-looking professional young woman. She said she enjoyed the challenges and opportunities with Life Uniform as well.

“You get to meet new people and see their experience and where they’ve been and learn from them too,” she said.

This summer also found McKenzie working for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in a bathing suit feature in the metropolitan newspaper. The theme was “swim suit that fits your body”, and the “swimsuits were so fancy you could almost wear them anywhere.” The feature had McKenzie in some places that – well, you might not see someone in a bathing suit. She was shown in locations like a grocery store and a theater performance.

“I was in a grocery store and people were coming in, and some were taking pictures of me on their iPhone,” she said. “In the theater, people were all around and they were acting like they were watching a show and I was trying to find my seat but I was in a bikini.”

It was a large feature in a Sunday edition of the Post-Dispatch, and then two weeks later the feature was published again in the Chicago Tribune.

The summer also included showroom modeling for Jovani and video production shoot for the dressmaker in Atlanta.

“Mr. Jovani has been watching her all this time on Facebook, and he has been so impressed with her and how she’s representing his company, “ Ann-Marie said. “He wired her a $1,000 check for her to spend on herself in Los Angeles – to buy herself something special for herself.”

“I’ve been so blessed,” McKenzie said. “I have been given so many opportunities – it’s a dream come true!”