The new members of the Songmakers choral group at Central Elementary were announced recently. The group is led by music educator Delisa Sitze and they perform at a number of occasions throughout the academic year, including the Community Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the DHS Student Council, and other school and community events. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

The new Miss DHS for 2011 will be crowned in pre-game festivities prior to the Dexter Bearcats - Malden Green Wave football game Friday. The seven senior young ladies who are candidates for Miss DHS include (from left) Kait Seiberlich, Lindsey Hindman, Lauren Ward, Hannah Sandage, Jessica Snider, McKenzie Mitchell, and Malinda Mayo. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

Tradition Continues at DHS

The Three Rivers College Center in Dexter now boasts a new sign outside the college center on Market Street. The sign was installed Tuesday, and was "presented" Wednesday morning. On hand were (from left) Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham, Chamber Executive Director Janet Coleman, Chamber 1st Vice President Kenny Pope, Vicki Deane of Canady Sign Company of Sikeston, and college staff members Ann Matthews, Jennifer Whitesell and Bill Hampton. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

The Dexter Show Choir met Sunday to begin a new year of rehearsal and performances. The local group is just off a singing tour of New York City, and is already making plans for its concert tour to Branson next summer. Show Choir members welcomed new members at the meeting Sunday and discussed the mum sale, which will conclude with a pickup Wednesday afternoon. The choir is led by MaryRuth Boone with a number of parent volunteers, including Malisa Mayo, Roger Mayo, Shannon Putnam, Donna Mason, Brenda Mason, Tish Foster,  and Kristi Twaddell.  (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

Eric Billingsley is a happy young man these days.

The young Billingsley, of Dexter, is a student at the new Three Rivers College center in Dexter. He’s studying in the new “green diesel” program offered by Three Rivers at the local center, and he feels has selected a course of study that is “just right” for him and for his future.

And these days, he’s thankful, too, because Billingsley  is the recipient of a new scholarship for local students from the Stoddard County Farm Bureau.

Local Farm Bureau President Edwina Woolard of Puxico and Billingsley met recently at the college center, where he was presented with his scholarship from the local organization.

“This is the first scholarship for us to award to Three Rivers,” Woolard said. She said scholarship recipients must pursue a degree program that has something related to agriculture or rural life.

The Three Rivers green diesel program trains students to repair and maintain vehicles that operate on both diesel and green diesel. Three Rivers offers the new unique green diesel-training program at the Dexter campus, which opened in January 2011.

Photo Above: The Stoddard County Farm Bureau has awarded Eric Billingsley a scholarhsip to attend Three Rivers College and study green diesel technology. On hand for the presentation of the scholarship award were (from left) Ann Matthews of Three Rivers College Center at Dexter, Stoddard County Farm Bureau President Edwina Woolard, Billingsley, his mother LaRhonda Billingsley, and TRC Center Director Bill Hampton. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)