Choir Participates in Fesitval

DHS, Middle School Bands Earn Trophies 

It was a successful weekend for the Dexter Marching Bearcats, as they brought home some special “hardware” from the Southeast Missouri Band Association Marching Contest.

The competition was held in Charleston on Saturday, Oct. 8 after a full week for Bearcat band members that included the Missouri Soybean Festival parade in Portageville and the DHS Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 7.

The DHS Marching Bearcat Band received some key awards at the contest, including Outstanding Color Guard and the award for Outstanding Music and the coveted 1st Place trophy in the Street (parade) competition. In addition, the high school group  placed 3rd in field competition.

The DHS band field directors are Joseph Greer, Lauren Dudley and Kendra Stevenson. DHS Band Director is Scott Rybolt.

The T.S. Hill Middle School band also had an exciting and successful trip to the marching contest.  The middle school group received Outstanding Color Guard, Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Drum Major, Outstanding Music, and 1st Place overall.

The T.S. Hill Middle School band is directed by Jim Wade.

Thanks to SMT Readers Kay Stevenson and Jessica Lesley for the photos!

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Michael J. Fox will speak as part of Southeast Missouri State University’s 2011-2012 University Speaker Series at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Show Me Center.

The title of his presentation is “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist.”

Fox charmed audiences around the world in such roles as Alex Keaton in “Family Ties,” for which he earned three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award, and star and executive producer of ABC’s acclaimed “Spin City,” for which he was honored with three Golden Globe Awards, one Emmy Award, three Emmy nominations, a GQ Man-of-the-Year Award, a People’s Choice Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Fox made time during his busy television work to appear in over a dozen feature films. His performances in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, “Doc Hollywood,” “Teen Wolf,” “Mars Attacks!” and “The American President” showcased his ability to shift between comedy and drama and made him an international movie star.

Also an accomplished writer, Fox is the bestselling author of “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist.” “Always Looking Up” was a New York Times bestseller and earned Fox a Grammy award. His 2002 memoir, “Lucky Man,” was a New York Times bestseller and earned a Grammy Award nomination for its audio recording.

Like most Canadian kids, Fox said he loved hockey and dreamed of a career in the National Hockey League. As a teenager, however, his artistic talents prevailed, and Fox immersed himself in art and creative writing. He also played guitar in a succession of rock-and-roll garage bands before ultimately realizing his affinity for acting. Fox debuted as a professional performer at 15, co-starring in the sitcom “Leo and Me” on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with future Tony Award-winner Brent Carver.

Fox married his “Family Ties” co-star, Tracy Pollan, in 1988, and together they have four children. Inspired to find projects his children would enjoy, Fox offered his vocal talents to a variety of hit children’s films. He provided the voice of Chance in Disney’s “Homeward Bound” movies, Stuart Little in Sony’s “Stuart Little” and the lead in “Atlantis: The Lost Empire,” his first animated feature for The Walt Disney Company.

Though he would not share the news with the public for another seven years, Fox was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991. Upon disclosing his condition in 1998, he committed himself to the campaign for increased Parkinson’s research and awareness.

In 2000, Fox launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. He said he wholeheartedly believes if there is a concentrated effort from the Parkinson’s community, elected representatives in Washington, D.C., and the general public, researchers can pinpoint the cause of Parkinson’s and find a cure within our lifetime.

Tickets are required for entry. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or to avoid service charges, tickets can be purchased at the Show Me Center Box Office. Current Southeast faculty, staff and students can use a valid Redhawk ID to pick up free tickets in University Center Room 202, the Center for Student Involvement or the Show Me Center Box Office.

Homecoming Week 2011 was a spirit-filled week – not matter the age of the Bearcat!

From Camo Day to Nerd Day, each day during Homecoming Week was a spirited time – and a time for some rather unique creativity. Homecoming is a traditional time to welcome back alumni, but in the halls of the four schools in Dexter it was also a time to build spirit, pride, and enthusiasm.

The younger students had fun with Camo Day and Crazy Socks Day, and the high school students were creative with Nerd Day and Twin Day. All four buildings – students faculty and staff – showed their enthusiasm for Dexter and the Bearcats on Friday by donning the traditional Red and Black to cheer on the Bearcats.

One exciting addition to Homecoming Week this year was the Thursday Dig Pink Volleyball game with the Bearcat Event Center was awash in a variation of red. The BEC was all “pink” as the Lady Bearcat Volleyball team held its first-ever Dig Pink Game to raise funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

The enthusiasm of the week continued on Friday with the Homecoming Tailgate 2011 sponsored by Montgomery Bank and County Wide Insurance and continued on down Brown Pilot Lane to cheer the Bearcats on to a thrilling victory against Caruthersvile in Charles Bland Stadium.

Photo Gallery

Bearcat Homecoming 2011