
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
The youngsters in Shannon Putnam’s first grade class at Southwest Elementary School have been on interesting journey. The students are visiting different countries and studying how they celebrate New Years.
Their adventure has so far had the class “on the road” to the USA, Iran, Greece and Brazil.
This week the class will “visit” Russian, Austria, and Scotland.
In Brazil, they feasted on Rabanadas at midnight. In the South American country, the parents then dress and go to elegant balls and parties. In some places they dress all in white, carry candles to the sea and place them in the sand. They then throw gifts and flowers to the Queen of the Sea.
“For Iran we jumped over a ceremonial fire and had a party outside,” said Putnam. Monday, the group studied traditions in Japan. They feasted on Japanese tea and Mochi-rice cakes, Putnam said.
“We also made a Shimenawa to hang over the door to keep bad luck out during the new year. Each child made a fan to place on the braided rope,” teacher Putnam explained.
“Tomorrow: passports needed for Scotland.” She said excitedly of Tuesday’s activities.
Photo Above: First grade student Maddie Glaus enjoyed Rabadada while studying New Year's traditions in Brazil. (Photo by SMT reader & first grade educator Shannon Putnam. Thanks, Shannon!!)

CAPE GIRARDEAU – Southeast Missouri State University has named 2,592 students to its Dean’s List for academic achievement during the 2011 fall semester.
The Southeast Dean's List as provided by the University includes the following Stoddard County students:
Advance
Hannah M. Barr, Craig S. Bock, Audrey M. Camren, Judith A. Chapman Karen E. Holman, Blake A. Lingle, Alan D. Long, Miranda D. Nixon, Michelle L. Schrader, Katherine K. Touchette, Jake T. Tropf
Bell City
Nicholas P. Niemczyk
Bernie
Jeremy Algood, Jennifer K. Brown, Justin R. Curtis, Jessica D. Hughes, Jacie R. McGowan, Kevin D. Mickey, Gary D. Murphy, Lyndsey R. Stone
Bloomfield
Heather N. Chasteen, Austin C. Feathersto,n Skyla K. Franks, Judi D. Hampton, Dylan L. Slinkard, Matthew T. Tompkins, Stephen A. Willard
Brownwood
Emily R. Johns
Dexter
Christopher A. Berry, William Andrew Boone, Carla Bradley, Hunter A. Bruce, Berry J. Burge, Brauck A. Burge, Molly J. Burleson, Garrett M. Christian, Jeffrey A. Cox, Mallory D. Crow, April L. DeBerry, Rhonda M. Diebold, Dorothy Ellison, Macy A. Ellsworth, Lindsay M. Felker, Brittney Gant, Matt W. Gates, Rebecca D. Geuin, Christopher C. Graves, Betsy K. Griffin, Kody A. Hindman, Sara B. Holloway, Amelia M. Jibben, Jeffrey L. King, Kerri M. Lane, Jessica S. Lewin, Shelby C. Lintz, Jennifer S. Long, Marie D. Marquis, Matthew T. Miller, Benjamin D. Mills
Dudley
Jennifer E. Johns, Kendra N. Rinehart
Essex
BettyJo A. Hux, Reese W. Palmer, Ashley L. Watson
Puxico
David H. Crain Miranda J. Foster
Students named to the list earned at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and completed at least 12 degree credit hours during the fall semester.

POPLAR BLUFF - Prospective students still have time to register for spring classes at Three Rivers College.
Enrollment is open until Friday, Jan. 13, at the main campus in Poplar Bluff as well as all five full-service centers at Dexter, Malden, Kennett, Sikeston, and the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education.
Those interested in enrolling may browse available courses by visiting the college website and clicking Search for Classes. Current students may register online through the myTRCC system. Advisement offices are also open now for any current or future students wishing to discuss their college goals. For registration assistance or for an advisement appointment, contact the Welcome Center at (573) 840-9605.
“Our programs and class schedules are such that new students can start taking classes in the spring just as easily as they can in the fall,” said Vice President for Student Success Jason Hoseney. “I think sometimes students wait until fall semester to start their higher education with the misconception that the same classes aren’t available during the spring, and that’s just not true. Students can start on the path to getting their degree just as easily in January as they would in August.”
Hoseney also advises that new students needing financial aid begin the application process as soon as possible, as the priority deadline for processing spring financial aid has already passed. For more information on how to apply for financial assistance at Three Rivers, visit trcc.edu/financialaid.
Although classes don’t resume until Jan. 17, exciting student and campus activities are already underway. On Saturday, Jan. 7, the college will host a day of tournament basketball at the Black River Coliseum in downtown Poplar Bluff. Women’s high school basketball teams from Eminence, Senath, Clearwater, Scott City, Couch and Gosnell will face off from 11:30 until the evening hours, when the Three Rivers Raiders and Lady Raiders will play rival Mineral Area.
Tickets for this day of basketball are $5. Reserved seating for those with Raider season passes will be honored. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the college Business Office, Bookstore, and the Coliseum box office.
Move-In Day for the on-campus Rivers Ridge apartment complex is Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 9 until 4 pm. Room space is still available; please visit trcc.edu/campuslife for more details and to complete and print the on-campus housing application.
Links of Interest
Photo above: TRC president Dr. Devin Stephenson (right) and Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham pose with Rocky Raider at the Dexter Center. (SMT File photo)

Rebel Cheers!
