By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
The U.S. Department of Labor has withdrawn a controversial proposal that would have placed more stringent rules on minors’ work on farms.
“The decision to withdraw this rule — including provisions to define the ‘parental exemption’ — was made in response to thousands of comments expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms,” the Labor Department said in a written statement. “To be clear, this regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration.”
The proposed rules would have barred children younger than 16 from operating tractors or heavy farm equipment on nonfamily farms. They would not have applied to children working on their own family farms.
After a public outcry when the regulations were proposed last year, the department said in February that it would review the possible labor laws.
U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said Thursday evening that the proposal was out of step with the reality on family farms in Missouri.
“We don’t need much proof that this Administration doesn’t understand rural America, but this proposal was clearly out of step with the reality of growing up on a farm or ranch in Missouri and many other parts of the country,” she said. “Doing chores, driving tractors and helping out on the family farm or ranch is a fundamental part of the formative experience in rural America. It guarantees the passage of a family business from one generation to the next, and it is also how our young farmers and ranchers get a head start on their lifelong dream of having their own operation some day.”
Emerson has opposed the rule since 2011, when it was first put forward by the Department of Labor. The Eighth District Member of Congress cosponsored legislation to stop the action and sent several letters to the Administration urging that the rulemaking to abandoned.
“The agricultural sector is one bright spot in our rural and our national economy. Yet, it is fraught with risk, extremely dependent on energy, and reliant on Americans who work from sunup to sundown. This rule struck at the heart and soul of thousands of family businesses in Southern Missouri. Unfortunately, we have seen time and time again that this is an Administration which regulates first and asks questions later,” Emerson said. “I think, this time, the objections were too obvious to ignore.”
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
The word “bibliofile” comes to mind when you know Rhonda Robinson. She loves books! And she works in the perfect place for someone who appreciates, enjoys and revels in books.
Rhonda Robinson is a librarian. To be specific, she is the librarian at T.S. Hill Middle School in Dexter. She is surrounded everyday by books and she has the opportunity to encourage and to enthuse young people about the joys and the new worlds they can discover by reading.
There’s one more positive about Robinson’s career. She has the opportunity to serve on a statewide committee that reads and reviews new books – good books – for middle school readers. Robinson is one of nine teachers in Missouri chosen to serve on the Truman Reader Awards Committee. These teachers review newly- released literature for young teens, and help develop the annual list of Truman Award books for Missouri students.
Robinson explains that a book doesn’t make it to the prestigious “Truman list” overnight. First ‘reader selectors” read 25 books and rate them. The list of 25 is narrowed to 12, which in turn become the annual Truman list of books. The Truman committee – of which she is a member – reads ”hundreds of books” and narrows it to the 25.
“So far I’ve read 147 books,” she said. And they are not books to be taken lightly – the majority are hefty sized novels. She said there have been some exceptional books in the stacks she has read the year. “It’s fun, because I love to read!”
Robinson said the list includes mostly all fiction books, all new releases, and with just a couple of criteria.
“Authors have to be living, and they have to be American,” she added. The Missouri Association of School Librarians sponsors the annual program. The books must also be newly published.
The side benefit to Robinson being a member of the Truman Reader Awards Committee is that she has received bound editions of all the books that she has read and reviewed. That’s 147 newly-published books the students at T.S.Hill Middle School can find on the library shelves. And when you add up the value of those 147 books, that’s nearly $2,000 worth of new books that are in the school library – for free!
The books that Robinson has read and reviewed will be a part of next year’s Truman list – and Dexter students will have an opportunity to read those books next school year. And since Robinson is a committee member, the Dexter students will play a part in developing the upcoming Truman list for all of Missouri.
“The students will have until December 1 to read the 25 that the committee chooses,” she said. Then the students will vote on those 25 books. The top 12 vote getters statewide will become the 12 books on statewide Truman list in two years.
“So our kids are two years ahead,” she said. Students will visit the school library and Robinson will recommend a book she has enjoyed from the list she is reviewing. “It’s really good! Besides the free books for the library, they’re getting the benefit of having someone who has read them –to weed through them all.”
One of Robinson’s favorites so far has been by Ruta Septeys ’”Between Shades of Grey.”
The novel is set in post-World War II Europe, and centers on a 15-year-old girl and her family. One night, the Soviet secret police barge violently into her home, deporting her along with her mother and younger brother to Siberia. The girl’s father has been separated from the family and sentenced to death in a prison camp. The story is about the family’s journey.
“It’s been my favorite (book) so far,” Robinson said. “It’s really good.”
The Missouri librarians also have book lists for other age groups.
- Show Me Reader Awards- grades 1-3
- Mark Twain Reader Awards- grades4-6
- Truman Reader Awards – grades 6-8
- Gateway Readers Awards – grades 9-12
ShowMe Times Editor
When Chris Christian was a student at Dexter High school, he never imagined that one day he would be asked to speak at the school’s Honor Banquet.
But there he was Tuesday evening – standing at the podium on the DHS Auditorium stage, speaking to the students whose academic rank placed them in the top ten percent of their classes.
“When I was asked to speak here tonight, I was caught by surprise,” Christian said. He wasn’t a “top ten percent” student when he attended DHS, but he was president of the student body, and was active in Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was on the track team, and a member of Dexter Honor Society. After graduating in 2005 from DHS, Christian attended Missouri State University in Springfield, and then Missouri Highway Patrol Academy. He is now a highway patrol trooper, stationed in New Madrid and Pemiscot counties.
Christian noted the celebration Tuesday night of academic success was an outstanding opportunity for the school and the community to join together in a positive way. The Dexter Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Honors Banquet annually.
“An honor such as this is an excellent way from the school and the community to recognize and celebrate the choices and sacrifices you have sometimes made during your school years,” he told the students. “In doing this, I believe it is not the honor itself, but more the effort you have put forth for your achievements.”
In a few weeks, Christian noted that some would some be walking across the stage to accept a high school diploma – and walking into a new phase in life. He challenged the students to continue to work for the best.
“I challenge you: Do not rest on your success here at Dexter. Continue to strive toward even higher goals after high school. Discipline yourself to carry over a work ethic into your college career,” he said. Earning good grades in high school has not been a big challenge to many, he observed. “College will be a new experience. For some, you will learn the art of studying. Essays will become longer; tests and exams more difficult; free time will be shortened and time in the library will be lengthened.
To younger students, Christian issued a challenge to continue on the path of academic success and to begin to plan early for a college career.
“Keep an open mind when it comes to selecting a college,” he said. He encouraged students to look closely at collegiate opportunities and to visit campuses, investigate programs offered, and even check into financial aid packages.
Christian also encouraged students to recognize and value their families.
“They are the source that makes tonight possible. No one is more proud of you than your family,” he said.
Students in the Top Ten Percent of the classes were presented with a certificate by Assistant Principal Church Powers, and academic medal by Principal Corey Mouser.
Following the ceremony and photographs in the high school gym, parents and students, faculty and school board members enjoyed a banquet in the DHS cafeteria.
Photo Above: A proud Aaron and Amy Pixley celebrate with freshman son Sion following the Honors Banquet program Tuesday evening, (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
2011-2012 DHS Honorees
Freshman: Madison Christian, Katie Dewitt, Jake Hindman, Jessica Lindsey, Dalton Manuel, Honey Patel, Sion Pixley, Courtney Potts, Brooks Probst, Rachel Putnam, Kathryn Grace Reiker, Rebecca Singh, Alexis Smith, Dakota Southerland
Sophomores: Keaton Altom, Will Baker, Chelsey Berry, Cora Bradley, Jonathan Foels, Kayla Hester, Kelsey Holder, Zachary Kester, Sophie Lebel, Michaela Lesley, Ashley Long, Jacob Mier, Riley Rickman, Jacob Robinson, Kendra Stevenson, Kasity Twaddell, Kali Watson
Juniors: Katlyn Brown, Katelynn Frazier, Damian Glasener, Joseph Greer, Ryan Joyner, Jessica Loflin, Natalie Parrott, Courtney Rasor, Alex Rybolt, Kaitlin Viers, Samuel Ward, Logan Webb, Tyler Wilson, Chase Young
Seniors: Tyler Chapman, Shelby Chappell, Lauren Dudley, Owen Flowers, Taylor Hueckel, Jamie Manuel, Tyler Miller, Brandon C. Moore, Leah Noyes, Emma Powell, Dalton Putnam, Sydnie Rinehart, Jacob Stephens, Lauren Ward
ShowMe Times Gallery
DHS Honors Banquet 2012
A new leader has taken command of a local National Guard unit.
Capt. Matthew Knoderer, of Cape Girardeau, is the new commander for the 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter, Sikeston and Portageville. During a ceremony, the company's guidon was passed to Knoderer to symbolize the transfer of authority and responsibility.
"I promise that I will give you everything that I have so that you can continue to drive forward," Knoderer said to the soldiers at the ceremony.
Lt. Col. Timothy Hartman, commander of the 835th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, said Knoderer's experience as a Missouri Guardsman engineer will be a benefit to the unit.
"Capt. Knoderer comes to the unit with a very different background, but a valuable one," said Hartman.
Hartman also pointed out Knoderer's experiences as an enlisted soldier before receiving his officer commission will also be a great asset to the unit.
"As a commander with deployment experience and as an enlisted soldier, he'll have an understanding of what you're going through if you're ever called into service again," Hartman told the company.
Knoderer takes command of one of the best transportation units in the state, said Hartman.
"The Missouri National Guard moves on the 1221st," Hartman told the soldiers. "You allow Missouri to do more things than any other state. You've given officers and soldiers to support other deployments while still completing missions at home. If the 1221st wasn't here, the state of Missouri wouldn't be where it is today."
For Knoderer, this new command is a welcoming challenge.
"I have southern roots and I feel like I'm coming home," said Knoderer. "I want to thank Lt. Col. Hartman for entrusting such a great unit to me."
Hartman said he looks forward to Knoderer's command over the next couple years.
"He has all the skills necessary to be a successful commander," said Hartman. "I have the utmost confidence he'll be able to lead you forward on any mission."
Knoderer said he plans to strive for individual soldier and unit readiness, and to continue to align the unit's missions under the Missouri National Guard's adjutant general's vision.
Knoderer enlisted in Missouri National Guard in 2000. He served in the 1140th Engineer Battalion in Cape Girardeau and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005. He received his officer commission in 2007, and has served in several leadership positions: platoon leader with the 220th Engineer Company in Festus, commander of the 880th Engineer Haul Team in Perryville, mobilization readiness officer and brigade assistant training officer with the 70th Troop Command at Jefferson Barracks, and plans officer for the Missouri National Guard's Homeland Reaction Force. He is currently the brigade personnel officer with the 70th Troop Command at Jefferson Barracks.
Knoderer is supported in his military career by his wife, Jenny, their children, Nicolette and Will, his parents, Bill and Dawn Knoderer and Laura Knoderer, his grandfather, Anson Knoderer, and his uncle and aunt, Dale and Cissy Williams.
