Cape Girardeau, Missouri - KFVS12 proudly honored nearly 100 of the Heartland's Best Saturday, June 8th at a banquet ceremony and recording of area high school valedictorians.  Among those honored was Jessica Loflin representing Dexter Senior High School.  the ceremony was held in the University Center Ballroom on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.  Corporate sponsors for this year's Heartland's Best are Southeast Missouri State University, Southeast Health, Larry Hillis Dodge, Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety, and Burns, Taylor, Heckemeyer & Green, LLC.

All Heartland Valedictorians and their parents were invited to the ceremony.  Students who attended recorded greetings that will be featured in special announcements scheduled to begin in mid-June and air throughout the summer on KFVS12 and WQWQ-TV.

Valedictorians from four states were treated to lunch with featured speaker Mary-Ann Maloney of KFVS12's Heartland News, along with Dr. Debbie Below, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success and Dean of Students for SEMO.  Paul Keener, KFVS12's Director of Marketing and Creative Services, served as master of ceremonies.

"I always look forward to the Heartland's Best Banquet," stated Maloney.  "It is truly inspiring to meet and honor young people from all over the Heartland who have worked so hard."

Greeting the valedictorians were Dr. Below along with other event sponsors, Mr. Jim Limbaugh, Executive Vice President of Planning and Business Development at Southeast HEALTH; Steve Taylor and Kim Heckemeyer of Burns, Taylor, Heckemeyer, and Green, LLC; Marilyn Brayton with Larry Hillis Dodge; and Matt Seiler, Assistant District Engineer at Missouri Department of Transportation Southeast District, respresenting the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety.

"Heartland's Best is one of our signature annual events," said Tim Ingram, KFVS12's Vice President and General Manager.  "It involves positive young people who have worked hard to be the best of their class.  We hope, that by honoring their efforts, we will help inspire other Heartland students."

This is the 27th anniversary of the Heartland's Best campaign on KFVS2.

Jessica Loflin has a GPA of 4.267 and is the daughter of Dee Loflin.  She has received many honors throughout her life as well as taking several college credit hours from Missouri State University, Three Rivers College and Southeast Missouri State University while attending high school. 

Her academic honors from high school include the Faculty Foreign Language Award her junior year, Faculty English Award, Faculty Mathematics Award, Dexter Honor's Society, Top 10%, the National Society for High School Scholars, and Missouri Girls' State.

She is involved in many clubs, both in school and in the community.  They include the Foreign Language Club, Future Business Leaders of America, the National Wild Turkey Federation, DHS marching and concert band, Extreme JAKES, Student Council, Crowley's Ridge Blackpowder Club, and Dexter Rotary Interact.

Jessica will be attending Southeast Missouri State University where she has been accepted into the Pre-Veterinary Program and the Jane Stephens Honors Program.  Once she has completed the 60-hour program she will apply to the University Missouri Veterinary College in Columbia, Missouri to obtain her doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine.

Congratulations Jessica!  The Dexter community is proud of you and your accomplishments!