Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Over the past few days, Beta Club members from all across America travelled to Mobile, Alabama for their annual National Convention. During the state conventions, all eighteen states involved with the club elected a state secretary, vice president, and president who all received an invitation to attend and compete at the national level. Aside from the candidates and their campaigns, there were also many academic competitions along with Quiz Bowl and other art-related competitions.
Three schools from the southeast Missouri area had the chance to represent the state in Mobile. Malden, Bloomfield, and Richland High School all travelled south and were very successful at National Convention. The students got to see the city, visit the beach, and listen to multiple entrepreneurs, inspirational speakers, and perform their campaign skit for their candidate.
Bloomfield ran Kendra Elder, our Missouri State Beta Secretary. Their campaign skin was entitled “Kickin’ It With Kendra” and they also competed in an academic competition.
Richland ran Kannon Qualls, our Missouri State Beta Vice President. Their campaign skit was entitled “Express Yourself with Kannon”. Their skit landed in the top ten out of all thirty-seven skits that competed at the national level. They had two students that participated in the acrylic painting competition along with the spelling test after placing at state level.
Malden High School had a very successful trip to Mobile. Their candidate, Darren Green, our Missouri State Beta President, placed at the national level and is now the National Beta President. Missouri is so proud to have Malden represent us at the national level. Malden’s skit, entitled “The Big Beta Theory”, placed in the top ten skits. Their group talent song mash-up, “Tunapanda – A Celebration of Life” placed third out of fourteen other special talents. They had many competitors in academics and they placed second in the creative writing category.
The Betas had a great opportunity to talk to multiple inspirational and keynote speakers that visited their convention. Although many of the speakers were just teenagers who shared their experiences with leadership, fear, and academics, the audience received a lot of advice from Betas of all ages, including one of the first Beta Club members ever, Mrs. Elizabeth Hines. They also received a great inspirational testimony from Desiree Lynch, a former Beta Club member from Wilson, Oklahoma. Lynch told the Betas all about her first business that she started at the age of twelve, the many decisions she had to make after watching it grow and prosper, life decisions including college and career opportunities, and the roadmap of her inspiring life and story.
With nearly three-thousand students in total attendance, there was a lot of competition for Green, along with the other Missouri schools that were willing to compete. With thirty-seven competitors total, the judges and the voting delegates had a hard time choosing who would represent the Beta Club nationally. Although it was tough to make decisions, Missouri, Texas, and South Carolina were the three lucky states that now hold office.
The Missouri Betas were the second largest state to attend the convention in Alabama, right behind Texas. Our home state was proud to have more than three-hundred-and-sixty members present. Each competitor did a fantastic job on their speech, question, and skit. Missouri was really represented well by the three schools that competed nationally.
The new National President, Darren Green, will be travelling to other Beta conventions throughout the year to support and encourage other Betas all over the country. Next year, the National Convention will be held in Virginia, where Green will be taking part in and leading the convention for the first time.
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
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!
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Springfield, Missouri – Each semester, students at Missouri State University who attain academic excellence are named to the dean’s list. For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester and at least a 3.50 grad point average on a 4.00 scale.
The following Dexter Alumni earned their place on the dean’s list: Brittney Gant, Steve Harrellson, Tyler Miller, Dalton Putnam, Lauren Ward, and Nathan Watkins. Congratulations to all of these students as they have worked very hard this semester to achieve their goals academically.
Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive university system with a mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons while guided by three overarching and enduring commitments to student learning, inclusive excellence and institutional impact. The university’s identity is distinguished by its statewide mission in public affairs, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster competence and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.
For more information about MSU, visit www.missouristate.edu. You can also be our fan on Facebook, follow us onTwitter, add us to your circle on Google+ and see what’s happening on YouTube. Receive notification of Missouri State news releases as soon as they are posted by subscribing to our RSS feed.
Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Mobile, Alabama - The local Missouri Beta Club members are preparing for their journey to Mobile, Alabama on Wednesday, June 19th. During the following days, the Betas will be learning, sharing, and leading each other as they prepare for the upcoming school year as a whole so they can continue to lead by serving others. Schools from all over the United States will be travelling to Mobile and will be spending the weekend with sponsors, students, leaders, and well-known speakers at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel.
This year’s theme is the Heart of Beta, which was used at each and every state convention held earlier in the school year during March and April. The Missouri convention was held in Branson, as it is every year, and the new event center was filled with students all over the state, including multiple guest speakers.
Although it is a statewide event, southeast Missouri and the Stoddard County area has proved that they are true Betas at heart. For two years in a row, Bloomfield, Richland, and Malden High School have all been chosen by the Missouri Beta members to serve as their State Representatives and will compete at National Convention within the next few days.
Darren Green, an upcoming senior at Malden High School, was elected as the Missouri State Beta President with his Big Beta Theory campaign skit and competed against Vinburnum High School for the position at State Convention. Green is a proud leader of the Malden Betas who also took 1st place in Creative Writing, Oratory Competition, Campaign Skit, and Group Talent, and will also be performing at Nationals.
Kannon Qualls, an upcoming senior at Richland High School, was elected the Missouri State Beta Vice President with his “Express Yourself” campaign skit. While growing up with autism, Qualls knew that the song and skit was a perfect way to represent his personality and his speech. Qualls defeated nine other schools from all over Missouri back in March at State and is looking forward to his trip to Mobile. Richland also took second place in the Acrylic Painting Competition and third place in the Spelling Competition, which they will be competing in Mobile for.
Kendra Elder (Bloomfield), was voted in as the Missouri State Beta Secretary with her “Kicking It With Kendra” campaign skit. Bloomfield ran against two other schools and successfully placed 2nd in the Campaign Skit and will be competing at Nationals.
Other Missouri schools, such as Twin Rivers High School and Puxico High School will also be attending the National Convention but will not be representing Missouri for office. They will be competing in Quiz Bowl and other academic tests, exams, and art projects.
Beta Club is a large part of schools in almost twenty different states. The hotel will definitely be buzzing with excitement when all the Betas arrive this Wednesday and officially begin Convention on Thursday afternoon. The members will get to see speakers from all over the country and will get to meet other students that have the same incredibly motivation as they do. The national club motto is “Lead by serving others” and with over three thousand students willing to serve, Mobile is going to be a busy, busy place!
A national Beta Club member described his State Leadership Summit like this: “I never thought a weekend conference would change my life.” Beta offers opportunities for students who all have different strengths and weaknesses. Many compete in art, academics, Quiz Bowl, creative writing, poetry, and even scrapbooking. Beta really does have a place for everyone, which is why all the Missouri Betas are looking forward to heading to Nationals!
The community is wishing the best of luck to all of the competitors and hope that the Betas have a great time on their trip!
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Near the end of the school year, FFA students and parents were invited to attend a well-organized awards banquet. Students were recognized for their achievements and some even received scholarships.
The Dexter High School Future Farmers of America students were well represented at area and district competitions this year as well. The area Future Farmers of America competition was held at Twin Rivers High School back in March. The FFA competitors had to qualify there to advance to district competition. District Future Farmers of America/Agriculture competition was held on April 4, 2013, and April 6, 2013, in Cape Girardeau.
Madison Bishop, Hannah Craft, and Garrett Kyle placed fourth at area and seventh at district and qualified as alternates for state. Autumn Lesley placed first in the Reporter’s Scrapbook Category. Hannah Craft also placed first in the Beginning Production Record Book Category. Madison Bishop placed first in the Beginning Production Record Book Category. Chelsey Massey placed third in the Completed Production Record Book Category and Derek Felker placed fourth in the Completed Placement Record Book Category. Trevor Link placed fourth in the Creed Speaking Category.
In the District Agriculture contests Emily Peers, Paula Hagy, Chelsey Massey and Erika McCoy placed eighth in Poultry Judging and qualified for state. Shelby Edwards, Brianna Madigan, Melanie McKuin, and Taylor Page placed ninth in Floriculture Identification. Seth Mouser, Derek Felker, Garrett Kyle, and Trevor Link placed tenth in Livestock Judging. Kristen Copeland, Karlee Wright, and Seth Mouser placed ninth in Dairy Cattle Judging. Will baker placed first in the Proficiency Awards competition in Diversified Crop Production. Derek Felker placed third in Natural Resources Management.
Earning their way to the State FFA Convention is the goal of most FFA members. The state convention is an opportunity for FFA members to get a glimpse o the size and scope of the National FFA organization. Over 9,300 FFA members and guests attended this year’s convention. Dexter had ten members that went to convention this year.
Three members were selected for the FFA Choir. They practiced many hours and performed during two convention sessions. These members were Jackson Hubbard, Matney Davis, and Chelsea Cox.
Four members worked on the State Courtesy Corps. They were Erika McCoy, Emily Peters, Chelsey Massey, and Paula Hagy. Three members also worked in the State Convention Media Room. They were Hannah Craft, Madison Bishop, and Garrett Kyle.
Matney Davis also performed talent at the convention. Hannah Craft and Madison Bishop received state award medals for their Record Books. One member, Autumn Lesley, received a state award for the Chapter Scrapbook. Erika McCoy, Chelsey Massey, Paula Hagy, and Emily Peters competed on the State Poultry Judging team.
Will Baker received the State Proficiency Award for Diversified Crop Production. One member also received the highest degree given at state- the State FFA Degree. This was Chelsey Massey. Congratulations Chelsey!
There have been a lot of people that have helped the FFA this year. Many people have brought them fruit or participated in the raffle. Some businesses even donated money, a hog for the pig raffle, and chicken for the FFA BBQs, and banquet items such as fertilizer or seed. Some have even donated their time to conduct officer interviews or help with the BBQs. The following businesses contributed: Gene and Pam Rowland of Stoddard County Seed, Tom Jarrell of the Mule Barn, Tyson Inc., Bryan Bates of Helena, Matt Blevins, Joe Pulliam, and Leonard Madigan. The FFA appreciates all that the community and area businesses have done to help our chapter.
The Star Geenhand Award was given to the ninth grade FFA member who has participated in the most FFA activities. This years recipient has participated in the chapter fundraiser, has attended the Greenhand Motivational Conference, served as an area and state delegate, has won a state award for record book, has worked in the state media room, has won the FFA Knowledge Spelldown at parents night, competed at area and district on the FFA Knowledge Contest, and was installed as chapter vice-president. If you are thinking that is a lot of activities for one Greenhand, you are right. The FFA could not pick just one this year because two kids were so close in activities. They chose Madison Bishop and Garrett Kyle. Congratulations Madison and Garrett!
The outstanding sophomore award was given to the tenth grade FFA member who has excelled at the most FFA activities. This year’s recipient has served as a chapter officer, has attended the LEAD Leadership Conference, the area Leadership Conference, and the Greenhand Motivational Conference, and was the top chapter fruit salesman. This person has also attended the State FFA Convention and has performed with the State FFA Choir. The outstanding sophomore was Jackson Hubbard. Congratulations Jackson!
The outstanding junior award was given to the eleventh grade FFA member who has excelled at the most FFA activities. This year’s recipient has worked on the chapter’s farm, has sold fruit, and has competed at district and state on a contest team. This person has also attended the state FFA convention and worked on the State Courtesy Corps. This person received the highest degree the state can give which was the State FFA Degree. This person was Chapter President in 2012-2013 and will be President again next year. The outstanding junior was Chelsey Massey. Congratulations Chelsey!
The outstanding senior award was given to the twelfth grade FFA member who has participated and excelled in the most activities during their years in FFA. This year’s winner has been an FFA member the past three years and has earned their way to state twice. This person has attended the National FFA convention and worked on the Courtesy Corps at the state FFA Convention and National FFA Convention. This person was this year’s FFA secretary. The outstanding senior was Derek Felker. Congratulations Derek!
Encouraging scholarships is one of the main things the FFA does. The scholarship award is given to the two FFA members in each class who have the highest grade point average in all of their classes. The ninth graders awarded a scholarship were Matney Davis and Madison Bishop. The tenth graders awarded a scholarship were Jackson Hubbard and Dalton Manuel. The eleventh graders awarded a scholarship were Hunter Frampton and Will Baker. The twelfth graders awarded a scholarship were J.T. Putnam and Derek Felker.
Developing leadership is the main result of being actively involved in FFA. They presented the Leadership Award to the eight members in the FFA who have developed their leadership potential the most through participating in FFA activities this year. These eight members who were awarded with the Leadership Award were Hannah Craft, Trevor Link, Erika McCoy, Paula Hagy, Emily Peters, Shelby Edwards, Brianna Madigan, and Autumn Lesley.
Many students were honored for their commitment to the Future Farmers of America. This is the last year for Mr. Ron Shipman to teach and be mentor to such wonderful students. His has retired for Dexter Senior High School and the student honored him with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and candy. Mr. Shipman will be missed, but we wish him much success in his future endeavors!
