Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Three Rivers College unveiled its new Mobile Training Labs at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 25 on the institution’s Poplar Bluff Campus. The Labs will serve as fully functional, multi-purpose classrooms for the college’s workforce development programs.
Speakers at the ceremony included Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Three Rivers College; Darren Garrison, Chair of the Three Rivers Board of Trustees; Felicity Brady, Executive Director of the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission; and Christopher Masingill, Federal Co-Chair of the Delta Regional Authority.
“Three Rivers has made it a priority to reach out to rural areas with limited access to workforce development opportunities,” said Stephenson. “We expect to train 400 more people every year by being able to take training to the job sites.”
The Mobile Training Labs were made possible through a $200,000 grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), a federal-state partnership that helps to create jobs and build communities throughout the eight states of the Delta region. The remainder of the approximately $350,00 cost came from Three Rivers College.
“Three Rivers is proving that it is a leader in developing innovative education methods in response to the changing needs of employers and students,” said Masingill. “There is nothing more important to economic development than education and workforce training. Community colleges such as Three Rivers understand that and are working to deliver that education and training efficiently and cost-effectively.”
The two Mobile Training Labs are built into two trailers, which are 40 and 36 feet long. The trailers can be configured for multiple types of training, from traditional classroom-style leadership courses to specialized pneumatics and electronics instruction. The labs can also be outfitted as a small computer lab for software-based or online training. Both labs can be parked at work sites for indefinite periods of time, cutting down on travel expenses and lost work time for area manufacturers needing training for their employees.
According to the college’s Department of Workforce Development, Three Rivers has already received significant interest from local employers in scheduling training sessions. College officials said that they will begin using the labs for training before the end of the year.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Three Rivers College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly renovated Lambert C. Drury Academic Resource Commons building on Wednesday, September 25, at the college’s Poplar Bluff Campus.
Speakers at the ceremony included Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Three Rivers College; Darren Garrison, Three Rivers Board of Trustees Chair; Dennis Vollink, President of Drury Southwest; and Carolyn Bohnert, Senior Vice President of Drury Southwest.
“Today is a celebration of the transformation of the Poplar Bluff Campus and the position of this college to meet the unparalleled demands we face,” said Stephenson. “We’re also pleased and honored to memorialize the qualities that Lambert Drury instilled in his family, that we hope to continue.”
The college’s Board of Trustees passed a resolution in May to name the Academic Resource Commons (ARC) in honor of Lambert Drury and the significant support and donations that the Drury family has given to Three Rivers. The ARC renovations were made possible in part by the monetization of the family’s donation of the Pear Tree Inn and Restaurant property in Poplar Bluff.
“This building is symbolic of the work ethic and focus Lambert Drury had, and closely parallels the mission of Three Rivers to provide quality, accessible, and affordable learning opportunities,” said Vollink, who has served as president of Drury Southwest since 1999. “On behalf of the Drury family, I want to express our appreciation for the time, passion, and dedication that has gone into this project.”
Carolyn Bohnert also acknowledged Three Rivers’ commitment to quality and hard work, as she announced Drury Southwest’s intent to endow a scholarship fund in Lambert C. Drury’s name. She said that the Lambert C. Drury Scholarship Fund, which will be administered by the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, will be geared toward students majoring in career/technical fields such as manufacturing and agriculture.
Stephenson reaffirmed the college’s commitment to continuing expansion in the region, telling the crowd that the college plans to break ground on a new Social Sciences and Humanities Center on the Poplar Bluff Campus before the end of the year. The college also will renovate its aging Westover Administration Building and its Student Center, followed by the creation of “green space” where the Westover and ARC parking lots are currently located.
The Lambert C. Drury Academic Resource Commons will house all of Three Rivers’ academic support services programs, such as its Tutoring and Learning Center, according to Stephenson. The ARC also contains dedicated computer labs for the college’s recently revamped transitional education programs, as well as a free Public Computing Center and the “Café ARC” coffee shop. The building will continue to house the Myrtle Rutland Library.
The ARC project officially began in July of 2012 with a wall-breaking ceremony. Cost of the renovation was approximately $2.2 million.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu
Submitted by Jill Temples
SMT Writer
The Joe Foss Institute has announced the Adopt a Veteran Scholarship Contest for 2013.
Eligibility Requirements
-Eligible contestants must be high school (9th—12th) students in a public,private, alternative, parochial school, or a home study program.
-Recent high school graduates are eligible to participate as long as the “deadline” of the current contest falls within 12 months after graduation. The three winners will receive $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 scholarships to the accredited U.S. college or university of their choices. The winners will be notified and their names posted on our website by mid November 2013.
What to do
-Find a military veteran that you do not already know. Immerse yourself in that person’s life. This is NOT simply an interview.
-Spend time with him/her. Get to know him. Discover his history, his feelings then and now, how he would like to spend the rest of his life. What does he enjoy doing, talking about? How did his service affect his life?
Where do you find a vet that you don’t know? You may go to the VFW, the VA hospital, American Legion, ask your teachers, etc. Then write a 1500 word essay about your experience.
Include your knowledge of Veterans Day, how you plan to observe and honor it, your own feelings about “your” vet and all veterans in general. Your essay will be evaluated not on your experience, but on how you write it up. Critical criteria will be Creativity, Theme Development, Clarity of Ideas, and Mechanics (Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, Sentence Structure, etc.)
Entries must be submitted electronically by email to Scholarship@JoeFossInstitute.org by Sunday, October 6, 2013, 11:59 p.m. MST. No exceptions will be made for late entries. Please email questions to: [email=scholarshipJFI@cox.net.. By submitting an entry, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand completely the guidelines of this competition. You are also stating that the essay is of your own work/creation.
For more information and guidelines for this scholarship visit: http://www.joefossinstitute.org/joe-foss-institute-programs/educational-scholarships/
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – Scott Kruse and the PTO hit a home run when they invited Rich Redmond, drummer for Jason Aldean, to come and speak to the T.S. Hill Middle Students. THE GYM WAS ROCKIN'!!!!!!!
His entertaining style on the drums really captured the attention of everyone in the audience. Rich has been crossing the United States in his spare time talking about his “CRASH” Course for Success program.
This was an outstanding clinic for the students and teachers. Redmond combined his super skills as a drummer with a positive message that was applicable to the entire audience. He encouraged all of the students to pursue success and practice, practice, practice for life’s challenges. His enthusiasm is absolutely contagious! The students couldn’t get enough of him and he even stuck around afterwards so each student could get an autograph from him. That’s over 500 signatures!
He not only spoke with passion and entertained, but he engaged the audience as well by asking the some students what they were good at. From yo-yo’s to dance, the students were told to PRACTICE their skill and get off the electronic games. “The only way you are going to get good at something is to practice!” He even tossed out several pair of drum sticks to the students to take home and keep.
His clinic covered the mental, musical, and business skills necessary for success in life.
C.R.A.S.H. is an acronym for:
COMMITMENT
RELATIONSHIPS
ATTITUDE
SKILL
HUNGER
“The concepts are explained as they relate to the ultimate attraction of success in life. In a broader scope, the presentation can be tailored to audiences of all sizes, ages, and backgrounds. Music and the presenter’s love of rhythm are used as a means of expression for global concept.
RICH REDMOND’S CRASH Course was a high energy, educational and motivational event presented to the Middle School students in an entertaining style that everyone could relate to. A huge thank you to the PTO and to Scott Kruse for making this such a successful afternoon.
“As a highly accomplished recording and touring drummer, Rich Redmond played drums to #1 hit singles for his audience and attributed much of this success to a positive mental attitude.“
His upbeat personality and incredible enthusiasm was just what the students needed to be encouraged and inspired!
Rich Redmond is an excellent teacher, motivator and drummer and he captured the hearts of many at T.S. Hill Middle School!
If you would like more information, please contact them on their website Crash Course For Success.
Written by
Beth Farrar, SMT Writer
Essex, Missouri - Welcome back to school! Elementary Principal, Cara Merritt, is excited about this school year. The elementary has already been very busy since school has started in August. The teachers have worked hard to prepare their classrooms and lesson plans and the students are adjusting well to their new classes. The elementary students and teachers have already taken school pictures, practiced fire and other safety drills, started a Science Club, hosted an Open Library evening event, celebrated Grandparents Day, and visited the St. Louis Zoo as a reward for their excellent and outstanding MAP Test scores. And they have only been in school for a few weeks!
As the fall season comes quickly for all of the elementary students, they will be able to look forward to more exciting events. Parents and students will be able to receive weekly newsletters released each Friday so they can mark their calendars and stay informed. Many of the district events and important dates will be listed on the school website.
“I would like to thank all of our staff, students, and parents for all your hard work,” Cara Merritt stated. “You are the reason our school is such a wonderful place. I appreciate all your support and value your input. If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, feel free to contact me. Go Rebels!”
The Rebels in the high school and junior high building have also tackled this school year with a running start and it has started off great! Mrs. Cindy Rhodes, the high school and junior high principal, would like to congratulate all of the students, staff, and parents on their excellent MAP and EOC scores. The students that scored Proficient or Advanced on either of the tests will be taking the annual trip to the ST. Louis Zoo tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25th. The entire building (7th through 12th grade) will also be rewarded with a dance that will take place during school hours on Friday, September 27th from 9:30am to 11:30am (school will be released at noon after lunch is served) to celebrate Richland’s excellent scores and their rank in the state of Missouri.
Mid-quarter has quickly arrived for the Rebels and staff so the progress reports will be in each and every Rebels’ mailbox soon. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if any parent has questions or concerns regarding grades or classroom performance. Tutoring sessions can also be set up for the student in the afternoon if necessary.
The Richland Rebel family would like to welcome Adam Touchette, Hannah Gregory, Stefanie Dennison, Kyle Carter, Amanda King, Stephanie Raymer, Beverly Hampton, Ginny Jansen, and Candy Harper. The Rebels are looking forward to having a wonderful year with all of you.
Richland recently was approved for a USDA grant for new playground equipment. Our groundskeeper and handyman, Calvin, has been hard at work constructing a pavilion on the elementary playground. As the year progresses, each stage of the project will be completed and before long, Richland students will be playing on the new equipment.
With new changes going on, it is important to note that Darren Basler, the agriculture teacher, and the FFA club have been approved for an enhancement grant that will allow Richland’s FFA to acquire new technology, including new TVs, laptops, and iPads, along with new power tools for the shop, and a brand new John Deere 4320 tractor, that was delivered on Tuesday from Greenway Equipment Sales in Sikeston.
The Rebels are already off to a good year, but it got even better when the results of the EOCs and the MAP Tests came in. Richland’s overall APR score from last year was 87%, but this year, they raised it up to a 94%. The school board wants the chance to tell everyone how proud they are of Richland and to keep up the good work for the rest of the year!
