Snider has spent 33 years in the banking business with the last 14 years at Dexter's First Midwest Bank.
Snider is pictured at center holding a resolution read in his honor given by the bank. Also pictured are from left, Community Bank President Steve Millington, Board Member Larry Johnson, Chairman of the Board of Directors Norma McLane Smith, and Bank Executive Vice President Jack Huffman of Dexter.
Snider retires as Senior Vice President of First Midwest. Congratulations Mark on your retirement!
Among those receiving a white coat was Alex Rybolt of Dexter. He is a 2013 graduate of Dexter High School and is the son of Scott and Julie Rybolt.
A college tradition since 1996, the White Coat Ceremony symbolizes the students' entrance into the Doctor of Pharmacy program and the ethical responsibilities they now have as student pharmacists.
Nearly 250 students were welcomed into the professional program on Friday, August 21st.
Dr. Brenda Gleason, associate dean of academic affairs addressed the students. "Professionals hold a place of privilege in our society because they are experts who can be entrusted to make decisions and take actions that benefit those they serve rather than themselves," she said. "The price of this privilege - this trust - is an unwavering commitment to professionalism."
In recognition of their new role as student pharmacists, the class recited the Pledge of Professionalism, led by class president Luke Neumann, and were called to the stage to receive their white coat.
Keynote speaker Dr. Peter Vlasses, executive director of the Accreditation council for Pharmacy Education, addressed the class. students also observed the tradition of reading heartfelt notes left in their coat pockets by alumni, family members, and donors who chose to sponsor the cost of their coats.
Dexter, Missouri - When the superstars of World League Wrestling (WLW) bring their form of family entertainment to this year’s Stoddard County Fair on Sept. 23, the event will have special meaning for one Southeast Missouri native.
Brian Thompson, a 1999 graduate of Dexter High School, is the regular ring announcer and play-by-play commentator for WLW, a professional wrestling organization based in Troy and operated by the legendary Harley Race. Thompson, who now resides in Lebanon, said the event is a “dream come true for him.”
“I am excited that WLW is coming to the Stoddard County Fair this year,” said Thompson. “This is the first time I’ve been part of a wrestling show, as a performer, in Dexter in nearly 10 years.”
Thompson grew up in Dexter and as a child became a pro wrestling fan, idolizing some of the business’ greats such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, Bret “Hit Man” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Upon high school graduation, Thompson was able to become involved in the unique world of pro wrestling as a ring announcer for Gateway Championship Wrestling (GCW), an organization based in St. Louis at the time.
He has since spent the last 15 years traveling across the United States performing in the business that he loves primarily on weekends. He works in the field of economic development at what he calls his “regular job” during the week.
“I’ve been very blessed to travel to more than 28 states during the last 15 years doing what I love to do,” said Thompson. “However, there is just something extra special about coming ‘home’ to Dexter and doing a show right here.”
Thompson, who is also a graduate of Three Rivers Community College and Arkansas State University, said the opportunity to perform in front of friends and family still living in the Dexter area makes the event even more meaningful. His parents Jimmy and Thelma Thompson still live in Dexter as well as his aunt Brenda Williamson.
The WLW Wrestling event at the fair will be held at Arena A and will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Featured wrestlers include “The Legacy” Leland Race, “The Ego” Dustin Bozworth, Roy Lewis, “Black Hand Warrior” Dave Delorean, Karim Brigante, Brandon “Espy” Espinosa, “The” Ace Hawkins and more. Admission for the event is $5 per person. Fans age 5 and younger will be admitted to the event at no charge.
For more information on WLW Wrestling, visit www.harleyrace.com.
For schedule information on this year’s Stoddard County Fair, visit www.stoddardcountyfair.com
Photo Credit -Joshua Mashon Photography.
Searcy, Arkansas - Three local students from Dexter and Bernie attended the The Harding Honors Symposium.
This is a two-week academic program on the Searcy campus designed to challenge, encourage, and uplift rising high school Seniors. Students from all across the nation come together for the purpose of growing spiritually and academically. Three hours of university credit are awarded to all who successfully complete the Symposium.
Admission to the Symposium is based on ACT score, GPA, and a letter of recommendation from the student’s school outlining academic ability and leadership roles.
The typical day involved lectures, discussion groups, and interactive classes. Students participated in HUT, which is a poverty simulation. Students were grouped arbitrarily into nationalities and lived as these people would for approximately 12 hours, including overnight. Some students, including Kalee Howard and Zac Tanner, were refugees who had to stand in line for several hours filling out paperwork and then had to sleep overnight in a makeshift refugee camp tent that they had to put up. They were given enough “money” to buy cornmeal, a potato and an onion to cook and feed the 6 members of their “family”.
Tyler Stevenson’s “family” picked blackberries for two hours to be paid to purchase food. They were able to buy 1 potato for their “family” of six.
HUT is a 2 week unique missions training village at camp Tahkodah under the direction of Harding University.
Other activities the students enjoyed included a day of service in the community, rock wall climbing, and a one day canoe trip to finish out their two week experience.
Shown in the photo are from left to right: Zackary Tanner of Bernie, Kalee Howard of Dexter, Abby Stinnett of Quincy, IL, and Tyler Stevenson of Dexter.Submitted by Kay Stevenson.
The ceremony opened with the Presentation of Colors by the American Legion Kenady-Hanks Post #59 Honor Guard followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Dylan Long, son of Misty and Tony Long of Dexter.
Members of Dexter High School band performed our National Anthem followed by Lauren and Caroline Powers who sang God Bless America. They are the daughters of Chuck and Felicia Powers of Dexter.
Rev. Justin Sponaugle performed the Invocation as well as the Benediction.
Mayor Joe Weber had the honor of hosting the ceremony and introduced Brigadier General (Ret.) Charlie Kruse, featured keynote speaker for the event.
Kruse quoted two songs that he felt reflected the memory of the soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.
The first song he quoted was by Tim McGraw called "If You’re Reading This". “If you are reading this my Mommas sittin’ there. Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here. Sure wish I could give you one more kiss.......”
"Many men did get a one-way ticket to Vietnam, 58,220 men and women never returned to give their momma a kiss," commented Kruse.
The second song Kruse quoted was by the Statler Brothers called "More Than A Name on A Wall".
"I saw her from a distance as she walked up to the wall. In her hand she held some flowers as her tears began to fall. And she took out pen and paper as to trace her memories and she looked up to heaven and the words she said were these....., "Lord my boy was special and he meant so much to me and oh, I'd love to see him just one more time You see. All I have are the memories and the moments to recall. So Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on a wall."
Kruse recognized veterans and especially Vietnam Veterans in the audience as they were asked to stand or waive to the crowd. He also spoke of numerous volunteers who helped bring The Moving Wall to Dexter.
He finished by saying how proud he was to live in Dexter and how proud and honored he was to speak today and be a part of the ceremony.
The Stoddard County Honor Guard performed a Gun Salute followed by Adam Clark and Cody Jinkerson who performed Taps together.
“It is the ultimate honor to be on the wall,” commented one participant. “The Wall is a place to heal and reflect. I am so glad it came to Dexter, so proud of our community.”
Many spectators were moved to tears today.
Those on the wall from Stoddard County are Sgt. Jimmie Joe Butler and WO John David McCluskey of Bernie; SP4 Jesse Ray Huges, Jr., and PFC Carroll Leon Welty of Bloomfield; Sgt. Curtis Dean Eskew, PFC George Alan Kiger, SP4 Donald Richard Mayberry, LCpl Kenneth Wayne Parker, 1Lt. and George Kenton Sisler of Dexter.
