Essex, Missouri - Richland R-1 School was honored on Wednesday morning to have National FFA Organization’s National Vice President Stephen McBride come and speak to the district's Future Farmers of America organization.

McBride spoke to the group about how important it is to be a leader in their community, the importance of building character and several of his experiences while in FFA when he was in high school.

“It was an honor to have Stephen here at the school to speak to our students,” said Richland FFA adviser Jarrod Basler. “The national officers only visit our area every seven years, so it was certainly a treat to have him with us today to talk about leadership, character and his experience while in Future Farmers of America .”

McBride, who is from Jackson, Tenn., said during his stop that he has visited 31 states while on the speaking tour for the National FFA Organization. Due to his extensive travel, McBride was forced to take a one year sabbatical from the University of Tennessee - Martin.

The students were very excited to meet Stephen and enjoyed their time with him.

Richland R-1 FFA’s will have their annual fruit and meat sales beginning October 8th.  Please contact Mr. Basler at jbasler@richland.k12.mo.us for more information.

Photos by Skie Pinkley

Top Photos - Richland R-1 School’s FFA poses for a photo with National FFA Organization Vice President Stephen McBride after McBride spoke to the students on Wednesday morning. McBride also visited Dexter, Malden and Bernie schools on Wednesday.

Bottom Photo - National FFA Organization Vice President Stephen McBride speaks to the students at Richland R-1 School during his stop on Wednesday. McBride is a former state officer for Future Farmers of America in Tennessee and is currently in the middle of the national-wide speaking tour for the national organization.

Dexter, Missouri - Students at Dexter High School will select their 2015 Homecoming Queen and her court this week.  The coronation will be held prior to the football game on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Charles Bland Stadium.

Ten candidates are vying for the title.  Each young lady was nominated by a DHS sports team.

Brittany Brown and Kendall Adams were nominated by the Lady Cats Volleyball Team.

MaKayla Waldner and Kalee Howard were nominated by the Lady Cats Tennis Team.

Caroline Powers and Rhylan Hillis were nominated by the DHS Football Cheerleaders.

Taryn Fortner and Sarah Smith were nominated by the Cross Country Team.

Melanie McKuin and Katy Seiter were nominated by the Football Team.

Shown in the photo are standing from left to right:  Taryn Fortner, Kalee Howard, Kendall Adams, Katy Seiter, Melanie McKuin, and Sarah Smith.  Seated at the top from left to right are Brittany Brown, MaKayla Waldner, Caroline Powers, and Rhylan Hillis.

Essex, Missouri - Richland R-1 School student Drew Hickson, Katie Pinkley and Parker Miller were awarded with special photography trophies at the annual Missouri Journalism Education Association Day at Southeast Missouri State University on Thursday, September 24, 2015.

Drew Hickson and Parker Miller are seniors at Richland and Katie Pinkley is a junior.

Hickson and Miller both took home second place trophies.  Hickson received his award in the field of Academics and Miller in Sports Action.

Pinkley received a first place trophy in the Sports Action category and a second place award in the Feature category.

In total, eleven of Richland’s yearbook students participated in the day of training on various topics from leadership and pagination to photography and social media.

“I’m very proud of all of our staff,” said yearbook advisor Kyle Carter. “Our photographers put in many hours of work honing their skills and to have four of our six photos that we submitted to place is exceptional.”

More than 375 students from the Bootheel attended the event held at Southeast Missouri State University.

Shown in the photo from left to right are Drew Hickson, Katie Pinkley, and Parker Miller.

Photo by Skie Pinkley/Richland R-1 School

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - A special tribute to the surviving family of Sam Giambelluca took place Friday, Sept. 18, at Fred M. Morrow Stadium, prior to the Mules Football game.

Beth Lewis-Muse, head girls coach for Track, presented the late Giambelluca’s wife Judy with a Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 4 championship ring from the Lady Mules victory in May.

“One thing Sam wanted before he left this earth, we’re told, was for the Mules to receive a state championship in track,” announced Boys and Girls Club Director Chris Rushin to a standing ovation from the audience. “We’re proud to say his wish was granted. This spring, Sam’s alma mater won states in Track and Field for the first time in the history of the school system.”

In 2001, the track at Junior High was named for Giambelluca after he helped raise money to renovate the stadium, including an all-weather track surface. A proud graduate of the PBHS Class of 1946, Giambelluca helped start the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, where he was later inducted for his career as a student athlete.

Giambelluca passed away surrounded by his family at the age of 87 on Monday, Sept. 7, according to Cotrell Funeral Service. He dedicated his life to his loved ones, school and community.

Shown in the Photo:  Four generations of the Giambelluca family accept a state championship ring from Beth Lewis-Muse and R-I Superintendent Chris Hon (right) in honor of Sam Giambelluca.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak
Communications/Marketing Coordinator
Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Local members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Barbara Rexroat and Paula Allen, delivered 400 Constitutions to be distributed to eighth graders at Junior High on Thursday, Sept. 17, in recognition of Constitution Day.
 
The booklets come in handy as a reference when the history department teaches a unit on the U.S. Constitution, according to social studies department chairwoman Kathy Beck. The DAR has made it an annual tradition to purchase the booklets for Junior High students.
 
Last week, students were told a "fast fact" about the Constitution over the PA system each day as well as participated in related activities such as taking sample citizen tests provided by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
 
In order to become a member of the DAR, a woman must trace her genealogy back to a soldier or patriot that was involved in the American Revolutionary War.

Shown in the photo: Junior High teacher (top left) Kathy Beck's American history class pose with their Constitutions, which were distributed by (from right) Barbara Rexroat and Paula Allen.