Dexter, Missouri - It was a great year for the 2015 DHS Bearcat Art Splash. They had way more businesses willing to participate than they were able to accommodate with students artists this year.
This group of incredibly talented art students is among some of the busiest high school students on the Dexter Bearcat campus and yet they still found time to paint eight business locations this year for homecoming.
Organizing and running this event takes a lot of time, a special thanks to County Wide Insurance and Tracy Horton for making this event special during the homecoming activities.
The art students painted 5 large windows and 3 small windows in Dexter. The DHS Bearcat Art Splash program collected $550 for the art students and the Art Club at Dexter High School.
They paid out $225 in prize money and $200 was shared among the students who painted the windows. The additional $100 went to the Art Club.
Josh Ladd and Emily Ladd painted their Bearcat at County Wide Insurance Agency and earned a 3rd Place finish and $50. (See photo below.)
Taylor Ivy and MaKayla Waldner painted the cute Cheerleader and football player at Ben Franklin and placed 2nd receiving $75.
First place went to Brianna Gourley with her “Blow Away the Eagles” painted at First Midwest Bank (Downtown). She received $100 for her incredible work and efforts.
Congratulations to all of the art students for their hard work, long hours, and talent! A shout-out to County Wide Insurance for sponsoring the 2015 DHS Bearcat Art Splash again this year.
Shown in the photo above are from left to right (Each student received $25 for participating!) front row: Madison McConnell, Brianna Gourley, Marissa Pilgrim, and Emily Ladd. Back row: Reagan Miller, Janie Lindsey, MaKayla Waldner, Taylor Ivy, and Joshua Ladd.
Below are the other business participants and the name of the artist who painted their window. Madison McConnell pained Dexter Senior Center. Taylor Ivy pained County Wide Abstract. Regan Miller painted Farm Bureau Insurance, Travis Miller Agent. Regan Miller also painted along with Janie Lindsey First National Bank and Marissa Pilgram painted first State Bank & Trust's window.
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.
