Dexter, Missouri -It's a "big bright beautiful world" for everyone's favorite ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film. Nasty will be nice and Dexter will be ogre-the-moon when Dexter High School students present their production of Shrek The Musical JR beginning November 19, 2015, it was announced on by Freddie Gershon, CEO of Music Theatre International (MTI).
The family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others.
“Shrek’s unique story of discovery encourages each of us to examine our prejudices, review what we believe to be our limitations and work to better understand ourselves and others. The actors and crew in this production have embarked on a similar journey, as students and teachers with many different interests have learned more about themselves and each other while collaborating towards the common goal of presenting this musical,” says Gershon.
Dexter High School will present Shrek The Musical JR on November 19th and 20th at 7:00 p.m. and November 21st at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Dexter High School Auditorium.
Shrek The Musical JR follows an ogre named Shrek who has learned the hard way that “people hate the things they cannot understand.” For many years he has protected himself from the hurtful actions of those who are scared of him by living as a recluse in a cozy cesspit. One day, his peaceful swamp is disturbed b new tenants: fairytale misfits – including Pinocchio, the Ugly duckling, the Wicket Witch, Peter Pan, the Three Little Pigs, and the Big Bad Wolf – have been banished there by the villainous Lord Farquaad. In order to gain back his land, Shrek makes a deal with Farquaad to rescue the feisty princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fierce dragon. Setting off with his faithful companion, Donkey, Shrek begins the journey of a lifetime filled with adventure, romance, and hilarity.
Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and may be purchased at the door. For more information, please email Jamie Sepulvado at jamie2@dexter.k12.mo.us or Julie Rybolt at jrybolt@dexter.k12.mo.us.
Shrek The Musical JR is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). They are on e of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theaters from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond.
This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3 R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN at Southwest Elementary in Dexter.
Karis was nominated by her second grade teacher Mrs. LeeAnn Nelson. She also received a certificate, a golden loop and a free taco from Taco Bell.
Mrs. Nelson says, "Karis is always showing the 3Rs every where she goes."
Karis is the daughter of Chase and Mauri Kennedy.
Congratulations Karis!
Mike Williams, pastor of the First Christian Church, came to the school and gave a presentation on Thursday, October 30th. Mr. Williams is a Senior Protestant Chaplain of the 932 Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
He spoke with the students about his job, what it meant to be a Veterans and let them know that they were not too young to get invovled in a service project.
For one week, students were encouraged to bring coins to school as part of a special contest with all monies raised to go to the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. As an incentive, the winning classroom was promised a surprise pizza party by the Ladies Auxiliary - American Legion Post #59.
A very special thank you went out to Sue Grobe who took all the coins to a machine counter, otherwise they might still be counting those pennies, nickels, and dimes.
The total amount raised was $654.36. The winning classroom was Mrs. LeeAnn Nelson's room with a total amount raised of $188.66.
The students voted this year to support the Bloomfield Assistance League of the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, which helps to support the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Presenting the check at the Veterans Days Ceremony held in the Bearcat Event Center on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 was Mrs. Nelson and two students from her classroom, Eli Scott and Karis Kennedy. World War II Veteran, Mr. Windy Richmond, representing the Bloomfield Assistance League of the Missouri Veterans Cemetery received the check on behalf of the Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery.
Students at Central Elementary in the 5th grade classrooms worked very hard on their posters to commemorate our military and Veterans. They wanted to show Veterans how much they appreciate them and these students know that without each Veteran's sacrifice they would not have the right to express themselves through art.
One winner is selected from each fifth grade classroom. SPC Katie Alsup, Missouri Army National Guard representative and Sheila Alsup, American Legion Auxiliary President announced the winners of the 2015 Patriotic Poster Contest.
This year's winners, shown with their winning entries, are (in front) Nate Harris, Chase Elder, and Hunner Kyle. In back are Richard Zheng, Kayden Burns, Shannon Moore and Jayci Holcomb.
Dee Womble, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, present each with their very own patriotic/military "dog tag".
Dexter, Missouri - Each year T.S. Hill 8th grade students are asked to write an essay in their Social Studies class. Mrs. Jessica DeMent is the director of this annual project.
Irene Huang was chosen from all of the 8th grade Social Studies students at T.S. Hill Middle School and with that honor was selected to read her essay at the annual Veterans Day Observance Program held at the Bearcat Event Center. This year the event was held on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.
Below is her essay! Congratulations Irene! The Veterans and the Dexter community are proud and honored to have heard your essay on Wednesday.
"During the Revolutionary War, there were people who risked their lives for our freedom. In the Civil War, freedom and lives, once again, were risked for equality. Those who served in the military for our country are called veterans. In this room with us today are veterans. They, along with a great number of others, have fought for us. They chose to live a life filled with risk and uncertainty, hoping to give their country safety, freedom, and the benefits we, as Americans, have today. Many of our freedoms are not available to people in other countries. In President Abraham Lincoln’s last inaugural address, he made a promise to help veterans. He swore to support our military families. I believe it is important to stop today and examine what I can do, as an American, to continue to fulfill the promise Lincoln made to this group of heroes. There are many simple tasks all of us can take upon ourselves to help implement our 16th president’s pledge such as sending care packages and letters, reassuring families of those deployed in times of need, or perhaps visiting a veterans’ hospital nearby.
I can help uphold Lincoln’s promise by, almost effortlessly, dispatching a letter or care package. You may ask, “What would a letter to a veteran contain?” I could easily write down how thankful I am for their service. In care packages, I can put a few small things, such as sweets, batteries, and books. This small action, taking only a little time out of my day, would show those serving our country that they are strongly appreciated. While I can’t physically complete the job required of our veterans, I can help them by encouraging them as they serve our country.
We as a community could also console the families of those enlisted. All of us could bring small gifts such as candies to assist with comforting them. Even though they are not serving overseas, families would also know that they are appreciated for going through hardships for us. A wife of a deployed soldier received an anonymous gift under her windshield wipers when he was deployed. There was an envelope containing two twenty-dollar bills and a note that thanked her and her husband for serving. The note read, “Him serving, and you waiting.” The note also told her to use the money for dinner for the two. Anybody could do uncomplicated tasks to thank veterans. If you have Internet access, you could go to the United Service Organizations’ website, known more commonly as the USO, to send a short message to a military family. Together as we prioritize putting our thoughts into action, we can fulfill Lincoln’s promise to veterans and their families.
Lastly, numbers of us could go to a veteran’s hospital in a town nearby. I belong to an organization called Junior Beta Club. As a club, we prioritize service projects, and our group could sponsor a project to encourage veterans who are receiving long-term care. There are a vast amount of things we could do for them, such as bringing treats, letters, gifts, or just ourselves. We could simply sing a song or read to them. The simple investment of time could make a difference in the day of someone who made a difference for our country. These are some other ways I could show recognition and gratefulness for their risks, sacrifices, and hardships.
Think about how veterans sacrificed their freedom, safety, and rights for us: our FREEDOM, our SAFETY, and our RIGHTS. In conclusion, I challenge everyone to take action. We must show veterans our appreciation. Together, we can honor them. Even the respect we exhibit today during this ceremony, sitting quietly and paying attention, is an action we can all do to honor the men and women who have kept our nation strong. Going forward, we must continue to look for ways to thank these brave, amazing men and women. Help soothe a military family. Send care packages and letters. Just try. Help me keep Lincoln’s promise to care for our veterans and their families. Thank you."
Pictured are Jessica DeMent (left) and Irene Huang (right).
