Blacksburg, Virginia - Megan Bush Baber recently graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Megan is formerly from Dexter and was a Class of 2005 Dexter High School graduate.  She graduated from Harding University, in Searcy, Arkansas in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  She then worked in Dexter for Dr. Robert Jibben and Nurse Practitioner, Laurie Jibben.

She later taught algebra at Kennett High School before choosing to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a physician.  She will begin her pediatrics residency on June 20th at UAMS/Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Megan is the daughter of Jeff and Cindy Bush formerly of Dexter, but now reside in Phoenix, Arizona.  She and her husband, Randall, reside in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Congratulations Megan!  Dexter proud!

Dexter, Missouri - The first ever Musical Theatre Camp for grades second - sixth was held the week of June 6th - 10th.  Approximately 40 beautiful voices attended the camp. 

The students were divided into 4 different casts and they learned Scene 1 from the musical "Annie Jr."

The youngsters learned their lines by Tuesday and they also learned three songs.  Each camper had a special job and they learned how to stage a scene and move on the stage.  Projection of voice was also a big topic of the week.  They learned how to work together as a cast to create the story and portray their characters.

"The week would not have gone as smooth if it had not been for my high school musical student who came to be counselors," stated choir director Jamie Sepulvado.  "Erica Parris, James Robinson, Makayla Pyle, Brittany Gibson, and Cassidy Bess have been here all week.  Jon Rodgers, Josh Sitze, Meg Simmons, Angel Maze, and Andrew Teel were also here a couple days to help.  I also want to thank Mrs. Christian for being here all week with me as another set of adult eyes!"

"The campers this week have exceeded my expectations," commented Mrs. Sepulvado.  "They are a very talented group of kids.  On day 1 they gave me 110% and didn't let up all week.  I am very proud of them and the future of my musicals is bright with these kids!"

The Dexter High School show this year will be "The Wizard of Oz" and Mrs. Sepulvado will need 5 or more younger students to play the munchkins.  Mrs. Sepulvado noted that the camp was a huge success and she has enjoyed working with all of the students.

Below are the awards presented at the end of the camp:

Cast 1:

Best Attitude: Hunner Kyle, Best Voice: Carly Long, Funniest: Kylan Moore, Sweetest Sweet Tart: Lucy Thorton and Senna Churchill, Growth Award: Amber Madigan, Most Musical: Sofia Gibson, Extra Mile Award: Meredith Benton, Best Smile: Amber Madigan, Best Acting: Kylan Moore, Friendliest: Sofia Gibson, Easy-Going Award: Serina Churchill, Jolly Rancher: Meredith Benton, Best Listener: Lucy Thornton, Most Spirited: Carly Long, Most Polite: Hunner Kyle.

Cast 2:

Best Voice and Best Attitude: Lydia Christian, Best Voice and Best Acting: Cassie Bess, Funniest and Most Musical: Cheyenne Austin, Sweetest and Best Listener: Isabella Pittman, Most Happy and Sweetest: Alisha Pittman, Funniest and Most Spirited: Cameron Bell, Most Musical and Best Acting: Tatum Taylor, Growth Award and best Attitude: Makenzie Kirkpatrick, Easy going Award and Best Listener: Brooklyn Bennett, Easy Going Award and Best Voice: Klaire Essner.

Cast 3:

Best Attitude: Brooke Lasater, Best Voice: Emma Sadler, Funniest: Marissa Wallace, Sweetest Sweet Tart: Andre Hernandex, Growth Award: Anistin Kyle, Most Musical: Grace Sepulvado, Extra Mile Award: Marissa Wallace, Best Smile: Michelie Currie, Best Acting: Grace Sepulvado, Friendliest: Mia Williams, Easy Going Award: Brooke Lasater, Jolly Rancher: Michelie Currie, Best Listener: Emma Sadler, Most Spirited; Emma Worley, Most Polite Emma Worley, Best Facial Expressions: Mia Williams, Best Stage Presence: Anistin Kyle, Most Animated: Andre Hernandez.

Cast 4:

Best Attitude: Luke Gentry, Best Voice: Abrianna McPherson, Sweetest: Ava Schaefer, Growth Award: Avery Riley, Most Musical: Abrianna McPherson, Extra Mile Award: Alliye Lee and Alexis Bennett, Funniest: Abrianna Frazier, Best Smile: Luke Gentry and Ava Schaefer, Best Acting: Abrianna Frazier, Friendliest: Katarrah Churchill, Jolly Rancher: Avery Riley, Best Listener: Katarrah Churchill, Most Spirited: Alexis Bennett and Alliye Lee.

Bernie, Missouri - The third and fourth grade teachers at Bernie are wanting to purchase the AlphaBetter desks for their classrooms.  These desks are standing desks with a fidget bar that can be moved back and forth with your foot allowing for movement that does not interrupt the learning environment.  The students may also sit on a stool and still use the fidget bar. 

They are about $400 for the stool and desk.  They have received some grant money, donations, and the school with be purchasing some for the upcoming school year.  Their goal is to have 25 desks for each third and fourth grade classroom for the upcoming school year.  They are about 35 desks away from our goal.  If anyone or any business is interested in helping us purchase these desks please contact Casey Arnold at 421-5752 or Bernie Elementary.

Letter from the teachers below:

"Educating children in today’s society comes with many challenges. Teaching in a low income, rural school district with 65% percent of the population on free and reduced lunches makes educating children even more challenging. 

Our unique student population with 65% of the population on free and reduced lunch and 16% of students in third and fourth grade diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder creates a learning environment with many obstacles to overcome.  Our goal as educators is to find ways to help our students overcome such challenges in order to be productive in the learning environment and reach their full potential.  

Trending in both the workplace and the educational setting in recent years are standing desks.  All over the nation, sitting desks are being replaced with standing desks.  Research has shown these standing desks increase performance in the classroom, reduce problematic behavior, increase focus and attention, and create fully engaged learners.  These desks allow students to utilize the fidget bar and have the ability to move their bodies rather than sitting still without disrupting the learning environment or other students’ concentration.  These desks also bring the added bonus of burning calories throughout the day to help fight against childhood obesity and improve posture.  
We have researched these desks and found the AlphaBetter brand desks seem to be a great fit in meeting the needs of our students.  However, these desks are very expensive and with budget cuts and lack of funding, we are unable to purchase them for our third and fourth grade classrooms. The standing desk and stool combination are around $400 each.  We need approximately 100 for our third and fourth grade classrooms.  

Our goal would be to start the 2016-2017 school year with these standing desks in place for our third and fourth grade students to give them the best opportunity to learn.  These particular desks are standing desks with a fidget bar that can be moved back and forth with your foot allowing for movement that does not interrupt the learning environment.  

These desks also come with a stool so that a student has the opportunity to sit as well and still utilize the fidget bar.  We feel these desks will not only enhance learning but serve as a solution for many problems both teachers and students face daily.  It is extremely difficult for students to sit still for the duration of the school day.  They often turn to talking to classmates, asking to go to the bathroom, getting up to sharpen pencils, tapping pencils on their desk, playing with objects, or a many other problematic behaviors that lead to a disruption in not only the student’s learning but to the students around them.  Being able to stand, sit or use a fidget bar while learning will help the student stay engaged in the learning process.  It allows them to exert their excess energy as well as stimulate their minds and bodies when losing focus without any disruption to the learning environment.  

We are reaching out to you and asking for your assistance in purchasing these AlphaBetter desks for our third and fourth grade students.  We believe they will be a valuable asset to our students and help them become fully engaged learners, reaching their full potential. We appreciate any and all assistance you can provide to us and will be extremely grateful for this opportunity to enhance learning for our students." 

Sincerely,
Casey Arnold, Third grade teacher
Nicole Garner, Third grade teacher
Haley Baker, Fourth grade teacher
Edna Smith, Fourth grade teacher

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Three Rivers College has announced the promotion of Justin Hoggard to Dean of Instruction, where he will be responsible for all of the college’s for-credit academic and career education classes. Hoggard, who was previously Chair of the Social Science Department and Title III Director, will assume his new position on July 1.

“I am excited about this opportunity. It will be different from the teaching responsibilities I have had at Three Rivers,” said Hoggard. “In the end, it is still about providing a quality educational experience for our students and adding to the 50 years of service the College has provided to this region.”

Hoggard was hired at Three Rivers in 2000 as a faculty member in the Social Science Department. He became Chair of the Social Science Department in 2012, and Director of the college’s Title III programs in 2014. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and a Master’s Degree in History from Arkansas State University, and is in the final stages of the Education Leadership doctoral program at William Woods University.

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.

Shown in the photo is Justin Hoggard, a Paragould, Arkansas, resident, has been chosen as Dean of Instruction for Three Rivers College. He will be responsible for all of the college’s for-credit academic and career education classes.

Dexter, Missouri - Tyler Stevenson, 2016 Dexter High School graduate, received a scholarship from the Chalk Bluff Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Tyler has been active in Children of the American Revolution, currently holding the position of president of the Bootheel Society C.A.R. and has held several state offices as well.

Pictured presenting Tyler with his check are Ann Polsgrove, Chapter Regent and Joyce Malin, Chapter Vice Regent.

Tyler is the son of Kay Polsgrove Stevenson of Dexter and Keith Stevenson of Theodosia, MO.

Tyler will attend Harding University in Searcy, AR in the fall.