Malden, MO - The Bright Idea Showcase took place on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at the Malden Community Center in Malden, MO. The top contestants from five of the contest’s qualifying counties gave an oral presentation of their idea to the panel of judges present. After the presentation of county champion plaques and medals, the 2020 contest grand champion was announced.
Launched in January of 2020, the Bright Idea Contest was created to promote and spark an entrepreneurial spirit in the youth of Southeast Missouri. The central mission is to generate and facilitate paths to success for young innovators. The planned annual contest is open to students between grades seven and twelve in eight Southeast Missouri counties: Bollinger, Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard. Over $26,000 in prize money is available to contest participants. Each county champion receives a $2,000 cash prize and a chance to compete for a $10,000 grand prize at the Bright Idea Showcase. The contest is divided into three stages. The initial entry round requires contestants to draft an essay summarizing their idea. In the second-round, the top five submissions from each county advance and are required to submit a video presentation of their idea. The video submission is then evaluated by a panel of judges who determine the top entry from each participating county. Each county champion receives a $2,000.00 cash prize, and advances to the third and final round of competition. For the final round, contestants give an on-site, oral presentation to a panel of judges at the Bright Idea Showcase.
The contest submission portal was officially opened on January 6th of this year. Over fifty entries were submitted before the first-round deadline on March 1. The top five submissions from each county were selected and announced on March 11. These contestants participated in round two, which required a video presentation of their idea. After a disruption in the original schedule due in part to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the county champions were selected and announced on April 29. County champions are listed below:
BOLLINGER COUNTY: Shiskeet
Judson Mayfield, a twelfth grader from Woodland High School in Marble Hill, MO.
BUTLER COUNTY: EMERGENCY! (911 App)
A team of students consisting of Jeremy Bell, Aaron Johnson, Kristen Laird and Maria Powell from Poplar Bluff High School in Poplar Bluff, MO.
NEW MADRID COUNTY: Anonymous Guidance Counselor
Wyatt McCulloch, a ninth grader from Portageville High School in Portageville, MO.
PEMISCOT COUNTY: The Albox
The Wanna Bees, a team of twelfth graders consisting of Cassie Bryson, Savannah Butler and Vivi Wallace from Delta C-7 High School in Deering, MO.
STODDARD COUNTY: Breathe Easy
Korbin Williams a seventh grader from T.S. Hill Middle School in Dexter, MO.
Judson Mayfield was named the Grand Champion of the 2020 Bright Idea Contest.
Judson was announced as the winner at this year’s Bright Idea Showcase on May 30. Finalists from the five qualifying counties were allotted eight minutes each to present their idea to the contest’s panel of judges. After compiling the scores of each judge, just four tenths of a point separated the top two contestants.
Mayfield, is a 2020 graduate of Woodland High School in Marble Hill, MO. He was named the county champion for Bollinger County after the second round of the contest on April 29. Mayfield’s idea, Shiskeet, is an innovate approach to traditional clay targets or “clay pigeons.”
Instead of manufacturing his targets through ordinary methods, Mayfield has developed a process that utilizes cattle manure as the main manufacturing component. In result, this offers an alternative, environmentally friendly option for clay target shooters. As the grand champion of this year’s contest,
Mayfield received an additional $10,000.00 in prize money on top of the $2,000.00 he received as his county’s champion. Mayfield plans to use a portion of his winnings to further pursue patents and investors for his idea.
Photo submitted.
Three Rivers College recognized more than 40 of its highest performing students with its Annual Student Excellence Awards. Winners were chosen to represent each academic department and career education program, the Three Rivers external locations, honor societies, and major student organizations.
Ryan Bambrough is from Sikeston and is majoring in Literature.
“The Student Excellence Awards are a celebration not only of academic success but of the hard work and commitment of our student body,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “The success these students have achieved is not only an indication of natural ability and talent, but also their dedication to putting in the time and doing the work that makes them the standouts of Three Rivers.”
Winners from academic and career programs are chosen by that program’s leadership based on recommendations from faculty members. The leadership of each organization selects student organization, external location, and honor society award recipients.
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.
Three Rivers College recognized more than 40 of its highest performing students with its Annual Student Excellence Awards. Winners were chosen to represent each academic department and career education program, the Three Rivers external locations, honor societies, and major student organizations.
Courtney Putnam is a from Dexter and is in the Student Nursing Association program.
“The Student Excellence Awards are a celebration not only of academic success but of the hard work and commitment of our student body,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “The success these students have achieved is not only an indication of natural ability and talent, but also their dedication to putting in the time and doing the work that makes them the standouts of Three Rivers.”
Winners from academic and career programs are chosen by that program’s leadership based on recommendations from faculty members. The leadership of each organization selects student organization, external location, and honor society award recipients.
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.
A-State Announces Spring 2020 Chancellor’s, Dean’s Lists
Students on the Chancellor’s and Dean’s Lists for spring 2020 at Arkansas State University have been announced. Combined, the group totals 2,691 students. The lists also include 184 students from Campus Querétaro, Mexico, who met the academic requirements for the two categories.
The lists recognize undergraduate students who achieved the highest grade point averages while enrolled in 12 or more credit hours of study.
The Chancellor’s List (designated as CL) includes students who earned a grade point average of 3.80 to 4.0 for spring classes. The Dean’s List (DL) includes students with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79. The students are listed by state, county and hometown, then other countries, with Chancellor's List students listed first within each city.
Advance: Leah Ballin, CL
Dexter: Kayla Carter, CL
Dexter: Abigail Dorton, CL
Dexter: Gina Magarian, CL
Dexter: Alexis May, CL
Dexter: Maci McBride, CL
Dexter: Kaley Roper, CL
Dexter: Nicole Roper, CL
Dexter: Nicholas Trout, CL
Dexter: William Morgan, DL
Essex: Noah Langley, DL
Dexter, MO - The Dexter School Board met for a regular board meeting on May 19, 2020 at 6 p.m. Below are the meeting minutes.
Regular Board Meeting Notes, May 19, 2020, 6:00 PM
Call to Order/Roll Call/Pledge The Board President announced the meeting is to begin, ascertains the attendance status of all board members present. He then leads in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent Agenda: The Consent Agenda was approved.
Public Comments: There were no public comments made.
Old Business:
A. None
New Business:
A. The board approved a two year contract extension for the SRO with a 2% cost of living increase.
B. The board approved a mileage reimbursement increase from $0.42 to $0.50.
C. The board approved Chartwells as the district’s food service management company for the next 5 years.
D. The board approved breakfast and lunch prices for the 2020-21 school year.
Student K-5 grade $1.25 and $1.95
6-12 grade $1.40 and $2.00
Adult $1.90 and $2.45
Discussion Items:
A. Mrs. James discussed implementation of a reentry plan task force to help prepare for the 2020-21 school year.
B. The superintendent gave his report to the board.
C. The next board meeting was set for June 9, 2020 at 6:00 pm
In Closed Session:
1. The board approved new employment for the 2020-21 school year.
Melissa Jones - Southwest Secretary
Lacy Wood - Southwest building aide
Samantha Henson - Title Aide
Heather Tice - Preschool Aide
2. The board approved new employment for MS Key Skills teacher for the 2020-21 school year.
Drew Pixley
3. The board approved a new HS ELA teacher for the 2020-21 school year .
Kathy Faries
4. The board approved transfer requests for the 2020-21 school year.
Stephanie Ordway - SW Cross Categorical switching teachers
Jeannie Childers - SW Cross Categorical to Central Cross Cat.
5. The board approved resignation letters effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Mandy Allard
Shena Benton - PAT program
Whitney Tanksley
Brandon Tanksley
6. The board approved certified staff step movement per the approved salary schedule.
7. The board approved classified staff pay for the 2019-20 school year. To ensure compliance with Proposition B, we must adhere to the minimum wage standard increasing to $10.30 in January 2021. To ensure compliance with this standard, the board voted to approve classified pay increases for the 20-21 school year at the following percentages:
Level 1 Aide 6% raise
60+ hour Aide 5% raise
Bldg Sec/Bldg Aide 4% raise
Head Cook 4% raise
All other staff 3% raise
8. The board approved increasing sub pay by $2 per hour.
Certified Sub pay - $94 per day
60 hour sub pay - $84 per day
9. The board approved a volunteer assistant MS football coach.
Jason Comfort
10. The board approved new employment of MS library aide for the 2020-21 school year.
Mara Mayo
Items at the conclusion of Executive Session
A. None
