Bernie, MO - The first Kyle Smith Memorial Athletic Scholarship was awarded to John Nimmo of Bernie High School.

"Two months ago I lost a good friend and colleague," stated Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times, "He was doing what he loved and that was covering high school sports for the Dexter Statesman and SEMOBALL."

"I remember when we were at the sectional game and the Mules punched their ticket to the Final Four!  He was super excited to have the opportunity to follow them; however while on assignment in Springfield, Kyle fell ill and passed away not getting to see one minute of either of their games."

Kyle loved sports.  He had been a sports editor most of his life and he spent a lot of time talking about the athletes we were covering.  He probably could quote just about any stat you wanted to know about any athlete in Stoddard County.

"He was especially impressed with one athlete here at Bernie High School.  He interviewed him on more than one occasion and even wrote a feature story about him which was published a few days after his passing.  His very last feature story."

Kyle and I always drank Diet Mt Dews at games and on more than one occasion split a Twix bar.  That was one of our many things we had in common. I brought those items with me today to go with the scholarship.

"His last words to me just 30 minutes prior to that Friday game was, 'Make sure they win so I can cover them tomorrow in the Championship game!' I said I would as If I had any control over their game and Bernie did win!"

Kyle never got that chance.

And what a better way to honor his memory than to start a community scholarship and give to a Bernie Senior that he admired and respected in his sport of basketball.

"So on behalf of the ShowMe Times, the Dexter Statesman, SEMOBALL, the Bernie Banner, and his mother Connie, I would like to present the first Kyle Smith Memorial Athletic Scholarship in the amount of $500 to Mr. John Nimmo."

Shown presenting the scholarship to Nimmo is Dee Loflin of the ShowMe Times.