A student has been chosen to be a member of the National FFA Band for the first time in the history of Poplar Bluff High School since the local chapter of the leadership development organization was chartered in 2002, confirmed advisers of past and present.
PBHS sophomore Preston Ethridge has been selected to perform among 100 students across the United States, and six total in Missouri, to play trumpet Wednesday through Saturday, Oct. 23-26, during the 97th annual National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.
“There are over one million FFA members nationwide [representing] the largest youth organization in the world,” stated PBHS agriculture instructor Mike Melson, FFA adviser. “Out of a million members, they pick 100 of those who tryout to be chosen for the band. As a sophomore, that’s just crazy unheard of.”
Preston, a section leader for the Sho-Me Marching Band, will perform “and help bring full instrumental balance to the band” several times including at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Artsgarden and various special awards functions, according to a National FFA press release. To be considered, he submitted a video audition and application over the summer and was notified of his placement last month.
“He is a very hard worker and is a very reliable member of the band,” commented Junior and Senior High music teacher Stephen Winters, the band director, noting that Preston placed in the Southeast Missouri All-District Band last year as a freshman.
He will arrive in advance to rehearse and maintain a rigorous schedule while his fellow FFA chapter members attend breakout sessions and presentations at the convention with Melson and chaperone Branden Smith, who teaches another section of agriculture education. A total of eight PBHS students will attend the school-sponsored event out of 48 members, based on last year’s FFA involvement in activities and student fundraising.
“Anybody that can learn their music [sight unseen] with three days practice, that’s pretty intense,” Melson continued. “How many students do we have that are gonna get the opportunity to play in front of an audience of 70,000? It’s the best of the best.”
Above: Preston Ethridge receives multiple accolades during the annual FFA banquet held last school year at PBHS.
Ellie Dowdy of Oxford, Mississippi, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Dowdy was initiated at The University of Mississippi.
Dowdy is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is to "cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning."
More About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society's mission is to "cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning." For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.
The 2024 DHS Homecoming Coronation was held at Charles Bland Stadium on Friday, September 6th as the Dexter Bearcat Football Team took on the Sikeston Bulldogs defeating them 48-7.
The 2024 DHS Homecoming Coronation was held at Charles Bland Stadium on Friday, September 6th as the Dexter Bearcat Football Team took on the Sikeston Bulldogs defeating them 48-7.
The 2024 DHS Homecoming Coronation was held at Charles Bland Stadium on Friday, September 6th as the Dexter Bearcat Football Team took on the Sikeston Bulldogs defeating them 48-7.
