Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Elks Lodge #2439 recently named their 2017 Male Student of the Year in Stoddard County. Each month throughout the academic school year two students are named at each county school for their academic excellence. From that pool of students, one male and one female student are then selected at the conclusion of the school year and honored as the Elks Students of the Year.
The program is coordinated by local Elks, Larry and Carol White, who go to each county school and recognize the students of the month from Advance, Bell City, Bernie, Bloomfield, Dexter, Puxico, and Richland.
Cade Long from Advance was recognized as the 2017 Dexter Elks Male Student of the Year.
He is the son of Angela Long-Cato and Michael Long. His future plans are to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri to study business and finance management.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Elks Lodge sponsored their annual banquet for high school seniors who had been recognized over the past school year as Elks Students of the Month.
At the banquet, the male and female Students of the Year were named from the candidates.
Pictured are from left to right: Jacob Harris (Dexter), Caroline Robinson (Bloomfield), Macy Urhahn (Dexter), Logan Asher (Bernie), Katelyn Pinkley (Richland), Lane Brown (Richland), Emma Parsley (Puxico), Bradley Clark (Puxico), Megan Lee (Advance), and Cade Long (Advance).
Not available for photo were McKayla Hunt (Bell City), Cole Nichols (Bell City), Alex Gibbs (Bloomfield), and Madissen Corbin (Bernie).
The Male Student of the Year is Cade Long of Advance. A separate article on Mr. Long is published on the ShowMe Times.
The Female Student of the Year is MaKayla Hunt of Bell City. A separate article on Miss Hunt is also published on the ShowMe Times.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce met on Thursday, May 11, 2017 for their annual Spring Full Membership Meeting. The event was held in the foyer of the Bearcat Event Center.
C.A. Counts, new Dexter R-XI School District Superintendent, spoke to the crowd and is excited to get to work in Dexter.
"I believe that part of the school's responsibility is to provide a productive workforce for the community," stated Counts. "It is our job, our responsibility, to teach students the work habits and the things that are vital for them to remain in this community and to be productive citizens."
He praised the accomplishments of those students who find great success in medicine, education, and business management, but he also noted that one of his passions is the education of those students who will enter the workforce and utilize skills in welding, HVAC, and other trades vital to our community.
"That's been a something that has been of interest to me," commented Counts. "How to teach kids to be good, solid members of the community and of the local workforce. That's one of my goals. We can't concentrate on just the upper level students. We need to focus on all students."
Counts has 26 years in education and the last 11 years he has been in the role of administrator.
"I have a great respect for the job that the teachers here do," he said. "To be able to have an effect on this school systems means a lot to me. My door is always open and I encourage anyone from the community to contact me." His contract with Dexter Schools begins July 1, 2017.
Bernie, Missouri - The 64th Annual Miss Bernie was held on Saturday evening in the Bernie School Cafeteria. Little Miss Bernie is Brynlee Owens.
She is the daughter of Richard and Brittany Owens.
First Alternate is Annabelle Shelton. She is the daughter of Jason and Melissa Shelton.
Second Alternate is Haley Graham. She is the daughter of Jackie and Cecily Graham.
Pictured from left to right are Annabelle Shelton, Brynlee Owens, and Haley Graham.
Photo courtesy of Norman Swafford Photography in Bernie.
Dexter, Missouri - The 14th Annual Stoddard County Relay for Life was held at East City Park on Friday, May 5, 2017. The evening was filled with hope - hope for a cure! Cancer survivors took their annual first lap around the track all wearing their purple survivor t-shirts.
The crowd was entertained by Dexter Tumbling and Cheer group, Carrillo Martial Arts students, Mia Williams singing with local cancer survivors. They sang "I Will Survive"! A silent auction later in the evening attracted several deep pockets to support such a worthy cause! Meatloaf and brownies seemed to get re-auctioned a few times to raise even more money!
A total of 21 teams were on hand to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Through a number of unique fundraising efforts along with funds from the sale of luminaries, local business sponsorships, and generous donations from the community, a total of $59, 472.26 was turned in at Relay. An estimated additional $10,000 still yet to be turned in, but promised.
Funds raised by individual teams are as follows: Carmode Family $315, Central Cats $8,186, KDEX $1,080, Liberty Hill Church $11,916.25, Preferred Hospice $910, Asset Growth Management $452, Health Nuts $645.65, SoutheastHEALTH of Dexter $1,115, Southwest Elementary $5,550.59, Spark of Hope $250, Team Webfoot $1,453.50, VNA of SEMO $1,575, Walgreen $1,285, Stoddard County Health Coalition $1,050, Bank of Advance $1,692, Faith Lutheran $3,153, First General Baptist Church $659, Tyson $1,504.75, Cypress Point $678, One Main $695, and Pyramid $1,397.
Sales of luminaria bags in honor of or in memory of cancer victims raised $1,270, while general sponsorships raised an additional $12,393 and donations totaled $905. With the additional funds pledged and expected to come forth over the next few weeks, the 2017 Relay for Life total is expected to reach $70,000.
Though this isn't the most successful in history of the event, both co-chairs Jennifer Hartlein and Belinda Worley were very pleased with everyone's support of the annual event. Next year will be even bigger it is hoped.
Pictured are standing from left to right: LaVonda Cameron, Paul Bevins, and Faye Bostic. Front row are Kristi Altman and Patty Mason. Patty was the honorary Survivor of the 2017 Relay for Life!
