Dexter, Missouri - There is one award given to a Football Bearcat each year that has become a tradition at Dexter High School, the Charles Bland Award! It is a bronze trophy and was originally awarded in 1994. This is the 23rd year that a group of football enthusiasts have honored a Bearcat and the 2017 recipient is senior Ben Sindle.
Ben is the son of Darrell Sindle and Holly and Chris Bowman.
He has been a member of the Dexter Bearcat Football Team all four years of high school. He has also played basketball and Track & Field all four years.
He is also a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Sr. Beta Club.
He holds the Dexter High School record for most 3-pointers in basketball.
His future plans are to attend Murray State University and major in Physical Education.
Congratulations Ben Sindle.
History of the Bland Award
The Bland Award originated from a group of former Bearcat football players and fans who had an interest in honoring the most outstanding student-athlete from the Bearcat Football team.
The selected Bearcat must meet very strict criteria in many areas of the scholar-athlete life, including: Scholastic Ability, School Participation & Attendance, Community Involvement, Leadership Qualities, Personal & Team Attitude, and Athletic Performance.
A Bland Award recipient should reflect the qualities that interscholastic sports programs have to offer. In no way should this award be seen as a trophy strictly for athleticism; rather, it is to celebrate the most outstanding, well-rounded student-athlete from the senior class.
The late Charles ‘Seed’ Bland - the man that the stadium these athletes battled in during their high school careers - was a very active supporter of the Dexter School System for many years. The most amazing gift ‘Seed’ gave was his pride in the Bearcats, as well as the young people of Dexter High School.
Known only to a few, the late Ruth Bland was the ‘athlete of the family’ and was a standout for both the DHS basketball and track teams. It has been written that she was ‘the best female athlete in Southeast Missouri’ during her time.
Together, the Bland family has been there to support Dexter Schools and Bearcat Athletics for over 60 years.
Pictured from left to right are Chris Bowman, Holly Bowman, Ben Sindle, and Darrell Sindle.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School celebrated Fall Sports Senior Night on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Charles Bland Stadium. There were 42 seniors featured on the field prior to the start of the Dexter Bearcats/Malden Green Wave football game.
Halli Huls is a member of the Dexter High School Marching Bearcat Band.
She is the daughter of Kelly Huls and the late Chris Huls.
She has been a member of the high school band all four years.
She is also a member of FCCLA, Sr. Beta Club, and DECA.
Her future plans are to attend Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau and major in Science of Nursing, specializing in oncology.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School celebrated Fall Sports Senior Night on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Charles Bland Stadium. There were 42 seniors featured on the field prior to the start of the Dexter Bearcats/Malden Green Wave football game.
Britney Hubbard is a member of the Football Cheer Squad.
She is the daughter of Denny and Michelle Hubbard.
She has been a member of the Football Cheer Squad all four years of high school and varsity basketball cheer three years.
She is also a member of FCCLA and DECA.
Her future plans are to cheer at Three Rivers College and major in Business Administration.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School celebrated Fall Sports Senior Night on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Charles Bland Stadium. There were 42 seniors featured on the field prior to the start of the Dexter Bearcats/Malden Green Wave football game.
Jonni Hill is a member of the Dexter Cross Country Team.
She is the daughter of Carl and Linda Hill.
Jonni has been a member of the Cross Country Team all four years of high school, Track and Field Team two years, and Dexter High School Band all four years.
She is also a member of the Robotics Club, National Honor Society, Sr. Beta Club, Rotary Interact, and Model UN.
Her future plans are to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology and major in engineering.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School celebrated Fall Sports Senior Night on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Charles Bland Stadium. There were 42 seniors featured on the field prior to the start of the Dexter Bearcats/Malden Green Wave football game.
James Hill is a member of the Marching Bearcat Band.
He is the son of James and Randi Hill.
He has been a member of the Dexter High School band all four years of high school and played football one year.
His future plans are to attend a technical school after graduation.
Pictured with James is Dexter High School Band Director, Scott Rybolt.
