Written by
Nancy Vines
And so, the dream of an eighth-grade boy from Dexter, Missouri, became a reality.
Alan Flannigan, a 2011 Dexter High School graduate, dreamed of attending a Division 1 school when he finished high school. His parents and high school coach believed he could realize that dream, which in turn, inspired him to believe in himself. Alan credits Coach Rob Nichols with pushing him to always take the next step to improve as a player and a leader. He says that the attraction to Lafayette College basketball program was that he saw the same passion for excellence that had been instilled in him, exhibited in that team, and in their coach."Having a strong culture of winning and expecting perfection from yourself are two things Coach Fran O'Hanlon has demanded from his players in his over 20 years as the Head Coach at Lafayette."
Basketball was not the only inviting aspect of the college -- the rigorous academic challenges also appealed to him. Forbes academic excellence rankings place Lafayette as the sixth highest among Division 1 Liberal Arts schools.
"I think one of my biggest strengths is my ability to realistically assess myself and be very self-critical. So, while every basketball player would love to play in the NBA, I knew that just wasn't in the cards for me.
While picking a school that would develop me as a player was important, I also had the foresight to realize that basketball would only last four years, and I had better have a quality back-up plan."
He adds that Lafayette has a rich history as one of the most prestigious liberal arts schools on the east coast and is always a front-runner in key post-graduation statistics such as average income, job and grad school placement, and return on investment. .
Alan is majoring in economics with a minor in government and law. He is also pursuing a certificate in financial policy and analysis, which is essentially a secondary major within the economics field.
"The focus of the certificate is to provide a challenging curriculum comprised of the most high-level classes that the department offers. These classes focus on international and domestic investment environments, as well as scientific and financial based managerial strategy," he explained.
The road from Dexter, MO, to Easton, PA, was certainly not an easy one, nor was it easy to balance athletic time commitments with the demands of a rigorous academic schedule. Alan admits that being a freshman in class and on the basketball team was a great challenge, along with the swift pace at which everything seemed to move.
"My first few days I spent trying to figure out why everyone was in such a big hurry all the time, but I soon realized that they weren't slowing down, so I had better speed up!" He says the upper class teammates helped in the adjustment to campus life, and the other freshman team members were also transplants--hailing from Australia, Minnesota, and Colorado--so they came to depend on each other when things got tough.
Players spend around 30 hours a week on basketball-related activities--weightlifting, practice, film, treatment and skill work. Finding a balance between basketball and academic demands was no easy feat; however, Alan says that the players take great pride in their ability to do just that.
He explains that pushing through the fatigue to get everything done at a high level is the norm. "If you can't do it, you can't succeed." He cites a personal story to illustrate this point. "My sophomore year we were on the road playing at the University of Kentucky, and I was slated to get my first collegiate start against the number 3 team in the nation. The night before the game, I received an e-mail from a professor asking me to prepare a 15-page Supreme Court case summary to make-up for a group project I was missing because I was on the road, and he wanted it by noon the next day.
Not only was this an extreme work deadline, but a very difficult task that covered over 100 pages of court transcripts. As any of my teammates would have done, I took it in stride, sat down, and went to work. It took me until 4 A.M., but I had done it. Later that evening my name was called for the starting five in front of a sold-out crowd against the defending national champions."
When he graduates from Lafayette College in May, many areas of opportunity will be available to Alan Flannigan. The dream that began in middle school has been realized because he had people in his life who believed in him, encouraged him, and helped him make choices that would allow him to realize the lofty goals he had set. Most importantly, however, is the fact that he believed in himself, pushed himself, and never allowed setbacks to discourage him.
As high school students from Southeast Missouri are preparing for their own graduations, and making choices about their futures, they might benefit from one who not only had a dream, but had the courage to pursue it: "Don't be afraid to dream big and aspire to accomplish things that seem unimaginable at the time."
Dexter, Missouri - Miss Shelby Gathings has been chosen as the 2015 ShowMe Times March Calendar Girl. She is the daughter of Bobby and Angela Alford and is a senior at Dexter High School.
Her plans are to attend Southeast Missouri State University after graduation.
Miss Shelby Gathings was an attendant in the Miss Dexter 2014 Pageant. This is an annual pageant sponsored by the Dexter Senior High School Music Department. Each year Miss Dexter and her attendants are chosen as Calendar Girls throughout the year.
Congratulations Shelby! The Dexter community is extremely proud of you and your accomplishments.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Putnam.
Dexter, Missouri – Kristin Stevens is a beautiful young lady from small town American with big dreams. Growing up in Bernie, Missouri she began singing at an early age which brought her closer to God.
“God has placed a calling on every individual’s life and I believe it’s up to us to pursue it,” stated Kristin. “That’s exactly what I want to do with my life. I am 24 years old and now live in Dexter, but I grew up in Bernie and that will always be home.”
At the age of 20 Kristin started leading praise and worship in the youth group at the Lighthouse Church. She grew up in a Christian family and had great parents that taught her to have a relationship with God.
“I am simple and just your average “Joe”, but I am running after the calling God has placed in my life,” continued Stevens. In January she started her second recording process at Walker Brothers Studio. “I grew up with them so getting to work with both of them is such a blast and they have incredible talent when it comes to music. I just have a blast being able to be involved in something like this.”
Kristin has a little experience in recording. She has already released her first album called Jump! “That was my starting points as we go we learn so much,” Stevens said. “I am looking forward to my next round!”
"JUMP" was released and has done remarkably well locally with Christian songs such as Reign in Me, Hold Me, Breathe Into Me, Everything, Jesus in the House, A New Melody, and More Than Enough.
"Jump" is my fast song and a constant reminder of what God has done for me. The chorus, "make me wanna jump" is motivational and makes me think about everything that I have gone through and what God had done for me," stated a very bubbly young and talented lady. "I get excited about this song and God inspired me to write it to excite others."
Kristin is not looking to be famous and rich, but to sing for God and whatever God's plans are for her and what He wants me to do. "When people hear my voice and listen to the words they can praise God and enter into worship."
When she was 17 she lost her father. That was the night that her only hope became God alone. He was the only one she could run to and who could comfort a hurt so deep. “My goal is to lead people to God,” Kristin continued. “If a song can take them back and make them see all that God has brought them through and make them fall in love with the one who has created them then absolutely that’s what I want to do.”
Kristin loves music and loves to sing. She has this energy that just warms the soul and wants to help people however that might be. She has a big heart and a kind and loving spirit about her. “If we aren’t living for a Savior who paid the ultimate sacrifice then how are we really living at all?”
Now that she is working on her second CD with a music video to follow she will be traveling and playing at other churches to show everyone what she has to offer and hopefully people will hear her music and believe and love each other.
“That’s what we are all put on this earth to do is to love. I think you should show or tell someone you love them at every opportunity. Life’s too short not too tell them how you feel.”
If you would like Kristin to perform at your church or event contact her at 573-625-3954 or follow her on Facebook at Kristin Stevens Music.
She has also started a Go Fund Me Account to help offset the costs of a financially demanding music world. Click Here.
Dexter, Missouri - Miss Dakota Silliman has been chosen as the ShowMe Times February Calendar Girl. She is the daughter of Chad Silliman and Dena Silliman and is a senior at Dexter High School.
Dakota is in the Dexter Honor Society and is a member of Future Teachers of America. She is also the treasurer for DECA. Dakota is an active athlete as well playing on the Dexter Bearcats softball team.
Her plans are to attend Southeast Missouri State University and study Radiology and obtain a degree in nursing.
Miss Dakota Silliman was an attendant in the Miss Dexter 2014 Pageant. This is an annual pageant sponsored by the Dexter Senior High School Music Department. Each year Miss Dexter and her attendants are chosen as Calendar Girls throughout the year.
Congratulations Dakota! The Dexter community is extremely proud of you and your accomplishments.
Dexter, Missouri – It was a red carpet event at the Elks Lodge on Saturday evening. The Dexter Chamber of Commerce hosted their Annual Awards Banquet recognizing Educator of the Year, Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Industry of the Year and Organization of the Year for 2014.
Kevin Bishop, 2015 Chamber President, recognized Janet Coleman and Chamber Secretary Carol Roberts for their continued work at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, along with the retiring directors and new directors. He also introduced a couple of speakers, Senator Doug Libla and State Representative Tila Hubrecht who spoke briefly and were then on-hand to present resolutions from the Missouri House and Senate to the award recipients.
Organization of the Year went to the Stoddard County ARC. The ARC was organized by Joe Weber and the late Joyce Weber. Their daughter Beth faced developmental disabilities and not much was known in the 1960s. The Stoddard County ARC provides community integration, socialization activities, developmental rehabilitation services, residential services, and referral services and personal assistance.
Small Business of the Year went to Corner Cottage. Owned by Gary and Kim Williams. The business opened in 2002 and has grown to be one of the most visited businesses in Dexter. Gary and Kim and their daughter, Jansen, were also credited with hosting numerous fundraisers to benefit local charitable organizations including the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and the Mother-to-Mother program.
Business of the Year presented by Debbie Stidham went to SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County. Dexter’s local hospital became a part of the Southeat Health System in 2013 and have already built an addition, the Southeast Medical Plaza, to their existing hospital as well as offering state-of-the-art care and equipment. This venture is a 15,000 square foot facility costing nearly $3 million and opened in 2014.
Accepting the award on behalf of SoutheastHEALTH was CEO Adam Bracks with a host of representatives from the hospital including Dr. Bobby Jibben and Corey Blocker, CPNP. Both have volunteered their time on and off the football field at Dexter High School.
Industry of the Year was awarded to Bootheel Recycling. Owned by Mark and Kristi Booker. This was the second time they have received the award. The first time was in 2008 and is currently in their tenth year of business.
Educator of the Year was bestowed upon Mrs. Anita Joyner, a math teacher at T.S. Hill Middle School. She graduated from Dexter in 1981 and received her bachelor of science from Southeast Missouri State University in 1984 and her Master in 1998 from Southwest Baptist University. She was hired in 1988 and will retire at the conclusion of the 2015 school year.
Joyner was credited for her work with the Stoddard County 4-H program and the Dexter Booster Club.
