Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Several Poplar Bluff High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society during the fall ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 10, in the Administrative Building.

The new inductees included seniors Chase Burch, Zachary Cambron, Chang Chi, Steven Haley, Kailee Kanell, Zachery Lawrence and Mallory Pierce. They join their 22 classmates who made the pledge during the spring induction, each signing a PBHS register that goes back to 1941, 20 years after the national organization was founded.

Selection is based on GPA, service, leadership and character by majority vote of a five-member faculty council appointed annually by the high school principal, according to chapter adviser Paul Conover, social studies teacher.

(Standing, left to right) NHS vice president Christian Cmehil-Warn and president Jackson Rideout perform the candle ceremony for inductees Chang Chi, Zachary Cambron, Chase Burch, Zachery Lawrence, Kailee Kanell and Steven Haley, before Principal Mike Kiehne (seated) awards the certificates. Not present was student Mallory Pierce.

Submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator
Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Poplar Bluff High School seniors Mathew Pickard (left) and Christian Cmehil-Warn were selected for the All-State Choir on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Cape Central High School.

The quartet auditions were held after the All-District Choir performance, which featured the duo along with Alyssa Cook, Hannah Earley, Hunter Ellis, Natalie Hunsaker, Ariel Judd, Shelby Ross and Hunter Turner.

Conducted by co-director of choral studies Dr. Julie Yu-Oppenheim of Kansas State University, the All-State Choir will perform on Saturday, January 30, 2015 in Tan-Tar-A at Osage Beach.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Poplar Bluff High School AP physics class is competing regionally in a MoDOT-sponsored model bridge building contest for a potential $10,000 civil engineering scholarship to a heartland university.

Students were supplied 15 pieces of balsa wood, a bottle of glue and some string, then given four weeks to create a bridge design of their choosing between 16-20 inches long and 2-9 inches wide, with the ability to hold at least 7 pounds. The resulting projects will be judged based on structural efficiency on Thursday, Nov. 19, in Cape Girardeau.

The annual competition, intended for juniors and seniors in the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Southeast District, was established 12 years ago. This marks the second year in a row Kathy Miller’s physics class has participated in the contest, though PBHS’ involvement goes back even further.

Shown in the photo: Instructor Kathy Miller puts her students’ bridges to the test on Thursday, Oct. 29, before the class submitted the models for inspection.

Article Submitted by Tim Krakowiak
Communications/Marketing Coordinator
Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Poplar Bluff Mules Booster Club selected Girls Tennis star Stephanie Hobbs and Football quarterback Tristen Francisco as Athletes of the Month for September.

A four-year letterman, Francisco has a career record of 79 completions and 1,489 yards with 137 attempts. The Poplar Bluff High School senior has 50 rushes for 273 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. In addition, he has thrown 19 touchdowns. According to head coach Mark Barousse, Francisco has a high IQ on the football field, with a 10.0 grade point average to boot.

Hobbs, also a senior, has a 10-5 record in singles and 5-10 in doubles for the current season, while maintaining a 10.738 GPA in the classroom. According to her coach, Charles Harper, Hobbs is a role model for new and younger teammates, with a character that is above reproach.

“In a sport with no officials, she always makes honest calls, even if it means losing,” Harper said. “(Hobbs is) kind and polite in her interactions, even in adverse circumstances.”

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak
Communications/Marketing Coordinator
Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - A special tribute to the surviving family of Sam Giambelluca took place Friday, Sept. 18, at Fred M. Morrow Stadium, prior to the Mules Football game.

Beth Lewis-Muse, head girls coach for Track, presented the late Giambelluca’s wife Judy with a Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 4 championship ring from the Lady Mules victory in May.

“One thing Sam wanted before he left this earth, we’re told, was for the Mules to receive a state championship in track,” announced Boys and Girls Club Director Chris Rushin to a standing ovation from the audience. “We’re proud to say his wish was granted. This spring, Sam’s alma mater won states in Track and Field for the first time in the history of the school system.”

In 2001, the track at Junior High was named for Giambelluca after he helped raise money to renovate the stadium, including an all-weather track surface. A proud graduate of the PBHS Class of 1946, Giambelluca helped start the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, where he was later inducted for his career as a student athlete.

Giambelluca passed away surrounded by his family at the age of 87 on Monday, Sept. 7, according to Cotrell Funeral Service. He dedicated his life to his loved ones, school and community.

Shown in the Photo:  Four generations of the Giambelluca family accept a state championship ring from Beth Lewis-Muse and R-I Superintendent Chris Hon (right) in honor of Sam Giambelluca.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak
Communications/Marketing Coordinator
Poplar Bluff R-I School District