Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 12, at the Black River Coliseum marked endings and new beginnings on multiple fronts.
First and foremost, 298 students graduated from the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2016, joining more than 22,000 alumni before them.
Class president Elizabeth Bottorff said the milestone was akin to the conclusion of a book, but challenged her classmates to author an even better sequel. “Go write your own book and make it a best-seller,” she said, earlier advising: “Take everything one page at a time and cherish every word.”
Christian Cmehil-Warn, who will attend the University of Missouri in Columbia, was named this year’s salutatorian. He talked about his struggle to choose a career path, but said with a little hard work and a clearly defined goal, anything is possible. “You’ve got a whole life ahead of you,” he said. “Make what you want of it.”
The valedictorian honor went to Jackson Rideout, who has been accepted at Washington University in St. Louis. He discussed how graduating from high school means more than just a slip of paper, the experience has shaped their lives up until this point. The past four years has also taught him that everything is not black and white. “See the gray, the unknown, the other side, and appreciate it,” he said.
A special tribute was made to the surviving family of the late Kaitlyn Pullam, who has been memorialized with a new scholarship, which went to Mikayla Ursery for exemplifying Kaitlyn’s ideals and attitude. Nearly $2.5 million in college scholarships was awarded to the graduating seniors altogether, according to Principal Mike Kiehne.
Another close to a chapter, it was pointed out by outgoing Superintendent Chris Hon in his welcoming speech, was that this class would be the last to graduate from 1300 Victory Lane. The city manager Mark Massingham, who was in attendance to watch his son walk, observed the momentous occasion in a Facebook post.
“Having a conversation today with David Johnson, Gary Melton and Ralph Stucker and realized the Class of 1966—which included my brother Terry Massingham and David and Gary—was the first class to graduate from the new high school. My son Landon and Ralph’s son Aaron will graduate this year—50 years later—and they will be the last class to graduate from this high school.”
Senior High and the Middle School are in the process of swapping locations under the historic buildings plan approved by voters, which will add more than 200,000 square feet of classroom space across campus while utilizing existing property. The new state-of-the-art facilities will be open for the 2016/17 school year.
Shown in the photo are school officials seated in the background, top student Jackson Rideout delivers a graduation speech to his classmates.
Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
Kindergartners demonstrated to their families what they have learned including the alphabet, numbers to 100 and colors in a musical performance led by teacher Fawn Luecke. This year’s theme was: “Through the looking glass into… first grade.”
Shown in the photo are students in the classes of Rebecca Burgin, Tonya Hill and Jannette Walk sing the “Goodbye Song” by The Learning Station.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Five hard-working seniors recently earned scholarships through The Montgomery Family Foundation, which awards college funds to Poplar Bluff Senior High students annually among over 30 other secondary schools and universities across several states.
The mission of the Montgomery Foundation is to: “provide scholarship funds to ‘B’ students who possess the demonstrated talent, desire and promise for a college education” but could not pursue their higher education without extra financial help, according to the nonprofit. This year’s recipients, determined by a selection committee, include:
• Cynder Potter, who received a $3,000 renewable scholarship to study to be a veterinarian at Southeast Missouri State University
• Clayton Rone, who received a $1,000 renewable scholarship to study aerospace engineering at the University of Missouri
• Taylor Barker, who received a $500 renewable scholarship to study nursing at Three Rivers College
• Hannah Russell, who received a $500 one-time scholarship to study pharmacology at St. Louis College
• Angelica Esquivel, who received a $500 one-time scholarship to study Spanish at Three Rivers
Pictured (from left) are Taylor Barker, Angelica Esquivel, Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation vice president Emily Hogg, Cynder Potter and Clayton Rone. Not present for the photo was Hannah Russell.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Buff R-I School District.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Four Poplar Bluff student athletes have received the prestigious Missouri Good Sport honor for their exemplary display of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.
Katie Huskey and Steven Haley of Senior High, and Kiley Bess and Trenton Davis of Junior High were given the awards of excellence by Athletic Director Kent Keith on Wednesday, May 4, in the PBJHS FEMA building. The selections were determined by a vote of the coaching staff.
The state award is intended to recognize students that have had a positive impact on the student body through their participation in extra-curricular activities, according to Jason West, Missouri State High School Activities Association communications director.
“We at MSHSAA firmly believe that a positive role model such as yourself can positively influence the actions of others in your school—your teammates, younger students, your opponents and even spectators,” West wrote in the award letter. “By taking the responsible steps in displaying positive sportsmanship, you are helping to rekindle the spirit of citizenship and are serving as a positive representative of your school and community.”
Shown in the photo (From left) Trenton Davis, Kiley Bess, Kent Keith, Katie Huskey and Steven Haley.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
Business Night sponsors—Godfather’s Pizza, Skate City, Simply Swirled and McDonalds—were recognized on Wednesday, March 2, at the elementary school for donating a portion of their proceeds to the school fundraiser.
The first Math-A-Thon was held at O’Neal in 1989. Within several years, the fundraiser gained full district support, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars for St. Jude at this point.
Shown in the photo: Business owners (from left) Mike Cook, Leslie Lewis, Paula Hefner and Steve Sells; students representatives (left to right) Farrah Allen, Lincoln Warren, Macie Robertson, Aiden Cook, Connor Ray, Ava Monaghan, Kaylee Gloyd, Kimber Hicks, Stormy Ward and Ashtyn Reese.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
