Poplar Bluff, Missouri – About 50 members of the Poplar Bluff High School Beta Club chose to help the Historic Depot Restoration Corporation tear out a floor in order to complete their volunteer hours.
Each student is required by the student organization to volunteer and donate hours each semester.
The Iron Mountain Depot is the home of the local Amtrak Station and was once a thriving train depot. Recent revitalization projects have enhanced the beauty and brought recognition to the old depot.
Photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Poplar Bluff School District.
The 17-year-old has placed first in his class each year for reading the most teacher-approved literary works, resultantly winning thousands in bank cards in addition to the scholarship. When Soeter was a freshman, he generously donated $500 back to the PBHS library so the school can replace some of its titles in the Charlie Classics collection. At the time, he declared that it was a goal of his to complete the challenge.
Reflecting on all the books, Soeter said: "It changed the way I think, broadening my outlook of the world and the way I understand it for the better." He added that he has enjoyed the select pieces of literature because they contain morals that he later contemplates. His favorite title of late was "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov.
Having gotten a jumpstart on reading prior to starting high school, Soeter reviewed his first book with a voluntary program mentor in June of 2011. Students can begin working toward the scholarship in Junior High.
Soeter has been accepted into Rice University in Houston, Texas. His predecessor in the contest, Fathom Hefner, attends the University of Mississippi in Oxford, according to Stacey Scobey, who is the president of the Designing Women Foundation, and also a past scholarship recipient.
The Charlie Classics program, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, was originally founded by writer/producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and has been sustained by individual donors and local businesses in recent years, most notably U.S. Bank.
Photo and article provided by Tim Krakowiak.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Poplar Bluff Schools will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its ambitious $50 million buildings plan, four years in the making. Because of the accelerated deadline on a $1 million FEMA grant, construction is set to kick-off at the Junior High where—in addition to a multi-purpose safe room—nine classrooms will be added, along with other renovations for improved safety and security.
Just less than one year ago, voters approved an 80-cent operating levy measure so the school system can expand facilities across campus, impacting grades 1-12, in order to meet the growth of the community. Construction is slated to begin on the anchor projects—the new high school and middle school—as soon as school dismisses for the summer on May 15. The smaller-scale elementary projects will follow, with a completion date on all construction anticipated at the start of the 2016/17 school year.
The Poplar Bluff School Board of Education, R-I Administration, Long-Range Planning Committee, Citizens’ Advisory Counsel, Committee for Our Kids’ Future, Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, project architect Dille & Traxel and general contractor Zoellner Construction.The groundbreaking was scheduled for March 6th; however due to snow it has been moved to 8:00 a.m. Friday, March 20th.
The ceremony will begin with coffee in the Poplar Bluff Junior High cafeteria, 550 N. Westwood Blvd. The official groundbreaking will follow at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot at the northwest corner behind the facility. Public parking will be out front.
The Poplar Bluff R-I Public School District is comprised of approximately 5,300 students, 400 professional staff and 300 support staff, and has an operational budget in excess of $45 million. Our goal, in partnership with parents and community, is to educate all students to their potential, and to inspire them to be lifelong learners who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to be productive members in our changing world.
Submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications and Marketing Coordinator for Poplar Bluff Public Schools.
The cheerleaders ended up placing eighth out of 14 teams in the preliminary round of the Large Varsity Division II, missing out by a single place for advancement to the semi-finals. To watch the performance, visit: http://goo.gl/GraV2b.
Pictured accepting the check from Business Development Specialist Davine Conover [center] of Ozark Federal Credit Union on Wednesday, Feb. 4, are PBHS senior cheerleaders [from left] Jamie Hobbs, Mallory Dye, Leeza Edmundson and Rachael Taylor.
Submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-1 School District.
Dr. Eric Blaich used to take a robotics class at PBHS under the instruction of retired teacher Bill Reeves, and the dentist is interested in supporting the program’s reinstatement, he said.
Robotics Club members Diego Rivetti and Chang Chi accept a check from Dr. Eric Blaich while accompanied by science teachers Patti McCoy and Kathy Miller on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Kanell Boulevard facility.
Submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator at Poplar Bluff R-1 School District.
