Essex, Missouri - Future Farmers of America at Richland R-1 School District held a toy drive for Toys for Tots during the final week of November and the first two weeks of December prior to their Christmas break.
The entire school, from preschool age students to senior level students were involved and raised 246 toys. The first grade students won with the highest toy to student ratio of 4.5 toys per student.
Jarrod Basler, Richland School FFA Advisor said, "It is fantastic to see the young kids rally around those in need this holiday season. We were able to reach out to multiple families and donate a great deal to the Stoddard County Children's Home. This is a true example of what the holiday season should be about, helping others."
Shown in the photo are members of Richland's FFA posing with some of their 246 toys donated. From left to right back row: Moriah McLard, Gerlynn Grossius, Luke Rhodes, Josh Shidler, Josh Boyet, and Shawn Knox. Front row, from left are: Laura Brown, Emily Blunt, Austin Elledge, Sara Tackett, and Aleena Robbins.
Photo by Megan Cullum / Richland School
McBride spoke to the group about how important it is to be a leader in their community, the importance of building character and several of his experiences while in FFA when he was in high school.
“It was an honor to have Stephen here at the school to speak to our students,” said Richland FFA adviser Jarrod Basler. “The national officers only visit our area every seven years, so it was certainly a treat to have him with us today to talk about leadership, character and his experience while in Future Farmers of America .”
McBride, who is from Jackson, Tenn., said during his stop that he has visited 31 states while on the speaking tour for the National FFA Organization. Due to his extensive travel, McBride was forced to take a one year sabbatical from the University of Tennessee - Martin.
The students were very excited to meet Stephen and enjoyed their time with him.
Richland R-1 FFA’s will have their annual fruit and meat sales beginning October 8th. Please contact Mr. Basler at jbasler@richland.k12.mo.us for more information.
Photos by Skie Pinkley
Top Photos - Richland R-1 School’s FFA poses for a photo with National FFA Organization Vice President Stephen McBride after McBride spoke to the students on Wednesday morning. McBride also visited Dexter, Malden and Bernie schools on Wednesday.
Bottom Photo - National FFA Organization Vice President Stephen McBride speaks to the students at Richland R-1 School during his stop on Wednesday. McBride is a former state officer for Future Farmers of America in Tennessee and is currently in the middle of the national-wide speaking tour for the national organization.
Drew Hickson and Parker Miller are seniors at Richland and Katie Pinkley is a junior.
Hickson and Miller both took home second place trophies. Hickson received his award in the field of Academics and Miller in Sports Action.
Pinkley received a first place trophy in the Sports Action category and a second place award in the Feature category.
In total, eleven of Richland’s yearbook students participated in the day of training on various topics from leadership and pagination to photography and social media.
“I’m very proud of all of our staff,” said yearbook advisor Kyle Carter. “Our photographers put in many hours of work honing their skills and to have four of our six photos that we submitted to place is exceptional.”
More than 375 students from the Bootheel attended the event held at Southeast Missouri State University.
Shown in the photo from left to right are Drew Hickson, Katie Pinkley, and Parker Miller.
Photo by Skie Pinkley/Richland R-1 School
Shown in the photo are from left seniors Parker Miller, and Bre Williamson, junior Garet Phillips, retiring 2014 Miss RHS Jordan Head, freshmen Harlie Leeper, and Mikey Burton, and sophomores Megan Cullum and Josh Shidler.
Photo by Aleena Robbins / Richland School
Essex, Missouri - Richland R-1 School students took part in a candle lighting initiation process for Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for high school journalists during the Red Carpet Yearbook Reveal party held at the school.
This is the first group from Richland School to be inducted into the international honorary society for high school journalists. All five students met the stringent demands of the society for joining and were approved by the Executive Director.
"Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists was organized April 10, 1926, at the University of Iowa by renowned pollster George H. Gallup and a group of high school advisers for the purpose of encouraging and recognizing individual student achievement in journalism and academics."
The 2014-2015 Richland Rebel Yeller Yearbook won 21 national and international photography awards plus other local and state awards.
Shown in the photo are Megan Cullum, Katie Pinkley, Parker Miller, Jordi Head, and Skie Pinkley. Photo by Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.
