Article Written by SMT Writer
Jessica Snider
Last night the annual Miss Dexter Pageant was held in the Bearcat Event Center. Despite the stormy weather, there was still a big turn out for the anticipated pageant.
With categories for every age, there were a large number of contestants competing to win the title of their age division.
The pageant starts in late afternoon and wraps up come nightfall as the Miss Dexter is announced.
Every year the top twelve contestants of the Miss Dexter pageant are selected as “Calendar Girls.” They can decide, or can be assigned a month and for the following year will be highlighted in that month as the Calendar Girl.
Though all the girls are beautiful and each have their own personality reflecting up on stage, only one girl in each division can take the crown. Along with the queen, there is a second and a first alternate.
After a long day of pageants, from babies to pre-teens, the oldest category got under way. The Miss Dexter category is for high school students.
The Miss Dexter court included: queen, Taylor Owens; first alternate, Morgan Cliff; second alternate, Rachel Putnam. They appear in the above photo as (left to right): Morgan Cliff, Taylor Owens, and Rachel Putnam.
Taylor is the sixteen-year-old daughter of Ken and Shannon Owens. Morgan is the 16-year-old daughter of Steve and Cherie Cliff. Rachel is the 15-year-old daughter of Denny and Shannon Putnam.
Congratulations to not only the winners, but also everyone who competed!
On August 26th, 2012, State Representative Terry Swinger had the privilege of attending the welcome home ceremony for troops of the 1137th Military Police Unit. Swinger felt much pride as they departed nearly a year ago. There was joy within everyone in attendance as the unit completed their mission and all returned back home safely.
Swinger notes that helping our military and veterans has generated the most support in his nine years of serving as a Missouri State Representative. Swinger also says, “We should make it our sacrifice and duty to help them from the time they accept this great responsibility to their final resting place.” The General Assembly exemplified this goal this past session.
Governor Jay Nixon has said while visiting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and asking their greatest fear, many of them replied by saying their biggest fear was not finding a job when they return home.
In 2010 Governor Nixon announced the Show-Me Heroes program in his State speech. Under the program, employers can pledge to consider a Missouri Veteran for their hiring needs.
HB 1680 was renamed the Hero at Home Program, which originally assisted members of the National Guard and their families to the Show-Me Heroes Program.
As of now, 2,326 employers have taken the pledge for Show-Me Heroes.
In addition to HB 1680, it was very important during this legislative session to help find a funding stream for our Veteran’s homes and programs to keep them sustainable. “I was very happy this year we found a dedicated funding source,” notes Swinger.
HB 1731 provided funds for the Veteran’s homes.
State Rep Terry Swinger says, “I cannot express enough gratitude for the 1137th and those who serve our country. If you see someone in uniform or know a veteran, I encourage you to thank them for their service.”
Shown in the above photo is Terry Swinger and his cousin, Harry Swinger of Dexter at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Harry was a P.O.W in WWII.
Dexter High School offers many different clubs that appeal to a variety of students. The main purpose of the different organizations is to help students find people who share the same interests, and to have fun with those mutual interests.
At the beginning of each school year, students have the option to join a number of clubs. Some of those include: Student Council, Future Teachers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America, and a few more.
One of the clubs that gets started pretty quickly is Future Farmers of America (FFA.) This club is under the leadership of Mr. Ronnie Shipman.
FFA members don’t have to live on a farm to be a part of the club. One can simply join FFA for the experience it offers. To be in FFA all one has to do is to be enrolled in an AG class, or to have previously taken an AG class.
One of the first things FFA does every year is the Watermelon Social. This is a great way for the new and even the returning members to get to know each other. Members of the FFA feel it’s important to socialize outside of the classroom.
The 2012 Watermelon Social was held this past Monday right outside the AG building. There was a great turn out of students, and of course, lots of watermelon.
Shown in the above photo (listed left to right): Karlee Wright, Taylor Page, and Kristen Copeland
Shown in the photo to the right (listed left to right): Ethan Ward, Hannah Craft, Kyle Ward, Chelsey Massey, Colton Averett, and Shelby Edwards.
Dexter Chamber of Commerce
AT&T* has activated a new 4G mobile Internet cell site in Dexter that will enhance coverage for area residents and businesses and provide speeds up to four times faster than 3G. Customers can now enjoy 4G speeds in the southern part of Dexter, along State Highway 25 and Worley Road, including at the Dexter Municipal Airport.
Please help us celebrate this new investment in Dexter at a ribbon cutting on Friday, September 7th at 9:30 immediately following the Industrial Appreciation Week Proclamation signing in the Chamber Building. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, Contact Janet Coleman or Carol Roberts at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce office located at 515 B West Market Street in Dexter. You can email the office to Carol Roberts at carol@dexterchamber.com or reach them by phone at (573) 624-7458.
Jessica Snider
This is an exciting time for local Lauren Powers, and she needs your help!
Lauren will be performing tomorrow night in downtown Cape at 6:00 P.M. She will be performing for the second round of Heartland Idol.
Earlier this year, Lauren auditioned in front of judges and made it through the first round. In this round there will be three judges and one winner will be selected to move on. The one who moves on will be in the finals of the SEMO District Fair.
Lauren hopes to see many of her family and friends there because the audience will also get to pick a second finalist to move on.
