Dexter, MO - Summer vacation is almost over and the Dexter Bearcat Band Camp will be held August 9th - 12th for the entire band

"Summer is passing quickly and it will soon be time for Marching Band Camp," stated DHS Band Director Giovanni Walker. "I'm so excited to start the new school year with the band students and I'm even more excited to have our new freshman come join the band!"

Walker expects this freshman class to be a fun one!  They apparently provided him with a wig!

Important dates:

Leadership & Band Council July 27th and 28th from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Freshmen Only and Section Leaders August 8th 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Percussion Camp/Flag Tryouts August 8th 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Full Band Camp August 9th - 12th 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

"We are going to learn new music and a new marching drill for the upcoming season," continued Walker.  "It is important that everyone makes an attempt to be here for all of the camp."

If band members have question you may contact Mr. Walker via email to gmwalker@dexter.k12.mo.us

"It's been a hot summer and it's going to be a hot band camp," stated Walker.  "Each student needs to take proper precaution.  Bring plenty of water and wear cool (but appropriate) clothing as well as comfortable shoes (NO flip flops or sandals) Don't forget hats, sunglasses and sunscreen!" 

Students will need a lyre and flip folder, but if you don't have one there are a few available.

"I have high hopes and expectations for this year and I am very excited to see everyone."

Students may bring their lunch or go out to eat, but must be ready to rehearse for the afternoon session.  If it's it not do not eat too much or you will get sick.

On Friday afternoon there will be water balloon fights and a chance to throw water balloons at the band directors.  They will charge $1 to participate in the water balloon fight and 25 cents per balloon to throw at the directors.  Make sure you wear or bring appropriate clothing for this as you will get wet!.

Last thing are the physicals!  Due to a change in MSHSAA Rules, all band members are REQUIRED to get a physical.  This must be done prior to band camp starting. 

"I will send out a REMIND text for a free physical through SoutheastHEALTH as I am working with them to get this provided to the students."

Dexter, MO - Cody Boyer has been named the new head coach for Dexter HIgh School Wrestling.  The Dexter R-XI School Board approved the hiring of Boyer earlier this year.

"The excitement that I'm experiencing right now is off the charts," commented Boyer. 

Boyer started coaching wrestling in the 2011-2012 season as an assistant middle school coach with Marc Thrower.  "Those kids knew more than me!"  Boyer said that athletes like Ethan Stevens, Storm Massey, and James Mullins were just a few that taught him so much over the years.  He then moved up to coaching at the high school level the following year as an assistant to Coach James Sneed and has been in that position until now. 

"The knowledge that Coach Sneed and Coach Aaron Pixley have instilled in me can never be repaid and I thank them so much for that.  They were amazing and helped bring Dexter their first ever District Title."

"Growing up I had a great opportunity to have an older brother who would practice with me in every sport that I participated in," stated Boyer.  "My brother, Wade, played football, baseball and wrestling growing up and that's what I wanted to do as well.  I wanted to be just like him or even better.  He was a tremendous athlete.  I tried wrestling at an early age, but I didn't really excel at it.  So I didn't do it again until my 8th grade year.  I lost weight and learned a good deal and then went on t wrestle in high school for three years.

Boyer has also coached football as an assistant for seven years and he has been the assistant baseball coach for ten years as a Bearcat.  He is currently the Physical Education teacher at Southwest Elementary.

When as what his most memorable moment was about wrestling and he answered, "Coaching Trevor Waldner to a Missouri State Title!"

"I remember talking to him in the tunnel and telling him that his dad, Bob Waldner, would always tell me that he would be a State Champ one day." It came true!  There are so many wonderful memories that came to mind according to Boyer.  Winning a District Title, many of the athletes becoming state medalists, Waldner winning a state title, first ever girls state medalist was Julianna Rivera, Waldner becoming Dexter's first ever 3 time state medalist and just seeing all the athletes getting better and better every day on and off the mat.

This reporter asked him about Coach James Sneed who retired this year from Dexter.  "What can I say about Coach Sneed?  He was not just another coach to me, he is my friend and mentor," commented Boyer.  "I cannot tell you how many times he had to tell me not to worry.  That if I kept worrying then I would end up with hair like his.....LOL.  We have the same mindset in that wrestling room.  During matches we would yell the same thing at the same time!  Coach Sneed would say we were in sync today.  I could never repay what he has done for me and for my career.  He will truly be missed."

"I found a saying just the other day that states:  If you push yourself to failure, you will never fail.  That is what I want these young men and women to know.  yes, this is going to be hard, but it can be a great tool in the future.  Don't give up when things get hard and tough, keep going, finish!."

"I want to thank my wife, Jordan Boyer and my daughter, Katie Grace for always being there for me and loving me. I know it’s hard for them.  I want to thank my parents, Joy and Dale Boyer, for letting me play sports and have a love for competing. I want to thank my brother, Wade Boyer, for pushing me past my limits. I want to thank Coach Sneed, Coach Pixley and Coach Schwab for giving me the opportunity to help out with wrestling and giving me the love of the sport. I want to thank the administrators for having the faith in me."

Once a Bearcat! Always a Bearcat! I love this school! 

The Sikeston Bulldogs hosted their second annual Sikeston 7-on-7 and Big Man Tournament on Tuesday, June 21st at the Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. 

The tournament was attended by Kennett, Charleston, Poplar Bluff, Perryville, Portageville, Dexter, Chaffee, Scott City, Hayti and East Prairie.

Scott City defeated Kennett in the championship game of the tournament. The Rams knocked off Dexter in the semifinals while the Indians beat Poplar Bluff.

"Overall, the kids performed better than expected at Sikeston," commented new head coach Chad Jameson.  "In pool play, we were 3-1.  We ended up losing in the semi-finals."

"Our “big men” met the challenges presented that day with a great attitude and effort.  Several kids stood out in the challenge and during 7v7.  We’ve still got a long way to go before the fall, but I believe we are heading in the right direction."

There's less than 2 months to go until the stadium lights at Charles Bland Stadium are illuminated for the Bearcat fans!  Football during the summer never stops, the grind, the heart of the players to play in the heat and give up hanging out with their fans takes endurance and commitment!

"We are still working on setting up some competitions for the month of July.  On the 20th, we plan to travel and compete in a 7v7 & Big Man Challenge at Cape.  At the end of July, we intend to travel to Farmington for a contact camp.  That camp will most likely wrap up our July before heading into the mandatory MSHSAA Dead Period at the beginning of August."

This upcoming week will mark our final team camp for the month of June.  We will continue our weight room work throughout the month of July while having our team camp at Charles Bland Stadium throughout the final 2 weeks of July.  Our home high school camps will be Mon-Thur during the weeks of July 18 & July 25.  We intend to add another 7v7 and some “team building” activities to continue working towards our Bearcat Football goals."

Dexter will open at Scott City on Friday, August 24th before hosting the Sikeston Bulldogs on the following weekend of September 2nd.

Photo provided by Daniel Byrd - ShowMe Times Sikeston.

Dexter, MO - The Dexter Bearcat Booster Club’s inaugural Matt Thurmon Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled to be held at the Hidden Trails Country Club in Dexter, Missouri, on Saturday, July 30, 2022.  

Matt Thurmon was a member of the Bearcat Booster Club, and served as President of the Hidden Trails Country Club for several years in addition to operating his local insurance business.  He had a passion for youth athletics.  Matt worked tirelessly on behalf of the area youth and the Hidden Trails Country Club.    

The charity golf tournament will have two rounds available. The morning group will begin at 8 a.m. and the afternoon group will begin at 1 p.m. Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be served to all players.    

The four-person scramble golf tournament will be held in Dexter annually to raise funds to assist the Dexter Bearcat Booster Club in providing support to the schools’ student activity programs.  Thurmon was known to embody the tenets of the Booster Club, which encourages school spirit, citizenship, and physical growth through keen competition.

To enter the golf tournament, or to be a sponsor of the event, contract Jerry Dorton at jdorton@onemidwest.com, call 573-624-3571, or sign up at Hidden Trails Country Club.  A registration form is also available online by clicking HERE.

Donations or gifts will be accepted to sponsor golf holes, golf carts and prizes for the players.  Interested sponsors are welcome to call the above listed phone number for additional information.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in each flight.  Hole prizes will also be given for closest to the pin, longest putt, and longest drive.  

The 2021 - 2022 All SCAA Conference Softball Team was announced.

Players are:

From Advance: Addison Carlton, Freshman, Kaylee Cline, Sophomore, and Alandry Below, Senior.

From Bernie: Piper Schoemehl, Senior, and Anna Eaton, Senior.

From Bloomfield: Karsynn Phillips, Senior.

From Dexter: Amelia Jenkins, Sophomore, and Kennedy Bess, Senior.

From Woodland: Rhodie Long, Sophomore, and Lilly Long, Senior.

Player of the Year: Addison Carlton, Freshman, Advance

Coach of the Year: James Hamlin of Advance.