A SMT News Report

Thursday was a lucky day for Veronica Hampton!

It was Veronica's name that was drawn Thursday as the winner of the new Toshiba laptop computer from the T.S. Hill Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

Presenting Veronica with the new laptop (photo left) is Amy Worley, president of the Middle School PTO. The PTO has been selling tickets for a drawing for the laptop, and the drawing was held at the conclusion of the middle school pep rally Thursday afternoon.

Veronica is a sixth grade student at the middle school and is the daughter of Kim and Charles Hampton.

The pep rally featured the 8th grade band and flag corps, the 7th and 8th grade cheerleaders and the introduction of the football team.

The middle school Bearcats take on the Sikeston Bulldogs in home football action Thursday evening at Charles Bland Stadium.

SPRINGFIELD - Each semester, students at Missouri State University who attain academic excellence are named to the dean’s list. For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least 6 credit hours during the summer semester and at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale).

Stoddard County students who earned Deans List honors for the Summer 2011 semester include

• Eric J. Windham of Dexter
• Brittany N. Lewis of Essex

Missouri State University in Springfield was founded in 1905. The main campus is in Springfield with an enrollment of more than 23,000 students.

POPLAR BLUFF - The Patrons of the Arts Society at Three Rivers College is still accepting new members for its 2011-2012 season.

New members can join for as little as $100, and the cost is tax-deductible, according to the Three Rivers news bureau. All members receive mention of their name or company name in show programs, and an invitation to the private wine and cheese reception held at the end of each season. Those giving at the Patron’s level ($1,000 or above) receive two season tickets, in addition to the regular benefits.

• The different membership levels are:
• Member: $100 or more
• Supporter: $500 or more
• Patron: $1,000 or more
• Sponsor: $3,500 or more
• Benefactor: $5,000 or more
• Distinguished Benefactor: $10,000 or more
• Lifetime Distinguished Benefactor: $100,000 or more

Members of the society contribute significantly to bringing special music, art, drama, dance, literature, lecture and film to the community through Three Rivers College.

For more information about joining the Patrons of the Arts Society, call 573-840-9527.

Members of the Patrons of the Arts membership committee met at The Bread Company on Wednesday. Pictured from the left are: Dr. Amber Richardson, Cindy Boyers, Nancy Mayer, Dr. Wes Payne, Tim Thompson, Judy Anderson, Laura Dowd, Kathy Sanders and Mary Libla.

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Photo Above: Members of the Patrons of the Arts membership committee met at The Bread Company recently. Attending were (from left) Dr. Amber Richardson, Cindy Boyers, Nancy Mayer, Dr. Wes Payne, Tim Thompson, Judy Anderson, Laura Dowd, Kathy Sanders and Mary Libla.

It was an almost perfect night to be a Bearcat football fan!

Not too hot, not too cold. It was the first game of the season. The band marched and played with pride. The cheerleaders encouraged and helped keep school spirit high. The fans were ready for some F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L!

Friday evening there was a special sense of excitement as the football Bearcats took to the field at Charles Bland Stadium, ran through the columns of the Marching Bearcat Band, and smashed through the banner held by the cheerleaders. It was going to be a great night for Bearcat fans!

And, indeed, it was a great night. The Bearcats delivered a great season opener, defeating the Dragons from Ste. Genevieve 28-6. The band had a great halftime show, featuring the music of the group Chicago, and the students showed their pride and enthusiasm in the stands.

Following the Bearcat’s victory, the DHS students had the annual Back to School Dance in the high school cafeteria.

(The only thing to mare an almost perfect night … the pesky mosquitoes!)

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The excitement is building this week at Dexter High School as preparations are finalized for the first football game of the season.

The Bearcats take on the Dragons from Ste. Genevieve this Friday with kick-off for the game at 7 p.m. in Charles Bland Stadium.

The DHS Marching Bearcat Band has been busy preparing for the halftime show. A crew of volunteer moms has been on hand after school each day this week to help new band members get their uniforms all in order. Band members have been busy throughout the week in preparation for the first field show.

The Bearcats go into the 2011 football season ranked in the top ten in the state in pre-season polls.

The Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters pre-season poll pegged the Bearcats in 9th place in Class 3 in its annual pre-season poll, receiving 27 first-place votes.

Ste. Genevieve, also in Class 3, did not place in the top 10, but did garner five first-place votes in the poll.

"Band mom" Janet Johns helps freshman Bearcat Marching Band member Brooks Propst get his band uniform. Band members are busy preparing for the first home football game of the season this Friday night. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)