Two Dexter Future Farmers of America members placed first in proficiency award judging held at Twin Rivers High School on Wednesday, Feb.. 1. Chelsey Massey (right) won first place for in Swine Production Ownership. Chelsey is a sophomore and the daughter of Allen and Kim Massey. Derek Felker won first in Environment and Natural Resources Management. Derek is a junior at DHS and the son of Steve and Lisa Felker. The proficiency awards were judged by area vocational-agriculture teachers and based on an FFA member's SAE project and leadership activities in the FFA. Both received first place from the area and will get to attend the State FFA Convention held in Columbia April 19-20. Derek also placed 2nd place in Wildlife Management; Will Baker placed 2nd in Oil Crop production. (Photo submitted by FFA Chapter Advisor Ronnie Shipman; thanks, Mr. Shipman!)

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

With 100 jumping jacks, drawing what they would like at age 100, and counting 100 seconds and 100 fruity cereal pieces, the kids in the first grade at Southwest Elementary celebrated 100 days of school Tuesday. 

First-grade teacher Shannon Putnam said that students did all sorts of things centered around 100 to celebrate the 100th day of classes.

“It as a fun way to celebrated 100 days of school,” Putnam said. “We’re over the half-way mark! There’s 75 school days left this year!”

Students showed off their drawings of what they thought they would look like at age 100 – complete with toothless smiles, grey hair and walking canes. Putnam said that 100 seconds was longer than some thought it would be, and counting all the way to 100 was a big skill to master. The students even watched a short video about 100 days of school.

Since the first-grade classes learn many skills like counting to 100. The students participated in special activities all day. And made special “100” hats for the day.

“It’s a fun day – and encourages learning,” Putnam said. As Cadet Teacher Daniel Fitts helped distributed cereal loops, the students prepared for the end of the 100th day of class by counting out 100 “game pieces” of cereal – a tasty way to end the 100th day of school!

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By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor

A Dexter High School student has been elected an area officer in the future Farmers of America.

Christin Sitzes was elected as the Area 16 FFA Reporter for the 2012-2013 academic year. Christin is active as an officer of the local FFA chapter at DHS.  She was selected from a group of FFA members from the FFA chapters in Area 16. The candidates were interviewed by the current year's Area FFA officers

Chelsey Massey from the Dexter FFA is currently serving as an Area FFA Officer. Colton Averett and Jackson Hubbard attended the interviews and served as voting delegates.

Christin will be installed into her office on March 12 at the Area 16 Banquet at Poplar Bluff High School.

FFA is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

There were more than 25,000 FFA members from 324 FFA chapters in Missouri during the 2010-2011 school year. The organization's motto is:

• Learning to Do;
• Doing to Learn;
• Earning to Live;
• Living to Serve. 
  

Photo Above: Dexter FFA Members who attended Area FFA Officer Elections include Colton Averett, Chelsey Massey, Christin Sitzes and Jackson Hubbard. (Photo by FFA Advisor Ronnie Shipman)

By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor

This is the Year of the Dragon in Chinese culture, and first grade students in Shannon Putnam’s class at Southwest Elementary in Dexter recently celebrated the festive occasion.

The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity of the year for the Chinese. It lasts for 15 days and in China it is known as “Spring Festival” because it marks the end of winter.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as Mainland China, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and in Chinatowns around the world.

The Dexter students had a chance to sample some Chinese cuisine including fried rice, tried their hands and talents at Chinese art, and learn more about the world’s most populated nation. Several students brought in items from China, and the youngsters had a chance to see Chinese money, fans and more.

While the students worked, Putnam went on to say, “Like Americans, the Chinese also have a zodiac calendar. However, unlike Americans, who base their symbols on birth months, the Chinese base their zodiac symbols on the birth year.”

There are 12 symbols: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig and Dragon. Each symbol is observed every 12 years.

A person born in the Year of the Dragon is said to be magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous and loyal. Can be tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous and brash.

Photo Above: Molly Simmons proudly shows a postcard from a set of Chinese postcards given to her by her father. (Photo submitted by SMT Reader and teacher Shannon Putnam)

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Photos by Shannon Putnam - thanks Shannon!