Branson, Missouri - High schools from all over Missouri travelled to Branson for a three day weekend to participate in the annual Missouri State Beta Convention. Members participated in many different categories of academics, performances, and many other activities during their stay. Beta Club is a club for students that uphold academic excellence throughout their high school years.
This year, there were nearly three thousand Missouri students that attended the Moon River Theater to elect the new officers, get inspired by the number of speakers, and bond with their fellow Betas. The theme of the 2013 Convention is “The Heart of Beta” and the National Convention will be held on June 19th-22nd in Mobile, Alabama.
Last year, the Missouri Betas elected all three officers from the Southeast Missouri area. Zachary Goode is from Bloomfield High School and held the position of Missouri State Beta President. Sarah B. Wilson is a student from Malden High School and was elected the Vice President last year. Jessica Shidler is a member of the Richland High School Beta Club and held the position of Secretary.
Bloomfield, Malden, and Richland have become quite the Beta trio throughout the past couple of years. This year, the same three schools were put in office again.
Darren Green (Malden), was elected as the new President with his Big Beta Theory campaign skit and competed against Vinburnum High School for the position. Green is a proud leader of the Malden Betas who also took 1st place in Creative Writing, Oratory Competition, Campaign Skit, and Group Talent. Wilson has officially completed her job as the State Vice President but Green is eager to step in and represent Malden at Nationals over the summer.
Kannon Qualls (Richland), was elected the new Vice President with his “Express Yourself” campaign skit. While growing up with autism, Qualls knew that the song and skit was perfect to represent his personality and his speech. Qualls defeated nine other schools from all over Missouri and was named the 2013 Vice President. Richland also took second place in the Acrylic Painting Competition and third place in the Spelling Competition.
Kendra Elder (Bloomfield), was voted in as the new Beta Secretary with her “Kicking It With Kendra” campaign skit. Bloomfield ran against two other schools and successfully placed 2nd in the Campaign Skit Competition. They also performed in Special Talent with a vocal/instrumental quartet entitled “Fly”.
Not only officers were elected at the Beta Convention, but the members also got to experience multiple inspirational stories and speakers throughout their weekend. Throughout the three different sessions held in the theater, the students got to enjoy comedies, music, and other talents all weekend long.
The officers from last year are now on the road travelling with visiting officers and are eager and willing to attend other Beta Conventions across the country. Missouri was proud to have a total of thirteen visiting officers, including the South Carolina and National Secretary who performed an amazing dance routine and gave an outstanding speech called “Run, Forrest, Run”.
The Beta Club motto is “Lead by serving others” and the members that attend this convention really stick to that saying. Together, the Missouri schools raised multiple thousands of dollars to donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and also contributed to the MDA Foundation while they were at convention. The Betas were also surprised when a member of the Herschend family, the same Herschend that own both Silver Dollar City and Dollywood, took the stage and spoke to the Betas about the value of giving and the happiness and fulfillment that comes with it.
Throughout the weekend, all of the Missouri clubs and their members bonded together and learned new things from all of the people that came onto the stage. There was a lot of laughter, standing ovations, and maybe even a few tears. Overall, the convention was an overall success and the Missouri State Trio will be heading to Mobile, Alabama to represent the state of Missouri once more in June.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – "The Future Farmers of America organization makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education," according to the National FFA website.
Each year students participate in Career Development Events and area competitions to hopefully move on to the district and state levels. Dexter students have made a commitment to their FFA organization and competed last Wednesday, March 6th at the Twin Rivers High School.
Participants were expected to observe the National FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket during the event.
Trevor Link competed in Creed Speaking and placed 4th in the contest. The FFA Creed outlines the organization’s beliefs regarding the industry of Agriculture, FFA membership and the value of citizenship and patriotism. The purpose of the Creed speaking event is to develop public speaking ability of FFA members as well as develop their self-confidence and contribute to their advancement in the FFA degree program. Participants must memorize the Creed and are asked various questions. Congratulations Trevor, job well done!
The Dexter FFA Knowledge team consisting of Hannah Craft, Madison Bishop, and Garrett Kyle placed 4th in the competition. The Knowledge Team students are recognized for their knowledge of agricultural issues and evaluated on how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Congratulations to Madison, Hannah and Garrett!
These students will advance to the District level competition, which will be held in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Saturday, April 6th.
In the Record Book competition, Hannah Craft and Madison Bishop both placed 1st. They will attend the State FFA Convention in Columbia, Missouri on April 18th and 19th where their books will be on display.
The Record Book competition which falls in the category of the FFA Books competition also includes, scrapbooks, record books, treasurer's book and secretary's book. 
The Record Book requires students to display their ability to keep accurate and neat financial records, record financial information in a proper format, and calculate financial statements, cash flow and profit and loss records. They must also maintain an inventory of agricultural produce or products and a record of leadership activities.
Students must also enter the utilize the Missouri Agricultural Record Book or the Missouri Farm Business Record Book. These computerized records may be used to help complete the paper book submitted.
Autumn Lesley placed 1st in the FFA Scrapbook competition and will have the Dexter FFA Scrapbook on display at the State FFA Convention in Columbia. The Scrapbook is a record of activities engaged by the FFA Chapter and must cover the time period between the first day of March and the last day of February of the preceding year.
Each Scrapbook is scored and must list the activities engaged by the FFA chapter, FFA officers, and FFA members, a list of degrees and the recipient's name awarded during the year as well as record any honors received by the FFA Chapter. All copies of news clippings written by a reporter, announcements, programs concerning chapter activities and photos taken must be placed in the Scrapbook as well. For the Dexter chapter that is a handful of work, well done Autumn on your accomplishment!
The Dexter FFA is under the advisement of Mr. Ronnie Shipman, Agriculture Instructor at Dexter Senior High School. We congratulate all the FFA Members who attended the competition on a job well done.
Written by
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Due to the recent success and victories of the Lady Bearcat Basketball Team, the Bearcats have earned a spot in the Final Four Competition in Columbia, Missouri, this Thursday, March 14th.
In honor of the Lady Bearcats traveling to the State Competition, Dexter Schools will be dismissing at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 14th and will be out of school all day on Friday, March 15th.
Remember to tune in to ShowMe Times as we will follow the Lady Bearcats on their journey to the state competition! Game time Thursday is 6:50 p.m. in the Mizzou Arena.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Chelsey Massey, a junior at Dexter Senior High, was recently notified that she has earned the State FFA Degree. Chelsey has been a member of the Dexter FFA chapter for three years and has served in many activities including, chapter vice-president, chapter president and area officer.
The State FFA Degree is the highest degree that can be awarded on a state level. It is earned by only 3% of the state’s FFA membership. Chelsey is only one of five FFA members from the 17 FFA Chapters in Area 16 that will receive this degree.
The State FFA Degree is based on the member’s SAE project and their FFA leadership activities. This award will be presented to Chelsey at the 85th Missouri State FFA Convention in Columbia, Missouri on April 18th and 19th.
Chelsey is the daughter of Allen and Kim Massey. Congratulations Chelsey on your accomplishment.
Missouri FFA has over 25,000 members representing 327 chapters. The national organization has more than 540,000 members representing over 7,000 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, andcareer success through agriculture.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Wouldn’t be nice to wear your pajamas to work once in a while? T.S. Hill Middle School students agreed and thought Friday was a good day to do just that.
The students were celebrating National Jr. Beta Week. Each student was allowed to wear their PJs to school if they paid $1. The money raised is going to The Kenny Rogers Center in Sikeston.
“We are so proud of these students who donated,” stated Scott Kruse, Principal at T.S. Hill Middle School in Dexter. “They raised $270.00 and that was really good.”
The JR Beta Members also brought a box of cereal this week to class to collect for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.
Kruse also noted, “I’d like to thank all the students who participated and what an awesome student body we have at T.S. Hill Middle School.”
The middles students are part of a great student body and they have really stepped up this year to perform community projects and other wonderful happenings. Way to go!!
