Written by Beth Farrar, SMT Writer
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The annual Three Rivers College District Music Festival took place on Thursday and Friday (March 21st-22nd) and nearly two thousand students competed in several different categories including: choir, piano, percussion ensemble, sight reading, brass, woodwinds, band, vocals, and solos. Seventeen different choirs competed along with fifteen high school bands. High schools from all over Missouri traveled to compete for a chance to get to the State Competition if they received a superior rating (1).
The students that arrived on Friday morning were from all over Southeast Missouri and so were the judges. The judges that were chosen for this event were drawn from Missouri and Arkansas in places such as Little Rock, St. Louis, and even Cape Girardeau. The event is sponsored by the Missouri State High School Activities Association and to allow the competition to run smoothly, many college students at Three Rivers stepped up and helped manage the stage, help the judges, and guide people and groups towards the next competition.
Due to the many students and competitors, there were multiple rooms and competitions going on at once. Each floor of the Tinnin Fine Arts Center was occupied by a different category of competitions. Although it was an all day event, the day seemed to run quickly and efficiently and each performer or group of performers had their chance to compete due to the very organized scheduling done by the college and judges.
Richland High School was among the many performers, including: Twin Rivers, Neelyville, Malden, New Madrid, Dexter, Bloomfield, Poplar Bluff, and Kennett. Richland, lead by Music and Band Director, Amber Duley, entered in multiple competitions such as vocal, piano, two percussion ensembles, two brass solos, and one woodwind solo. The first ensemble to perform included five students, where they performed the song “Scamper” and received an excellent rating (2). The second ensemble also received an excellent rating (2) after seven students performed the song “Flat Baroque”. Freshman Jamie Smith competed in a woodwind solo and junior Tristan Wamble competed in a brass solo, where they both received a 3 rating.
Dexter High School also traveled and performed at Poplar Bluff and made an incredible impression in all different areas, including both choir and band performances. The high school band, lead by Scott Rybolt, recently competed in the Jazz SIU Festival in Carbondale and won the “Best Section Award” in all of the categories, including: saxes, trombones, trumpets, and rhythm. One of the choir groups received an excellent rating (2) but did not qualify for state. Few students that participated in the competition as a whole will be sent further to the state competition and even a smaller amount will be sent on to nationals.
Congratulations to all of the participants and winners!
Written by
Beth Farrar, SMT Writer
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Fifty singers, musicians, dancers, and uniquely talented individuals will battle for a shot at $1,000 cash on Saturday, April 6, as the first live shows for Show Me Whatcha Got kick off at 12 p.m. The talent competition will host three live performances in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center in Poplar Bluff, to determine which contestants get a chance at the Challenge Round and a chance to be in the Final 12, and who gets to go home to practice for next year’s show. All three live shows will be free to the public.
All 50 competitors have passed through the first round of auditions, submitted via video or recorded live by the Show Me Whatcha Got crew. Now the contestants get to test their skills in front of a live audience, as well as the full panel of judges. While many of the hopefuls are musicians, competitors include dancers, a stage magician, a stand-up comedian, and a praise leader. While the judges are excited about the diversity in acts, they also say that they’re not going to pull any punches in their critiques because an act is non-traditional.
“It’s great that we’ve got a wide and eclectic range of performers, it was definitely one of the things we were looking for when we started Season Two—something more than the usual song-and-guitar band,” said Mitch Davis, the show’s creator and a member of the judging panel. “But at the same time, we’ve got some really great musicians this year. Everyone’s got to step up and show us their best stuff, because I’m going to call it like I see it.”
Contestants who get a majority of “yes” votes from the judging panel will move on to the closed-door Challenge Round, where the remaining acts will get pared down to the Final 12. Those who survive the culling will be assured a shot at the $1,000 grand prize—but will have to impress not only the judges, but the live audience, whose votes control who wins, and who leaves the stage empty-handed.
“We got a lot of great feedback from our audience last year, and they really loved having a part in deciding the grand prize winner,” said Abby Eaker, the show’s executive producer. “So this year, the audience vote will be 100% what determines the winner. The judges will get to comment on performances, but in the end, it’s up to Southeast Missouri to decide who the most talented person in their region is.”
New to the show are Leeza Edmundson and Adam Davis, replacing two members of last year’s judging panel. Show creator Mitch Davis is returning his unique brand of critique to the audition process, alongside Poplar Bluff native Tabitha Pierce, also a veteran of last year’s show. Also returning is host Zach McAnulty.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the performers in action. We’ve got so many acts this year! I can’t believe it,” said Pierce. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work—they have us preparing for the shows the full two weeks before they start—but it’s going to be great once we get behind the desk and see these contestants.”
The live shows on April 6 are free to the general public, and will be held at noon, 3, and 6 p.m. at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center in Poplar Bluff. Tickets to the June 1 finale show will go on sale the same day, and will be $7 per person. Only 200 of 520 tickets will go on sale that day. The remaining tickets will go on sale the night of the finale, and be $10 per person. For more information on Show Me Whatcha Got, visit facebook.com/showmewhatchagot, email smwgtalent@gmail.com, or call 573-300-1412.
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – It's that time of the year when most children are thinking about the end of another school year and summer is just around the corner. For those children who are entering the education portion of their lives, Kindergarten is just the beginning.
There is a mandatory screening for all children turning 5 years of age before August 1, 2013 prior to entering Kindergarten.
Dexter Kindergarten Screening will be held at Southwest Elementary School gym on April 25th and 26th by appointment only. The appointments will be begin at 8 am and the last one will be at 2 pm. The screening takes about 45 minutes to an hour so plan accordingly.
When you call to make your appointment, please have the child's social security number available.
At the time of your appointment, please bring with you:
Child's birth certificate
Child's immunization record
Proof of Residency (This can be a cable bill, utility bill, rent recent, mortgage statement, something with your address.)
To make an appointment, call 573-614-1015 as soon as possible.
Don't delay, your child's education is important and getting a good start will help them succeed!
Southwest Elementary is located at 915 Grant St. Dexter. Just look for the big crayons!
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Cape Girardeau, Missouri – The 57th Annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair was held on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Twenty-eight 8th grade science students from T. S. Hill Middle School competed.
There were 33 schools that competed with a total of 263 junior division projects. The T.S. Hill students were recognized for 26 awards. Mrs. Pam Mills is the middle school science teacher and is retiring this year.
JUNIOR BIOCHEMISTRY WINNERS
Zoe Schumer, 2nd Place
JUNIOR CHEMISTRY WINNERS
Madison McConnell, 3rd Place
Sydney Rogers, 3rd Place
Reagan Miller, 3rd Place
Emily Page, 2nd Place
Kelsey Kendrick, 2nd Place
Emily Mouser, 2nd Place
JUNIOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE WINNERS
Janie Lindsey, 2nd Place
JUNIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE WINNERS
Myca Sutton, 1st Place
JUNIOR MEDICINE AND HEALTH WINNERS
Harley Allen, 3rd Place
JUNIOR PHYSICS WINNERS
Ashlynn Wyman, 2nd Place
JUNIOR ZOOLOGY WINNERS
Jason Jerrell, 1st Place
ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN GEOSCIENTISTS WINNER – The Association for Women Geoscientists (SWG) will be providing an Award Certificate to the female student whose exhibit exemplifies high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in geosciences. Special consideration will be given to projects that increase the public awareness of the geosciences, illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of the geosciences, or promote the sensitivity to the earth as a global system.
This year’s recipient is Janie Lindsey, T.S. Hill Dexter Middle School.
GENIUS OLYMPIAD – The EXCEPTIONAL GENIUS AWARD is presented to two recognized projects along with an opportunity to compete in GENIUS Olympiad, an international high school project competition focusing on environmental issues. Students in grades 9-12 will be eligible to compete by submitting a project which aims to raise awareness of sustainability problems in our world among high school students. The 2013 GENIUS Olympiad will be held June 16-21 in New York. Lodging, meals and local transportation will be provided by GENIUS Olympiad.
This year’s #1 Recipient is Myca Sutton, T.S. Hill Dexter Middle School.
I-SWEEP AWARD – This is awarded to top high school projects selected in the categories of Energy, Engineering, or Environment who display outstanding work in the theme of environmental sustainability and innovation. The winner will have the opportunity to attend the International Sustainable World Project Olympiad in Houston, TX on May 8-13, 2013.
This year’s Outstanding Sustainability Award goes to Myca Sutton, T.S. Dexter Middle School.
OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH – The OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH is committed to supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) INITIATIVES AND Programs. Certificates of achievement and medallions were awarded to students in the Junior Division.
This year’s recipients were Will Brehmer, Ashlynn Wymann, Kelly Ash, all of T.S. Hill Dexter Middle School.
U.S. AIR FORCE – The U.S. Air Force gives four equal awards consisting of a Laptop Backpack, Personal Lunch Bag, 3-in-1 Calculator/Picture Frame/LCT Digital Clock and Helicopter Pen to students with projects that focus on math, sciences, and engineering areas.
This year’s recipient #2 was Ryan Mayo, T.S. Hill Dexter Middle School.
BROADCOM MASTERS – The Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) is a competition for 6-8th grade students who participate in an SSP-affiliated fair. As a nominee, students are eligible to register and complete an online application to compete nationally for valuable prizes and awards. From these entrants, the top 300 Semifinalists will be announced in August 2013. Thirty of the 300 semifinalists will be named finalists and will participate in the finals and win an all-expense paid trip to Washington. The top winner of this competition could be eligible to receive a $25,000 Education Award.
Nominees from T.S. Hill Dexter Middle School are:
Zoe Schumer
Jason Jerrell
Myca Sutton
Ashlynn Wyman
BEST EXPERIMENT STUDY WINNERS
Jason Jerrell
Zoe Schumer
BEST COLLECTION STUDY
Myca Sutton
Congratulations to all of the T.S. Hill Middle School students who participated and won awards at the Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair 2013. Job well done!
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Bloomfield, Missouri - A changing of the guard at Holcomb next year as the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, Seth McBroom is leaving.
McBroom has accepted a position as Middle School Principal at the Bloomfield R-14 School District.
“It was kind of one of those great opportunities that just opened up,” McBroom said. “It’s a good opportunity for me and my family and a chance to get into administration. I don’t typically go out looking unless a great opportunity like that arises. I pursued it and it worked out.”
Coach McBroom served as varsity boys basketball coach at Holcomb for six years. His overall record was 80-67 and he improved their winning percentage every season. The Hornets were able to sin the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament for the first time in school history this year and McBroom was voted as the Tri-County Conference Basketball Coach of the Year for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
“It is an unbelievable place to work and coach, the kids are great, the faculty is top-notch and the administration is great, “McBroom stated. “I would like to thank the staff members, my administrators and the kids. Not only the kids who played for me, but the kids in the school. I will always have a spot for them in my heart and always check in on them.”
McBroom said his new position did not including coaching responsibilities. It is not known yet who Holcomb will hire as its new varsity boys basketball coach, but they will have big shoes to fill.
Seth and his wife Jacy, recently announced the birth of their new baby girl, Lyla Kate in November. They also have another young daughter, Marcy. Seth graduated from Missouri State University in 2007 and from Twin Rivers High School in 2002.
We wish them great happiness as they make the transition from Holcomb schools to Bloomfield schools.
