
Submitted by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie FBLA attended the District 16 Leadership Conference in Malden on Friday, February 14th.
The students who attended competed in various events that involved taking an online test or preparing a speech or presentation. A few had interactive events that allowed a set amount of time to prepare for various situations to see how students can respond without much preparation time.
Students were informed about banking and financial decisions by Dave Green, and also viewed a short video composed of pictures submitted by some of the District 16 schools.
Bernie High School junior, Austin Ward served as District Reporter and helped with the award ceremony and the video.
Lacey Johnson, freshman, was elected to District Vice-President Membership for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year. She has also completed her “Future” and “Business” level awards and will be recognized at the State Leadership Conference.
The Bernie adviser is Mrs. Sharon Guy.
Students advancing to State had to place 1st in an event of skill, performance or presentation. The top 5 places for Online tests will also advance to state.
The State Leadership Conference is in Columbia, Missouri from April 13-15, 2014.
Winners included:
Teresa Poe – Accounting II – 1st place
Ashlyn Stevens – Client Service – 2nd
Seth Dowdy and Austin Ward - Sports & Entertainment Management – 2nd
Lane Mayberry – Intro to Business Communications – 3rd place
Zack Tanner – Ag Business AND Business Math 4th place
Selena Poe and Amber Miller – Desktop Publishing– 4th place
Lacey Johnson - Computer Applications – 4th place
Kelci Yates – Health Care Administration – 4th place
Seth Dowdy – Personal Finance – 4th place
Morgan Baker – Public Speaking – 5th
Selena Poe – Spreadsheet – 5th place
Katie Blanchette, Alexis McGowan and Sierra Eberle – Business Presentation –5th place
Congratulations Bernie FBLA!
Shown in the photo are students advancing to the State level competition. They are front row from left to right: Alexis McGowan, Sierra Eberle, Morgan Baker, and Ashlyn Stevens. Middle Row from left to right: Teresa Poe, Katie Blanchette, Amber Miller, Lacey Johnson, and Zach Tanner. Back row from left to right: Selena Poe Kelci Yates, Seth Dowdy, Lane Mayberry, and Austin Ward.

Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Front Row: Jodie Cantrell, Paula Hagy, Kayla Costin, Tori Barr, Kirsten Durrow, Myca Sutton
Back Row: Jake Hindman, Brooks Propst, Jacob Robinson, Jonathan Foels.
Not pictured: Faith Anderson, Rebecca Gordon, Timmy Spence, Zach Brasfield, Kyle Smith, Laceann Sumner, Ashley Long
Photo provided by Laura Stone, DHS English Teacher
Congratulations!

Written by
Erin Lauters, SMT Writer
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The Dexter Senior High School Jazz Cats traveled to their first public performance. The Jazz Cats attended the annual SEMO Jazz Festival sponsored by Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity.
The group got together on February 9, 2014 to pack up their things to head up to Cape Girardeau. The group played in front of three clinicians.
The guest clinician was Frank Pizzano. He is a visiting, well-known tenor saxophone player. The second clinician, from Mineral Area College of Missouri, was Mr. Mike Goldsmith. Goldsmith, also a saxophonist, had a few comments for this remarkable jazz group. The third and final clinician, also from Mineral Area College of Missouri as well as a member of the Kicks Band, was Mr. Dan Shunks.
The three clinicians listen to the songs played by the jazz band on stage and took a vocal recording of advice to send to director Scott Rybolt for areas of improvement. After all was said and done, the clinicians came on stage and gave tips for specific areas if specific songs. These three men mentioned how fantastic the group blended and told them to keep up the good work.
The songs played were swing chart "Groovin' Hard", Latin "Malagueña", Ballad "I Remember Clifford", and fast swing "St. Louis Blues". Soloists include: Junior and Lead Alto Toni Curran on "Malagueña", Senior and Lead Tenor player Tyler Jones on "Malagueña", Sophomore and Lead Trumpet player Gina Magarian on "I Remember Clifford", and Senior and Lead Tenor Tyler Jones again on "St. Louis Blues".
The group was accompanied by student teacher from SEMO Mr. Cody Jenkerson, student teacher also from SEMO Miss Shubaugh, and director Scott Rybolt. The group was dressed in black slacks, a white button up, and a color-coded tie for each section of the band. The saxophone section had a pink tie, trumpet section had a burnt orange tie, trombones wore a stylish royal blue tie, and the rhythm section wore a lavender purple tie.
The band got a superior rating by the judges. The band consists of: Rhythm: Senior Jon Durham playing drums, Senior Chandler Crowley playing bass, Sophomore Addison Moore playing drums, and Abby Magnum playing piano. Trombones: First Trombone Junior Brooks Propst, Second Trombone Eighth Grader Aaron Wells, Third Trombone Seventh Grader Noah Rushing, and Bass Trombone Sophomore Brandon Parks. Trumpets: Lead Trumpet Sophomore Gina Magarian, Second Trumpet Sophomore Adam Webb, Third Trumpet Eighth Grader Layla Brown, and Fourth Trumpets Freshman Emily Johns and Seventh Grader Travis Propst. Last but not least, Saxophones: Senior Baritone Saxophone Player Sarah Durham, Senior Lead Tenor Saxophone Player Tyler Jones, Junior Lead Alto Player Toni Curran, Sophmore Second Tenor Player Erin Lauters, and Freshman Second Alto Player Alyssa Teets.
Provided by Julie Rybolt.

Written by
Erin Lauters, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Now that school is almost back to normal and the students have already had to make up two of their snow days. What did they do with all that time off?
Here are a few of those activities:
1. Playing in the snow! Whether it be building a fort and having a snowball fight or build a snowman, playing outside is a wonderful way to enjoy this beautiful snow! Be sure to bundle up, drink plenty of water, and don't stay outside for more than 20 minutes at a time to ensure you won't get too cold or get hypothermia.
2. Sledding. Another outdoor activity that some teens are taking part in. Grab a trash can lid and find a mound of snow and you are good to go!
3. Movie day. If you are not interested in outdoor activities, today is a great day to stay in side. Stay in your pajamas, grab some hot cocoa, and watch your favorite movie.
4. Read. On icy days like this, another good activity is to pick up a good book. If you have a window, you won't even need to turn on a light! Bundle up with a blanket and a book and dig in to an adventurous story.
5. Study. It seems like an unlikely thing to do on this entertaining break when school is the last thing on your mind, but even studying for a few minutes on this wintery day can help you catch back up to speed when you get back in school. Review notes, make flash cards, or do some homework to keep your mind working on things at the same level you left them.
6. Do some indoor workouts. You could download free circuit training apps, yoga apps, or even strengthening apps to get your gym fix without getting out in the weather. If you don't want to do that, several household chores and cleaning methods are high in calorie burning so start scrubbing!
7. Shoveling. This laborious task will not only give you something to do, and a workout, but if you choose to shovel your neighbor's driveway as well, you are doing a good deed. While your out, you might get your elderly neighbors mail or check for any fallen limbs.
8. Get creative. Get a few pieces of paper, a pencil, and some crayons and get to drawing! Think of a favorite scene to draw or even stick figures. Challenge yourself to think outside of the box when drawing.
9. Get caught up on sleep. This weekend was most likely a busy one for you with all the extra activities going on in Dexter, so take a few hours and take a nice nap. Be careful not to sleep too late or it could mess with your sleeping pattern for when school starts back.
10. Test out some new recipes. Experiment with new, healthy foods. Use what you have an get creative. You might find yourself liking something you have never thought of before. If nothing comes to mind, make snow cream.

Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Cape Girardeau, Missouri – Dexter Senior High School students participated at the District 12 DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) competition this week on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.
Selana Flannigan, a senior at Dexter High School, received first place in Principles of Marketing. Tammy Crowley is the school sponsor and said, “Selana was very excited to earn this award. She is now eligible to move on to the Missouri State DECA Leadership and Development Conference on March 16-18th at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Last year more than 6,000 DECA members participated in the 12 district competitive events conferences more than 1,700 students and advisors participated in the three-day state conference.
The State conference featured dynamic general sessions, leadership seminars, entertainment, a rigorous competitive events program, and an exciting awards session.
Congratulations Selana! The Dexter community is extremely proud of your accomplishment!
Photo provided by Tammy Crowley.