Dexter, Missouri - Chris Bolin’s middle school journalism class has created the first ever school newspaper at T.S. Hill Middle School. The DMS Press has already published a couple of newsletters since classes began in August. The students really enjoy writing, taking photos, and seeing their peers read their newsletter.
The ShowMe Times will feature various articles written by middle school students and will feature them on our website.
Kelby Hill is a Sports Reporter for the DMS Press and published this article entitled, "Teacher? Coach? or Both?".
"Here in T.S. Hill we have quite a few teachers that also serve as athletic coaches. After interviewing two of them, Mr. Lummukka & Mrs. Hahn, I learned that juggling teaching and coaching can at times be very difficult. But also can be very rewarding with the relation- ships and memories made from both.
Mrs. Hahn is the head coach of both the 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams and teaches 6th grade physical science. After interviewing her I learned quite a few interesting things about tackling both coaching and teaching and also a few things about herself. Mrs. Hahn began teaching after she had kids and began coaching because of her love for sports and her own competitiveness. Mrs. Hahn looks at both coaching and teaching as about the same thing because, ”You’re really just trying to help your student or player reach their full potential whether that be on the court or in the classroom.”
When asked if she treats her players the same on and off the field she says she has high expectations for all the kids but that academics should come first and sports should be a complement to our academic program. Even after a sore loss Mrs. Hahn says, “I try to keep my problems that affect my life outside of the classroom out of class”, but her energy level after a big win “might be a little higher than usual.”
Mr. Lummukka is an assistant football and a middle school track coach and teaches health and advanced health. I also had the opportunity to ask him a few of the same questions. Mr. Lummukka has the opportunity to both coach and teach a few of his students. This lead to the question of, “Is it easy being a student’s coach and teacher?” He replied with, “The easy part is the relationship. In the classroom you get to know kids and you’re with them every day and I think that’s great but, I also think there is a different dynamic on the field or on the court. You get to know who they are, their goals, maybe where they come from. I think there is a balance between those two.” When Mr. Lummukka was asked if his student athletes’ work ethic affected how he thought of them on the field he replied with, “Yes, I think that’s the most important thing, work ethic.” He looks for qualities like showing up, paying attention, being coachable, and handling correction properly, in both coaching and teaching.
Although coaching and teaching can at times be stressful, they are a very rewarding experience. Mr. Lummukka and Mrs. Hahn both greatly enjoy their jobs. Our student athletes at T.S. Hill are very thankful for our great staff of both teachers/coaches and athletes."
Dexter, Missouri – It’s always impressive to be admitted to attend a college or university, but to be accepted to one of the top schools in the country is quite the honor. Alexis Smith has always dreamed of working in the medical field and she is one step closer to accomplishing her goal.
Alexis Smith received her letter of acceptance to Vanderbilt University! She was selected from the largest, most qualified early decision 1 applicant pool in Vanderbilt’s history. She will major in Mathematics with a pre-med track and once she has earned her Bachelor of Science degree will apply to medical school and become a Pediatric Neurosurgeon.
“It feels incredible to be able to say I am officially a Vanderbilt Commodore!” stated Smith. “I am speechless!” Alexis wanted to thank everyone who helped her along her journey and believed in her dream. Vanderbilt Class of 2019 is a dream come true for her.
Alexis is the 17-year-old daughter of Gabe and Brooke Smith. She is the student body President at Dexter Senior High School and is active in the Robotics Club, Rotary Interact, TARS, FLC, Future Business Leaders of America, and Scholar Bowl. She has also participated in Cross Country all four years of high school.
Smith is also in Dexter Honor Society and Top 10%. She attended Missouri Girls State last summer and attended Washington University – St. Louis Scholars summer program. Alexis is a National Merit Semi-Finalist and is in the running to be a finalist.
She is the co-founder of End Poverty in Stoddard County, a non-profit group with a mission to help those in Stoddard County with food, coats, and clothes.
Alexis will graduate in May at Dexter Senior High School and move to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt University is a private institution that was founded in 1873 and is ranked among the top 20 institutions in the United States. In 2013, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions accepted 11.97% of applicants, thus making Vanderbilt one of the most selective universities in the United States.
Congratulations Alexis Smith! The Dexter community is extremely proud of your accomplishment and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
The Varsity Band Program consisted of four instrumental pieces, "The 13 Days of Christmas" by Wolfbane Amadeus Mozart, "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert, "Of Dark Lords and Ancient Kings" by Roland Barrett, and "Highlights from Frozen", arranged by Sean O'Loughlin.
Performing on flutes were Abigail Bates, Callie Bradley, Kerigan Brady, Bailey Caldwell, Macy Cecil, Alicia Dees, Kirsten Durrow, Bethany Hyten, Michaela Gard, Halli Huls, Cadence Pullam, and Kirsten Teffertiller.
Performing on clarinets were Hannah Gibson, Courtney Grindstaff, Johnna Hinklin, Erin Lauters, Victoria Meritt, Tiffany Sanders, Courtney Scholl, and Amber Scott.
Abby Mangum played oboe. Darian Harding played the bassoon. Tuba players were Ethan Gillum and James Hill. Euphoniam musicians were Blayne Goodman, Aaron Haynes, and Dason Milam.
Alto saxophones consisted of Toni Curran, Logan Elder, Tyler Robinson, and Alyssa Teets. Tenor saxophone players were Chance Jarrell and Shelby Smith. Dylan Long played baritone saxophone.
Brandon Parks, Brooks Propst, and Josh Webb played trombones and on trumpets were Layla Brown, Austin Carmack, Elizabeth Curran, Caleb Garcia, Brianna Gourley, Gina Magarian, Jonah Reiker, and Adam Webb.
Lacey Midgett played contra alto clarinet and Morgan Ross played the bass clarinet.
French horns were played by Emily Johns and Jonni Hill. Tubas players were Ethan Gillum and James Hill.
On percussion were Caleb Bess, Matt Chesser, Brad Freeman, Caleb Grogan, Seth Harris, Addison Moore, Sean Rybolt, and Scott Strickler.After a short intermission, the Jazz Cats performed "Otra Vez" by Craig Biondi, "Bus Dust" by Dennis Mackrel, "Buffalo Breath" by Bob Secor, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by Vince Guarldi, and "Channel One Suite" by Bill Reddie.
Those participating in Jazz Band are on Lead Alto - Toni Curran, 2nd Alto - Alyssa Teets, Lead Tenor - Erin Lauters, 2nd Tenor - Shelby Smith and Logan Elders, Baritone Saxophone - Dylan Long, Lead Trumpet - Gina Magarian, 2nd Trumpet - Adam Webb, 3rd Trumpet - Layla Brown, 4th Trumpet - Emily Johns and Elizabeth Curran, Drum - Matt Chesser and Addison Moore, Lead Trombone - Brooks Propst, 2nd Trombone - Blayne Goodman, 3rd Trombone - Dason Milam, Bass Trombone - Brandon Parks, Piano - Jonni Hill, and on Bass Guitar - Sean Rybolt.
The Jazz Cats also perform in the SEMO Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival, SIU Carbondale Jazz Festival, MAC Jazz Festival, North County Jazz Festival, and Valley View Jazz Festival and are often seen on the stage of a home Bearcats basketball game.
The DHS Varsity Band will perform again at their Winter Band Concert scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2015 and they will also perform in Poplar Bluff at the Annual Band Festival on Tuesday, March 17, 2015.
Columbia, Missouri - On December 6, 2014, over 1,200 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for the honor of participating in the top honor band in the state. Only one hundred and eight students are accepted into this elite ensemble.
Three DHS band students earned special recognition and one was selected to the All-State Band.
Brooks Propst made call backs for Concert Band and Jazz Band for Trombone. Emily Johns made call backs and was selected to the Honorable Mention Band - 8th Chair for French Horn. Toni Curran made call backs and was selected to the Honorable Mention Band - 5th chair for Alto Saxophone.
Lacey Midgett, a senior at Dexter High School, was selected to Missouri All-State Band earning her 2nd chair on Contra Alto!
The band will meet, rehearse, and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference held January 28th through January 31st, 2015 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks.
The conductor and clinician for the 2014-2015 Missouri All-State Band is Dr. Thomas Leslie. Dr. Leslie is a nationally acclaimed conductor/clinician, and his bands have been considered some of the finest in the world.
The 2014-2015 Missouri All-State Band will be performing the following:
Ponte Romano...............VandDer Roost
Second Prelude.............George Gershwin, arranged by Krance
Celestial Seas................Julie Giroux
The Last Spring..............Grieg, arranged by Curnow
On the Air.........................Michael Daugherty
The only performance of the Missouri All-State Band will be at 12:30 p.m. on January 31, 2015 in the Salon A of Marriott's Tan-Tar-A Resort.
Shown in the photo are from left to right: Brooks Propst, Emily Johns, Toni Curran, and Lacey Midget.
Dexter T.S. Hill Middle School - This listing of future activities is a service offered by the ShowMe Times, working in partnership with Dr. Sharp, Superintendent and the Dexter Public Schools for your convenience.
We hope you will mark your calendar and we encourage everyone to support our local students and their activities. The education and growth of young people in our community is the key to everyone's future!
If you would like to submit information and a picture of a student and his/her accomplishments, send it to news@showmetimes.com.
