Dexter, Missouri - Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and civic organizations, Dexter schools will be provided the opportunity to see two live plays at the Dexter High School auditorium.

Three Rivers College Patron of the Arts is sponsoring the performances of Robin Hood and The Emperor's Clothes on February 2nd and March 2nd.  The plays will be presented by The Imaginary Theater Company out of St. Louis.

Shown in the photo are Randy Northington of the Dexter Kiwanis Club, Davy Crockett of the Dexter Elks, Michael Hobbs of First National Bank, Janice Nichols of Southern Bank, Billy Fowler of the Dexter Lions Club, and Three Rivers Dexter Campus Coordinator Bill Hampton.

The businesses and civic organizations furnished the funding for the student tickets, assuring a seat for every elementary student in Dexter.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Fourth grader Ethan Hudlow of Oak Grove Elementary School received media attention last week when news broke that the 9-year-old was registering to vie in a World Cube Association sanctioned Rubik’s Cube competition April 25 in Texas.
 
So far Ethan’s record for solving the Rubik’s Cube is 24 seconds, he says, and even more impressively, his SINGS (Serving the Individual Needs of Gifted Students) teacher Patty Reed just peaked his curiosity in the puzzle a few months ago.
 
“This experience hasn’t just taught Ethan about solving the Rubik’s Cube, he has learned that he is capable of doing something very amazing,” Reed stated. “I’m anxious to see what problem he chooses to tackle next.”
 
Reed recalled how in September she had left out a classroom set of Rubik’s Cubes that her older students had used. When the fourth grade class had noticed the box, several students grew excited, so she allowed them to give it a try. After about a half-hour, all but three students remained interested, and Reed sent them each home with a set of instructions.
 
“For some reason, the Rubik’s Cube just clicked with Ethan,” said Reed, noting that the boy came into class the following week with his own cube. “Within a short time, he had memorized the steps, which is no small task.”

Shown in the photo:  Gifted student Ethan Hudlow sets his timer in preparation to demonstrate how fast he can solve his favorite Rubik’s Cube in his collection, the standard 3x3x3 model.

Photo and article provided by Tim Krakowiak.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The MFA Oil Foundation, based in Columbia, has awarded a grant to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, to be applied toward the cost of purchasing and mounting new TVs in an ITV classroom at the Sikeston Academic Building.

The MFA Oil Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where MFA Oil has a significant concentration of members and employees. Since it was established in 1998, the MFA Oil Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants.

MFA Oil President and CEO Mark Fenner described the MFA Oil Foundation as “a program that allows our company to give support back to the rural communities that are the foundation of our business. The grants the Foundation awards help support many youth programs and organizations active in addressing and solving community problems and improving the quality of life.”

The Three Rivers Endowment Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization that receives and manages donations on behalf of Three Rivers College. The Endowment Trust provides a mutually beneficial means for individuals and businesses to partner with the college. For information on donating to scholarships, building projects, or other college needs, contact Endowment Trust Executive Director Emily Parks at 573-840-9077

Joe Miller, Southeast dispatch manager for MFA Oil Company, presents a check on behalf of the MFA Oil Foundation to Michelle Reynolds, development officer for Three Rivers College. The grant will assist with the upgrade of one of the ITV classrooms at the new Sikeston Academic Building.