Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Three Rivers College’s DECA chapter has secured “Chapter of the Year” honors at the Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference, held in Lake Ozark, Mo., Feb. 25-26. Two members of the Three Rivers chapter also won individual awards, which qualify them to advance to multi-national competition at the Collegiate DECA international conference in Washington, D.C.
Three Rivers’ DECA students competed against 140 students from colleges and universities across Missouri at the state conference. For the “Chapter of the Year” award, students Rebecca Cato of Doniphan and Melissa Speers of Poplar Bluff were interviewed on behalf of the chapter about their activities and experiences as part of DECA at Three Rivers.
In addition to the chapter award, two students won awards in individual competitions. Alex Strauts of Poplar Bluff won second place in the Retail Management competition, and Madison Miller won third in Banking and Financial Services. Students in the individual competitions are required to formulate and present a response to a theoretical problem in their chosen field. Both Strauts and Miller will advance to compete at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference, to be held April 16-20 in Washington, DC.
DECA is an international organization that helps high school and college students across the country prepare for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through professional development, education, and networking opportunities. For more information on how to support or participate in DECA at Three Rivers College, contact Dr. Martha Kirkman at mkirkman@trcc.edu.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
Shown in the photos: DECA students from Three Rivers College pose with their awards from the Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference. From L-R: Alex Strauts of Poplar Bluff, second place, Retail Management; Rebecca Cato of Doniphan, interviewee for Chapter of the Year; Melissa Speers of Poplar Bluff, interviewee for Chapter of the Year; and Madison Miller, third place in Banking and Financial Services.
Article and photo submitted by Three Rivers College Media Services.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Over 100 Poplar Bluff Middle School and Junior High staff members participated in the second annual Tech Camp on Collaboration Day Friday, Jan. 15, featuring workshops hosted by R-I faculty as well as education leaders from throughout the state.
The 45 break-out sessions at PBJHS centered on resources and strategies for digital classrooms. The professional development event is the brainchild of the R-I instructional technology team, which got its idea in 2014 after attending an International Society for Technology in Education conference.
“We went to great sessions and gathered a lot of info, and thought, ‘How can we bring these ideas back to our teachers, beyond a PowerPoint,’” said R-I Chief Technology Officer Aaron Badgley, adding his goal next year is to expand the training district-wide. “We polled teachers after our first Tech Camp, and they responded that it was the most beneficial PD they had received all year.”
To complement this year’s theme—play with purpose—organizers set up an interactive ‘playground’ in the hallway featuring emerging technologies including a green screen, Google Cardboard, Makey Makey and Sphero kits, which will be made available for classrooms to check out to teach students coding.
Special guest presenters included Greg Lawrence, Wentzville instructional technology coach; Patti Jones, Senath-Hornersville director of change and innovation; and Shannon Mangrum, assistant director of the Poplar Bluff Public Library.
More than $1,000 in sponsorships allowed for prizes to be awarded to attendees, ranging from Chromecasts to flash drives. Underwriters included: Applebee’s, The Bread Co., Colton’s, Donut House, Frontier, Gamma HealthCare, Hardee’s, Harp’s, Hefner Furniture, Kroger, Las Margaritas, Lemonade House Grille, Office Depot, Poplar Bluff Realty, Ronnie Cline, Simmons Tire and Wal-Mart.
PBHS help desk students (from left) Thomas White, Ethan Gutterman and Maci Stucker give up their day off to teach the adults how the new innovations work. Not pictured is student Danni Raymer.
Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Mules Booster Club named Poplar Bluff High School wrestler Josh Lewis and swimmer Taylor Norwood the December Athletes of the Month.
Sophomore Norwood, an all-state swimmer, has performed several state cuts and holds multiple school and meet records. In addition to being an exceptional athlete, she is an incredibly “smart kid,” maintaining an 11.143 weighted GPA, according to her coach Elizabeth Lewis-Muse.
Josh Lewis, a junior, is 15:3 so far this wrestling season, and was heavyweight champion during the Tiger Classic in December at Cape Central. According to assistant coach Jason Smothers, younger wrestlers look up to Lewis.
Presenting the plaques to Taylor Norwood and Josh Lewis on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at E.T. Peters Gym is Booster Club President Jason Smothers (right).
Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Poplar Bluff High School Robotics Club—the Iron Mules—qualified for states after just three years of competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
The club won its division and placed second overall on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The students will go on to compete statewide on Saturday, March 5, at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.
“The challenge was quite a bit harder and much more complicated than the previous two years,” said science teacher Kathy Miller, club co-sponsor. “But, we have some amazing kids participating this year!”
Students had to navigate their classroom-assembled robots through a series of obstacles, scoring points by moving items and climbing to different areas throughout the course. The game was called FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology) Res-Q. A total of 52 schools participated throughout the region.
(Back row, from left) Jonathan Miller, Cody Eason, Christian Cmehil-Warn, Sam Traxel, Jocelin Clark, Jessica Foster and Vaughn Albright; (front row, from left) Chang Chi, Diego Rivetti and Bryan Nguyen.
Photo and press release by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator of Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Ronald McDonald House Charities awarded $500 to Eugene Field Elementary in Poplar Bluff, Missouri for the purchase of book sets for third graders to use during reading time. Teacher April Sandlin applied for the grant and local McDonalds owner Steve Sells delivered the check on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016.
Principal Jennifer Taylor said the elementary school has received funding from RMHC in the past, allowing for the purchase of playground equipment. RMHC supports non-profit childrens’ programs in the areas of education, health and social well-being, as well as the cultural arts.
Shown in the photo: (Left to right) Principal Jennifer Taylor; third grade teacher April Sandlin; students Jesse Thurner Jr. and Nicholai Lane; and school board member Steve Sells.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
