The Missouri FFA Association recognized Colton Reinert of the Puxico FFA Chapter as the Area 16 Star Farmer at the 90th Missouri FFA Convention.

His parents are Donnie and Jessica Reinert of Puxico.

His advisor is Randy Stephens.

Area Star Farmers are chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture in the student's supervised agricultural experience program and active participation in FFA. Area 16 includes 19 chapters in the Southeast District. MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsors the 16 area Star Farmer awards and the State Star Farmer Award. Reinert’s SAE began with the purchase of two crossbred market hogs and an Angus market steer. He continues to improve his livestock's genetics each year and has received numerous awards including grand and reserve champion placings at local and district fairs. Reinert has served as chapter president and area chaplain. He has competed at the state level in the agronomy and livestock evaluation career development events. Reinert received the area forage production proficiency award and the area diversified agriculture production proficiency award. He has also attended Washington Leadership Conference and Helping Youth Maximize their Agricultural eXperiences (HYMAX) Academy. 

In addition to FFA, Reinert is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Beta Club. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Puxico First Baptist Church. After graduation, Reinert plans to attend Three Rivers College, Poplar Bluff, before transferring to Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, to study agribusiness and agronomy. After college, he plans to become an agronomist.

The Missouri FFA has 25,375 members representing 343 chapters. The national organization has more than 653,000 members representing 8,568 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Catapult Creative House at Southeast Missouri State University are pleased to announce the finalists of the inaugural Southeast Startup Pitch Competition (SSPC) taking place on May 2.

The finalists are as follows:

    “Geocash” by Josh Taylor of Ellsinore, Missouri

    “Good Boy Vending” by Emily Stansbury of Hillsboro, Missouri

    “SaniFit” by Wesley Mourton of Ballwin, Missouri, and Jeremiah Strong of Manchester, Missouri

    “Creation for Communication” by Whitley Bieser of Columbia, Missouri, and Wesley Lukasek of St. Louis, Missouri

    “Studdy Buddy” by Anthony Franco of Romeoville, Illinois, Carlos Ramirez of Romeoville, and Kade Fleming of Evansville, Indiana

Southeast students from the top five teams will pitch their ideas live at a Common Hour program from noon-1 p.m. in Glenn Auditorium of Dempster Hall. A panel of judges will critique each teams’ completeness, feasibility and investor attractiveness.

The pitch competition is free and open to the public.

The judges will award first place with a $2,000 cash prize, second place with a $1,000 cash prize and third place with a $500 cash prize (cash prizes are taxable).

The Southeast Startup Pitch Competition is an opportunity for Southeast undergraduate and graduate students in any area of study to develop real-world skills by developing a pitch for an investable idea. Students can compete as individuals or teams.

Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors kindergarten students with Positive Office Referral certificates.

This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN.

Each student received a certificate and a FREE Taco from Taco Bell.

Pictured from left to right: Teagan Childers, Cadence Lee, Grant Gill, and Tyleah Franklin.

Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors first grade students with Positive Office Referral certificates.

This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN.

Each student received a certificate and a FREE Taco from Taco Bell.

Pictured from left to right: Bronsen Menley, Addelyn Gill, Eli Reeves, Eben Carr, Gracy Neal, and Zoey Smith.

Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors second grade students with Positive Office Referral certificates.

This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN.

Each student received a certificate and a FREE Taco from Taco Bell.

Pictured from left to right: Stella Fees, Kelsey Foster, Janice Johnson, and Jozalyn Shepherd.