The Designing Women Foundation awarded five $1,000 scholarships to college-bound female seniors for their academic achievements on Monday, May 13, at the Bloodworth House.

 

Poplar Bluff High School recipients of the annual scholarships were: Cara Bubanovich, who plans to major in nursing at Missouri State University; Marina Johnston, who plans to major in nursing at Southeast Missouri State University; Katelyn Moeller, who also plans to major in nursing at Central Methodist University; Jillian Page, who plans to major in international finance at the University of Alabama; and Sophia Rowland, who plans to major in engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

 

Winners of the nonprofit organization’s Charlie Classic Reading Contest who read the most select literary works were: PBHS junior Caitlin Dollins, who won a $300 bank card for reading 11 books; PBJHS eighth grader Charlee Deaton, who won a $300 for reading 33 books; and eighth grader Emmalein Pendley, who won $150 for reading 21 books.

 

The Designing Women Foundation is dedicated to the cultural and educational enrichment of deserving young people, primarily women. The Charlie Classic Reading Contest is open to all High School students who read at least 10 classics, and Junior High students who read a minimum of 20 books from the literature list.

 

Pictured with R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill are (left to right) Jillian Page, Cara Bubanovich, Katelyn Moeller and Marina Johnston. Not present was Sophia Rowland.

 

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff High School senior Carlton McDonald-Jordan has been awarded the Thomas J. Hoover Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, valued at $1,000, was designated for a Mules Basketball player who also excels academically.

 

McDonald-Jordan plans to attend Saint Louis University, where he will pursue a degree in sports medicine. Among the top in his class, McDonald-Jordan is also a stand out Mules Basketball player, averaging 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2 steals per game. The team captain, he is a three-year letterman, and has been named to the Class 5, District 1 All-District Team as well as the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State Team. He is the Semoball Awards nominee for Scholar Athlete of the Year.

 

The Hoover Scholarship is named in honor of lifelong Mules supporter, Tom Hoover, who served the school district variously as a teacher, coach, principal and interim superintendent. While he was very involved in athletics, including being the official basketball scorekeeper in his retirement, his surviving wife Susan points out that Hoover’s primary motivation was always the education of young people.

 

Pictured presenting Carlton McDonald-Jordan the Hoover Scholarship on Thursday, May 2, is Susan Hoover.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Sara Holland has been awarded the annual Mary Lynn Wolpers Scholarship. The scholarship, valued at $1,500, is designated for a Poplar Bluff High School senior entering a four-year university or technical school.

 

Holland was recently accepted as a Show-Me Scholar into Mizzou’s honors college, where she plans to major in health sciences/nuclear medicine with a minor in business entrepreneurship. After her undergraduate studies, she would like to receive her doctorate in oncology.

 

Holland is among the top of her class at PBHS, while remaining active in organizations such as Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America and Future Health Professionals. She also plays varsity tennis.

 

Since 2007, the Wolpers Scholarship has provided $16,300 to 13 college-bound students.

 

Pictured presenting Sara Holland the Wolpers Scholarship on Tuesday, April 30, is Emily Wolpers of the Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Sara Holland has been awarded the annual Dr. Michael D. Laseter Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, valued at $1,000, is designated for a Poplar Bluff High School senior entering the medical field.

 

Holland was recently accepted into Missouri State University, where she plans to major in health sciences/nuclear medicine with a minor in business entrepreneurship.

 

In her qualifying essay, Holland wrote that she wishes to pursue her career in the branch of medicine that deals with oncology. Upon completion of her residency, she desires to move home to Poplar Bluff and practice a holistic approach to patient care.

 

Dr. Laseter was a physician specializing in internal medicine at Kneibert Clinic for over 20 years. After retiring from medicine in 1994, he taught physiology at PBHS voluntarily for five years.

 

Since 2008, the scholarship fund has provided $12,000 to a dozen college-bound students.

 

Pictured presenting Sara Holland the Laseter Scholarship on Tuesday, April 30, is Donna Laseter.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Katlyn Hall has been awarded the annual Poplar Bluff School Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship, valued at $1,000, is designated for a past or present graduate of PBHS entering the field of education.

 

Hall plans to begin her college career at Three Rivers taking general education classes, and then transfer to Southeast Missouri State University where she will obtain her teaching degree. She wishes to one day teach at an elementary school in her hometown of Poplar Bluff, according to her scholarship essay.

 

In addition to holding an office with the Future Teachers of America, Hall serves with the Chionia Volunteer Fire Department.

 

Since 2001, the Foundation Scholarship has awarded $21,000 to 21 students, several of whom went on to become teachers for the Poplar Bluff School District.

 

Pictured presenting Katlyn Hall the Foundation Scholarship on Thursday, April 2, is R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District