The Designing Women Foundation honored its scholarship recipients and Charlie Classics Reading Contest winners during a reception held last month at the Bloodworth House, awarding $11,500 to students of Poplar Bluff Schools over the course of two years.
Thousand-dollar scholarship recipients of the Class of 2021 were Veilka Griffith, who is majoring in business administration; Morghyn McCain, nursing; Madison Moore, business; Lauren Robertson, medicine; Maria Polasek, nursing; and Austynn Dover, who received a technical scholarship to study aesthetics at the Technical Career Center.
The Foundation also honored Class of 2020 recipients, not recognized in person last year due to the public health crisis, including: Rhianna Johnston, undeclared major; Madison Smith, engineering; Elizabeth Gill, nursing; and Savannah Hudson, elementary education.
Charlie Classics winners included freshman Mackinley Cox, who won $600 for reading 58 books over the past two years; junior Emmalein Pendley, who won $600 for reading 35 during the same time period; and Hannah Tuttle of the Class of 2020, who was awarded $300 for reading 14 books during her senior year.
The Designing Women Foundation is dedicated to the cultural and educational enrichment of deserving young people, and aims to promote literacy through its annual reading program open to Junior and Senior High students. The nonprofit organization also provides competitive scholarships to women, regardless of age, race or religion.
(Left to right) Madison Moore, Savannah Hudson, non-traditional scholarship recipient Kama Djambo, DWF board member Kathern Harris, Maria Polasek, Lauren Robertson, non-traditional student Amber Gargas, and DWF board member Dr. Kylie Divine.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Dexter, MO - The 2021 Miss DHS court was crowned Monday morning at Charles Bland Stadium in front of the Dexter High School student body and staff.
Rachel Lin (center) was crowned the 2021 Miss DHS.
The second attendant is Julianna Rivera (left) and the first attendant is Abby Dement.
Crowing today is Miss DHS 2020, MeKenzie Yount.
Mekenzie is the daughter of Mike and Melissa Yount.
She is a freshman at Mineral Area College where she is a member of the volleyball team.
Her future plans are to get a degree in business administration.
MeKenzie’s escort is Kaeden Kennedy.
Kaeden is the son of Joe and Kerry Kennedy.
Kaeden describes MeKenzie as beautiful, supportive, and loving.
Miss DHS Candidates were announced on Friday, September 10th. On Monday, September 13th Miss DHS Coronation was held at Charles Bland Stadium in front of the entire high school student body.
Tori White is the daughter of Courtney and Jason Cowell.
Her extracurricular activities include varsity volleyball, varsity basketball cheerleading, Student Council, Pep Club, FCCLA, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, National Sr. Beta Club, Model UN, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Tori's future plans are to attend the University of Missouri - Columbia after graduation.
Tori’s escort is Carter Pennington.
Carter is the son of Melissa and Tony Pennington.
Carter describes Tori as beautiful, friendly and Marevelous.
Miss DHS Candidates were announced on Friday, September 10th. On Monday, September 13th Miss DHS was held at Charles Bland Stadium in front of the entire high school student body.
Julianna Rivera is the daughter of Julio and Tiffany Rivera.
She is a member of the varsity tennis team, varsity wrestling team, and varsity track team.
Her other extracurricular activities include FCCLA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Pep Club, National Honor Society, National Sr. Beta Club, HOSA, Future Business Leaders of America, Yearbook, and Model UN.
Julianna plans to pursue her athletic career with wrestling after graduation and also become a traveling nurse.
Julianna’s escort is Damon Helton.
Damon is the son of Kristin Zeman.
He describes Julianna as stronger than me.
