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Students of the Poplar Bluff 5th & 6th Grade Center made a $70 donation to the Poplar Bluff Historic Depot Restoration Corporation on Wednesday, March 25, to aid in the efforts in restoring the grand staircase. The community service project was coordinated by teacher Terena Whitworth. The classes of Keri Jameson and Robyn Dickerson were the top fundraisers, earning an ice cream party and an extra recess for their efforts. Wendy Nepean’s class placed in third, Jennifer Edwards - fourth, and Juliane Gambill’s students came in fifth place.

The Poplar Bluff High School Teenage Republicans, a student club that was reinstated this year by senior Ben Soeter, toured the state Capitol on Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17, visiting with an intensive line-up of government officials. Highlights of the Jefferson City trip, according to club president Soeter, included being welcomed during a Congress session by Sen. Doug Libla of Poplar Bluff and witnessing a spirited session on the House floor, which led to the eventual passage of HB 458 – anti-bullying legislation. “In government class, we talked about Missouri’s House and Senate, Supreme Court, et cetera,” Soeter said. “During the trip we actually got to witness everything we discussed.” Besides meeting the lieutenant governor, legislators, lobbyists, judges and other

The Poplar Bluff High School Beta Club donated a collection of cat and dog food, treats, toys, pet shampoo and litter to the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter on Wednesday, March 18. The community service project has been a tradition of the Beta Club for about five years, according to sponsor Gail Rosmarin, a high school social studies teacher.

About 50 supporters came out on Friday, March 20, to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Poplar Bluff Junior High School addition, which will include a FEMA safe room and nine new classrooms, among other renovations. Student ambassadors from Junior High and members of the Senior High Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps welcomed the guests. Chartwells School Dining Services provided refreshments. R-I Superintendent Chris Hon reflected on the levy measure that voters approved a year ago in order to combat space issues and improve the security of students. Earlier this month, contractor Zoellner Construction began site work on the project, which will also feature new restroom facilities, locker rooms and a road that encircles the campus. The safe room portion,

Jessica Sedrick, a Three Rivers student from Piedmont, will advance to the Collegiate DECA national competition after qualifying with a fifth-place finish at the DECA State Career Development Conference in Jefferson City. Sedrick, who is a sophomore in the Business Management program at Three Rivers, will compete in the Hotel and Lodging Management category against qualifying competitors from across the nation. “The competitions are so much fun, and I’m really excited to go to Orlando later this year,” said Sedrick, who has been a member of the Three Rivers DECA chapter since Spring 2014. “I love being a part of DECA, and it feels good to be part of such an active, helpful group.” Sedrick plans to graduate from Three