Dental Arts Group donated $100 to the Iron Mules—the Poplar Bluff High School Robotics Club—toward funding an encoder, a piece of equipment needed so the students could compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge state qualifier this past weekend at Ballwin. Dr. Eric Blaich used to take a robotics class at PBHS under the instruction of retired teacher Bill Reeves, and the dentist is interested in supporting the program’s reinstatement, he said.
The Mules Booster Club has selected Poplar Bluff High School basketball star Joseph Eyler and swimming prodigy Taylor Norwood as Athletes of the Month for December. Norwood, a freshman, has made the state cut and holds the school record in the 200 individual medley and relay; 200 and 400 free relay; 200 and 500 freestyle; 100 backstroke; and the 100 butterfly. She also made the state cut in the 100 freestyle. She holds meet records at the Rec Relays in the 100 and 400 free relay, the 200 medley and the 200 butterfly, as well as at the City of Roses in the 200 medley. Last but not least, she holds the Jackson Pool record in the 200 medley and
Fourth grader Ethan Hudlow of Oak Grove Elementary School received media attention last week when news broke that the 9-year-old was registering to vie in a World Cube Association sanctioned Rubik’s Cube competition April 25 in Texas. So far Ethan’s record for solving the Rubik’s Cube is 24 seconds, he says, and even more impressively, his SINGS (Serving the Individual Needs of Gifted Students) teacher Patty Reed just peaked his curiosity in the puzzle a few months ago. “This experience hasn’t just taught Ethan about solving the Rubik’s Cube, he has learned that he is capable of doing something very amazing,” Reed stated. “I’m anxious to see what problem he chooses to tackle next.” Reed recalled how in September
The Junior High Cheerleaders won the National Cheerleaders Association High School Open National Championship in the large intermediate division on Sunday, Jan. 18, in St. Charles. This was another first for Poplar Bluff Schools, according to cheer coach Christy Young. The victory comes on the heels of the Poplar Bluff High School Competition Cheer Squad’s back-to-back state championship. The high schoolers will go on to compete at the National High School Cheerleading Championship on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The Junior High Cheerleaders are: Braelin Aldridge, Destanee Barton, Eva Bedell, Cara Bubanovich, Libby Burdin, Bailey Edmundson, MacKenzie Garrett, Katlynn Hall, Taylor Hicks, Alexis Lady, Courtney McGee, Danni Raymer, Emma Steffan, Rachel Shock, Maddie
Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High teachers participated in the first Technology Camp during collaboration day on Friday, Jan. 16, featuring a series of break-out sessions led by R-I staff emphasizing content, the web, apps, engaging students and classroom management. Published author Julie Smith, an adjunct professor of Webster University and Southern Illinois University, delivered the keynote speech about media literacy. R-I Instructional Technology Facilitators Valerie Ivy and Candace Warren organized the Tech Camp, with assistance from Chief Technology Officer Aaron Badgley. Help Desk teacher Julie Carda and assistant Tony Kirkley, along with their dedicated students at PBHS, were also instrumental in making the event a success.
