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Poplar Bluff High School senior Ben Soeter is the first student in three years to read 100 novels and earn a $1,000 scholarship via the Designing Women Foundation’s Charlie Classics reading program. The 17-year-old has placed first in his class each year for reading the most teacher-approved literary works, resultantly winning thousands in bank cards in addition to the scholarship. When Soeter was a freshman, he generously donated $500 back to the PBHS library so the school can replace some of its titles in the Charlie Classics collection. At the time, he declared that it was a goal of his to complete the challenge. Reflecting on all the books, Soeter said: “It changed the way I think, broadening my outlook

The Libla family finalized a seven figure donation to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust during a signing event held at Three Rivers College on Monday, May 8. In return, the college announced that institution’s proposed athletics building would be named the “Libla Family Sports Complex.” “We’re proud to help Three Rivers College launch this endeavor, and this is part of our commitment to giving back to the community as much as we can,” said David Libla. “By having this project named for the Libla family, it serves as a remembrance of our parents, and hopefully inspires our children and grandchildren to continue giving back to this community which has given so much to us.” Attending the signing ceremony were

The Mules Booster Club has named baseball pitcher Kameron Misner and soccer goalie Shelby Sievers the Poplar Bluff High School athletes of the month for April. Shelby, a freshman, has a 72 save percentage having racked up 125 saves for the month of April alone, with three shut outs. On top of being a soccer star, she is a straight A student. Kameron, a junior, had a record of 4-0 as of Friday, May 1, with 25 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.200 in 23.1 innings pitched. As a batter, he had a .357 average, with 22 RBIs, nine singles, four doubles, four triples and three home runs, with an on-base percentage of .419 in 18 games.

Fourth grade student Ethan Hudlow of Oak Grove solved a 2x2 Rubik’s Cube in less than six seconds, placing 16th out of 40 contestants hailing as far as Brazil during a competitive cubing event on Saturday, April 25, in San Antonio, Texas. The 10-year-old also participated in the 4x4 and the standard cube contest at the World Cube Association-recognized event, which was billed Remember the Alamo. The most advanced category was to solve the algorithm with a blindfold on, after examining the random configuration of the cube for just 15 seconds. Ethan’s father Aaron Hudlow, the culinary arts teacher at the Technical Career Center, said that his son met a lot of like-minded people, and has been inspired to continue to

Angela Pearson is one of those people who unites a community like no one else. As former mayor of Poplar Bluff, she was used to dealing with challenges. But nothing could have prepared her for the challenge she now faces, with a diagnosis of melanoma cancer that has gone to several parts of her body. Yes, admits Angela…this is a life-changing development. But she certainly is not going to flinch in the face of this challenge, no more than she has any challenge in her life. Of course, a battle becomes more easily won with an army. And Angela Pearson has an army of friends who are coming to her aid. “Angels for Angela” is a benefit to be held