Award-winners are recognized by Board

SIKESTON - Sikeston Public Schools' continuous efforts for excellence was evident Tuesday afternoon as numerous programs, organizations and students within the district were recognized as award-winners.

To begin, the Sikeston Board of Education applauded two students who were first-place winners at Math Field Day, conducted in April at Southeast Missouri State University.

Daniel Babb won in the category of probability, and Andrew Hedrick for hand calculator. Hedrick also received first place in computer concepts at the State FBLA Contest. Charlie Jones and Anna McReynolds were recognized for the outstanding-rated scenarios they wrote for the State Future Problem Solving contest.

Alyssa Baker was honored for her first-place entry "Mystical Haze" in the 2002 Southeast Missouri Writing Contest and Matt Deane for his first-place entry "When I Think of Fall."

The Sikeston Junior High Student Council was recognized for earning the Missouri Association of Student Councils' Gold Award. Representatives at the meeting included Toni Tucker and Cullen DeHart.

Four students were recognized for their achievements in the Eighth District Congressional Art Competition conducted in March. Of the 10 finalists, Sikeston had four. They are: Stephen Koch, Trent Miller, David Schuchart and Abigail Wims.

Students recognized for receiving first place at the Regional High School Art Show conducted at the Depot in April are Jamie Dorsey in printmaking; Jenny Hornby in fibers; and in the portrait division and for Best of Show, was David Schuchart who also received an $800 scholarship from the Bootheel Regional Art Guild.

Nicole Beaird received first place in dental assisting skills and knowledge at the State Skills USA/VICA competition.

Jennifer Box and Robert Sisk were recognized for being selected to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy June 9-29.

Several students were applauded for receiving superior ratings at the State Music Contest. They are Matt Strom for keyboard mallet solo; Matt Strom, David Britton, Jake Marsh, Mallory Courtious, Cullen DeHart, Meredyth Moyers and Will Deane for percussion ensemble; Justin Griffin for boys vocal solo; and Erin Bell, Adam Lawrence, Madolyn Lewis, Taylor Old, Keshia Presley, Maggie Pfefferkorn and Matt Ruesler for miscellaneous vocal ensemble.

But the kudos SPS earned didn't stop with the students. Sikeston Kindergarten Center Principal Vera Glueck was applauded for being named Southeast Missouri Association of Elementary's Distinguished Principal of the Year, and High School's Charlie Vickery for being named the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher the Year recipient.

The Board of Education also accepted the resignation of several teachers including Lisa Cooley, Jay Ginther, Kristin Ginther, Gretchen Johnson, Sally Koch, Nicole Leimbach, Karen M. Scott and Michael R. Wren.

Employment ratifications for the 2002-2003 school year were also approved. They include Liz Barkett and James Hitt as new teachers for the middle grades and Shawn Deal, Megan Miller, Tim Regenold and Jill Todt at the secondary level.