Three NMCC Seniors are honored as KFVS12's Heartland's Best

(Cape Girardeau) KFVS12 proudly honored nearly 100 of the Heartland's Best Saturday May 31st at a banquet ceremony and recording of area high school valedictorians. Among those honored were Daniel Manley, Audra Lane Porter, and Mary Clara Hayes representing New Madrid County Central High School. The ceremony was held in the University Center Ballroom on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

Manley was class president. He served as vice president of the student council and captain of the Academic Team. He was also National Honor Society Treasurer. Daniel will attend the United State Air Force Academy. Porter was class vice president. She served as secretary of the student council and captain of the Cheer team. She was also National Honor Society vice president and FBLA reporter. Hayes served as treasurer of the student council and captain of the Cheer team. She was also National Honor Society president and FBLA Secretary.

All Heartland valedictorians and their parents were invited to the ceremony. Students who attended recorded greetings that will be featured in special announcements scheduled to begin in mid-June and air throughout the summer on KFVS12 and WQWQ-TV.

Valedictorians from three states were treated to lunch with featured speakers Mary-Ann Maloney and Jeff Cunningham of KFVS12's Heartland News, along with Dr. Kenneth Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University. Paul Keener, KFVS12's director of marketing and creative services, served as master of ceremonies.

"I always look forward to the Heartland's Best Banquet," said Maloney. "It's truly inspiring to meet and honor young people from all over the Heartland who've worked so hard."

"Heartland's Best is one of our signature annual events," said Tim Ingram, KFVS12's Vice President and General Manager. "It involves positive young people who've worked hard to be the best of their class. We hope, that by honoring their efforts, we'll help inspire other Heartland students."

This is the 29th anniversary of the Heartland's Best campaign on KFVS12.