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Left to right, Speaker and Paris alumnus Howard Henke, Heidi Davis, Kayla Luckett, Lauren Dye, Jenny Windmann and Nathan Mooneyham.

The Paris Rotary Club held their 18th Annual Top 5 recognition banquet, on Thursday, April 2, in the high school cafeteria. Recognized as the top 5 in their class were Heidi R. Davis, Lauren J. Dye, Kayla M. Luckett, Nathan T. Mooneyham and Jenny M. Windmann.
   Rotary President Linden Vanlandingham welcomed the students and the assembled family, friends and guests and thanked everyone for attending the event. Rotary member and Pastor Wesley Hammond gave the invocation.
   “We’re proud of our Top 5 students and in 11 years you might be back here making this presentation,” said President Vanlandingham to the students.
   The assembled group of rotary members, family members and friends were treated to an excellent meal, provided by Dawn Peak and ably assisted by members of the Paris FBLA. Dinner consisted of salad, marinated chicken, baked potato, green beans, homemade rolls, and a dessert selection of a fruit cup, peach cobbler with ice cream or a cinnamon roll.
   Rotary member Chuck Brazeale introduced the students, their families, guests and Rotary members. He also introduced the evening’s speaker.
   The evening’s featured guest speaker was Howard Henke. He is the son of Wayne and Dottie Henke. According to his biography, after graduating from Paris R-II High School in 1998 he received an associates degree in Agriculture Business Management from John Wood Community College, in Quincy, Ill. and a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Western Illinois University, in Macolb, Ill.
   He started his career as a grain merchandiser with ADM in Memphis, Tenn., and later moved to New York as a rice trader, still with ADM. In addition to trading rice, Henke was also involved with chartering ocean vessels, trading barge freight and coordinating logistics. Earlier this year he left ADM and joined Louis Dryfuss Commodities as a trading manager for rice.
   Along with his wife, Eileen, Henke lives in Bronxville, N.Y., just outside New York City. In addition to working at LDC, he is currently attending NYU Stern School of Business, in New York, where he is working towards an M.B.A. and playing rugby. He also enjoys skiing, golfing, playing basketball and spending time with family and friends.
   Henke thanked the Rotary Club for allowing him to speak to the students.
   “Follow these three ideas and you will be successful,” said Henke. “Set goals, take ricks and create your own destiny.”
   “Your goals must be measurable,” noted Henke. “While in pursuit of your goals - take risks and learn form those around you.”
   Henke urged the top five students to surround themselves with dedicated people.
   “People judge you by your actions,” explained Henke.
   Henke explained to the group that during his internships he learned a lot about what he did not want to do with his life.
   “You get out of college what you want to get out of it; the amount of effort you put into it is what you get out of it,” said Henke when asked what one piece of advice he would give to the graduates. “The friends you make in college you will have for the rest of your lives. Put in the time and effort, have fun and build good friendships.”
   The Paris Rotary Club officers include: President Linden Vanlandingham, President-Elect Phillip Shatzer Treasurer Glenn Turner and Secretary Charles Brazeale.
   Directors include: Linden Vanlandingham, Richard Fredrick, Charles Brazeale, Glenn Turner and Phillip Shatzer
   Paris Rotary Club 2009 members are: Members shown in bold are Paul Harris Fellows Charles Brazeale – Banker; Shari Embree - Nursing Home Director; Tony Francis -USDA Executive; Richard J. Fredrick – Attorney; Kay Gray – Banker; Ron Greeson – Retired; Mary Dickey - Banker; David Eales- Newspaper Editor; Sally Eales- School Administrator; Wesley Hammond – Minister; Donald Hickman - Food Store Manager; Donald Johnson – Appraiser; Barbara Landrum - County Health Director; Floyd Lawson – Attorney; Rose Mealy – Retired; Nancy Henke - School Superintendent; Kimberly Menefee - Health Care Business Manager; Lloyd Miller* - Health Care Administrator; Edward Mitchell - Medical Care Sales; Paul Quinn - State Representative; Jim Reinhard - Funeral Home Director; Phillip Shatzer - City Superintendent; Glenn Turner - County Commissioner; Nicole Volkert- Prosecuting Attorney; Aaron Wyant - Banker; Linden Vanlandingham – Farmer; and Mike Wilson – Judge. Honorary Member - Nelson Willingham – Retired. *Assistant Governor for Rotary District 6060.   1500 0915 4/9/2009 hdl

Paris firemen with help from mutual aid battle a chemical spill during the Hazardous Material Spill Simulation on Friday, April 3.

Rumors abounded in Paris on Friday night, April 3. What happened at the Monroe County Coop Agri Service and Winfield Solutions lot? Was there an accident? A chemical spill? Was there a major law enforcement operation? In fact, the Monroe County Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) was staging a mock hazardous material and chemical spill and release.
   The comprehensive training exercise was first explained as a motor vehicle accident, injuries unknown, by a call from the Monroe County 9-1-1 around 1830 (6:30 p.m.) hours. Upon closer inspection by the Rural Fire Protection District firemen - mutual aide was immediately requested.
   The disaster scenario involved a vehicle rollover with two people trapped inside, and a truck carrying hazardous waste that collided with a tank filled with anhydrous ammonia. Both the truck bed and the tank were leaking.
   Upon arriving fire crews first had to extinguish a haze around the tank and truck to keep the vapors down, force entry into the vehicle and rescue the injured, and deal with the unknown leak from the truck. It was determined that the two individuals inside the vehicle were contaminated, and the Hannibal Haz-Mat Team was charged with decontamination procedures, as well as stopping the leaks.
   The Missouri State Highway Patrol covered traffic control, while city and county law enforcement and other fire officials simulated evacuations, by knocking door-to-door and broadcasting on audio speakers. Signs had been posted prior to the exercise alerting crews to what houses needed to be evacuated. According to officials at the scene, in a real situation a plume could cover the entire length of Paris, killing the total population within moments of exposure. The Madison Community Center was the designated fallout shelter for the drill.
   According to Paris Fire Chief Steve Jones, the purpose of the exercise was to test the Paris fire district’s capability to handle a hazardous and chemical emergency, and to coordinate with area emergency services.
   At 2030 (8:30 p.m.) hours the exercise ended on an extremely positive note.
   “Overall, it was great,” said Incident Commander Steve Jones. “We had a really great turnout, it was safe and we accomplished a lot.”
   Monroe County Presiding Commissioner Donald Simpson noted that an accident may not happen in the way it was practiced but an accident involving a vehicle and anhydrous would be very probable.
   “A tremendous number of these tanks are on county and state roads daily, which increases the possibility that something could happen,” Simpson said, noting that Paris has had anhydrous ammonia releases, but not one involving a vehicle injury accident. “We’ve been fortunate that nothing major has occurred.”
   The two-hour plus simulation was conducted out of a mobile command post set up off West Business Hwy. 24 from inside the Monroe Fire Protection District Air Trailer. Paris was assisted in the exercise by companies from Madison, Monroe City, Shelbina, Hannibal and eastern Randolph County. The Hannibal Haz-Mat Team coordinated decontamination efforts; while the Monroe County Ambulance District, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the local Red Cross, Winfield Solutions, LLC, of Paris, Cummins Recovery, Monroe Road and Bridge and the City of Paris also took part in the drill. The Air Evac of Kirksville was scheduled to participate, but was called out on an actual emergency during the simulation. Also used in the simulation were three light posts paid for by an LEPC grant. One of the criteria for the grant was to participate in mutual aid exercise. The Paris Fire Department can now check that off their list of things needing to be done.
   According to Chief Jones, the participants plan to meet sometime soon to assess the simulation.   1501 0915 4/9/2009 hdl

Principal Tracy Bottoms is "taped to the wall" at the PTSA Carnival.

The Paris PTSA hosted the 2009 Carnival this past Saturday, April 4 at the Paris High School Gymnasium. Paris R-II students of all ages had fun playing games, winning prizes and cakes and jumping in the bounce house. The attendees had silent auction items to bid on, people to tape to the wall and carnival food to eat in the cafeteria.
    Throughout the week Paris Elementary students voted for their King and Queen candidates. The candidates for each class were: Mrs. Parn’s morning pre-school Emma Morgan and John McKinney, Mrs. Parn’s afternoon pre-school Maddie Wheeler and Garrett Henry, Mrs. Epperson’s Kindergarten Nicole Skinner and Jaycob Mikel, Mrs. Prange’s Kindergarten Hailey Rueder and Aiden Forrest, Mrs. Barr’s - 1st grade Abbi Tuma and Clayton Langerud, Miss Huffman’s - 1st grade Sara Wilson and Blake Turner, Mrs. Bush’s - 2nd grade Elyssa Barr and Keaton Threlkeld, Mrs. Graupman’s - 2nd grade Raigan Playter and Devin Brandl, Mrs. Moss’ - 3rd grade Robin Batsell and Trenton Morgan, Mrs. Peck’s - 3rd grade Rebecca Rothermich and Brandon Williams, Mrs. Bell’s - 4th grade Allison Jett and Sean Parkhurst, Mrs. Turner’s - 4th grade Kaylee Brown and Bobby Johnston, Mrs. Dunlap’s - 5th grade Katelyn Breid and Steven Johnston, Mrs. Ritter’s - 5th grade Dakota Van Winkle and Laine Forrest, Mrs. K Graupman’s - 6th grade Brittany Skonecki and Cody Reeves, Mr. Dollens’ - 6th grade Michaela Harrison and Jeff Miller. The 2009 PTSA Carnival King and Queen was John McKinney and Emma Morgan. Congratulations and thanks to all of the participants.
    The great thing about the PTSA Carnival is that 2009-10 school supplies will be provided by PTSA for the third consecutive year. The wonderful support of our community has made it possible. Thanks to everyone who made a small or large contribution to the carnival. It is greatly appreciated.   1502 0915 4/9/2009 hdl

Paris R-II Science Teachers Robin Malone, left, and Suzy Otto.

With the state averaging 47.6 percent in scoring on the Science MAP test in the advanced and proficient categories for juniors – Paris posted a terrific 67.4 percent and ranked ninth in the state in schools with a population under 250 students. Even more impressive Paris ranked 19th overall out of all state schools
   Juniors, seniors now, took the test April 2008.
   “ The test consisted of a mixture but is pretty heavy in biology and then the physical sciences (forces, acceleration, etc.),” said Paris Science teacher Suzy Otto. “This was still a grade span test that covered everything up through junior year.”
   According to Ms. Otto and Science Teacher Robin Malone the end of course exams will be different this year.
   “We are giving a end of course exam in biology,” said Mrs. Malone. “This year there will be three end of course exams – Biology, Algebra I and Communication Arts.”
   It was explained that science had been a 10th grade test and last year was the first time that juniors took the test.
   According to the successful science duo, another thing that is heavily focused on is data analysis (graphing, experimental design - the thinking processes of science). A whole section on the MAP test is called a performance event. In this section students are given a scenario and asked to design an experiment, talk about a hypothesis and then given a data set and asked to graph it and draw their conclusions.
   “It is not just a multiple choice test,” said Ms. Otto. “There is also constructed responses (short answers) and then also the performance event.”
   The science team was quick to give credit to the students taking the test for its success.
   “We have set up a system that has allowed the students to be ready for this,” said Ms. Otto. “The main thing we did was to re-sequence our science courses. At the time we learned the state was increasing the graduation requirements as they increased the science requirements from 2-3 years of science we asked ourselves what did those three years need to look like.”
   At Paris R-II, freshmen take Physical Science; sophomores take Chemistry; and juniors
   Biology.
   “We save Biology for the junior year,” said Ms. Otto. “Biology has changed it used to be about plants and animals but has changed to cells and the function of cells, DNA, etc. You have to have a basis in chemistry to understand the changes. The progression allows the students to discuss the processes of each subject. We have re-structured our science department to fit this model.”
   Ms. Otto went on to explain that the students that are seniors now were freshmen when the district restructured the course offerings.
   “The group taking the test this year were the first to go through school with the new order of science classes,” noted Ms. Otto. “The administration and board members were very supportive in making the changes we did.”
   “We’re not done” said Ms. Otto and Mrs. Malone in tandem. “We have the eMINTS program that has now been instituted in our classroom. Next year we will be introducing dual credit advanced chemistry and physics to the program.”
   Ms. Otto and Mrs. Malone were also quick to thank the PPEF (Education Foundation) for their grant help in buying physics and biology equipment.
   “We did a chemical cleanout with a DNR grant and we are still making progress and then we got the big eMINTS grant,” said Ms. Otto. “We are also starting to write curriculum.”
   The way the science team looks at this ranking – it is only the tip of their periodic table of success.   1503 0915 4/9/2009 hdl

Kelsey Peterson

Kelsey Peterson is a junior at University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in Ag Business/Ag Law. Recently, she traveled to Washington, DC with the Collegiate Farm Bureau.
   On the first day she flew out of St. Louis into Reagan International. Being in walking distance from many attractions, she visited the Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Museums and Capitol Hill. Kelsey attended a formal dinner at the hotel ball room, she met several of the members of American Farm Bureau and went over the events of the trip. After dinner that evening, Congressman Sam Graves from Missouri gave them a night tour of the capitol.
   On Tuesday Kelsey was involved in a live Agri-Talk radio show and that afternoon was able to visit the American History Museum as well as some of the Art galleries. She was also witness to President Obama’s motor brigade going through downtown.
   Wednesday she visited Capitol Hill and presented petitions to the Congressman as well as had a luncheon with the Congressman and Senators from Missouri. Her group got to visit each of their respective Congressman in their offices to discuss different policy issues that were important to the Ag program. Wednesday evening there was a reception at the American Farm Bureau headquarters followed by a formal dinner.
   On Thursday, Kelsey visited the Pentagon. To conclude her visit to the nation’s Capitol, her group was granted special clearance for a visit and were allowed to speak one on one with the Secretary of the Army. He gave a presentation about an agriculture program they are working on in Afghanistan to help the country become more efficient and able to produce something besides opium.   1507 0915 4/9/2009 hdl