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Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Paris and Madison (Cutline after article)

Paris R-II
   To the melodic strains of Pomp and Circumstance wafting through the air, played by the Paris R-II Junior High and High School Band under the direction of David How, the Paris R-II 2010 senior class marched down the narrow aisles in the gym crowded with their friends and family and into their future during the 2010 Paris R-II graduation, Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m.
   After the National Anthem, performed by the Band, District Superintendent Nancy Henke welcomed the graduating class.
   “Welcome to tonight’s graduation ceremony,” said Superintendent Henke, “Good luck to you in everything you do.”
   The Paris Junior High and High School Band performed a stunning rendition of “Lest We Forget.”
   The High School Choir performed “You Raise Me Up” as handkerchiefs and tissues started to make their way out of the pockets of proud parents and family members.
   Secondary Principal Tracy Bottoms recognized the Class of 2010’s top ten (Kelsay Heitmeyer, Andriel Culbertson, Kahler Mitchell, Brittany Page, Cal Bergthold, Tessa Henderson, Cameron DeGraff, Alexander Fodge, Dustin Wilkerson and Sarah Ray), recognized Dustin Wilkerson with a Perfect Attendance Award, and then presented the 2010 Valedictorian Sarah Ray and Salutatorian Dustin Wilkerson with their medals.
   “Remember Future equals Motivation over Attitude,” said Salutatorian Wilkerson. “Always start with a positive attitude.”
   “We have to remain motivated to accomplish our goals,” added Salutatorian Dye. “Let’s go do the work!”
    “The best piece of advice a teacher ever gave me was to, remember yesterday, work hard today, and succeed tomorrow” said Valedictorian Ray. “Good luck to each of you.”
   Principal Bottoms recognized Band Director David How for his many years of dedicated service to the district as he is retiring this year. The audience gave How a standing ovation.
   Principal Bottoms presented the Class of 2010 as ready to graduate and Board of Education President Raymond Batsell presented diplomas to the 2010 graduates.
   The Class of 2010 includes: Citlally Anaya, Taylor Quentin Barr*, Nicole Elizabeth Bassler, Cal Isaac Bergthold*, Annie Elaine Court, Lillian Dawn Crider, Andriel Jolie Culbertson*, Cameron John DeGraff*, Amanda Sue DeOrnellas, Casey Lynn Duncan, Keith Michael Duncan, Michael Tyler Duncan, Tyler Scott Dunlap, Kevin Elizondo-Rojas*, Cody Russell Erwin, Alexander Norman Fodge*, Kali Jade Gibbs, Jonathan Robert Gilliam, Lucia Gottschalk*, Kelsay Jo Heitmeyer*, Tessa Britt Henderson*, Courtney Michelle Holmes, Dayton Christopher Hudson, Coty Alan Jackson, Lance Paul James, James David Jones, Neecey Jane Jones, Shelby Nicole Landis, Hezekiah Da’Nel Long, Shania Ann McGruder, Amanda Kaye Mikel, Sadee May Miller, Kahler Lee Mitchell*, Brittany Trishawn Page*, Gavin Cole Ragsdale, Sarah Ann Ray*, Kayla Noel Redmon, Taylor Mrgan Ross, Andrew James Summers, Victoria Brianne Wheelan, Dustin Guy Wilkerson*, Desiree Noel Wolfe, Ashley Michelle Wormington* and Aaron Eugene Yates. *denotes national honor society
   A dedication to a fallen classmate included an empty chair among the class and a table of memorabilia in memory of Jacob Carr.
   To the soft strains of Pomp and Circumstance and raucous applause from family and friends, the now graduates, walked back down the aisle and into the rest of their lives.
   A senior slide show played prior to the ceremony.
   Madison C-3
   The Madison 2010 Graduation, on Sunday, May 16, at 2 p.m., began with the prelude of “Live Like We Are Dying” by Kris Allen.
   The graduates entered the gymnasium to the sweet strains of Pomp and Circumstance, performed by Karla Salmons.
   Superintendent Fred Weibling welcomed the assembled graduates, friends, guests and family.
   Madison Librarian Jill Eoff gave the graduation speech.
   “It took the support of teachers, faculty, staff, family, friends and neighbors to get you here,” said Eoff. “Show your appreciation and do you very best.”
   “Your future begins today!” added Eoff.
   Principal Scott Salmons and Superintendent Weibling presented the Eighth Graders with their diplomas.
   The Eighth Grade Class includes: Dusty Albertson, Brandon Barton, Isaac Bollman, Blake Brown, Kaleb Brucker, Jacob Buckman, Audri Burton, Megan Clampitt, Destinee Clark, Allie Duncan,, Samantha Legrand, Dakota Meals, Jamie Mozingo, Samantha Painter, Jeremy Wilson and Shelby Woods.
   Superitendent Weibling presented Trot Gallup with a plaque in recognition of his tireless support and help to the district.
   Counselor Jessica David presented the class with their scholarships and awards.
   Brandon Pierce gave a moving Valedictorian address. Valedictorian Pierce presented Sara Brown’s father, Mike, with a special remembrance during graduation. Sara and her little sister Maria, both Madison students, were killed in a house fire approximately three years ago. Sara was remembered by Brandon in his Valedictorian message and by her graduating class during their photo presentation. A scholarship in memory of the girls was presented for the first time this year.
   The Senior Class recognized their parents with flowers while “Big Yellow Taxi” (Counting Crows) and “Good Riddance” (Green Day) played.
   The Senior Class song, “Drive” by Incubus played and a senior class slide presentation was presented.
   Superintendent Weibling presented the Class of 2010 to Board of Education president Tammy Breid as having fulfilled all the requirements of the state and district and ready to graduate.
   The Madison C-3 Class of 2010 includes: *Timothy Bollman, *Justin DeOrnellis, James Derboven, Christian Gallup, Lacey Gibler, Courtney Hendren, Garrett Hinten, Daniel Legrand, *Tiffany Legrand, *+Kayla Menefee, *Britney Milner, *+Brandon Pierce, Joseph Rexroat, Mariah Silkwood, Carl Stokes and Cody Williams
   (* indicates honor students; + Valedictorian/Salutatorian)
   Senior escorts were Kimberly Branch and Allen Koontz and Eighth Grade escorts were Elizabeth Boillot and Garrison DeClue.
   The graduates departed the gym into their futures to the strains of “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper.
   (Top) Valedictorian for Paris R-II was Sarah Ray, right. Dustin Wilkerson was the 2010 Salutatorian. (Bottom) Valedictorian for Madison C-3 was Kayla Menefee, left. Brandon Pierce was Salutatorian   2769 1020 5/20/2010 hdl

Paris 5th Grade DARE Graduates

On Monday, May 10, the fifth grade of Paris R-II Schools held their DARE graduation. After an extensive 12-week course of instruction the students were ready to graduate from this positive community-based program.
   “The program curriculum runs for 10 weeks but we expanded it a little bit to a 12 week course,” explained Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy and DARE instructor Corporal Sue Walker.
   Included in the comprehensive program was an essay contest that saw the winners, Peyton Ness and Dylan White receive an iPod, and an iTunes gift card. Nic Thomas and Chase Reddington received second place prizes.
   Essay suggestions included: “You should never do drugs”; “Never take a bad drug or too much of a good one”; “After this DARE class I am more aware.”
   “DARE helped me learn what drugs can do to me,” said Dylan White.
   “Drugs can be legal but they can still be harmful,” said Peyton Ness.
   Fifth grade teachers include Mrs. Dunlap and Mrs. Ritter.
   Students graduating this DARE class received a certificate of achievement, a t-shirt, and a goody bag filled with pencils, erasers, a DARE pin, cards and other items provided by the DARE sponsors.
   “This has been an excellent group of students,” said Deputy Walker. “They worked really hard in everything they did.”
   This year millions of school children around the world will benefit from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation’s school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.
   Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. Forty hours of additional training are provided to D.A.R.E. instructors to prepare them to teach the high school curriculum.
   According to their national headquarters, D.A.R.E. goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. It gives children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities.
   D.A.R.E. is universally viewed as an internationally recognized model of community policing. The United States Department of Justice has identified how D.A.R.E. benefits local communities:
   D.A.R.E. “humanizes” the police: that is, young people can begin to relate to officers as people
   D.A.R.E. permits students to see officers in a helping role, not just an enforcement role
   D.A.R.E. opens lines of communication between law enforcement and youth
   D.A.R.E. Officers can serve as conduits to provide information beyond drug-related topics
   D.A.R.E. opens dialogue between the school, police, and parents to deal with other issues.
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Constitution Party Senate Candidate Joseph Martellaro, left, with 9-12 co-founder Ron Staggs.

Joseph Martellaro, Cuba, Missouri, of the Constitution Party, who is currently running for the vacant Senator Kit Bond seat, addressed the “9-12 We The People of Monroe County” group at their meeting on Thursday, May 14.
   9-12 co-founder Ron Staggs introduced the senate candidate to the approximately 40 individuals attending the meeting. There are three candidates running to secure the Constitution Party’s nominee, which will be decided in the August 3 primary.
   Martellaro addressed the issues of the Arizona immigration law, the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, incumbents, the media, among other topics.
   “America is the land of opportunity still” said Martellaro. “Without freedom and liberty there would have not been an Edison or Bell.”
   “How does all of this qualify me to be a US Senator?” said Martellaro after explaining about his non political his background. “The most common complaint you hear today is that “Politicians are out of touch” with the American people. My life experience has kept me very much in touch with the American people. Couple this with a period of extensive self education in economics, history, and Constitutional Law probably better qualifies me than most of the Legislators currently serving.”
   “We can not continue on this course… big government, big debt, big deficits, big taxes, big egos and narrow minds,” added Martellaro. “Electing another professional politician is not the answer. The founders would be thrilled to see the government, once again, in the hands of the people.”
   “The same people who made this mess are now asking us to vote for them to fix it,” noted Martellaro.
   “It took 200 years to get into the situation we are now, it might take us 200 years to get out,” said Martellaro in closing.
   After his speech, Martellaro fielded numerous questions from the assembled that resulted in a lively give and take session.
   “Not all the news is bad,” said Martellaro. “People are good and they do help each other.
   “We admire you for doing this (running for office),” said 9-12 co-founder Martha Staggs.
   Following the candidate presentation, Martha Staggs held a short meeting for the 9-12 constituents. Staggs informed the group about upcoming events including Old Threshers, County Fair and Fall-In-To-Paris and asked the assembled if they wanted to have a tent at these events. After a short discussion it was agreed to have a presence at these events in some fashion.
   Staggs presented a pamphlet that had been created of the group and informed the members, “we have to get our word out and that is why we created this pamphlet.”
   “Remember our mission is to educate ourselves and others of issues under consideration by Congress...” said Staggs.
   Staggs also highlighted suggestions to have a weekly newspaper article and asked for volunteers and informed members of upcoming group activities.
   The group discussed an email regarding the establishment of a tea party caucus for the different counties and then a state convention and decided to research the subject more before making any decision.
   The next meeting of the “9-12 We the People of Monroe County” will be on Thursday., May 27, in teh Roegge Room of the Library, at 7 p.m.   2773 1020 5/20/2010 hdl

Randolph County Presiding Commissioner Susan Carter, left, addressed the Paris Rotary Club on Thursday, May 13. Rotary Treasurer and President Elect Glenn Turner was the program sponsor.

Randolph County Presiding Commissioner Susan Carter addressed the Paris Rotary Club on Thursday, May 13. Commissioner Carter discussed her many years working for CBS news including her time as editor of 60 Minutes and work on 48 Hours and Eye To Eye Connie Chung. She informed members she joined CBS news in 1977 - discussed the habits of news viewers during that era and reminisced about her career. “Every television show today was born out of the 60 Minutes concept,” said Carter. “My first big story was the death of Elvis Presley.”
   Carter informed the Rotarians that some of the big stories she has covered included President Nixon and his trip to China, coverage of the bombing of the World Trade Center, turnover of the Panama Canal, coverage of the Philippines and the Marcos’s departure.
   Carter discussed how the networks were funded then and how this process changed over the years.
   “I have had a wonderful ride and hopefully there will always be a place for well thought out , well reported news,” said Carter.
      2774 1020 5/20/2010 hdl

Columbia College: Tessa Henderson Keystone Scholarship, Academic Achievement Scholarship, Leadership Award
   Rick Harrison Athletic Award-Tyler Dunlap
   U.S. Army Scholar Athlete Awards-Alec Fodge and Tessa Henderson
   Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award-Sarah Ray and Dustin Wilkerson
   Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award-Taylor Barr and Kayla Redmon
   Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award-Shelby Landis
   Emmett S. Brown Scholarship-Taylor Barr
   AFA Scholarship-Sarah Ray
   American Legion Scholarship-Taylor Ross
   American Legion God and Country Award- Cal Bergthold and Shelby Landis
   Paris Rotary Club Scholarship-Kahler Mitchell
   2010 Missouri Girls State Delegate-Lauren Shatzer
   2010 Missouri Boys State Delegates-Devin Vanlandingham and Josh Bright
   Stephen D. Forbis Memorial Scholarship-Dustin Wilkerson
   Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship-Taylor Barr
   Paris CTA Scholarship-Annie Court
   Country Homemakers Strive for Success Awards-Shelby Landis and Ashley Wormington
   Monroe County Farm Bureau Scholarship-Alec Fodge
   Kent Ensor Memorial Scholarship-Sarah Ray
   Lula M. Herring Scholarship-Cal Bergthold
   I.O.O.F. (Odd Fellows) Scholarship-Cal Bergthold
   MFA Foundation Scholarship-Alec Fodge
   Powers Community Scholarship-Kahler Mitchell
   Paris Lions Club Scholarship-Shelby Landis
   Shelter Insurance Scholarship-Andriel Culbertson
   Dr. Robert Warbritton Memorial Scholarship-Kali Gibbs
   Xi Gamma Rho Scholarship-Annie Court
   Frances Arends Memorial Scholarship-Annie Court
   Xi Beta Xi Scholarship-Brittany Page
   Agnew Scholarship-Taylor Ross
   MACC Superintendent’s Scholarships-Taylor Barr and Lily Crider
   Paris High School Principal’s Award-Shaina McGruder
   Oak Ridge Christian Church Scholarship-Lance James
   Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship-Andriel Culbertson
   Mexico Ledger Courtesy Award-Kelsay Heitmeyer
   Mexico Ledger Citizenship Award-Taylor Ross
   Lorna C. Bottger Scholarship-Cal Bergthold
   Monroe County Cattlemen’s Scholarship-Sarah Ray
   Mary Prada Lewis Scholarship-Kelsay Heitmeyer
   Barnett English Scholarship-Dustin Wilkerson
   Barnett Science Scholarship-Cameron DeGraff
   Mike McKinney Memorial Award-Cal Bergthold and Tessa Henderson
   Paris FBLA Scholarship-Tessa Henderson. Paris FFA Scholarship-Kahler Mitchell. Sydenstricker Gator FFA Scholarship-Sarah Ray. State FFA Officer Scholarship-Sarah Ray
   Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarship-Sarah Ray and Dustin Wilkerson
   Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship-Sarah Ray
   Paris Student Council Scholarships-Andriel Culbertson and Taylor Ross
   Charles R. (Bob) Hayes Scholarships-Kahler Mitchell and JD Jones
   Central Missouri SIDS Scholarship (In memory for Arend Thomas Dunkle) - Sarah Ray
   Monroe County Young Farmer’s Scholarship - Dustin Wilkerson
   Vo-Tech Awards - Portfolio Recipient-Cody Erwin (Ag Diesel)
   Certificates of Completion - Tyler Duncan (Machine Tool) and Coty Jackson (Welding)
   John Wood Community College
   Andriel Culbertson - Full Leadership Talent Waiver
   Amanda DeOrnellas - Full Leadership Talent Waiver
   Kayla Redmon - Full Tuition Waiver for Softball
   Central Methodist University
   Cal Bergthold - Trustee’s and Choir Scholarship.
   Kelsay Heitmeyer - Dean’s and Track Scholarship
   Shelby Landis - Eagle Scholarship
   Northwest Missouri State University
   Brittany Page - Tower Scholarship and Freshman Multicultural Scholarship
   MACC
   Kahler Mitchell - Educational Recognition Scholarship
   University of Missouri-Columbia
   Dustin Wilkerson - Excellence Award, Charles and Ina Rae Brazeale Scholarship, Missouri Foundation Orscheln’s Scholarship
   Ashley Wormington-Charles and Ina Rae Brazeale Scholarship
   Alec Fodge-Curator’s Scholarship and CAFNR Scholarship
   Sarah Ray-Curator’s Scholarship, CAFNR Scholarship, Charles and Ina Rae Brazeale Scholarship, and National FFA Elmer J. and Hester Jane Johnson Memorial Scholarship
   Nicole Bassler-Charles and Ina Rae Brazeale Scholarship
   Missouri College Prep Certificates - Sarah Ray, Ashley Wormington, Dustin Wilkerson, Tessa Henderson, Cameron DeGraff, Lance James, Brittany Page, and Nicole Bassler
   George Washington Carver Awards - Cameron DeGraff, Tessa Henderson, Sarah Ray, Dustin Wilkerson, Alec Fodge
   Student Council Awards - Andriel Culbertson, Casey Duncan, Kelsay Heitmeyer, Lily Crider, Taylor Ross, Amanda DeOrnellas, Annie Court, Dustin Wilkerson, Ashley Wormington, Tyler Dunlap, Tessa Henderson, Lucy Gottschalk, and Kevin Elizondo-Rojas
   AFS Awards - Kelsay Heitmeyer, Kayla Redmon, Lucy Gottschalk, and Kevin Elizondo-Rojas
   Academic Letter Awards - First Year Letter Winners; Andriel Culbertson, Amanda DeOrnellas, Keith Duncan, Kelsay Heitmeyer, Shelby Landis, Taylor Ross. Second Year Letter Winners-Cameron DeGraff, Alec Fodge, Tessa Henderson, Sarah Ray, and Dustin Wilkerson.
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