Achieving a college degree has been a goal of Amber Hornbeck for nearly 30 years.
She graduated this month from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of General Studies.
“I remain hopeful about the future and grateful to have had the opportunity to complete a degree program at a University so close to home,” she said.
Amber celebrated graduating from Southeast with her son Cooper; brother-in-law, Larry Duncan; and her sister Janice Duncan.
After earning an Associate of Arts in middle school education from Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff in 2018, Hornbeck decided to complete her higher education journey with classes at Southeast’s Poplar Bluff delivery site.
Being able to earn her degree in her hometown of Poplar Bluff allowed her to continue her work as a news clerk at the Daily American Republic while also fulfilling her responsibilities as a single mother to her 16-year-old son, Cooper.
“I wanted to lead by example to show him that anything is possible if you simply dedicate yourself and maintain focus on your goals,” she said.
The support she received from her professors and advisors was instrumental.
Amber decorated her Southeast mortarboard with an image of her parents, in honor of her promise to them to earn her four-year degree.
“A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all my fellow Redhawks, instructors and staff who played a role in guiding me through my degree program,” she said.
The help she received from Pauletta Burns, coordinator of academic and student services at Southeast’s Poplar Bluff Delivery Site, guided her towards success both personally and academically.
“Had it not been for the due diligent advising of Pauletta, I would have abandoned my dreams” after several academic and financial challenges, Hornbeck said. “She is the consummate encourager and champion to all those she counsels.”
As she contemplates the future, Hornbeck hopes to be an example for and help advise other non-traditional students navigate their return to college.
“Graduation with a college degree was the fulfillment of a promise I had made years earlier to my late parents — their image adorns my Southeast mortarboard,” she said. “I am proud to call myself a Southeast alumna!”
Memorial Day Public Ceremonies cancelled at all five Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries due to COVID-19 concerns
For the first time in the history of Memorial Day ceremonies at Bloomfield the annual event has been cancelled.
Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries continue to follow CDC and National Cemetery Administration cautionary guidelines on large gatherings of 10 or more individuals.
On Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Directors will render appropriate honors and lower all flags to half-staff to honor all Veterans interred in Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries at all five State Veteran Cemeteries. Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries are located at Bloomfield, Higginsville, Jacksonville, Springfield, and Ft. Leonard Wood. To further honor our Veterans and include citizens who will not be able to attend our ceremonies due to the current emergency, the Missouri Veterans Commission will provide a video honoring our Veterans on its social media platforms in lieu of the traditional in-person ceremony.
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was established as a day for Americans to honor those who were killed during the Civil War. It was not until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971 and was placed on the last Monday in May.
WHAT: Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
WHO: Jim Nugent, Director - Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Program
WHERE: Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries Bloomfield, Higginsville, Jacksonville, Springfield, Ft. Leonard Wood
WHEN: Memorial Day - Monday, May 25, 2020
For more information contact
Jim Nugent
660-295-4237
Farmers Market sponsored by the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce will be held each Tuesday from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Elderland Restaurant Parking Lot located at 102 MO Hwy 25.
Season Booth/Vendor Fee $25; Single Day Booth/Vendor Fee $5
Baked good, vegetables, jams and jellies, handmade craft items, fruits, eggs, herbs, small livestock such as chickens, ducks, rabbits and so much more!
Text or Call Amy Haas, Chamber President at 573.421.2934 to reserve your spot and for questions.
ShowMe Times will be LIVE! Please come out and support your local businesses for great home-grown market items.
If you see an Event Page please be sure to invite your friends!!
Dexter, MO - The valedictorian for the Dexter High School Class of 2020 is Blair Rogers and the salutatorian is Audrey Marie Lutmer.
Rogers is the daughter of Robin and Scott Northern and the late Aaron Rogers.
During her high school career she was in the top 10% of her class all four years.
Rogers earned the Bearcat Scholar Award her junior and senior years, the Perryville Character Athlete Award her junior year, first-team all-conference volleyball award during her junior and senior years, first-team all-district volleyball award during her junior and senior years, all-county cheerleader award all four years, Dexter High School Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year for her senior year, Dexter High School Cheerleading Award for her junior and senior years and the social studies faculty award.
She was named Missouri volleyball academic all-state the past four years. Rogers was a member of the Dexter High School varsity volleyball team, the Dexter High School varsity cheerleading squad, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Student Council and National Beta Club all four years.
She played USAV club volleyball for three years and was a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for three years. She competed on the Dexter High School varsity track and field and was a member of the Foreign Language Club (FLC) and National Honor Society for two years. She was a member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), athletic council and Future Teachers of America (FTA) for one year. She attended the Fulton Leadership Workshop and Missouri Girls State.
Rogers finished her high school career with a 4.337 GPA and plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia and major in political science. She then plans to attend law school and become a criminal defense attorney.
The salutatorian for the Dexter Class of 2020 is Audrey Marie Lutmer and is the daughter of Angela Lutmer and Brian Lutmer.
Lutmer is the president of Dexter’s FFA chapter, a service coordinator in the National Honor Society, a captain of the Drama, Speech and Debate team, captain of the Scholar Bowl team, a member of the Senior Beta Club and plays bassoon in the varsity band. She has been in the top 10 percent of her class in all four years of high school and received the faculty award for mathematics, English, scholar bowl and agriculture.
Lutmer finished her high school career with a 4.322 GPA and plans to attend Missouri State University where she will plans to major in sociology.
A graduation parade will be held for the Dexter Class of 2020 Friday evening.
Mason and Maddox Beaird are the Bernie Parents as Teachers’ students of the month for May 2020.
They are the children of Justin and Emily Beaird.
Mason is four years old and enjoys riding the tractor with his Dad.
During the family’s PAT visits with Mrs. McGarity, he loves learning and playing games and cannot wait to go to school one day.
Mason’s little brother, two year old Maddox, loves playing outside with his siblings.
During their PAT visits, he enjoys sitting with his family and reading the new books they receive, as well as engaging in all the fun activities his parent educator brings for him.
