December 2, 2009

JEFFERSON CITY -- In Southeast Missouri, our students are able to take advantage of diverse educational opportunities. From kindergarten through college, students have the chance to enhance life time learning with programs and extracurricular activities that include athletics, educational clubs, and the arts. The students who take advantage of these opportunities are also representing our community as they travel throughout the state, and I am proud of their accomplishments.

The Southeast District of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) holds an annual bridge-building competition here in Cape Girardeau in order to encourage young engineers to continue their education. This program, which started four years ago with less than 30 entries, has grown substantially. This year’s participation was the highest since the program began with about 300 students participating

Congratulations to Zack Fallert from Ste. Genevieve High School, who won first place for the most efficient bridge. Other awards included the "most aesthetic" bridge, given to Clayton Cox of Ste. Genevieve; and the computer-based electronic bridge award, given to Alec Smith of Oak Ridge High School. Besides the individual prizes, Ste. Genevieve High School received first place for its overall results, Oak Ridge High School earned second place, and Chaffee High School received third place.

The talents of our local students reach outside the classroom and onto the courts and

fields in a variety of sports.

The Notre Dame softball team won the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3 championship. On October 25th, the Bulldogs completed a perfect game to beat Kirksville High School 3 to 0 in the championship, finishing the season 30-2. The victory for Notre Dame was the first time in school history that the softball team took home the state title.

The Notre Dame baseball team won the Class 3 championship. The team completed the season with an impressive 29-1 win/loss record. This is the Bulldogs’ fourth championship title.

The Scott City High School volleyball team recently earned the Class 2 State Championship. The Lady Rams defeated Hermann on Nov. 7th, to take first place in the championship.

In March, with a 98 – 63 win, the Scott County Central Braves basketball team won the Class 1 state championship for the second year in a row. Their victory gave Scott County’s basketball coach Ronnie Cookson his 13th state championship as a head coach.

And on November 14th, the Sikeston Cheerleaders overcame injuries to win their fourth-straight state cheerleading championship. They hope to follow in the footsteps of past state championships and continue their success at regionals and then nationals.

These are just a few of the many accomplishments by students in Southeast Missouri throughout the year. Extracurricular opportunities allow students to explore their talents and abilities and I am pleased that there are so many students in Southeast Missouri able to take advantage of all of the benefits. I thank them for representing our area so well.

Contact Me

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write to me at Jason Crowell; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email me at: jcrowell@senate.mo.gov or visit me on the web at http://www.senate.mo.gov/crowell.