The Poplar Bluff High School Beta Club has been awarded $6,000 for placing first in the Collect the Caps promotion over a five-state region for the second year in a row.

A partnership between Dr Pepper and Pepsi MidAmerica, the contest has helped provide a budget for the student organization, beginning in 2019 when PBHS won $2,500 for placing third, bringing the grand total to $14,500 in the last four years.

“The dedication of the faculty and students show the care they have for their school and community,” said Taylor McDermott, Pepsi MidAmerica marketing manager. “I am beyond proud of Poplar Bluff High School and look forward to watching them win for years to come.”

PBHS “blew the competition out of the park,” continued McDermott, noting that the total weight of the collection was nearly eight pounds compared to the second-place winner, which turned in under two pounds worth of the teal caps. The service region encompasses Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Communication arts teacher Dr. Stephanie Kuper, who serves as Beta Club co-adviser with business teacher Pam Davis, said the proceeds would be used in part to subsidize the cost of sending 34 students to the National Beta Convention in June in Louisville.

“It’s helped for kids to never have to choose from going to the national convention and not being able to afford it,” said Kuper, pointing out that some students are participating in the Student Council state convention the week prior and were having to make a hard decision. “We’ve had the biggest group ever qualify and it’s an opportunity to bring home some more awards, which would be another feather in PBHS’ cap.”

The PBHS Beta Club had collected bottle caps of the specially marked products in designated drum barrels from September through January. Bags were also distributed to all of the classrooms. Kuper thanked the community for its continued support, namely the Missouri State Highway Patrol for "showing up with a huge bag" unprompted.

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Cutline: Tom Orosz, Pepsi MidAmerica on premise rep, presents Beta Club officers (left to right) Rebecca Stevens, Addison Shell and Grace Neighbors with a check on Wednesday, March 29, at PBHS.