Almost 150 Poplar Bluff students participated in the recent Missouri Junior and Senior Beta conventions, earning a traveling trophy and golden ticket to nationals, plus placing in 27 categories, seven of which were first place victories.

But perhaps most notably, junior Bryden Fuemmeler was elected to serve as Missouri Beta president, the first state officer in PBHS history, according to incoming assistant principal Dr. Stephanie Kuper. She pointed out that the school technically did have a transfer student from another district finish out a term here back in the 1990s.

“It's the opportunity of a lifetime for him, first of all. And for our club, to show up to Beta and win awards shows we are competing with other clubs [established] for decades,” said Kuper, communication arts teacher who serves as co-sponsor with Pam Davis of the Business Department. “The commitment of the folks in here every day after school carving out some time before running to practice to get the set completed—it was such a group effort, and Mrs. Davis and myself couldn’t be more proud.”

At the state convention, Bryden delivered a short speech, performed a skit with help from his schoolmates and participated in a Q&A before several thousand in attendance, each of whom had a chance to vote to determine the winner, Kuper explained. Based on the film “Grease,” Bryden used an analogy of the hot rod nicknamed “greased lightnin’” as his campaign platform.

“Leadership is our fuel, service is our drivetrain, character is our engine and achievement is our roadmap,” Bryden told the audience. “When you’re riding with Bryden on the foundations of leadership, service, character and achievement, together you and I will take Missouri Beta to the next level!”

Bryden, who described himself as a “full-service president,” will attend the weeklong National Beta Summer Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., with PBHS sophomore Emaly Clyburn, who was previously named state leadership representative. He will also vie for national president in June during the National Beta Convention in Louisville. “Missouri hasn’t had a candidate win at the national level in several years, and Poplar Bluff needs to be the school to bring it back to our state,” Kuper stated.

Other PBHS students who qualified to compete nationally during the Missouri Senior Beta Convention on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, in Branson were: first place winners in musicology – Gracie Brown, Donna Clark, Parker Hicks and Dawson Parker; first in technology – Cole Pullam and Grace Ruesler; second in marketing & communications – Kayleigh Blanchard, Hannah Burton and Macie Winkler; third in poetry division one – Aaron Johnson; third in 10th grade Spanish – Samantha Ruiz; fourth in fiber art – Gracie Burns; fourth in 10^th grade biomedical health science – Aaryn Johnson; fourth in handmade jewelry – Macie Winkler; and fifth in 11th grade biomedical – Rebecca Stevens. PBHS additionally placed fourth in campaign skit, and was the St. Jude traveling trophy winner.

National qualifiers during the Junior Beta Convention on Wednesday and Thursday, March 1-2, at the Branson Convention Center were: Junior High’s Haidyn Allen, Preston Ethridge, Jackson Kennedy and Jaxton Spain for placing first in musicology junior oral; Jackson Kennedy – first in eighth grade science; Haidyn Allen, and Ella and Kennedy Shell – third in book battle junior; and Lexus Allbritton – fifth in onsite art drawing. The Middle School’s Daniel Broege placed first in fifth grade math; Tenley Moss – first in performing arts junior solo dancer; Natalea Rommel – first in fifth grade painting; Analeigh Peach – second in fifth grade performing arts; Ace Luecke – third in fifth grade woodworking; Olivia Tinker – fourth in fifth grade spelling bee; Jude Funke, Jillian Hovis, Brevyn Price and Sadie Smith – fourth in Quiz Bowl elementary oral; Jaxson Rothenberger – fifth in fifth grade science; and Tenley Moss won a golden ticket for premier performer junior dancer. Lastly, Lake Road’s Jacob Turner placed second in fifth grade math; Maddox Campbell – fourth in fifth grade language arts; Tyler Gerdes – fourth in sixth grade language arts; and Emma Biri and Nakayla Randolph – fifth in performing arts junior duo.

###

Cutline: Poplar Bluff High School junior Bryden Fuemmeler was named Missouri Beta president during the 73^rd annual Senior Beta Convention held earlier this month in Branson.