Matthews - Essner

Ted and Valarie Matthews of New Baltimore, Mich., announce the engagement of their daughter, Christina Marie Matthews of Cape Girardeau, to Blake Alan Essner. He is the son of Dennis and Becky Essner of Kelso, Mo.

Matthews is a 2005 graduate of Glenwood High School in Chatham, Ill. She received a bachelor of science degree in recreation from Southeast Missouri State University in 2009, and expects to receive a master of public administration from the university this fall.

Essner is a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School. He received a bachelor's degree in biomedical science from Southeast, and expects to graduate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry in 2014.

An Aug. 6 wedding is planned at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso.