Learning briefs 11/16

Cape Christian students advance in spelling bee

Local students from Cape Christian School recently advanced to a spelling bee in St. Louis, including first-grader Clayton Monia; second-grader Sean Poston; third-grader Sarah Stroup; fourth-grader Marissa Bell; fifth-grader Alicia Arnold; sixth-grader Asia Thomas; and seventh-grader Megan Keesee.

Media intern participates in presidential elections

Scott City native Meredith Seabaugh recently took part in the presidential elections during an internship with international media organization Eurovision Americas Inc. in Washington, D.C. Seabaugh served as an on-site producer, producing live shots at the White House during the election. She is a 2001 graduate of Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, Mo., who now attends St. Louis University. During her internship, Seabaugh was involved in editing news packages, writing scripts and assisting international correspondents in the studio. She also returned to St. Louis to serve as a Eurovision co-producer at the second presidential debate at Washington University.

All-district band, honor band to play Saturday

Thirty-two students from Central junior and senior high schools have been selected to participate in the Southeast Missouri All-District Band and honor band Saturday at Sikeston High School.

Students chosen for the junior high honor band are Brittany Moreland, Brenna Frederick, Toni Seyer, Sami Gross, Jamie Hillier, Nicole Ottersburg, Brittany Burnett, Hannah Cox, Rachel Berry, Alex Morton, Cortney Shelton, Cole Viers, Jimmy Stuckey, Nathan Nall, Mick Grace (alternate), Josh Egbuka, David Kiefer, Dustin Cato, Josh Wend, Jaron Brennecke, Bart Pittman and Blake Smith.

The high school all-district band includes Brianna LeGrand, Julie Hite, Melody Stone, Laura Lusk, Jennifer Willis, Jessica Cook, Allyson Herbst, Nathaniel Kinsey (alternate) Megan McMurry (alternate) and Jonathan Bernhardt.

Bragg chosen Exchange Club student of the month

Kari Bragg, a student at Central High School, has been selected as the Exchange Club student of the month for November. She is the daughter of David and Ann Bragg and a senior at Central. She is a member of the National Honor Society, scholar bowl team and president of Future Teachers of America. She is also a member of the high school orchestra, Southeast Missouri State University orchestra and Southeast Missouri District honors orchestra.

Eurales to be secretary of college ethnic coalition

DeVone Eurales, a senior from Cairo, Ill., has been chosen to serve as secretary of Illinois College's coalition for ethnic awareness for the 2004-2005 year. The coalition formed in 2000 to expose nonminorities to aspects of different cultures. Eurales is the son of Retha and Derek Eurales Sr. of Cairo. He is a 2001 graduate of Cairo High School.

Jackson student honored for writing achievement

Jackson High School student Rachel Lowes was recently honored by the National Council of Teachers of English as an outstanding writer in the nation. Lowes is among 689 high school seniors chosen for the recognition.

Jackson takes second place at drama tourney

Jackson High School recently took second place in the sweepstakes category of the seventh annual Three Rivers Community College Speech and Drama Tournament in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Students from 10 area high schools competed in the tournament.

-- From staff reports