Latest news with #GreatAmericansDay
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate Bill 68 requires schools to regulate student phone use
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Cell phones at school are the focus of a bill passed in Jefferson City this week. Carthage settles lawsuit with former city administrator Choosing the right storm shelter Volunteers revive history in Carthage for Great Americans Day Asbury shutting off water temporarily for repair work Six months in, Joplin police see success with Co-Responder program Senate Bill 68 has been passed by both the State House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor's desk for approval. Senate Bill 68 requires school districts to adopt a policy about students' use of cell phones while on campus. Many districts, like Joplin, already have one in place, but this would make it statewide. East Middle School principal, Jason Cravens says his students aren't allowed to use phones in school—which minimizes distractions and cuts down on their looking up answers online. 'That's not helpful in an educational environment where we want them to do their own work. And then also you have social connections, and we want kids interacting face to face and learning good social skills in person,' said Cravens. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
History and heroes on display during Great Americans Day
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The 21st Great Americans Day, held Tuesday, gave fifth grade students from Joplin and Carthage a chance to hear stories of Americans who became great for what they did, the challenges they overcame and the contributions they made. Debbie Herbst, of Carthage, has been working since 2002 with friends Michelle Holiday and Bonnie Schaeffer to present Great Americans Day to fifth graders from Carthage, Joplin and other communities. They've only missed two years since then — because of COVID-19 — but every year is consistent. Volunteers from across the area portray people who have contributed to American history in ways that helped build the country. This year, volunteers portrayed more than half a dozen figures from American history in Carthage's Central Park, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Squanto. 'Kids are taught to idolize sports stars or famous people who make lots of money or maybe they're really good-looking,' Herbst said. 'And maybe they're good people, but that does not mean they did anything of virtue. Really, that's the purpose of Great Americans Day. It's to show that true heroes are people of courage and faith and perseverance and compassion. Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by my husband, Bob, does a wonderful job of talking about the virtue of perseverance. Lincoln endured a great deal of hardship in his life, and that's how he developed the perseverance to lead America through the Civil War.' Herbst said she and the other organizers got the idea from an event that was held in Webb City. 'We had seen and heard of a Great Americans Day in Webb City and one of my friends was an actress, so we said, 'I wonder if we could do that,'' Herbst said. 'Our first year, we only had two little schools of about 100 children. Then the second year, 2003, that was when we included all the Carthage fifth graders.' She said private and public schools from Joplin, Monett, Pierce City and other communities have brought their students to past Great Americans Day events. Madison Herr, a fifth grade student at St. Mary's Catholic School in Joplin, said she enjoyed the day in the park and the stories that were told. Among the stations she singled out was Carl Junction police Officer Doug Dickey portraying the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, being interviewed by Dickey's wife, Vicki Dickie. 'I liked his story because I liked the interview, how she actually interviewed him,' Madison said. 'The George Washington Carver story was fun because he actually used peanuts in ways we didn't know they could be used. Squanto was very cool because he was there and helped with the Pilgrims. My favorite was probably either eating popcorn and listening to the Squanto story or the George Washington Carver story.' Her friend, Emmy Jane Dinger, also with St. Mary's School, said she liked playing a game called graces, which involved two people using two rods to throw a ring to each other. Volunteer Karl Wendt, who portrayed William Bradford, the leader of the Pilgrims who came to Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower, said he loved working with the fifth graders. 'The kids are eager and excited, and it's that right age when they're still asking lots of questions,' Wendt said. 'This is a great opportunity to talk to them. You're cautious in schools to talk about faith, but we're here on a day like this to be historically accurate. And you get to share what was kind of the faith backbone of some of these great Americans.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Steadley Elementary third graders animate Missouri's history
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Missouri's past came to life at Carthage's Steadley Elementary today. Carthage settles lawsuit with former city administrator Volunteers revive history in Carthage for Great Americans Day Carthage-area bridge to close for $2.8 million replacement project Jasper County Sheriff's Office highlights safety at annual event Carthage Tech Center awards top honor to 100+ seniors Third grade students portrayed big names from the state's past, many of them even dressing for the part. This is an annual tradition at the school and has the students researching their character to help educate fellow classmates. Parker Jones portrayed World War 2 General Omar Bradley, a native of Clark, Missouri. 'First we had to get all the facts about them, and then we had to write it on a piece of paper, and then we had to type it,' said Parker Jones, portraying Gen. Omar Bradley. 'It covers speaking and listening, it covers researching, it covers Missouri history, it covers the contributions of famous Missourians. That's an actual standard that we have to teach,' said Nicole Bayless, 3rd Grade Teacher. These students were given a list of famous Missourians to choose from. After that, the work was all their own. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers revive history in Carthage for Great Americans Day
CARTHAGE, Mo. — History comes alive at the park in Carthage. Central Park was the site Tuesday for the annual 'Great Americans Day.' It's put on every year by the Carthage Intermediate Center and, once again, featured volunteers who portrayed the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Diamond's own, George Washington Carver. This event highlights the importance of historical figures — and the values that made them important in America's history. It's also part of the Living History field trip for local schools. Volunteers revive history in Carthage for Great Americans Day Carthage-area bridge to close for $2.8 million replacement project Jasper County Sheriff's Office highlights safety at annual event Carthage Tech Center awards top honor to 100+ seniors Area seniors celebrate project milestones ahead of graduation Andi Edwards played the role of the woman who founded the American Red Cross, Clara Barton. 'I do it because our kids today and all of us are so inundated with hard stories, stories of stress and strife across our nation in the world. But it's important that we talk about our history as a nation and the people who built it and inspired the great things in our nation, how they were built and why they did what they did. We need inspiration,' said Edwards. 'I think they should do something like this because it can help them learn like the great Americans that helped make a difference in the world and like, helped what we do now,' said Haedyn Duncan, Carthage 5th grader. The Intermediate Center has hosted this event since 2002. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
