The Health Science I students visited Robert Lott Community Homes December 13, 2011 to bring Christmas cheer to the residents of both the men and women’s homes.  Many friendships were made and memories created for both students and residents.  While visiting the homes we met Roland a.k.a. Elvis.  He was so appreciative of our Christmas gift giving that he visited the Health Science classroom on January 26, 2012 to perform a concert.  The Health Science students provided body guards, fans, posters, and backdrops to make his visit special.  “Elvis” definitely put on a show and won many hearts!

Pictured: PHS Coach Eddie Walker, Linda Travis (mother), Jordan Travis, Phillip Travis (father), PHS Athletic Director John Miller

CHICAGO (January 23, 2012) – In its 27^th year of honoring the nations’ best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, today announced Jordan Travis of Poplarville HS as its 2011-12 Gatorade Mississippi Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.  Travis is the first Gatorade Mississippi Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from Poplarville HS.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Travis as Mississippi’s best high school boys cross country runner.  Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Travis joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-00, 2000-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.) Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Kevin Garnett (1992-93, Maudlin HS, S.C.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).

The 5-foot-6 senior raced to a second consecutive Class 4A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:43.2.  Travis placed fourth at the Amateur Athletic Union Cross Country National Championships in the Intermediate/Young level in 16:43.2 this past December.  He captured third at the 2009 Class 4A state meet as a sophomore.

Also a track standout, Travis has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.  In addition to donating his time as a peer tutor, he has volunteered on behalf of his church, as part of the National Beta Club and as a fundraiser for a campaign to deliver Christmas cards to the incarcerated.

“He is a humble athlete who always puts God first,” said Poplarville head coach Eddie Walker.  “He might not be the most talented athlete on the racecourse, but his heart and determination allow him to persevere.

Savanah H.  and Jamie D. are busy counting flies, Drosophila melanogaster, as part of an A.P. Biology experiment to understand genetics. Students in Mr. Hall’s A.P. Biology class will select specific genetic traits and cross those traits by selectively breeding a male and female D. melanogaster.

Drosophila melanogaster is commonly known as the fruit fly and are prepared and shipped by biological supply houses in small vials about the size of medicine bottles. The various traits that are studied include eye color, wing structure, body color, and seta (hair like) numbers. Some of the traits studied will be sex-linked which means the trait will be inherited by the males more than the females.

D. melanogasterare used as model organisms for genetic studies for several reasons, they have only four pair of chromosomes, they mature from egg to reproductive age in about 21 days, and they have several easily identified traits. A professor at Columbia University, Thomas Hunt Morgan, began genetic studies with the fruit flies in 1907 and D. melanogasterbecame one of the first organisms to have their entire genome mapped.

Ethan Paschal signed a scholarship to play soccer with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.  Shown at the signing are, front row, left to right, Lori Dimperio (Ethan’s mother), Ethan, and Tom Paschal (Ethan’s father), on the back row from left to right are MGCCC Boys Coach, Travis Dickey, and PHS Soccer Coach, Adam Smith.

Pictured on the front row are Weyenberg and his parents, Lisa Davidson, Blake, and Billy Don Spiers. Pictured on the back row is PRCC Coach Lindsey, PHS Coach Fortune, and PRCC Coach Gatlin.

On THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012, Poplarville Upper Elementary will hold its annual ‘Be A Hero’ blood drive.  The drive will take place in the school gym and will last from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Kristi Womack with the United Blood Services made presentations to the students of P.U. E. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.  She spoke with them about how to recruit blood donors and the importance of donating blood.  She also taught them about the three main components of blood and how each component is used to help patients.  Each student who recruits a donor will receive a t-shirt and a charm.  In addition, students who recruit 2 or more donors will be able to attend a party!  It is not necessary to have an appointment to donate.  Please make plans to give during this drive.  Blood donors are HEROES!

Students from Mrs. Lee's fourth grade who earned their AR points for the first semester enjoyed a fun day of bowling.

Poplarville Upper Elementary School’s yearbook provider, Inter-State Studio & Publishing Co. is now offering a yearbook image upload feature. You may now submit pictures for the 2011-2012 yearbook online. The last day to submit pictures is May 4, 2012.  You may select up to 10 images for each upload. The PUE Yearbook Staff thanks you for your image contribution. Please select high quality images for best reproduction in the yearbook. Low resolution images may not be used. 

After reviewing all photo submissions, the PUE Yearbook Staff will determine the final selections for publication. Submitted photos are not guaranteed to be included in the yearbook.  If you have any questions, please contact Beth Parker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Here is the website link and school code to enter to submit pictures:  Parents and students of Poplarville Upper Elementary School will go to www.yearbookwizard.com/uploadsand enter the school code 63509379.

At the Upper Elementary in Mrs. Hester’s Science classes have been studying Rocks and Minerals and learning to classify them based on their physical characteristics.  In a culminating activity, the students were to classify 27 various rocks that were displayed throughout the classroom.  Students were extremely resourceful using their Science logs and a pocket chart to assist them in identifying the rocks.

Will Evans signed a soccer scholarship with Southwest Community College last week..

Photo shows: back row, left to right, PHS Soccer Coach Adam Smith,  SWCC Boys Soccer Coach Drew Gallant, and Will’s brother John Sciarabba. Front row, left to right, Will’s mother Rebecca Sciarabba, Will Evans, and Will’s father Pete Sciarabba.