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Jenna Homeyer, the captain of the Salem Varsity Quiz Bowl Team, placed in the top four academic players at the NAQT Tournament held on February 16^th at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. The NAQT Tournament is one of the qualifiers for teams progressing onto the National Tournament this summer and also for the prestigious PACE Tournaments held at the Case Western University. Even though the Salem teams did not finish in the trophy divisions, three students did finish in the top 15. Playing for the JV team, Bret Hagler placed 9th and Matt Prince took 15^th place in the competition. This is the first time that the Salem Quiz Bowl Teams have been invited to compete in the NAQT qualifiers. Susan Sheeley and Wanda Nickles are coaching the Salem Quiz Bowl Teams. Attending the NAQT Tournament for Salem were Jenna Homeyer, Zach Moser, Megan Greenshields, Juliana Bermudez, Angie gee, Matt prince, Bret Hagler, Cody Nickles, Phillip Moser, Jane Howard, Kaycee Webber, Ashley Greenshields, Alex Bay and James Fredericks.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tonight at the Upper Elementary Library Media Center beginning at 6:00 pm. After the approval of the consent agenda and communications, Superintendent Steve Bryant will discuss the free and reduced lunch count, the January membership, legislative updates, the official ballot sample, give a long range plan update and give an update on the Dent County School Administrators meeting. New business to be discussed includes the CIA-PD day summary and differentiated instruction, and a program evaluation on differentiated programs. The Board will consider policies IKFA and IKFA-AF, discuss the approval to close on the Kitchen property at Route J and Dilworth Lane and then review resignations. The Board will then adjourn and go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel and student discipline. The regular meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Upper Elementary Building Dedication ceremony scheduled for tomorrow night has been postponed and rescheduled for the March Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting.

The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History located at the intersection of North Hickory and East Rolla Road, is going to have a PRE-SPRING activity that may help chase away some of the winter blues. Rob Chapman, Wildlife Management Biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation will present, “Wildlife Sounds of the Night” on Tuesday, February 26^th beginning at 7:00 pm. The program is appropriate for the whole family and  light snacks will be provided. The cost is $5 per person or $10 for the whole family. Phone reservations are required by calling 729-3400. These programs were made possible in part by a grant from the LAD Foundation.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their meeting tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. After the call to order and the approval of the minutes from the January 24^th meeting, Administrator Dennis Pryor will address the summary of operations and statistics reports for the month of January. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy will then give the report on the nursing services and ancillary services before Pryor reviews the auxiliary reports with the board. Pryor will also update the board on legislative issues and the hospital activity calendar. Old business will include a physician’s office building report and an update on strategic planning. During new business there will be a report from the finance committee meeting that was held and the board will discuss purchases for the hospital. The regular meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Dent County Extension Council will conduct their Annual Banquet on Wednesday, February 27^th at the Commons beginning at 6:30 pm. The evening will begin with a catered meal, followed by a presentation by Dr. Michael Ouart, Vice Provost and Director of Cooperative Extension for the University of Missouri. There will also a short program by some Dent County 4-H members featuring some of the exciting learning and leadership opportunities they’ve had. The cost is $10 per person and you are asked to please RSVP by calling 729-3196 by Friday, February 22^nd if you plan to attend.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Basketball Tigers season came to an end with a 54-41 loss to the Sullivan Lady Eagles last night in the district semi-final. Salem trailed by two points after the first quarter, but the Lady Eagles on the strength of two 3-pointers by Monica Pyrtle in the second quarter, opened up an eight point lead at the half and Salem never got any closer. Salem was led in scoring by Natalie Howard with 19 points and Hannah Kettner with 15 points. The Lady Tigers finished their season with a fine 20-7 record.