Birthdate: 2-13-75

Anniversary: 8-22-1998

What were you considered in High School? Jock, geek, prep, ect?

Officer Moore was considered a class clown.

What made you decide to be a teacher? How long have you been teaching and what subject?

He said, “I like helping others and teaching is a great way to help someone. I’ve taught D.A.R.E for a little over a year now.”

If you could relive your High School days, what’s one thing you would change and why?

He said, “Nothing. I had a great time.”

Do you have any kids? If so, how many?

He has two boys, Eli, 11, and Owen who is 7.

What was your first car?

“1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale.  (Voted “best car” at my High School)”

What are some previous jobs you’ve held?

“Gas station attendant, Golf course maintenance, District executive for the Boy Scouts.”

What is your ultimate goal in life?

He said,”To help others.”

What is something you think is unique about you?

“While I was in High School, I was arrested and released for a crime I didn’t commit.

Favorite Beverage?

“milk”

Favorite Candy Bar?

“Snickers.”

What is one quote you live by?

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its own various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10.

by Jessica Smoot

Russell Jackson, or Mr. Jackson, the math teacher, as most students know him, calls himself a boring person. Like many people, he fails to see that sometimes having a heart for others can make him a person with one of the fullest lives possible.

Mr. Jackson tutors before and after school almost every day of the school year.

Mr. Jackson was born on an Air Force base long enough ago to have gained more wisdom than any of the students he teaches every day. His dad was a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force, but he was more than that to Jackson. His dad was his life-long hero, and the man who would have an important influence on Jackson’s future career. For several years after Jackson was born, the family moved around due to the military, living in the Philippines, and in perhaps less exotic, but no less interesting places, like Michigan and Louisiana. After his father retired from the Air Force, the family moved to Missouri when Mr. Jackson was in first grade.

Jackson went immediately to college after graduating high school. He studied math but was also involved in the Air Force ROTC program. On the day of his college graduation, Jackson was commissioned into the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. After time, it was discovered that Jackson had nasal septum deviation, a common physical disorder in the nose in which the nasal septum is displaced. This closed his pilot career. The Air Force found other things for him to do: important things. He was Space Systems Director and then Crew Commander for a squadron that specialized in satellites. His next position was as Chief of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning Systems Branch. This required him to teach space tracking and missile warning, among other specialties. As part of this position, he gave briefings to important officials, even the Secretary of the Air Force.

Then, Jackson was on the Inspector General’s (IG) team for the rest of his military career. He traveled across the world, inspecting Air Force bases. After twelve years in the military and earning the rank of Captain, Jackson left the Air Force. To this day, Mr. Jackson misses the camaraderie, the missions, and the standardization of the Air Force daily life.

After his years in the Air Force, he became an industrial engineer for a period of time, but eventually quit because, as he said, “It wasn’t a job of service.”  Those were the words that could wrap up his life. Jackson’s heart is focused on helping.

While living in New Mexico twenty-six years ago, the best man at his wedding was an eight year-old boy. The child was a “little brother” through the PAL program, a program much like the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. While still in the Air Force, Jackson worked as a Youth Center Volunteer and with Habitat for Humanity. After the Air Force, Jackson volunteered at Our Home Child Crisis Center in Pomona, MO and mentored a Willow Springs School fifth grader. The day after leaving his job as an industrial engineer, Jackson began teaching math. He wanted to work with kids and help mentor them. He wanted to help mold them into the men and women they had the potential of becoming. This was eight years ago. He started teaching at Cabool. Then, after two years, Mr. Jackson moved to teach Geometry and College Algebra at Willow Springs High School.

Although he still doubts his ability to live a life of service to troubled kids, Russell Jackson comes to work every day with the hope that perhaps he will touch a person’s life in a positive way. And that is what makes his life so interesting.

Coach Waggoner has provided a link for the South Central Association Cross Country Championships. Here is the link to see the scores from the Thursday, September 8 meet.

http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/CWaggoner/crosscountry.cfm?subpage=888306

by Brittany Dickman

 -Full Name:

Ashley Danielle Pilcher

-Nicknames:

Ash

-How long have you attended WS school?

A year and a half

-Plans after High School?

I plan on going to some sort of trade school, and plan on moving.

-Favorite quote:

“Wearing underwear is a formal as I ever hope to get.” –Ernest Hemingway

-What is your fear or phobia?

Losing my loved ones.

-The best thing that happened to you in high school?

Meeting my boyfriend Michael

-In one word, describe how you want to be remembered:

Ambitious

-What clubs, activities, sports, or other programs do you take part?

Speech & Debate, choir, photography!

-Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully already well into my career. Maybe a family, but who knows..

-Most exciting thing you have ever done?

Caught an alligator with my bare hands!…in my sleep..

-What is one thing you want to do in your lifetime?

Win the Lottery!!!

-What would you tell the senior class if you had the chance?

WE DID IT!

-Who has influenced your life the most:

 My parents and teachers

-Favorite song:

 “Hey Jude” –The Beatles

-Favorite movie:

Moulin Rouge

-Obsession:

Talking on my telly phone

-I would love to read the mind of:

 Everyone!

-Splurge: 

 A new iPhone 5

                                                “There’s something wrong with this girl, she smiles for no good reason.”

                                                                                                                -Mrs.Russell

by Jessica Smoot

On Thursday, September 22, 2011, the Willow Springs cross country team traveled to the Lion’s Club Park in Rolla, Missouri, for the Bulldog Invitational.

Willow Springs Results

Varsity Girls (3.1 miles, Top 20 Medaled)

Ciara Hogsett, 16th, 22:20 (PR)

Kamryn Hutsell, 27th, 25:33

JV Boys (3.1 miles, Top 10 Medaled)

James Briscoe, 29th, 28:14

Junior High Boys (1.5 miles, Top 10 Medaled)

Cory Chafin, 1st, 8:56

Derek Smith, 7th, 9:33

Junior High Girls (1.5 miles, Top 10 Medaled)

Bailey Wagner, 2nd, 10:31

Beth Sherbo, 6th, 11:53

Maddisyn Boyle, 10th, 12:04

The Lady Bears had one game this week, losing to the Salem Tigers 12-5.  The Lady Bears face Ava at home on Monday. This will be senior night where the following seniors will be recognized: Kamyrn Hutsell, Alexis Privette, Kysteena Traver, and Tasha Burchett. Lady Bears softball will end its season at Houston on Thursday.

by Jocy Vitela

This year the WSHS FFA Chapter President Phil Collins was responsible for completing a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project in swine production ownership.  During the Heart of the Ozarks Fair held July 10-16, Phil showed his barrow in the market division of the livestock show held for local 4-H and FFA members.

At the event, Phil sold his animal to Fin to Fur, owned by Mr. Winston Tucker, for $700. Fin to Fur is located in Thayer and West Plains, Missouri. This money was then donated to the Willow Springs FFA Chapter to be given to a senior FFA member during the chapter FFA banquet in May 2012 as part of the Angela Redburn FFA Scholarship. This scholarship was  established to further a local FFA member’s education at a technical school or university of that student’s choice.

Phil Collins

Since it was established in 2005, the Redburn FFA Scholarship has awarded six lucky FFA members $6,000 in college scholarships.

Once they arrived at the YMCA, students had a gymnasium for basketball games, a large foam pit to jump in, and a game room which included ping pong and air hockey tables, a TV with video games and couches.   The foam pit was a big success with the students; many of them spent hours playing games in the foam.  Door prizes such as Pizza Americana gift cards, ITunes cards, a mini refrigerator, and DVDs were given away to Willow Spring’s High School students.   Students then left the YMCA around 4:00 a.m. and returned back to the school at 6:00 a.m.  Overall, the students had both a fun and safe night at the 2010 Junior/Senior prom.

Philip Collins, Jessica Collins, Alexis Privette, Nichole Hirgisheimer, and Niki Clarke received 1st place in Meats!

At the FFA Contest in Buffalo on Saturday March 13th, Theresa Amos, Krysteena Travers,  Shaylee Higgs, and Jocy Vitela, from the Knowledge Team won 1st Place with 240 points!

On the Entomology Team, Dustin Kupitz, Kamryn Hutsell, Patrick Smith, Nakita Perkins, and Kayla Roberts won 2nd Place.

On the Dairy Foods Team, Tamara Cauldwell, Kyndall Bunch, Breena Rader, Stephan Cook, and Patrick Kelly won 5th Place.

The Meats Team, consisting of Alexis Privette, Philip Collins, Ashley Collins, Niki Clarke, and Jessica Collins, won 6th Place.

Also in 6th Place on the FFA Knowledge Team, congrats to Theresa Amos, Shaylee Higgs, Krysteena  Travers, and Elizabeth Feeman!