South West Missouri Real Estate and More!

Yesterday I told you about my clients looking for a home in the Laclede County R-1 school district. They lost out on a home in Phillipsburg MO by a matter of minutes!

We're still looking!

If you own a home in the Laclede County R-1 school district and are in Lebanon MO, Conway MO or Phillipsburg MO please read on...

This couple is looking for a home:

• with a little bit of land, 3+ acres would be ideal
• at least two full bathrooms is a must
• at least three bedrooms
• hard wood floors would be nice, but not required
• a basement would be nice
• a storm shelter would be a great bonus
• easy access to I-44 would be a plus
• in good condition - not a whole lot of work please

If you have a home you think would be of interest to my client, and you are willing to sell, call me at 417-533-4015 or email me at debbie@ucvip.com
All contacts will be held in confidence.


Debbie DiFonzo, e-PRO, GRI, SRS
Broker/Owner
United Country VIP Realty

417-532-2031 Lebanon MO office phone
417-468-5900 Marshfield MO office phone

www.FindYourFreedomMissouri.com

Do you remember the Pep Rally?

It's been a long time since I've given any thought to the Pep Rallys we held in school. I don't remember grade school get togethers. I doubt we had any since my grade school split into at least three different high schools. But, I do remember my high school, Benet Academy, and the Friday pep rally.

I especially remember "We Are the Champions" by Queen pouring into the hallways from the loud speakers. To this day I do not know who allowed such a song to be played in our Catholic prep school hallways, but it is a vivid memory -- one I know I'll ever forget.

So why the trip down memory lane? Ezard Elementary in Conway Missouri held a pep rally this past Friday. Conway is a self contained campus - with all 12 grades on the same grounds. My daughter is in sixth grade and neither one of us remember having another pep rally. If she's had one in the past six years, she doesn't remember and neither do I.

This was Homecoming weekend and to celebrate the power of being a Conway Bear, the elementary school kids dressed in their best spirit wear, with prizes being awarded in each of the classrooms to the child showing the most spirit. Red, white and black hair was the norm on Friday. Hat, shirts, pants and shoes - all a sea of red, white and black. I'm confident every child had a bear or at least a bear print some where on their body!

At the actual rally, the varsity cheerleaders performed, the Sugar Bears danced, the high school girls basketball team stopped in as did the boys basketball team. Both coach's said a few words of wisdom and of course, invited everyone to the game.

Some of these kids may not have understood the power of being part of this Conway Team, but I know they all felt it - and I'm confident they will remember it.

The gym was alive and oh, so very, very loud!

It truly was a great day to be a Conway Bear!

Conway Missouri High School receives Bronze medal from US News and World Report

For the second year in a row, US News and World Reports  has published their list of top 100 High Schools in the United States. US News analyzed over 21,000 high schools, ranking them by Gold, Silver and Bronze standings.

Congratulations to Conway High School in Conway Missouri for being named a Bronze Medal School in Missouri. Conway was one of forty-one schools in the state to make the over-all list.

Conway High School is part of the Laclede County R-1 School District, serving approximately 270 students in grades 9 to 12.


To learn more about the schools in Conway MO, here are a few links that may be helpful:

How do you celebrate 95.3% attendance rate at Conway MO High School? You have the principal sleep on the roof, of course!

Are you smarter than a 6th grade Geography student?

Laclede County R-1 Marching Band wins 1st Place in Lebanon MO holiday parade

Conway MO Boys Baseball Team - 3rd Place Class 2 State Champs! It's a great time to be a BEAR!

Conway Elementary getting ready for Summer School (Conway, MO)

To schedule a visit to the campus and to view homes listed for sale in the Laclede County R-1 School District, please call me. I have two children in the district and love to show off our digs!

This year has brought a new High School principal, a new Junior High principal,a new Elementary School principal and a new Superintendent to Laclede County R-1 schools in Conway Missouri. A few new faces and a few familiar faces in new spots has brought a new life to the district and ... a little more FUN.

The High School principal, Mr. Reeves, has helped revitalize our school spirit. He introduced our new slogan:

It's a great day to be a Conway Bear!

Mr. Reeves, and the Junior High principal, Mr. Lowrance, recently challenged students to exceed last year's attendance numbers: 95% for the year 2007/2008. (The state average for the same time period: 92.2%)

The students met that challenge - 95.3% for the second quarter of 2008/2009 - and the two principals find themselves paying up by sleeping spending the night up on the roof of the high school. They climbed up to the roof top at 7 pm tonight and will stay until 7 am tomorrow morning.

No rain or snow tonight; only a little wind. And, a rumor or two of water balloons. . .  

I can't help but wonder if Mr. Reeves still thinks It's a great day to be a Conway Bear!

Lebanon Missouri played host today to their Annual Christmas Parade. The Saturday before Thanksgiving traditionally kicks off the holiday season in Lebanon and Laclede County. The theme for the 2008 parade: Believe in the Spirit of Christmas.

The Laclede Country R-1 Marching Band (Conway Missouri) was one of over one hundred entries in the parade and one of five school bands. This was the Conway's first appearance in almost five years in this particular parade. They did not disappoint.

Director of Bands, David Taylor and his students took home 1st place for the "Best Drum Major" and 1st place for "Best Color Guard." Additionally, KJEL Radio broadcast the parade live on 103.7 FM - calling the Conway group "a very fine looking band."

Congratulations to Mr. Taylor and the Conway Marching Band!

For more information on Conway Bands, visit their new website: www.ConwayBands.com

Ezard Elementary School in Conway Missouri -  The 6th grade class has been learning about "going green." 

They've talked about the environment, recycling and using items in unusual ways. 

Their latest assignment? Trash Art.

• Use at least four items/things from around the home that otherwise would be thrown away.
• Think "outside the box"
• Try to avoid paint.

This morning, boxes, tin foil, tooth picks, soup cans and  straws invaded the upper hall. The creativity of the class was impressive!

How can you re-use items that would other wise end up in the trash bin?

My daughter, Ashley, used a variety of items in her "Old McDonald's Farm" including: toothpicks, a cracker box, straws, a paper bag, wrapping paper, a potato chip container, a cup and, to hold the fence up - her used bubble gum!

Chelsey used a Sunny D bottle to make her Christmas Tree!

Karissa used bottle lids, a toilet paper roll and a make up case in her master piece.

Josie used pencils, soup cans and a cereal box.

More Trash to Treasure!

Candy Man by Mackenzie

Leaning Tower of Sweets by Christoper