On Tuesday, March 30, 2023, the Monett High School Missouri Literature class held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Monett Pavilion on Front Street, led by the MHS MO Lit teacher, Amy Sampson. The Missouri Lit and Comp class is focused on teaching students about Monett's history, local state and national parks, and local legends.
Ms. Sampson graduated from Missouri State in 2016 with her second master's degree. While at Missouri State, she took place-based learning courses from Dr. Cathie English. "Place-based education is exactly the definition you would expect: using your curriculum to teach about the place you live in," said Amy Sampson. In Dr. English's class, Sampson designed a curriculum and proposed the idea of a place-based education English class to the then-principal of MHS, David Steward. With DESE's approval, the first place-based education English class in Missouri was established.
Ms. Sampson saw a window of opportunity when the Celia B. Godsil Fellowship grant became available. She asked the students for ideas on how to use $2000. The students proposed placing historical markers around town to indicate where and when important historical events occurred. After the initial discussion with the students, Ms. Sampson submitted the paperwork and soon heard she and her students received the grant.
Jeanne Ann Camp, Monett Historical Society Director, and Murray Bishoff, Monett Times Reporter and local historian, contributed to the project's success. After conducting research and writing, the signs were sent off for printing and soon were ready to be displayed around town. Amy Sampson stated, "this truly has been a collaborative community effort."
The Monett Historical Sign Dedication ribbon-cutting ceremony drew a significant number of students and community members. The students wish for more individuals to partake in the project by contributing additional signs and helping to preserve and pass down Monett's history.
Interactive Map of Signs in Monett
List of Signs and Student Names
Jumping Jacks - Caitlyn Waterman, Adyson Washick, Murray Bishoff
Logan McKnee and the 4th of July 1911 - Ti Reh, Isaac Ticknor
Strawberry Capital of the World - Macey Flynt, Katherine Johnson
Monettt Harvey House - Noemi Rodriguez & Evelyn Salazar
Native American History - Murray Bishoff
Jack Henry - Adyson Washick, Caitlyn Waterman
Monett Lynching - Blake Stockton, Jackson Jones, Murray Bishoff
Monett Football - Anthony Heath
V.B. Hall - Mandy Botlik
Where did Monett get its name? - Edgar Montelongo, Charles Ortwein
Central School by W.W. Funeral Home - Jasmine Rodriguez, Genesis Guerra
Eugene Field - Jasmine Rodriguez, Genesis Guerra
High School + Junior College - Jasmine Rodriguez, Genesis Guerra
The Gardner Home - Ashleyannete Garcia, Benjamin Heseman
Trail of Tears - Keila Grado, Derek Troup
Monett Railroad YMCA - Angel Rodriguez, Ethan Twyford
Forest Park - Isaiah Meeks, Ashley Martinez
The Freedom Silo - Jayden Hohensee
The Sizer Home - Ashleyannette Garcia, Benjamin Heseman
The Hospitals of Monett - Owen Spears, Kylene Williams
Monett Cave - Kendra Parsons, Aiden Branch
Frisco Railroad Roundhouse - Cal Butterworth, Jayden Hohensee
Monett Floods - Christian Vail, Jose Cecenas
The Frisco Railroad - Fernando Medrano, Pedro Aguayo
Monett Baseball - Brayden Tucker, Lilli Sitton
Ginny Fuldner and The Monett Water Thrashers - Matthew Fillinger, Marcos Salas
The Waldensians - Brittney Serrano, Dalia Rueda
The Gillioz Theatre - Tristen Ostertag, Nancy Romero
Whistle Stops - Macey Flynt - Katherine Johnson
Memorializing Our Veterans - Brandon Borgmann, Nicl Walton
Monett Historic Downtown - Keyller Flores, Adrian Alvarado
Airplanes and Monett - Amy Sampson, Murray Bishoff