SHO-ME the correct spelling

SHO-ME Band or Sho-Me Band?

Which way of writing the Poplar Bluff school’s band name is correct?

Others may ask why does it matter? What’s in a name and how you use it. To most folks it may not make a difference. I’ve spent most of my life keeping up with how people and businesses want their names used.

Reporters are introduced to learning and using the correct style in news writing 101. The results would make a difference in one’s grade.

Once going to work in a REAL newsroom, style makes a difference to the publisher, editor and the person or group when a reporter misuses their information.

True, the AP has changed the style guidelines in which certain phrases and words are used differently. A few I understand, but in my opinion, the editors gave up because they were losing the battle getting news folks to use the correct style. When did they change we should not end a sentence with a preposition? Much like the schools are not teaching cursive writing and many folks not learning to make change.

But, what is really in a name and how it should be written.

Big businesses change their branding all the time. I don’t recall seeing any press release announcing the new branding for the band. Or have people like me just not been paying attention? Am I the only person in Poplar Bluff, Southeast Missouri or the world who has a problem with the SHO-ME Band brand being changed to Sho-Me Band? First, I graduated from Campbell High School not Poplar Bluff High School. I didn’t perform in a band. I appreciate music, but everyone truly appreciates I don’t try to preform. Those who play in a band work extremely hard to earn a place there. Come on folks, tell me what happened to the band’s name? Is it SHO-ME or Sho-Me? When was it officially changed?

Barbara Horton is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic. Contact her at bhorton.dar@gmail.com.