Education
Southwest FFA to celebrate 50 years
The Southwest High School FFA officer team is inviting the public to its 50th anniversary celebration at the high school. In honor of this milestone, the current officer team also invites any former FFA advisors, officers or members to come to its chapter banquet. The banquet is scheduled for Sunday, May 4. People may RSVP for more details by calling Linda Morgan at 417-826-5413 or emailing lmorgan@swr5.net.
Cassville wins Southwest Tournament
Cassville’s speech and debate team took first in team sweepstakes points a the Southwest Tournament recently.
5 awarded ‘Grow Your Own’ grants
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded state-funded “Grow Your Own” grants to 125 local education agencies.
Exeter homecoming royalty crowned
Exeter High School celebrated Homecoming on Jan. 31 with the theme “Hollywood Homecoming.”
27 medals won at FBLA conference
Cassville High School’s FBLA recently competed at its District Leadership Conference in Monett. As a chapter, members brought home 27 medals, including 3 district championships. Cassville advanced to the State Leadership Conference in 11 events. While at the conference, Will Finch was elected to serve as the VP of Membership for District 5 FBLA. Winners included: Bodee Rose, 1st place in Advertising; Bradyn Alley, 1st place in Computer Problem Solving; Elizabeth Butler, Lorelei Vanderhoef, Angela Byerly, 1st place in Hospitality & Event Management; Luke McNeill, 2nd place in Intro to Parliamentary Procedure; Makaiden Bolles, Elizabeth Butler, Angela Byerly, 2nd place in Entrepreneurship; Caitlyn Bonass, 2nd place in Job Interview; Kierstan Fare, Julie Gregory, Nevaeh Johnson, 2nd place in Marketing; Elly Ramaeker, Blakeley Pryor, Kailyn Speer, 2nd place in Website Design; Kaiden Shellenberger, 3rd place in Supply Chain Management; Kailyn Speer, 4th place in Intro to Financial Math; and Stratten Hendrix, 5th place in Insurance & Risk Management. Other medalists include: Caitlyn Bonass, 3rd place in Impromptu Speaking; Makaiden Bolles, Bradyn Alley, Keely Bailey, 4th place in Sales Presentation; Elly Ramaeker, Bradyn Alley, Gracie Maher, 4th place in Social Media Strategies; and Lauren Sparkman, Julie Gregory, Chloe Ledgerwood, 5th place in Graphic Design. Contributed photo
Purdy celebrates Homecoming victory, crowning of royalty
Purdy High School celebrated Homecoming on Feb. 4, earning a 53-49 victory over Southwest. This year’s Homecoming Court featured the following representatives from each class: seniors Marlene Villa and Jackson Hillburn; juniors Lauren Brooks and Aldo Perez; sophomores Lizett Aldava and Jayden Griffis; and freshmen Kenzi Postlewait and Charles Barnes. Crown Bearers for the evening were Emmett Burnside and Kodi Postlewait.
7 Exeter students make honor bands
Seven Exeter students were selected recently to perform in Southwest Missouri District Honor Band. Biaktha Hnem was selected via audition as second-chair flute in the high school honor band, while Taylor Mattingly was selected as third-chair trumpet in the high school conference band.
Beta Club participates in convention
Cassville Middle School Beta Club members recently participated in the Junior Missouri Beta State Convention in Branson. Each club member had the opportunity to select which competitive event they would like to be a part of and the following students placed in their competitions: Aiden Harris, third place, math; Cara Leach, second place, poetry; Molly Cox, Kynzleigh Scott, Reagan Truman, Addy Ramaeker, Scotti Blankenship, Cara Leach and Chazylyn Artherton, fifth place, songfest.
5 make honor band
On Jan. 17, 13 Cassville band students in grades 7-8 auditioned for the Southwest Missouri Junior High District Honor Band, with five students earning a spot. The honor band performed Jan. 25 at Neosho High School, with a day of rehearsal ending with a concert.
Thang wins Purdy Spelling Bee
On Jan. 28, Purdy Elementary held its annual Spelling Bee. The winner was Solomon Thang, a fifth-grader from Abigail Buntin’s class. The runner-up was Kiya Lee’Jace Atkins. The other participants were: Bildad Chan, Thayer Friely, Mark Jenkins, Win Htet, Kaden Rosewicz, Violet Adams, and Thierry Thigpen. The Spell Master was Susan Funkhouser.
