Education
Williams completes specialist certification
Stacey Williams, Cassville school district bookkeeper and board secretary, has completed the School Business Specialist (SBS) certification program through the Missouri Association of School Business Officials (MoASBO). This certification is designed to equip school business support staff with the skills and knowledge necessary for their roles. The MoASBO SBS program provides specialized training focused on Missouri law and regulations, a foundational understanding of all school business operations and supports the advancement of professionalism among Missouri school business staff. The coursework covers essential topics, fosters discussions and provides resources to support future professional development. “I am incredibly proud of Stacey for her recent achievement in earning the School Business Specialist Certification,” said Merlyn Johnson, Cassville superintendent. “Stacey’s dedication and hard work are clear in everything she does, and this certification further reflects her commitment to excellence at Cassville R-IV School District. We are fortunate to have such a devoted and skilled bookkeeper on our central office team.”. Contributed photo
Cassville wins speech and debate awards
In November, 14 members of the Cassville High School speech and debate team competed at the Marion C Early tournament. Cassville competed against 18 schools and received third place in team sweepstakes.
Miss, Mr. Merry Christmas candidates announced
Cassville’s Miss and Mr. Merry Christmas candidates for 2024 have been announced. Front row, from left: freshman Samantha Baugus, daughter of Sam Baugus and Jessica Minor, of Cassville; junior Joei Blankenship, daughter of Clit and Bobbi Blankenship, of Jenkins; senior Lauren Sparkman, daughter of Gamon Sparkman and the Late Shelley Sparkman, of Cassville. Back row: freshman Will Finch, son of Mark and Paula Finch, of Cassville; sophomore Caleb Pyle, son of Joei Pyle and Christy Butler Pyle, of Cassville; junior Cash Gray Smith, son of Weslie and Jamie Johns, of Cassville; and senior Jonathan Cole Cash, son of Daniel Cash and Jona and Robert Anderson, of Cassville. Not pictured: sophomore Savannah-Lynn Connor. Candidates will be raising money to donate to the Barry County Neighborhood Center’s Share Your Christmas Program. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville- democrat.com
Purdy students feed families in need
Students in Amy Harkey’s Prostart I & II Courses at Purdy High School prepared and distributed 250 healthy, complete meals of chicken and vegetable fried rice for families in their community last week. The meals, prepared through the Kids Feeding Kids program, were donated to families served by Purdy Prostart I students.
Cassville native initiated into the Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets
On Oct. 19, 2024, Tyller Isbell, of Cassville, was inducted into the 136th Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Corps of Cadets at the MMA Passing Through Ceremony.
Tiger Band takes 3rd in small schools
On Oct. 19, the Exeter High School band participated in the Missouri Southern Homecoming Parade in downtown Joplin. The Tiger Band finished in third place in the small school division. The Tiger band will also perform in the Exeter Christmas Parade on Dec. 7, and the band will perform as part of the Exeter School Christmas concert on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Southwest announces tip-off candidates
Five young ladies will vie for Tip-off Queen at Southwest High School on Nov. 26. They include, from left: senior Addison Keates, sophomore Jazmyn Rivas, junior BreeAhna Paulsen, junior cheer Candidate Abigail Callison and freshman Brianna Taft.
Purdy FBLA raises over $1,500 for local women battling breast cancer
The Purdy High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter raised just over $1,500 in their annual October Pink Out fundraising effort. Funds were raised from T-shirt and cake pop sales, a hat day, and a serving contest at the Pink Out Volleyball Game. The Purdy Community was especially generous, enabling the chapter to help two local women currently battling breast cancer.
Farm Bureau Board supports Cassville FFA
Cassville FFA officers attended the Annual Farm Bureau Banquet on Sept. 3 at the Family Life Center. Club officers assisted in serving guests as well as had the opportunity to hear from Farm Bureau members and state lobbyists regarding agriculture. The Barry County Farm Bureau Board presented a monetary donation to FFA officers that will be used to support the local CHS FFA Chapter. In addition, Langston Mitchell, Cassville FFA Officer and Missouri State FFA Vice President, addressed the crowd at the banquet.
Local students harvest knowledge through Agriculture Education on the Move
This fall, third grade classrooms across Missouri — including at Exeter and Southwest — are harvesting knowledge as students participate in Agriculture Education on the Move (Ag Moves). Through this initiative of Missouri Farmers Care, students discover how their lives are intertwined with agriculture through hands-on learning led by passionate educators in their classrooms.
