School News

Purdy HIgh School Alumna Cailyn Spears (Class of 2018) was one of 520 Missouri FFA members to receive her American FFA Degree at the 2019 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. Spears is the daughter of Donnie and Amanda Spears. The American FFA Degree is awarded each year to less than 1 percent of FFA members, making it one of the organization’s highest honors. ...

The Purdy High School Music Department presented two performances of “Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.” in early November. The annual fall musical on Nov. 1 and 2, under the direction of vocal music teacher Lauren Lee, took students on a spirited journey into the Roaring Twenties, complete with period dances and costumes...

In November, Purdy Elementary focused on responsibility in its monthly character education program.

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen Students of the Month for November.

The Monett Historical Society’s second annual Fall Fashion Show raised $1,600 to support the Monett Museum.

Verona FFA members Ashely Freiburger and Courtney Freiburger competed at National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., in October.

Megan Thomas of Purdy was recently inducted into Harding University's chapter of Alpha Chi National Honor Society. Thomas, English major, was welcomed into the prestigious society along with 113 students during a ceremony on Nov. 3. Alpha Chi is a nationally acclaimed honor society designed to commend academic excellence in universities across the nation. ...

On Nov. 1, the Army JROTC program’s Raider Team from the Scott Regional Technology Center competed at the All-Services Raider Nationals competition in Thomaston, Ga. The Raider Nationals event pitted Scott Tech against Raider teams from across the United States from Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps JROTC programs. The event consisted of a 5 kilometer race, rope bridge construction, and two separate obstacle courses...

The Purdy FFA chapter hosted the 2019 Food for America program on Oct. 18. Purdy FFA chapter officers and members taught Purdy Elementary students in preschool through fourth grade about the origins of their food and how it is made.

Purdy Elementary Principal Julie Dalton named honesty medal winners, part of character education, for October.

Recently the Scott Tech Army JROTC Raider team competed against 24 other teams in the 15th annual Clinton Raider Meet in Clinton. According to Lt. Col. Brennan Cook, who led the contingent, the team earned a trophy for second place in the Raider Challenge events and fifth place overall...

The first quarter honor roll for Purdy Elementary School has been released by Principal Julie Dalton. Students on the All A honor roll follow: Third grade — Quentin Dodson, Madison Johnson, Lauren Lamp, Alison Logan, Karson Rosewicz, Destiny Herrera, Whitney Haworth, Ziva James, Laney Lamp, Camila Robles, Xander Dodson, Sophie Tyson...

Seven Purdy High School vocal students were named to the 2019 All-District Honor Choir following auditions on Oct. 26 at Joplin High School. “It was a great day at Joplin High School," said Purdy High School vocal music director Lauren Lee. "My students sang with heart and gave a beautiful concert at day’s end.” An all-day rehearsal ended in a late afternoon concert, under the direction of clinicians Eric Eichenberger (Freshman/Sophomore Choir) and Jonathan Owen (Junior/Senior Choir)...

The Purdy FFA Chapter hosted the 2019 Purdy FFA Barnwarming on Friday, Oct. 11, in the elementary school gym. FFA members and community supporters gathered for the annual festivities. This year's theme was “Chattahoochee,” inspired by Alan Jackson’s hit song...

On Oct. 2-4, the Monett High School Class of 1955 came together in Monett to celebrate the 64th year of their graduation and share many memories. Classmates had much to relive and details to share about their lives. Activities included a social time at the home of Gale and Rose Huffmaster, Monett, on Wednesday evening. ...

Students at Monett Middle School on Oct. 16 heard 14 speakers present information of a wide range of topics beyond the classroom, including self-esteem, leadership, online safety and inclusion during MMS Awareness Day.

In October, Verona Elementary students learned about respect as part of character education.

The Purdy R-2 School District’s annual Pink Out activities brought in a record-breaking total of $1,550 this year, to be given to Wheaton’s Power of Pink, a foundation that assists area women battling breast cancer. Founded in 2010 by Janice McCracken, the Power of Pink will host its 10th anniversary walk/run in May. In its first decade the Power of Pink has raised over $180,000 and touched the lives of over 30 local women...

Three students were recently honored for being the top students for the quarter at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt.

A total of 28 students at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt have been recognized for perfect attendance in the first quarter of the school year.

Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt has announced students who earned all A’s for the first quarter.

The Monett High School Class of 1959 recently held its 60th class reunion with 20 members attending all or part of the festivities. On Friday evening, the group gathered at the home of Mike and Phyllis Garrett, where they enjoyed snacks and visitation...

Rehearsals are in full swing for the 2019 Purdy High School Musical. Eagle performers will take the stage to present “Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr.,” an abbreviated version of the Broadway show, on Nov. 1 and 2. Performances will be held each evening at 7 p.m.in the district’s Performing Arts Center on Highway C. Tickets are $5 each and will be sold at the door...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen Students of the Month for September.

The Monett High School Cub Pride Band has kicked off the 2019 competition season with back-to-back first place division wins. On Sept. 21, the band performed at the Carl Junction Marching Festival, receiving Best Color Guard and Best Percussion, as well as first place in their division. During finals competition they placed seventh overall...

Installation ceremonies were held on Wednesday for the National Honor Society at Monett High School.

Purdy Elementary Principal Julie Dalton announced Teamwork Medalists for kindergarten through sixth grade for September.

Grandpa James Randall Sr. found himself in the thick of Grandparents Day at St. Lawrence Catholic School.

Verona Elementary Character Assembly was held on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The character word for the month was “Responsibility.”

Marla Kemp, head volleyball coach at Greenfield High School, has received a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Lisa Whitaker, an early childhood teacher at Joplin High School, has received a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Ahh, the good old days, when classmates were loyal and high school hijinx didn't necessarily mean classes would be cancelled for the day. Eight members of the Pierce City Class of 1953, of dozen or so remaining, gathered Friday morning, Sept. 20, at the Pierce City Senior Center to recall some of the more adventurous moments of their academic careers...

Brooke Hindes, a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Pierce City Middle School, has received a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Elizabeth Stotlemeyer, who is starting her fifth year as a speech language pathologist at Central Park Elementary School in Monett, has received a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Crystal Charles, a high school history teacher has received a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Gavin King, a member of the Pierce City FFA chapter, will be on stage and in the spotlight from Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, during the 2019 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. King, a sophomore at Pierce City High School and drum major for the Pierce City Marching Eagles, has been selected to play trombone in the National FFA Band. King submitted an audition tape and was selected to help bring full instrumental balance to the band from a pool of applicants nationwide...

Susan Bowling, a first grade teacher at Pate Early Childhood Center in Aurora, has received a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Ruth Hunter, the new art teacher at the Verona school district with eight years experience, has received a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

The Monett school district has received $5,540 from the Missouri Educator's Unified Health Plan (MEUHP), in partnership with the Cigna insurance company, for taking steps to improve and maintain the health of its employees. A check presentation was recently made at the school district's administrative office...

School begins Monday in the Verona school district.

The 1959 graduating class of Purdy High School held its 60th class reunion on June 29 at Adelito’s Restaurant in Purdy.

The Monett High School Class of 1964 recently hosted its 55th anniversary reunion at the Monett Museum.

The Monett High School Class of 1964 held its 55th anniversary reunion on Saturday , June 22, at the Monett Historical Museum Event Center with 24 classmates and 15 spouses/guests attending. Later in the evening, eight visitors joined the celebrants...

Drury University has announced students who qualified for the spring semester Dean's List. Students who qualified earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater on a 4-point scale, while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours of classes...

The University of Missouri in Columbia has announced its Dean's List for the spring semester. Monett students cited for high academic performance were: Alexis Ehrhardt, Meghan Gaines, Brooke Madison, Joshua Nickell, Leticia Rivera and Biridiana Ortega Salas...

Monett High School underclassmen received honors for academic achievement at the close of the school year. April Smith recognized those who participated on the Academic Team. Receiving letters for their efforts were: Nathan Arnall, J.J. Cavazos, Jonathan Hughes, Aveline McIntire and Katie A. Smith. Honored for participating were: Joe Bricker, Kelsi Geyer, Alyson Massardo, Talia Mitchell, Katie R. Smith and Ben Verstraete...

At State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, two bi-county students were named to the Dean's List for the spring semester. Cited for academic achievement were Arius Uhrig of Marionville and Vincent Suchowski of Washburn. Meagan Thomas of Purdy has been named to the Dean;s List for the spring semester at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. Thomas is a senior English major...

Bright colorful painted poles have been erected near the pond at Monett High School to create a new learning lab. According to Lynn Morin, she and Neal Bluel applied and received a $500 Cub Grant this past spring. "Our objective was to create a Learning Lab for MHS," Morin said. ...

Purdy Elementary School students who earned academic honors to qualify for the fourth quarter honor roll have been announced by Principal Julie Dalton. A total of 72 students qualified for the A honor roll. Third grade — Antony Garcia-Ramirez, John Rose. Dalton Stanford. Jesus Aldaba, Chase Chancellor. Erynn Cunningham. Kenzi Postlewait, Karolin Solis-Sanchez, Violet Wolf, Allan Ayala-Canales, Casey Henderson, Meleny Hernandez, Conner Holloway, Shelbie Patterson and Chloe Prock...

The Purdy FFA chapter attended the 91st Missouri State FFA Convention, earning one medal and coming home with five state degrees. Three contest teams competed at state this year. The Livestock Team, consisting of Lauren Schallert, Clay Henderson, Erik Cruz, and Zane Brown, earned an appearance on the awards stage by placing third...