School News

The Monett Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual award ceremony for high school good citizens on Saturday, Feb. 8, honoring Madry McCrackin, Cassville High School; Wyatt Hoppes, Exeter High School; Zolanna Simpson, Wheaton High School; Jonathan Hughes, Monett High School; and Rachel Jimenez, Southwest High School...

Five Purdy Elementary vocalists represented Purdy Schools in the newly formed Elementary All-State Honor Choir which performed on Jan. 22 for the Missouri Music Educators Association annual conference at Lake of the Ozarks. Purdy was one of only three schools to bring five or more vocalists to the event. ...

Truman State University has released its academic honor rolls for the fall 2019 semester. Brittain Cooper, of Monett, was named to the Presidents Honor Roll having achieved a 4.0 grade point average. Students earning a 3.5 to 3.99 grade point average were listed on the honor roll. They include: Abby Kranz, of Monett; Lauren Seifried, of Aurora; and Alexa Day, of Mt. Vernon...

The Purdy High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter was well-represented at the District 5 Leadership Conference, held at New Site Baptist Church in Monett on Feb. 11. A total of 17 Purdy FBLA members placed in the Top 10 in their respective competitions, with nine competitors advancing to the State Leadership Conference competition April 19-21...

Officials at Pierce City Middle School have announced the names of students listed on the A/B Honor Roll for the first semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. They are: Lauren Blackburn, Lucas Brown, Riley Brown, Bryson Burch, Dalton Carver, Jake Cox, Sabella Dehaven, Kylie Dewitt, Triston Dilley, Carder Eaton, Lexie Eaton, Luke Eaton, Bethany Faminoff, Sonnie Ferguson-Winfrey, Kenyen Finley, Rex Forsyth, Savanna Graessle, Kalynn Graham, Jackson Gray, Emily Haase, Jacob Heeter, Landyn Himes, Lydia Holmes, Lydia Hopper, Addison Iman, Carson Jespersen, Kate Johnson, Levi Knight, Maggie Langford, Liliana Lasker, Jacob Lawrimore, Molly Leavitt, Steven Leavitt, Julianna Livesay, Hunter Martin, Alyssa May, Savanna McAdoo, Autumn McMillan, Kyler McWilliams, Erik Medel-Ortiz, Harper Merritt, Matthew Murray, Abby O’Hara, Rylie O’Hara, Izabylla Pack, Jack Parrigon, Kaden Pham, Aiden Poage, Brenna Poage, Shaye Prater, Sophia Prater, Annie Rakoski, Ayla Renkoski, Michael Russo, Elsie Salazar, Jaxon Turner and Stella Yonker.. ...

Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt honored second quarter outstanding students at the conclusion of chapel service on Jan. 8.

Kora Kelleher, a Purdy Elementary fifth grade student, won the school’s annual Spelling Bee for grades 4 to 6 on Jan. 30.

As the school year passed the halfway point, Verona Elementary Priincipal Melody Whitehead announced the honor roll for the second quarter. Named to the A honor roll were: Second grader Maria Vargas; fourth graders Gabe Compton, Jareckza Alvarado; fifth graders Zachary Freiburger, Caiden Hillhouse, Melinda Martinez, Gillian Mattox, Kayla Nungaray, Isabella Porras, Alex Snow and Henry Reed; and sixth graders Lillian Ayres-Brayfield, Ka'leah Cohen, Connor Erwin, Chloe Frias, Jacob Hinkle, E.J. ...

The JROTC drill teams from the Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett brought home a third place trophy from competition at the second annual Broken Arrow Drill Meet in Broken Arrow, Okla., on Jan. 25. The Scott Tech cadets competed against 12 other Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps JROTC programs. Scott Tech had teams compete in the unarmed and armed drill, color guard, inspection, and physical fitness team categories...

Monett R-1 Board of Education members received recognition during the annual School Board Recognition Week, held Feb. 9-15, as proclaimed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson and sponsored by the Missouri School Board’s Association.

First-year members of the Purdy FFA chapter attended the annual Greenhand Conference, hosted by the Missouri FFA state officer team, on Jan. 9. At the conference, members split into groups to develop teamwork and leadership skills and to discover the many opportunities FFA has to offer. Members also had the chance to hear a motivational speech from FFA State Vice President Jessica Janorschke...

The second quarter honor roll for Purdy Elementary School has been announced by Principal Julie Dalton. The following students were named to the A honor roll: Third grade — Quentin Dodson, Lauren Lamp, Alison Logan, Paige Ozbun, Karson Rosewicz, Xander Dodson, Whitney Haworth, Ziva James...

After a six year absence, members of the Purdy High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) returned to the District STAR (Students Taking Action With Recognition) competition on Jan. 30 and won medals for their efforts. Makayla Mazza won a gold medal in her division in the Focus on Children event. She will represent Purdy at the State STAR Events competition in March...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen Students of the Month for January. Students exhibited the characteristics of being hard working.

Tracy Gail Roberts, of Monett, earned a Master of Healthcare Administration from Park University in Parkville during commencement exercises held Dec. 14, 2019, at Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence. She was one of 470 students eligible to participate in the ceremony...

Sixteen students at Trinity Lutheran School in Friestatt qualified for the A/B honor roll for the second quarter.

Nineteen students at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt were recognized for earning high honors on the all-A honor roll for the second quarter.

Seven students at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt had near perfect attendance during the second quarter for missing less than half a day.

Eight students at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt had perfect attendance during the second quarter.

Outstanding students of the second quarter have been named at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt.

Around 400 speech and debate students from across southwest Missouri gathered at Monett High School on Friday and Saturday for the 59th annual Priscilla Bradford Speech Tournament, hosted by the MHS speech and debate program. Approximately 200 volunteer judges from the Monett community assembled to assess the competitors in 11 events for a total of 44 rounds...

Purdy Elementary School has awarded medals for character development in December.

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

Work by media students from throughout the region received recognition at the 23rd annual Southern Media Showcase at Missouri Southern State University on Thursday, Dec. 5. Close to 300 high school students gathered for the presentations and awards.

The Monett High School Concert Band under the direction of Philip Soule was the last of six bands performing in the marathon winter band concert Dec. 10 at the MHS Performing Arts Center.

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...