Kearney, Mo., April 30, 2025: On April 28, Kearney High School hosted a special appreciation luncheon to recognize and thank local businesses and professionals who generously supported high school student internships throughout the year.

The event brought together internship hosts, students, and staff for an afternoon of celebration, reflection, and gratitude. Guests enjoyed a light lunch while viewing student-created tri-fold portfolios, which showcased the variety of internship experiences, learning outcomes, and professional skills developed during the program.

A highlight of the luncheon was the student spotlight speeches, where selected interns – Caroline Jury, Lauren Rose and Venus Closser – shared personal stories and insights about their internship journeys. These speeches provided a meaningful glimpse into the impact the program had on their career exploration and personal growth.

“This luncheon is a small way to say a big ‘thank you’ to the mentors and organizations who invest their time and expertise into our students,” KHS Internship Teacher Alyssa Stevens said. “Our community partners play a vital role in preparing students for future careers.”

This year’s internship partners included:

The internship program continues to grow each year, providing students with valuable real-world experience in a wide range of fields. The school looks forward to continuing its strong partnerships with local businesses and expanding opportunities for student success.

For more information about the internship program or how to become a host partner, please contact Stacy Holtzclaw at holtzclaws@ksdr1.net.

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Kearney, Mo., May 2, 2025: Kearney School District celebrated the best of the Bulldogs during the 2025 Team KSD Awards & Retiree Reception on Thursday, May 1 at Tobacco Barn Farm in Holt.

At the annual ceremony, KSD’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Award was given to Kearney Junior High media arts teacher Molly Kuebler and the Support Staff of the Year Award was given to Hawthorne Elementary’s Scott Henrichs.

“Kearney School District takes immense pride in recognizing the outstanding individuals and organizations that exemplify our core values of integrity, respect, future readiness, student focus, and resilience,” Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Jennifer Kopp said. “The 2025 Team KSD Awards spotlight those who have gone above and beyond to make a lasting impact on our students and community.​”

At KJH, Ms. Kuebler has transformed the way students engage with digital storytelling. Her innovative curriculum not only teaches technical skills but also empowers students to express themselves creatively. Kuebler is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment, according to KJH Principal John Goodin.​

“Molly’s innovative approach to media arts education has not only enriched our curriculum but has also inspired our students to explore their creativity and think critically,” Mr. Goodin said. “Her commitment to student engagement and excellence embodies the spirit of our school and the entire district.”​

Mr. Henrichs consistently provides extraordinary support and dedication to the students he helps. Known for his unwavering commitment to student success, he provides individualized assistance that helps students thrive academically and socially. Hawthorne Elementary Principal Chauncy Rardon commended his patience, kindness, and the positive energy he brings to the school community.​

“Scott’s unwavering dedication to our students’ well-being and academic progress is truly commendable,” Mr. Rardon said. “His ability to connect with students and support their individual needs makes a significant difference in their educational journey.”​

The afternoon event also included the announcement of two other annual district awards. KSD Education Foundation Chair Season Kerns was honored as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. The Business of the Year Award was presented to both Precision Chiropractic and the Fulfillment House.

Mrs. Kerns has been instrumental in mobilizing resources and support for our schools. Her leadership has led to increased community engagement and the successful implementation of programs that directly benefit students and teachers. Season’s passion for education and volunteerism makes her an invaluable asset to KSD.​

“Season’s tireless efforts and leadership have greatly enhanced the resources available to our students and educators,” Superintendent Emily Miller said. “Her dedication exemplifies the profound impact that community involvement has on our schools.”​

Precision Chiropractic, under the leadership of Dr. Justin Cook, has provided health and wellness support to students and staff, emphasizing the importance of holistic care. Their proactive involvement in school events and health initiatives has made a significant difference in our community.​ They’ve also provided valuable Real World Learning experiences for KSD students.

The Fulfillment House, a nonprofit organization, offers meaningful employment opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities. Their collaboration with KSD has created inclusive work experiences for students, promoting life skills and independence. Fulfillment House’s dedication to empowerment and inclusion aligns perfectly with our district’s values.​

“Both Precision Chiropractic and Fulfillment House have gone above and beyond in supporting our students and staff,” Dr. Miller said. “Their partnerships with KSD are shining examples of how local businesses can positively influence education and community well-being.”​

The program also featured recognitions for KSD employees who will be retiring at the end of the current academic year. Each retiree was given the opportunity to select a book to be donated to the school library of their choice.

2025 Team KSD Retirees – Current Position, Current School, Years of Service in KSD & Book Selection

• Cami Aebersold – Guidance Counselor, Dogwood Elementary, 14 years (Carla’s Sandwich by Debbie Hermon)
• Shelia Drescher – Activities Department Administrative Assistant, Kearney High School, 19 years (Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner)
• Ginger Elsea – Director of Finance, Central Office, 13 years (Millie by McCall Hoyle)
• Denise Fischer – Kindergarten Teacher, Kearney Elementary, 20 years (Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate)
• Wendy Fish – Language Arts Teacher, Kearney High School, 24 years (Tuesdays With Morrie, An Old Man, a Young Man and Life’s Greatest Lessons by Mitch Albom)
• Amber Hiley – Teacher, LENS, 29 years (The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen)
• Cynthia Hollinberger – Paraprofessional, Early Education Center, 7 years (Oh, the Places You Will Go by Dr. Suess)
• Stacy Holtzclaw – Career Readiness Coordinator, Central Office, 4 years (The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch)
• Jennifer Kopp – Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services, Central Office, 23 years (The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe)
• John Luppes – Fifth-Grade Teacher, Southview Elementary, 29 years (There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar)
• David Schwarzenbach – Activities Director, Kearney High School, 24 years (It’s Your Ship by Michael Abrashoff)

This year’s school-level Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year award recipients were also recognized at the reception.

2025 School Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Holly Anderson
• Dogwood Elementary – Nicholas “Nic” Mattson
• Hawthorne Elementary – Chelsea Miller
• Kearney Elementary – Nanette Stout
• Southview Elementary – Rachel Terrill
• Kearney Middle School – Lauren Thomas
• Kearney Junior High – Molly Kuebler
• Kearney High School – Kassidy Robertson

2025 School Support Staff of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Donna Lance
• Dogwood Elementary – Ashley Bricker
• Hawthorne Elementary – Theodore “Scott” Henrichs
• Kearney Elementary – Kalie Dickson
• Southview Elementary – Jaclyn “Jaci” Mick
• Kearney Middle School – Brian “B.J.” Webster
• Kearney Junior High – Jennifer Duncan
• Kearney High School – Lacy Howdeshell
• KSD Central Office – Stacy Holtzclaw
• 2025 Team KSD Retirees

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the 2025 Team KSD Award recipients. Your contributions have not only enriched our schools but have also set a standard of excellence that inspires us all.

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Kearney, Mo., April 28, 2025: Kearney High School junior Alex Walter has been selected to represent Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative (PCEC) at the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) this summer after earning runner-up honors in the cooperative’s annual Youth Tour essay competition.

Walter’s accomplishment comes after submitting an outstanding essay that competed against entries from students throughout the Platte-Clay service area. As a result, Walter has earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Jefferson City from July 15-18 to participate in CYCLE, a highly regarded leadership conference that brings together some of the brightest high school students from across Missouri.

Kearney High School government teacher Zachary Smith, who encouraged Walter to enter the competition, praised his student’s hard work and initiative.

“Alex took on this challenge, and the effort has absolutely paid off,” Smith said. “I am very proud of Alex for taking this opportunity seriously and achieving such a remarkable honor.”

During the three-day leadership experience, Walter will join fellow student leaders to learn about electric cooperatives, explore the workings of Missouri state government, hear from dynamic speakers, and participate in leadership development activities. The program, coordinated by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC), is designed to build leadership skills and introduce students to new ideas, cultures and lifelong connections.

In a message to Walter and her family, Amanda McQuerrey, Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator for Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, congratulated her on being selected for the program.

“You will learn more about electric cooperatives, Missouri state government, hear great speakers, have fun, and meet lots of new friends,” McQuerrey said. “Congratulations again, Alex. We are proud to have you represent Platte-Clay Electric at CYCLE!”

As part of the recognition, Walter was invited to the Platte-Clay Electric office to receive a prize and participate in a photo opportunity.

Kearney School District is proud to celebrate the achievements of students like Walter who demonstrate a commitment to leadership, excellence and personal growth. Opportunities like the CYCLE program support the district’s strategic focus on preparing students for success beyond the classroom by providing real-world learning experiences that matter most.

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LENS is being phased out at the end of this school year. Founded in 2019 under former Superintendent Bill Nicely, the school’s faculty and students paved the way for Project Based Learning in Kearney School District. It featured engaging, hands-on experiences led by experts like Kearney resident and world-renowned paleoartist Gary Staab. 

LENS served more than 500 students over the years and was a proving ground for many teachers. PBL is now the standard for all of our elementary schools, which means LENS will have a positive impact on every KSD student. 

The celebration was an opportunity for the LENS family to reunite and mark the success of their efforts. Congratulations and thank you to all of them for a job well done!

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Kearney, Mo., April 22, 2025: Kearney School District is hosting 2025 Kindergarten Orientations from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 at Dogwood Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, Kearney Elementary and Southview Elementary.

This will be an opportunity for students who are eligible for kindergarten this fall to prepare by spending time with their teachers and other school support staff. Parents and guardians will get to meet and interact with school administrators during a Q&A session.

In addition, these orientations will include devices and support for parents and guardians who want to complete the kindergarten enrollment process for their children. Families should go to the orientation at the school their child will be attending when school starts this fall.

Visit www.ksdr1.net/enrollment for details about how to enroll your child in kindergarten for the 2025-2026 academic year.

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KHS sophomores Luke Vanderstel, Carl “Ben” Jenkins and Carter Lydick were recently selected to attend the 2025 Missouri Scholars Academy this summer at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Founded in 1985, the Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week residential program for 330 of Missouri’s academically gifted students who are ready to begin their junior year of high school, according to the program’s website. The Academy is held each June on the Mizzou campus and administered by the university’s Honors College.

“It’s an honor to be nominated and selected for this program,” KHS Counselor Ashlee James said. “We’re so proud of Carter, Luke and Carl, and excited to see what they accomplish at this summer’s academy!”

All public and private schools in Missouri are eligible to nominate at least two sophomore students for the Academy. A selection committee, comprised predominantly of teachers from across the state, evaluates the nominations. Students are selected based on a variety of factors, including grade point average, test scores, essay submissions and letters of recommendation. They also have to demonstrate leadership, creativity, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving ability and initiative.

With a carefully selected faculty and staff, a specially designed curriculum with interdisciplinary courses, and a variety of stimulating extracurricular activities, the Academy enables students to be part of a unique learning community. The Academy provides a model that all schools can use in building or expanding their own programs for gifted students. Educators who have served as faculty members have used this experience to benefit students in their local schools.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kearney School District Communications Intern Kaeden Rothwell

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Guided by Project Lead the Way teacher Rachel Cerra, the KJH team represented the Bulldog community with curiosity, creativity and commitment to excellence. Competing against hundreds of students from across the metro, KJH students earned top academic honors, special recognitions, and multiple gold and silver project ratings for their innovative scientific investigations.

“We are incredibly proud of these students,” said Rachel Cerra, KJH’s Project Lead the Way instructor. “They worked hard to ask meaningful questions, design smart experiments and communicate their findings with confidence. It was a joy to see their work recognized alongside the region’s best young scientists.”

Academic Award Winners

• Bentley Anderson – 1st Place, Earth & Environmental Science ($100)
• Jack Anderson – 1st Place, Engineering ($100)
• Malachi Smith – 1st Place, Chemistry ($100)
• Anabelle Krehbiel – 2nd Place, Microbiology ($75)

Special Recognition

• Bentley Anderson – Honorable Mention, U.S. EPA Region 7 Excellence in Environmental Science
• Jack Anderson – Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator Challenge Nominee
• Malachi Smith – Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator Challenge Nominee
• Anabelle Krehbiel – Dr. F. Gene Hampton Award ($100)

Gold-Rated Projects

The following students received Gold Ratings—the highest recognition—for their projects:

• Bentley Anderson – The Effect of Type of Plastic on the Speed of Degradation of the Plastic
• Jack Anderson – The Effect of the Blade Area Ratio on the Amount of Thrust Produced
• Grant Buhman – The Effect of the Type of Substance Used on the Spin Rate of a Baseball
• Alaina Campbell – The Effect of Molecular Weight on the Biodegradation of Plastics
• Johnna Cory – The Effect of the Type of Soda on the Duration of a Mentos Geyser
• Emma Cox – The Effect of the Type of Bread on the Amount of Mold Grown
• Greta Grice – The Effect of the Type of Detergent on the Ability to Remove a Stain
• Caden Harrold – The Effect of the Size of a Hot Air Balloon on the Rate at Which It Rises
• Anabelle Krehbiel – The Effect of the Type of Cell on the Decellularization Rate
• Maggie Rinehart – The Effect of the Type of Ash Additive on the Strength of a Brick
• Malachi Smith – The Effect of the Type of Flour Used on the Volume of a Muffin
• Tinzley Suppes – The Effect of the Type of Cleaner and Surface Used on the Amount of Bacteria
• Kate Vanderstel – The Effect of the Environment on the Growth of Fragaria ananassa

Silver-Rated Projects

Several students also earned Silver Ratings for their strong scientific work:

• Sofie Boguske – The Effect of the Temperature of DNA on the Accuracy of Fingerprint Separation
• Tatum Grassley – The Effect of the Age of a Person on Reaction Time
• Kendyl Schafer – The Effect of the Type of Liquid on the Mass of a Tooth
• Elayna Viox – The Effect of the Source of the Water on the pH and Turbidity Levels

The Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair is one of the largest STEM fairs in the Midwest. Learn more about the event at unionstation.org.

Congratulations to all our student scientists!

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This year’s summer school program will be held from Monday, June 2 through Thursday, June 26. Elementary school programs will be in session from 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Secondary programs will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be NO summer school classes on Fridays except for Friday, June 20. There will be no school on June 19 to observe Juneteenth.

Students who will attend kindergarten through third grade for the 2025-2026 school year will attend the summer program at Southview Elementary. Fourth- and fifth-graders will take summer classes in the LENS wing at Kearney Junior High. All secondary summer classes will be held at KJH.

Kearney School District will provide bus transportation during our 2025 Summer School program for students entering grades K-5 who live outside of the “No-Busing Zone” on the Google Map linked below. Students need to be enrolled by April 30 to receive district-provided transportation. Please use the link to see if your student is eligible for district busing.

LINK: 2025 KSD Summer School No-Busing Zone Map

A Summer School Open House will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. More information is coming soon.

Visit www.ksdr1.net/summerfun to learn more about our 2025 Summer School Program and to enroll your child today!

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Kearney, Mo., March 14, 2025: Kearney School District is proud to announce that Kearney High School senior Parker Mendel has been selected for an “Honorable Mention” recognition in the prestigious 2025 Missouri Scholars 100 program.

This statewide initiative recognizes outstanding academic achievement, honoring Missouri’s top 100 graduating students. The announcement was made by KHS Principal Andy Gustafson, recognizing Mr. Mendel’s exceptional commitment to academic excellence.

“Parker is a great example of what it means to be a Bulldog,” Dr. Gustafson said. “He works hard, supports his classmates and cares about making things better. We could not be more proud of him in Team KSD!”

Sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, the Missouri Scholars 100 Program invites nominations from schools statewide. The program has been around for 31 years.

“The Missouri Scholars 100 Program stands as one of the premier academic recognition programs in the country, celebrating the dedication and success of students who have upheld the highest academic standards,” Clark Mershon, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, remarked. “It is a true celebration of learning.”

Selection is determined by a comprehensive formula incorporating the student’s grade point average, ACT or SAT scores, and participation in an “Academic Decathlon” encompassing ten events that assess the student’s academic prowess.

To qualify, students must meet stringent criteria, including a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 (or a minimum SAT score of 1,280), ranking in the upper ten percent of their class, and enrollment in high-level courses in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language. Exemplary attendance, outstanding citizenship, and active participation in school activities are also essential.

PHOTO CREDIT – KSD Communications Intern and KHS junior Kaeden Rothwell

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Kearney, Mo., March 13, 2025: Kearney High School math teacher Rachel Heili’s combination of experience, skills and attitude add up to one of the best public educators in the state.

Ms. Heili was recently selected as one of Missouri’s Outstanding Beginning Teachers by the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). She is in her second year of teaching at KHS.

Every two years, MACTE honors exemplary first- and second-year teachers across the state for their work with Missouri’s PK-12 students. Heili was selected to receive this award by Dr. Barri Tinkler at Missouri State University.

“Rachel is an exceptional educator who exemplifies excellence and dedication to teaching,” Dr. Tinkler said. “She utilizes innovative teaching practices and creates a collaborative, student-centered learning environment.”

Beyond academics, Heili’s compassion and commitment to her students shine through her engagement in their lives and her ability to inspire and support them. She has already established a strong record of excellence.

“I’m thrilled that Rachel is being recognized for her outstanding work here at KHS,” Principal Andy Gustafson said. “She’s become a vital member of our team and has had a huge positive impact on our students. This honor is well deserved.”

Heili is committed to continually improving both her teaching and her students’ understanding of the subject. As a dedicated educator, she will remain a passionate ambassador for her profession and for mathematics.

The Outstanding Beginning Teacher awardees were celebrated during the MACTE Spring Conference on Feb. 17 in Columbia. A representative from the association visited KHS on Friday, Feb. 7 to present Heili with a certificate.

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