As I walked into Hawthorne Elementary School as an eager and anxious kindergartener on the first day of school, I had a blend of emotions going through my head. Excitement, like a trip to Worlds of Fun, and fear, like a surprise doctor appointment. My first step into the classroom was more fear than courage. The moments to follow were very overwhelming, and in minutes I knew I was safe and just needed to figure this all out. Here are a few tips I would pass along to that little guy before he walked in.

Relax and start taking it all in. Take your time to look around the room. All the desks and their arrangement, colorful posters and decorations, books of all kinds, and toys. All this has been set up for you, and it is for you to use! Look closely at all your new classmates and your teachers. These wonderful people will be your friends and mentors! Try hard to listen carefully. When your teacher speaks, it will have a purpose with information that will be beneficial later. Lunch and travel between classrooms can be complicated at times, but recess and P.E.- the holy grails of the day, are where you want to be on your game! Follow your teachers’ lead.

Start to embrace all the wonderful things school offers. You will hear about clubs and sports…for kindergarteners! From Lego groups, rumors of an amazing talent show, and what? …Football! It’s not all fun though; pay attention to the rules and follow them. If you hear something fantastic about a science club, ask about it. If you are unsure about a rule, speak up and find out. Pay attention to where things are located. Everywhere from the library, to the gym, music room and exits. Pro tip: When you are on the way to some of the great places within the school, turn around and see what it looks like, the way back never looks the same as the way there!

Be yourself, starting now. Not being the same as everyone else is cool, and that’s what makes our future friends interesting. Work on being a good communicator. Speak up, like you do at home. This is easy to say but hard to do. Let your teacher know if you enjoyed reading time or thought something was funny during the number song. They’ll appreciate the quick input. Also, let your teacher know if you feel uncomfortable or nervous about any situation. All good things come from your kindergarten teacher, just like your parents. It’s a powerful relationship.

Looking back at my first day of kindergarten, I now look at it as if it were the first moon landing. That small step into that classroom on the first day of kindergarten was a giant leap that led me on a rewarding and fun journey with amazing friends, mentors, and memories. There were opportunities every step of the way provided by Kearney R-1 and the City of Kearney to put me in the position I am today where I can pursue my dreams. So, to that little guy with big dreams on his first day; relax, embrace the environment, and be yourself.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This ran originally in the Summer 2024 issue of Kearney School District’s “Bulldog News” quarterly magazine. Mr. Janiak will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy starting this fall.

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The announcement was made by Captain Steven V. Wilhoit, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, Mo, according to a press release posted on the MSHP website.

Corporal Siercks is currently a member of the Troop A Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). His promotion takes effect on Nov. 1.

Siercks was appointed to the MSHP on July 1, 2015, as a member of the 101st Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 14, Bates County. On May 1, 2020, Siercks transferred to Zone 3, serving the citizens of Clay County, where he remained until his promotion.

Corporal Siercks was born and raised in Kearney and attended Kearney Elementary School. Before joining the Patrol, he graduated in 2015 from Park University in Parkville with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Corporal Siercks is married to Kaylie (Arthur) Siercks.

Do you know of a KHS graduate who is doing something outstanding? Let us know! Email communications@ksdr1. net!

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The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) celebrated its 25th-anniversary concert at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center. Kearney Junior High music teacher Jamie Heil and eighth-grade science teacher Rachel Cerra were invited to perform with the MYO and Metropolitan Youth Symphonia ensembles along with several current Kearney students and alumni.

“We had quite the representation,” Ms. Cerra said. “It was a really fantastic experience for all involved!”

The Kearney cohort who performed at this event included:

• Ethan Shoemaker – student
• Kelsey Pratt – student
• Zoe Wells – student
• Hunter Ethen – student
• Liliana Jackson – alumni
• Jackson Elsea – student
• Jamie Heil – alumni and KJH music teacher
• Amanda Marchman – alumni
• Rachel Cerra – alumni and KJH science teacher
• Ariana Spruhan – student
• Olivia Kinstler – student
• Klara Wentzel – student
• Pax Bossart – student

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SOURCE: Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

Kearney, Mo., August 17, 2022: Missouri’s Sports Hall of Fame will honor Kearney High School graduate Brock Christopher as a member of the “Elite 11” during the 2022 Football Luncheon on Oct. 19 in Springfield.

The Elite 11 Awards honor former high school, college and professional standouts who made positive impacts on the game, according to the Sports Hall of Fame. The luncheon is also an annual opportunity to induct new members into the Sports Hall of Fame and give out the annual President’s Award.

“Everybody in Missouri is excited about the football season, and we’re honored to be recognizing very deserving folks who have made it special in the state,” Missouri Sports Hall of Fame CEO & Executive Director Byron Shive said. “The Elite 11 Awards feature some pretty neat storylines.”

Mr. Christopher was an accomplished three-sport star at Kearney High School, where he graduated in 2005 before attending the University of Missouri. He was a standout linebacker and tailback. He rated as the No. 31 inside linebacker prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, and the same group ranked him as the No. 7 overall prospect in the state of Missouri. SuperPrep had him as the No. 55 prospect at any position in the Midlands region.

Christopher led Kearney in tackles all four years, as he registered career totals of 467 tackles, 51 tackles for loss and three interceptions. Along the way, Kearney won back-to-back Class 4 state football titles (2002 and 2003). He was a three-time First Team All-State selection at linebacker (2002-2004). As a junior, he ran three times for 50 yards in the 2003 title game, and added a game-high 10 tackles (including one for loss), as Kearney completed a 13-0 season. He had 84 tackles as a senior, including 11 tackles for loss and three interceptions.

At Mizzou, Christopher played in 52 games over four seasons, and was a three-year starter who had 307 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss. He is now national sales manager for MAG Trucks in Columbia.

Christopher was among the first group of honorees to be inducted into the Kearney Athletics Hall of Fame during its debut banquet in 2017.

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Kearney, Mo., May 18, 2022: The Kearney High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the Class of 2022 inductees.

This year’s list of inductees includes five alumni and two teams. They will be recognized before the KHS home football game on Friday, Sept. 9. A formal Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held in their honor on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The five individuals being inducted into the KHS Athletic Hall of Fame are:

• Craig Porter (Class of 1970)
• Sandy Reichert Stevens (Class of 1981)
• Pam Gingerich (Class of 1984)
• Darrell Meinke (Class of 1996)
• Dillon Starzl (Class of 2010)

The two teams being inducted are: 

• 2004 Boys State Champion Wrestling Team
• 2008 Boys State Champion Golf Team

The KHS Athletic Hall of Fame 2022 Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, June 17 at the MariMack Golf Complex in Kearney. This will be formatted as a Four-Person Scramble and limited to the first 18 teams. The registration deadline is June 1. For tournament information and to register, please contact Kearney School District Activities Director Dave Schwarzenbach at schwarzenbachd@ksdr1.net or (816) 628-3647.

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