Tri-Lakes Education News

COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS

College of the Ozarks students participate in annual CitizenTrip^® to Washington, D.C.

College of the Ozarks continued the groundbreaking CitizenTrip^® that began in 2019, sending 40 students on an intensive trip to Washington, D.C., at no cost to the students. The trip, which took place Sept. 25-27, is an integral part of fulfilling the Patriotic Pillar of College of the Ozarks, which is to encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibility, love of country and willingness to defend it.

The students had the opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol as well as the National Mall, which encompasses the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The trip also included locations like Museum of the Bible, the National Archives Museum and Arlington National Cemetery.

The students heard from Vietnam Veteran and former POW, Guy Gruters, as well as Vietnam Veteran and retired Sergeant First Class (SFC) Dan Bunch, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

Brigadier General James Schreffler, vice president for patriotic activities, explained the significance of the CitizenTrip^® for students.

“The CitizenTrip^® allows students to see and experience historical sights they have studied throughout their entire educational career,” Schreffler said. “By seeing these sights firsthand and hearing Veterans reflect on their experiences at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the National Mall, students returned with renewed respect and increased love for our country.”

The trip was hosted by The William S. Knight Center for Patriotic Education at College of the Ozarks. The Center was dedicated on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 2021.

Following are the members of faculty and staff who accompanied the students on the trip: Brigadier General James P. Schreffler, vice president for patriotic activities; Captain Andrew Ashley, instructor of military science; Cody Bray, director of transportation; Janna Goodwin, residence director; Dr. Denise Tlustos, associate professor of nursing; Chassidy Brittain, director of patriotic activities; and Samantha Stephans, social media and digital marketing strategist.

Students came away from the trip with a new understanding of American heritage and new perspectives of what it means to be a citizen in the United States. 

“To see all the steps that our country has come to get to this point gives a whole new sense of meaning to the shared heritage that we all have,” said Caleb Zurbriggen, senior psychology major, and member of the Missouri Army National Guard. “We’re all Americans, and this trip changed that perspective for me.”

“This trip has allowed my heritage to become mine,” said Abigail Harrison, senior public relations major. “It has made the history of America my history, and it has allowed me to become proud of the country that I live in and the freedoms that we have here. I understand now that those things are not cheap.”

College of the Ozarks to host Homecoming 2025: ‘Forever Faithful’

College of the Ozarks will host Homecoming 2025: Forever Faithful, Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 6-8. Homecoming weekend will consist of several events for each day, including the alumni golf game, alumni breakfast and a C of O homecoming parade.

“No matter when alumni attended College of the Ozarks, they share a common bond of working for their education,” said Angela Williamson, director of alumni relations. “It is a connection that transcends all generations, and homecoming is a beautiful time to bring all of that together.”

The entire weekend of events for Homecoming 2025 will be centered around the theme Forever Faithful.

“God has blessed College of the Ozarks in many ways over the years, and we are thankful for His provision and blessings,” Williamson said. “Our homecoming theme, Forever Faithful, complements our campus theme, Faithful in Fellowship. We are grateful for the alumni who return to their alma mater to reflect on their time as a student and to reconnect with friends, work supervisors and professors who made an impact on their lives.”

The event welcomes alumni to return to the College to celebrate their legacy as part of the history of the institution. The alumni will participate in many different events alongside current students.

Schedule of events

Thursday, Nov.6

• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Alumni Registration, Alumni & Archives Center

Friday, Nov. 7

• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alumni Registration, Alumni & Archives Center

• 10 a.m. Alumni Golf Game, Pointe Royale

• 4 p.m. Alumni Council Meeting & Dinner, Lakeside Dining Room, Pearl Rogers Dining Center

• 6 p.m.  Lady Cats Volleyball vs. Central Christian College, Keeter Gymnasium

• 8 p.m. 1980s Remix, Main Level, Plaster Business Building

Saturday, Nov. 8

• 8 a.m. Alumni Breakfast, Dobyns Dining Room, The Keeter Center

• The Alumni Association Annual Meeting will immediately follow the breakfast at 9 a.m.

• 8:30 a.m. 5K Run\Walk, Meet at Keeter Gymnasium

• 9 a.m. Alumni Registration, Alumni & Archives Center

• 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Student Activity Booths & Alumni Registration, Activities Field

• 10:30 a.m.  Alumni Memorial Service, Williams Memorial Chapel

• 11:30 a.m. 1960s, Christian Ministries Lounge, and 1970s, Christian Ministries Library

• 12 p.m. Lady Cats Volleyball vs. Langston University, Keeter Gymnasium

• 12:30 p.m. Plaque Dedication honoring Brigadier General Bradley Leonard ’97, School of the Ozarks Patriots Plaza

• 1 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. Class Reunion Photos, Chapel Lawn

• 1:00 – 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960 HS, 1960 JC  

• 1:10 – 1965 HS, 1965 JC, 1970, 1975

• 1:20 – 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995  

• 1:30 – 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020

• 2:15 p.m. C of O Homecoming Parade

• 3:15 p.m. Bobcats vs. Crowley’s Ridge College, Keeter Gymnasium

• 6 p.m. Alumni Meritorious Awards & Celebration Dinner, The Hook Activities Center

FORSYTH SCHOOLS

Forsyth School Board names new superintendent

With the recent announcement that the Superintendent of the Forsyth School District, Dr. Jeff Mingus, was retiring after 12 years, the search for a new superintendent began. The Forsyth School Board didn't have to look far, however, to find a replacement for Mingus.

Dr. Grant Boyer has been named the new Superintendent for Forsyth. Dr. Boyer is a familiar face in the Forsyth School District, as he has been in the role of Assistant Superintendent for the district for the past 12 years.  

Dr. Boyer, who will begin his 25th year in the field of education this fall, said, "I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to serve the great faculty, staff and students and the Forsyth R3 School District. I have some big shoes to fill, so along with the excitement of this new position also comes some nervousness to continue in the great tradition our schools have had. It will be an honor to lead the Forsyth District, a place that has meant so much to myself and my family over the last 20 years. I can't imagine a better faculty and staff in any other school district, and I am continuously amazed by our students' talents and academic achievements every day."

Of Dr. Mingus, Boyer's supervisor for over a decade, Boyer noted, "I deeply appreciate the leadership that Dr. Mingus has provided for the district and myself. I feel like the transition will be much more seamless with the guidance he has and will continue to provide."

Mingus will officially retire from his position in the Forsyth School District at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

"I appreciate the faith that the Forsyth School Board has placed in me and will look forward to working with these dedicated board members in the future," said Boyer. "It's great to know that our Board of Education has our students' best interest in mind in all the decisions they make. We also have a very strong administrative team in place, and I look forward to continuing the progress that this team has made."

REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS

Reeds Spring Middle School Students of the Month

The Reeds Spring Middle School Students of the Month are Zailee Cober, Will Healy, Jackson Sooter, and Lily Kingsley.

Reeds Spring High School inducts 25 students into National Honor Society

Reeds Spring High School inducted 25 new members into the National Honor Society on October 20. NHS recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character. To maintain membership in the RSHS chapter, students must:

• Hold at least a 3.25 GPA

• Maintain 90% attendance

• Complete five and a half hours of community service each semester

• Complete two hours of school service each semester

Congratulations to these new members: August Behn, Haiden Bradley, Ciaran Broomfield, Avery Cadle, Levi Callahan, Chloe Clevenger, Trinity Clevenger, Baya Clifford, Amelia Colon, Brayden Dejager, Braydyn Fuller, Macie Funk, Leah Hardman, Brayden Higginbottom, Hayden Holt, Haily Korte, Brielle Kraus, Shelby Padilla, Tyson Phelps, Lilian Phifer, Callista Rose, Claire Ross, Luke Sellers, Skylynn Veltz and Bailey Zittleman

Reeds Spring golfer earns All-State Honors

Reeds Spring High School junior Saylor Johnson placed 15th out of 90 golfers at the Class 2 State Championship and was named to the All-State Team.Football RSHS lost to Hollister 56-42. Keagon Fish scored five rushing touchdowns, and Blake Murphy added another. Aiden Wohletz successfully made all six extra-point attempts. The Wolves play at Cassville in the district tournament on Thursday, October 30.Cross Country Reeds Spring hosted the Mid-Lakes Conference Meet on October 22. Max Hirschi finished fourth, and Connor Love seventh. The boys team finished fourth overall. In the girls race, Grace Johnson was 13th.RSHS hosted another meet on Saturday, October 25. Connor Love won the race, Ronnie Jo Clouse was fourth, Brody McIntosh eighth, Dane Thierbach 11th, and Pearce Birlew 15th.In the girls race, Johnson finished seventh, Claire Ross was eighth, and Lilian Phifer tenth.Volleyball The season ended with a 3-0 loss to Fair Grove in the district tournament.