Tri-Lakes Education News

BRANSON SCHOOLS

Branson Public Schools’ spotlights

The Eighth Grade Honors Band from Branson Junior High School was selected by audition to perform at the 88th annual Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference, to be held in January 2026. This is the first time a band from the Junior High has been selected to appear at this prestigious conference and is one of the top honors a band can receive in the state! John Kelly, Junior High Band Director, says, "We are so proud of all students involved in this endeavor, including last year's eighth graders who recorded the audition. We can't wait for a spectacular performance in January!" 

National Honor Society hosted their annual induction ceremony and welcomed 70 Branson High School students into the organization. “We’re incredibly proud of these students for exemplifying the character, leadership and service that NHS stands for,” said Janae Schneider, NHS Sponsor and Sophomore Counselor. “Their commitment to excellence strengthens our school and our community.”

Students from the Buchanan Intermediate and Cedar Ridge Intermediate Honor Choirs joined together to perform at the 2025 Community Tree Lighting, produced by the Branson Christmas Coalition on November 1. Under the direction of Hayleigh Mattes and Courtney Miller, the combined choir helped kick off the holiday season in Branson with spirited performances of “Carol of the Bells” and “We Are Santa’s Elves.” Their talent and teamwork added a festive and memorable touch to this cherished community event.

Pride of Branson Band students earned an impressive showing at the All-District Band auditions, with placements across the Honors Band, Concert Band, Jazz 1 and Jazz 2 ensembles. Multiple students achieved high chair placements, and several earned eligibility to audition for All-State honors, highlighting the strength and dedication within the Branson band program. “Everyone who auditioned represented Branson with class and pride - we are very proud of their individual hard work and preparation for this event!” said Director of Bands Daniel Jarrett.

BHS hosted the 17th Annual BHS Math Games recently, and 78 Branson students competed in a three-round event consisting of a 45-minute multiple choice test, relating to the student's current math course. Students also participated in a Sudoku contest and a four-person elimination competition. The Math Games are produced by BHS math teachers, Barb Cogdill and Julie Haskin.

Branson Agriculture Department and FFA Chapter alumnus Rajan Raghani has earned the American FFA Degree, the highest honor awarded by the National FFA Organization and a recognition of his years of dedication, leadership and achievement in agricultural education. He accepted the award at the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis recently, where current Branson FFA members were present to celebrate his outstanding accomplishment.

COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS

College of the Ozarks to host holiday event at Ralph Foster Museum, Dec. 6

College of the Ozarks will host a North Pole-themed holiday event at the Ralph Foster Museum on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. It will be a family-friendly event with opportunities to write letters to Santa, make crafts, enjoy cookies and milk, and a photo line with Santa in his Ozark Mountain ride, the iconic Beverly Hillbillies truck.

Ticket prices are $6, which grants access to all event activities as well as the museum’s three floors of exhibits. Guests are encouraged to share photos from their visit and participate in the events scavenger hunt.

More about Ralph Foster Museum

The Ralph Foster Museum, on the campus of College of the Ozarks, grew from humble beginnings in the 1920s to become one of the Midwest’s foremost institutions of historical preservation.

Dr. Robert M. Good, the president of the school, took an interest in the idea of a museum on campus. Subsequently, he made space available for the display of items in the basement of Abernathy Hall, a boys’ residence hall. When the residence hall was later vacated, funds were provided to convert the entire building into a museum.

The primary focus of the Ralph Foster Museum today is to collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit items relating to the Ozarks region. One of the more famous exhibits is the original vehicle used in the television series, "The Beverly Hillbillies." In addition, visitors will find antiques, weapons, dolls, natural history and other items from around the world.

The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5p.m., and ticket prices can be found on the Museum's website, https://www.rfostermuseum.com/.

REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS

Reeds Spring Middle School recognizes H.O.W.L. students

Reeds Spring Middle School recently recognized students who displayed Habits of Work and Learning (H.O.W.L.). One of those habits is Communication.

Congratulations to the following students:River Bell, Averie Boersma, Brody Branson, Ava Conner, Harlow Crosby, Matthew Davis, Kenneth Hillsman, Payton Holmes, Avery Johnson, Greyden Korth, Heydi Lopez-Caratachea, Sofia McGowan, Wyatt Moody, Myles Parker, Ella Reinsch, Lydia Reynolds, Britney Roper, Kole Spence, Avery Stufft, Vivian Swestka, Tanner Thomas, Maddie Traupman, Chris Winfrey and Aubrie Dean.

Reeds Spring Middle School Students of the Month named

Left to right: Bailey Johnson, Kylie Martin and Nate Waters

Reeds Spring School District named Developer of the Year

Reeds Spring School District’s recent renovations and additions are turning heads across the region. The Springfield Contractors Association has honored the district as its 2025 Developer of the Year, recognizing the lasting impact these projects have made on students, families and the broader community.

Superintendent Dr. Cody Hirschi reflected on the community-driven vision behind the work, noting, “Behind these projects is a community that believes deeply in the power of schools to transform opportunity. We never build just to build; we build to create experiences that prepare kids for the world they will enter after graduation."

Recent district projects include the new Table Rock Career Center, Wolf Pack Park and the renovated Primary School.

"Each project reflects a shared vision that education should be personal, purposeful and connected to real life," Hirschi said. "These accomplishments were only possible through the partnership of local leaders, state legislators, the community and our governor, who helped secure funds to make these projects a reality. This award belongs to our entire community because together we created places where students and families in our region can truly thrive.”

District leaders accepted the award during the Salute to Construction Banquet on November 13 at the Oasis Convention Center in Springfield.