Tri-Lakes Education News

Branson Schools

April 2025 Pirate Proud Recipient: Emery Gregory

Gregory (Photo submitted)

This month’s Pirate Proud presentation was extra special as we celebrated Bus Driver Appreciation Day, a birthday and one outstanding member of our Pirate family - all in one! Please join us in honoring Emery Gregory, who has been a dedicated bus driver in our district for the past six years. Nominated by administrators and colleagues, Emery is known for being dependable, patient, kind and truly passionate about his work.

Only one more Pirate will be honored this school year! Who do you nominate? Pirate Proud nomination form: https://bit.ly/3AytT1S

Branson Schools: Student, staff and community spotlight

Branson High School students recently brought home top honors after competing in this year’s Missouri Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference. FBLA is the largest co-curricular business organization in the country, with over 5,000 attending the State Conference. Two teams from Branson High School placed in the top ten in their respective competition areas at this year’s event: Sayoni Patel & Mirian Gomez took sixth place in Introduction to Business Presentation; Trevlyn Eilers and Waylon Hall took seventh place in Digital Video Production.

Branson Schools hosted over 650 attendees for an evening of cultural celebration at the Festival of Nations. Families enjoyed delicious international foods, interactive country displays, bounce houses and amazing live performances. We were also proud to recognize recipients of the Pathway to Biliteracy Award. This program began in 2021 and is designed to honor kindergarten through eighth grade students who are developing proficiency in another language alongside English. In its fifth year, 383 multilingual students were recognized, making a powerful impact in our schools and community.

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) were honored at the 2025 Area 12 Banquet. Several members received individual honors for their contest and competition work this school year. FFA also hosted a very successful greenhouse sale this spring on the Branson High School campus.

Congratulations to the Bingchilling Burritos Youth Coding Team from Cedar Ridge Intermediate on achieving post-season recognition in the Technical Merit category! Final round results will be posted soon on the Youth Coding League website: https://www.youthcodingleague.com/playoffs

College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks Concert Band to perform spring concert Friday, May 2

College of the Ozarks Concert Band (Photo submitted)

The College of the Ozarks Concert Band will perform the spring concert on Friday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the Jones Auditorium. The performance is open to students, faculty, staff and the public. The program will include: “Mambo,” by Leonard Bernstein/arr. Michael Sweeney; “Diversion,” by Bernhard Heiden; “Rhapsody for Euphonium and Concert Band,” by James Curnow; “Silverado,” by Bruce Broughton/arr. Randol Bass; “Abide With Me,” by William Monk, Henry Lyte/arr. Jay Dawson; “Rikudim-Four Israeli Folk Dances for Band,” by Jan Van der Roost; “Colossus of Columbia,” by Russell Alexander/arr. Glenn Cliffe Bainum; “The Golden Age of Broadway,” by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II/arr. John Moss.

College of the Ozarks President Brad Johnson named to Springfield Business Journal’s 2025 Class of Men of the Year

Johnson (Photo submitted)

College of the Ozarks is proud to announce that its president, Dr. Brad Johnson, has been named one of Springfield Business Journal’s 2025 Men of the Year, an annual award honoring men across southwest Missouri who demonstrate outstanding leadership and impact in their communities and professions.

Johnson was honored at the recognition event hosted by the Springfield Business Journal on April 24, 2025.

Hollister Schools

Hollister Community Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5-9

Give a shoutout to a teacher or group of teachers on social media and tag the school district. You can post on your social media, tag the Hollister School District and the teacher’s building, and include the hashtags #HollisterTigers #HeartofHollister

Hollister High School students earn prestigious spot in Missouri All-State Show Choir

Hollister High School is proud to announce that two students, Morgan Carlson and Addison White, have been selected to participate in the 2025 Missouri All-State Show Choir, a highly competitive and prestigious event. The event will take place July 20 through 23 at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, MO, culminating in a performance at the convention center on the final evening.

Morgan Carlson and Addison White, both seniors, were chosen for their exceptional vocal abilities, earning a spot among the top 15 students in their vocal parts across the state. This achievement represents a remarkable level of skill and dedication, and their selection reflects their hard work and passion for music.

Additionally, Kate Heard, a fellow student, was named the second alternate for the event, ranking 17th in the state. Her standing as one of the top 17 vocalists in Missouri is a significant honor.

Reeds Spring Schools

Finalists announced for Reeds Spring School District Awards

Six teachers and seven non-teaching staff members have been announced as finalists for the Reeds Spring School District’s Excellence Awards.

Teacher of the Year nominees are:

Primary School – Kim Voelker

Elementary School – Brian Kelley

Intermediate School – Renee Waters

Middle School – Shelby Cook

High School – Damon Asbill

Table Rock Career Center – Jock Thompson

Staff Member of the Year nominees are:

Primary School – Debbie Stowell

Elementary School – Cheryl Huff

Intermediate School – Carrie Payne

Middle School – Brenda Miller

High School – Jay Suggs

Table Rock Career Center – Dusty Borgman

Transportation - Carlos Haynes

The winners will be announced at the district’s Excellence Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 3.

Reeds Spring School Board Members sworn in

Weathers, Phillips (Photo submitted)

The two candidates re-elected to the Reeds Spring School Board were sworn into office on April 22. Gordon Weathers and Perry Phillips will serve three-year terms. The board chose Phillips to serve as president. Lisa Boyd will remain board vice-president.

Table Rock Career Center

Local students headed to international competition

Two high school students from the Ozarks will soon find out how they stack up against students from around the globe.

Coones, Cecil (Photo submitted)

Jacob Coones of Galena and Braiden Cecil of Spokane earned second place in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) competition at the Missouri state level. Their strong performance qualifies them to compete at the HOSA International Leadership Conference, which brings together top students from around the world. Coones and Cecil are part of the EMT program at Table Rock Career Center.