Tri-Lakes Education News
- Submitted to Branson Globe
- Apr 2
- 8 min read
BRANSON SCHOOLS
Job Olympics held at Branson High School
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
On Thursday, March 26, Branson High School hosted the annual Job Olympics. The event welcomes students with disabilities from schools across the Ozarks, to participate in realistic job simulations in a fun competition format.
The following schools participated this year:
Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Republic, Willard, Hollister, Reeds Spring, Forsyth, Galena, Hurley, Blue Eye, Clever, Marionville, Fordland, Logan-Rogersville, Ash Grove, Spokane and Bolivar.
Throughout the school year, dedicated special education professionals provide training to students in essential employment-related skills, integrating vocational concepts with classroom instruction through hands-on, simulated work experiences. On the day of the event, approximately 300 students competed, demonstrating to prospective employers—and reinforcing to themselves—that students with disabilities can become independent, capable and dedicated members of the workforce.
Judges for the Job Olympics included business professionals, employment managers and educators from around the community. Volunteers—many of them adults with disabilities representing various groups such as Tantone, Barnabas Prep and New Hope Development—are also an important part of the day as they help with various tasks and reset the simulations after each competitor.
One of those volunteers, Brian Reed from Coffee Creations, served as emcee for the event’s opening ceremony to start the day; and Dylan, another young adult volunteer who also hosts a special area show for persons on the autism spectrum, sang the National Anthem. Branson JROTC presented the colors; and members of the Branson High School cheer squad were on hand to enthusiastically greet arriving school groups. The acrobats of the Shanghai Circus provided entertainment for the opening festivities.
Moving into the competition area, the enthusiasm was contagious as students eagerly lined up for their selected competitions. Scenarios were set up for competitions in housekeeping skills, various areas of restaurant service, childcare, nail technician services, auto detailing, plant care, construction skills, a simulated Target store with various areas of retail stocking and more. The volunteers helping at the simulated hotel room and the car to be cleaned and vacuumed were having a great time too, “messing up” the set for the next competitor!
Event coordinator Tracy Hall and other Branson staff members expressed thanks to all the judges and volunteers who help make this event happen each year. All of our area school special education professionals deserve our thanks and appreciation, as they help these students recognize their own potential and transition to become valuable contributors to their communities.
Branson High School Seniors earn Missouri Scholars 100 Honors
Branson High School senior Austin Matthews has been distinguished as one of the top academic students in the state through the Missouri Scholars 100 program. BHS senior Remington Holmes received Honorable Mention. This statewide initiative, organized by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of 100 outstanding students from the graduating class of 2026.
Matthews previously achieved a perfect ACT superscore of 36 on his October 2025 test.
To qualify for the Missouri Scholars 100, students must hold a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 1,280, rank in the upper ten percent of their class, and engage in advanced coursework in mathematics, science, English and foreign language. Additionally, nominees must exhibit excellent attendance, exemplary citizenship within the school and active participation in the school’s activity program.
Chris Hoehne, Executive Director of the principals' association, expressed, "The Missouri Scholars 100 Program is one of the nation’s premier academic recognition programs and stands as a true celebration of learning. The Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals and its Board of Directors proudly recognize and celebrates the remarkable achievements of these students and the schools that support their success.”
The 2026 Missouri Scholars 100 program marks its 32nd annual recognition, reflecting a longstanding commitment to honoring academic excellence.
Branson Schools to host ‘A Day in K’ kindergarten orientation, April 28
Branson Public Schools invite families of incoming kindergarten students to attend “A Day in K,” a fun and informative kindergarten orientation event designed to help children and their families prepare for a successful start in school. Kindergarten orientation will take place April 28, 2026, from 5-6:30 p.m. at Cedar Ridge Primary, 402 Cedar Ridge Drive, and Buchanan Elementary, 1000 Buchanan Road.
During “A Day in K,” prospective kindergarteners and their families will have the opportunity to tour the school, ride a school bus, meet building administrators and learn more about before- and after-school care options. In addition, families will be able to sign up for a free developmental screening, provided by Branson Parents as Teachers, which is required for kindergarten enrollment.
The event will take place at both schools serving kindergarten students: Cedar Ridge Primary and Buchanan Elementary. Families should plan to attend the event at their designated attendance zone school. Attendance zones can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/4dE8wB9
To be considered for kindergarten placement, children must reside within the boundaries of Branson Public Schools and turn five years old on or before July 31, 2026.
For more information about “A Day in K” kindergarten enrollment and to check your attendance zone, please visit www.branson.k12.mo.us .
COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS
The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks voted Best Branson Area Restaurant in 417 Magazine 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards
The publishers of 417 Magazine, a premier regional publication based in Springfield, Missouri, presented The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks with three 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Keeter Center received first place for Best Branson Area Restaurant, second place for Best Sweet Treats, and second place for Best Restaurant Service.
Each year, 417 Magazine highlights outstanding businesses in southwest Missouri, inviting the public to vote for their favorites across various categories.
This year marks the ninth consecutive year The Keeter Center has been honored in the Best of 417 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Keeter Center’s continued success in these awards reflects the unwavering support of guests throughout the region.
With 417 Magazine’s local readership reaching more than 300,000 audience members each month, the College is honored to accept these awards.
“To win any award is awesome, but to win three is astounding,” said Aaron Fowler, executive chef of Dobyns Dining Room at The Keeter Center. “It shows the dedication of the students. They drive our success at The Keeter Center. The honors we received from 417 Magazine are rewarding for us as managers, but ultimately the students should take pride in this major accomplishment.”
The student workers, staff and administrators at The Keeter Center are honored to accept these awards and continue the restaurant’s legacy for years to come.
“I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for consistently delivering world-class hospitality,” said Kathryn Williams, executive director of The Keeter Center.
KIRBYVILLE SCHOOLS
Kirbyville Middle School hosts career fair
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
On Tuesday, March 24, Kirbyville Middle School hosted their Second Annual KMS Career Fair. In addition to students in grades 4 through 8 at Kirbyville, seventh and eighth grade students from Mark Twain School attended the fair.
As students visited the fair by age groups, they received a passport folder listing participant businesses and agencies. Teachers at the schools, as well as KMS counselor Alexandrea Bowman, had done a great job encouraging the students to think about their interests and prepare questions to ask in order to collect a stamp or signature from the participants, with students entered in a raffle based on their level of engagement with the businesses.
Students had opportunities to speak with representatives and learn more about careers in a variety of areas of interests ranging from artistic to financial to outdoor adventure and more:
● The U.S. Military (Army representative)
● Local government (City of Hollister and Hollister Police Department; City of Branson)
● Entrepreneurship (Selah Bean Coffee)
● Energy and utilities services (White River Valley Electric Cooperative)
● Artist (woodcarver from Peter Engler Designs)
● Hospitality and tourism (Guest Ready Cleaning Service)
● Parks, recreation and leisure (Table Rock State Park rangers)
● Public relations and sports communications (William Jewell Athletics)
● Radio broadcasting (Ozarks Dynacom)
● Banking and financial (Table Rock Community Bank)
● Real estate and property management (Rose Backlin Real Estate)
● Emergency services (fire and rescue)
● Engineering (Great River Engineering)
● Photography (Janie Loftin Photography)
● Healthcare (Taney County Health Department)
● Writing and journalism (Cynthia Thomas, freelance writer and Branson Globe staff writer)
It was fun to watch students as they made the rounds to ask questions, pausing to check out explanatory videos or for hands-on activities such as identifying pelts of critters common to Missouri. As a writer, along with fielding questions like “What was your funniest story?” it was a privilege to explain to students the importance of learning to communicate their thoughts clearly, becoming more observant of details, and realizing that their own story has meaning that Chat GPT can’t capture.
A big thanks to Ms. Bowman, to the area professionals who shared their expertise at the fair, and to all the teachers who faithfully show up to guide students in daily opportunities to learn.
REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS
Lady Wolves display power on softball field
The Reeds Spring High School softball team hit four home runs in a 29-16 victory over Greenfield. Chloe Clevenger and Cami Lee both hit two home runs. The Lady Wolves lost three games last week, falling to Marionville 15-5, to Walnut Ridge 7-0, and to Izard County 12-3.
Baseball The Wolves went 1-3 last week, beating New Covenant Academy 6-5, losing to Gainesville 6-5, losing to Hillcrest 4-3, and losing to Mountain Grove 6-2.
Boys Golf At the Reeds Spring Invitational, the Wolves finished 11th out of 17 teams. Evan Metcalfe shot the low score for the team with a 96.
Boys Tennis RSHS beat Parkview 8-1.
Track and Field At the Hollister Invitational, here are the Wolves who placed in the top three in their event:
Mason Turner - 1st in triple jump
Boys 4x100-meter relay - 1st (Jack Borich, Mason Turner, Draven Davis, Brody Pettigrew)
Emmarae Thompson - 1st in 100-meter hurdles
Lindsay Branson - 1st in discus
Allie Johnson - 1st in high jump
Issie Sooter - 1st in long jump
Kaylee Geniuk - 1st in triple jump
Grace Chastain - 1st in pole vault
Max Hirschi - 2nd in 800-meter run
Max Hirschi - 2nd in 1600- meter run
Gabe Miller - 2nd in discus
Brody Bekebrede - 2nd in javelin
Mason Turner - 2nd in long jump
Aiden Wohletz - 2nd in triple jump
Avery Cadle - 2nd in 300-meter hurdles
Lindsay Branson - 2nd in shot put
Adi Blevins - 2nd in discus
Girls 4x400-meter relay - 1st (Issie Sooter, Calli Rose, Josephine Buxton, Allie Johnson)
Boys 4x400-meter relay - 2nd (Jack Borich, Max Hirschi, Braiden Langston, Dane Thierbach)
Boys 4x800-meter relay - 2nd (Dane Thierbach, Braiden Langston, Sam Carpenter, Brody McIntosh)
Girls 4x100-meter relay - 2nd (Emmarae Thompson, Issie Sooter, Saylor Johnson, Kaylee Geniuk)
Dane Thierbach - 3rd in 800-meter run
Claire Ross - 3rd in 3200-meter run
Girls 4x200-meter relay - 3rd (Saylor Johnson, Kaylee Davis, Alyea Jensen, Josephine Buxton)
Kaylee Davis - 3rd in high jump
Josephine Buxton - 3rd in triple jump
Reeds Spring School District Excellence Award Winners
Each month, the Reeds Spring School District recognizes one non-teaching staff member and one certified teacher as Excellence Award winners. The winners for March are Lacie Oxenreider and Crystal Seiler.
Oxenreider is a second-grade teacher at Reeds Spring Elementary School, and Seiler is a paraprofessional at Reeds Spring High School.
The district accepts Excellence Award nominations from students, staff, parents, and community members. You can find the nomination form at www.rs-wolves.com.
TABLE ROCK CAREER CENTER
Table Rock Career Center Professionals of the Month
Table Rock Career Center recognized four students in March as the Professionals of the Month.
Brady Cline is a junior from Crane in the Construction program. Austin Youngblood is a senior from Galena in both the Welding and Construction programs. Kingsley Edwards is a senior from Branson in the Engineering program, and Royce Rex is a junior from Spokane in the Engineering program.
Table Rock Career Center offers 12 programs to high school juniors and seniors from 11 school districts in Stone, Taney, and Christian counties.
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