Tri-Lakes Education News
- Submitted to Branson Globe
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
BRANSON SCHOOLS
Ribbon cutting held at new Junior High Activity Center
A large crowd gathered at the Branson Junior High School on Friday to celebrate a ribbon cutting at the new Junior High School Activity Center. The Activity Center will provide more space and additional opportunities for activities, athletics and student engagement. Located next to the school's stadium, the new Activity Center includes a gymnasium, concession area and locker room.
Those in attendance enjoyed tours of the new facility, and heard remarks from Superintendent Dr. Nate Moore and Branson Junior High Principal Dr. Becky Ash. Members of the student body participated in the event, including junior high athletes, Branson Junior High Student Council, junior high band, honor guard and journalism students. Dr. Moore and Branson School Board President Sonja Myer participated in the official ribbon cutting.
The new Activity Center was funded entirely by the school district.
The Branson Junior High School leadership expressed their gratitude to all who helped make the dream of the new Activity Center a reality, and thanked the community for their continued support, noting that this Activity Center will serve the students and the community for years to come.
COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS
College of the Ozarks hosts Vietnam War Veterans Day observance
College of the Ozarks hosted the annual Vietnam War Veterans Day Observance, March 30, at Patriots Park.
James Schreffler, vice president for patriotic programs, gave the opening address, honoring the Vietnam Veterans for their service and welcoming them home.
“As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s independence this year, let us not forget the tremendous sacrifice it took then, and still takes today, to obtain and preserve that freedom,” Schreffler said. “Veterans, rest assured that C of O will never forget you or your sacrifice and will continue to honor your service to our country. Welcome home and thank you for your service.”
James “Dan” Bunch, a Vietnam Veteran and 2025 participant in the Patriotic Education Travel Program trip to Vietnam, gave the remarks at the Vietnam Veteran ceremony and reflected on his journey back to Vietnam with the College this past December.
“The Veterans who traveled together formed a brotherhood, one built not only on shared memories from long ago, but on the experiences of returning together,” Bunch said. “A lot of us stepped off those planes quietly, carrying memories that we didn’t talk about. We were expected to simply pick up life where we left off.
When I returned to Vietnam with the students and fellow Veterans, I found myself gathering a second story. Not one that erased the first, but one that added to it. A story of seeing the country differently with these eyes. A story of peace instead of conflict. A story of young Americans honoring the past with humility and respect. A story of connection, understanding and gratitude. Both stories matter. Both are true, and both are a part of who I am.”
College of the Ozarks sends 22 students on annual Vocation Trip to Kansas City
Twenty-two College of the Ozarks students attended the four-day Vocation Trip, traveling to the Kansas City Metro Area to meet with local business leaders and recent graduates, March 15-18.
The purpose of the Vocation Trip is for students to discover their unique abilities and to teach them how to employ these skills in their professional fields upon graduation. The trip helps students refine their personal mission statement, resumés and profiles on LinkedIn, while also allowing them to practice their interviewing skills.
During the trip, students attended TED Talks with successful C of O alumni and also visited several businesses and nonprofit organizations across the Kansas City area, including AdventHealth and City Union Mission. As an exciting cultural experience to conclude the trip, the students visited the Arabia Steamboat Museum before returning to campus.
Students also met with alumni David Horensky, a 2004 graduate and director of the U.S. General Services Administration, and Megan Botta, a 2025 graduate and former case manager at City Union Mission. Horensky gave students a tour of the Richard Bolling Federal Building, while Botta spoke about the goals of City Union Mission and led worship for the group.
“My decision to participate in the Vocation Trip stems from my personal commitment to the College's mission and a desire to actively contribute to its legacy,” Horensky said. “This trip represents a valuable opportunity for me to give back, not just to the institution that helped shape me, but directly to the next generation of students. The most rewarding aspect was observing the students' increased engagement as we explored their post-college options and diverse career trajectories, helping them consider possibilities they might not have previously identified.”
“The Vocation Trip is such a special opportunity for College of the Ozarks students,” Botta said. “I was able to attend the trip when I was at C of O, and it set me up for success as I entered the work force. It was a privilege to be on the other side of the Vocation Trip, encouraging and guiding students.”
Candace Stark, director of The Vanek Center for Vocation and Callings at College of the Ozarks, played a key role in planning and leading the Vocation Trip.
“The Vocation Trip class consisted of an exceptional group of students,” Stark said. “They were engaged, thoughtful and a genuine reflection of the College’s values. This group represented College of the Ozarks with grace and character, and it was a joy to be among such outstanding ambassadors. I’m excited to see where God leads them and all that lies ahead in their futures.”
“This trip has taught us that our journeys through life, particularly after graduation, are not going to be linear,” the students said in a collective group reflection. “It’s okay not to have just one career path. Plans change because God’s plan is what ultimately matters.”
Savannah Mosher, sophomore psychology major, reflected on the impact the Vocation Trip had on her view of her own vocation and calling.
“Being able to connect with alumni was extremely impactful,” Mosher said. “I heard from several successful individuals who spoke during the trip who were called to perform many unique roles at different times in their lives. The trip greatly changed my understanding of vocation and callings by showing me that I don’t have to have my life all figured out at 20 years old. My path may not look exactly how I envisioned, but God's plan is ultimately better than my own.”
Senior psychology major Trey Osbon echoed his gratitude to attend the trip as he prepares to graduate in May.
“This trip helped prepare me for life after graduation by giving me a better understanding of how to approach decisions about my future,” Osbon said. “It showed me the importance of communication, networking and building strong relationships, as well as being open to where I’m being called. It also encouraged me to be confident in stepping into new environments and opportunities, knowing that growth often comes from stepping outside of my comfort zone.”
REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS
Reeds Spring School District names March Learners of the Month
Primary School
Marlee Bailey, Ozzy Byler, Mattix Cook, Violet Cummins, Kaydence Huen, Colson Klancher, Remington Medlock, Gracie Miller, Jasmine Ontiveros, Jon Strieby, Ezra Tibbetts and Easton Quiroz-Mountain
Elementary School
Second Grade: Emma Bauer, Tuff Hudson-Harrison, Weldon Lewallen, Jackson Oberdieck, Kenny Vangelista and Wyatt White
Third Grade: Natalie Erbelding, Zelda Lear, Truman Mooth, Jackson Mull, Colby Woods and Sullivan Young
Fourth Grade: Gus Berry, Ryker George, Juniper Handy, Finley Sullivan, Wyatt Traupman, Orion Turner and Marie Varela
Intermediate School
Brady Bayliff, Rylan Beam, Blakely Birlew, Trace Carr, Layne Davis, Joshua Grimm, Madelyn Healy, Oliver Kessinger, Madden Lyons, Arianna Nash, Kaleb Price, Bentley Taylor and Hunter Wilmsmeyer
Reeds Spring Middle School recognizes students for ‘integrity’
Reeds Spring Middle School recently recognized students who displayed Habits of Work and Learning (H.O.W.L.). One of those habits is “Integrity.”
Congratulations to the following students:Top row, left to right: Bentley Ely, Margaret Holland, Kyle Kingsley, Addy Langston, Jude Love, Kymora McDaniel, Natalie PinegarBottom row, left to right: Liam Quiroz-Woeber, Faith Ralls, Robert Sammons, Amelia Sartain, Ashley Smith, Joseph Tillman, Reagan Tolbert
Reeds Spring teacher to soon obtain citizenship
Mrs. Samantha Dilliner has a long history of service, from the Coast Guard to the classroom. She did it all in America, despite being a British citizen.
“I was born in Bristol, England, and we moved to California when I was around three,” Dilliner said.After high school, Dilliner joined the Coast Guard. After her tour of duty, she got married, started a family, and then finished college and became a teacher.
“I always wanted to be a teacher. I figure life is hard enough for people, especially hard for kids. We all have our lot in life, and this is mine, I guess," Dilliner said.Dilliner recently learned that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services waives citizenship application fees for veterans.
"I never knew that before. I can't believe nobody told me," Dilliner said.So, she filled out all the paperwork and is waiting for the swearing-in date. She also used her experience as a lesson for her third-grade students.
"I feel way more supported than I ever expected. I always thought it (not being a citizen) was kind of a negative, and now I'm seeing it the other way. I'm grateful, really grateful," she said.
Reeds Spring Winter Guard earns highest score ever
Reeds Spring High School's winter guard wrapped up its season with a record-setting result. The group finished fifth at the MCCGA Championships and scored 81.4, the best result in school history!"The circuit championships are like state finals for most other activities, except it includes groups from six states," said Winter Guard Coach Ashley Garoutte. "We are so proud of the hard work of the winter guard this year!"In addition, RSHS senior Cassie Waters received a $500 college scholarship from MCCGA.
Reeds Spring Middle School Students of the Month
Left to right: Grant Traupman, Naidelyn Rico-Ortiz, Kai Elbert and Declan Kidwell
RSHS basketball player earns Academic All-State honors
He works hard on the court and in the classroom. That's why the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association named Reeds Spring senior Calvin Waters to the Academic All-State Team. This is the highest academic honor awarded by the MBCA to student-athletes.
To be considered, nominees must meet at least one high academic benchmark: an ACT super score of 27 or higher, an SAT composite score of 1920 or above, or a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
“Cal represents everything our program stands for,” said RSHS Head Coach David Sherer. “His commitment to excellence in the classroom, combined with his character and consistency, makes him truly deserving of this honor. He is a great example of what it means to be a student-athlete at Reeds Spring.”
Waters has balanced the demands of academics and athletics at a high level throughout his high school career, earning the respect of his coaches, teachers and teammates. His recognition by the MBCA reflects not only his academic success but also his discipline, leadership and integrity.
Waters plans to attend College of the Ozarks this fall.
TABLE ROCK CAREER CENTER
Students qualify for international competition
Eight students from Table Rock Career Center’s EMT program earned spots on the award podium at the Missouri HOSA State Leadership Conference. HOSA is an international student organization dedicated to future health professionals.
Competing against nearly 2,900 students across the state, these students showcased their clinical skills and emergency response techniques and qualified for the international competition.
First place EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)Tessa Hime (Reeds Spring) & Anna Gorham (Spokane)
Second place EMT Bayli Mackey (Branson) & Hailey Perryman (Hollister)
Third place EMT Chloe Kugler (Reeds Spring) & Jacob Coones (Galena)
First place CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)Tyler Prewitt (Spokane) & Logan Gipson (Galena)
The HOSA International Leadership Conference will be held in Indianapolis this June.