Tri-Lakes Education News
- Submitted to Branson Globe
- May 22
- 4 min read
Branson Schools
Branson Schools: 474 years of service to public education
Branson Board of Education members, Branson administrators and members of our community recently celebrated 22 Pirates retiring during the 2024-2025 school year. 2025 retirees include:
High School: Julie Baker, 16 years; David Brenner, 23 years; Mary Beth Calkin, 27 years; Donna Leidecker, 22 years; Julie Schreffler, 25 years; Candace Stark, 24 years
Branson Junior High: Tucker Pierce, 13 years
Buchanan Elementary: Therese Gilbert, 15 years; Patty Stutzman, 10 years
Buchanan Intermediate: Kristen Large, 27 years; Robert Waggener, 24 years
Cedar Ridge Primary: Dana Telschow, 32 years
Cedar Ridge Elementary: Jacki Lee, 33 years
Cedar Ridge Intermediate: Nancy Wray, 27 years
Branson School District: Michelle Brenner, 27 years; Sherril Cirilo, 8 years; Mike Dawson, 28 years; Lyn Harris, 29 years; Kelly Jenkins, 27 years; Stan Miller, 12 years; Liz Nguyen, 7 years; Brad Swofford, 30 years.
We thank these Pirates for their service to public education and their dedication to Branson Public Schools!
More than $329 million in scholarships offered to BHS Senior Class
For the second consecutive year, Branson High School partnered with VU Scholarships, a Kansas City-based organization, to expand scholarship access for students and offer more opportunities to graduating seniors.
Students were honored during the annual Senior Awards Night held at Branson High School on May 12, and $329,109,474 in local and merit-based scholarship awards were offered to BHS seniors. Representatives and benefactors from over forty area businesses and organizations, as well as local military recruiters, were in attendance at Branson High School’s Senior Awards Night to present scholarships and awards to members of the Class of 2025.
Branson Education Foundation gifts more than $31K in grants and scholarships
The Branson Education Foundation is proud to announce it has awarded over $31,000 in grants and scholarships this school year, further advancing its mission to support Branson School District classrooms through innovative resources and experiences. The Foundation welcomes support in the form of financial contributions, volunteer hours, or community partnerships. For more information, to donate, or to get involved, please contact info@bransoneducationfoundation.org or visit: www.bransoneducationfoundation.org
Hollister Schools
Hollister High School celebrates student achievement at 40th Annual Honors Night
On May 8, Hollister High School proudly hosted its 40th Annual Honors Night, recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of 105 junior and senior students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The evening celebrated not only academic excellence but also the future of the graduating Class of 2025, who were awarded over $2.2 million in scholarships from local organizations and the colleges and universities they plan to attend this fall. Additional honors included CTE and Para Certification recognitions, department awards, the prestigious Tiger and Lady Tiger Awards (Lucas Nelson and Paige Hurley), and Outstanding Senior Boy and Girl recognitions (Benjamin Stevens and Maya Retasket). Academic Letters and Certificates were presented by the HHS administrative team and faculty.
Holllister School District honors retirees
The Hollister R-V School District honored faculty and staff retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year during a district reception on May 14.
Retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year are Lori Carroll (teacher), Sue Chinn (teacher), MelissaLani Jackson (teacher), Kim Connell (communications director), Dr. Brian Wilson (superintendent), Scott McAfee (paraprofessional), Becky Lytle (secretary), and Kerrie Woods (paraprofessional).
Reeds Spring Schools
Reeds Spring High School: 132 seniors graduate
Students from the Reeds Spring High School Class of 2025 earned their diplomas on May 15. The ceremony was held at the Mansion Theatre in Branson. Featured speakers included Lily Wilmsmeyer, Thomas McGuane, Kash Myers, Cailyn Kite, Talon Lemoine and Blaiklee Cagle. The Class of 2025 graduates earned over $1 million in scholarships to continue their education.
Wolf Pack Foundation awards $78,000 in scholarships to RSHS grads
Forty-one scholarships will help recent Reeds Spring High School graduates continue their education. The Wolf Pack Foundation awarded $78,000 in scholarships recently. The Wolf Pack Foundation supports Reeds Spring Schools through a variety of initiatives, including classroom grants for staff, dual-credit scholarships for current high school students, and annual post-secondary scholarships for graduating seniors.
Reeds Spring School District celebrates excellence at annual awards banquet
The Reeds Spring School District recognized its Teacher of the Year and Staff Member of the Year at its annual Excellence Awards Banquet on May 3 at Chateau on the Lake. Reeds Spring Intermediate School’s Mrs. Renee Waters was named Teacher of the Year, and Transportation Director Carlos Haynes was named Staff Member of the Year. The district also gave its Service to Education Award to the City of Branson West for its role in helping solve a water line break that impacted several school days.
School of the Ozarks holds Commencement ceremony for 26 students
School of the Ozarks held its Commencement Ceremony at Williams Memorial Chapel on May 10, celebrating the graduation of 26 seniors. Of the graduating class, 17 students committed to furthering their education at College of the Ozarks.
“This is the 13th commencement since School of the Ozarks reopened,” said Dr. Brad Dolloff, dean of School of the Ozarks. “The Class of 2025 set a goal of being known for their willingness to serve. They have definitely achieved that goal. It is fitting that as graduates of a classical Christian school, they would rise to the challenge of Jesus who said, ‘Whoever would be great among you must be your servant…’ (Matthew 20:26).”