Tri-Lakes Education News

Two Branson Educators named 2025 Readers’ Choice Award winners

Branson Public Schools is proud to announce two of its educators that have been honored in the 2025 Branson Tri-Lakes News Readers’ Choice Awards. Dr. Jack Harris has been named Best School Principal, and Mr. Devon Frieze has been recognized as Best Teacher.

Harris (Photo submitted)

Dr. Jack Harris served as principal of Branson High School from 2016 through the 2024 – 2025 school year. He now serves as the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.

Mr. Devon Frieze, a math teacher at Branson High School, began teaching for the district in 2024. Both Harris and Frieze are graduates of Branson High School.

Frieze (Photo submitted)

“These honors reflect the excellence we strive for across the district every day,” said Dr. Nate Moore, Superintendent of Branson Public Schools. “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Harris and Mr. Frieze. Their work embodies our mission: “A Community Committed to Learning.”

Hollister FFA chapter named 2-Star Chapter for 2025 National Chapter Award by National FFA Organization

The Hollister FFA chapter of Hollister, MO, has been recognized in 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. They were given a 2-star ranking. Truly a mark of their exceptionalism, less than 10% of chapters nationwide are given a ranking from the National FFA Organization. 

The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership. 

Chapters that received star ratings during judging this summer will be recognized at the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 29-Nov. 1. 

All star-rated FFA chapters receive honors made possible by corporate sponsors Bayer, Cargill Protein, Case IH, John Deere, Syngenta and Rabobank. 

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Reeds Spring Schools Homecoming on September 19

Reeds Spring Schools will celebrate Homecoming on Friday, September 19. There will be a parade, the crowning of the king and queen, and a football game.Parade details:

·       Begins at 2:10 p.m. at Reeds Spring Elementary School

·       The route will go past the baseball and softball fields.

·       The next destination is Reeds Spring Middle School.

·       The parade will end at Reeds Spring High School.

Parents and community members are encouraged to park in the gravel lot near the baseball and softball fields.The king and queen announcement will occur around 6:30 p.m. The football game against Springfield Catholic begins at 7:00.

RSHS Sports recap

Girls Golf: The season began at the Seymour Varsity Tournament. The Lady Wolves finished in seventh place and shaved 25 strokes off last year's score. Saylor Johnson earned tenth place overall.  At the Lady Wolves JV Shootout, freshman Lyla Mackie finished sixth and recorded her first birdie of her career.

Evans to Porter for the score (Photo submitted)

Football: The Wolves lost the first game of the season 42-18 to Logan-Rogersville. RSHS scored two rushing touchdowns, one by Keagon Fish and the other by Blake Murphy. Quarterback Kaden Evans also had a touchdown pass to Tyson Porter. The Wolves lost to Marshfield 28-6. Hunter Dickens scored a defensive touchdown by recovering a fumble in the end zone, and Noah Lach intercepted a pass.

Girls Tennis: At the Joplin Interstate Championships, the Lady Wolves lost to Grain Valley 5-0, lost to Lebanon 4-1, lost to New Heights Christian Academy 5-0, lost to Bentonville West 5-0, lost to Chillicothe 4-1 and beat Nevada 5-0. One notable performance was Vera Holland’s win in the No. 1 singles match against Chillicothe. The RSHS girls tennis team lost to Springfield Catholic 9-0.

Volleyball is underway at Reeds Spring (Photo submitted)

Volleyball: The Lady Wolves lost all four matches at the Branson Invitational, falling to Helias Catholic, Strafford, Mt. Vernon and Rolla. The Lady Wolves lost to Springfield Central 3-0 and to Willow Springs 3-1.

Cross Country: At the Hot Dawg Invitational in Aurora, Max Hirschi finished second overall. Connor Love was ninth, and Ronnie Clouse was 17th.