Tri-Lakes Education News

BRANSON SCHOOLS

Branson Schools announce first Pirate Proud recipient for 2025-2026 school year

We are so happy to announce our first Pirate Proud recipient of the 2025-2026 school year: Mr. Scott Thirkell, School Protection Officer at the Buchanan Campus!

Mr. Thirkell has been with the district three years and has been a key component in safeguarding our schools. He is known to go above and beyond the role of SPO and is a trusted, positive role model within the school.

Mr. Thirkell received numerous nominations from individuals within the district, many stating how he not only focuses on enhancing safety measures around the campus, but builds relationships and trust with students, staff and parents.

One nominator writes, "Scott is very thoughtful, strategic and diligent in all that he does. He genuinely cares about people and has a proven track record as a leader in the area of law enforcement and security. He combines these passions and skills to serve our district proudly and honorably as SPO. He recognizes safety and security of our district, staff and children is our utmost priority!"

We are so proud to have Mr. Thirkell serving in our district! Please help us congratulate him with a big Pirate applause!

Nominate a Branson Schools employee who you think deserves the Pirate Proud honor by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/PirateProudNomination

BHS announces 2025 Homecoming Queen candidates and court

Branson High School’s 2025 Homecoming Queen candidates and court have been announced. Pictured from left to right: Isabella Cazarin (Freshman), Sarah Vallejo (Sophomore), Iris Simpson (Junior), Alexis Sanchez (Senior), Taylee Wilkerson (Senior), Lucia Rosales (Senior), Joree McBride (Junior), Paisley Nichols (Sophomore), and Milan Gao (Freshman).

Branson Public Schools’ 2025 Homecoming Week will take place October 6 -10, with a variety of events planned for students, families and the community. The Homecoming parade and rally is set for October 8 at the Branson Landing. The rally begins at 8 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.

The Branson Education Foundation will host its annual Homecoming Tailgate Dinner fundraiser on October 10 in the Branson High School Freshman Commons from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at www.bransoneducationfoundation.org/homecoming-tailgate-dinner or may be purchased at the door.

The Homecoming Queen will be crowned at approximately 6:30 p.m. on October 10 at Pirate Stadium. Root for the Pirates at the Homecoming football game vs. Carl Junction at 7 p.m.

COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS

College of the Ozarks dairy takes home top awards at Missouri State Fair and Ozark Empire Fair

College of the Ozarks W. Alton Jones Dairy, supervised by Dairy Manager Ryan Bilyeu and Assistant Dairy Manager Dylan Erwin, attended the Missouri State Fair this past summer in Sedalia, Missouri, and the Ozark Empire Fair, in Springfield, Missouri. Bilyeu and Erwin traveled with students to present the best Holstein, Ayrshire and Guernsey dairy cattle. Senior Layla Giorgianni, mathematics education major; senior Morgan Westerman, animal science major; junior Dally Wiesner, elementary education major; sophomore Rachel Baretich, video production major; senior Owen Pritchett, agriculture education major; and Renee Hayes, freshman agriculture education major were chosen to represent the work of the dairy on this trip. 

“Winning these awards is testament to the student’s dedication and teamwork,” Bilyeu said. “Our students are passionate about their work and put in lots of early mornings and late nights to make this possible.”   

The dairy was recognized as Intermediate Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and Premier Breeder at the Missouri State Fair with five first place recognitions. The first-place categories included Holstein Senior two-year old, Holstein Senor three-year old, Missouri Holstein three-year-old, Ayrshire Fall Heifer, and Ayrshire Junior three-year-old. They also took home seven second place awards and a total of 21 awards at the Missouri Fair.

At the Ozark Empire Fair, the dairy earned 12 first place awards in addition to receiving top recognitions as Intermediate Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder. They also took home three second place awards and a total of 22 awards at the Ozark Fair.

“I am proud of the students and their commitment,” Erwin said. “The cattle may get the ribbons, but it’s the students’ care, day in and day out, that really shines. Their work ethic and willingness to learn is what makes this program and the College so special.”

There are approximately 30 students working in the dairy, and each student works two or three shifts each week. The students in the dairy farm workstation perform many tasks, including caring for the cows, bottle-feeding, milking, mixing of feed for the cows and more.

Pritchett, also agriculture education club president, shared about what working in the dairy means to her:

“Through daily hands-on involvement, I’ve developed not only skills, but a passion for the dairy industry, livestock and agriculture,” Pritchett said. “Compared to many other agricultural colleges, we’re at an advantage: instead of just field trips or short internships, we get to apply what we’re learning every single day in our workstation.”

“For many students it’s not just our workstation; it’s our family and passion,” Giorgianni said. “I think that is reflected in our awards.”

After completing their time at College of the Ozarks and working in the dairy, most graduates hold positions such as herd managers, feed salespeople, loan officers, agricultural teachers or professors and veterinarians.

HOLLISTER SCHOOLS

Hollister HS Homecoming: Weeklong celebration with tradition, spirit and pride   

Hollister High School proudly announces its 2025 Homecoming Court and celebrates Homecoming Week with students, staff, families and community.

Homecoming week 2025 featured spirit dress-up days, the business/community decorating contest, and the annual Downing Street Parade and Bonfire on October 1. These events bring together the entire Hollister community in support of Tiger Pride. 

Homecoming week concludes with the Hollister Tigers football game on Friday, October 3. The Homecoming Coronation will take place at 6:30 p.m., just before kickoff, as the school crowns its 2025 king and queen. 

Senior queen candidates include Addison Wilson, Adelyn Collier, Madeline Blackwood and Shareka James. Senior king candidates include Bryson Whitman, Parker Brotherton, Sinry Mendoza and Tyler Carpenter. 

Hollister High School students awarded rootEd Undergraduate Scholarship

Hollister High School announced that Luke Jackson and Katie Neil, Class of 2025, have been awarded a rootEd Undergraduate Scholarship of up to $12,000 annually, renewable for up to five years, to support their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. The rootEd Undergraduate Scholarship is a “last dollar” award, designed to fill critical financial aid gaps after all other sources are considered, ensuring that rural students can attend college and graduate with little to no debt. These recipients join HHS Class of 2023 graduate Rachel Robinson, who also received this scholarship. 

“We are thrilled that Luke and Katie are being recognized for their hard work and commitment to their education,” said Dr. Kristina Smith, HHS Principal. “This rootEd Scholarship provides life-changing support as they take the next step in building their futures, and we are excited to celebrate all that lies ahead for them.”  

A national nonprofit, rootEd Alliance, partners with rural high schools across Missouri to ensure every student graduates with a plan for what’s next – whether college, career training, military service, or entering the workforce. Since launching in Missouri in 2018, rootEd advisors have supported more than 54,000 students across the state in defining and pursuing their goals. Now, thanks to a significant increase in state funding through Missouri’s fiscal 2026 budget, signed in July 2025, rootEd is serving 174 schools statewide and reaching approximately half of all rural high schools in Missouri with a dedicated college and career advisor.

“These rootEd scholarships recognize both the hard work these students have already demonstrated and the tremendous potential they hold for the future,” said Noa Meyer, Chair of rootEd Alliance.”

The scholarships are administered by The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, which has more than 100 years of experience supporting Missouri students through last-dollar scholarships, mentoring, and other services.

REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS

Reeds Spring Middle School Students of the Month

Congratulations to Adi Pate, Jude Love, and Ella Reinsch, Reeds Spring Middle School Students of the Month! (Photos submitted)

Reeds Spring High School Principal honored

The Southwest Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (MoASSP) has named Reeds Spring High School Principal Brandon Weldy the Exemplary New Regional Principal of the Year. Mr. Weldy received the award in front of the student body during the Homecoming Assembly on September 19. “While I am humbled to receive this award, the true credit belongs to our students and staff,” Weldy said. “Over the past two years, we have worked tirelessly to build a school culture rooted in support, care and acceptance. This recognition is a celebration of their dedication, resilience and commitment to making our school a place where every student and staff member can thrive.”  

MoASSP honors high school and middle school principals who provide high-quality learning opportunities for students and make exemplary contributions to the field of education. The recognition brought loud approval from students, who gave Mr. Weldy a standing ovation and chanted his name throughout the gym.

TABLE ROCK CAREER CENTER

Table Rock Career Center Professionals of the Month

Each month, Table Rock Career Center recognizes two students as the Professionals of the Month. September's recipients are Dylan Pride and Kadyn Allerton. Pride is from Forsyth and is enrolled in TRCC's welding program. Allerton attends Reeds Spring High School and is also in the welding program. (Photos submitted)