Tri-Lakes Education News

BRANSON SCHOOLS

BHS holds college and career fair

Branson High School held their annual college and career fair last week with over 380 attendees and 70 organizations present, including representatives from Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Branson students and their families, along with other area high school families, had the opportunity to visit with the representatives, learn what opportunities are available for students in the future, and see how to find the right path to accomplish their goals.

New this year was the U.S. Air Force National Guard's 4D simulator called Operation: Shadow Strike. This new addition gave participants an immersive experience featuring an Air Force rescue mission.

We are thankful for the Branson High School Counseling Department's work in organizing the event and making so many positive outcomes available for our students!

COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS

College of the Ozarks theatre students to present Carlo Goldoni’s ‘The Servant of Two Masters,’ Oct. 17-19

College of the Ozarks theater department will present “Servant of Two Masters” as its fall production for 2025. The play was written by Carlos Galdoni and adapted by Holli Segura, assistant professor of theater.

Public performances will take place Oct. 17–18, 2025 (Friday–Saturday) at 7 p.m., and Oct. 19, 2025 (Sunday) at 2 p.m. in Jones Auditorium.

The cost for the performance is as follows:  

• $15 for adults

• $10 for seniors, children under 18, and non-College of the Ozarks students

• Free to College of the Ozarks students, lap-sitting children, College of the Ozarks faculty/staff and their families, and associates of the college (must show card)

Please make reservations by visiting https://jonestheatre.ludus.com/index.php

The play, performed by College of the Ozarks students, is directed by Professor Segura. This historic Italian comedy follows Truffaldino, a clever but perpetually hungry servant, juggling two jobs in secret. His double-dealing spirals into a whirlwind of mistaken identities, slapstick mayhem, and romantic mishaps.

Segura shared the inspiration for the play, “The Servant of Two Masters has been a favorite of mine for a long time. It is fun for the whole family and makes you laugh at how, for many of us, we make life more complex than it needs to be. We hope to give the audience a night of true comedic timing and heart-felt performances.”

College of the Ozarks hosts Fall 2025 Career Expo

College of the Ozarks hosted over 100 organizations during the fall Career Expo on Sept. 24 in The Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium. The Vanek Center for Vocation & Callings hosts this biannual event with the primary goal of providing an atmosphere where employers and students can start a conversation, and students can begin securing an internship, employment, or graduate school admissions. 

The organizations in attendance included an array of employers and graduate schools located in the Ozarks region. The organizations represent a large variety of employers presenting job opportunities to students of various interests.

“The Vocation Center is honored to host organizations offering opportunities in employment, internships, military service and graduate education,” said Candace Stark, Vanek Center director. “This event allows students to build meaningful connections, explore career paths and engage with community and business partners as they prepare to pursue their vocation and callings. We deeply value these partnerships and are pleased to include long-standing organizations that have faithfully supported the College and its students, as well as several new participants joining this year’s Expo.”

The Career Expo provides an environment for students to practice conversing with potential employers or graduate schools.

“I enjoyed attending this event because of the networking opportunities it provided,” said Madelyn Sestak, senior marketing and communications major. “I got to talk with alumni of College of the Ozarks as they worked some of the booths. Where they are now, just a couple years after graduation, showed me the importance of connecting with professionals at events like this.”

“We are especially proud to welcome back more than 50 alumni who are participating in the Career Expo as professional representatives,” Stark said. “It is a privilege to have our graduates return and share their journeys, experiences and insights with our current students.”

REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS

Reeds Spring School District Excellence Awards

Lasiter and Grinder (Photos submitted)

Each month, the Reeds Spring School District recognizes one non-teaching staff member and one certified teacher as Excellence Award winners. The winners for September are Jareb Grinder and Shannon Lasiter. Grinder is a member of the district maintenance team and an assistant wrestling coach. Lasiter is an Automotive Technology instructor at Table Rock Career Center. The district accepts Excellence Award nominations from students, staff, parents and community members. You can find the nomination form at www.rs-wolves.com.

Reeds Spring Primary School receives Hope Grant

Reeds Spring’s youngest learners will soon be better equipped to manage their emotions and solve problems, thanks to a $10,000 Hope Grant from the Silver Dollar City Foundation. The grant will allow Reeds Spring Primary School to expand its use of Conscious Discipline, a program that equips educators with strategies for helping students build self-regulation, resolve conflicts and develop positive relationships.“Many children enter school with limited tools for handling big feelings or disagreements,” said Principal Adria Simkins. “Conscious Discipline provides a common language and proven techniques to guide students, making classrooms calmer and more focused on learning.”

Reeds Spring Middle School gives H.O.W.L. Awards

Reeds Spring Middle School recently recognized students who displayed Habits of Work and Learning (H.O.W.L.).Those habits include being prepared, being respectful, being engaged and being professional.

Congratulations to the following students:Mirranda Stabo, Michael Lipscomb, Mackenzie Baker, Makenzi Jasso, Leandra Broomfield, Lillian Nelson, Karma Chandler, Kaiden Toolen, JonBailee Vandine, Jocelynn Bales, Felix Kessinger, Isobel Inselman, Elliott Linegar, Delaney Patton, Blake Lemmon and Zailee Cober.

Reeds Spring Intermediate School Learners of the Month named

Stella Carlino, Booth Fletcher, Brody Hole, Baylee Leimkuehler, Kaydence Moody, Isabel Pryor, Moriyah Bailey, Natalia Beck, Braxton Booth, Caden Clevenger, Kelvin Holmes, Maddox Oxenreider and Owen Yow.

Reeds Spring Elementary School Learners of the Month

Second grade, left to right: Blakelyn Vandenberg, Dawes Huddleston, Lola Oxenreider, Kacen Day, Lauren Carroll, Adam Qualls

Third grade, left to right: Ronald Vanhooser, William Gregory, Willow Kasper, Lydia Piche, Aiden Morey, Daniel Alonso-Aleman, Kolton Gouldy

Fourth grade, left to right: LeeAnneTaylor, Liam Nelson, Finley Rogers, King Loza, and Emmy Bilyeu

Reeds Spring High School to host marching band competition, October 18

Eighteen high school marching bands will showcase their skills at the 17th Annual Ozark Mountain Marching Festival, scheduled for Saturday, October 18, at Reeds Spring High School.“We are super excited to host our competition, in which thousands of kids, parents and directors will showcase their talents at Wolves Stadium,” said Wolf Pride Band Director Josh Garoutte. “It’s truly a celebration of the hard work and dedication these students and teachers have put in all summer and fall. Please come support these great programs!”Performances begin at 10 a.m. and last all day. General admission tickets are available at the following prices:

• $10 for adults

• $5 for senior citizens

• $5 for students (with a valid student ID)

The money raised from the festival supports the Wolf Pride Marching Band.