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UCM Associate Professor Named State Children’s Champion by Missouri Head Start and Region VII Head Start Associations

7/10/2025

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WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Karrie Snider, Ph.D., associate professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), has been named the 2025 Missouri Head Start Children’s Champion by the Missouri Head Start Association (MHSA).

The State Children’s Champion Award is presented to individuals who make valuable contributions to the lives of Head Start and Early Head Start children and families across Missouri. The award recognizes individuals with outstanding leadership, commitment and service who ultimately make a difference. 

Snider was nominated by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), an organization she has collaborated with for more than a decade. She was recognized in May during the MHSA conference and again in June when she received the Region VII Head Start Association’s 2025 Missouri Children’s Champion award during the Region VII conference, which included attendees from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

“None of these things can ever be accomplished in isolation. It represents so many more people than myself,” Snider said of receiving the award. “It represents, in some ways, the culmination of things, but in many, many ways, we have just scratched the surface. It really means we have more work to do, but it does reinvigorate you and opens up conversations that can lead to even more opportunities.”

From her first job in a kindergarten classroom to training the next generation of teachers at UCM, Snider has been a Missouri educator and leader for more than 30 years. As of July 1, Snider is the associate dean of the College of Education.

Snider has served on numerous committees and task forces through UCM, Head Start and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), earning a reputation as someone who can turn talk into action.

After many MARC committee discussions about workforce development, Snider recognized the need for a new program. She collaborated with Ann McCoy, Ph.D., former dean of the College of Education and current vice provost for Academic Programs, and Natalie Tye, Ph.D., associate professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, to develop the model for UCM’s Early Childhood Education certificate program. It has since become one of the options within the Grow Your Own program.

“This initiative includes stackable certificates that encourage students who work full-time, are non-traditional or face barriers to education,” Tye said. “Dr. Snider provides instruction through evening Zoom meetings to accommodate working students and supports them with motivation, course design and partnerships that secure scholarships and reduced tuition. She collaborates with faculty across campus with varying backgrounds to support students with diverse challenges in obtaining their education.”

Snider has helped lead multiple research projects and program evaluations with MARC Head Start that demonstrated the effectiveness of the Project Approach, a fundamental curriculum component for MARC Head Start. She teaches the Project Approach at UCM and co-created the Project Approach Interest Forum through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 

“I have a lot of passions in early childhood and teacher education, and strive to support children to get the most out of learning and teachers to get the most out of teaching,” Snider said. 

Snider’s nomination highlights numerous other contributions to early childhood education, such as:
  • Created a research and practice website for MARC Head Start featuring its history with the Project Approach, which has served as a coaching and teaching resource. 
  • Co-edited a book, “Growing Child Intellect: The Manifesto for Engaged Learning in the Early Years,” which features research conducted at MARC Head Start sites.
  • Served on MARC’s Partners in Quality committee, working to address issues such as career and education development and compensation parity in the Kansas City region.
  • Participated in projects with the DESE Office of Childhood. Most recently, she was the principal investigator for the Missouri Child Care Licensing Alignment Study.
  • Provided research and technical support for MARC Head Start projects related to Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and Project Approach implementation. She also incorporates those tools into UCM’s curriculum.
  • Shared research findings at various state, national and international conferences.

The award application required nominators to describe three traits that stand out about the candidate. MARC Head Start Program Director Kasey Lawson chose passionate, innovative and collaborative when writing about Snider.

“Karrie is dedicated to promoting developmentally appropriate and effective practices with young children,” Lawson wrote. “In her career, she has served as a teacher, administrator, practicum student supervisor, professor, researcher, consultant, presenter, author, editor, as well as president of the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children. In each of these roles, she has worked tremendously hard to promote meaningful teaching and learning. She is accountable, thorough, and consistent in developing high-quality products and initiatives.”

McCoy said that Snider is focused on removing barriers to education for both children and adults. Through her work with Head Start and UCM’s certificate program, Snider has made education more accessible and opened doors to new opportunities.

“Karrie is inspiring. She works tirelessly and is passionate about early childhood education and improving educational outcomes for children,” McCoy said. “She encourages others around her to think deeply, remain open to new ideas, and to consistently keep our students – and their future students – at the forefront of all we do.”

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Karrie Snider, Ph.D., associate professor of Early Childhood Education, left, accepts the 2025 Missouri Head Start Children’s Champion Award from Tina Bernskoetter, Director-Executive Services of the Missouri Head Start Association. Photo credit: UCM
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Missouri Independent: Missour Governor signs bipartisan education legislation into law

7/10/2025

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Missouri Governor signs bipartisan education legislation into law

by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent
July 9, 2025

There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students will be able to participate in sports and other school activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed 13 bills Wednesday, including numerous education provisions passed in a handful of bipartisan bills. Several more bill signings are planned before all work on legislation from the 2025 session hits a Monday deadline.

State lawmakers this year debated a number of controversial proposals, like opening up school district enrollment boundaries or allowing for alternative methods of school accreditation. But the majority of education legislation that made it to the governor was widely supported on both sides of the aisle.

“From implementing distraction-free classrooms to expanding school safety efforts, the legislation signed into law this afternoon impacts both K-12 students and Missourians pursuing higher and career technical education,” Kehoe said in a news release.

Here are some of the provisions Kehoe signed into law:

Encouraging retired educators to substitute teach

Retired teachers may continue to fill in as substitutes on a part-time or temporary basis until 2030 without losing their benefit from the Public School Retirement System.

The legislation is an extension of a 2022 law that was due to sunset this year. Three years ago, lawmakers saw a need to bring retirees into classrooms as COVID-19 reduced the teacher workforce and put a 2025 expiration on the provision.

But the need for substitutes still exists.

In the 2023-24 school year, 4,500 retired educators served as substitutes, according to data from the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri.

State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Moberly Republican and House Education Committee chair, told The Independent last month that the law helps keep trained teachers in front of students.

“There would be open positions that would not get filled around the state (if the provision didn’t pass),” he said. “Many of them we would have completely unqualified people in those positions, when you have perfectly qualified people who might be a little bit older but have tons of experience.”

This legislation applies to part-time and temporary substitutes. A different statute allows a handful of retirees to work full-time. Since 2003, retired teachers have been able to return full-time for two years, which lawmakers increased to four years in 2023.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, speaks on the House floor during the June special session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Cell phone limitations

School districts will be required to establish policies for the upcoming school year that restrict cell-phone usage during the school day with few exceptions.

Students with a disability that requires use of a mobile device are exempted, and cell phones are allowed during safety emergencies. Otherwise, including during lunch and between classes, students will be expected to keep their cell phones stowed unless told otherwise by a teacher.

Roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities and 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. A St. Louis University/YouGov poll earlier this year found 76% of Missourians favor restrictions for elementary students, 75% for middle school and 70% for high school.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the bill this session with a proposal only to ban cell phone use during instructional time. Lawmakers ultimately passed a more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes kids will benefit.

“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell,” Steinhoff told The Independent in May. “That’s going to have the biggest turnaround.”

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Homeschoolers in extracurricular activities

Home-educated students will be able to join public schools’ extracurricular activities in the upcoming school year.

The legislation, proposed for over a decade in Missouri, will require public schools to allow homeschooled students to try out for sports teams and join clubs beginning in August.

Previously, the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed homeschoolers to join public-school teams if they were enrolled in two classes at the school. Districts could have more restrictive policies, with many denying access to those who weren’t publicly educated full-time.

For years, families with young athletes and performers have testified at the State Capitol for access to extracurricular activities. Some lawmakers worried about homeschooled students having separate academic and attendance standards, saying their participation could be unfair.

But ultimately, it passed the Senate 30-3 and the House 94-44.

Sen. Rusty Black, R-Chillicothe, sits at his desk on the first day of the 2024 Legislative Session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

School chaplains

A new law will allow school districts to hire chaplains or accept them as volunteers.

The bill was not as widely accepted as some other education provisions passed this year and drew criticism from lawmakers who worry chaplains would use the opportunity to evangelize students instead of comforting those who already share their faith.

The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Rusty Black, a Chillicothe Republican and former educator, said he filed the bill to help students’ and teachers’ wellbeing.

“Allowing a school district to employ or have a chaplain as a volunteer would benefit students and faculty who are struggling mentally and spiritually,” he said in the Senate’s discussion of the legislation in February.

During the bill’s hearing in the Senate Education Committee, a minister with the Satanic Temple of Missouri Virgil Ovid said he would welcome the opportunity to become a school chaplain.

Lawmakers then added language that would limit chaplains to those that are members “of a Department of Defense listed religious-endorsing organization recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board,” which excludes satanic ministers.

CROWN Act

Legislation also signed Wednesday will ban hair discrimination in educational settings. Dubbed the “CROWN Act,” which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, the law is part of a national movement to protect textured hair.

The cities of St. Louis and Kansas City have protections for natural hair textures, and at least 27 states have enshrined the CROWN Act.

The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, told the Senate in May that she has seen people treat her and loved ones differently based on hair texture. She hopes students can be free from the pressure to change their hair and should not lose out on opportunities “simply because they chose to wear their hair in braids or an afro or dreadlocks.”

The legislation bars educational institutions receiving state funds from placing restrictions on natural styles “commonly associated with a particular race or origin.” 

Safety measures, like requiring hair nets, are permitted.

Missouri State University may offer PhD programs

Lawmakers chipped away at the University of Missouri System’s exclusive rights to certain degrees, opening the doors for Missouri State University to offer doctoral degrees.

State law has historically limited certain degree programs in public universities, giving the University of Missouri System dominance over PhD programs and research doctorates. But the changes will let Missouri State offer doctorate of philosophy degrees in subjects other than engineering.

“This legislation marks a significant milestone for Missouri State University,” Missouri State President Richard B. Williams said in a May press release. “The ability to independently offer doctoral programs will help us better meet regional workforce needs across southwest Missouri and the state.”

Rep. Ann Kelley, R-Lamar speaks at a House Children and Family committee hearing in January (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

Career-technical education scholarships

Missouri high school graduates will be able to attend career-tech programs using a grant mirrored after the state’s A+ Program beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Ann Kelley, a Republican from Lamar, will use state funds to help students pursue careers in fields like agriculture, nursing, cosmetology and other areas with career-certificate programs.

“This will increase (the workforce) astronomically,” Kelley told The Independent. “And it’s great for the kids who are in those career-tech programs. It gives them another avenue to make themselves better.”

To qualify, students will need to graduate high school with at least a 2.5 GPA, at least 95% attendance rate, 50 hours of unpaid tutoring and achieve proficiency in the Algebra I end-of-course exam. Students with high school career-tech certificates will also be eligible.

Universally transferable associate’s degrees

State-funded colleges will expand the number of courses universally transferable in Missouri with a charge from lawmakers to collaborate on five 60-credit-hour degree programs.

Since the 2018-19 school year, students have been able to transfer 42 credit hours between community colleges and universities that receive state funding. The new law will add 18 more transferable credit hours in the programs of business, biology, elementary education, psychology and nursing.

Community colleges spoke in favor of the legislation in a House hearing, while representatives from four-year institutions said they hoped existing articulation agreements could stand.

Colleges must have the degree programs negotiated and ready by the 2028-29 school year.

“If you go to a community college in southeast Missouri and you transfer to a four year school in northwest Missouri, we want it to be a seamless transition across the state,” the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Cameron Parker of Campbell, told The Independent. “So if you go to any community college, you will know what any of the four-year schools are going to take.”

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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected].

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School Board meeting recap

7/3/2025

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by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News

The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, June 26 for its June monthly meeting. 

The board began with recognitions, recognizing this year’s speech and debate state qualifier, Special Olympics medalists, and seal of biliteracy qualifiers.

Following recognitions, the board moved into reports. Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle started by giving the board an overview of the report on prioritized facility needs. Near the top of the list would be traffic flow solutions around Matthews Elementary, while the need for a new elementary school is not deemed currently necessary. Another need noted by Welle is next level secure vestibules to provide a greater security to the schools.

After reports, the board moved into action items under unfinished business beginning with approving the 2025-2026 budget. The board then approved the salary schedules for 2025-2026.
           
The board then moved into new business, starting with the new superintendent search following Dr. Welle’s retirement announcement.

The board approved budget transfers for 2024-2025 as well as a budget amendment for 2024-2025.

Next, the board approved the revised 2025-2026 school district calendar and discussed the 2025-26 school board meeting calendar. 

After discussion on the meeting calendar, the board moved into executive session for 45 minutes.

For the final item of the meeting, the board approved a multi-functional printing contract.

Following this, the meeting was adjourned into executive session again.

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on July 17 at 6:00pm in the Leadership Center. 
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Young Adult Author to host Teen Story Camp for aspiring writers

6/26/2025

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In this three-part workshop for teens from July 21 - 23, 2025, Bram Stoker-nominated young-adult and middle-grade author Sarah Henning will share tips, tricks, and insider knowledge on how to spin an idea from “just vibes” into a story readers can sink their teeth into.

This series of workshops is intended for teen writers, not adult writers of teen literature.

Registrants will be enrolled in and expected to attend all three parts. This class will be held in person as well as virtually via Zoom simultaneously. An email address is required when registering to attend on Zoom.

To register for the Teen Story Camp, visit Teen Story Camp | Mid-Continent Public Library. 

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Missouri Independent: Missouri lawmakers create pathway for free career-tech education

6/19/2025

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Missouri lawmakers create pathway for free career-tech education

by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent
June 16, 2025

Missouri high school graduates may soon be able to attend career-certificate programs for free after state lawmakers passed a bill creating a reimbursement process for career and technical education.

The legislation now awaits Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature or veto.

“This will increase (the workforce) astronomically,” said state Rep. Ann Kelley, a Republican from Lamar. “And it’s great for the kids who are in those career tech programs. It gives them another avenue to make themselves better.”

Kelley, who filed the bill in the House, told The Independent that she got the idea for the legislation after talking to a student. He was eligible for the state’s A+ Program, which pays for two years of public community college, and he wanted to use the funds to train for his commercial driver’s license.

But his goal of operating a dump truck business was derailed when he realized that the state’s program wouldn’t cover the type of education he needed.

So Kelley proposed a new program — one with eligibility requirements mirroring the A+ Program but to fund career-certificate programs.

To qualify, students will need to graduate high school with at least a 2.5 GPA, at least 95% attendance rate, 50 hours of unpaid tutoring and achieve proficiency in the Algebra I end-of-course exam. The Missouri Senate added another path to eligibility, opening the door to students with high school career-tech certificates.

“Currently a student who wants to obtain a certificate or license right out of high school… must pay for these out of pocket because the courses are too short to qualify for the A+ reimbursement program and are not Pell eligible,” Kelley said in a committee hearing in February. “These students are typically ones who are not interested in going to a two-year or four-year school.”

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Some students use the state’s Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant to pay for training and licensing, but the program requires participants to be at least 25 years old. Some students take jobs outside their career path to pass the time and avoid shelling out thousands for their certificate, Kelley said, but this legislation seeks to “fill the gap.”

To pay for the grants, the bill sets up a fund managed by the State Treasurer’s Office. Funding would have to be appropriated annually by the state’s general assembly, though the fund would also be open for donations.

The state estimates a cost of up to $3.3 mil in 2028, according to a fiscal note.

Kelley is “positive” that Kehoe will sign the bill given his vocal support for career-tech initiatives.

In his inaugural State of the State speech in January, Kehoe placed an emphasis on career and technical education and called for a work group to bolster CTE programs.

The legislation has also generated support from advocacy groups. In committee, lobbyists from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Missouri National Education Association spoke in favor of the idea.

“Skilled technical talent is a major asset to Missouri employers across all industries,” the chamber of commerce’s lobbyist Cade Tremain said in a hearing in February.

The legislation received wide support, drawing just two “no” votes in the House and one in the Senate. It ultimately passed as part of a large higher education package with bipartisan support.

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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected].

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Grain Valley Schools Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle announces retirement

6/6/2025

 
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Grain Valley Schools Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle has announced he will retire following the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. 

Welle has worked in public education for 33 years, serving as a school or district leader for 28 years, the past 19 of which in Grain Valley. Welle has served as superintendent since July 2022. 

In a district release, School Board President Jeff Porter expressed the Board’s appreciation, stating, "On behalf of the school board, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Welle for his leadership and service. His focus on ensuring a positive learning environment for students and a supportive culture for teachers and staff has contributed to the overall success of our school district."

In a letter to the district staff, Welle reflected on his opportunity: “What a privilege it has been to serve alongside such a tremendous team of teachers, staff, and leaders! Together, we have learned and adapted for the benefit of our students. I am excited for the great things that lie ahead for you and the district.” 

"We have something very special in Grain Valley, and it has been a privilege serving the children and families of this community. This is a place where supportive families and dedicated, caring educators come together – and the result is a tradition of excellence." 

Welle will continue as superintendent for the upcoming school year. The search for the next superintendent for the district will begin this fall. 

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Grain Valley Residents Named to UCM Spring 2025 Dean’s List

6/5/2025

 
WARRENSBURG, MO – The following Grain Valley students have earned a spot on the University of Central Missouri (UCM) Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester.
 
The Dean’s List includes undergraduate students who achieved a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or above.

​Grain Valley
Jake Allen
Mattie Allen
Cayden Antrim
Isabelle Bailey
Sarah Ball
Ethan Barnett
Maya Bartlett
Jacob Brenner
Isabelle Chambers
Ella Clyman
Morgan Darling
Aubrey Davies
Benjamin DeMonbrun
Cooper Dieckhoff
Krista Farnsworth
Samuel Foster
Cory Gray
Marie Hall
Shelby Henry
Jillian Hight
Haylie Jennings
Jamarion Kolb
Taylor Lackey
Arthur Lewis
Logan Long
Riley Marshall
Cora Mayernik
Lilly Ogle
Abigail Pascoe
Michael Pirch
Kira Potter
Megan Prier
Collin Raymond
Adison Richardson
Hayden Rowland
Trae Selemaea
Morgan Solomon
Roman Tinoco
Olivia Webb
Delaney Wendleton
Ian Worley

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Summer Reading Challenge begins June 1st for readers of all ages

5/29/2025

 
The Mid-Continent Public Library's (MCPL) Summer Reading Challenge begins June 1st for readers of all ages. 

The 2025 Summer at MCPL program invites artists of all ages and abilities to showcase their creations, encouraging them to explore their imaginations.

By participating in the Summer Reading Challenge, kids, teens, and adults can earn rewards and win prizes for daily reading and attending Library programs. Caregivers will value a program that keeps children engaged and learning outside the classroom, while kids will love the stories and activities that spark their creativity all summer long!

Summer at MCPL begins June 1 and runs through August 24. The Summer Reading Challenge encourages families to spend at least 20 minutes a day reading or engaging with literacy.

Readers will log each day that they read to receive a daily reading badge. When readers aged 0-19 complete 20, 40, and 60 days of reading, they will earn a prize book from their local branch. Readers who are registered in Beanstack will also be eligible to earn prizes from our community partners.

Adults aged 20+ can earn prizes, too! All adult readers who log 60 or more days will earn a Summer at MCPL: Blank Canvas commemorative glass.

For more information on the Mid-Continent Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge, visit Summer at MCPL | Mid-Continent Public Library. 
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Grain Valley Students Graduate from UCM

5/29/2025

 
WARRENSBURG, MO – Jackson County, Missouri, residents were among approximately 2,200 individuals who met graduate and undergraduate degree requirements and were eligible to participate in the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) 2025 Spring Commencement exercises on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.
 
Students who completed their degree requirements by the end of the fall semester were eligible to participate in ceremonies that marked more than 154 years of "Education for Service" at UCM. Below is a list of area students who met degree requirements at UCM.
 
To be eligible for graduation with honors, an undergraduate student must have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 and completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit at UCM with a GPA of 3.50. Those with a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74 graduate Cum Laude; 3.75 to 3.84, Magna Cum Laude; and 3.85 and above Summa Cum Laude, based on whichever GPA is lower, their cumulative GPA or their GPA at UCM.


Grain Valley undergraduate degrees:
Isabelle Bailey, BS
Jacob Brenner, BS
Cullen Cearnal, BM, Cum Laude
Isabelle Chambers, BS
Cory Gray, BA, Cum Laude
Marie Hall, BS, Summa Cum Laude
Jamarion Kolb, BS
Arthur Lewis, BSBA
Lilly Ogle, BSBA, Summa Cum Laude
Adison Richardson, BSE
Rebecca Rubak, BS, Cum Laude
Ian Worley, BS, Cum Laude

Graduate:
Marisa Abundis Hines, MS
Jessica Dornes, MAT
Hannah Yardley, MSE

Key to abbreviations
BA-Bachelor of Arts
BFA-Bachelor of Fine Arts
BM-Bachelor of Music
BME-Bachelor of Music Education
BS-Bachelor of Science
BSBA-Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
BSE-Bachelor of Science in Education
BSW-Bachelor of Social Work
MS-Master of Science
MSE-Master of Science in Education
MAT-Master of Arts in Teaching



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School Board meeting recap

5/22/2025

 
by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News
 
The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, May 15 for its May monthly meeting. This month’s meeting consisted of seven recognitions, two reports, four items of new business, and discussion over two board policies.
 
To start the meeting, the board began by recognizing middle school National Civics Bee state qualifiers, followed by HOSA future health professionals state qualifiers, then FBLA state qualifiers and DECA state qualifiers. The board then recognized 11 all-state choir members, 12 Missouri Seal of Biliteracy qualifiers, and district staff leadership seminar participants.
 
Director of Transportation Shawn Brady presented his biennial report of the highlights of the department. Brady reported an increase in 127 daily riders since 2023. Additionally, the department has experienced a 26% decrease in turnover in past year. Brady also noted the implementation of new technology, including live GPS tracking and live video.
 
Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle then went over the highlights of his monthly report, noting the district is near its 90% district attendance goal with a current rate of 89.1%. Welle noted the end of year is a difficult time for attendance, so it is possible the district may fall just short of its goal of 90% attendance, but Welle praised staff and leadership for their efforts to address student attendance.
 
The board then moved into new business, starting with approving two full-time paraprofessionals and one full-time technology system administrator for next school year.
 
The board then approved the Valley Teacher Academy/Grow Your Own Teachers Program.
 
Next, the board approved the purchase of property near North Middle School along Pink Hill Road for $250,000 in order to provide improved access to the existing property.
 
The next Board of Education meeting will take place on June 26 at 6:00 pm at the Leadership Center. 
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GVHS Class of 2025 Graduates Monday evening; Sni Valley Academy Graduates receive diplomas

5/19/2025

 
The 2025 Grain Valley High School senior class will graduate Monday evening at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri. The graduation begins at 7:00pm and may be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/live/vYBIIUAPGWA. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Jackson David Adams
Braydon Patrick Aggeler
Hayden Michael Albin
Kimberly  Alcantara Perez
Raya Iyod Alkhatib
Jack Thomas Allen
Leah Rose Allen
Laken Renee Alley
Chase Bryant Anderson
Alyssa Neveah Arndorfer
Kennady Raine Arndt
Mason William Maxwell Arni
Logan Lee Arp
Olivia Paige Arreguin
Makenzie Keikilani Lokahi Arrington
Marissa Lynn Bagby
Darah Tieisha-Nicole Baker
Mya Jade Baker
Chris Lee Barham
Gavin Chase Barker
Avery Elizabeth Barncord
Catherine Anne Barnes
Landon James Barnes
Aaron Landan Barr
Johnpaul Sandoval Barraza
Ileynia Nicole Ann Beard
Naiya Lee Beck
Isabella Marie Becker
Willow Rhea Bernard
Joshua Christos Berry
Mason Jax Bertrand
Max Jamie Bertrand
Husam Tauqeed Bhatti
Jackson William Bieri
Hollie Rachel Blake
Faith Vishakha Bledsoe
Hunter Barrett Bly
Brooklyn Marie Boley
Christopher Scott Bonnel
Elexis Denise Bouldin
Brady Jackson Bown
Viviana Marie Bozich
Jackson Tanner Branson
Braden Kyle Braun
Paige Jacklyn Brill
Adilynn Jolea Brooner
Nevaeh Marie Brown
Taleah Renee Brown
Kenny Dong Bui
Cash Thomas Bulloc
Keyonna Latrice Bullock
Charger Aaron Bundridge
Noah Warren Campbell
Jared Ernesto Caraveo
Ethen James Carlton
Alyssa Paige Carver
John Warren Cassidy
Angelo Santana Castilleja
Owen Maddox Chambers
Riley Daniel Champ
Amanda Marie Chaney
Annabelle Kate Chevalier
Brennen Thomas Chidester
Victoria Elizabeth Chitwood
Nevaeh Lynn Clausen
Mia Elizabeth Cole
Caleb Matthew Collins
Evan Carter Colson
Trace Kenneth Compton
Brylie Amani Cook
Trystyn Eryn Cooper
Jocelynn Andrea Cortez
Zachary Daniel Cota
Daniel Lawrence Coughtry
Kein Whispern Crain
Kaden Riley Crandall
Mallory Lynn Crane
Logan Hue James Crook
Jackson Robert Michael Crosley
Melynda Jean Cross
Ty Lewis Culp
Sturgis William Cumberford IV
Mason Lane Cygan
Josie Lynne Daniels
Mattie Lynn Daniels
Bradley Steven Darling
Aedan Thomas Davila
Levi Vilroy Davis
MacKenzie Ashlynn Davis
Rowdy Alan Davis
Adalia Grace Del Real
Devon Tyler DeMink
Andrew Lewis DeMonbrun
Clara Marie DeMoro
Daniel Calvin Dent
Joseph Anthony Dicarlo
George Matthew Dickensheets
Matthew Roger Ditzler
Bailey Rose Dougan
Emma Leann Downs
Maddox Dean Dresslaer
Gwendolyn Denise Duckett
Phoebe Cate Duplantis
Jackson Kennedy Lee Easum
Mayla Hope Eldridge
Dylan Lane Elliott
Kaydence Elise Emry
Mason Gabriel Enlow
Cody Ellis Farnsworth
Ava LeeAnn Ferguson
Kaden Noah Ferman
Adan  Ferrer
Hudson Hugh Flowers
Aidan John Foley
Drake Jameson Ford
Broden John Frederick
Alexander Scott Fuhrman
Jordan Michael Fuller
Kayla Marie Gallagher
Blake Matthew Galvan
Kira Delaney Geib
Addison Lucile George
Ally Jo Gilbert
George Coen Gille
Jonathan Manuel Gonzalez
Alebrick Eugene Goodrich
Korbyn Cyrus Goodwin
Marli Jean Gorbet
Tre Jean Gorham
Jordan Mari Gossage
Justice Louise Goulden
Amyah Marie Graybill
Logan Hunter Greco
Emma Catherine Greene
Landry Jean Groes
Emerson Irene Guthrie
Mackenzie Rose Haase
Madison Jo Haislip
Salomé Eve Haley
Abigail Virginia Hampton
Lillian Elizabeth Haney
Carter Wade Harmsen
Taylor Marie Harp
Damian Joseph Harris
Jaliyah Le'Shaye Harris
Pyper Lily Hartigan
Kelsey Emmaline Harvey
Kirsten Bailey Haskins
Katie Mae Hattey
Italia Paige Haywood
Robert Caden Hayworth
Bailey Leigh Hendrickson
Brithany Gissell Herrera Perdomo
Samantha Elizabeth Hight
Mason Isaiah Hill
Rylee Hannah Belle Hinchey
Simon Taylor Horton
Chloe Elina Houg
Matthew Ryan Howell
Tucker Lee Hughes
Colton Scott Hursh
Toby Christian Inman
Maximilian Michael Johnson
Adrian Michael Johnston
Jordin Faith Johnston
Roman Daniel Juba
Aidan James Kalthoff
Asa Jeremiah Keim
Camryn Paige Kelly
Reese Elizabeth Kenyon
Canvas Joy Kephart
Olivia Perrin Kerr
Joshua Aidan Kester
Milee Grace Keys
Ta'Ron Tamar King
Reese Ann Knox
Tyler Austin Krueger
Ava Grace Kusick
Owen Ryan Landero
Makynzye Nikole Lank
Maddalynn Louise Lawson
Megan Audrey Legate
Dennis Patrick Leonard III
Brennan Roman Lipowicz
Brooke Madison Lockwood
Isabel Grace Lopez
Brianna Sophia Lukens
Alexander  Luna
Jack Carl Lundberg
MaKenzie Ann Maggio
Elizabeth Mae Malicoat
Jenna Leigh Manning
Cuyler Dean Marler
Madison Dawn Martinez
Bailey Lyndsey Mason
Taelor Marie Mason
Hayley Elizabeth Maybell
Johnathan Ronald Mayernik
Eric Scott McColgin Jr.
Cara Grace McHardie
Gabriel Antonio Meier
Michael Andrew Melching
Jennifer Leigh Melton
Tyler Benjamin Melton
Isaiah Nicholas Tuala Menzsa
Christopher Robert Meredith
Addison Linn Miller
Brody Anderson Miller
Jack Winston Miller
Eli John Monrian
Alexis Marie Moore
Jacob Mitchel Moore
Makenna Mae Lulivee Moore
Matthew Bailey Morgan
Oscar Vaughn Morgan
Kyleigh Ann Morris
Suraya  Muhammadi
Makenna Marie Mullen
Allison Grace Muller
Emily Carol Muller
Addison Margaret Sue Myers
Nevaeh Tnes Myers
Myah Lee Myrick
Braden James Nati
Reese Lee Naudet
Steven Eugene Nelson Jr.
Carson Michael Newsom
Adyson Mae Nichols
Raven  Nickason
Bria Fontanos Omambac
Alexander Ryan Osborn
Makayla Ann Otto
Benjamin Aggeler Page
Robert N.T. Palmer Jr
Kierstin Makenzie Parker
Colston Mario Parks
Lexie Carmen Pasley
Evan Michael Patrick
Micah Lael Pearson
Ostin Andre Perkins
Chloe Elizabeth Perry
Sabrina Marie Perry
Douglas Raymond Peters
Isaac James Pittman
Lauren Cameron Pittsenbarger
Matiece De'Anthony Poke
Addison Elizabeth Powell
Megan Kathleen Prestia
Maddison Mikaela Priem
Blayden Lee Pruett
Jillian Reagan Quick
Hillary K.Ellen Rennells
Amelia Skye Reynolds
Allison Nicole Richardson
Marisa Leann Riggle
Joseph Cooper Ripley
Micah Joseph Roach
Kenzley Jaida Jane Roark
David Devell Roberson Jr
Trenton Andrew Rock
Rylie Olivia Rogers
Ryan Joseph Rohr
Sarah Ezabella Ruiz
Isabelle Rae Salsman
Kane Alexander Santana
Remington Allen Schieber
Ryan Exzavier Schmalzbach
Nathan Glenn Schmidt
Akira Lee Schwinefus
Lillian Grace Sharp
Robert John Sheldon III
Carson Paul Shellito
Jaeda Cherice Simpson
Theodore Allen Simpson
Trenton Lee Sinn
Brady James Smith
Maxwell Scott Snyder
Brooklyn Reese Spencer
Kylie Ann Steele
Isabelle Marie Steward
Vanessa Nichole Stitt
Holden Reid Stoerner
Sierra Alana Stone
Elizabeth Leann Storck
Alison Mae Temples
Shawn Andrew Thomas
Chloe Lynn Thompson
Yvette  Torres Osuna
Nicholas Keith Turney
Alayna Irene Power Tuttle
Alexander James Tuttle
Jeralyn Joy Twiehaus
Ayannah Amor Vaughn
Ryan Edward Venable
Riley Michelle Wade
Kylee Nicole Waggerman
Caiden Ryan Waite
Cyrus Alan Wampler
Gavin Ellis Wardrip
Emma Christine Ware
Brayden Cliff Warren
Tavian Randall Watson
Isabella Lee Webster
Megan Jeanne Weidt
Harrison Kenneth Ronsley Wells
Alainah May Whitehead
Melaina Nicole Wilcox
Aidan Christopher Wilson
Jason JiaJia Wilson
Isaiah Gabriel Winston
Hope Marie Wise
Emory Paige Wolfe
Lukas Steven Wolff
Aiden Robert Woodrome
Garrett Lee Wright
Evie Claire Wyatt
Nathan Corey Zades

The following students from Sni Valley Academy received their diplomas in a graduation ceremony held at Grain Valley High School last week:

2025 Sni Valley Academy Graduates:
​Jaylynn Brooke Adams
Cadence May Allen
Emily Jo Azam
Anthony Duane Bergeron
La'mya Nicole Boldridge
Ema-Lou  Nerkeliunas
Shaynna Lynn Marie Brooker
Gracelyn Jean-Irene Buxton
Evermon Frederick Cage
Tyrin Avant Ziair Carrillo
Hailey Jolene Diggs
Christopher Mason Dinwiddie
Hunter Raymond Francis
Eva Nicole Hall
Preston Scott Hobart
Zander Zebulon Holmes
Zayda Angeline Holmes
Gabriel Cole Kraemer
Sola Donya Law
Mackenzy Ann Mace
John Taylor Marlow
Brian Michael Martin II
Haley Elizabeth Nicholson
Allyson Marie Otto
Kendall Roxanne Paschal
Kyle Joshua Pemberton-Wells
Austin Daniel Perkins
Joyce Louise Perry
Cheyenne Star Iris Reed
Brayden William Rold
Dennie Randall Salsbury
Marlo Elaine Soldi
Isabella Faye Strup
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The 2025 graduates of Sni Valley Academy. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools
​

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Missouri Independent: Missouri unveils plan to transform program for students with disabilities

5/14/2025

 

Missouri unveils plan to transform program for students with disabilities

by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent
May 14, 2025

Missouri education officials are considering a plan to consolidate schools serving students with disabilities after consultants deemed the current program “not sustainable.”

Missouri is the only state to operate separate day schools for special education, dubbed the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled.

The program serves K-12 students in 34 schools statewide, with anywhere from five to 60 students in a school. Some students spend the majority of their education as a MSSD student, concerning stakeholders who prefer to integrate students with disabilities into a broader student body.

The problems with the program go beyond a desire to desegregate disabled students. The schools struggle to staff classrooms, with a quarter of roles vacant.

And many school buildings are ill-equipped, with some missing gymnasiums and nurses’ offices. The schools have a collective $50 million in deferred maintenance.

“It’s important that we have to look beyond the status quo right now that we have in Missouri, and think about how we can reimagine MSSD,” said Mark Wheatley, assistant commissioner in the office of special education with Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

For two years, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been studying the schools alongside a group of educators, parents and representatives from nonprofits. Wheatley presented the work group’s recommendations to transform MSSD in a State Board of Education meeting Tuesday. During its meeting next month, the board will be asked to approve the plan.

“If the decision is that we just need to get better at doing what we’re doing now, we are already starting that work,” Wheatley said. “But some of these bigger levers that we have to move to make the program more beneficial for more students is going to require direction from (the board).”

The work group suggests closing 24 of the 34 MSSD buildings, six of which were recently consolidated in emergency situations stemming from poor staffing and aging buildings.

Following a decline in enrollment over the past 16 years, MSSD is using under half of the space available for students.

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Consolidation would allow the department to better utilize existing buildings and renovate the aging properties. Two new buildings would be built, bringing the program to 12 schools by the end of 2036.

The cost of the construction is estimated at nearly $183 million, which lawmakers would have to fund.

The state would also have to invest in special education in public school districts. The work group hopes to create collaboratives of districts in rural areas to serve students closer to home.

“We don’t want to create a situation where kids are sent back to their local school district and the local school district is not equipped to handle them,” said Jacob Klett, an education advisor with Public Consulting Group.

Board members were largely impressed with the presentation Tuesday, calling the work “extraordinary.”

But Brooks Miller, a new board member from Sunrise Beach, questioned the longevity of the plan.

“Are we trying to design something now that’s going to take us three or four years, and then in five or six years, it’s not nearly the problem that we had when we designed it?” he asked.

Wheatley said he plans for continuous assessments and hopes to keep an active workgroup to continually study special education in Missouri.

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected].

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Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts National Civics Bee

5/6/2025

 
The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the local competition of the National Civics Bee on May 1st at Grain Valley High School. The chamber was one of four chambers in the state of Missouri that hosted a local competition in the first year the competition has been held in the state. 

The National Civics Bee, coordinated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is open to 6th - 8th grade students. Students begin the competition process by submitting an essay outlining an idea they have to use civics to improve their community. The finalists selected compete in local competitions that include an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge.

Ruslana T. from Ray Pec East Middle School took first place, followed by Loula B. from Grain Valley North Middle School and Anthony W. from Grain Valley North Middle School for second and third places, respectively.

The first-place winner received a $500 cash prize and will advance to the state competition along with the other two finalists who also received cash prizes. 

The top state winners will receive various prizes, and the first-place winner of the State Finals will earn a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Championship in the Fall of 2025. Prizes at the National Championship include a grand prize of a $100,000 529 plan for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place. 
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Local students competed in the National Civics Bee hosted by the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce on May 1, 2025. Loula B. (standing), from Grain Valley North Middle School, was the second-place winner and will move on to the Missouri state competition. Photo credit: Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce

​

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School Board meeting recap

5/1/2025

 
by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News

​
The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, April 24 for its April business meeting.
 
The board began recognitions with honoring the All Missouri Best of Show winner, Genevive Wheeler for her human-interest story at JDay in Columbia.
 
Senior Drew Melching was then recognized for earning his spot in the Missouri Scholars 100 program. Melching was also honored for being selected as a semifinalist for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholarship.
 
The next group recognized was the winter guard varsity team for finishing fifth in the nation at the World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
 
The girls swim and dive team state qualifiers were honored as well as the wrestling state qualifiers.
 
CTC students who medaled at the SkillsUSA state competition were also recognized.
 
Ryan Hay, who is a field technician in the technology department, was then recognized for his selection as 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year.
 
To cap off the recognitions portion of the meeting, Eric Ball was honored as the winner of the 2025 Grain Valley Schools Teacher of the Year award.
 
Following recognitions, the board moved into reports, beginning with a curriculum committee report and the Superintendent’s report, which included a financial summary.
 
Moving into unfinished business, the board discussed the progress the district has made on its annual priorities. Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle reported that for all of the priorities, the district is falling where it expected to be at the end of the school year.
 
The board then discussed the draft of the budget for the 2025-2026 school year. Welle mentioned that a priority for the budget is on new full-time positions for the 2025-2026 year. The district also wants to expand extra-curricular opportunities for middle school students in the upcoming year.
 
The board took action on insurance rates for the 2025-2026 school year. The board approved the rates, which increases the amount the district contributes on behalf of the employee, while keeping the rates flat for employees.
 
The board also approved the hiring of one non-certified staff for 2025-2026 school year.
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MSHSAA State Music Festival this weekend; GVHS students to compete Saturday

5/1/2025

 
The University of Missouri will host the 73rd Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) State Music Festival, May 1-3.

The event will feature 4,555 performances from students representing 358 schools across Missouri. Performances will take place at MU’s Fine Arts Building, Memorial Union, Tate Hall, McKee Gymnasium, Stewart Hall and the Sinquefield Music Center.
​
Students qualified for the state-level festival by earning an Exemplary rating at their district festival. They will perform before nationally recognized adjudicators, who will provide evaluations and ratings.

The following students from Grain Valley High School will be competing on Saturday:

Tay Bailey- Flute
Julia Bledsoe- Horn and piano
Mackenzie Davis- Trumpet
Dylan Marquis- Trombone
Makayla Martin- Flute
Nathan Morgester- Flute
Aiden Stephens- Clarinet
Liam Hanna- Piano
Felix Baker- Percussion
Brooklyn Boley- Percussion
Cash Bulloc- Percussion
Kaden Byers- Percussion
John Cassidy- Percussion
Will Chrisman- Percussion
William Cooper- Percussion
Dayton Cramer- Percussion
Hudson Flowers- Percussion
Blake Galvan- Percussion
Madison Geiger- Percussion
Charles Greene- Percussion
Chase Johnson- Percussion
Max Johnson- Percussion
Makynzye Lank- Percussion
Emma Mickelson- Percussion
Madeline Sharky- Percussion
Alison Temples- Percussion
Chloe Thompson- Percussion
Wyatt Walker- Percussion
Dallas Weir- Percussion
Levi Whitaker- Percussion

All performances are free and open to the public, running daily from 8:00am - 5:00pm. A daily schedule of participating schools is available in the Music Activities section of www.mshsaa.org.
​
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