Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) has released its Deans List for the spring 2020 semester.
     The students qualified for the honor by earning a grade point average of 3.75 or above on a 4.0 scale while enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
 
Grain Valley
Brady R. Garmon
Alyssa M. Lampe
 
 
     Garmon, a pre-med student at MSSU, was also honored as a spring 2020 Glenn Dolence Leadership Award honoree.
     The awards are named in honor of Dr. Glenn D. Dolence, former vice president for Student Services at Missouri Southern, who retired from MSSU in 1996 after 27 years of service and was a founding member of the Golden Crest Circle of ODK. He later served as mayor of Webb City, Mo., and has held a variety of other posts in the community.
 

     Park University announces its Spring 2020 graduates from the University’s flagship Parkville Campus, as well as the Downtown Kansas City, Independence, and Lenexa campuses, and online graduates from across the region.
     These graduates were scheduled to participate in the University’s commencement ceremony on May 9th at the Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, but the event was cancelled earlier in the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.
     The University had 615 students eligible to graduate — 253 students received a master’s degree and/or a graduate certificate, and 362 students received a bachelor’s degree, associate degree and/or undergraduate certificate.
 
Master of Healthcare Administration
Navadene F. Harris, Healthcare Administration, Grain Valley
Harris also earned a Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management and Leadership
 
Master of Social Work
Rachelle Lynn Brown, Grain Valley, (attended Lexington [Mo.] High School)

Bachelor of Science
Fatima F. Figueroa, Business Administration/Management, Grain Valley, (Summa Cum Laude)
Elisabeth Fleischmann, Biology, Grain Valley, Mo. (Summa Cum Laude)
 

     While much focus has been rightfully placed on how the cancellation of school has affected current elementary and secondary students this spring, Grain Valley Schools is also concerned about the youngest members of its school community. Kindergarten enrollment was disrupted this spring due to school cancellations, so the district is working to reach incoming Kindergarten families to ensure they enroll in a timely manner so they can prepare for the 2020-21 school year.
     “Over the years we have been able to anticipate how many students will show up on the first day of school based on early enrollments. With the cancellation of our registration events this spring, enrollments are down and we can only hope for final enrollments that are consistent with what we have seen in the past few years. The sooner we know who to expect in the fall, the sooner we can ensure that we have the correct number of teachers in place to receive them.,” Dr. Brad Welle, Deputy Superintendent for School and Community Services said.
     “As of May 5th, we have 204 children enrolled for Kindergarten in the fall, which is up significantly from just two weeks ago. However, last year at this time we had 267 students enrolled so we are down 25% from a year ago. We are asking our families to urge friends and neighbors to begin the enrollment process for any child entering kindergarten in the fall so we can prepare for them.”
     Parents may enroll their students online at www.grainvalleyschools.org, under the “For Families” tab.
     Additionally, the district is offering curbside registration for those who are having difficulty enrolling online.  Curbside registration is available at each elementary school on May 18th from 9:00am—3:00pm and May 20th from 3:00pm—6:30pm. Upon arrival, families are asked to remain in their car. A staff member will come out to assist registrants. Families participating in curbside registration are encouraged to bring the child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and a current utility bill.
     Those who have successfully registered online do not need to visit the school. For more information, visit www.grainvalleyschools.org.
 

​     Lauren Snodgrass has been promoted to assistant principal at Grain Valley High School (GVHS) beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.
     Snodgrass has served as art teacher at Grain Valley High School since the 2009-2010 school year. Snodgrass earned a Bachelor's degree from Drexel University, a Master's degree from Boston University, and a Specialist’s degree from the University of Central Missouri. 
     GVHS principal, Dr. Jeremy Plowman, sees the assistant principal assignment as the next natural step for her.
     "Lauren has been a leader among our staff on initiatives like Standards Based Grading and served on the Building Leadership Team and the transition to a building administrator role should be smooth. She has already gained the trust of our staff," Plowman said.
     "Ms. Snodgrass is an accomplished and respected educator and she knows what we are about in Grain Valley. I am confident that the addition of Ms. Snodgrass to our leadership team will be of great benefit to our students and staff,” Grain Valley Schools Superintendent Marc Snow said.
 

     Current Grain Valley Bands staff member Travis Barzee has been promoted to Director of Bands for Grain Valley Schools beginning in the 2020-21 school year.
“For three years, we have been able to witness first hand Mr. Barzee's ability to work with and raise the level of our students abilities and efforts.  We have no doubt that under the tutelage of Mr. Barzee, the Grain Valley Eagles Band will continue to be one of the top band programs in the state if not the entire country,” Dr. Jeremy Plowman, Grain Valley High School Principal said.
     Grain Valley Bands will also welcome Alex Kirby to its staff in 2020. Currently, Kirby teaches for the Fayette School District. At Fayette,  Kirby leads all concert bands grades 5-12, 7-8th grade marching band, high school marching band, and high school jazz band.
     Kirby is a graduate of Central Methodist University, where he was principal tuba and a member of the Missouri All Collegiate Band. He will also complete his master degree from Kansas State University summer 2020.
 

Mia Clasby
Sport: Cheerleading
 
Plans after high school: I plan to attend MCC Blue River and major in Nursing.
 
Highlights of your career as a student athlete: Winning State with my teammates after all the hard work we put in.
 
What were some of the biggest lessons you learned as a student athlete?
Over the years, I have learned to never give up on yourself or your teammates. It can get super hard at times but the relationships you build make it all worth it.
 
Thank You:
I would like to thank my parents who gave me the opportunity to cheer and for supporting me every step of the way. I would also like to thank Coach Delanne, Coach Megan and Coach Ashley. They not only encouraged me and taught me how to become the cheerleader I am today, but they have also taught me life lessons that I will carry with me forever.

Deryk Carey
Sport: Baseball
 
Plans after high school: I’m attending Hannibal-LaGrange University where I’m going to study Sports Marketing and play baseball.
 
Highlights of your career as a student athlete: Our service day every year and getting to help people who needed it the most.
 
What were some of the biggest lessons you learned as a student athlete?
How to manage sports and school at the same time.
 
Thank You:
I’d like to thank Coach Driskell, Coach Giangrosso, and Coach Ogle for helping me become a better student athlete.