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News & Notes

Wrestlers, swimmer qualify for State
HHS swimmer Taylor Spencer qualified for the State swim meet in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:01.26. State will be held February 17-18 at the Rec-Plex in St. Peters, MO.

Eight HHS wrestlers qualified for State and helped the Wildcats earn a second place finish at Districts on Saturday. First place finishes were earned by Joe Hunter and Travis Britz. Ty Cochran took 2nd and Marcus Roberg took 3rd. Those earning 4th were Jericho Harris, Tyler Wood, Jarrick Fitzgearlds, and Joe Schlechter. State is this weekend in Columbia.

Foundation presents teacher grants
Teachers and students in the Harrisonville School District recently received grants from the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.

Throughout the eight years of the teacher grant program, over $48,000 has been presented to teachers. The goal of the program is to enhance the education of Harrisonville students by encouraging and recognizing new educational approaches and concepts that are not currently funded by the district.

The grants were awarded in a surprise squad format with Foundation trustees surprising the teachers in their classrooms and presenting them with a check on February 14.

Teacher grants were awarded to the following:

• Harrisonville Middle School science teachers Monica Vanderau and Laura Frees for a School & Community Garden. The grant will be used to purchase supplies for preparing, planting, and caring for a school and community garden managed by middle school students and teachers. The garden will be located on the grounds of the Early Childhood Center. It will give the students a chance to learn about the ecosystem of the garden, organic farming practices, and to work with volunteers to harvest their own food.

• Harrisonville Elementary School second grade teacher Leslie Culpepper for a professional therapy dog that began work at Harrisonville Elementary School in early February. The dog has gone through extensive training and will enhance students' lives and provide an innovative way of teaching and learning. Therapy dogs can be incorporated into students' lives through basic interactions, humane education, physical activity, rewards for good behavior, reading and writing enhancement, and counselor and character education. The grant will fund items the dog needs at the school on a daily basis including a food bowl, water bowl, dog bed, kennel, brush, toys, etc.

The Harrisonville Public School Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established to support the educational activities and programs of the Harrisonville School District. To learn more about the Foundation, contact Executive Director Jill Filer at 380-2727, ext. 1224.

Tracy, Neill crowned Winter Homecoming King & Queen

Harrisonville High School seniors Emily Tracy and Callaway Neill were crowned Winter Homecoming King and Queen during half-time festivities at the boys' basketball game on February 10. Runners-up were Sydney Kroenke and Joe Hunter. The royalty was selected based on interviews with community members, teacher recommendations, and student voting.

For additional Winter Homecoming photos, visit the district's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HarrisonvilleSchools

CCC celebrates Career & Technical Education Week

Parents and community members were invited to an Open House at Cass Career Center last week as part of Career & Technical Education Week activities. Each program created a display to provide visitors information. Students also participated in essay, logo, and article review contests. To read more, click here.

Six student-athletes sign on National Signing Day
Six Harrisonville High School student-athletes signed on National Signing Day. They included Colton Saunders, football, Benedictine College; Anna Holden, soccer, Northwest Missouri State University; Dustin Young, football, Central Methodist University; Ben Sevy, football, Southwest Baptist University; Travis Britz, football, Kansas State University; and Thaddeus Messer, football, Benedictine College. For additional Signing Day photos, visit the district's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HarrisonvilleSchools

FFA to celebrate FFA Week next week
Cass Career Center FFA will celebrate National FFA Week Feb. 18-25, 2012. "I Believe" is this year's theme, as members express their beliefs in the values represented by FFA and their potential to achieve success in everything they do. More than half a million members around the nation will participate in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels by having spirit days and community service projects.

The focus of National FFA Week is to inform communities around the country about the unique opportunities created through the FFA. From its beginning in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization extends to all 50 states, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA is committed to developing character and leadership skills, as well as preparing members for a lifetime of civic leadership and career success.

As a part of National FFA Week, Cass Career Center FFA members are planning the following special events:
• Friday, February 17th - Ski Trip at Snow Creek in Weston, Missouri
• Tuesday, February 21st - High School / Career Center Teacher Appreciation Day
• Wednesday, February 22nd - FFA Early Morning Breakfast
• Thursday, February 23rd - FFA Spirit Day
• Friday, February 24th - Drive Your Tractor to School & Western Farm Show Field Trip

Cass Career Center FFA members are the leaders of tomorrow and are dedicated to community service activities like Food for America, volunteering for the Folklife Festival & Burnt District Festival, and donating canned goods to the local food pantry, which were raised through their Chapter Barnwarming Dance. Whether it's working with elementary children or serving as a chapter officer, FFA members make a positive difference on those around them. They are driven students who work hard to achieve their goals. FFA builds leaders, and leaders impact the future.

The Cass Career Center FFA is one of over three hundred chapters that are in the state of Missouri.

The Cass Career Center Agriculture program has 176 students enrolled in one of the four agricultural career paths offered at the Cass Career Center. Of the 176 students, 156 are members of the National FFA Organization. Students are able to choose their intended career path from Ag. Mechanics, Animal Science, Plant Science, or Natural Resources/Construction.

Three schools attend the Agriculture Programs offered at the Cass Career Center: Lee's Summit, Ray-Pec, and Harrisonville High School.

When high school students enroll in an agriculture class, they are encouraged to become a member of the FFA organization, which can lead to a future of premiere leadership, personal growth, and career success. Agricultural education, a supervised agricultural experience and FFA form a solid foundation for students to develop leadership skills, global agricultural knowledge, and practical experience needed to succeed in their careers and everyday life. FFA allows classroom knowledge to come alive through hands-on experience and provides many opportunities for members to develop self-confidence, leadership skills and positive values.

As a part of FFA, students have the ability to develop leadership skills as officers. This year's Chapter FFA Officers are: President - Victoria Bostic, Vice President - Trisha Dinges, Reporters - Mattie Moore & Emily Hix, Secretary - Grace Hamilton, Treasurer - Dusty Bennett, Parliamentarian - Kaitlin Fifer, Historian - Megan Short, Chaplin - Heath Wernex, and Sentinel - Jack McCleave. In addition Greenhands, or first year members, elect their own officers. This year's Greenhand officers are: President - Ryan Rushly, Vice President - Austin Moreland, Secretary - Madi Kittilstad, Treasurer - Jordan Bostic, Parliamentarian - Jessie Poisal, Reporter - Rebekha Songer, Historian - Shelby Hixon, Chaplin - Sydney Hoffman, and Sentinel - Blake Moreland.

The Cass Career Center FFA's Program of Activities is packed with events, volunteer experience, leadership conferences, meetings, and conventions all year long. During each summer, FFA members enjoy a trip to Worlds of Fun, attending FFA Camp, attending the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, a Volleyball tournament, as well as working many livestock shows. Many FFA members take projects built or grown throughout the year to competitions at the Cass County Fair, Cass County Junior Livestock Show, Central District FFA Fair, and the Missouri State Fair. Throughout the school year, members participate in chapter activities at meetings, compete on contest teams and speech contests, and field trips.

The highlight of the FFA year will be May 11th when the Chapter holds its annual banquet. The chapter will be recognizing students' success throughout the year as well as honoring those in the community who have supported us.

Dressed in their familiar blue and gold jackets, FFA members are popularly associated with raising animals or growing crops, but times have changed. From this proud heritage, many people are surprised to discover there are more than 300 agricultural careers in business, science and industry. FFA members from both rural and urban backgrounds are gaining experiences that will prepare them for these careers. Agriculture programs today focus on the importance of agricultural science rather than production agriculture. Ninety percent or more of today's agriculture students will not be returning to a farm but rather entering agricultural professions. If an agriculture career is not the scenario, then the goal is to make them wise consumers who realize the importance of American agriculture to our economy.

FFA's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

National FFA Week is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Carhartt as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Photos from Around the District

HMS sixth grader's poem to be published

A Harrisonville Middle School sixth grader will soon be a published poet. Tori Bratcher's poem, Friends, will appear in a book entitled "A Celebration of Poets." According to the publication website, www.poeticpower.com, less than 50% of the submissions are selected for publication and the writers compete against their peers in both age and location. Bratcher submitted her poem with the assistance and guidance of their communication arts teacher Kelli Neal.

HES students learn about nutrition

Harrisonville Elementary School students traveled the path from the farmer's field to the playing field when the University of Missouri Extension's Food Power Adventure visited the school on February 2-3. Along the way, students learned the answers to the questions, "Where does food come from?" and "How does it give me energy to help me grow?" Food Power Adventure gives elementary students an inside look at how the body turns food into energy. Students start at the pizza farm to learn where farmers grow ingredients such as wheat and tomatoes. At the food packaging area, students inspect labels on milk cartons for nutrition facts. After a stop at the cafeteria to select healthy foods, students make their way into the digestive system so they can change their food into power which they test at the muscle and bone stations. Parent volunteers and staff members assisted with the presentations which took place over a two-day period.

HES third graders win NETT poster contest

Three Harrisonville Elementary School students were named winners of the Harrisonville NETT poster contest at an assembly at the school on February 1. Third graders Walker Holden (center), Kennedy Atkinson (right), and Abigail Borland (left) earned first, second, and third place in the contest which was part of Red Ribbon Week activities in October. The posters were centered around the themes of making positive choices and being drug free. The winners received Wal-Mart gift cards, certificates, and their framed posters. In addition, the winners' posters were featured on a special Harrisonville NETT calendar.

HMS students travel to Science City

Harrisonville Middle School eighth graders Henry Frees and Ben Styron experiment with a water maze at Science City. HMS eighth grade students traveled to Science City at Union Station for a field trip on February 1. The visit included numerous activity stations to build on and illustrate scientific principles the students are studying such as Newton's Laws of Motion, force, and light reflection.

HMS sixth grade team earns third in State

A team from Harrisonville Middle School placed third in a statewide academic competition. The Knowledge Master competition is a timed, computerized contest in which students answer 100 questions, earning points for the speed and accuracy of their answers. Members of the team are Danielle Fox, Kylee Bohle, Anna Saffels, Riley Bridgers, Drake Mathews, Lanie Carl, Audrey Welhoff, Hannah Gibbs, Caelan Johnson, Karsen Cesonis, Jackson Dahn, Nicholas Laughlin, and Stuart Kroenke.

HES students "Thank a Farmer"

As part of Thank a Farmer Week, Harrisonville dairy farmer Matt Moreland visited with second graders at Harrisonville Elementary School. He shared a story about how cheese is made and then answered questions about his work as a dairy farmer. Thank a Farmer Week is sponsored by Farm Bureau.

FFA members earn Proficiency Awards

Six Cass Career Center FFA members won area proficiency awards on February 2nd for their Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) Programs. Each member competed against entries from the other twenty-four schools in West Central, Missouri. Those members who won were: Kayla Dobson (pictured), Grace Hamilton, Malachi Hargis, Mattie Moore, David Roth, and Adam Rushly.

Kayla Dobson, HHS Senior, won in Equine Science - Placement for her work at Star Time Meadows in Pleasant Hill. Grace Hamilton, HHS Junior, won in Environmental Science & Natural Resources for her job at Sunshine Disposal of Harrisonville.

Malachi Hargis, HHS Junior, won in Agricultural Mechanics - Energy Systems. Mattie Moore, HHS Junior, won in Outdoor Recreation. David Roth won in Grain Production, and Adam Rushly won in Diversified Crop Production - Placement for his job at Roth Hereford Farms of Harrisonville.

Each of these members will compete against other Area winners across the state at the Missouri FFA Convention on April 19 & 20.

Also competing at the area level was: Dusty Bennett, Luke Cook, Trisha Dinges, Josh Dooley, Kaitlin Fifer, Emily Hix, Tara Glidewell, Sawyer Kresse, Jack McCleave, Chris Roth, Lisa Scharff, Mollee Vassar, and Heath Wernex.

Bennett, Dooley, Fifer, Glidewell, and Chris Roth each placed 2nd in their categories. Hix, McCleave, and Wernex placed 3rd in their categories.

The FFA has forty-eight proficiency award categories for members to compete in, based on their SAE Programs. Students develop their SAE Program throughout their experience in high school and college to learn responsibilities and management. The Cass Career Center has over one hundred seventy students enrolled in agriculture education, each of them have their own uniquely different SAE Program.

In addition to Proficiency Awards, Harrisonville High School senior Dusty Bennett was named 2011 Area Star Agribusinessman.

SAE Projects are divided between Ag Production, Agribusiness, and Placement. Bennett was selected as Star Agribusinessman for his business of bagging corn for squirrel feed. Bennett will compete against fifteen other Area Star Agribusinessmen at the State FFA Convention for the State Star.

Silver Sensations bring home awards

The Harrisonville High School Silver Sensations brought home top awards from a recent competition. The varsity earned second place in Pom and fourth place in Dance and the junior varsity earned fourth in Pom at the Lee's Summit North Regional on January 28. Members of the varsity Silver Sensations are Sydney Kroenke, Sasha Gubina, Emily Tracy, Alyssa Strong, Melissa Hicks, Cheyenne Cox, Maryna Wooten, Tara Sutton, Allee Strong, Amanda West, Alexcis Hamilton, Kayley Martley, and Ambur Robertson. Junior varsity team members include Mattie Moore, Grace Bruens, Briana Hasek, Briana Schrock, Audrie Derfler, and Mairiah Ramsey.

HMS students compete at Science Olympiad

Harrisonville Middle School Science Olympiad teams brought home top finishes from a recent academic competition. The Blue Team from Harrisonville Middle School took fourth and the White Team earned fifth at the Husker Invitational in Higginsville on February 4. Eighteen teams competed at the event.
HMS blue team members include Jessica Bloustine, Katy Eddleman, Micaela Edwards, Henry Frees, Sarah Geier, Regan Holden, Hunter Leipham, Katelyn McKinnis, Olivia Ratcliff, Liam Redinger, and Brooke Rogers. HMS white team members include Eleanor Dick, Dillon Eisel, Suzzie Gaines, Jake Holden, Keegan Hix, Bryan Littrell, Sidney Keeney, Jacob Rushly, Aubrey Valentich, and Micaela Roberts. Individually, several students received medals for placing in their event including Awesome Aquifers - Ratcliff and Bloustine, 2nd; Compute This - Eddleman and R. Holden, 1st and J. Holden and Rushly, 2nd; Disease Detectives - Dick and Keeney, 2nd; Dynamic Planet - Eisel and Hix, 3rd; Environmental Design - Redinger and Leipham, 1st; Forestry - Rogers and Frees, 3rd; Meteorology - Rogers and R. Holden, 2nd; Microbe Mission - Ratcliff and Leipham, 2nd; Mission Possible - Littrell, Rushly and Gaines, 2nd; Optics - Frees and R. Holden, 2nd; Reach for the Stars - Rogers and Bloustine, 1st and Redinger and R. Holden, 3rd; and Storm the Castle - Rushly, 3rd.

Notice of Non-Discrimination
The Harrisonville Cass R-IX School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs, activities or in employment.

The district will identify, evaluate and provide a free appropriate education to all students with disabilities in accordance with law. Anyone who knows or believes that a student may have a disability - regardless of whether the student is currently enrolled in the Harrisonville Cass R-IX School District - is encouraged to contact the district's compliance officer listed below.

All persons with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in district programs, activities or employment are encouraged to contact the compliance officer listed below.

The following compliance officer has been designated to address inquiries, questions and grievances regarding the district's nondiscrimination policies:

Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services
Harrisonville Cass R-IX School District
503 S. Lexington
Harrisonville, MO 64701
Phone: 816-380-2727; Fax: 816-380-3134