Yesterday, Jan. 21, the Kearney School District Board of Education hosted a special Student Recognition Ceremony in the Kearney High School Auditorium to celebrate Bulldogs who have earned honors at the state level, both as individuals and as members of outstanding teams. We were grateful to share the afternoon with so many families, staff members, coaches/directors, and community supporters as we recognized the hard work behind these achievements. 

Board President Darlene Bailey and the board members were also joined by Missouri House District 39 Representative Mark Meirath and KSD Superintendent Dr. Emily Miller as we celebrated accomplishments from our KHS Band, Choir, Cheer, Cross Country, Softball and Football programs. 

The head coaches and directors talked about the accomplishments of their teams and activities this season, and each student was given a special certificate from the board to mark the occasion. The list of accomplishments included earning second at state in softball and third in cheer, all-state band and choir selections, an individual medal in cross country, and a state title for football. The event was capped when Rep. Meirath presented an official resolution from the state House of Representatives recognizing the 2025 KHS Football team for its Missouri championship.

A huge congratulations to every student recognized! Your time, discipline, and teamwork represent Kearney School District so well. And a special shoutout to our KHS Football staff: Coach Logan Minnick was named the 2025 Class 4 Coach of the Year by the Missouri Football Coaches Association, and Coach Marcus Brinkley received the Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Students recognized on Jan. 21:

• KHS Band (Director Chris Heil) — Daisy Burnam, Charity Smith, Phoebe Taylor 
• KHS Cheer (Head Coach Erin Schmeltz) — Emery Bennett, Natalee Binkley, Adilynn Campbell, Kenna Chenoweth, Lily Conway, Leyla Emre, Macy Gacke, Kenzie Handke, Lily Hoessel, Payton Kimberling, Natalie Knight, Madison Laffey, Joley Leach, Rayln Mace, Ruthi Martin, Janie Mendel, Azley Mick, Amara Miles, Lilly Nielson, Gracie Parks, Anna Portwood, Addison Sharp, Sydney Shipley, Emmalia Stivers, Helena Taff, Gwen Tolliver, Tessa Trieb
• KHS Choir (Director Dustin McKinney) — Delayne Boyd, Irene Dixon, Emi Eberhardt, Drew Nelson, Kaycie Springer, Luke Zurliene, Phoebe Taylor, Tyler Edie, Aiden Vasquez
• KHS Cross Country (Head Coach Jeff Roberts) — Cameron Fowler 
• KHS Softball (Head Coach Katelyn Birchfield) — Bailey Barnes, Kennedi Casey, Chloe Garrett, Caroline Jury, Kate Landewee, Reghan Lueken, Payton McLean, Reese Narron, Brooke Paalhar, Morgan Pennington, Alyssa Quick, Bailey Sharp, Kate Stumpenhaus, Ellie Switzer, Bentley Thorne 
• KHS Football (Head Coach Logan Minnick) — Beckham Acosta, Braxton Acosta, Bentley Anderson, Christian Araujo, Aidan Arellano, Carsyn Baker, Isaac Beaver, Mason Beaver, Nykinson Belabre, Decker Best, Hudson Best, Benson Billingsley, Jeffery Bixler, Matthew Blair, Thaine Blumer, Tucker Boatman, Grant Bogert, Kalan Bomar, Cameron Bowers, Trace Brewer, Ashton Bringus, Trevor Brown, Ryker Bruto, Braylon Burnside, Braxton Byrom, Brenden Carey, Landon Carkeek, Brayden Carrell, Damien Carter, Canon Cholak, Lane Cook, Clayton Cowan, Konnar Dampier, Alexander Davis, Graham Davis, Kendahl Davis, Lucas Denston, Michael DiGirolamo, Bradley Doll, Jeremy Douglas, Jr, Cohen Dray, Corbin Emmons, Cruise Emmons, Garrett Ewigman, Brixton Ferris, Braiden Feurer, Chace Fishback, Everett Freeman, Mason Gardner, Joshua Gaut, William Gaut, Richard Goldsmith, Grady Ham, Leo Ham, Parkyr Hart, Robert Hearne, Dryden Hendrix, Bentley Hirst, Cade Holder, Chase Hoover, Henry Hoover, Jayce Jackson, Dawson James, Travis Jarrett, Brandon Johnson, Noah Johnson, Colton Karel, Avery Knight, Jackson Lager, Colin Lambing, William Langston, Tucker Leeper, Jackson Leigh-Kent, Zach Lincoln, Matthew Lindsey, Ayden Lute, Larson Lyngar, Tucker Masters, Chase Mathes, Daxton Mathews, Ethan McCabe, Elijah Miller, Landon Miller, Mason Minnick, Chase Murphy, Logan Murray, Drew Nelson, Graham Parker, Maxwell Parker, Landry Parks, Holden Phipps, Karter Pogue, Kyle Pritzel, Dominick Reed, Connor Reid, Sawyer Ritter, Sawyer Robertson, Benjamin Roling, Jesse Romero, Lawton Ruby, Logan Shaffer, Ian Sheller, Tanner Slawson, Easton Smith, Caleb Stevens, Carter Temple, Blaine Thompson, Hunter Thorne, Kale Tucking, Luke Tucking, Briar Wadkins, Carter Wallis, Samuel Way, Colt Wayman, Caden Webster, Landry Wheeler, Landon Wiederholt, Eli Wilson