Class Acts

Smithton youngster passes up own presents, donates to needy

CLASS ACTS

By Tonya Fennell

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It all started with a Christmas list. Every year, Dylan Elwood’s grandmother asks the family to write out a gift wish list for the holiday season. Instead of a long list of expensive toys, Dylan, wrote, “give to the needy.”So, the... Full story

Evan Fluty is building the future through dedication as a student at Sacred Heart

Tonya Fennell

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Faith, family and future plans are top priorities for Evan Fluty. The goal-driven 17-year-old is a senior at Sacred Heart School where his 4.19 grade point average has him ranked second in his class of 29 students. “My goal is to be the top... Full story

Smith-Cotton's Ian Hartt found his niche with percussion and a love of music

Tonya Fennell

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Ian Hartt marches to the beat of his own drum. The outgoing Smith-Cotton Junior High freshman is one of two ninth graders chosen to play in the high school marching band’s drum line. Hartt, 15, said playing the bass drum in a percussion group... Full story

Halley West found her footing as a member of the High Voltage Dance Team at Smith-Cotton High School

Tonya Fennell

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Performing is what Halley West does best. From belting out a song in the choir or strutting her stuff as a dance team member, Halley is at home on the stage. Halley, a 15-year-old sophomore at Smith-Cotton High School, began dancing after it... Full story

For Smith-Cotton High School's Dylan Noble, it's all about the music

Tonya Fennell

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It’s all about the music for Dylan Noble. Whether it be tickling the ivories, blowing notes on a tuba or relaxing to the sounds of Chicago or Rush, Dylan’s  life is filled with melodies. Dylan, a 17-year-old junior at Smith-Cotton... Full story

Clo Cass and Barb Krause built Weaver's Touch by turning crafts into commerce

Courtney Hudson

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After their children’s marriage, two women’s lives were woven together in more ways than one. Clo Cass, of La Monte, and Barb Krause, of Knob Noster, were novice basket weavers before opening a shop and teaching facility in rural La... Full story

Murray goes hands-on in her creative crafts

Courtney Hudson

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Vickie Murray is a crafty woman. Murray, 60, of La Monte, has been making crafts since she was 8 years old. “I started with my mom. We embroidered after supper at night and we really enjoyed that. It was our time,” Murray said. She... Full story

Baker is the master of fixed-gear bike riding

Sarah Nail

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Travis Baker has gotten pretty good at bailing off his bicycle just before it crashes. The 22-year-old from Sedalia has taken up riding and doing tricks on a fixed-gear bicycle. “I’ve gotten really used to it,” he said of... Full story

Otis Brock is just clowning around

Tonya Fennell

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Spreading joy and making people smile is Otis Brock’s hobby. The 66-year-old retired school custodian spends a large amount of his time entertaining at local events as ‘Cuzin Odie’ the clown. Brock’s clown attire includes... Full story

Couple tries a different approach to livestock on elk farm

Courtney Hudson

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Debbie, Mike and Prince are not typical pets. The animals can weigh between 500 and 1,300 pounds. On a good day, Debbie will let her owners get close enough for a scratch behind the ears, but Prince and Mike rule the farm outside of Sedalia where... Full story

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