Sacred Heart High School Valedictorian Miranda Meyer encouraged her fellow graduates to “go on adventures, explore, have fun, make new memories and meet new people” during remarks at the school’s 2013 commencement ceremony on Sunday.

Valedictorian Zach Wolf solved a Rubik’s cube on stage Saturday at the Smith-Cotton High School Class of 2013 graduation ceremony. It was a metaphor for the complex puzzles students have to solve en route to getting that diploma.

Smokers interested in kicking their habit can find the tools they need to be successful through Bothwell Regional Health Center’s “Freedom from Smoking” class.

Nan Hutcheson, of Sedalia, received the Olen and Alpha DePew Memorial Scholarship at the 2012-13 Annual Student Awards Ceremony on April 25 at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout. She is a home-school graduate.

Aric Gooch has received a variety of honors this school year. He is the son of Curtis and Vicky Gooch, of Bolivar, and grandson of Frank and Patsy Gooch, of Sedalia.

Jacob Schuster, a junior mathematics major from Pilot Grove, was the recipient of the Libby Scholarship Award during the annual Honors Day Convocation held May 13 at Culver-Stockton College in Canton.

Knob Noster High School recently held its music banquet and presented instrumental awards.

Ragin Dillon, of  Green Ridge, has won the Jim Rissler Sportsmanship Scholarship for girls basketball.

A Sedalia education can prove a valuable lifelong asset.

Gov. Jay Nixon visited Windsor High School on Tuesday to recognize the Henry County R-I School District for its academic excellence and announce progress toward his goal of giving every student in Missouri the opportunity to earn an A+ Scholarship.

Two students received State Fair Community College’s top academic awards Thursday at the college’s 2013 honors convocation in the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center.

The deadline to apply for the Sedalia Business Women’s annual scholarships has been extended to May 15. The club offers scholarships to applicants who are re-entering the job market or training to improve job opportunities.

(NAPSI)—When comparing college costs, one of a student’s first steps should be filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Then, students begin receiving back financial aid award letters from the colleges they’ve applied to. These letters outline the estimated cost to attend the school, expected family contribution and financial aid award package, which includes grants, scholarships, work-study, need-based and non-need-based loans.

State Fair Community College’s Phi Beta Lambda and Business program students will hold its annual “Hire Attire” professional clothing sale for students and the community starting today in the Thompson Conference Center at the Heckart Science and Allied Health Center.

Former State Fair Community College men’s basketball coach Bill Barton will be inducted into the Region 16 Hall of Fame.

Pettis County R-V FFA member Jordann Gregory received the Missouri Youth in Agriculture Scholarship from Youth in Agriculture Committee members during the 85th Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia. From left are Wayne Yokley, Youth in Agriculture committee chairman; Jordann Gregory and Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair director.

State Fair FFA member Matthew Boatright received the Missouri Youth in Agriculture Scholarship from Youth in Agriculture Committee members during the 85th Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia. From left are Wayne Yokley, Youth in Agriculture committee chairman; Boatright and Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair director.

Smith-Cotton High School JROTC Tiger Battalion presented the following awards at a ceremony held Thursday at the Heckart Performing Arts Center.

Skyler Bahner, of Smithton, received a Farm Credit Services Financial Scholarship for $1,000. The scholarship program is designed to encourage and support higher education for relatives of FCS Financial members.

Fischer Concrete Services of Sedalia is offering a $250 scholarship at State Fair Community College to help foster a student’s career in the construction industry.

Barbara Bremer, administrative assistant and the newest member of the Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County team, has received an economic development scholarship from Kansas City Power & Light to attend the upcoming Heartland Economic Development Course. The course started on Sunday and continues through Thursday.

The deadline to apply for the Sedalia Business Women’s annual scholarships is Monday.

(NAPSI)—Although parents may think those running public schools exist primarily to hire teachers, a new report found that, in 21 states, bureaucracy actually outnumbers those teaching children. And while nonteaching staff has surged, academic outcomes have stagnated.

Caitlin Sparks, of Sedalia, received the John Charles Willett Memorial Scholarship at the University of Missouri.