Education | Sedalia Democrat

Christian French and Carter French, 4th grade

PHOTOS: Sedalia students return to the classroom

Students returned to classrooms across the area this week, including Sedalis 200 on Thursday, August. 27. Submit your photos, with first name and grade, to news@sedaliademocrat.com for the … more

8/27/26

Parkview kindergarten students play with some Play-Doh along with their desk mates on the first day of school as a way to work on their social skills while having fun.

Submit your first day of school photos

The Sedalia Democrat wants to see your first day of school photos. Submit your photos, with first name and age, to news@sedaliademocrat.com for the chance to be included in an online photo … more

By Democrat Staff | 8/27/26

SFCC to offer new paramedic training program

State Fair Community College will offer a new paramedic training program at its Clinton campus through a partnership with the University of Missouri Health Care Emergency Medical Services Institute … more

8/24/26

From left, SFCC adjunct communication instructor Leslie Brantley receives a 2026 NISOD Excellence Award from communication instructor Sarah Nail.

SFCC adjunct instructor Leslie Brantley receives NISOD Excellence Award

State Fair Community College adjunct instructor Leslie Brantley was recently presented with a 2026 NISOD Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication to students, colleagues and the … more

8/20/26

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, right, and Sedalia School District 200 Assistant Superintendent Jason Curry carry a tote filled with school supplies into Whittier High School on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Holding the door for them is Sedalia 200 Safety and Security Director Ashley Stark.

Gov. Kehoe provides school supplies to Whittier

On Tuesday afternoon, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and First Lady Claudia Kehoe visited Whittier High School to drop off school supplies as part of the governor's Mansion on a Mission program. Current … more

8/19/26

Paige Dillard received the PEO STAR scholarship from PEO Chapter LQ. The STAR scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship given to an exemplary student in the community who exhibits excellence in leadership, academic ability, community service, extra curricular activities, and potential future academic success. Paige is enrolled at the University of Missouri committed to serving the United States of America in the field of national security.

PHOTO: Dillard receives PEO STAR scholarship

8/17/26

Ethan Williams and Jake Mariman operate Team SCREAM robots Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall.

Show-Me FIRST Showcase highlights STEM innovation at Missouri State Fair

Robots took over the Missouri State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 15 – well, sort of. FIRST Robotics programs from around the state, including Smith-Cotton’s Team SCREAM and Holden’s ScrapHeads, … more

By Joe Andrews, joe.andrews@warrensburgstarjournal.com | 8/16/26

Smith-Cotton High School Class of 2026 graduate Ava Benner, second from left, has received a $500 educational scholarship from the Missouri Work Zone Safe program. Shown with her are, from left, her father, Daniel Benner; Sedalia 200 Safety and Security Director Ashley Stark; and Kasey Wilson, Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Program Manager.

S-C High grad earns Work Zone Safe scholarship

Smith-Cotton High School Class of 2026 graduate Ava Benner has received a $500 educational scholarship from the Missouri Work Zone Safe program. Benner was active in S-C Traction, a … more

8/14/26

Boys & Girls Club now enrolling for school year

The temperatures may still be high, but Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri is thinking ahead to fall: enrollment is now open for afterschool enrichment for the 2026-2027 … more

8/14/26

Lisa Hoke is a Smith-Cotton grad who now teaches sixth grade math at her alma mater. Hoke teaches math as a natural process of learning by being willing to make mistakes.

Smith-Cotton Junior High’s Lisa Hoke finds joy in helping students conquer math

For Lisa Hoke, math isn’t something to fear, it’s something to play with. The sixth-grade math teacher at Smith-Cotton Junior High encourages her students to see numbers as reliable friends … more

By Chris Howell chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 8/5/26

CMCCU launches “CU” Back to School Campaign with prizes for local teachers

CMCCU today announced the launch of its annual back-to-school community initiative, titled “CU” Back to School . The educator appreciation campaign invites community members to … more

8/4/26

From left to right, Citlalli Nava, Raquel Rubio and Sofi Amaya

Winners of Herencia Hispana Scholarship announced

The winners of the Herencia Hispana Scholarship for 2025-26 are Sofi Amaya, Citlalli Nava and Raquel Rubio. This scholarship was based on several criteria including academics, activities, … more

7/30/26

SFCC partners with ReUp Education to support adult learners

State Fair Community College has partnered with ReUp Education to support adult learners seeking to return to college and complete a degree or credential. According to the National Student … more

7/30/26

Missouri’s shift to phonics-based reading instruction worries some teachers

It is no secret that Missouri struggles to achieve proficiency in reading. In 2024, 42% of Missouri’s fourth grade students scored below basic, meaning they did not meet the lowest performance … more

By Hannah Race Columbia Missourian | 7/27/26

Simon appointed to SFCC Board of Trustees

State Fair Community College's Board of Trustees voted Thursday, July 23, to appoint Dianne M. Simon of Cole Camp to fill a vacant position on the board. Simon was selected following interviews … more

7/24/26

Proponents of Proposition T.I.G.E.R., a bond issue supporting Smithton schools made their opinions known Friday at the Smithton Fair Parade Friday.

Smithton superintendent explains Proposition T.I.G.E.R. ahead of Aug. 4 vote

Smithton R-VI School District Superintendent David Bray spent time at the Smithton Fair on Friday, July 10, answering questions from residents about Proposition T.I.G.E.R., a $3.5 million bond issue … more

By Chris Howell, chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/13/26

Bethany Pfeiffer, director of State Fair Community College's Boonville campus, was named the 2026 Outstanding Employee of the Year during the college's employee recognition dinner in June.

Pfeiffer named SFCC Outstanding Employee of the Year

Bethany Pfeiffer, State Fair Community College Boonville campus director, was named the 2026 Outstanding Employee of the Year by her peers during the college's employee recognition dinner in June. … more

7/9/26

Courtesy of Sedalia School District 200.Smith-Cotton High FBLA members, from left, Mia Marin, Micai Clark, Grace Pilant, Grace Boley, Citlalli Nava and Payton Johnson attended the FBLA National Leadership Conference held June 29 to July 2 in San Antonio, Texas.

Smith-Cotton FBLA students attend National Leadership Conference

Smith-Cotton High School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter proudly represented the school and community at the FBLA National Leadership Conference held June 29 to July 2 in San … more

7/7/26

Skyline Elementary’s Kiran Cave attended the school as a student and now works as the kindergarten teacher. Cave hopes to pass her love of books on to her students.

Homegrown teacher comes full circle at Skyline Elementary

For kindergarten teacher Kiran Cave, the halls of Skyline Elementary are more than just her workplace; they’re her home. “I actually grew up going to this school,” Cave said. “This was … more

By Chris Howell, chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/7/26

Top: Christy (Clary) Wilson-Smith, Wes Yates, and Vicki (Akin) Hart. Bottom: Barb (Downing) Hagebusch, Diana (Frisbie) Nichols.

Smith-Cotton Class of 1976 reflects on 50 years, America’s semiquincentennial

They graduated in red, white and blue for the bicentennial of our country in 1976. This year they’re celebrating America’s 250th birthday and their 50th high school reunion. Here, a … more

By Liz Schleicher liz.schleicher@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/3/26