Education | Sedalia Democrat

Hundreds of caps were simultaneously tossed into the air Saturday to celebrate the graduation of the Smith-Cotton Class of 2025.

Smith-Cotton High School Commencement held Saturday

Smith-Cotton High School held their commencement exercises Saturday, May 17 for the graduating Class of 2025. After the procession of hundreds of seniors into the Mathewson Exhibition Center, … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/19/25

Sedalia200 superintendent Dr. Todd Fraley congratulated over 50 Whittier grads Friday at the Heckart Performing Arts Center on the Smith-Cotton High School campus.

53 students graduate from Whittier High School

Whittier High School held its commencement ceremony Friday, May 16, at the Heckart Performing Arts Building on the Smith-Cotton High School campus. After a processional walk into the … more

By Chris Howell chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/19/25

From left: Kyle Weymuth, Gene Scotten, Kyle Herrick and Mary Treuner (foundation executive director) during a check presentation in the new Steve and Karen Ellebracht Agriculture and Mechanics Building.

SFCC classroom to be named after Gene Scotten

State Fair Community College (SFCC) has announced a classroom in the newly named Steve and Karen Ellebracht Agriculture and Mechanics building will be named after Gene Scotten. The … more

5/19/25

On Friday night, May 16, Dr. Brent Bates announces the 2025 State Fair Community College graduates at the close of Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Around 475 graduates received 555 degrees and/or certificates.

Nearly 500 students graduate from SFCC

Nearly 500 State Community College students graduated in the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony hosted Friday, May 16, at the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Around 475 graduates received 555 … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/19/25

SFCC students to benefit from legislation simplifying transfer to four-year colleges

State Fair Community College (SFCC) applauds the Missouri General Assembly for passing the landmark Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act, a new law that will directly benefit SFCC students … more

5/16/25

Cindy L. Birdwell, a Business Teacher, FBLA High School and Middle School Adviser, Yearbook Adviser, and Senior Class Sponsor at Otterville R-VI was recognized at the annual Spring Banquet of the Central Region Teachers Association. Central Region of the Missouri State Teachers Association includes more than ninety public school districts. Cindy L. Birdwell was honored as the Central Region Secondary Educator of the Year by fellow teachers.

PHOTO: Otterville's Birdwell named Central Region Secondary Educator of the Year

5/14/25

Smithton’s McNeeley receives WILS Empowerment Scholarship

West-Central Independent Living Solutions (WILS) is proud to announce Malena McNeeley, a graduating senior from Smithton High School, as the 2025 recipient of the WILS Empowerment Scholarship. The … more

5/14/25

Instructor of the Year Danielle Brooks (left) and Staff Member of the Year Leah Mullen (right).

SFCC announces Instructor, Adjunct and Staff of the Year awards

State Fair Community College recently continued a long-standing tradition by announcing the recipients of the 2025 Instructor, Staff and Adjunct of the Year awards. Students nominated candidates for … more

5/13/25

Spring 2025 Commencement Speaker, Kyle Weymuth

Kyle Weymuth named speaker for SFCC Commencement

State Fair Community College will hold its spring commencement at 6 p.m. May 16 at the Mathewson Exhibition Center on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2503 W. 16th St. The ceremony will honor students … more

5/13/25

On Monday, May 4, Kim Rimel, State Fair Community College Greenhouse manager, posed for a photo in the greenhouse. Rimel will retire after 14 years on May 20.

SFCC Greenhouse Manager Kim Rimel to retire

After almost a decade and a half, the familiar face of State Fair Community College's Greenhouse Manager, Kim Rimel, will hang up her trowel as she plans to retire on May 20. Rimel, … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/12/25

Smith-Cotton High senior Christopher Gilman receives the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award from S-C Assistant Band Director Whitney Stumborg, left, and Band Director Andrew Fischer during the Spring Band Concert on May 6 in the Heckart Performing Arts Center.

PHOTOS: 3 S-C musicians receive top awards

5/12/25

Second grade teacher Ali Burkholder says she loves teaching at Heber Hunt and enjoys the feeling when a student understands difficult concepts.

Heber Hunt’s Ali Burkholder loves the second grade life

Ali Burkholder teaches second grade at Heber Hunt Elementary and seems to be content. “I love the second graders I've taught for seven years and I've taught second grade all seven … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/5/25

On Jan. 18, 2019, artist and State Fair Community College Art Department Head Don Luper works on a metal sculpture project at his Sedalia home. The large-scale sculpture lights up with a golden glow as Luper welds a portion of it in his studio. Luper created the sculpture with almost 500 pounds of wire.

SFCC's Don Luper to retire

Longtime art instructor and department head Don Luper of State Fair Community College will bid the college goodbye on Friday, May 16, when he retires after more than three decades. Luper, … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/5/25

Smith-Cotton senior linebacker Parker Brown, right, who earned the 2024-25 Mark Johnson Academic Achievement Scholarship, recently met with Coach Johnson in the Smith-Cotton High gymnasium, where the scholarship plaque is displayed.

Brown receives Johnson family scholarship

Smith-Cotton High School senior Parker Brown is the 2024-25 recipient of the Mark Johnson Academic Achievement Scholarship. Brown was a starter at linebacker for the S-C football team and an Academic … more

5/5/25

Courtesy of Sedalia School District 200.Six Smith-Cotton High School seniors on Tuesday, April 29, accepted academic scholarships to perform in vocal music groups at State Fair Community College. Seated, from left, are Marcuis Lamar, Cole Wendt, Harrison Ray, Abigail Dake, Cesia Argueta and Bailee Spencer; back, from left, Smith-Cotton Principal Wade Norton, S-C Vocal Music Director Avery Mather, SFCC Associate Dean Dr. Cara Barth-Fagan, SFCC Music Director Dr. Chris Kindle and Sedalia 200 Activities Director Kyle Middleton.

6 S-C seniors accept vocal music scholarships to SFCC

Six Smith-Cotton High School seniors on Tuesday, April 29, accepted academic scholarships to perform in vocal music groups at State Fair Community College. Cesia Argueta, Abigail Dake, Marcuis … more

5/5/25

Members of the West Central Missouri Vintage Auto Club, SFCC automotive instructors, and scholarship recipients, James Carson Jr. and Brittani Plumlee, gather in the newly constructed agriculture and mechanics building during the scholarship check presentation.

Carson, Hatfield receive West Central Missouri Vintage Auto Club Scholarships

The West Central Missouri Vintage Auto Club has awarded $500 scholarships to two State Fair Community College (SFCC) students, recognizing their dedication to automotive studies. James Carson … more

5/5/25

Smith-Cotton High School FCCLA students from left Wyatt Gooch, Jake Windle, and Micai Clark were selected to attend the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference in July in Orlando, Florida. Windle also received a National Leadership Conference Scholarship of $2,500.

Three S-C students selected to attend the National FCCLA Conference

Smith-Cotton High School freshman Jake Windle has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference (NLC) … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/1/25

From left: Dr. Brent Bates (SFCC president), Kyle Herrick, Kyle Weymuth, Steve Ellebracht (SFCC Foundation Board president), Karen Ellebracht and Mary Treuner (Foundation executive director) during a check presentation inside the lobby of the new Steve and Karen Ellebracht Agriculture and Mechanics Building.

SFCC names new Agriculture and Mechanics Building in honor of Steve and Karen Ellebracht

State Fair Community College (SFCC) has announced its newest facility will be named, Steve and Karen Ellebracht Agriculture and Mechanics. The naming honors the generous contributions of Steve … more

5/1/25

The Green Ridge FFA Soils Judging Team placed 1st in the State out of 48 teams. They were recognized at the 97th State FFA Convention on Friday, April 25th. Team members are: Kate Berry who placed 2nd out of 189 individuals, Brayden Wells placed 4th, Miley Hayes finished 26th and Josiah Donaldson ranked 31st. This team travels to El Reno, Oklahoma this week to compete at Nationals. Pictured from left to right are Josiah Donaldson, Miley Hayes, Kate Berry, Brayden Wells and Laura Cooley, FFA Advisor.

PHOTOS: Green Ridge FFA wins two state titles

4/28/25

Chance McMullin, now the associate pastor at First Christian Church, is happy to have moved back to Sedalia after pastoring in the Lake of the Ozarks area for four years. McMullin will give the message for the Smith-Cotton High School Baccalaureate on Sunday, May 4.

Minister Chance McMullin to speak at S-C Baccalaureate

A young minister and pastor has returned to Sedalia and First Christian Church, where he and his family are ministering to others. Chance McMullin, a 2014 Smith-Cotton graduate, is coming … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 4/28/25