Education | Sedalia Democrat

On Saturday, June 27, students in the Four Rivers Career Center Night Shift Program of Washington, Missouri, disassemble a 1939 Farmall F14 tractor inside the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Walking past is facilitator Howard Raymond on the left. Photo by Faith Bemiss-McKinney | Democrat

Students work to restore tractor at Red Power Roundup

Thanks to an extracurricular volunteer program, high school students prepped a 1939 Farmall F14 tractor for restoration during the 36th annual Red Power Roundup tractor event this weekend on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney faith.bemiss@sedaliademocrat.com | 6/30/25

At Skyline Elementary Thursday district EL instructional coach Emily Overstreet teaches students at English Learner Summer Camp.

English Learner Summer Camp teaches students

The EL Summer Camp underway at Skyline Elementary is intended to help both young students and their teachers overcome any language barriers. Becky Brownfield is the director of curriculum and … more

By Chris Howell, chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 6/12/25

Staci Harrison Harrison has a unique teaching assistant, a laid-back bearded dragon named Murdock, originally from central Australia.

Staci Harrison teaches with a unique perspective

Staci Harrison teaches fifth grade social studies and science at Sedalia Middle School, but has experience from across the globe. Born in North Dakota to a military family, Harrison lived there … more

By Chris Howell chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 6/3/25

From left: Rochelle Hockett, SFCC director of Career Services; Austin Thompson, maintenance technician at Inter-State Studio; and Don Beyer, maintenance electrician, at Thompson’s apprenticeship certificate presentation.

Thompson earns Apprenticeship Certification in Industrial Electrical Maintenance

Austin Thompson, a maintenance technician at Inter-State Studio in Sedalia, has received a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Certificate in Industrial Electrical Maintenance through State Fair … more

5/29/25

From left: Gregorio Quezada Jr., Aleyah Chapman, Molly Prichard and Gracen Clark.

SFCC honors 2025 Distinguished Students at commencement

State Fair Community College has selected and recognized four outstanding students as its 2025 Distinguished Students for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership and service. The students … more

5/26/25

From left, State Fair Community College students, Sunny Morris, of Stockton, California, and Dametriuz Hernandez-Smith, of Sedalia, hold their certificates.

SFCC announces Writing Scholarship Award recipients

State Fair Community College has announced the recipients of its 2024–25 Writing Scholarship Awards: Sunny Morris, of Stockton, California, and Dametriuz Hernandez-Smith, of Sedalia. … more

5/22/25

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