School Board Hosting Info Session for Candidates

Kearney School District’s Board of Education will be hosting an informational session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 at the central office for individuals who are interested in running as candidates for the Board in the April 2025 municipal election.

All members of the public are welcome to attend. Please inform BOE Secretary Becky Burkemper by emailing burkemperb@ksdr1.net or calling (816) 628-4116 before the close of business on Monday, Nov. 11 if you plan to attend.

This session is designed to provide useful guidance for those who may want to serve on the school board. Topics will include information about board elections and the roles and responsibilities of the school board members.

Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins on Dec. 10 and ends on Dec. 31, 2024, for the municipal election that will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Visit the Missouri Secretary of State’s website to learn more.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Hungry Bulldogs Feast on Winnetonka

The Kearney Bulldogs are another step closer to their ultimate goal with a 56-12 conference win over the Winnetonka Griffins. The victory on Friday, October 18, secures at least a share of the Suburban Blue Conference title. With a win over Excelsior Springs this week, Kearney would earn sole possession of the conference title.

The Bulldogs scored six touchdowns in the first half, beginning with an Ace Biddix 2-yard carry from the ham package. That was the senior offensive lineman’s first carry and first touchdown of the season.

Kearney moves to 8-0 on the season with the 56-12 victory. Photo by Ray Weikal.

“I was so excited for Ace,” said head coach Logan Minnick. “We practiced it during the week and told him he was going to get an opportunity. I’m happy for him to get that score on Senior Night,” Minnick added.

Senior running back Tristan Williams scored just minutes later on a 1-yard carry that would be the first of his 3-touchdown evening. Jacob Dillon was 6 of 6 on point-after kicks, Angelo Donze was 2 for 2.

It was a busy Senior Night as Trent Dostal scored two touchdowns, the first on a 6-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Carter Temple, giving the Bulldogs a comfortable first quarter, 21-0 lead.

Junior running back Corbin Emmons darted through the Griffin defense for a 20-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Emmons led the Kearney rushing attack with 96 yards on 11 carries and the touchdown.

Tristan Williams scored twice in the second quarter, once on a 5-yard run, and later on an 11-yard pass from Carter Temple, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 42-0 halftime lead.

Winnetonka opened the second half with a 95-yard kickoff return for touchdown by sophomore Derrick Coleman but missed the extra point kick.

With 3:55 to go in the third quarter, senior all-state linebacker Theo Grace intercepted an attempted Winnetonka screen pass and returned it, sprinting 90 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

“I was running like I took some candy,” said Grace. “I saw Grant (Noland) next to me and I knew it was going to be a touchdown.”

Winnetonka junior Dominic Vallenti caught an 8-yard pass in the endzone, against the Bulldog second unit defense early in the fourth quarter. The extra point was blocked by Kearney.

With the score 49-12, and Winnetonka still playing their starters against Kearney’s second team, the momentum began to take a turn.

“I thought the second unit gave a great effort. When you bring them in you want to keep that goose egg on the board and not give up two scores,” said Minnick. “When it gets to the point where they score again and the turbo clock is about to go away, we had to put the ones back in, which you never feel real comfortable doing. But at that point you’ve got to keep the game in hand.”

Trent Dostal finished the scoring, and effectively, the game with a 30-yard jet sweep for the final touchdown. Kearney moves to 8-0 on the season with the 56-12 victory.

The Bulldogs are on the road at Excelsior Springs for the final regular season game, Friday, October 25. KPGZ 102.7FM will broadcast the game beginning with the pregame show at 6:40. Kickoff is at 7 pm.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Annual Turkey Trot is Open for Registration

The Kearney School District Education Foundation is ready for the popular Turkey Trot at the high school campus for the 13th year.

The 13th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot will take place on Thursday, November 28. Funds raised help provide scholarships for graduating students, teacher grants to expand opportunities within the classrooms, travel expenses for the cross-country team, and many other important initiatives.

The commitment and partnership of local businesses with KSDEF is critical in funding initiatives for students across the district. Their success depends on participants and other community leaders.

The sponsorship form will provide participants with sponsorship options. All donations are tax deductible. Early registration is open now through November 8 for $35 and includes a Turkey Trot Race Shirt. Registration after November 8 is $40.

For more information, please email fundraising@ksdef.com. Participants’ contributions are truly appreciated by the KHS Cross Country Team and KSDEF. More information about the event can be found at ThanksgivingTurkeyTrot.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Open District Play with a Bang

The Kearney Bulldogs Softball team started Class 4 Tournament play with a huge win over the Raytown Lady Jays on Wednesday, October 16. They shutout Raytown 15-0 in three innings.

Reghan Lueken hit a grand slam to center field and cleared the bases in the 1st inning.

Kearney’s bats were hot in all three innings as Brooke Paalhar grounded out and scored one right away in the first inning. Reghan Lueken then hit a grand slam to center field and cleared the bases.

In the second inning, Morgan Pennington hit an inside the park home run, scoring three runs, and Lueken doubled, scoring one run. In the third inning, Jocelyn Lincoln doubled, scoring two runs, and the Lady Jays committed three errors that allowed four runs.

Reghan Lueken also showed her masterful pitching skills in the circle for the Bulldogs. She pitched all three innings to shutout the Raytown Jays. She had 5 strikeouts and allowed 0 walks and 0 runs.

Here are some other highlights of the game:

Macy Marrow went 1-2 with 2 runs scored

Kennedi Casey went 2-3 with 1 run scored

Brooke Paalhar had 1 run scored & 1 RBI

Morgan Pennington went 2-3 with 3 RBIs & runs scored (Inside the park HR)

Kate Stumpenhaus went 1-3 with 2 runs scored

Jocelyn Lincoln went 2-3 with 3 runs scored

Reghan Lueken went 2-3 with 5 RBIs and a grand slam

Caroline Jury went 3-3

Kearney’s next outing is the District Semi Final will be played at Winnetonka High School vs Marshall.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Masters Honored with Hometown Hero Award

The public education team at Kearney School District has long recognized that Lead Social Worker Meeghan Masters is extraordinary; now that distinction is being recognized by a prominent organization that focuses on supporting families across the nation.

Meeghan Masters with Nic Vasquez

Modern Woodmen of America has selected Mrs. Masters for its Hometown Hero Award. The honor was announced by Modern Woodmen Financial Representative Nicolas Vasquez during a surprise event with dozens of her family members, co-workers and friends yesterday afternoon at the KSD central office.

“Since I started working as a social worker for KSD, I’ve made it my mission to help ensure that every child can have the same kind of experiences and opportunities at school as my children have,” Masters said. “I’m so grateful to Modern Woodmen for this award because it affirms and supports that mission that we are all trying to achieve as a team. This is amazing.”

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services society headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois. The society’s Hometown Hero program provides an opportunity to honor an individual or volunteer group for their outstanding service to the community or an act of bravery. The award aligns with the organization’s commitment to support social, educational and volunteer activities that identify and meet local needs.

“I cannot think of a person in our Bulldog community who is more deserving of this award,” said Mr. Vasquez, who also serves as a member of the KSD Board of Education. “Meeghan embodies the true spirit of selfless service that is an example for us all.”

As part of the award, Modern Woodmen will make a $100 charitable donation to the organization or deserving individual of Masters’ choice.

Masters became KSD’s first social worker in October 2015. Since then, the program has expanded to include two other full-time social workers and her elevation as leader of that team.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.