Liz Lyle is Valedictorian, Kennedy Galanakis Salutatorian as 24 Graduate from Worth County

Liz Lyle was named Valedictorian and Kennedy Galanakis Salutatorian as Worth County graduated 24 Sunday from the school. Class officers were Kennedy Galanakis (President), Jacob New (Vice-President), Jessi Badell (Secretary), and Isaac Alarcon (Treasurer). Student Council Representatives were Jessi Badell and Kennedy Galanakis. Class sponsors were April and Chris Healy and Karen Andrews. The Class Motto was, “The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation.” Class colors were pink and navy. The Class Flower was the Dahlia, and the Class Song was, “Good Old Days.”

Graduating Sunday were Isaac Alarcon, Jessi Badell, Ashlyn Barnett, Rikkayla Beier, Elonora Bernini, Abbi Caddenhead, Maddie Downing, Sadie Dye, Wyatt Frese, Trent Gabriel, Kennedy Galanakis, Emily Gladstone, Haley Hunt, Brandon Huntsman, Liz Lyle, Bryant McCord, Grace McElvain, Trent McElvain, Jacob New, Caleb Parman, Megan Percell, Rilee Rush, Bailee Walker, and Jeremy Wimer.

Galanakis said that they brought home a lot of trophies in sports and activities during her speech. She recounted memories of all her classmates; she said Grace McElvain was one of the hardest workers around, Rikkayla Beier was funny even when she didn’t mean to be, Ashlyn Barnett was a crazy good gymnast, Jeremy Wimer was a good country singer, Emily Gladstone was always outspoken, Hailey Hunt played softball and lived the farm life to the fullest, Jacob New and Caleb Parman were either always in the weightroom or drinking energy drinks, and Bryant McCord and Isaac Alarcon were concerned about their left socks as much as anything.

Sponsor April Healy told them she was amazed at how well they got along as a class even though they could be like Comedy Central when it came to making Homecoming floats. She said during decorations, there were those who helped, those who helped with one hand and held their cell phones in the other, those who carried around footballs, and those who would take off for supplies and disappeared. Despite all their setbacks in contests, they finally came up with a good float last year that came in second; it was the float with the boom box and people dancing to Michael Jackson tunes. Another time, they huddled together to come up with a good cheer during pep rally, only for Trent Gabriel to break out a trumpet and start playing.

Mrs. Healy also talked about the time they went on a field trip, tried their hand at golf, and sliced the ball all over the place, being fortunate only to plunk one person; they were not injured. “You guys came across as so easygoing, people underestimated you,” she said. A perfect example was in basketball, where Worth County, supposedly in rebuilding mode in boys basketball, won close game after close game, with one team after another walking off the floor in disbelief at losing to the Tigers. They beat heavily favored Mercer in district semifinals and made it to finals before falling, getting a winning season. “You guys all had each other’s backs,” she said. “Don’t follow your passion, take it with you.”

Chris Healy told them to be committed in everything to do. “It’s all about attitude and effort, because those are the two things you can control,” he said. “Surround yourself with people who will push you to be your best.”

Valedictorian Liz Lyle recounted how some of them got stuck on a bus that had broken down coming home from a trip and how some had fallen off the floats. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart,” she said.

Nine Tigers, Two Relay Teams Qualify for State

The following Worth County athletes qualified for the State Track Meet Saturday in Lathrop:
Girls
Anna Gladstone - Long Jump, High Jump, 100 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles.
Merrideth Spiers - Shot Put and Discus.
Liz Lyle - High Jump
Keelin Engel - Pole Vault
Regan Allee - Pole Vault

Boys
Bryant McCord - 110 Hurdles.
Andrew Alarcon - 100.
Jaxon Anderson - Triple Jump.
Jacob New - Javelin.
4x100 - Jaxon Anderson, Caleb Parman, Andrew Alarcon, Bryant McCord.
4x200 - Bryant McCord, Caleb Parman, Aydan Gladstone, Andrew Alarcon.

The State Track Meet will be held at Adkins Stadium at Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City on May 17th to 18th. Admission is $8 per person per day. Re-entry is permitted with the proper wristband.

A&M Amusements Opens in Maryville

On Saturday, A&M Amusements, run by Adam and Ashley (Pride) Marriott, held a grand opening. Ashley is also the North Nodaway Elementary Principal and a NEN grad. They rent bounce houses for community events, along with obstacle courses and other items. They also provide tents, tables, chairs, PA systems, and movie screens for weddings, graduations, or special celebrations. For more information, you can visit them at www.aandmamusements.com, visit their Facebook page, visit them at 320 Larry Drive in Maryville (the road just south of Applebee’s on Business 71), or call (660) 853-9499.

Obituary -- Kurby Burns 1952-2019

Kurby Robin Burns, 66, Maryville, died Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Maryville Living Center, Maryville, MO.

He was born May 28, 1952, in Maryville to John Robin and Winifred Marie Herndon Burns.

Mr. Burns was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Parnell, MO.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his mother; two children, Renee Burns (Tracy Platz), Kansas City, MO, Shaun Burns (Brittany Martin), Lackland AFB, TX; three grandchildren, Alexis, Brianna and Garrett Platz; two brothers, Steve Burns (Janie), Kansas City, and Joe Burns (Robin), Pickering; three sisters, Jennifer Burns-Tunell (Kirby), Stephanie Burns (Mark Zimmerman), Maryville, and Gwenna Zacchini (Tom), Aurora, CO.

Mr. Burns' body has been cremated under the direction of Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.  No services are planned at this time.

Obituary -- Phillip Deardorff 1941-2019

Phillip Joe Deardorff, 77, of Parnell, MO, passed away at home on Friday, May 10, 2019.

Phillip was born in Blockton, IA, on August 23, 1941 to the late Virgil and Pearl (Bower) Deardorff.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Leslie Kay in 2008; his siblings, Virgil Jr., Barbara and Keith Deardorff, and Verna Fletchall.

He was a lifelong resident of the area and was of the Methodist faith.

Phillip worked construction all his life and was a former employee of the Loch Sand and Construction Co., Maryville, MO.  He enjoyed gardening.

On November 4, 1961, in Grant City, MO, Phillip was united in marriage to Leslie Kay Akers.  They spent 46 years together before her death in 2008.

His survivors include his children, Sharon Deardorff, and Kevin Deardorff, both of Bethany, MO, Tom (Stormy) Deardorff, Parnell, MO, and Stacey Deardorff, Parnell, MO; his 2 sisters, Connie Asher, and Bonnie Fletchall, both of Clearfield, IA; 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Monday, May 13, 2019, at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.  The burial will follow in the Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, IA.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 PM, Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the funeral home.

Jeannie Fletcher Wins National School Spirit Award

On Saturday, Worth County School Custodian Jeannie Fletcher won the 2019 Varsity Brands Staff Member Spirit Award. She has worked tirelessly above and beyond the call of duty at the school, and is frequently at the school at late hours, getting work done. Since she and Mark came to Worth County in 1992, she has become one of the biggest supporters of Tiger sports.

The award show will be broadcast on CBS Sports June 16th at 11 am.

Lola Breshears Named North Harrison FFA President; Successful Year Celebrated

Lola Breshears was named North Harrison FFA President for the 2019-2020 school year, replacing Mardee Sadowsky, who will graduate. Other officers for next year will be Brett Emig (Vice-President), Emma Craig (Vice-President), Rainey Fordyce (Secretary), Nick Mickelson (Treasurer), Ashlynn Gilpatrick (Sentinel), Carly Rinehart (Reporter), Kami Gibson (Reporter), Nick Babinski (Parliamentarian), and Kamden Robertson (Chaplain).

Various FFA members were recognized for accomplishments over the years. Getting American FFA Degrees were Kiley Gibson, Clay Parkhurst, and Carly Brenizer. Getting their State FFA Degrees were Logan Craig, Gavin Garrett, Logan Huitt, Lane Huitt, and Mardee Sadowsky.

Getting their FFA Chapter Degrees were Collin Briggs, Grant Claycomb, Logan Craig, Kami Gibson, Ashlynn Gilpatrick, Kadyn Hukill, Lane Huitt, Logan Huitt, Emma Jones, Kason Mathes, Hunter Parkhurst, Kylie Pottorff, Taylor Richards, Carly Rinehart, Cruz Ury, Steven Willhite, and Mason Cracraft. Lola Breshears and Brett Emig got their Star Chapter Degrees. Kylie Pottorff got her star Chapter Placement Award. Mardee Sadowsky got the Sam Skinner Memorial Ag Leadership Award.
Getting their Greenhand Degrees were Nick Babinski, Wade Briggs, Adrian Cracraft, Cooper Cracraft, Brandon Hamilton, Shae Keefer, and Kamden Robertson. Star Greenhand Awards went to Nick Babinski and Kamden Robertson. Robertson received the Area II Gold Rating for FFA Creed Speaking and was an alternate to Finals. He received the Brittni Brenizer FFA Creed/Leadership Award. He also got the BTC Bank Scholarship.

Receiving Chapter Scholarship Awards were Cooper Cracraft (Freshman), Lola Breshears (Sophomore), Ashlynn Gilpatrick (Junior), and Mardee Sadowsky (Senior).

Seven different FFA teams went to state this year, including some that surprised their advisor, Brandon Craig. The Forestry team consisted of Grant Claycomb, Kadyn Hukill, Taylor Richards, and Logan Huitt. They were fourth in districts, with Logan Huitt fourth and Grant Claycomb 7th overall. They were 24th at State.

The Horses team consisted of Kami Gibson, Lola Breshears, Carly Rinehart, and Emma Craig. They were 2nd at Districts, with Lola Breshears 3rd and Emma Craig 7th overall. They were 25th at State, with Lola Breshears getting a Gold rating.

The Livestock team consisted of Wade Briggs, Kamden Robertson, Ashlynn Gilpatrick, and Lane Huitt. They were fourth in Districts, with Lane Huitt taking 5th overall. They were 24th at State, with Lane Huitt getting a Gold rating.

The Poultry team consisted of Brandon Hamilton, Cooper Cracraft, Adrian Cracraft, and Nick Babinski. Despite being an all-freshman team, they got better every single time and got 7th in Districts, with Nick Babinski 10th overall. They were 30th at State, but only three teams from their district were ahead of them.

The Meats team consisted of Steven Wilhite, Lane Huitt, Ashlynn Gilpatrick, and Mardee Sadowsky. They were fourth or fifth all year and finally beat out Princeton, finishing second in Districts only behind Trenton. They were 21st at State.

The Agronomy team consisted of Logan Craig, Gavin Garrett, Addie Slaughter, and Olivia Babinski. They were 2nd in Districts with Gavin Garrett first overall. They thought they had won, only for it to be reposted with them in second. They used that as motivation, and took 15th in State and got a Group I rating as a team. It was North Harrison’s first-ever such rating as a team. Gavin Garrett got a Gold rating individually.

The Dairy Cattle team was another team that surprised some people. This was one of the youngest teams that North Harrison fielded, with two freshmen and two sophomores. Members were Kason Mathes, Nick Mickleson, Rainey Fordyce, and Brett Emig. This was one of the best-performing FFA teams ever to come out of North Harrison. They were second in Districts, with Brett Emig 9th overall. They then took 5th at State with a Group I rating. Brett Emig was 7th overall at State with a Group I rating. Nick Mickleson was 28th with a Group I rating, Rainey Fordyce also received a Group I rating, while Kason Mathes narrowly missed out on a Group I rating.

Cruz Ury, Emma Craig, Lola Breshears, and Logan Huitt were recognized for being the top four sellers for the BBQ. Emma Craig, Rainey Fordyce, and Carly Rinehart were recognized for being awarded with a Farm Bureau trip to Jefferson City.

There were 33 FFA members for North Harrison, of which there were 31 who were present for Friday’s banquet. Out of all the area FFA chapters with one Ag teacher, North Harrison won first overall in the District Sweepstakes over schools like Chillicothe, Trenton, Princeton, Braymer, and Hamilton. It was their first-ever such award, although they had always come close in recent years, finishing in the top three, including six times in the second slot. Including all FFA chapters with multiple teachers, North Harrison was third overall, with only Savannah and Cameron ahead of them.
The FFA had help from a lot of individuals in the community, which went above and beyond the call of duty to help them. The chapter recognized the family of Dennis Puppe, which helped cover the expenses for many FFA activities. Honorary memberships went to Chase Stoll, Danny Lisle, and Tabrey Kimbrough, who all went above and beyond the call of duty to help. Another special award was given to Mr. Lighthill, the bus driver, who drove them to their events this year.

Eight different seniors were recognized with the jacket ceremony, in which they retire their jackets for good. They were Logan Craig, Mardee Sadowsky, Olivia Babinski, Mason Cracraft, Logan Huitt, Lane Huitt, Gavin Garrett, and Addie Slaughter. Advisor Brandon Craig choked up even more than he did last year when the softball team took third in state when he talked about them. “These guys gave it there all these past four years,” he said. “It was fun to see them transform over many late nights, road trips, and contests.”