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TRENTON
THURS. MARCH 2, 2023
REPUBLICAN-TIMES “GOD BLESS AMERICA”
Old Glory flying at Five Points
republican-times.com
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 159th Year - No. 26
North Central Missouri College Foundation Announces Honorees for the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2022 North Central Missouri College Foundation has announced the Distinguished Alumni Class for 2022. Dr. Jennifer (Collier) Blacksmith, Jackie (Persell) Soptic, and Barbara (Higdon) Spencer will be recognized during the Pirates Ball on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Ketcham Community Center on the campus of North Central Missouri College. The Pirates Ball is to honor distinguished alumni, Voyage Fund donors and all NCMC family and friends. The event is a fundraiser for the Voyage Fund, an annual giving campaign to raise unrestricted funds to help meet the unmet needs of the College. Dr. Jennifer (Collier) Blacksmith The North Central Missouri College Lady Pirates signed Jennifer Collier, a Novelty, MO native and then senior from Knox County High School, to play basketball in 2002. Highlights of Jennifer’s two-year athletic career at NCMC include winning the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region 16 championship, and the NJCAA ranking her eighth in field goal percentage at 64.33. When asked to share a favorite memory during her time at NCMC Jennifer said, “My best memories were with the basketball team, especially when we won the Division II Region 16 Championship game! Coach Mothersbaugh had a certain way of coaching that brought the best out in each of us.” In addition to her athletic achievements, Jennifer excelled academically, earning an associate’s degree after which she transferred to the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. While attending UCM, Jennifer’s
Dr. Jennifer Blacksmith
passion for working with children and families led her to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice, and a master’s degree in Psychology. She fulfilled her higher educational goals and earned a doctorate in School Psychology from the University of Missouri in 2014. After returning to Missouri in 2017, Dr. Blacksmith has served as the Director of Behavioral Health with the Northeast Missouri Health Council. In addition to her leadership role as a director, she provides counseling services, psychological testing, and professional development to schools, and works closely with the University of Missouri through their Missouri Strong Kids ECHO outreach program as a mental health expert. Dr. Blacksmith’s successful career in psychology could have taken her anywhere but she chose to return to
BRIEFS R-6 Hires Preschool Teacher
During a closed session held Thursday, February 23, 2023, the Pleasant View R-6 school board unanimously agreed to hire Abby Richman as a preschool teacher for the 2023-2024 school year.
School Board Candidate Forum
The Trenton Teachers Association will hold its Annual Meet the School Board Candidate Forum on Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at the Trenton High School Performing Arts Center. Mindy Walker, Member Service Coordinator for the Northwest Region of the Missouri State Teachers Association, will serve as moderator. Each candidate will be given time to address the audience, after which time the moderator will ask each candidate a series of questions. Candidates for Trenton R-9 school board include Joshua Shuler, Ronda Lickteig, Robin Chambers and incumbents Jason Hostetler, Brandon Gibler and Andy Burress. The public is invited to submit questions that may be used during the forum. Deadline for questions to be submitted is March 14. They may be emailed to Trenton Teachers Association President Anna Muselman at amuselman@trentonr9.k12.mo.us.
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An End To a Great Season...
Jackie Soptic submitted photo
The Trenton High School wrestling team travled to Columbia, Missouri for State Championships last week February 23, and 24. To read more about the 2022-23 THS wrestling season, see page 20. Congratulations to Sam Gibson for winning State Champion in weight class 190!
Gallatin R-V Board of Education Accepts Resignations, Offers Contracts Barbara Spencer
her roots in northern Missouri. She and her husband Joe live in La Plata, MO with their daughter Harper, where she serves on the local school [See NCMC, Page 2]
Spickard Board of Education Spickard Board of Education met February 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The Board approved payment of bills totaling $19,833.60 Superintendent Erica Eakes reported that the January Top Pirate was Indilinn Allen. The staff participated in Situational Awareness Training and made some changes to the lockdown procedure as a result. The Book Blast raised $3,155 and gained the school and students 230 new books. Two AMI days have been used so far. Staff and principal are in the pro-
cess of developing the District Literacy Plan CSIP goals were discussed and the work of the committee is on-going The 23-24 school calendar was approved with the first day being August 23 and last day being May 15. Certified and non-certified salary schedules were tabled until the March meeting. The March meeting was moved from March 20 to March 21 because of Spring Break. A gym usage request for the Alumni Banquet on May 13 was approved. [See Spickard, Page 2]
The Gallatin R-V board of education met on Wednesday, February 15 in the high school library. The meeting’s agenda was approved with the amendment of adding Nikki Berry to section V., A. Library/Technology Report. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as read. Payment of all bills was also approved. Superintendent Dr. Justin Collins, HS Principal Brent Burke, MS Principal Chris Wever, CDSE Principal Nicole Thogmartin and Activity Director Chad Sullenger all gave their reports. Principal Thogmartin also discussed the 2023 Summer School Program. Michelle Anthuis presented the high school library and technology report. Nikki Bird presented the elementary library report. The board reviewed and approved the 2023-24 district calendar. Dr. Collins discussed pending legislation concerning open enrollment
with the board. After discussion, a resolution was accepted opposing the legislation. The board heard a presentation on the Gallatin Community Teacher Association from Amy Holder. During closed session, the board accepted the resignation of Josie Williamson, effective at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. They also accepted the resignation of Monica Fawson, effective February 3, 2023. The board voted to extend the contracts of Nicole Thogmartin as elementary school principal, Brent Burke as high school principal and Chris Wever as middle school principal for the 2023-2024 school year. The next regular meeting of the Gallatin R-V board of education will be Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6 p.m.