College Association Taps Teacher as Top Talent

Kearney High School math teacher Rachel Heili's combination of experience, skills and attitude add up to one of the best public educators in the state.

Ms. Heili was recently selected as one of Missouri's Outstanding Beginning Teachers by the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). She is in her second year of teaching at Kearney High School.

Every two years, MACTE honors exemplary first- and second-year teachers across the state for their work with Missouri's PK-12 students. Heili was selected to receive this award by Dr. Barri Tinkler at Missouri State University.

"Rachel is an exceptional educator who exemplifies excellence and dedication to teaching," Dr. Tinkler said. "She utilizes innovative teaching practices and creates a collaborative, student-centered learning environment."

Beyond academics, Heili's compassion and commitment to her students shine through her engagement in their lives and her ability to inspire and support them. She has already established a strong record of excellence.

"I'm thrilled that Rachel is being recognized for her outstanding work here at KHS," Principal Andy Gustafson said. "She's become a vital member of our team and has had a huge positive impact on our students. This honor is well deserved."

Heili is committed to continually improving both her teaching and her students' understanding of the subject. As a dedicated educator, she will remain a passionate ambassador for her profession and for mathematics.

The Outstanding Beginning Teacher awardees were celebrated during the MACTE Spring Conference on Feb. 17 in Columbia. A representative from the association visited Kearney High School on Friday, Feb. 7 to present Heili with a certificate.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Bulldog Earns State Honor from Secondary School Principals

Parker Mendel - photo by KHS Junior Kaeden Rothwell

Kearney School District is proud to announce that Kearney High School senior Parker Mendel has been selected for an "Honorable Mention" recognition in the prestigious 2025 Missouri Scholars 100 program.

This statewide initiative recognizes outstanding academic achievement, honoring Missouri's top 100 graduating students. The announcement was made by KHS Principal Andy Gustafson, recognizing Mr. Mendel's exceptional commitment to academic excellence.

"Parker is a great example of what it means to be a Bulldog," Dr. Gustafson said. "He works hard, supports his classmates and cares about making things better. We could not be more proud of him in Team KSD!"

Sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, the Missouri Scholars 100 Program invites nominations from schools statewide. The program has been around for 31 years.

"The Missouri Scholars 100 Program stands as one of the premier academic recognition programs in the country, celebrating the dedication and success of students who have upheld the highest academic standards," Clark Mershon, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, remarked. "It is a true celebration of learning."

Selection is determined by a comprehensive formula incorporating the student's grade point average, ACT or SAT scores, and participation in an "Academic Decathlon" encompassing ten events that assess the student's academic prowess.

To qualify, students must meet stringent criteria, including a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 (or a minimum SAT score of 1,280), ranking in the upper ten percent of their class, and enrollment in high-level courses in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language. Exemplary attendance, outstanding citizenship, and active participation in school activities are also essential.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Baseball Returns on the Bulldog Radio Network

102.7FM KPGZ is excited to announce Bulldog baseball is returning to the airwaves this spring. KPGZ will continue to cover Kearney High School home and select away baseball games this spring.

Bulldog radio network announcers Jim Dickerson, Kelly Gentry, Eric Stevens and Dan Helberg will be calling baseball games beginning at 5:30 pm on Friday, March 28, when the Bulldogs face Fort Osage High School.

“We had great success announcing Bulldog baseball games this spring,” said 102.7FM general manager Brian Watts. “We are excited to be able bring it back to KPGZ for another season. We’re thrilled to have the team’s and community’s support!”

Parents and fans requested softball and baseball games to be broadcast on the radio station last year, and KPGZ was able to work though logistics to accommodate the demand. The station had great success and produced quality game broadcasts for fans.

Bulldog sports game broadcasts bring a vast audience to the radio station. Broadcasts of high school sports bring double or triple the listening audience to 102.7FM. The station now broadcasts football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball to a wide audience around the world on the radio, their website 1027KearneyMO.com and the KPGZ mobile app.

In addition to broadcasting games on 102.7FM streams, games will also be heard on KearneyCountry.com and the Kearney Country channel of the KPGZ mobile app.

The 2025 baseball season broadcasts are presented by CARSTAR Porter’s Kearney Body Shop as the title sponsor. Other sponsors include Penrod’s Greenhouse, Tracy Tucker State Farm, Porter’s Ace Hardware, Green Seasons Lawn and Tree Service, Berserk Athletics, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Kearney Family Chiropractic Center, Jana Stevens of Missouri Farm Bureau, Kearney Chamber of Commerce, Mike Davis Creative Services and Prime Broadcast Group.

Sponsorship spaces are available at all levels and can be reserved now by calling Brian Watts at 816-826-1111.

KPGZ News Press Release

Kearney Police Foil Juvenile Burglary Plot, Three Arrested

A planned series of commercial burglaries in Kearney was thwarted this past weekend thanks to the swift actions of Kearney Police.

On Saturday, March 8, officers from the Criminal Investigations Unit and Patrol Division received a tip about a group of juveniles planning a string of burglaries in the area. As part of proactive patrol efforts, midnight officers were on the lookout when they spotted two individuals walking along Highway 33 at around 2 am. The suspects, dressed in all black with ski masks and carrying large bags, immediately fled on foot upon seeing the officers.

Following a brief search of the area, both juveniles were located and detained. In addition to their ski masks, officers found the suspects wearing socks over their shoes to conceal their footprints, as well as black gloves. One of the juveniles further revealed they had stolen their parent’s vehicle and parked it nearby as a "getaway" car.

Upon investigation, the vehicle was found occupied by a third juvenile, who had been waiting for the other two. Police contacted the parents of the minors involved, and the Clay County Juvenile Office was alerted. The case has now been forwarded to their office for further investigation.

No injuries were reported, and police continue to investigate the motives behind the planned burglaries.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

School District Awards Honor Top Teachers and Support Staff

Kearney School District is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Team KSD Awards, recognizing 17 exceptional individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their roles.

The Team KSD Awards recognize employees who exemplify the world-class teaching and learning and support work that happens every school day in our classrooms and on our campuses. They have demonstrated a long-term commitment to Kearney School District, are outstanding professionals, support their students and colleagues, and are serious about serving our community.

"I don't think it's a big secret that the single most important part of KSD is our team. Their commitment to excellence from pre-K through graduation is why we consistently produce great results," Superintendent Emily Miller said. "This year's Team KSD Awards winners are truly the best of the best. I am so proud of each of them and grateful for their contributions. I encourage our entire community to join us in celebrating these extraordinary Bulldogs!"

The award selection process started in January when the district invited staff members to nominate deserving candidates for their school's 2024 Teacher and Support Staff of the Year awards. One certified teacher and one support staff member were selected as this year's recipients from each school within the district.

These individuals embody the core values of Kearney School District, including integrity, respect, future readiness, student focus, and resilience. They serve as role models for our entire community.

2025 School Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Holly Anderson

• Dogwood Elementary – Nicholas "Nic" Mattson

• Hawthorne Elementary – Chelsea Miller

• Kearney Elementary – Nanette Stout

• Southview Elementary – Rachel Terrill

• Kearney Middle School – Lauren Thomas

• Kearney Junior High – Molly Kuebler

• Kearney High School – Kassidy Robertson

2025 School Support Staff of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Donna Lance

• Dogwood Elementary – Ashley Bricker

• Hawthorne Elementary – Theodore "Scott" Henrichs

• Kearney Elementary – Kalie Dickson

• Southview Elementary – Jaclyn "Jaci" Mick

• Kearney Middle School – Brian "B.J." Webster

• Kearney Junior High – Jennifer Duncan

• Kearney High School – Lacy Howdeshell

• KSD Central Office – Stacy Holtzclaw

These honorees will be recognized at the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Excellence in Education Awards Banquet on April 23. All Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year award recipients will be celebrated by the district along with our 2025 retirees during the Team KSD Awards and Retiree Reception on May 1. That is when the district’s Teacher of the Year Award and Support Staff of the Year Award recipients will be revealed, along with KSD's 2025 Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award recipients.

The reception is sponsored by the KSD Education Foundation. The district Teacher of the Year Award recipient will be given a $250 cash award and $750 classroom grant from the foundation, which will also give a $250 cash award and $250 classroom grant to the district Support Staff of the Year Award recipient.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.