Kearney High School Celebrates Class of 2025 Graduation

Kearney High School proudly celebrated the graduation of 248 seniors on Sunday, May 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the Class of 2025. The commencement ceremony took place at 2:00 pm at Kearney High School.

The event was a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance by the students, faculty, and families. Principal Andrew Gustafson addressed the graduates, commending them for their achievements and encouraging them to pursue their future endeavors with passion and integrity.

“To all of the Kearney High School Class of 2025, take the knowledge and skills you have learned and create your own path. Step up to adversity along the way and step up to life. Make yourself proud.”

Kearney High School now classifies graduates with the Latin system which means 19 students graduated summa cum laude, with a GPA of 4.0 or above. 68 students were classified magna cum laude with a GPA of 3.75 – 3.99. 38 students graduated cum laude with a GPA of 3.5 – 3.74.

The ceremony featured the senior speech by Drew Wilson, musical performances by the school's choir, and the traditional turning of the tassels. Families and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments and to wish them well as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Kearney High School's Class of 2025 has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, qualities that will serve them well in their future academic and professional pursuits. The school community extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates and their families.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Garner Recognitions for Biliteracy

Kearney School District is proud to recognize the Kearney High School students who have earned the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy for 2025, demonstrating impressive proficiency in English and a second language.

Kearney High School students Abbi McQuillen (left) and Emily Stauffer earned the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy this year.

The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students who exhibit high levels of academic proficiency in English and another world language, either through school study or as heritage/native speakers. This prestigious honor certifies to universities, employers, and community members that these students are fully bilingual, opening doors for their future education and careers.

“The Seal of Biliteracy is more than just an academic achievement,” KHS Foreign Language Teacher Stacey Getz said. “It highlights the hard work, cultural knowledge, and communication skills that these students have developed. It also reflects our district’s commitment to valuing diversity, preparing our students for success in a global economy, and honoring the many cultures that enrich our community.”

Students qualify for the Seal by demonstrating proficiency in English through performance on the English II End-of-Course exam or ACT reading score, and proficiency in another language by achieving minimum scores on a language proficiency exam. They must also complete a socio-cultural project, showing understanding of the relationship between language learning and cultural awareness.

The 2025 KHS Seal of Biliteracy honorees are:

Seal of Biliteracy – Abbi McQuillen (Spanish), Taryn Salinetro (Spanish), Emily Stauffer (Spanish) and Drew Wilson (Spanish)

Exemplary Proficiency – Dani Morgan (Spanish), Caroline Jury (Spanish), Josephine Quick (Spanish), Vanesa Tiscareno (Spanish) and Grace Thurston (Spanish)

Emerging Proficiency – Avery Janiak (Spanish), Joley Leach (Spanish), Carter Lydick (German) and Lily Rinehart (Spanish)

Developing Proficiency – Brodyn Baragary (German), Casey Collins (German), Charlie Dollar (Spanish), Connor Ethen (German), Patrick McNellis (German), Scout Pimblott (German), Savanah Jaromin (Spanish), Nova Roberts (German), Katelyn Robinson (Spanish), Katie Shaw (Spanish), Makayla Tryon (German), John Vasquez (German) and Challen Tidwell (German)

Visit www.ksdr1.net/seal-of-biliteracy for more information about the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy program.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Club Car Wash Asks for Support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Club Car Wash in Kearney is teaming up with locations across the country this May to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), continuing a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of children in need.

Throughout the month, every Club Car Wash location — including those in Kearney and the Kansas City metro area — will be collecting donations to support their local CMN Hospital. For the KC area, that means all proceeds raised will go directly to benefit the children’s hospital at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Remarkably, 100% of the funds collected go to the hospital to support pediatric treatment, research, and care. Since the start of this partnership, Club Car Wash has raised over $3.5 million for CMN Hospitals, helping transform the lives of countless children.

Each year, CMN Hospitals selects a “CMN Champion” to represent the spirit and strength of the children they serve. This year, that champion is Briella, a 12-year-old girl whose journey has touched hearts across the community.

Briella's journey began as she was born four months early, weighing just over a pound. The neonatal intensive care unit became her first home, filled with challenges as she fought to grow stronger. A diagnosis of cerebral palsy added another hurdle, but Briella's determination never wavered. With support from KU Medical Center and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, she embraced therapies and defied expectations, walking at 16 months and conquering swallowing difficulties. Today Briella is a vibrant 12-year-old, traveling the world and dreaming of becoming a doctor.

“We’re going above and beyond this year,” Club Car Wash General Manager Alex Fischer added. “Our team is more dedicated than ever to making a difference for these kids.”

Local residents are encouraged to stop by Club Car Wash in Kearney throughout May to support the cause. Every wash helps make a difference.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KPGZ Awards Annual Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship

This year’s recipient is senior Cooper Morgan

102.7FM KPGZ presented its annual Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship on Thursday, May 1, during Kearney High School’s scholarship awards ceremony. This year’s recipient is senior Cooper Morgan, who was awarded the $500 scholarship in honor of KPGZ’s late Weather Director Pete Chaston.

KPGZ General Manager Brian Watts presented the scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior pursuing a future in meteorology or broadcast journalism. To be considered, applicants must submit an audio or video recording demonstrating their broadcast work.

“The Board of Directors have chosen Cooper Morgan as the recipient of the Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations and best wishes for your future success,” said Watts during the presentation.

Morgan shared his future plans with KPGZ News, stating, “I plan to start at Maple Woods Community College and finish at a 4-year university, majoring in Journalism.”

The scholarship honors Pete Chaston, who served as KPGZ’s longtime Weather Director and hosted the station’s Sunday afternoon doo-wop show. Chaston passed away on June 15, 2022, at Liberty Hospital at the age of 78. In response to community members asking how they could contribute to a memorial, the station created the scholarship fund to support aspiring broadcasters in Chaston’s memory.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Mobile Mammography Coach Coming to Kearney

Women in the Kearney area will have a convenient opportunity to receive a mammogram when the Mobile Mammography Coach visits Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative on Wednesday, June 11, from 9 am to 5 pm. The event will take place at 1000 West State Route 92 in Kearney.

Appointments are now being scheduled by calling 913-344-9989. Be sure to mention that the appointment is for the mobile coach on June 11. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Women aged 35 to 39 are eligible for a baseline screening mammogram but should check with their insurance provider for coverage details. For those under 40, insurance generally requires that at least 12 months have passed since the last mammogram. Women 40 and older do not need a doctor's order for a screening.

On the day of your screening, please avoid wearing deodorant, lotion, or perfume above the waist and wear a two-piece outfit for convenience.

All patients should bring a photo ID, insurance card, and the name of their primary care physician. Forms, including the Breast Imaging Form and Medical Records Release Form, must be completed and presented at the time of the appointment.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.