 One hundred and sixteen Holden High School seniors became graduates as they received their diplomas at the school’s commencement exercises held Sunday at the high school gymnasium.
On hand were school officials, staff and members of the R-III School District and Board of Education. Speaking to the students and guests and introducing the valedictorian, Rebekah Marsh, and salutatorian, Letisha Atkinson, was Dr. Paul James, interim district superintendent.
In her address, Marsh spoke of the good and bad times her class had been through and of the encouragement they were to each other. “There was always a classmate you could turn to when you needed a shoulder to cry on - someone to make you smile when you were having a bad day or someone to help you with an assignment,” she explained.
She also said that it was time not only to celebrate what they had just accomplished but what was to come as well. “We are moving on to find our place in the world,” Marsh stated. “I know that we can all be successful in life as long as we put our minds to it. We can all have our dreams come true.”
In her address, the salutatorian Atkinson said, “Be yourself and you can do whatever you set your mind to. This is the advice I am giving you today. I know that all of you are capable of achieving your dreams. You just have to set your mind to it.”
She also reminded her classmates that even though they had spent a great deal of time learning in their school journey, there was more learning to come.
“As you leave here today,” she added. “Know that our lessons are not over. We will continue to grow and learn as adults. Our mentors may change; our friends may change; but you can achieve any dream you set your mind to.”
By Steve Sullins
Editor
More than 30 2008 Holden High School graduating seniors have earned nearly a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships to continue their education.
Those earning the awards include: Kyle Airrington, Horatio Alger Missouri Scholars Award; Jamie Anstine, UCM Red & Black Scholarship, UCM Missouri Girls State Scholarship, UCM Gordon & Eula Renfrow Scholarship and Missouri Teacher Education Scholarship; Letisha Atkinson, Jeanne Briscoe Taylor Scholarship, Longview Board of Trustees Scholarship and West Central Electric John & Kathryn English Scholarship; Sara Billingsley, UCM Red & Black Scholarship, UCM Missouri Girls State Scholarship, Holden Music Booster Club Scholarship, and Nancy Parks Montgomery Scholarship; Eleanor Brown, Rockhurst Chancellor’s Scholarship, Rockhurst Ignatius of Loyola Award, Lady Eagle Booster Club Scholarship, Holden Activity Booster Scholarship, Harold Chaney Memorial Scholarship and Iron Eagle Award; Syerra Burnor, UCM Red & Black Scholarship; and Leona Burns, UCM Red & Black Scholarship and West Central Electric John & Kathryn English Scholarship.
Also receiving scholarships are: Angie Castaneda, William Ramey Memorial Scholarship, Holden Teachers’ Association Scholarship, Knights of Columbus McHoney Scholarship and Missouri Minority Teaching Scholarship; Curtis Christopher, UCM Red & Black Scholarship and Knights of Columbus McHoney Scholarship; Angela Cochran, Knights of Columbus McHoney Scholarship, Holden R-III Agriculture Scholarship, and MFA Foundation Scholarship; Emily Collett, Joseph Stephens Memorial Scholarship; George Farmer, AECI Technical Scholarship and UCM Red & Black Scholarship; Kristan Freed, Holden R-III Agriculture Scholarship; Michael Garten, Bright Flight; and Nathan Green, BPOE Elks Scholarship, UCM Boys State Scholarship, UCM Red & Black Scholarship; Tina VanMeter Memorial Scholarship and Knights of Columbus McHoney Scholarship.
More scholarship recipients include: Jaime Harter, George Lesley Talley Scholarship; Katie Holmes, UMKC Chancellor’s Scholar Award, UMKC Leadership Award, Holden R-III Foundation Scholarship, Dustin Cleveland Memorial Scholarship, Lady Eagle Booster Club Scholarship, Holden Activity Booster Scholarship and Sari Ramey Memorial Scholarship; Aaron Johnson, Joseph Stephens Memorial Scholarship and Bank of Holden Scholarship; Jeff Johnson, Rockhurst Regents Scholarship, Rockhurst Chancellor’s Scholarship, R.S. Mickey Award; Maria Mahnken, Bank of Holden Scholarship; Rebekah Marsh, UCM Red & Black Scholarship and Bright Flight; Taylor McConville, Holden Optimist Scholarship and Bank of Holden Scholarship; Justin McIntyre, James T. Clarke Scholarship and Buck Riley Memorial Scholarship; Kristen Mickey, Rockhurst Dowling Scholarship, Rockhurst Regents Scholarship, Bright Flight and Lady Eagle Booster Club Scholarship; and Scott Miller, UCM Missouri Boys State Scholarship, UCM Red & Black Scholarship and Knights of Columbus McHoney Scholarship.
Other students earning scholarships are: Carissa Perry, Annie Morrison Memorial Scholarship; Nikki Pirch, UMKC Chancellor’s Scholar Award, UMKC Leadership Award and Bank of Holden Scholarship; Deanna Quisenberry, UCM Red & Black Scholarship, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship and Richard Goldstein Memorial Scholarship; Suzan Stocker, UCM Boisseau Scholarship; Christie Thomason, Patricia Miller Terry Scholarship, Donald Stowell/FFA Alumni Scholarship and Knights of Columbus McHoney Scholarship; Johnny Watterson, Bright Flight, Drusilla Krockenberger Scholarship and Holden Optimist Scholarship; Jessica Wilson, Holden Teachers’ Association Scholarship; and Danyelle Young, Lori Allen Myers Scholarship and UCM Makeever Scholarship.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
On Saturday, May 18, 2008, Holden High School held its first SOAR graduation for students completing the graduation requirements for the Missouri Option Program.
Those students graduating were Kody Mullins, Elisha Snell, Desiree Dodgen, Timothy Hendrix, Ryan Carter, Blake Jamison, Daniel Ogan, Tyler Anderson, Joel Nalls and Spencer Hays.
These students completed all the requirements, which included passing the GED test, passing the Missouri Constitution test, passing the United States Constitution test, completing a credit in occupations, and completing a credit in personal finance. Statistically, 42 percent of graduating seniors could not pass the GED test. Students also have to maintain employment as part of their vocational requirement.
Shawn Bryce started the Missouri Option program several years ago in the state of Missouri. The program gives students another alternative in earning their diploma, students who may otherwise be in danger of not completing their high school education.
Under the direction of school counselor Gerry Pierce, Holden High School began its Missouri Option program this year.
The resignation of Holden Intermediate School principal Mark Hedger was accepted by the Holden R-III School Board in a special meeting held Tuesday in the district office.
He will take over the position of principal at West Elementary School in Ozark, MO. Hedger cited family reasons for the move. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here. Holden is a great place, but we have a baby and another on the way and we felt it would be in our best interests to move closer to my wife’s family.”
The district won’t have to look far for a replacement as retiring elementary school principal Robyn has agreed to stay on another year and take on the job of principal of the newly-formed Pre-K through five elementary.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
GED classes will now be offered at HOPE Community Service Center (CSC), executive director Danny Crews told board members last Thursday morning at their monthly meeting.
“Mary Ann Gray will be teaching the classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. beginning Thursday, May 15. We have 20 people who have already requested the classes. Mary Ann will be coordinating the classes and preparing reports to State Fair Community College for the state grant funding and has placed GED class information in the Holden Image,” stated Crews. He added State Fair Community College is funding the program.
In a Harvesters update, Crews told board members Donna and Meril LaHue attended a training session on May 12 for Harvesters. “There will be some changes to the Harvesters program so HOPE can stay in line with Harvesters’ policies and procedures,” said Crews.
In insurance information, Crews presented bids from local insurance agents for worker’s compensation coverage for HOPE. The board voted to accept the lowest bid and obtain the coverage. Crews then asked board members if they wished to keep the remainder of their insurance the same as it had been in the past and the board agreed to do so.
In Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) news, Crews reported that HOPE’s quarterly report is not legally acceptable until the receipt of authorized signatures. “I need an updated authorized signature form signed by board members and to finalize the new budget and submit it to NAP,” Crews said.
In other financial news, Crews said HOPE received a $2,000 check from United Way which is their first installment for first quarter.
In further financial news, it was reported by Crews that the final bound copies of the audit and the IRS 990 were received and available for review. He told the board it was basically a clean audit.
In memorial news, the board revisited the issue of a tribute to the late Rusty Hartwell, to be placed at the Community Activity Center (CAC). Board member Scotty Walker suggested a memorial photo tribute with a plaque explaining his contributions to the CAC and the community. Several board members thought this was a good idea. They asked for a price on the project and former executive director John Roberts agreed to research the issue and report back to the board with prices.
In maintenance news, Crews gave board members a list of prospective problem areas within the CAC and the CSC. The board discussed the many troublesome areas and board president Bob Mickey asked Crews to obtain some estimates on the work and then suggested they list them in order of priority. The board agreed. Some of the problems included gravel for the CAC parking lot, CAC gymnasium lights, banisters for CAC balcony stairs, floor finish, furnace in rental property and roof leaks at the CSC.
In volunteer news, Crews told the board he had written some expected behaviors for volunteers (HOPE and Harvesters) and job duty descriptions for janitor services for Harvesters, CAC and CSC.
In CAC news, activity director Jennifer Loos reported May 23 will be a Parents Night Out and she said she needs volunteers to help run this event. “Any high school student or adults who need service hours may contact me at the CAC,” said Loos. May 24 is the Murlen family reunion at the CAC and she also needs volunteers to help with tarps, tables and chairs. “Beginning June 12, the CAC will have open gym for anyone who wants to come and play. It will be held from 2-4 p.m. and will cost $2 per person. These will be held every Tuesday and Thursday,” stated Loos. She added that starting June 14, they will have volleyball open gym time held by Coach Julie Carver for middle school students. These will be from 6-8 p.m., will cost $2 per person and will be held every Thursday,” Loos stated.
In other CAC news, Loos told the board the new CAC website is up and running and lists a lot of upcoming activities. She encourages everyone to visit the site and get pertinent information on CAC happenings. The website is http://holdencac.embarqspace.com.
In policy news, Roberts told the board he had researched the bylaws and reported on the attendance policy currently in place. The board has been concerned with this issue dueto lack of a quorum in many instances. He also requested the board expand to include one more member to help in achieving a quorum. “In order to add or subtract from the current status, we must have two readings and publish a legal notice for two weeks,” said Roberts. The board was in agreement with Roberts to add a board member and had the first reading of the new policy at the meeting. Roberts added that according to the current policy, the board does not have to meet every month, but must meet at least four times per year or as many as is necessary to conduct regular business. The board also discussed the current policy of removing a board member if they miss three consecutive meetings without notice.
Board member Donna LaHue stated that when looking for new board members they should stress the need for good attendance at the meetings and look for a good candidate. Mickey said the lack of quorum was frustrating when it continues to happen.
The regular meeting of the HOPE Coalition adjourned to reconvene Thursday, June 19 at 6:45 a.m. at the CSC.
By Dana Neubert
Staff Writer
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A twice-tabled vote for a rezoning proposal of a parcel of land at Highway 58 and Clay Street was scheduled to take place Tuesday night at a special meeting of the Holden City Council.
This issue of the Holden Image is unable to report the results due to press time restraints. The Image will report the results in the next issue.
The vote had been scheduled to take place at the regular meeting of the council held last Tuesday in City Hall, but because of missing council members it was reset for May 20.
Developer Scott Adams of SJA Inc., brought a compromise proposal, scaling the development back from five four-plexes to six duplexes, but was still opposed by a “concerned citizens group” who resides in the area.
Once again speaking for the group, Cricket Hough presented a petition which she said represented 100 percent of the affected people in the area of the proposed project. In light of the petition, the council will have to pass the re-zoning by a two-thirds favorable vote of all members of the Holden City Council, according to city attorney Joe Willerth.
According to Adams, his new proposal calls for six landscaped duplexes on a semi-circle drive which enters and exits on Clay Street. He said the housing sizes would range from 920 square feet to 1,040.
The Clay Street group voiced the same objections as they did in the April meeting citing increased traffic, a strain on the water and sewer, safety, and room for children to play as their main concerns.
Councilman Butch Shore explained that he had contacted Tony Lerda at O&M Enterprises and was told there was no problem with the added water and sewer. Adams stated that there shouldn’t be any problems with additional runoff waters as his new proposal calls for less hard surface and more grass areas. In addition the plans call for a retention pond to catch runoff as needed.
The planning and zoning committee has already voted to re-zone the parcel to R-3.
In another zoning action, Jim Miller was given permission by the council to place a modular home on property located at Fourth and Buffalo.
In an update on the engineer for the sidewalk grant project, city mayor Mike Wakeman reported to the council that they completed the request for qualifications and had narrowed to field to two candidates. He said they will now seek bids for engineering services on the project.
Resolutions and ordinances were passed for an occupation tax on utility services and a franchise tax for MGE to operate a gas distribution system in Holden. A first reading was held and passed on the grant administrator contract between the city and Carolyn Corson.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
It was a familiar scenario for Holden Eagle baseball fans. Justin McIntyre was on the mound in the semifinal game of the district tournament pitching an outstanding game only to lose in extra innings.
For the third consecutive year the Eagles have not been able to advance to the championship game. This time they lost 11-3 when the Warrensburg Tigers put up eight runs in the top of the ninth inning, breaking a 3-3 tie. Holden committed three errors in the inning.
For eight and one-third innings, McIntyre held the Tigers to only two earned runs. Actually, Holden had not trailed in the game until the ninth.
The Eagles got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning with two runs. Shortstop Ryan Spilman led off the inning with a single followed by a walk to McIntyre off of the Tigers’ starting pitcher Shayne Luehrs.
After a groundout by Michael Garten, A.J. Langston cracked a single to drive in Spilman. Up next, rightfielder Aaron Johnson scored McIntyre on a sacrifice fly.
Neither team scored in the second, but Warrensburg put two runs (one unearned) on the board to tie in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the inning, the Eagles were right back at it as Garten, with one out, crushed a Leuhrs offering over the left field fence giving the lead back to the boys in blue, 3-2. The next batter, Langston, was walked and that was all for Leuhrs.
Head Tiger coach David Liebnitz brought in Warrensburg mound ace Kevin Burk who promptly struck out the next two batters ending any more damage the Eagles could muster.
The two strikeouts were just a preview of the next six innings as the future University of Kansas baseball player Burk would fan 12 of the next 20 batters he faced. The Eagles would only have two more baserunners and one hit - a double by Spilman in the fourth inning.
Although the Eagles couldn’t score anymore runs, McIntyre only allowed the Tigers one more until the ninth - a single run in the fifth to tie the game at 3-3. That’s the way it stayed until the final frame. Finishing the game on the mound was junior Zak Anstine.
Offensive statistics in the game included, Spilman, two of four with a run scored; McIntyre, one run scored; Garten, one for four with a run and one RBI; Langston, one for four with one RBI; and Johnson, one RBI.
McIntyre struck out eight in his eight and one-third innings of work.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
After a season filled with rain cancellations, the Holden High School Lady Eagle softball team ended their year with a 5-4 loss to the Archie Lady Whirlwinds last Wednesday night at the City Park Softball Field.
The varsity girls finished the season with an 8-9 record. They started the year with four straight losses than bounced back to go 8-5 the rest of the way.
“We played decently against Archie,” explained head HHS softball coach Allison Corwin, “but allowed them to have a big third inning scoring four of their five runs.”
As she has been all year, hurler Calla Burden was on top of her game, giving up only four hits and two walks. She struck out 13 batters in the seven innings she work.
She helped her own cause with two singles from the plate. Also hitting for the Lady Eagles were Katey Jennings, Jenna Brockhaus and Valerie Lambert, each with a single. Rachael Martin added two singles and Carla Arnone, three singles. Carrying the “heavy lumber” on the night was Rebecca Fisher, who smashed a double and a triple and knocked in two runs. Arnone and Lambert each contributed one RBI.
Because of the amount of cancellations, especially in Show-Me West Conference games, the league decided not to name a champion this year. This is Holden’s final year in the SMWC as they will become part of the Missouri River Valley Conference’s west division next season. Because of the conference change, Lady Eagles’ softball will be played as a fall sport.
“This year was a fun learning experience and I was pleased with the girls hanging in there,” stated Coach Corwin. “With fall softball next year, it will be a new experience for the girls as well as the coaches.
Senior Lady Eagle track competitors Emily Collette and Jordan Lavy will represent Holden High School in this year’s Missouri State High School Activities Association’s annual Class 3 track championships to be held this weekend at Jefferson City, MO
Collette will compete in the shot put event, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, while Lavy will represent HHS in the 800 meter run set for Friday at 4:50 p.m. Collette advanced to the state meet by winning first in sectional competition held Saturday at Kearney. She won the event with a throw of 36’ 9.5”.
Lavy finished fourth in the 800 meter with a time of 2:29.82. In order to advance to state, athletes must finish at least fourth.
Two Lady Eagle relay teams just missed going to state, but in the process set new school records. The 4X800 meter relay team of Lavy, Deanna Stevens, Deanna Quisenberry and Kelsey Carver finished in fifth place with a time of 10:13.90. Their time trimmed approximately 3.5 seconds off of the previous record set in 2005.
Also finishing fifth in sectional competition was the 4X100 meter relay team of Kristen Mickey, Stevens, Quisenberry and Stacey Calhoun. They completed their course in 51.2 seconds tieing the record set 20 years ago in 1988.
Others Lady Eagles competing in the sectional event but not advancing to state included: 1600 meter run - Carver, sixth, 5:38.26.
3200 meter run - Carver, eighth, 13:16.49.
4X400 meter relay - Team of Stevens, Quisenberry, Lavy and Calhoun, sixth, 4:18.58.
Boys sectional events:
3200 meter run - Justin Houser, sixth, 10:53.16.
4X800 meter relay - Team of Tyler Bruns, Jack Hartwell, Alec Morrison and Houser, seventh, 9:04.96.
OBITUARIES
JUANITA A. BROWN
Juanita A. Brown, 88, Holden, MO, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Holden Manor Care Center.
She was born December 29, 1919 in Keifer, Oklahoma, the daughter of Clyde Oral and Bessie (Shepard) Adcock. She was reared and educated in Oklahoma and lived in Tulsa for several years. She lived in Kansas City, Missouri for more than 40 years and had worked as a waitress at the Muehlbach Hotel Restaurant, the Majestic Steakhouse, and the Cock and Bull Restaurant. In 1972, she married Glenwood Brown in Kansas City. He preceded her in death in 1988. She had lived in Holden since 2003.
Surviving her passing are an aunt, Kay Miller, Tulsa, OK; a niece, Kathy Chatterton, Springfield, MO; and longtime friend, Marie Swan, Springfield, MO.
She was also preceded in death by one brother, Richard Adcock; and three sisters, Dorothy L. Metcalf, Vivian Reppond and Geraldine M. Faulkner.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 19, 2008, at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO.
Interment followed at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Olathe, KS.
DIXIE LEA CARVER
Dixie Lea Carver, age 47, Butler, Missouri, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2008, at home.
She was born August 6, 1960 in Clinton, Missouri, the daughter of James Edward, Sr. and Melva L (Spacha) Carver. She was a graduate of Butler High School, lived in Holden, Missouri for a brief time and returned to Butler four years ago. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Butler.
Surviving her passing are her father, Jim Carver, Sr., Holden, MO; mother, Melva Spacha, Butler, MO; three brothers, Chris Carver, Creighton, MO, David Carver, Butler, MO, and James Carver, Jr., Butler, MO; and two sisters, Karen Williams, Adrian, MO, and Sharon Weeks, Holden, MO.
Following cremation, the family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Bates County Public Library in Dixie’s memory.
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