Greenwood Qualifies for Nationals!
We are so excited to announce that Greenwood will be represented at the NSDA National Speech and Debate tournament to be held this June in Des Moines, Iowa!
The students persisted through three days of intense competition right before Spring Break to earn the right to attend the national tournament.
The teams of Mary Gabriel/Tristan Khoshyomn and Ethan Duff/Gyan Grewal qualified in Policy Debate. This is the second time Tristan and Mary have qualified for nationals in Policy Debate as a team and the third time each has qualified for the National tournament. Laila Ozturk qualified in Informative Speaking for the second year in a row as the District Champion. Mohan Grewal will be representing Greenwood in Extemporaneous Debate.
Twenty-one area schools and almost 400 individual entries participated in the competition.
Good luck at nationals! Go Jays!
First Grade Helpful Hedgehogs had a surprise Mystery Reader today to conclude our Literacy Weeks Celebration March 3rd through March 14th. Mr. Robert Hammerschmidt, former President of Commerce Bank and Dr. Hammerschmidt’s husband read Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. Mr. Hammerschmidt read the book and shared how the choices students make will shape the journey and adventures that they take. Work hard at being kind and helpful to others which will lead to positive outcomes and a happy life. He shared that his favorite quote from the book is "Kid, you'll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!" Students speculated what they thought this quote might mean. Mr. Hammerschmidt explained that working hard toward a goal can help you achieve BIG things, if you fail try and try again, that is how we learn. Students also learned a fun noise maker clapping trick to practice. Thank you, Mr. Hammerschmidt.
Dr. Barri Tinker was the Mystery Reader, March 13, 2025, to continue the Helpful Hedgehogs March 3rd through March 14th First Grade Literacy Weeks Celebration. Dr. Tinkler is the Dean of Education at Missouri State University. Greenwood First Grade Students were so excited when Dr. Tinkler read Where is Boomer? Written by Cathy Smith. The book is an interactive read aloud that takes students on a fun adventure around the Missouri State University campus. Students loved searching for Boomer on each page and hearing about all the important places on campus there are to visit. There was even a page in the book that had a Bluejay, the Greenwood Mascot. A first grade campus walking tour with Boomer as our guide might be in the works. Thank you Dr. Tinkler!
Auggie Gabriel is the Helpful Hedgehog of the Week for March 10-14, 2025. Auggie asked his uncle, Master Sargent Justin Wilkerson to visit the first grade classroom.
Master Sargent Justin Wilkerson joined the Air Force in August 2001 at the age of 18, and graduated from basic training the week of September 11, 2001. He then went to Ft Leonard Wood for specialty training as a Vehicle Operator. Over a 20 year career, he has been to 4 duty stations, completed 6 deployments and been to 9 countries. He says “I have met a lot of famous people and had the opportunity to do a bunch of amazing things!” Justin was a Ground Transportation Specialist, stationed at Minot Air Force Base, Andrews Air Force Base, Lackland Air Force Base and Kunsan Air Force Base (South Korea), with six deployments to the Middle East. Thank you Auggie, Mom and Dad, and Master Sargent Wilkerson.
Senior Spotlight! Quana Alaimo will be studying Biology at the University of Arkansas. Thank you for being part of our Bluejay family, we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!
Senior Spotlight! Collin Clark will be studying Sports Medicine and playing Basketball at Missouri State University. Thank you for being part of our Bluejay family, we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!
Senior Spotlight! Mai Doan will be studying Premed at Missouri State University. Thank you for being part of our Bluejay family, we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!
Senior Spotlight! Preston Davis will be studying Business at Missouri State University. Thank you for being part of our Bluejay family, we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!
Elin Bell- Manthe was the Hedgehog of the week February 17-21, 2025. Due to the Snow Storm and being out of school we celebrated Elin on Friday March 7, 2025. Dr. Anthony Bell and Dr. Megan Manthe, Elin’s parents, came to school to share about their careers as Orthopedic Surgeons. Elin’s dad fixes broken bones. Dr. Bell brought a femur and a rod to show what a surgeon would do if you broke that bone. Elin’s mom, Dr. Manthe, helps people who have arthritis and bone issues resulting in a replacement. Dr. Manthe brought items that would be used when a patient needs a knee replacement.
Student wore surgical head coverings and played games for prizes and Andy’s Gift Cards. Thank you Elin, Dr. Bell and Dr. Manthe!
Dr. Ron Snodgrass was the Mystery Reader today for the Helpful Hedgehogs first grade class.
Students enjoyed a story about Ireland and family traditions. Dr. Snodgrass read The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh by Janet Nolan. In this story the shillelagh was used as a walking stick. It was made from a thick branch of the Blackthorn tree from Fergus’s yard in Ireland. The night before Fergus’s family moves to America he makes the shillelagh so that he can take a piece of Ireland with him to the new country where he will live. The story shares how the shillelagh and the story of the journey to America is passed down to each generation on Saint Patrick’s Day. Thank you Dr. Snodgrass!
Greenwood won overall District Championships in BOTH speech and debate at the Class 1, District 5 tournament held in Monett, MO over the weekend – including 6 different event championships. 13 entries qualified for the MSHSAA State tournament to be held at the end of April.
Student honors included:
Laila Ozturk – District Champion and state qualifier in Informative Speaking, District Champion and state qualifier in Poetry, All-District and state qualifier Lincoln-Douglas Debate, All-District and state qualifier International Extemp
Tristan Khoshyomn – District Champion and state qualifier in Policy Debate, District Champion and state qualifier in Original Oratory, All-District and state qualifier in International Extemp, All-District in Humorous Interpretation
Mary Gabriel – District Champion and state qualifier in Policy Debate, All-District and state qualifier in Informative Speaking, All-District and state qualifier in US Extemp
Ethan Duff – District Champion and state qualifier in US Extemp, All-District and state qualifier in Policy Debate, All-District in Original Oratory, All-District in Prose
Ilyaan Khan – District Champion and state qualifier in Duet Acting, All-District and state qualifier in Public Forum Debate
Taaha Khan – District Champion and state qualifier in Duet Acting, All-District and state qualifier in Public Forum Debate
Gyan Grewal – All-District and state qualifier in Policy Debate, All-District in Radio Speaking
Minal Khan – All-District in Radio Speaking
Mohan Grewal – All-District in Public Forum Debate
Connor Manzardo – All-District in Public Forum Debate
Special thanks to our alumni who supported us this weekend in Monett – including current Greenwood instructor Jennifer Holden and Zachary Wehrenberg.
The team will be competing at NSDA Districts this weekend for a chance to compete at Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa this summer.
So proud of these Blue Jays!
Senior Spotlight! Miila Chapman will be studying Illustration and playing Volleyball at MCC Longview. Thank you for being part of our Bluejay family, we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!
Athletic Leadership Club welcomed a panel of three Missouri State athletes: Grant Burkett (football), Stewart McDonald (football), and Tierney Baumstark (women’s golf). The athletes shared their experiences and advice as college athletes and how to prepare for the transition from high school to college effectively.
Our youngest and older elementary students teamed up for an exciting cross-grade learning experience last week! Kindergarteners and third graders worked together on special "How to..." writing projects, creating instructional guides on various topics.
For Read Across America week, third grade had some guest readers. Our special guests were Mr. Chad Woody, Mrs. Jacque Gray, and Mrs. Lynette Trueblood. We thank you all for sharing your love of reading with us! We also wished Mrs. Jacque Gray a very happy birthday by singing and making her a card!
Elementary students dressed up as a favorite book character in celebration of Read Across America week!
Senior Spotlight! Eva Heideman will be studying Journalism at the University of Florida. Thank you for being part of our Bluejay family, we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!
Blakely Davis is the Helpful Hedgehog of the Week for March 3-7, 2025. Blakeley brought her parents to celebrate.
Skylar, Blakeley’s mom, is a licensed school counselor and her dad, Jared Davis, PE, is a Civil Engineer and the Land Development Division Lead at OWN, Inc. with thirteen offices.
Blakeley’s dad shared insights from his 13+ years of experience. Mr. Davis talked about how you become a Civil Engineer, what Civil Engineers do, and several projects that he and his company have worked on in Springfield and beyond. Additionally, he highlighted the new Greenwood Gymnasium, locker rooms and auditorium area where he was instrumental in the planning and design. Mr. Davis has been key to the planning, building, and development of many Missouri State University projects. Students asked great questions and enjoyed hearing about Blakely while enjoying a chocolate Hostess cupcake.
Thank you, Blakely, Skylar, and Jared!
Senior Spotlight! Katy Daugherty will be studying Integrated Marketing and Communications at the University of Mississippi. Thank you for being part of our Bluejay family, we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!
Officer Ronnie Long, the Greenwood Security Officer, surprised first graders as our Mystery Reader on Wednesday! Officer Long read Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann. Officer Buckle tries to give safety speeches at school, but he gives instructions and feels that no one is listening. One day he decides to bring his new police dog Gloria with him, and she is quite a “ham” acting out whatever Officer Buckle says for the children. Officer Buckle and Glory are a great team! Officer Long talked to the students about being a team player and following the rules.
Thank you, Officer Long!
