Mrs. Kymm Bredensteiner received the 2024 Elementary Educator of the Year Award at the Rock Port Elementary awards ceremony on May 22, 2024. Kymm and her family are pictured above, left to right: front row – Shane Bredensteiner, Kymm Bredensteiner, Keely Bredensteiner, and Betty Herron; and back row – Jane McIntire, Mary Beth Bredensteiner, Kandi Dowdy, Blake Herron, Tiffany Herron, and Alan Herron.

 

The Rock Port R-II 2023 elementary awards assembly was held Wednesday, May 22, 2024, to celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of students and staff from the 2023-24 school year. Dr. Waigand, principal, welcomed everyone.

Awards presented were as follows:

Accelerated Reader Reading Goals

Students who met their quarterly reading goals through Accelerated Reader were recognized.

The following students met their AR reading goals for three quarters: kindergarten – Jaxson Henggeler, Lena Paris, and Finnley Riley; first grade – Emma Garst, Kenzi Hoffman, Isaiah Newbanks, Lucas Gibson, and Cyrus Herrington; second grade – Sadie Clodfelter, Ryker Driskell, Dawson Irvine, Chase Krutz, Gentry Moore, Briggs Roup, Remi Stoner, Aiden Childers, Gabriel Gronniger, Greenly Moore, Piper VanSickle, and Izzy Childers; third grade – Piper McKenney and Louie Leseberg; fourth grade – Austin Alexander, Eli Meyerkorth, Adalyn Pemberton, Nash Schomburg, Grant Unruh, and Raelynn Stoner; fifth grade – Jackson Hogue and Alex Gibson; and sixth grade – Jaxson Hale and Maeve Roup.

The following students have been seriously pumping the books this year and met their reading goal all four quarters: kindergarten – Braeley Cook, Colton Jackson, Zayley Makings, Oscar Palmer, Kamden Schulte, Vada Seeley, Collin Stanton, Charlie Carpenter, Maxon Graves, Naomi Morgan, Drey Parsons, and Taelyn Sloop; first grade – Cole Alexander, Kolcyn Barnes, Evyr Lloyd, Leland Gibson, Wynne Griffin, Rosie Leichliter, Valerie Nielsen, Sadie Chaney, Lexi Culp, Tucker Deatz, Jersey Jones, Addaline Larson, Emersyn Martin, Ryne Shrader, and Josiah Shimmel; second grade – Rylynn Comstock, Elsie Gubser, Mason Henggeler, Belle Herron, Layla Hughes, River McCown, Mason Meyerkorth, Rhett Murphy, Paislee Sollars, Xander Goolsby, Sawyer Proctor, Rory Robertson, Knox Schulte, Ella Sperber, Cass Stanton, Beau Waigand, Kendall Wamsley, Gentry Welch; third grade – Judah Allen, Blaykleigh Daugherty, Maddie Henggeler, Portia Ingram, Daxxyn Moore, Vera-Ann Newbanks, Jaylee Wood, Sophia Bare, Aislyn Barnes, Izzy Carpenter, Kyler Culp, Raylan Daugherty, Markie Gaines, Oliver Paris, Dale Pinzino, Parkyr Lloyd, Brantley Garst, and Lincoln Leichliter; fourth grade – Frank Kroeger, Bertie Meyerkorth, Kinsley Nuckolls, Ashyr Lloyd, Mason Gubser, Jagger Jones, Kamryn Lair, Jossalyn McRaven, Lucy Ottmann, and Greyson Sperber; fifth grade – Damian Barth, Locke Chaney, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Elaina Kroeger, Kipton Waigand, Colton Zach, Jack Bailey, Nella Steuter, and Tara Wamsley; and sixth grade – Dawson Baker, Malachi Davis, Archer Meyerkorth, Jovie Millsap, Paisley Moore, Avery Schomburg, Jolie Steuter, Zeke Gebhards, Clara Hays, and Harper Wood.

Top Reader

Each time a student reads a book and takes a short quiz on it, they receive points on Accelerated Reader. Most books in the lower elementary are worth one-half point. As students get older, the books increase in point value with many upper elementary books worth one to three points each. This is the first year kindergarten has participated. The following students are the top readers based on Accelerated Reader for their classroom (*designates the student broke the grade level record): kindergarten – Drey Parsons, 49 (Mrs. Lawrence), and Kamden Schulte, 50* (Ms. Roup); first grade – Kolcyn Barnes, 201.6 (Mrs. Bredensteiner), and Tucker Deatz, 181.8 (Mrs. Geib); second grade – Mason Henggeler, 100.4 (Mrs. Carpenter), and Beau Waigand, 102.6 (Mrs. Gilson); third grade – Vera-Ann Newbanks, 156.1 (Mrs. Forehand), and Aislyn Barnes, 114.2 (Mrs. Larson); fourth grade – Frank Kroeger, 368.0* (Mrs. Stanton), and Lucy Ottmann, 86.3 (Mrs. Wood); fifth grade – Kipton Waigand, 179.9 (Mrs. Whiley), and Jack Bailey, 202.2 (Mrs. Weber); and sixth grade – Dawson Baker, 319.6 (Ms. Bennett), and Harper Wood, 149.5 (Ms. Coon).

1,000 Point Club

The following students have surpassed 1,000 career Accelerated Reader books. Career Point Club Leaders are: (1) Jackson Meyerkorth, 2,077.7 points; (2) Mya Welch, 1,416.9 points; (3) Corbyn Jakub, 1,389.3 points, 9,275,687 words; (4) Malachi Skillen, 1,282.2 points, 8,624,482 words; (5) Isabella Kroeger, 1,181.6 points; and (6) Desmond Chaney, 1,073.8 points.

Student Council Representatives

The following were recognized for being Elementary Student Council Representatives: Archer Meyerkorth and Briar Daugherty, sixth grade; Jack Bailey and Ali Ellis, fifth grade; Raelynn Stoner and Austin Alexander, fourth grade; and Izzy Carpenter and Blaykleigh Daugherty, third grade.

These students were responsible for daily announcements, putting the flag out each morning, Dance Floor Friday music, and running the Energy Bus assemblies as well as Frozen Friday treats each month. They have also answered student questions and feedback from the schoolwide suggestions box as well as started the Blue Fridays competition for students to wear Blue on Fridays for school spirit.

Spelling Bee

The following students participated in the local, county, and 275 Conference Spelling Bee: Jack Bailey – Maradi Mifflin grades 5-8 (tie fifth place, Atchison County alternate); Malachi Davis – Maradi Mifflin grades 5-8 (third place, Atchison County qualifier); and Kipton Waigand – Maradi Mifflin grades 5-8 (champion, Atchison County qualifier, Northwest Regional alternate).

President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

This award is given only to sixth graders who show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic subjects. These students have met at least one of the following criteria: (1) Maintained a grade average above an A- in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade; and (2) scored in the 90th percentile in either reading or math on the MAP test: Jadyn Jakub and Maeve Roup.

President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence

This award is given only to sixth graders who show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic subjects. These students have met at all of the following criteria: (1) Maintained a grade average above an A- in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade; and (2) Scored in the 90th percentile or above in either reading or math on the MAP test: Zeke Gebhards, Jaxson Hale, Clara Hays, Archer Meyerkorth, Jovie Millsap, Avery Schomburg, and Harper Wood.

Principal’s Art Gallery

Each year students’ outstanding artwork is recognized and displayed in the Principal’s Art Gallery outside of the cafeteria. This is a tradition that started many years ago and helps bring the hallways to life! Once students graduate from Rock Port they take their artwork with them. This year’s seniors were Brentyn Herron and Chaney Vogler.

This year’s artists are: Drey Parsons, kindergarten; Oliver Paris, third grade; Lane Seeley, fifth grade; and Dawson Baker, sixth grade.

Library Awards

Mrs. Amy Skillen presented library awards: Mark Twain Readers (read at least five of the Mark Twain Award nominees) – Kinsley Nuckolls, Locke Chaney, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Kipton Waigand, Malachi Davis, Clara Hays, and Harper Wood; Atchison County Battle of the Books competition – The Rockin’ Rollin’ Readers (Kinsley Nuckolls, Bertie Meyerkorth, Isaac Dougherty, and Archer Meyerkorth), The Night Readers (Ali Ellis, Locke Chaney, Kipton Waigand, and Harper Wood), and The Chapter Masters (Malachi Davis)

The “Book Boss Award” went to the following students for consistently turning library books in on time: Cole Alexander, Rosie Leichliter, Elsie Gubser, Aiden Childers, Kendall Wamsley, Maddie Henggeler, Lincoln Leichliter, Markie Gaines, Daxxyn Moore, Aislyn Barnes, Izzy Carpenter, Kyler Culp, Piper McKenney, Dale Pinzino, Vera-Ann Newbanks, Frank Kroeger, Bertie Meyerkorth, Kinsley Nuckolls, J.J. McRaven, Lucy Ottmann, Raelynn Stoner, Jack Bailey, Kambrie Driskell, Tara Wamsley, Isaac Dougherty, Elaina Kroeger, Dawson Baker, Malachi Davis, Avery Schomburg, and Jolie Steuter.

Band Awards

Mrs. Abby Palmer recognized the fifth grade band students: #12 White (Cookies & Creme) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Kambrie Driskell, Joci Culp, Elaina Kroeger, Nella Steuter, Emma Roberts, and Locke Chaney; #20 Yellow (Butterfinger) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Kambrie Driskell, Joci Culp, Elaina Kroeger, Nella Steuter, and Emma Roberts; #27 Orange (Reese’s) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Kambrie Driskell, Joci Culp, Elaina Kroeger, Nella Steuter, and Emma Roberts; #34 Green (Caramel Apple Sucker) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Kambrie Driskell, Elaina Kroeger, Nella Steuter, and Emma Roberts; #40 Blue (Baby Ruth) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Elaina Kroeger, Nella Steuter, and Emma Roberts; #47 Purple (Wild Berry Skittles) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, and Nella Steuter; #54 Pink (Nerds) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, and Nella Steuter; #59 Red (100 Grand) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, and Ali Ellis; #65 Brown (Snickers) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, and Ali Ellis; and #72 Black (Hershey) – Jack Bailey, Mason Hale, Isaac Dougherty, and Ali Ellis.

Sixth grade band students who received recognition were: #12 White (Cookies & Creme) – Jadyn Jakub and Jolie Steuter; #20 Yellow (Butterfinger) – Jadyn Jakub and Jolie Steuter; #27 Orange (Reese’s) – Jadyn Jakub and Jolie Steuter; #34 Green (Caramel Apple Sucker) – Jadyn Jakub and Jolie Steuter; and #40 Blue (Baby Ruth) – Jadyn Jakub.

TAG Awards

Mrs. Molly Spiegel highlighted the work and activities of the Talented and Gifted Program (TAG). Certificate of Achievement Awards were presented to: Jack Bailey, fifth grade; Jaxson Hale and Archer Meyerkorth, sixth grade.

Outstanding Educator Award

Each year the school recognizes an educator who has had a profound, positive impact on the lives of students, fellow colleagues, and community as a whole. Dr. Waigand said, “This year’s recipient is a Rock Port graduate. We were blessed she came back to our school in 2010 and has been an amazing influence on the students walking the elementary hallways. Congratulations to Mrs. Kymm Bredensteiner, our 2024 Outstanding Educator of the Year!”

Mrs. Tabitha Waigand then shared a few thoughts on her time with Mrs. B and the impact she has made. “I had the privilege of teaching with Mrs. B my first six years at Rock Port. She was a huge blessing to me in both my professional and personal life. Teaching alongside her brought such joy and so much laughter to each day. Not only did Mrs. B bring fun for me, she brought fun and joy to the students in the classroom as well. When I think about Mrs. B as a teacher, she has so many strengths. Her classroom management is amazing, where she is firm, with high expectations, but also very loving. Her instructional strategies are also wonderful, but what stands out the most about Mrs. B as a teacher is the relationships she makes with kids. In my opinion, a teacher is nothing without relationships. These relationships are evident in so many ways. Personally, I have seen the relationship Mrs. B has built with two of our boys who were blessed to have her as a teacher. I see her interact with preschool and kindergarten students, already working to build a relationship with them before they even enter first grade. I see her students thrive and succeed in her classroom, where they are loved and treated like one of her own children. The kids are comfortable around her and so excited to share the latest in their lives. I’ve gotten to see these relationships from a different vantage point the past two years. Most mornings I get to be in the hallway to greet students as they head to class. The area I stand in is near Mrs. B’s classroom, and it is absolutely amazing and heartwarming to see the number of students who stop in her room or at her door each day. These aren’t just students from last year or even the year before, but many of our fifth and sixth grade students intentionally take an early turn just to see her and talk to her before heading to their rooms each morning. That says something about her and the effort she puts into the students at Rock Port Elementary. I am so proud of Mrs. B for this honor and know that the relationships she has built and will continue to build will be what the students remember about her as they leave our elementary and enter junior high, high school, and even life as adults. Mrs. B, your impact on the students and staff at Rock Port speaks volumes about you and your heart for teaching and reaching each and every student. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for our school.”

Drawing for the $100 bill

Students earn tickets for a drawing for a $100 bill through hard work and effort throughout the year. This year’s winners were Maya Clodfelter (overall grades K-6) and Hudson Adams (grades 3-6 MAP testing).

Dr. Waigand presents a summer challenge for students each year. This year it is to read . . . visit the public library and check out a book. There are so many adventures waiting to happen between the pages of a good book. And better yet, read outside and enjoy the fresh air. The outdoors do your body and mind a lot of good.

Classroom Awards

Teachers also presented classroom awards.

Kindergarten (Ms. Roup and Mrs. Lawrence): Top AR Readers – Kamden Schulte, 50 points; Drey Parsons, 45.9 points.

First grade (Mrs. Geib): AR Accuracy Award – Addaline Larson and Josiah Shimmel (88%); Most AR Points – Tucker Deatz (181.8 points); RGR Rockstars (completed all 25 units of Phonics Playground) – Sadie Chaney, Jersey Jones, Addaline Larson, Emersyn Martin, and Ryne Shrader; Math Fact Whiz (completed addition and subtraction facts in six seconds or less) – Addaline Larson and Ryne Shrader; Book-It (earned two AR points/month October through March) – Sadie Chaney, Lexi Culp, Tucker Deatz, Jersey Jones, Addaline Larson, Emersyn Martin, Josiah Shimmel, and Ryne Shrader. The following awards were voted on by the class: Most Organized – Sadie Chaney, Most Caring – Lexi Culp, Hard Worker – Tucker Deatz, Class Leader – Lucas Gibson, Most Spirited – Cyrus Herrington, Friendliest – Jersey Jones, Aspiring Artist – Addaline Larson, Best Handwriting – Emersyn Martin, Future Athlete – Ryne Shrader, and Most Sociable – Gary Twyman-Eddy

Second grade (Mrs. Bredensteiner): AR Accuracy Award – Wynne Griffin (96%); Most AR Points – Kolcyn Barnes (201.6); Book-It Awards – Kolcyn Barnes, Wynne Griffin, and Cole Alexander; and Math Star (fact fluency) – Wynne Griffin and Kolcyn Barnes. The following awards were voted on by the class: Fantastic Friend Award – Wynne Griffin, Happy Helper Award – Rosie Leichliter, Joyful Jokester Award – Cole Alexander, Wonderful Writer Award – Kolcyn Barnes, Awesome Artist Award – Evyr Lloyd, Radical Reader Award – Isaiah Newbanks, Lovely Listener Award – Emma Garst, Super Scientist Award – Valerie Nielsen, Marvelous Mathematician Award – Kenzi Hoffman, and Amazing Athlete Award – Leland Gibson.

Second grade (Mrs. Gilson): Top AR Points – Beau Waigand (102.6); AR Accuracy Award – Rory Robertson (94%); AR Wall of Honor (60 points) – Cass Stanton, Beau Waigand, Piper VanSickle, Rory Robertson, Kendall Wamsley, Sawyer Proctor, Gentry Welch, Ella Sperber, Xander Goolsby, and Greenly Moore; and Reading Circle – Cass Stanton, Beau Waigand, Piper VanSickle, Rory Robertson, Kendall Wamsley, Sawyer Proctor, Gentry Welch, Ella Sperber, Xander Goolsby, Greenly Moore, Knox Schulte, Izzy Childers, Jaylee Hudson, Logan Schlup, Izzy Childers, Gabriel Gronniger, and Braylon Thomas.

Second grade (Mrs. Carpenter): Top AR Points – Mason Henggeler (100.4 points); AR Accuracy Award – Belle Herron (93%); AR Wall of Honor (60 points) – Rylynn Comstock, Ryker Driskell, Elsie Gubser, Mason Henggeler, Belle Herron, Layla Hughes, River McCown, Mason Meyerkorth, and Briggs Roup; Reading Circle – Aiden Childers, Sadie Clodfelter, Rylynn Comstock, Ryker Driskell, Elsie Gubser, Mason Henggeler, Belle Herron, Layla Hughes, Dawson Irvine, Chase Krutz, River McCown, Mason Meyerkorth, Gentry Moore, Rhett Murphy, Kylie Perry, Briggs Roup, Paislee Sollars, and Remi Stoner.

Third grade (Mrs. Forehand): Maddie Henggeler, Kit Kat Award for always being at the teacher’s side when needed; Judah Allen, 3 Musketeers Award for always working well with others in a group; Jaylee Wood, Rolo Award for always working hard and rolling with the punches; Blaykleigh Daugherty, Reese’s Pieces Award for always helping out when we’re falling to pieces; Lincoln Leichliter, Kit Kat Award for always being at the teacher’s side when needed; Daxxyn Moore, Starburst Award for always being a “star” student everyday; Vera-Ann Newbanks, Skittles Award for always being full of colorful ideas; Portia Ingram, Twizzler Award for dancing through the year with a great attitude; Brantley Garst, Snickers Award for always having a great sense of humor; Parkyr Lloyd, 3 Musketeers Award for always working well with others in a group; Louie Leseberg, Butterfinger Award for always having a smooth easy-going attitude; and Kinsley Perry, Twix Award for always being the class trickster.

Fourth grade (Mrs. Wood): Overall “A” Average in Spelling – Kamryn Lair, Lucy Ottmann, and Raelynn Stoner; Overall “A” Average in Reading – Kamryn Lair, Lucy Ottmann, Greyson Sperber, and Raelynn Stoner; Overall “A” Average in Math – Kamryn Lair; Overall “A” Average in Science – Ryker Gibson, Mason Gubser, Jagger Jones, Kamryn Lair, Ashyr Lloyd, JJ McRaven, Lucy Ottmann, Michelle Rouse, Greyson Sperber, and Raelynn Stoner; Overall “A” Average in Social Studies  – Ryker Gibson, Jagger Jones, Kamryn Lair, Lucy Ottmann, and Raelynn Stoner; and Overall “A” Average in Language Arts – Jagger Jones, Kamryn Lair, Lucy Ottmann, Greyson Sperber, and Raelynn Stoner.

Fourth grade (Mrs. Stanton): Overall “A” Average in Spelling – Frank Kroeger, Eli Meyerkorth, and Kinsley Nuckolls; Overall “A” Average in Reading – Frank Kroeger, Eli Meyerkorth, and Kinsley Nuckolls; Overall “A” Average in Math – Frank Kroeger, Eli Meyerkorth, and Kinsley Nuckolls; Overall “A” Average in Science – Austin Alexander, Jarrett Jackson, Frank Kroeger, Bertie Meyerkorth, Eli Meyerkorth, Abilene Moore, Kinsley Nuckolls, Adalyn Pemberton, Zepplin Roup, Nash Schomburg, and Grant Unruh; Overall “A” Average in Social Studies  – Eli Meyerkorth and Kinsley Nuckolls; Overall “A” Average in Language Arts – Frank Kroeger, Eli Meyerkorth, and Kinsley Nuckolls; and Overall Top AR Points – Frank Kroeger.

Reading Circle Certificates (fourth grade) – Mason Gubser, Jagger Jones, Kamryn Lair, Ashyr Lloyd, JJ McRaven, Lucy Ottmann, Greyson Sperber, Frank Kroeger, Bertie Meyerkorth, and Kinsley Nuckolls.

The following students received recognition for having the top grades/scores for each subject area in fifth and sixth grades:

Science (Mrs. Weber) – Locke Chaney, Isaac Dougherty, Elaina Kroeger, Jack Bailey, and Cy Vogler, fifth grade; Archer Meyerkorth, Avery Schomberg, Harper Wood, and Clara Hayes, sixth grade.

Social Studies (Ms. Bennett) – Isaac Dougherty and Elaina Kroger, fifth grade; Avery Schomburg and Jovie Millsap, sixth grade.

ELA (Ms. Bennett) – Isaac Dougherty and Kipton Waigand, fifth grade; Avery Schomburg and Jovie Millsap, sixth grade.

Math (Mrs. Whiley) – Isaac Dougherty, Elaina Kroeger, Cy Vogler, and Kambrie Driskell, fifth grade; Avery Schomburg, Jovie Millsap, Ryan Sharpless, and Harper Wood, sixth grade.

Social Studies (Ms. Coon) – Jack Bailey, Andy Meyerkorth, and Cy Vogler, fifth grade; Lincoln Jackson, sixth grade.

ELA (Ms. Coon) – Cy Vogler and Jack Bailey, fifth grade; Clara Hays and Harper Wood, sixth grade.