Cali Driskell (left) was recognized as the valedictorian and Malachi Skillen (right) was the salutatorian of the Rock Port High School Class of 2025.

 

Valedictorian Cali Driskell recounted some of the best memories of her class during her speech.

 

Malachi Skillen, salutatorian of the Rock Port Class of 2025, gave a speech during the graduation ceremony.

 

Rock Port English teacher Kerri Rodriguez was the guest speaker at Rock Port’s graduation on Sunday.

 

Stevie Pritt smiles as Shauna Farmer turns her tassel.

 

Ryan Athen shakes Mrs. Shauna Farmer’s hand as he walks across the stage.

 

Dr. Bollinger puts a medal around Sienna Harmon’s neck, recognizing her as a top 10 member of the class.

 

Molly Spiegel embraces her daughter Claire during the graduation ceremony.

 

Bracton Cook and Aricin Weber can’t help but smile as they leave the graduation ceremony.

 

Rock Port R-II School held commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Rock Port High School. Graduates included: Ryan James Athen, Justice Marialice Braniff, Anden Christopher Adam Cohn, Bracton Reed Cook, Zane Alan Cook, Cali Breann Driskell, Jaylynn Banner Garst, Ryland Frederick Garst, Sienna Dee Harmon, Jaymes Robert Herron, Corbyn James Jakub, Hadleigh Breann Jones, Ryan Matthew Lucas, Addison Olivia Maifeld, Ryder Jon Scott McCown, Jayme Kae Mauree McEnaney, Logan Wayne McQueen, Kendan Lane Melton-Davis, Avery Virginia Meyerkorth, Caleb Maurice Palmer, Lilly Allison Pankau, Devyn Michael Pitts, Stevie Jaclyn Elizabeth Pritt, Makaila Lynn Ranea Pruett, Logan Lewis Allumbaugh-Richards, Arianna Nicole Shimmel, Bethanie Payten Shrader, Malachi James Skillen, Claire Elise Spiegel, Sam Lambertus-Ludovicus Van De Goor, Trenton James Wallace, and Aricin Robert Weber.

The class motto was “In the end, when it’s over, all that matters is what you’ve done.” The class colors were periwinkle, white, and silver, and the class flower was iris.

National Honor Society members were Bracton Cook, Cali Driskell, Jaymes Herron, Hadleigh Jones, Ryan Lucas, Addison Maifeld, Avery Meyerkorth, Arianna Shimmel, Payten Shrader, Malachi Skillen, and Claire Spiegel.

Class officers were: Avery Meyerkorth, president; Cali Driskell, vice-president; Claire Spiegel, secretary; Payten Shrader, treasurer; Corbyn Jakub and Addison Maifeld, student council representatives; Ryan Lucas, student body president; Payten Shrader, student body vice-president; Malachi Skillen, student body treasurer; and Claire Spiegel, student body secretary.

Class sponsors were Mrs. Abby Palmer, Mrs. Paige Ralph, and Mrs. Amy Skillen.

Ushers were Keira Roup, Emma Teten, Quentin Jackson, and Dylan Lair.

Seniors entered to “Pomp & Circumstance,” played by Mrs. Lynn Hunter, pianist. Dr. Rex Bollinger, Superintendent, welcomed those present.

Mrs. Kerri Rodriguez was the guest speaker.

Scholarships and awards were presented by Dr. Bollinger, Mr. Donnie Parsons, High School Principal, and Mrs. Shauna Farmer, Counselor. Mr. Parsons presented the Class of 2025, and diplomas were presented by Mr. Regan Griffin and Mr. Troy Cook, school board members.

Members of the Class of 2025, their plans and awards received were as follows:

Claire Spiegel was an A+ Scholarship recipient. This program documents 50 hours of tutoring or mentoring, achieving 95% cumulative attendance over four years, maintaining a 2.5 GPA, and being a good citizen in the community and at school. A+ graduates may use their grant benefits at any A+ Missouri public community college or technical or vocational school. The benefits help with the cost of fees or the completion of a degree program, whichever comes first. She also received the PEO Scholarship, the Liberty Theatre Award, and the local Rock Port CTA Scholarship. Claire was one of the Rock Port graduates to get a four year Warren and Evalyn Morgan Scholarship. Warren and Evalyn were farmers in the Watson area for several years and Evalyn was a teacher. They valued education and helping students achieve their educational goals. Their charitable trust has been able to help many Atchison County students. Claire was also awarded the MSHSAA Award of Excellence and Citizenship at the high school awards assembly. Claire will attend the University of Missouri in Columbia, majoring in a Child Life Specialist degree. She has been awarded the renewable Mizzou Excellence Award, the Vemer and the Abernathy Scholarships.

Bracton Cook received the New Horizons and American Legion Scholarships, a Steve and Marie Proctor Scholarship, and a Morgan Trust two year or Technical School Scholarship. Bracton plans to utilize his A+ Scholarship to pay his full tuition at the State Technical School of Missouri in Linn, Missouri, where he will receive certification in Heavy Machinery Operations.

The Beta Gals of Rock Port proudly presented Hadleigh Jones their yearly scholarship. The Rock Port Beta Gals’ motto, “Women making a difference in their community through community service, friendship, and sisterhood,” fits this recipient perfectly. Hadleigh holds a special place in this group’s heart. She has grown up in this group and has helped and been a big part of every fundraiser or activity and lived up to their motto of making a difference. It is an honor and pleasure for the Beta Gals to award this scholarship to Hadleigh. Peru State College is where Hadleigh will call home. She plans to use her Liberty Theatre and Beta Gals awards to study art and business so she can become a tattoo artist.

Lilly Pankau qualified for the A+ Scholarship. Lilly plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University and has been awarded the Quimby/Walker Scholarship and the Northwest Scholar Award. Lilly plans to study Agriculture Business.

Jaylynn Garst also received  a Morgan High School Award and a Steve and Marie Proctor Scholarship, and a $1,000 IV Bats Scholarship. The IV Bats Scholarship Fund, Inc. was established in 2025 by Pete Batschelet and his wife Michelle. Pete is a 1998 graduate of Rock Port High School and was honored as salutatorian for his class. After graduating from RPHS, Pete attended Drake University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2002. Pete later received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2004. Pete has been working in real estate for 20 years and now works at Lee & Associates, a Commercial Real Estate Brokerage company out of Phoenix, Arizona. Pete specializes in selling and leasing industrial real estate for Lee & Associates. Pete and his wife of 20 years, Michelle, live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with their son, Blake, age 14, and daughter, Collins, age 11. Atchison County will always hold a special place in Pete’s heart. To those receiving the scholarship and to those in the future, Pete wishes them the best of luck with their future endeavors and goals! Pete wants to leave these inaugural recipients with his favorite quote from Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Jaylynn plans to attend NWMSU. Northwest has awarded her the University Scholar Award. She plans to study biochemistry.

Ryan Athen received a two-year welding vocational certificate from Northwest Technical School in Maryville. Ryan plans to attend the Missouri Welding Institute in Nevada, Missouri.

Devyn Pitts was also a vocational technical school student. Devyn earned a two year certificate in automotive repair. He will attend the Missouri Welding Institute in Nevada, Missouri.

Trenton Wallace was awarded a new scholarship from the Curnutt family. Mary Joanne Curnutt was a big supporter of community involvement, trade schools, and retaining good people in the town of Rock Port. With funds donated by Ms. Curnutt, RPHS has created a scholarship in her honor. Preference was given to individuals who would be going straight to work or attend a trade school and use their skills within the Rock Port community. The scholarship is intended to be used for equipment, tools, and other supplies needed to start or continue a career that will benefit the community of Rock Port. Trenton has been awarded $3,000. He plans to join the Missouri Public Utility Alliance and continue work for the City of Rock Port.

Makaila Pruett received a Morgan Trust four year college award and an A+ Scholarship recipient. Northwest Missouri State University has awarded Makaila the Northwest Merit Scholarship. Makaila will be pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

Justice Braniff has earned a two year certificate in the culinary program from Northwest Missouri Vocational School in Maryville. Mrs. Bebb would tell you that Justice has become quite the pastry chef. Justice will continue her culinary training at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.

Along with a New Horizon Scholarship, Ryland Garst received the $1,000 Atchison County Development Corporation Vocational Scholarship. ACDC proudly invests in our students, hoping to see them back in Atchison County in future years. The ACDC Board members realize the value of the vocational programs in our small community. Ryland also received the Morgan Trust Vocational Scholarship and was an A+ Scholarship awardee. The Rock Port First Lutheran Church awarded Ryland their scholarship and Northwest Missouri State University has awarded Ryland the Northwest Merit Scholarship. Ryland will study Agriculture Business.

Logan McQueen was a Northwest Technical School student. He earned a one year certificate in building maintenance. Logan plans to attend Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs to become a certified EMT.

Corbyn Jakub was awarded the title of Rock Port High School Outstanding Male Athlete during the Rock Port High School awards assembly. Corbyn also received a $1,000 IV BATS Scholarship award, qualified for the A+ Scholarship, and is a Warren and Evalyn Morgan grantee. Corbyn was granted a NWMSU University Scholar Award. Corbyn aspires to be a physical therapist and is undecided on his college institution at this time.

Zane Cook was a qualifier for the Missouri A+ Award. He also received the four year Morgan High School Scholarship. Zane plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, where he will utilize his NWMSU Academic Excellence Scholarship to seek a degree in computer science.

Payten Shrader has been awarded a Steve and Marie Proctor Scholarship, a $1,000 IV BATS Scholarship, and a Northwest Missouri Sportsman’s Club Scholarship. Payten is eligible for an A+ Scholarship and is a four year Morgan High School recipient. Payten will attend Peru State College and will major in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Language.

Ryan Lucas was awarded the MSHSAA Award of Excellence and Citizenship and the American Legion Senior Male Citizenship Award at the high school awards assembly. Ryan was chosen by the IV BATS scholarship committee to receive the $2,000 IV BATS Scholarship and received the $1,000 ACDC four year school scholarship. Ryan also earned the Presidential Award of Excellence certificate, which was based on scoring at the 85th percentile on the ACT in either reading or math and achieving a 3.67 or higher cumulative grade point average. Ryan was chosen for the Louis Bell Scholarship through Community Scholarships of Northwest Missouri. Louis Bell was a former farmer in the Fairfax, Missouri, area who established the Louis E. Bell Trust Grants. It is a scholarship program to honor the hard work of high school and college students from Rock Port, Fairfax, and Tarkio. He also received a Northwest Missouri Sportsman’s Club Scholarship, the Warren and Evalyn Morgan Scholarship, and an A+ Award. Ryan will be awarded the Rock Port Methodist Church Merle and Vera Walter Scholarship and is also receiving the Groundbreaker Scholarship, an Academic Grant, and a Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship through Missouri Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. Ryan will major in mechanical engineering.

Addison Maifeld received the A+ Scholarship. Addison plans to attend Missouri State University to become an X-Ray Technician.

Avery Meyerkorth was named RPHS Outstanding Female Athlete and received the American Legion Female Citizenship Award during the Rock Port High School awards assembly. Avery received a Warren and Evalyn Morgan Scholarship and the A+ Scholarship. Avery was one of two students who will be gifted back their Principal’s Art Gallery picture. These framed pictures are on display in front of the piano and will go home with the artist after the ceremony. Avery will be attending Iowa State University where she has been awarded the following renewable scholarships: The $12,000 Academic Award, Expedition Award, and the Marjorie McKinley Memorial. Avery plans to become an event planner.

The Rock Port Youth Athletic Association honored Jaymes Herron with the $500 Bill Andrews Memorial Scholarship. Bill was one of the founding members of the Rock Port Optimist Club and spent many hours supporting youth activities in Rock Port and the surrounding area. Jaymes received the A+ and the Warren and Evalyn Morgan Scholarships, and the $1,200 Bertie Stephens Scholarship, and the Presidential Award of Excellence Award. Jaymes will be attending Missouri S&T in Rolla, Missouri and plans to study Aerospace Engineering.

Malachi Skillen was the final Presidential Excellence Award winner and received the A+ Scholarship. Malachi was also a Missouri Bright Flight recipient, earned by scoring a 31 or above on the ACT. Malachi will join the Bearcats at Northwest this fall and will utilize his Northwest Missouri State University Provost and Presidential Scholarships awarded to pursue his degree in economics.

Cali Driskell was the second member of the class to have her Principal’s Art Gallery picture on display. Cali received a Warren and Evalyn Morgan Award and was an A+ student. Cali was the recipient of the Rock Port National Honor Society’s Scholarship. Cali plans to acquire her nursing degree at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

Mr. Donnie Parsons presented the top 10 seniors of 2025. They were: Corbyn Jakub, 10; Zane Cook, 9; Sienna Harmon, 8; Payten Shrader, 7; Ryan Lucas, 6; Addison Maifeld, 5; Avery Meyerkorth, 4; Jaymes Herron, 3; Malachi Skillen, salutatorian (based on a 4-point weighted scale with a cumulative grade point average of 4.5009); and Cali Driskell, valedictorian (with a cumulative grade point average of 4.5068).

The senior class presentation was enjoyed before graduates left the gym to their class song, “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls.

Graduates lined the halls of Rock Port High School where they were congratulated by family and friends.