Students recognized for their perfect attendance, from left to right, were Audrey Zumbrunnen, Braleigh Stoner, Aubree Simmons, Greenley Grossman, and Twyla Elliott.
Music teacher Debra Wyatt recognized students Brody Landess, MJ May, and Zailynn Cook for their musical talents.
Counselor Shelley Eaton recognized Anna Ohlensehlen for attending the Missouri Leadership Seminar.
ACDC board treasurer Bob Alldredge presented a scholarship to Ryker Parks.
The Fairfax R-3 School District recognized its students during an awards assembly Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Scholarships were also given to the seniors and the National Honor Society inducted its new members. A list of the award recipients follows:
JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL
CTA Scholarship – Cowen O’Riley
Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) – Clayton Vernon, Ryker Parks
Fairfax Baptist Church – Kendall Kingery, Cowen O’Riley, Luke Swinehart, Clayton Vernon
Kenny Oliver Optimist Scholarship – Kendall Kingery, Cowen O’Riley
Ministerial Alliance – Cowen O’Riley
Class of 1984 Memorial Scholarship for Shawn Ireland – Ryker Parks
Methodist Church Arnold Scholarship – Clayton Vernon
A+ Scholarships – KayDee Duering, Kendall Kingery, Cowen O’Riley, Grace Oswald, Luke Swinehart, Clayton Vernon
NWMSU University Scholar Award – Grace Oswald
Peru State College Bobcat Bound Scholarship – KayDee Duering
Mizzou Curators Scholarship – Clayton Vernon
UMKC Curators Award – Kendall Kingery, Luke Swinehart
MFA Scholarship – Grace Oswald
Show-Me to College Scholarship – Clayton Vernon
Hayden Pyeatt Memorial Scholarship – Ryker Parks
Adah Pyeatt Memorial Scholarship – Grace Oswald
Louis Bell Scholarship – Luke Swinehart
Tarkio Baptist Church – Grace Oswald
IV Bats Scholarship – Kendall Kingery
Grace Finch Fairfax Christian Church Scholarship – Kendall Kingery, Cowen O’Riley
Bright Flight – Kendall Kingery
Forty & Eight Scholarship – Luke Swinehart
PE Awards: Seventh Grade Highest Points – Emma Ohlensehlen and Lela Wright; Eighth Grade Highest Points – Deyton Burke and Riley Koop; High School Highest Points – Amelia Larson and Kendall Kingery; Weights Highest Points – Jazmyn Prado; Toughness Award – KayDee Duering; Powerlifter Award – Izzy Ramirez; Most Improved – Jazmyn Prado; B.A.R.K. Awards – Lela Wright (seventh grade), Riley Koop (eighth grade), Kendall Kingery (high school), Jazmyn Prado (weights).
English Awards (Highest Points): Delaney Oswald, seventh grade; Deyton Burke, eighth grade; Elsey Rogers, ninth grade; Chloe Vernon, 10th grade; Amelia Larson; 11th grade; Payton Woodring, 12th grade
Ag (Highest Points): Ag Construction – Tate Johnson; Ag Management – Amelia Larson; Ag Leadership – Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, and Tate Johnson; Landscaping – Joaquin Hill; Floriculture – Joaquin Hill; Ag Science 2 – Carter Oswald, Anna Ohlensehlen; 8th Grade – Deyton Burke, Avery Fast; 7th Grade – Emma Ohlensehlen, Delaney Oswald, Mackenzie Oswald, Alex Wintz; Ag Science 1 – Knox Oswald; Animal Science – Ryker Parks; Plant Science – Clayton Vernon
Ag Outstanding Students: Emma Ohlensehlen, seventh grade; Avery Fast, eighth grade; Elsey Rogers, freshman; Alex Martin, sophomore; Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Tate Johnson, juniors; Grace Oswald, Ryker Parks, Payton Woodring, seniors
Math (Highest Points): Jaycee Stoner, seventh grade; Deyton Burke, eighth grade; Knox Oswald, Algebra 1; Anna Ohlensehlen, Geometry; Tate Johnson, Algebra 2
History (Highest Points): Delaney Oswald, seventh grade – Geography; Olivia Woods, eighth grade – American History; Knox Oswald, ninth grade – World History; Anna Ohlensehlen, Chloe Vernon; 10th grade – Government; Tate Johnson, Austin Helfers, 11th grade – Modern America
FACS (Classroom Leadership): Career Development – Leila Knight; Entrepreneurship – Emma Vance, Bentley Price; International Foods – KayDee Duering, Izzy Ramirez; Culinary Management – Grace Oswald; Junior High Health/FACS-Semester 1 – Zander Grossman, Katie Avrett; Junior High Health/FACS-Semester 2 – Aliyah Pearce; Housing – Anna Ohlensehlen, Carter Oswald; General Foods – Grace Oswald, Cowen O’Riley, Kendall Kingery, Luke Swinehart; Yearbook – Izzy Ramirez
The Yearbook was dedicated to Mrs. Deb Wyatt.
Band: Banner Carriers – Katie Avrett, Brenna Kingery, Jaycee Stoner, Delaney Oswald, MJ May, Zailynn Cook, Brody Landess; Honorary Members – Ashley Grossman and Tate Johnson; Drum Majors – Kendall Kingery and Clayton Vernon; Golor Guard – Anna Ohlensehlen and Lexi Brown; Drumline Participation – Amelia Larson, Anna Ohlensehlen, Chloe Vernon, Cowen O’Riley, Austin Helfers, Mason Kingery, Kendall Kingery, KayDee Duering, Joaquin Hill, Luke Swinehart, Clayton Vernon, Trent Frohn
Band Letters: Highest Points Letter – Amelia Larson; 1st Year – Kelsey Avrett and Tyler Duering; 2nd Year – Lexi Brown, Erin Eyman, Trent Frohn, Chase Gayler, Mason Kingery, Kenneth Kirkpatrick, Anna Ohlensehlen, Johnny Pickard, Chloe Vernon; 3rd Year – Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Amelia Larson; 4th Year – KayDee Duering, Kendall Kingery, Cowen O’Riley, Luke Swinehart, Clayton Vernon
District Music Festival Participants: Kendall Kingery, Baritone Solo; Mason Kingery, Trombone Solo; Chloe Vernon, Alto Sax Solo
High School Art Awards: Tabby Chaney – Very Determined Artist; Carter Oswald – Most Determined Artist; Knox Oswald – Most Dedicated to Their Subject; Carley Graham – Impressive Art Created; Wyatt Landess and Elsey Rogers – Collaboration on a Project; Tay Brown, Kegan Swenson, Ace Allen, Damon Drummund – Collaboration on a Project.
PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY
Students recognized for having perfect attendance for the year were: Audrey Belle Zumbrunnen, preschool; Aubree Paige Simmons, kindergarten; and Twyla Joyce Elliott, Greenley Ann Grossman, and Braleigh Stoner, fourth grade.
Preschool Awards: Dani Boyle – Reading Circle Certificate, Gummy Bear Award (for being a caring and huggable classmate), Turtle Award (for always taking the time to do her best and not rush through her work); Lexus Crowley – Reading Circle Certificate, Skittles Award (for being the class fashionista who wore a rainbow of colors to school), Moose Award (for the huge amount of growth made this year); Claire Oswald – Reading Circle Certificate, Kit Kat Award (for being by teacher’s side and ready to give her a break when needed), Fox Award (for her ability to cleverly solve problems); Xavion Pinzino – Reading Circle Certificate, M&Ms Award (for being a “marvelous and magnificent” student), Dog Award (for his “PAW-sitive” personality and the way that he brings joy to those around him); Addie Rafe – Reading Circle Certificate, Fun Dip Award (for being eager to learn with a fun-loving attitude), Bird Award (for her beautiful singing voice and musical talent); Emma Schlup – Reading Circle Certificate, Twizzlers Award (for dancing through her work with a great attitude and a flair for learning), Dolphin Award (for her adventurous heart that loves to explore and discover new things); Ella Smith – Reading Circle Certificate, Laffy Taffy Award (for having the most fun while learning), Firefly Award (for her ability to light up the classroom with her kind heart and smile); Patrick Swenson – Reading Circle Certificate, Snickers Award (for his sense of humor and his ability to make others laugh daily), Lion Award (for being a great leader with a passionate heart); Esme Vogler – Reading Circle Certificate, Jolly Rancher Award (for being so happy to learn every day), Kangaroo Award (for always jumping into whatever the class is doing or learning); Cammie White – Reading Circle Certificate, Lifesavers Award (for always lending a hand to help others in class), Squirrel Award (for her ability to find and gather students that are in need of a friend); Audrey Zumbrunnen – Reading Circle Certificate, Bubble Yum Award (for her fun and “bubbly” personality), Butterfly Award (for her ability to create beautiful illustrations and artwork).
Kindergarten: Wesley Long – Reading Circle Award (for reading 20 + books this year), Math Whiz Award (for finishing his math in a breeze and asking to help his peers), Snickers Award (for always making his teacher and classmates “snicker”), Really Responsible Award; Aubree Simmons – Reading Circle Award (for reading 20 + books this year), Wonderful Writer Award (for always trying her best and neatest handwriting), Twix Award (for being so soft, “gooey,” and lovable), Happy Hugs Award (for always starting the day off with a hug); Harper Smith – Reading Circle Award (for reading 20 + books this year), Reading Rock Star Award (she reached 18 AR points as a kindergartner), Sweetarts Award (for being super sweet, and a little sassy when she needs to be), Caring Kiddo Award (for always helping a friend when they need it).
First Grade: Tristan Cummings – Starburst, 10 AR Point Club, 100 + Heart Words, Super Reader Award (Reading Log), Math Wizard, Reading Circle Certificate, Most likely to be a Computer Engineer; Garrett Reed – Hersey’s Kiss Award, 10 &20 AR Point Club, 100 + Heart Words, Super Reader Award (Reading Log), Heart of Gold Award, Reading Circle Certificate, Most likely to become a Police Officer; Wade Reed – M&M Award, 10 AR Points Club, 100 + Heart Words, Super Reader Award (Reading Log), Math Wizard, Amazing Artist, Reading Circle Certificate, Future Lawyer; Charlie White – Sweet Tarts Award, 10 AR Points Club, 100 + Heart Words, Super Reader Award (Reading Log), Spelling Superstar, Math Wizard, Reading Circle Certificate, Most likely to become a Nurse; Jackson Zumbrunnen – Twix Award, 10-60 AR Points Club, 100 + Heart Words, Super Reader Award (Reading Log), Spelling Superstar, Mountain Climber, Reading Circle Certificate, Animal Expert Award
Second Grade: Reading Circle Certificate – Taylor Long, Brentley Stevens, Nash Stevens, Isaiah Price, Lane Reed, Caiden Hines; Taylor Long – 40 Point AR Club, Most likely to have a messy desk; Lane Reed – 15 Point AR Club, Most likely to be an artist; Brentley Stevens – 85 Point AR Club, Most likely to be a math whiz; Nash Stevens – 20 Point AR Club, Most likely to make you smile; Isaiah Price – 10 Point AR Club, Most likely to have the neatest desk; Caiden Hines – 25 Point AR Club, Most likely to have the best handwriting.
Third Grade: Xavier Bradbury – Reading Circle, 25 Point AR Club, most likely to know how to operate all the technology; Paisleigh Daugherty – Reading Circle, 20 Point AR Club, most likely to become a professional dancer; Ayden Harber – Reading Circle, 20 Point AR Club, most likely to make people laugh; Lucy Heck – Reading Circle, 80 Point AR Club, most likely to become a teacher; Jo Hurst – Reading Circle, 50 Point AR Club, most likely to become an actress; Ellee Salmond – Reading Circle, 40 Point AR Club, most likely to become a cheerleader; Abbi Umbarger – Reading Circle, 50 Point AR Club, most likely to become a zoo keeper; Garrett Wintz – Reading Circle, 70 Point AR Club, most likely to become a computer programmer.
Fourth Grade: Haleena Allen – Reading Circle Certificate, Curious Cat Award, 25 Point AR Club; Twyla Elliott – Reading Circle Certificate, Handwriting Hero Award, 25 Point AR Club; Greenley Grossman – Reading Circle Certificate, Multiplication Champion Award, 50 Point AR Club; Harper Hicks – Reading Circle Certificate, Creative Kid Award, 50 Point AR Club; Presley Knight – Reading Circle Certificate, Quiet Achiever Award, 25 Point AR Club; Jonah Long – Reading Circle Certificate, Eager Reader Award, 100 Point AR Club, AR Goal Met All 4 Quarters Award; William Oswald – Reading Circle Certificate, Mathlete Award, 100 Point AR Club; Eli Rogers – Daring Diver Award; Braleigh Stoner – Reading Circle Certificate, Writing Wizard Award, 100 Point AR Club
Fifth Grade: Adelynn Giddinge – AR Points 125 Point Club, Reading Circle Certificate, Academic Excellence in Communication Arts, Academic Excellence in Spelling, Academic Excellence in Science, Academic Excellence in Social Studies, Academic Excellence in Math, Great Writer Award; Adalyn Pemberton – AR Points 100 Points Club, Reading Circle Certificate, Academic Excellence in Communication Arts, Academic Excellence in Spelling, Academic Excellence in Science, Academic Excellence in Social Studies, Academic Excellence in Math, Comedian Award; Aspyn Fast – AR Points 175 Points Club, Reading Circle Certificate, Academic Excellence in Communication Arts, Academic Excellence in Spelling, Academic Excellence in Science, Academic Excellence in Social Studies, Bright Smile Award; Ryann Salmond – AR Points 100 Points Club, Reading Circle Certificate, Academic Excellence in Communication Arts, Academic Excellence in Spelling, Academic Excellence in Science, Academic Excellence in Social Studies, Academic Excellence in Math, Mathematician Award; Eli Auwarter – AR Points 50 Points Club, Reading Circle Certificate, Academic Excellence in Spelling, Academic Excellence in Science, Athlete Award; Emmett Umbarger – AR Points 225 Points Club, Reading Circle Certificate, Academic Excellence in Communication Arts, Academic Excellence in Spelling, Academic Excellence in Science, Academic Excellence in Social Studies, Academic Excellence in Math, Technology Award; Trev Hicks – AR Points 50 Points Club, Reading Circle Certificate, Curiosity Award
Sixth Grade: Maintained no less than an A- all for quarters in Math – Wendy Hurst; Maintained no less than an A- all for quarters in Communication Arts – Wendy Hurst, Ava Oswald; Maintained no less than an A- all for quarters in Science – Wendy Hurst, MJ May, Ava Oswald; Maintained no less than an A- all for quarters in Spelling – Wendy Hurst, Zachary Koop, Brody Landess, MJ May, Ava Oswald; Improved from Semester 1 to Semester 2 (Communication Arts) – Zailynn Cook, Brody Landess, MJ May, Ayden Stoner, Joel Vance, Patrick Wheeler; Improved from Semester 1 to Semester 2 (Spelling) – Joel Vance; Improved from Semester 1 to Semester 2 ( Social Studies) – Zailynn Cook, Wendy Hurst, Zachary Koop, Brody Landess, Ava Oswald, Parker Woodring; Improved from Semester 1 to Semester 2 (Science) – Ayden Stoner, Joel Vance; Improved from Quarter 3 to Quarter 4 (Spelling) – Kaylee Bungenstock; Improved from Quarter 3 to Quarter 4 (Communication Arts) – Kaylee Bungenstock; Improved and exceeded AR point goal from Semester 1 to Semester 2 – Zailynn Cook, Wendy Hurst, Brody Landess, MJ May, Ava Oswald, Ayden Stoner, Joel Vance, Patrick Wheeler; Improved AR point goal from Quarter 3 to Quarter 4 – Kaylee Bungenstock; AR awards: 100 Point Club – Wendy Hurst, Ava Oswald; Reading Circle Awards (Read 16 books or more and passed with an 80% or higher) – Zailynn Cook, Wendy Hurst, Zachary Koop, Brody Landess, MJ May, Ava Oswald, Ayden Stoner, Patrick Wheeler, Parker Woodring; Elementary Fairfax Marching Pride Participation: Banner Carrier – Zailynn Cook, Brody Landess, and MJ May.
Elementary Typing Awards – 30 WPM Club: Joel Vance, Ayden Stoner, Aspyn Fast, Trev Hicks, Ryann Salmond, Addy Giddinge, Ava Oswald; 40 WPM Club: Zach Koop, Eli Auwarter; 50 WPM Club: Brody Landess, Parker Woodring; “I Beat Mrs Price’s 63 WPM”: Zailynn Cook with 66 WPM, MJ May with 66 WPM.
