K-12 art teacher Jennifer Rueckert was recognized as the 2026 Rock Port High School Outstanding Educator of the Year. She was joined at the junior high and high school awards assembly by son Michael Rueckert, left, husband Brian Rueckert, center, son Levi Rueckert, right, and daughter-in-law Cassandra Rueckert, far right, along with two of her grandchildren, Ember and Eli Rueckert. Jenny joined the Rock Port staff in 2019 and stepped up to fill whatever role was asked of her, including Art Club sponsor and yearbook advisor.

 

The Senior Research Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to, from left to right: Tayden Cook, Kinleigh Daugherty, Jacoby Driskell, Ryder Herron, Quentin Jackson, Ella Meyerkorth, Keira Roup, Skylar Stoner, Emma Teten, and Norah Watkins.

 

The top sixth grade science students are, from left to right, Eli Meyerkorth, Kinsley Nuckolls, Kamryn Lair, and Collin Frix.

 

The Rock Port High School 275 Scholar Athletes for 2026 include, from left to right: Cooper Daugherty, Karlie Gebhards, Raylynn Jenkins, Levi Lucas, Eliza Mason, Zoey Zach, Dayton Hays, Mya Welch, Lily Wilroy, Tayden Cook, Ryder Herron, and Quentin Jackson.

 

Graduating Student Council president Dylan Lair presents the Student Council Key to Wesytn Amthor, the 2026-27 Student Council president, at the junior high and high school awards assembly on May 14.

 

Ella Meyerkorth received the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Award and Ryder Herron received the Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award.

 

Keira Roup and Quentin Jackson were recognized with the MSHSAA Senior Athlete Award of Excellence for their dedication to sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity.

 

Junior high social studies teacher Dalton Jones presents Jackson Hogue with the Citizenship Award.

 

The Rock Port R-II Junior High and High School awards assembly was held May 14, 2026. Awards presented included the following:

Shauna Farmer and Kasey Bailey: Senior Decision Day

Mary Kahn presented the American Legion Citizenship Award to Keira Roup and Tayden Cook.

Tawni Ellis presented the Milton Reid Award to Ella Meyerkorth.

Danyal Coon recognized the Student Council members: Dylan Lair, president; Jacoby Driskell, vice-president; Ella Meyerkorth, secretary; and Emma Teten, treasurer.

LoryAnne Daugherty gave the following Spanish awards: Certificate of Excellence in 8th Grade Spanish – Clara Hays (Semester 1) and Avery Schomburg and Jovie Millsap (Semester 2); Certificate of Excellence in Spanish 1 – Isabella Kroeger and Alexi Stoner; and Certificate of Excellence in Spanish 2 – Cooper Daugherty and Zoey Zach.

Math awards presented by Kevin Dodson were: 6th Grade Outstanding Math – Eli Meyerkorth and Kinsley Nuckolls; 6th Grade Most Improved – Hudson Adams and Abilene Moore; 7th Grade Outstanding Math – Locke Chaney, Isaac Dougherty, Ali Ellis, Kipton Waigand, and Colton Zach; 7th Grade Most Improved – Emily Herrington, Cy Vogler, and Jack Bailey; and 9th Grade Most Improved – Colt Seiter and Tristan Struthers.

Christine Dush presented the following math awards: Geometry (Perpendicular Award, 90% or above both semesters) – Alyssa Brion, Jessa Geib, Eliza Mason, and Zoey Zach; Algebra 2 (Vertex Award, 90% or above both semesters) – Audrey Dougherty, Dayton Hays, Brylea Shrader, Tatum Vogler, Mya Welch, Gabe Gebhards, Jadyn Geib; PreCalc (Einstein Award, highest grade) – Tayden Cook; Trigonometry (Einstein Award, highest grade) – Tayden Cook; Statistics (Einstein Award, highest grade) – Quentin Jackson.

Good Citizenship Award winners were: first quarter – Brandon Athen, Karlie Gebhards, Grant Spiegel, and Leah Meyerkorth; second quarter – Cooper Daugherty, Isa Kroeger, Stevie Gaines, and Levi Lucas; third quarter – Eliza Mason, Amelia Mason, Jaxson Smith, and Zoey Zach; and fourth quarter: – Audrie Meyerkorth, Braylyn Wood, Raylynn Jenkins, and Ellie Garst.

Honor Chords were presented to Tayden Cook, Jacoby Driskell, Quentin Jackson, Ella Meyerkorth, Keira Roup, Alexis Stanton, Skylar Stoner, Emma Teten, and Norah Watkins.

Jacoby Driskell was the winner of a $25 Amazon gift card for having the most service hours (199 hours).

Kelcie Gaines presented the following Language Arts awards: 6th Grade Language Arts – Raelynn Stoner (Academic Responsibility Award), Frank Kroeger (Research Excellence Award), Hudson Adams (Determined Learner Award); 7th Grade Language Arts – Kipton Waigand (Perspective and Insight Award), Isaac Dougherty (Literary Connections Award), Jack Bailey (Literary Connections Award), Rogan McCown (Background Builder Award), Noah Davis (Outstanding Participation Award); 8th Grade Reading, 2nd Semester – Archer Meyerkorth (Literary Leadership Award), Harper Wood (Academic Leadership Award), Clara Hays (Outstanding Reader Award); and 8th Grade Reading, 1st Semester – Jovie Millsap (Academic Leadership Award), Avery Schomburg (Academic Leadership Award), Paisley Moore (Literary Leadership Award).

Josie Graham and Tawni Ellis presented awards to the Peer Counselors. They were: Tayden Cook, Jacoby Driskell, Quentin Jackson, Dylan Lair, Keira Roup, Emma Teten, Westyn Amthor, Gabe Gebhards, Landrey Kelly, Jack Meyerkorth, Claire Miller, Tatum Vogler, Brandon Athen, Cooper Daugherty, Raylynn Jenkins, Levi Lucas, Braylyn Wood, Zoey Zach, Stevie Gaines, Isabella Kroeger, Rush Lewis, Landon Melton Burrell, Leah Meyerkorth, Grant Spiegel, Briar Daugherty, Zeke Gebhards, Clara Hays, Archer Meyerkorth, Jovie Millsap, Avery Schomburg, Jack Bailey, Isaac Dougherty, Alis Ellis, Nella Steuter, Kipton Waigannd, and Tara Wamsley.

Josie Graham presented 8th Grade Academic Excellence Awards to Zeke Gebhards, Jaxson Hale, Clara Hays, Archer Meyerkorth, Jovie Millsap, Avery Schomburg
and Harper Wood.

Trudy Herron presented high school science medals to the following: Anatomy – Skylar Stoner, high score; Jacoby Driskell, Ella Meyerkorth, Skylar Stoner, and Norah Watkins, all A’s (95% or above all four quarters); Chemistry I – Skylar Stoner, high score; Ryder Herron, Quentin Jackson, Ella Meyerkorth, and Skylar Stoner, all A’s; Biology – Mya Welch, high score fourth hour; Brylea Shrader, high score fifth hour; Audrey Dougherty, Gabriel Gebhards, Dayton Hays, Jackson Meyerkorth, Claire Miller, Mya Welch, Brylea Shrader, Tatum Vogler, all A’s; Integrated Chemistry – Levi Lucas, high score second hour; Karlie Gebhards, high score sixth hour; Brandon Athen, Cooper Daugherty, Jessa Geib, Levi Lucas, Eliza Mason, Zoey Zach, Talyn Amthor, Karlie Gebhards, Raylynn Jenkins, Amelia Mason, Audrie Meyerkorth, Olivia Roup, and Braylyn Wood, all A’s; Missouri Western Chemathon 2026 Participation Certificates were awarded to Ryder Herron, Quentin Jackson, Ella Meyerkorth, Alexis Stanton, Skylar Stoner, and Norah Watkins; Chemistry I Small School Quiz Bowl 2026 – a second place plaque was awarded to the team of Ryder Herron, Quentin Jackson, and Skylar Stoner; Chemistry I Small School Written Exam 2026 – Ryder Herron earned first place on the written exam receiving a medal, a $500 scholarship, a beaker mug, and a certificate. Skylar Stoner earned fourth place on the written exam and received a certificate and fidget spinner.

Rachel Jenkins presented the following science awards: Highest Grade Percentage – Alli Ellis (101.5%); Excellent Grade Percentage – Cy Vogler (100.5%); Excellent Grade Percentage – Colton Zach (100%); All A’s All Four Quarters – Damian Barth, Jack Bailey, Locke Chaney, Taylor Cook, Isaac Dougherty, Caisyn Hall, Ethan Hunter, Elaina Kroeger, Anthony Masonbrink, Andy Meyerkorth, Lane Seeley, Nella Steuter, and Kipton Waigand; 8th Grade: Highest Grade Percentage – Avery Schomburg (101%); Excellent Grade Percentage – Jovie Millsap (100.5%); Excellent Grade Percentage – Clara Hays (100%); Excellent Grade Percentage – Harper Wood (100%); All A’s All Four Quarters – Dawson Baker, Aleyda Clodfelter, Kenni Davis, Jadyn Jakub, Archer Meyerkorth, Maeve Roup, Chord Christians, Knox Cotton, Cooper Gibson, Lincoln Jackson, Paisley Moore, and Jolie Steuter; 9th Grade: Highest Grade Percentage – Leah Meyerkorth (100.5%); Highest Grade Percentage – Alexi Stoner (100.5%); Excellent Grade Percentage – Stevie Gaines (99.5%) Excellent Grade Percentage – Isabella Kroeger (98.5%); All A’s All Four Quarters – Malayna Gibson, Presley Carlson, Grady Cook, Ellie Garst, Onalee Henriksen, Reese Herron, Blaise Krogen, Rozlyn McCown, Landon Melton-Burrell, Tenley Peshek, Grant Spiegel, Tristan Struthers, Adrianna Wallace, and Madison Wilroy.

Dalton Jones presented the following Social Studies awards: Top Grades – Geography, 6th grade, Kinsley Nuckolls; American History, 7th Grade, Cy Vogler and Locke Chaney; World History, 8th Grade, Clara Hays; and Citizenship Award – Jackson Hogue.

Jeremy Palmer presented Trap Shoot Awards. The team placed fifth. Individual awards were given to: Emma Teten – 10th place Lady Division and 23rd place Senior Division; Jessa Geib – 15th place Lady Division and 25th place Sophomore Division; Aidan Smyser – 7th place Sophomore Division; John Gillem – 8th place Sophomore Division; Izac Hurst – 4th place Junior Division; Corbin Wallace – 17th place Junior Division; Jadyn Geib – 20th place Junior Division; Jayven Hudson – 12th place Freshman Division; Cameron Lotter – 37th place Freshman Division; District Trap Shooting – Reporter: Emma Teten, Izac Hurst, Corbin Wallace, Jadyn Geib, Aidan Smyser, John Gillem, Jessa Geib, Jayven Hudson; State Trap, Reporter – Emma Teten, Izac Hurst, Corbin Wallace, Jadyn Geib, Aidan Smyser, John Gillem, and Jayven Hudson.

Stephanie Parsons presented business awards. The Financial Guru award was given to the students with the highest grade percentage for each semester in Personal Finance. First semester was awarded to Brylea Shrader and second semester was awarded to Skylar Stoner. Mrs. Parsons also recognized students who ran the school store: Camden McEnaney, Dylan Lair (resident handyman, a/k/a wrencher), Kinleigh Daugherty (top project completer), Kinley Lair, and Talyn Amthor.

Paige Ralph presented the following Math/Science awards: Geometry (students earning a 90% or above both semesters) – Cooper Daugherty, Karlie Gebhards, Raylynn Jenkins, Levi Lucas; Algebra I (top five students in the class) – Leah Meyerkorth, Alexi Stoner, Isabella Kroeger, Reese Herron, and Stevie Gaines; 8th Grade Math (top five students in the class) – Avery Schomburg, Clara Hays, Harper Wood, Jolie Steuter, and Jaxson Hale; and 6th Grade Science (top five students in the class) – Kinsley Nuckolls, Eli Meyerkorth, Raelynn Stoner, Kamryn Lair, and Collin Frix.

Kerri Rodriguez presented the following ELA Awards: All A’s in 8th Grade ELA – Chord Christians, Aleyda Clodfelter, Zeke Gebhards, Clara Hays, Lincoln Jackson, Archer Meyerkorth, Jovie Millsap, Maeve Roup, Avery Schomburg, Jolie Steuter, and Harper Wood; Excellence in 8th Grade ELA (High Point) – Avery Schomburg; All A’s in Language Arts I – Reese Herron, Isabella Kroeger, Leah Meyerkorth, Tenley Peshek, and Alexi Stoner; Excellence in Language Arts I (High Point) – Alexi Stoner; All A’s in Second Semester Applied Communications – Darika Bywater, Dylan Lair, Alex Schuster, and Makenna Shelly; and Excellence in Second Semester Applied Communications (High Point) – Dylan Lair.

Jennifer Rueckert presented art awards to Alyssa Brion (Adjudicated Art Exhibition nominee) and Makenna Shelly (Anime) and Mass Media awards to Ella Meyerkorth, editor; Jacoby Driskell, business ads; Tatum Vogler, photo editing; and Karlie Gebhards, design.

Stephen Gaines presented the Tony Gaines Sportsmanship and Dedication Award to Harper Wood, Norah Watkins, and Ryder Herron.

Donnie Parsons recognized the 275 Conference Athletes: Tayden Cook, Ryder Herron, Quentin Jackson, Dayton Hays, Cooper Daugherty, Karlie Gebhards, Raylynn Jenkins, Mya Welch, Levi Lucas, Eliza Mason, Zoey Zach, Desmond Chaney.

The MSHSAA Award of Excellence goes to the senior male and female who most exemplify citizenship, integrity, and positive sportsmanship as voted on by the entire Rock Port K-12 staff. This year’s recipients were Keira Roup and Quentin Jackson.

Ella Meyerkorth received the Top Female Athlete Award and Ryder Herron received the Top Male Athlete Award.

The FCCLA Chapter received the 2026 Organization of the Year Award, and the Competitive Team of the Year was awarded to the high school football team.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Tiffanie Gaines presented the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year Award.

“I am honored to introduce you to our 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. Before the big reveal, let’s see if you can figure it out with the help of some clues.

“Our Teacher of the Year grew up with two sisters and two brothers. You may find her snuggling with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, listening to her favorite singer, Forrest Frank, cheering on the Chiefs, or eating at her favorite restaurant, In a Tub Tacos. Her favorite food is any kind of soup, and her favorite drink is water. Based on these pretty simple food and drink choices, you might be a little surprised to know that our Teacher of the Year is a bit of a risk taker: she met her future spouse on a blind date her junior year. You might also call our Teacher of the Year a trailblazer: during high school, she and her future husband were part of a group that decided to start a Toga Party Day at their Park Hill High School; they all dressed up like Greeks, wearing mostly sheets and rope accents to school, a tradition that is still carried on to this day. Our Teacher of the Year is also bilingual: she knows American Sign Language, something that she was inspired to learn in order to communicate with her deaf cousin. Thanks to her, many of our students know how to sign their own names among other common words. Our Teacher of the Year is also a fighter: she has quietly battled cancer twice, leaning on her strong faith and relationship with God to overcome it.

“Our Teacher of the Year’s first job was at a record store in St. Joe. She has also worked as a legal secretary, childcare provider, paraprofessional, photographer, and most recently has served as our beloved art teacher. By now everyone has it figured out: Mrs. Jenny Rueckert, congratulations on being Rock Port High School’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year.

“Mrs. Rueckert has served as our elementary and high school art teacher for the past seven years. In addition to her teaching duties, she serves as a class sponsor, yearbook sponsor, and Art Club sponsor. She goes above and beyond for her students, providing many opportunities to explore, experience, and showcase art in different settings. She takes her students on exciting field trips, heads up art shows, displays beautiful student artwork in the hallway, and leads by example as she is an extremely talented artist herself.

“Of all of her roles, however, the one that she is most proud of is that of wife, mom, and grammy. She has been married to her blind date, Brian, for 43 years. Together they have twin daughters: Addie Gazaway and husband Andrew, and Millie Stratton and husband Jordan; and two sons: Levi and wife Cassandra, and Michael and wife, Sydney. Mrs. Rueckert delights in her grandchildren and loves it when they are all able to get together for sleepovers at their home, all six of them: Jory, Emma, Kennedy, Charlie, Eli, and Ember.

“Mrs. Rueckert is enthusiastic, kind, genuine, and finds beauty in every moment. As her husband, Brian, said, ‘My favorite thing about Jenny is her faith and relationship with God. Some people turn to God when something bad happens. Some live their life for God and trust Him to get them through the bad times and the good. Jenny is one of those people who puts God first in all things big and small. And that is what has gotten her through the good times and bad.’

“Please join me in congratulating our Teacher of the Year – a woman who inspires students, coworkers, friends, and family alike every single day. We are so thankful for the impact she has made on our school and in our lives. Thank you, Mrs. Rueckert, for everything you have done for all of us at Rock Port R-II.”

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Dylan Lair, the 2025-2026 Student Body President, then passed the key Dylan Lair to Westyn Amthor, the 2026-2027 Student Body President.