With the Christmas spirit in full swing, the thought of giving is on top of the list. The Verona fifth graders are giving to others, but they also are honoring those who are serving this country.

Junior high and high school art students in Aurora took part in an international project earlier this year.

On October 24, the Aurora Houn’ Dawg band competed in one of the the 38th Annual Greater Saint Louis Marching Band Festival.

Aimee Washam is in her first year as the coordinator for the A+ Program at Aurora High School.
The program has been in existence at the school for 16 years. Gene Neyer served as the coordinator until his retirement at the end of the 2008-09 school year.

 Every year when school starts, if you step outside your door around 6 a.m., you can hear the band begin practice. Each section in the band also practices at least one night a week.

On September 12, high school students from the Missouri southwest region met at Cassville to compete for a spot in the 2009 All-District choir.

Laughter and fun in the sun can be heard at the new Verona Public School playground, which is 95 percent complete, Verona Superintendent William Sweet said.

Sometimes “mother knows best.” Enjoy the story Sherri Oehme submitted about her son earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest award a youth can earn in Boy Scouts.

From a pool of more than 600 candidates nationwide, the  National FFA Organization recently selected the Marionville FFA Chapter as a 2-Star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program.

Over 200 4-H club members, parents, staff and volunteers signed the registration sheets at southwest Missouri’s annual Regional 4-H Achievement Day on July 20 at the Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, according to Velynda Cameron, a University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth specialist.

Through the  10th annual  School Readiness Fair sponsored by the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation’s Lawrence County Neighborhood Center, 181 students are better prepared to begin the new school year.

The fair took place on July 17 at the Aurora Baptist Temple Family Life Center. Approximately 200 students received school supplies, other items and information.

Officials with Aurora High School have released the student registration dates for the fast approaching 2009-2010 school year.

Students are asked to come during a certain time frame, either during the morning or afternoon according to their last name.

During their meeting on July 15, members of the Marionville R-9 Board of Education were able to give staff members a slight raise for the 2009-10 school year. 

Theresa Setzer, president, presided over the meeting. Members Alan Hubbard, Chris Murphy, Brad Smith, Brandon White, Marilyn McCroskey and Kay Kerans  were present.

Officials with Marionville R-9 Schools have announced registration dates for students for the approaching the 2009-2010 school year. 

Children who are five years of age before August 1, 2009 are eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2009-2010 school year. New students who will be in grades kindergarten through fifth need to register in the elementary school office from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:00 p.m., July 29 through 31.

Members of the community attended the annual combined country school reunion on Sunday, June 28, at Robinson Elementary School in Aurora.

Glenna Williams, vice president, conducted the meeting in the absence of the president. Clyde Sharp led the Pledge to the Flag, while Mary Jo Henderson led the opening prayer.