Santa Fe Times School

UCM announces spring graduates

Area residents were among approximately 1,700 individuals who met graduate and undergraduate degree requirements and were eligible to participate in the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.

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Santa Fe R-10 Foundation: Providing for present & future support

The Santa Fe R-10 Foundation, Inc. was incorporated as a Missouri non-for-profit corporation on May 10, 1994. The Foundation is governed by a nine member board of directors. One board member represents the District Board of Education and one represents District administration. The other board members are comprised of private citizens residing in the District. Current board members presiding are: Howard Dieckhoff, President; Deana Aversman, Vice President; Dennis Rolf, Secretary/ Treasurer; Merle Dierking, Lisa Nevels, Mike Knipmeyer, Randy Sleeper, and Amy Tracy. Since its inception, the Foundation has grown significantly and currently serves as an independent funding source for eighteen scholarships. In addition to providing academic scholarships to students and graduates of the District, the Foundation’s goals are to provide high-quality education by purchasing equipment and supplies which cannot be readily acquired with District funds, and to establish an endowment fund for long-term support of the District.

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Santa Fe students receive President’s Education Award

Founded in 1983, the President’s Education Awards Program honors students for their achievement and hard work. The program has provided individual recognition from the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education to those students whose outstanding efforts have enabled them to meet challenging standards of excellence. Each year, thousands of elementary, middle, and high schools participate by recognizing deserving students who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher for the entire academic year. Congratulations to the following 41 Santa Fe High school students who were honored at the annual End of the Year Awards Assembly on Thursday, May 14, 2026: Daniel Alvarado-Perez, Keyla Alvarado-Perez, Jaelah Arnold, Wyatt Aversman, Daniel Ballance, Michael Barrett, Addison Beumer, Isabel Boehmer, Adalynn Boland, Caleb Brooks, Koewen Dierker, Quadyn Dierker, Mackenzie Dooley, Kadie Drunert, Audrey Finkeldei, Tatum Fitzwater, Abbie Gieselman, Jonathan Hyde, Samuel Hyde, Jamie Johnson, Kenzi Kallenberger, Khloe Kallenberger, Tynlee Koch, Brayden Livingston, Olivia Long, Malcolm Lundy, Sophia Lundy, Destiny Medina, Harrison Meyer, Elise Michael, Madilyn Montgomery, Victoria Morton, Ava Plattner, Wyatt Rardon, Raven Richardson, Hallie Schuster, Gracie Smith, Makenna Stephens, Adryen Tice, Sueanna Vandiver, Carleigh Winter.

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SF Comprehensive School Improvement Plan receives strong approval during state review

The Santa Fe Board of Education met in regular session Wednesday, May 13. After approving the consent agenda, Mr. Lark shared that Mrs. Stacey Smith had received ‘Administrator of the Year’ from the Central Missouri School Counselors Association. “Stacey continues her outstanding work at Santa Fe Elementary, and she continues to be recognized for that work… we are so very lucky to have her talents and effort here at Santa Fe,” stated Mr. Lark. Next, Mr. Lark shared that their regional DESE Supervisor had been in district to review findings from the assessment of Santa Fe’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). “I’m happy to report that as a result of the hard work of our students, staff and community, Santa Fe’s school improvement plan scored a perfect 42/42 points during this review. I am grateful to those who helped in developing our CSIP and to those who help carry that vision out day in and day out; maintaining high expectations should always be the standard.”

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Waverly Masonic Lodge awards scholarships

The Waverly Masonic Lodge #61 established a scholarship in 201718 to assist graduating seniors in the Santa Fe R-X School District. Eligible applicants must enroll in a post-secondary institution for the fall period immediately following graduation, which includes any university or college, community college, trade school, or other certification program. Selection of the scholarship is based on scholastic performance, aptitude, and financial need.

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