QuickNews Bulletin Board
Periodically throughout the school year, additional information involving LPS students, staff, and programs will be posted on the QuickNews Bulletin Board. The link to this page will be included in our bi-weekly e-newsletter, QuickNews.
LHS KC Scholars Scholarship Recipients
We are so excited to announce that Liberty High School has six Juniors who received KC Scholars Scholarships to specific colleges. These students, should they choose to go to that particular school, can receive a scholarship totaling up to $50,000.
Pictured L - R:
Sadaf Nezami (Missouri State), Sidley Monsen (Northwest Missouri State), Motasem Capra (Missouri State), Malachai Ortiz (Avila), Bianka Mancia (Avila)
Not Pictured:
Myiohnna Gant (William Jewell)
In addition, five freshman students will receive a KC Scholars Savings Match. These students will have the opportunity to earn $1,400 throughout high school to put towards their college education.
- Charlee Holst
- Isabella Marcantonio
- Marisol Flores
- Taylor Boden
- Ryella Davidson
National PTA Reflections Contest
Liberty High School's Sam DeClue placed in the National PTA Reflections contest in a field of 850 entries.
Sam received bronze in the high school Music Composition category for the piece titled "Eridanus."
The piece previously took first place in the state competition.
Only 200 students receive the national-level Awards of Excellence and Merit.
DeClue's bronze earns the Merit Award which comes with a certificate and the work being featured in the virtual exhibition.
Missouri Seal of Biliteracy Recipients
JEA/NSPA National Journalism Convention
Liberty North High School yearbook students took home awards from the JEA/NSPA National Journalism Convention in Seattle, Washington.
- Superior: Sydnee Rickels - Yearbook Inside Pages
- Honorable Mention: Laila Jones - Yearbook Student Life Copy and Captions
- 9th Place Best In Show: The 2024 Ayrie Yearbook
The broadcasting and newspaper students also competed at the national convention, as well as the Journalism Educators of Metro Kansas City awards and the Student Television Network national award:
JEA/NSPA national journalism convention in Seattle
Excellent--Ian Tomney and Ava Tomney--On-Site Broadcast Package
Excellent--Cayden Simpson and Jace Perrette--Broadcast Sports Feature
Honorable Mention--Alyssa Flener and Breanne Toney--Broadcast Feature
Honorable Mention--Maeve McMurtrey- Newsmagazine layout
Honorable Mention--Jillian Hickey--Sports Writing
JEMKC (Journalism Educators of Metro Kansas City) awards:
1st Place--Overall Newsmagazine Show
2nd Place--Overall Daily Announcements Show
2nd Place--Caitlyn Scott-- Newspaper Critical Review
2nd Place--Alyssa Flener and Breanne Toney--Broadcast Feature
2nd Place--Ava Tucker--PSA
2nd Place--Caitlyn Scott, Shelby Calvin--Spread Coverage of a single topic
2nd Place Overall Sweepstakes
3rd Place--Breanne Toney--Broadcast News Story
3rd Place--Slayton Searcy--Editorial Cartoon
Honorable Mention--Bryce Folkers--Broadcast Sports Highlights
Honorable Mention--Bryce Folkers--Broadcast Show Opening
STN (Student Television Network) national award:
Outstanding Achievement (formerly silver award)
State National History Day Results
| Results | Category | Names | Entry | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Contestants | Junior Group Documentary | Isha Yap, Miley Bob | Haunani-Kay Trask: An Advocate for Indigenous Justice and Hawaiian Sovereignty | LMS |
| State Finalists | Junior Group Exhibit | Lauren Mees, Lily Bray | The Patriot Act: Safety vs Privacy | LMS |
| 1st Place at State, Qualifies for Nationals | Junior Individual Website | Matthew Bright | Bloodshed to Bureaucracy: How the Osage Murders Reformed Native American Rights and Helped Shape the FBI | LMS |
| State Contestants | Junior Group Website | Corbin Borsutzky, Noah Johnson | The Privacy Act of 1974 | LMS |
| 1st Place at State, Qualifies for Nationals | Junior Group Performance | Illiana Smith, Sarah Kern | The March of the Mill Children: “Freedom of the Working Class“ | LMS |
| State Contestant | Junior Individual Performance | Kadence Lane | The ADA: Proof That Differences Make us Stronger | DMS |
| 1st Place at State, Qualifies for Nationals | Junior Group Documentary | Audrey Meisel, Maribelle Jones, Lyla Horwitz |
Changing the Narrative: Alice Paul and Her Fight for Equality | DMS |
| 1st Place at State, Qualifies for Nationals | Junior Group Exhibit | Brady Mcinvale, Evan Bower, Tyce Paulson | A Diamond for Determination: Jackie Robinson Brealing the Color Barrier | DMS |
| State Finalist | Junior Individual Website | Zoey Smith | Lawrence v. Texas: From Discrimination to Decriminalization | SVMS |
| 2nd Place at State, Qualifies for Nationals | Junior Individual Website | Kinley Mortensen | Beyond the Bench: How U.S. v. Virginia Transformed Women’s Rights | SVMS |
| State Contestants | Junior Group Website | Jace Mezil, Reese Gard | The Legal Recognition of Israel | SVMS |
| State Contestant | Junior Individual Exhibit | Boston Cochran | Pouring a Story - The Legacy of Jackson Pollock And The Abstract Expressionism Movement | SVMS |
| 2nd Place at State, Qualifies for Nationals | Junior Individual Documentary | Cooper Patrick | Buck v. Bell: How the American Eugenics Movement Impacted Human Rights | SVMS |
| State Contestant | Junior Individual Paper | Madeleine Hopper | Corinthian Nutter Preserving Rights For Those With None | SVMS |
MSHSAA State Speech and Debate Competition Results
| School | Student | Event | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| LNHS | Drew Clawson | Radio Speaking | 1st |
| LNHS | Nick Williams | Informative Speaking | 1st |
| LNHS | Drew Clawson | Informative Speaking | 2nd |
| LNHS | Addie Krop | Original Oratory | 7th |
| LNHS | Ava Powers/Kennisyn Nanninga | Duet Acting | 4th |
| LNHS | Gillian Miller/Kennedy Lowery | DUET Acting | 5th |
| LNHS | Payton Allenbaugh | Storytelling | 6rh |
| LNHS | Readers Theatre | 4th | |
| LNHS | Team Award | Speech Sweeps | 2nd |
| LHS | Kaylen King | United States Extemp Speaking | 5th |
| LHS | Kaylen King | Lincoln Douglas Debate | 2nd |
| LHS | Ellie Meisel | Lincoln Douglas Debate | 3rd |
| LHS | Caroline Shemwell | Lincoln Douglas Debate | 4th |
| LHS | Abigail Bixler | Policy Debate | 4th |
| LHS | Adnan Rathore | Policy Debate | 4th |
| LHS | Bryson Comegys | Public Forum Debate | 16th |
| LHS | Quinn Schulte | Public Forum Debate | 16th |
| LHS | Reece Cole | Public Forum Debate | 25th |
| LHS | Zach Herzog | Public Forum Debate | 25th |
| LHS | Rocco Frizzo | Public Forum Debate | 29th |
| LHS | Noah Kern | Public Forum Debate | 29th |
| LHS | Team Award | Debate Sweepstakes | 1st |
| LHS | Cora Price | Dramatic Interp | 3rd |
| LHS | Kate Fisher | Informative Speaking | 3rd |
| LHS | Makenna Dohrmann | Humorous Interp | 8th |
| LHS | Maddy Hand/Chloe Elmer | Duet Acting | 1st |
| LHS | Readers Theatre | 3rd |
Missouri PTA Competition
Several student teams participated in the Missouri state PTA contest with creative projects. LPS cleaned house in many of the categories. Students who placed in the competition can be found below:
- 3rd Place Dance Choreography (Intermediate): McKenzie Day-Gloe (EPiC Elementary) "Ariel Arts Imperfection"
- 1st Place (High School): Carmen Tang (Liberty High School) "Incredible Complexities"
- 2nd Place Literature (Primary): Iolani Kaaiakamunu (EPiC Elementary) "The Penguin Who Couldn't Belly Slide"
- 3rd Place Literature (Primary): Eddie Dragen (EPiC Elementary) "Oof!"
- 1st Place Literature (Intermediate): Alouisa Marcantonio (Lillian Schumacher Elementary) "Weird Charlee; The true story of a VERY strange dog!"
- Honorable Mention Literature (Middle School) : Ellen Marple (Discovery Middle School) "What Has the World Done to Me?"
- 1st Place Literature (High School): Chloe Johnson (Liberty High School) "It is a Common Flaw"
- 1st Place Music Composition (Intermediate): Alouisa Marcantonio (Lillian Schumacher Elementary) “Hey, Sunshine!”
- 3rd Place Music Composition (Intermediate): CeCe Dragen (EPiC Elementary) “(I’m)Perfect”
- 2nd Place Music Composition (Middle School): Penelope Goeken (Liberty Middle School) “I Forgot All The Words”
- 3rd Place Music Composition (Middle School): Kadence Lane (Discovery Middle School) “Only To You”
- 1st Place Music Composition (High School): Sam DeClue (Liberty High School) “Eridanus”
- 2nd Place Music Composition (High School): Jillian Ware (Liberty North High School) “Your Choice”
- 3rd Place Music Composition (High School): Chace Curtis (Liberty High School) “Safe and Sound”
- Honorable Mention Music Composition (High School): Skye Gash (Liberty North High School) “Allegro”
- 1st Place Photography (Primary): Rowan Poskey (EPiC Elementary PTA) “My Brother Is Perfect”
- Honorable Mention Visual Arts (Primary): Georgia Lehman (EPiC Elementary) “The Imperfect Tree”
- 1st Place Visual Arts (High School): Emma Haley (Liberty North High School) “Room”
LNHS MIJA Results
Congratulations to the Liberty North High School students who participated in the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association state contest held in Columbia, Missouri, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Best of Show:
- Newspaper--Caitlyn Scott--Center Spread Design
- Yearbook--Amanda Cornell--Traditional Package--Academic
- Yearbook--Addison Schneider--Yearbook Writing
All Missouri:
- Broadcast--Live Sports Broadcast
- Broadcast--Ava Tucker--Sports Feature--Basketball
- Broadcast--Ava Tucker--Sports Feature--Swim
- Broadcast--Alyssa Flener and Breanne Toney--Human Interest Feature
- PhotoJ--Carli Finlayson--Sports Action Photo
- PhotoJ--Easton Goss--Student Life Photo
Superior:
- Broadcast--Overall Announcements Daily Show
- Broadcast--Breanne Toney--Human Interest Feature
- Newspaper--Jillian Hickey and Maddi Wilcox--Newsmagazine Cover Design
- Newspaper--Slayton Searcey--Editorial Cartoon
- Broadcast--Cayden Simpson and Jace Perrette--Podcast
- PhotoJ--Riley Buan--Academic Photo
- PhotoJ--Avery Zink--News Photo
- PhotoJ--Ariella Morrison--Sports Action Photo
- Yearbook--Lydia Klish--Overall Theme/Concept
- Yearbook--Brooke Hayes--Traditional Package--Sports
Excellent:
- Broadcast--Overall Newsmagazine Show
- Broadcast--Ian Tomney--News Feature
- Broadcast--Cayden Simpeon and Jace Perrette--Podcast
- Newspaper--Shelby Calvin and Caitlyn Scott--InDepth Feature Story
- PhotoJ--Izzy Young--Sports Feature/Reaction Photo
- PhotoJ--Laila Jones--Student Life/Organization Photo
- Yearbook--Scarlett Stoops--Yearbook Speciality Design
Honorable Mention:
- Broadcast--Millie Perry and Alex Couch--Live Sports Broadcast
- Newspaper--Overall Website
- Online--Jillian Hickey and Kamryn Hinnenkamp--Online Package
- Newspaper--Kady Ackart and Caitlyn Scott--InDepth Feature
- Newspaper--Caitlyn Scott--Review Writing
- Yearbook--Lydia Klish--Portrait/People Package
- Yearbook--Sydney Rickels--Traditional Package--Student Life
MIAA AD of the Year
Congratulations to Liberty Middle School Athletic Director Amanda Renfro for being named the Kansas City Region MIAA Middle School Athletic Director of the Year!
NSPA Presents Leadership Award in Student Journalism
The National Scholastic Press Association, the nation’s largest association serving scholastic media, has named approximately 1,500 high school journalists as recipients of the Leadership Award in Scholastic Journalism.
Locally, the following students from Liberty North High School were honored:
- Averie Allen
- Max Brody
- Carli Finlayson
- Brooke Hayes
- Lydia Klish
- Alexis McDonald
- Kaia Moore
- Elisabeth Schergen
- Caitlyn Scott
- Scarlett Stoops
- Ian Tomney
- Avery Zink
“NSPA is pleased to honor such a distinguished group of student journalists,” associate director Gary Lundgren said. “The leadership demonstrated by these students during their two years working on high school media will serve them well for careers in journalism or any future endeavors.”
To earn the NSPA Leadership Award in Student Journalism, a high school student must serve with distinction for at least two years on the staff of an NSPA-member high school broadcast, literary arts magazine, newspaper/newsmagazine, specialty magazine, website or yearbook by the end of the current school year.
Students must be in good academic standing and demonstrate journalistic excellence and staff leadership while maintaining the high ethical standards outlined in the NSPA Model Code of Ethics.
The SevenDays KC Metro design contest announced there are three winners from Liberty High School:
- Megan Gray (senior)
- Giovanna Savio (junior)
- Abigail Means (sophomore)
You can find their designs and interviews posted on the SevenDays website.
LHS MIJA Results
Congratulations to the Liberty High School students who participated in the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association state contest held in Columbia, Missouri, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
| Broadcasting | News Story | Liberty High School--Broadcast | Senior Sunrise | Honorable Mention | Morgan Gable | |
| Broadcasting | Overall--Announcements with Video | Liberty High School--Broadcast | Double Life | Honorable Mention | Cheyenne Franklin | Morgan Gable |
| Broadcasting | Overall--Newsmagazine | Liberty High School--Broadcast | Overcoming Obstacles | Honorable Mention | Cheyenne Franklin | |
| Broadcasting | Live Sports Broadcast--Team | Liberty High School--Broadcast | Liberty Blue Jays Football vs. Park Hill Trojans | Oct 4, 2024 | Superior | KLHS Team | |
| Broadcasting | Sports Feature Story | Liberty High School--Broadcast | Jeremy James | Superior | Morgan Gable |
Tesean Alexander |
| Broadcasting | Sports News Story | Liberty High School--Broadcast | Throwback Game | Superior | Morgan Gable | |
| Newspaper/Newsmagazine | Overall--Newspaper/News Magazine Schools K-Z | Liberty High School--News | The Bell | All Missouri | The Bell Staff | |
| ONLINE/PRINT | News Feature | Liberty High School--News | There is Hope | All Missouri | Madeline Jones | |
| ONLINE/PRINT | Editorial/Op-Ed | Liberty High School--News | Productivity at What Cost? | All Missouri | Lucy Boyle | |
| ONLINE/PRINT | DOUBLE TRUCK/CENTERSPREAD PAGE DESIGN | Liberty High School--News | Concerts at What Cost? | Excellent | Jenna Shores | |
| ONLINE/PRINT | DOUBLE TRUCK/CENTERSPREAD PAGE DESIGN | Liberty High School--News | Sibling Rivalry Fuels Tennis Passion | Honorable Mention | JaiDynn Sargent | |
| ONLINE/PRINT | Review | Liberty High School--News | Red One isn’t Number One | Honorable Mention | Brodey Hutton | |
| ONLINE/PRINT | Indepth Feature | Liberty High School--News | Taking the Stage | Superior | Kora Smith | |
| ONLINE/PRINT | Indepth Feature | Liberty High School--News | An Immigrant’s Story From Peru | Superior | Addi Fung | |
| Photography/Graphics | Sports--Action Schools K-Z | Liberty High School--News | Swim For it All. | All Missouri | Iyari Hyde | |
| Photography/Graphics | Student Life/Organization Photo | Liberty High School--News | Always Be Excellent. | All Missouri | Lucy Boyle | |
| Photography/Graphics | Portrait | Liberty High School--News | Multi-Medalist. | Excellent | Tyler Hollinberger | |
| Photography/Graphics | Artwork/Illustration | Liberty High School--News | Missing: Red One | Superior | Jenna Shores | |
| Photography/Graphics | Portrait | Liberty High School--News | Sincerely Yours. | Superior | Ayla Espinoza | |
| Photography/Graphics | Sports--Action Schools K-Z | Liberty High School--News | Dunk it Up. | Superior | Ceily Tiemann | |
| Photography/Graphics | Sports Feature/Reaction Photo | Liberty High School--News | Mob It Up. | Superior | Jenna Shores | |
| Photography/Graphics | Portrait | Liberty High School--YB | She Bleeds Blue. | All Missouri | Jillian Comegys | |
| Photography/Graphics | Sports--Action Schools K-Z | Liberty High School--YB | Just Keep Swimming. | All Missouri | Brooke Roseberry | |
| Photography/Graphics | Student Life/Organization Photo | Liberty High School--YB | Behind the Curtain. | All Missouri | Brenna Kittell | |
| Photography/Graphics | Academic Photo | Liberty High School--YB | The Joy of School. | Best of Show | Hannah Bolek | |
| Photography/Graphics | Photo Illustration | Liberty High School--YB | Artificial Intelligence. | Best of Show | Jordan Wilt | |
| Photography/Graphics | Sports Feature/Reaction Photo | Liberty High School--YB | Road to Districts. | Honorable Mention | Teresa Rellihan | |
| Photography/Graphics | Sports--Action Schools K-Z | Liberty High School--YB | DO IT FOR THE PEOPLE. | Superior | Jackson Hodgkin | |
| Yearbook | Traditional Package--Club/Organizations | Liberty High School--YB | The Best of Both Worlds | All Missouri | Kailyn Bowles | Lily Hoss |
| Yearbook | Yearbook Writing | Liberty High School--YB | Breakin’ away from the stereotypes | All Missouri | Graysen Milbrandt |
Jazmin Rodriguez |
| Yearbook | Overall theme/concept | Liberty High School--YB | We're Back | Best of Show | The Spectator Leadership | |
| Yearbook | Traditional package--Student Life | Liberty High School--YB | These Girls Got Game. | Best of Show | Rilee Jessee | Jersey Johnson |
| Yearbook | Non-Traditional Package | Liberty High School--YB | Senior Superlatives | Best of Show | Jillian Freeman | Anna Mazzeffe |
| Yearbook | Yearbook Specialty Design | Liberty High School--YB | Crowning Moment | Superior | Emersyn Holthouse | Rilee Jessee |
| Yearbook | Traditional package--Sports | Liberty High School--YB | One Goal in Mind | Superior | Chloe Washington | Milo Cantrell |
LMS/HMS Greater Kansas City Science & Engineering Fair Results
There is exciting news about our students' achievements in the recent Greater Kansas City Science & Engineering Fair. We proudly announce that Liberty Middle School and Heritage Middle School students are being recognized for their outstanding projects.
If you know any of these students, please take a moment to congratulate them personally. Your recognition will significantly motivate them and further encourage their passion for science and engineering.
It's worth noting that this competition took place over our spring break. The fact that these students chose to dedicate their time off to compete demonstrates exceptional commitment and perseverance. Their willingness to invest their free time in academic pursuits is truly commendable and speaks volumes about their passion for science and learning.
A special thank you goes out to Educational Interns, Maya Bailey and Charles Fisher, from the EIP program, whose guidance and support were instrumental in helping our students navigate this amazing science experience.
|
School |
Student |
Placement |
Placement and Awards |
Project Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
HMS |
Evelyn Gaul |
1st Place Animal Science Thermo Fisher Junior Inventors Challenge Award |
Immediate Advancement to the National Science Fair Competition |
The Effects of Different Vitamins on Planaria Regeneration |
|
LMS |
Aubryn Statler |
2nd Place Human Behavorial Science |
Advancement to Missouri State Academy of Science Competition |
Moisture Mania: Measuring Skin Moisture Levels after an Application of Eczema Assoc. Recommended and Regular Moisturizers |
|
HMS |
Isobel Muir |
3rd Place Animal Science |
Advancement to Missouri State Academy of Science Competition |
Tracking the Movements of Harbor Porpoises |
|
LMS |
Emerson Ragland |
3rd Place Environmental Science 2nd Place Environmental Protection Agency Award |
Advancement to Missouri State Academy of Science Competition |
The Effect of the Missouri River on the (BOD), Nitrates, Turbidity, pH, Phosphates, and (DO). |
|
LMS |
Arlo Huntsucker |
Gold Astronomical Society of Kansas City Junior Division Award Winner |
Outstanding Performance in the Astronomy and Physical Science Division One-year membership in the Astronomical Society of Kansas City and event tickets for the Society |
Using Kepler Telescope Data to Identify Exoplanets |
|
LMS |
Darby Davis |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Plant Science Division |
The Effect of Aquaponics, Aeroponics, and Hydroponics Tabletop Systems on the Growth of Basil |
|
HMS |
Eleanor Mason |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Human Behavoir Science Division |
What makes a hit Taylor Swift song? A Look at BPM, Length, and Key Signature of 135 Taylor Swift Songs |
|
LMS |
Bridget Boswell |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Animal Science Division |
The Effect of Bearded Dragon Eye Sight Recognition and Body Initiation Towards Prey |
|
HMS |
Shrevan Rajeswaran |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Physical Science Division |
The Effect of Bridge Structure on Weight Capacity |
|
LMS |
Jaxon Forte |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Chemical Science Division |
How Would Changing the Reactants in a Chemiluminescent Reaction Affect the Glow Time and Brightness in Lumens? |
|
HMS |
Jax Wilkins |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Microbiology Science Division |
Antibiotic Resistance in K-12 E. coli |
|
LMS |
Anna Bergin |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Environmental Science Division |
Investigation of Architectural Structures to Reduce Tsunami Damage |
|
HMS |
Josephina Quattlebaum |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Physical Science Division |
The Effect of Microgravity on the Direction of Growth in Cress Plants |
|
LMS |
Brooklyn Wideman |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Plant Science Division |
The Effect of a Dihybrid Cross in Brassica Rapa for the Traits of Purple Stem versus Non-purple Stem and Hairy Leaves versus Hairless Leaves |
|
HMS |
Ivy Seiler |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Human Behavoir Science Division |
The Effect of Gender on the Emotional Response During Mental Problem Solving |
|
HMS |
Jermey Hawkins |
Gold |
Outstanding Performance in the Physical Science Division |
How Does Light Pollution Affect the World? |
|
HMS |
Milli McClelland |
Silver |
Excellent Performance in the Animal Science Division |
How does water temperature affect the gender of guppy offspring at birth? |
|
HMS |
Seeley Glenn |
Silver |
Excellent Performance in the Chemistry Division |
The Science Behind Spherification |