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.
Excelsior Springs Area Career Center Awards
The Excelsior Springs Area Career Center recognized outstanding Career and Technical Education students at their Annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 30th. Scholarship recipients, professionals of the year, perfect attendance, and SkillsUSA state medalists were recognized. It was an amazing night of celebrating our students! The following Liberty and Liberty North high school students were recognized.
Platte Clay Electric Cooperative
$250 tuition - John Grizzofi, LNHS, Electrical Trades
Honor Guard
$250 tool - Gage Divine, LNHS, HVAC-Home Depot
Sons of American Legion
$250 tool - Ricky Martinez, LHS, Carpentry/Construction Technology
Harry Young Memorial concession
$250 tuition- Olilvia Armstrong, LNHS, Animation
Bill Cogdill Memorial concession
$250 tuition - Sadaf Nezami, LHS, EMT
Professional of the Year
Sadaf Nezami, LHS, EMT
Olivia Armstrong, LNHS, Animation
Perfect Attendance
Gage Divine, LNHS, HVAC
Macie Goodner, LHS, EMT-B
Jaylee Gravitt, LHS, Health Services
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Results
Please join us in celebrating the students of Heritage and Liberty Middle Schools for their outstanding performance at the 2026 Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair. If you missed our display in the Library Media Centers, the results are listed below.
A year-long research project is an intensive undertaking that demands consistent dedication, critical thinking, and a commitment to scientific integrity. By combining our results, we recognize the shared talent within our unified community. We are especially proud to note that three of our young researchers have been nominated to advance to the National Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge, a testament to the depth and sophistication of their year-long efforts.
The following results, organized by category and placement, highlight the exceptional caliber of our students.
|
School |
Student |
Placement and Category |
Other Awards |
Project Title |
|
HMS |
Quinn Willis |
1st Place Animal Science GOLD Thermo Fisher Junior Inventors Challenge Award |
Immediate Advancement to the National Science Fair Competition Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City Award |
The Effect of Detergent, Neutrogena Sunscreen, or Coral Safe Sunscreen on the Regeneration of Planaria |
|
LMS |
Eleanor Schweitzer |
1st Place Behavioral and Social Sciences GOLD Thermo Fisher Junior Inventors Challenge Award |
Immediate Advancement to the National Science Fair Competition |
The Effect of Laundry Detergent on Skin Moisture Retention |
|
HMS |
Jenna Hazelton |
1st Place Plant Science GOLD Thermo Fisher Junior Inventors Challenge Award |
Immediate Advancement to the National Science Fair Competition |
The Effect of Microgravity on Alfalfa’s Ability to Go Through Nitrogen Fixation |
|
LMS |
Leila Yap |
2nd Place Animal Science GOLD |
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Award |
The Effect of Sodium Phosphate Monobasic on the Behavior of Procambarus clarkii (Crayfish) |
|
HMS |
Keira Lynam |
2nd Place Behavioral and Social Sciences GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Practice on the Time and Correct Answers for the Stroop Effect |
|
HMS |
Courtland Talley |
2nd Place Computational Science, Bioinformatics, and Mathematics
|
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of the Length of a Password on the Amount of Time to Hack a Password |
|
HMS |
Jack Biegelson |
3rd Place Inventions GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
Inventing a Steam-Powered Composter |
|
HMS |
Henry Villanueva |
Physics and Astronomy Science City Ad Astra Award SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Company Recognition |
Using Python to Analyze and Graph Kepler Space Telescope Data to Identify Exoplanets |
|
HMS |
Leah Hall and Nora Korthanke |
Animal Science GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Temperature of Aquarium Water on the Behavior of Zebra Fish |
|
HMS |
Donovan Brant |
Behavioral and Social Sciences GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Middle School Boy Versus Middle School Girl Vocals on the Frequency of the Major Syllables |
|
LMS |
Gavin Forrest and Connor Hagan |
Computational Science, Bioinformatics and Mathematics GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Field Dimensions on Amount of Home Runs Hit in Each Baseball Stadium |
|
LMS |
Lillian Wiley |
Microbiology GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Slime Activator on the Amount of Bacterial Growth |
|
LMS |
Jack Baines and Leo Bartrom |
Plant Science GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Organic Material on the Growth of Oyster Mushrooms |
|
HMS |
Sylvia Roberson |
Physics and Astronomy GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of the Strength of Materials on the Ability of an Artificial Hand to Lift Mass |
|
HMS |
Hudson Baker |
Physics and Astronomy GOLD |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of the Density of a Golf Ball on the Distance an Eight Iron Will Hit the Golf Ball |
|
HMS |
Jonsey Tiesing |
Animal Science SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Benzo[a]pyrene on the Development of Tumors in Planaria |
|
HMS |
Perrin Everhart |
Animal Science SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Spring Water pH on the Mantle of Aquatic Snails |
|
LMS |
Alouisa Marcantonio |
Animal Science SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Parent Ball Python Genes On Offspring Ball Python Genes |
|
HMS |
Aaron Roth |
Behavioral and Social Sciences SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Beats Per Minute of Music in a Uniquely Composed Song on the Preferences of Middle School Students |
|
HMS |
Aiden Perry and Brody Wood |
Behavioral and Social Sciences SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Middle Level Boys and Middle Level Girls on the Preferences for Game Play Developed using Python on Pong |
|
LMS |
Jamison Smith |
Chemistry SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of pH on the Sphrification of Gelled Spheres |
|
LMS |
Zachary Mann |
Chemistry SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of Regular Strength Tylenol versus Extra Strength Tylenol on the Quality of Crystal from Extraction |
|
HMS |
Micha Hopkins |
Microbiology SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of the Uptake of the pGlo plasmid on the Luminosity of K-12 E. coli |
|
LMS |
Lucas Gutierrez-Sullenger |
Microbiology SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of the Uptake of the pGlo plasmid on the Luminosity of K-12 E. coli |
|
LMS |
Asher Hung |
Plant Science SILVER |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of the Type of Insect on the Ability of a Pitcher Plant to Dissolve the Insect |
|
LMS |
Caleb Miller |
Physics and Astronomy BRONZE |
Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair Academic Recognition |
The Effect of the Drop Height of a Marble on the Ability of a Marble to Complete a Rollercoaster Loop |
6 Middle School Students Advance to National History Day Nationals
Several students from South Valley Middle School and Liberty Middle School competed at the state National History Day competition, and six projects were selected to go on to the national competition.
From South Valley, Jace Mezil and Reese Gard placed second in the Junior Group Website with "The War that Never Ended; How Agent Orange Exposure Reshaped Veterans' Rights", and Grayson Burton placed second in the Junior Individual Website with "A Duty of Devastation: Oppenheimer and the Atomic Revolution."
Liberty Middle School had four projects move forward. Miley Bob and Isha Yap's Junior Group Documentary titled "Corazon Aquino: The People Power Revolution and Democratic Reform" placed first. Louisa Bone and Anna Bergin placed 2nd in Junior Individual Documentary with "From Home To Hospital: Florence Nithgingale's Revolutionary Role in Modernizing Nursing and Redefining Women's Occupation in Society.
Junior Group Performance "Dorothea Dix; Angel of The Mad, Reforming Prisons and Asylums" by Sarah Kern and Illiana Smith placed first at the state level. Junior Individual Performance "The Salem With Trials: Devilry and Disorder" by Penelope Goeken placed second.
Congratulations to all of the National History Day competitiors.
LHS Essay Selected for America 250 Contest
Congratulations to Liberty High School student Maribelle Jones for placing 2nd in the 9th-10th grade division of the City of Liberty's America 250 student essay contest.
Jones will receive $300 as a prize and the essay will be displayed in City Hall for viewing.
All winners will be recognized at the Liberty City Council meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026.
LNHS JEMKC Awards
Broadcast:
- 2nd Place Live Sports Broadcast
- 2nd Place Parker Moore--Sports Highlights
- 2nd Place Lily Gamet--PSA
Newspaper:
- 1st Place Marley Guichard--News Story
- 1st Place Charlotte Sego--Feature Story
- 1st Place Slayton Searcey--Column
- 2nd Place Slayton Searcey--Editorial Cartoon
- Honorable Mention--Overall Sweepstakes
LNHS Senior Named Distinguished Student Leader
Liberty North High School senior Adelyn Boyd earned the Distinguished Student Leader Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils. This honor is a way of recognizing those students who demonstrate superior student council leadership skills and knowledge based on Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) criteria and evaluation procedures.
LNHS MIJA State Journalism Day Results
All-Missouri
- Live Sports Broadcast Talent--Millie Perry and Alex Couch
- Live Sports Broadcast Team--Emery Lauber, Millie Perry, Alex Couch, Andrew Lay, Parker Moore
- Online News Package--Marley Guichard, Lillie London, Slayton Searcey, Ava Tucker
- Cartoon/Infographic--Slayton Searcey
Superior
- Online Feature Package--Lillie London, Eliza Jones, Holly Babbitt, Lucy Martin
- Student Life Photo--Lillie London
- Newsmagazine cover design--Maddi Wilcox
- Overall Eagle's View newsmagazine
Excellent
- Online Feature package-- Lauren London, Ava Collier, Maddi Wilcox, Alyssa Flener
- Online Feature package--Breanne Toney, Austin Syler, Marley Guichard, Chase Jones
- Overall KNET show
- Broadcast Sports Feature --Emery Lauber
- Broadcast News Feature--Breanne Toney
- Broadcast Human Interest Feature--Ava Tucker
Honorable Mention:
- Online Sports Package--Emily Barner, Talia Malvagna, Jayonna Smith
- Online Feature Package--Lily Menzies, Chloe Williams, Stella Spotz, Lilah King
- Portrait Photo-- Lillie London
- Feature Story--Marley Guichard
- InDepth News Story--Marley Guichard
- Sports Writing--Emily Seymour
- Broadcast Sports Feature--Ava Tucker
LHS Senior Named Distinguished Student Leader
Liberty High School senior Greyson Horwitz has earned the Distinguished Student Leader Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils. This honor is a way of recognizing those students who demonstrate superior student council leadership skills and knowledge based on Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) criteria and evaluation procedures.
Greyson is invited to attend the final general session of the MASC State Convention at Branson High School on Saturday, March 21, 2026, where he will receive the award.
MASC appreciates our sponsorship by MO Association of Secondary School Principals and administrators who understand the value of student leadership.
LHS Student Council Receives Honor
The Honor Council Committee of the Missouri Association of Student Councils is pleased to announce that Liberty High School Student Council has been awarded the Missouri Association of Student Councils Honor Council Gold Award. Awards were presented at the 2026 MASC State Convention held at Branson High School. Liberty High School Student Council was recognized for its involvement at the local level, involvement in Northwest District Student Council, and involvement at the state level. Only 81 student councils in the state of Missouri met the criteria for the award this year.
The honor is based on an application submitted by each school. Criteria are established to honor those councils that have a comprehensive program in promoting student activities and student leadership. Activities include school service, school spirit, community service, student and teacher recognition, and leadership training activities. Student Councils and student leaders make a positive contribution to their schools and help to create a positive educational climate.
We congratulate Liberty High School for providing an atmosphere where students and Student Council can play a vital role in your school. Thank you to the Student Council Advisors/Sponsors for providing many opportunities for Student Council members to develop leadership skills. We also wish to recognize the Principals and Superintendents for supporting their student leaders in all of their endeavors.
EPiC 1st Grader Awarded in National PTA Reflections Contest
EPiC Elementary first grade student Henry Poskey was awarded the National Award of Merit in the 2025-2026 PTA Reflections program.
Poskey was the only LPS student earn an award at the national level of the competition. He submitted a video titled "My School EPiC" in the Film Production category for this year's theme of "I belong!"
Around 200 national prizes are given out from thousands of submissions.
3 LHS Students Selected by SevenDays
Congratulations to Liberty High School Advanced Graphic Design students Hope Hernandez, Juliana Moore and River Schlung for having their work chosen chosen as part of the annual celebration held by the SevenDays organization.
SevenDays promotes kindness and positivity, and the art competition portion of their programming is competitive every year. Each of the three LHS students received $500 for being selected.
LHS State TSA Results
TSA (Technology Student Association) students traveled to Warrensburg, Missouri, for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to compete at the State Championships. Congratulations to these students on a fantastic state showing!
CAD Engineering
State Champion! - Lucy Candillo
Future Engineering and Technical Teacher
State Champion!- Aleyah Borsutzky
Technical Problem Solving
State Runner Up - Owen Duffy and Codey Peterson
Architecture Design
3rd place - Lucy Candillo, Camdyn Johnston, and Andrew Parks
Board Game Design
Top 5 finalist - (Mackenzie Asquith, Lilly Ferguson, and Adara Nilson)
Top 5 finalist - (Elissa Ketchum, Hunter Ekern, and Quinn Harman)
Debating Technical Issues
Top 5 finalist - (Elissa Ketchum and Zach Herzog)
All of these students have earned a trip to compete at the National level later this summer in Washington, D.C.
LHS MIJA State Journalism Day Results
Blue Jay journalists from Yearbook, PhotoJay, Newspaper and Broadcasting visited JDay on the campus of the University of Missouri before Spring Break (March 25) and took home many awards from the Extra Large Division. We are so incredibly proud of our students as some of these divisions had over 50 entries!
All Missouri - Overall Yearbook - The Spectator
All Missouri - Overall Newspaper - The Bell
12 All Missouri (1st place)
| Landon Roach |
| Katelyn Smith, Layton Smith |
| The Bell Staff |
| Staff |
| Gracee Peugh |
| Addi Fung, Abbi Mota |
| Abby Terry |
| Harper Holthouse, Blakely Anson |
| Nora Kruse , Noah Van Meter |
| Kailyn Bowles, Mia Bowles |
| Enslee Pence, Remi DeSchepper |
| Ashley Searls, Blakely Anson |
8 Superior Awards (2nd place)
| Jillian Comegys |
| Lillia Kropp, Beckett Griffin |
| JaiDynn Sargent, Abbi Mota |
| JaiDynn Sargent, Katie Ericksen |
| Van Brozenic |
| Addi Fung, Abbi Mota |
| Cheyenne Davis |
| Ceily Tiemann |
5 Excellent Awards (3rd place)
| Chase Ashby, Alyssa Pride |
| Kayla Franklin |
| Jackson Hodgkins |
| Brooke Roseberry |
| Heather Mast, Ashley Searls |
5 Honorable Mentions (4th place)
| Lillia Kropp, Graham Henderson |
| Electra Loney, Angelina Mendoza |
| Alyssa Pride, Lillia Kropp |
| Brooke Roseberry |
| Abbi Mota, Addi Fung |
LNHS Color Guard Member Receives Scholarship
Liberty North High School senior Caitlyn Forgues was selected to receive one of just five scholarships from the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association (MCCGA). She was chosen from among hundreds of applicants.
Forgues has been a member oft he LNHS Color Guard and Winter Guard teams for her entire high school career. She started with guard in middle school, and will continue participating at Kansas State University this fall.
LNHS Student Council Receives Honor
The Honor Council Committee of the Missouri Association of Student Councils is pleased to announce that Liberty North High School Student Council has been awarded the Missouri Association of Student Councils Honor Council Gold Award. Liberty North High School Student Council was recognized for its involvement at the local level, involvement in Northwest District Student Council, and involvement at the state level. Only 81 student councils in the state of Missouri met the criteria for the award this year.