Bourbon and Leasburg News

    Seniors Kristian Speaks and Emelia Hilse were crowned king and queen at Bourbon High School’s homecoming Friday night. The Warhawks hosted Stoutland for the annual homecoming basketball games.
    Hilse is the daughter of Tiffany Hilse and Havis Hilse. She is active in FBLA, Student Council, FFA and softball.
    She was escorted by senior king candidate Luke Ryan, who is the son of Betsy Sykes and Thomas Ryan. His high school activities include baseball, basketball, trap, FFA, cross country, track and class officer.
    Speaks is son of Joseph Daniel Speaks and Shawna Faye Speaks. He is involved in track, cross country, C.L.A.M.M., BETA, Student Advisory Team, color guard, and drama.
    He escorted queen candidate Katlyn Sparks, who is the daughter of Stephanie Barnett. Her high school activities include Student Council and band.
    The other queen candidate was Victoria Lane, the daughter of Brad and Mindy Lane. Her high school activities include FFA, Student Council, BETA, FBLA, Student Advisory Team, basketball, volleyball, and softball. Victoria was also a Missouri Girls State delegate.
    She was escorted by king candidate Caleb Sappington, the son of Sonny and Missy Sappington. He is active in basketball, track, cross country, BETA, FFA and is a class officer.
    Also participating in the homecoming ceremony were the retiring king and queen, the necklace and crown bearers, and the freshman, sophomore, and junior attendants.
    The retiring queen was Jaylynn Winchester, the daughter of Natasha Medders and L.J. Winchester. She currently attends East Central College and is enrolled in the nursing program. She is also employed at Lowes.
    The retiring king was Ryan Stroup, the son of Shawn and Rene Stroup. He currently attends Linn State Tech and is focusing on business administration.
    The necklace bearer was Eden Cain, the daughter of Steven Cain and Angie Cain, and the crown bearer was Sawyer Williamson, the son of Ashton Williamson. Eden and Sawyer are both students in Mrs. Thurmond’s kindergarten class.
    The freshmen attendant was Juliana Hunn, the daughter of Nicholas Hunn and Melissa Weir. She is a member of BETA and FFA and was escorted by A.J. Reeves, the son of Lonnie and Tammy Reeves. His high school activities include basketball, track, FBLA, BETA, Student Council, cross country ,and Pep Club.
    The sophomore attendant was Araina Markham, the daughter of Levi and Geraldine Markham. She is a member of Student Council and was escorted by Bryan Payne, the son of Danny Payne and Jessi Whatley. His high school activities include basketball, baseball, cross country, FBLA, FFA, trap, BETA and junior class president.
    The junior attendant was Courtney Sparks, the daughter of Stephanie Barnett. Her high school activities include Beta, Student Council, FFA, and FBLA. She was escorted by Peyton Cranford, the son of Chad Bates and Hilda Cranford. His high school activities include basketball, baseball, and track.

Corey Lawrence of Coldwell Banker-Reeves shows off the December Book Buddy books recently donated by the business to the Bourbon Elementary School Library as part of Three Rivers Publishing’s Newspapers In Education program.

Bourbon High School will celebrate its annual homecoming on Friday, January 21, when the boys basketball teams take on Stoutland.

    The Bourbon School Board has updated the district’s Safe Return to In-person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan for the 2021-22 school year. As has been the case with other school districts, the changes came in response to a recent court ruling and with input from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA), and others.