Hawthorne Student Named National ‘Artist of the Week’ by Artsonia

Creed Cross, a talented second-grade student at Hawthorne Elementary School, has been named ‘Artist of the Week’ in a nationwide voting competition on Artsonia.com, the world’s largest collection of online student art portfolios, featuring over 125 million works of art.

Cross’ winning artwork, titled ‘A Very Blue Park,’ captured the attention of voters nationwide, receiving over 500 online votes.

“What inspired me is the playground downtown in my city,” Cross shared about his winning artwork. “I thought of the playground and started cutting the shapes.”

When asked how it felt to be named Artist of the Week, Cross said, “I felt pretty nice.”

Cross’ art teacher, Shelly Dunn, who has been teaching art for four years, said, “I love the discovery process with the students when they realize that they can create amazing art.”

Dunn is one of thousands of teachers who use Artsonia, which enables teachers to digitally showcase student art, organize and plan art lessons, and fundraise for their classrooms. Artsonia allows family and friends of student artists to view the art online and create custom keepsakes from the student art. Artsonia donates 20% of its revenue to local art classrooms.

“Students are now excited to put their artwork on Artsonia for their parents and extended family to see,” Dunn shared.

The Artist of the Week program was created by Artsonia 25 years ago to highlight student creativity and engage schools and communities in celebrating young artists. Each week, 12 student submissions are randomly selected from artwork submitted the previous week in four different age groups (PreK-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) for public voting. Winners receive both recognition and prizes.

As part of the award, Blick Art Materials generously provides a $100 gift certificate to the winning student’s art program and a $50 gift certificate to the student.

"Artsonia's mission is to bring communities together to celebrate children's creative expression," said Jim Meyers, CEO and co-founder of Artsonia. "Artist of the Week encourages local schools, families, and friends to get involved in the process of creating and celebrating student art.”

KPGZ News - Danielle Matousek contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Execute Another Shutout Win

Ellie Switzer came up big with a single that cleared the bases for three runs. Photo by David Haggart.

The Kearney Bulldog Softball team delivered a commanding performance Tuesday, defeating the Excelsior Springs Tigers 7-0 behind a dominant shutout pitched by Reghan Lueken. The Bulldogs’ pitching and timely hitting kept the Tigers off the board at Kearney High School.

Kearney struck first in the opening inning when Alyssa Quick doubled to bring in two runs, setting the tone early for the Bulldogs. Quick continued her strong night in the third, blasting a solo home run over center field to extend the lead. The Bulldogs pulled away in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to secure the victory. Ellie Switzer came up big with a single that cleared the bases for three runs, while Reese Narron added another run with a single of her own.

Excelsior Springs pitcher Kayden Rogers worked six innings, allowing seven runs—four of them earned—on eight hits. Rogers struck out two and walked two in the effort, but couldn’t slow the Bulldogs’ offense.

The bottom of Kearney’s lineup came through, with Quick leading the team with three RBIs and finishing 2-for-3. Kennedi Casey also contributed, matching Quick with two hits. On the Tigers’ side, Bella Loeffert, Josie Casler, and Rogers each picked up a hit, but the team couldn’t push any runs across. Excelsior Springs did manage to turn a double play defensively, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kearney’s momentum.

With Lueken shutting down the Tigers’ bats and the Bulldogs’ offense firing on all cylinders, Kearney earned a well-deserved shutout win to keep their season rolling. The Bulldogs are now 21-5 on the season.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Quick Hits for the Cycle, Landewee Throws No-Hitter

It was a night to remember at the diamond as Kearney High School Varsity delivered a commanding 11-0 win over the Smithville Warriors on Tuesday, marked by standout performances from Alyssa Quick and pitcher Kate Landewee.

Alyssa Quick put on a show at the plate, hitting for the cycle and powering the Bulldogs’ offense. Photo by David Haggart.

Alyssa Quick put on a show at the plate, hitting for the cycle and powering the Bulldogs’ offense. She started strong with a double in the opening frame, driving in two runs to put Kearney on the board. In the second inning, Quick crushed a home run to center field, bringing in three more runs and helping build an early lead. She added a single in the fifth and capped off her night with a triple in the sixth, completing the rare feat and keeping the momentum firmly with Kearney.

On the mound, Kate Landewee was untouchable. The Kearney ace struck out 13 batters, allowing no hits or runs over six flawless innings without issuing a single walk. Smithville’s lineup could not solve Landewee, who kept them off balance from start to finish.

Kearney’s offense was relentless, tallying 15 hits on the night. Morgan Pennington, Brooke Paalhar, Kennedi Casey, and Reese Narron each picked up multiple hits, while Paalhar also drove in a run with a single in the second. The Bulldogs added four more runs in that inning, stretching their lead and never looking back.

Defensively, Kearney was perfect, playing error-free ball. Caroline Jury led the way in the field, recording 13 chances without a misstep.

For Smithville, Nora Schoening took the loss, pitching two and two-thirds innings and giving up 10 runs on 12 hits. She finished the outing without a strikeout and walked one.

With Quick’s cycle and Landewee’s no-hitter, Kearney High School Varsity sent a clear message with their dominant performance, securing a memorable win and pursuing the Suburban Blue Conference Title for the fourth year in a row.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Drivers Urged to Stay Alert as Harvest Season Begins

As Missouri enters the fall harvest season, state authorities are urging both farmers and motorists to exercise heightened caution on roadways. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports there were 194 reported traffic crashes in Missouri involving farm equipment, resulting in two fatalities and 65 injuries in 2024. With farmers and drivers sharing rural and urban roads at all hours, officials stress that many of these incidents can be prevented through attentiveness and adherence to traffic laws.

Farmers are reminded to properly mark their equipment with functioning lights and the distinctive orange “slow-moving vehicle” emblem when traveling on public roads. Keeping these lights and reflective markers clean and clear of debris is vital for visibility. Those moving wide equipment are encouraged to use escort vehicles, particularly on narrow roads or in areas where hills and curves restrict sight lines. If traffic builds up behind slow-moving equipment, farmers should pull off onto level ground when safe, allowing vehicles to pass and reduce congestion.

Traveling at dawn or dusk should be avoided due to low visibility, and all-terrain vehicles used for agricultural work must comply with state laws, including travel during daylight hours only, appropriate lights, flags, and slow-moving vehicle emblems. Safety helmets are mandatory for operators under 18, but recommended for all ages. Importantly, agricultural machinery is permitted on state highways at night if properly illuminated, and seat belt use is advised for those operating tractors with roll-over protection.

Drivers are urged to remain alert for slow-moving farm equipment, especially during harvest season. Patience is crucial when driving behind tractors or combines—motorists should reduce speed and wait for clear, unobstructed views before attempting to pass. Passing should never occur on bridges, hills, or curves where sight distance is limited.

Collisions often happen when a motorist misinterprets a farm vehicle’s movements, such as when a tractor veers right before making a wide left turn. Watching for hand or light signals from farmers can prevent such accidents. Extra attention is needed when farm equipment enters or exits highways from side roads or driveways, especially during early morning or evening hours when sunlight can impair visibility.

With increased awareness and cooperation, both farmers and drivers can help ensure a safer harvest season for all Missourians.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Lions Club Organizes Citywide Yard Sale

The Kearney Lions Club is set to bring the community together with a citywide yard sale scheduled for Saturday, October 4th from 7 am – 5 pm.

Residents interested in participating can have their address included on a comprehensive listing and map of participating locations for just $5. This offers an easy way for sellers to attract shoppers throughout the city, with an online link available for sign-ups in the event’s discussion.

For those who want to join the event but don’t have a yard to use, the Lions Club is providing a convenient solution. Limited 10-foot by 10-foot spaces along Washington Street are available to rent for $10 each. Anyone interested in reserving a spot can find the reservation link HERE. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone in the community has an opportunity to participate, whether they have a yard or not.

The Lions Club’s citywide yard sale promises to be a great chance for residents to sell unwanted items, connect with neighbors, and support the local community.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.