Southwest R-V School District

Conference Championships for Southwest 7th & 8th Grade Track

The Southwest Junior High track team had an incredible showing at the SWCL Track Meet on Monday, May 4th. All four divisions earned 1st place finishes! The four divisions are: 7th grade girls, 7th grade boys, 8th grade girls, and 8th grade boys.

This accomplishment is even more impressive when you consider that our 7th grade girls competed with just four athletes.

Throughout the season, these student-athletes have worked hard, pushed themselves beyond their comfort zones, and continued to grow each day. Their efforts paid off in a big way, with records being broken and an outstanding 76 total medals earned at the conference meet!

Their commitment, resilience, and willingness to step up when it mattered most is something special.

All four divisions are Conference Champions!

Southwest Lady Trojan Youth Basketball Camp for Grades 1st-5th

Lady Trojan basketball camp for girls entering 1st-5th grade for the 2026-27 school year. Please see the picture for more details.

Here is the registration link: https://forms.gle/ZhPTs6q3YEKJbVQv8

Elementary Fundraiser Dance to Support Mrs. Yoho and Mrs. Durossette

Friday, May 1st, from 5:00–7:00 PM in the elementary gym!

Admission is $3.00 per person.

Parents may drop off their student or join the fun for $3.00.

We’ll have concessions and glow items available (most priced $1–$3).

Please plan to pick up your child promptly at 7:00 PM.

Speech and Debate State Competition Results

Duet Acting: Christian Renfrow and Tatum Burgess: 15th out of 32  in the state 

All fines and fees are due and payable prior to walking at graduation, 8th grade promotion and attending field trips.

Track Wins 28 Medals at Cassville Meet

The Southwest High School track and field team earned 28 medals Tuesday and won four individual events at the Cassville Relays. Leading the way were Senior Dylan Frost and Sophomore Sidney Roe. Dylan won the high jump and long jump, while Sid captured the mile and two-mile. Other highlights:

• Junior Lucas Ingram PR'd in the 200 and finished 2nd

• Senior Tobi Smith was second in the 2-mile

• Sophomore Lucia Villacieros was 2nd in the mile and two-mile

• Sophomore Ashlyn Taylor was third in the javelin.

• Freshman Race Pippin was second in the high jump and PR'd in the long jump.

Southwest has a week off before participating in the final SWCL Conference Track Meet on May 4 at Blue Eye.

Track and Field Earn Medals

The track and field team had three athletes earn medals Thursday at the East Newton Relays. Sophomore Sidney Roe finished third in both the mile and two mile. Also Senior Dylan Frost won the high jump and Freshman Race Pippin was second with a PR jump of 5-10. Other highlights:

• Junior Lucas Ingram PRd in the 200 at 25.88.

• The boys 4x8 relay team PRd by 17 seconds.

• The boys 4x1 boys relay team placed 5th of 9 school after being scheduled to place 9th.

Southwest travels to Cassville Tuesday for its final meet before conference.

HS End-of-Year Testing Information

As we approach the end of the semester, we want to inform you about the upcoming End-of-Course (EOC) testing, ACT testing, and the preparation required to ensure our students perform to the best of their abilities. EOC exams assess students' understanding of key subject areas and are an essential component of their academic progress. Additionally, juniors will be taking the ACT test. To help students succeed, it is important they dedicate time to review material, seek assistance if needed, and maintain a balanced routine. We encourage you to support your child by ensuring they have a quiet space for study, proper rest, and healthy meals. If possible, please try to ensure your student is present during testing time. We are confident that with focused preparation and parental support, our students will do their best on these important assessments.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Tuesday, April 21:

  • ACT - 11th Grade (morning)

  • Biology (afternoon)

• Wednesday, April 22:

  • Comm Arts II EOC (Session 1, morning)

• Thursday, April 23:

  • Algebra I EOC (Session 1, morning)

  • Algebra 1 EOC (Session 2, afternoon)

• Tuesday, April 28:

  • Comm Arts II EOC (Session 2, morning)

  • Government EOC (afternoon)

Once state testing is complete, our teachers will be preparing students for their end-of-year final exams in each class.

Sincerely,

Jordi Miller
Southwest HS Counselor

FFA Soil's Team Places 5th at State Contest

The first day of state FFA contest are complete and the soil’s team has placed 5th in the state. This qualifies them for Nationals. They will be walking stage at 11:30am on Friday.

Addy Payne- 3rd individual
Jimena Ambriz - 10th individual
Addy Ketcher
Lyndon Vanzandt

Please congratulate these young women on their hard work. There are 353 FFA chapters in Missouri  The national contest is May 5-7.

Trojan Track Team Wins 5 Events at Pierce City

Southwest won gold in a season high five events Tuesday at the Hillbilly Relays at Pierce City. Both the 4x800 and 4x400 relay teams, Sophomore Sidney Roe and Senior Tobias Smith in the two-mile, and Senior Dylan Frost in the high jump led the Trojans with first-place finishes. Other highlights:

• Junior Lucia Villacieros was 3rd in the two-mile and 4th in the mile (8-second PR).

• Junior Jazmyn Rivas was 6th in the 100.

• Sidney had a 20-second PR in the two-mile and was second in the mile.

• the boys 4x100 relay team missed a medal by .11 and finished fourth narrowly losing a photo finish to Cabool.

• the boys 4x200 relay team finished 5th.

• Dyland was fifth ih the long jump.

Southwest returns to action Thursday at East Newton.

Dear Parents and Families,

We are excited to share some wonderful news with you. Our district has been named a 2025– 2026 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase District.

Out of more than 450 districts served across the country, who are implementing the CKH Process systemically, our district was selected for this honor. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teachers, staff, and students to creating a place where relationships, trust, and respect are at the center of everything we do.

Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) focuses on building strong connections between students and educators because we know that when students feel safe, known, and valued, they are more engaged in learning and more likely to succeed.

This award is not based on one moment or one event. It represents the consistent work happening in classrooms every day. Districts earning this recognition demonstrate:

• Strong staff participation and commitment to the CKH Process

• Positive school culture and climate reported by teachers and students

• Evidence of meaningful impact on students and staff

• A recommendation from a CKH Strategist based on observed implementation and results

Being named a National Showcase District means that relationships are not just something we talk about on our campuses, they are something we intentionally practice every day.

We are incredibly proud of our staff and students for the work they do to make our district a place where everyone feels they belong. Thank you for your continued partnership and support in helping us build a strong, relationship-driven community for our children.

Together, we are creating a district where students truly want to be and where they can thrive both academically and personally.

With appreciation,

Tosha Tilford
Superintendent
Southwest R-V School District

Ashlyn Taylor Sets New School Record in Javelin

Southwest Sophomore Ashlyn Taylor set a new school record in the javelin with a throw of 25 meters Thursday at the highly competitive Mountaineer Track & Field Relays in Mount Vernon. Ashlyn bests a record established in 2024 by Juliauna Sierra at 23.8 meters. Twenty-five meters converts to just over 82 feet. Ashlyn actually broke the record in an earlier throw at the meet but then beat it again on her final toss. She was 12th of 33 throwers. It marked the fourth school record to fall in the last six meets. Other highlights:

• Senior Dylan Frost was 2nd in the high jump (1.90 meters) and 7th in the long jump (6.11).

• Senior Tobias Smith finished 5th and PR'd in the mile at 5:07.05.

• Freshman Race Pippin PR'd in the long jump at 5.56.

Southwest travels to Pierce City and East Newton for meets next week.

Frost, Roe, and Villacieros Lead Southwest Track

Senior Dylan Frost won the long jump (6-foot-3 or 1.91 meters) and Sophomores Sidney Roe (5:53) and Lucia Willacieros (6:20) were second and third in the mile at the Monett Invitational Track Meet Tuesday night.

Other highlights:

• Freshman Race Pippin was 7th in the high jump

• Junior Lucas Ingram PR's in the 100 at 12.61 seconds.

Southwest travels to Mount Vernon for the 22-school Mountaineer Relays on Thursday.

2 More Track & Field Records Fall at Seneca

Junior Lane Hendrix and Senior Dylan Frost both broke school records Monday at the Seneca Bordertown Relays. Lane set a new mark in the javelin at 36.69, eclipsing the mark Braydan Rose established two years ago. He was seventh overall. Dylan broke his own record the he set a week ago at Republic, jumping 1.93 or 6-foot-4 in the high jump. He won the event and is ranked in the top 10 in the state in Class 2. Other highlights:

• Sophomore Sidney Roe won the mile in a PR of 5:44.

• Sophomore Lucia Villacieros PR'd and medaled in the mile at 6:18 and scored in the 800 finishing 7th.

• Freshman James Marsani PR'd in the javelin at 33.28.

• Freshman Race Pippin scored in the high jump, jumping 1.68.

• Senior Bree Paulsen PR'd in the shot in 16.56.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY ADDS 10 NEW MEMBERS

The Southwest Chapter of the National Honor Society added 10 new members on Wednesday at its annual Induction ceremony in the high school gymnasium. The group inducted Senior Brianna Hoover and Sophomores Dakota Cotton,Taytum Cotton, Aubrey Holt, Holly Johnson, Molly Hendrix, Holley Montondo, Payton Petronella, Abi Hnem, and Sidney Roe. The new officer team was also sworn in, including: Olivia Hnem (President), Addyson Payne (Vice President), Gracie Swanepoel (Secretary), and Taytum Burgess (Treasurer). The outgoing officers were Addison Pendergraft, Cheyenne Holt, Andrew Russell, and Jack Cornell. Other NHS members are: Missy Freeman, Cecilia Goines, Emma Outhouse, Jaretsi Quintanilla, Tobias Smith, Victor Tellez, Katie-Ann Tenorio, Lyndon Vanzandt, Aiden Barnett, Olivia Clanton, Kylee Rhodes, and Lane Hendrix. Freshmen Milly Brinkman and Paula Callison served as ushers for the ceremony. Mr. Voyak is the advisor.

FROST, VILLACIEROS BOTH EARN GOLD AT DIAMOND

Senior Dylan Frost won the high jump and Sophomore Lucia Villacieros captured the two-mile on Tuesday at the Diamond Invitational Track Meet.

Other highlights:

• the girls 4x100 relay finished 4th and narrowly missed a medal.

• Freshman Race Pippin was 5th in the high jump and PR'd in the long jump.

• Senior Bree Paulsen PR'd in the discus and Emily Brooks did the same in the shot.

Southwest travels to Carthage on Thursday and to Seneca on Monday.