The Foundation
A publication of the Harrisonville Public School Foundation
Davidson to be inducted into Wall of Fame
A Harrisonville High School graduate will become the fifty-second alum inducted into the HHS Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame during Courtwarming activities at HHS on February 15.
Denise Davidson, HHS Class of 1981, recently retired after more than 30 years in law enforcement. From her beginnings as a dispatcher for the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Davidson rose through the ranks from corporal, to detective, to detective sergeant to lieutenant, to captain. She was the first full time female patrol deputy.
She received training and was a member of the Metropolitan Area Major Case Squad; she’s a graduate of the FBI Command Leadership Program - “Law Enforcement Executive Development Association;” and she’s also a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Program – “Women’s Leadership Institute.”
Davidson has served as a member of the Cass County Child Fatality Review Board and conducts victim advocacy programs. Davidson has conducted many of the advocacy programs with Kim Case, an abduction and rape victim, whom Davidson interviewed following her ordeal many years ago. Case said, “The compassion and professionalism showed to me during the long interviews that took place after I escaped from my captors changed my life. The most important words that have ever been spoken to me were uttered by then Deputy Davidson that day; ‘I believe you, this is not your fault.’ Those words freed me to trust again.”
Davidson was honored with the 2017 Enoch B. Morelock Award in recognition of her outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement and her community. The prestigious law enforcement award is presented annually by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee.
Her community work includes serving as member and chair of the American Cancer Society - Cass County Relay for Life and board member for Hope Haven of Cass County, Blue Notes Booster Club, Harrisonville Athletic Booster Club, the Nazarene Church Daycare, and Bright Futures Harrisonville.
Davidson is married to Gary and they have four grown children, along with four grandchildren.
Davidson will be honored during a public reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the HHS library on Feb. 15 and introduced to the community between the JV and varsity Wildcat basketball games that night at approximately 7 p.m.
Inductees are selected based on their significant contribution to their community or their field of work. Nominations are accepted continuously with the deadline for consideration each year on October 31.
For more information, contact the Harrisonville Public School Foundation at 380-2727, ext. 1224.
Major Saver sales support Foundation
The Harrisonville Public School Foundation and Harrisonville School District recently received a check for the proceeds from the Major Saver fundraiser held earlier this year. Students sold the restaurant and entertainment discount cards and the proceeds from the sales are split equally between the Foundation and the participating schools.
The overall proceeds totaled $14,456.25. Harrisonville Early Childhood Center earned $1,440; Harrisonville Elementary received $3,870; and McEowen Elementary earned $1,921.50.
This year’s participating businesses included Paradise Park, 54th Street, Price Chopper, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kurzweil’s, Apple Barrel (in Sapp Brothers), Qdoba, Burger King, Brew Daddy’s, Mazzio’s, The Garage, Brewbakers, Houlihan’s, Dunkin’ Donuts (in Sapp Brothers), Sonic, Captain D’s, Dairy Queen, Mod Pizza, Little Pig BBQ, Forged by Fire and Aaron’s Family Fun Center.
The Foundation will use its portion to fund its programming which includes the Excellence in Academics program, teacher grants, and Advanced Degree Teacher Initiatives.
2019 scholarship applications available now
The Harrisonville Public School Foundation manages six endowed scholarship funds and four annual scholarships for Harrisonville High School seniors. The application deadline for 2019 is April 12, and the scholarship application is online at www.harrisonvilleschools.org/foundation.
The scholarships are as follows:
Bob Hodge Achievement Award - $2,000 (Year 1), $2,000 (Year 2), $2,000 (Year 3), $2,000 (Year 4)
This scholarship is presented annually to a senior based on academic achievement, citizenship and financial need. The scholarship is renewable for three years based on the recipient maintaining a 3.0 GPA and submitting an essay annually. It is funded through an endowment established by an alumni in honor of long-time district teacher, coach and administrator Bob Hodge.
Steve Catron Memorial Scholarship - $300
This scholarship is presented annually to a senior based on music and athletic achievement, as well as community and school activities. It is funded through memorial gifts from family and friends of 1979 HHS graduate Steve Catron.
Stephen and Virginia Childress Athletic Award - $1,500
This is the Foundation’s longest running scholarship, and it is presented annually to a senior based on athletic and academic achievements, as well as community and school activities. It is funded through an endowment established by the Childress family.
William G. and Nettie Z. Deacon Family Scholarship - $2,000 ($1000 first semester, renewable for $1000 second semester)
This scholarship is presented annually to seniors based on academic achievement, good citizenship and financial need. Preference is given to applicants who plan to pursue a career in the medical or nursing profession. It is funded through an endowment established by Will Ella Deacon.
John and Wanda Foster Construction Trades Scholarship - $1000 ($500 in year 1; renewable for $500 in year 2)
This scholarship is presented annually to a Harrisonville senior planning to study building trades, architecture, civil engineering or a related field. It is funded through an endowment established by John and Wanda Foster.
Cara Roberts Memorial Scholarship - $500
The Roberts scholarship is presented annually to an HHS senior attending the University of Central Missouri. It is funded through annual gifts to the Foundation from the Roberts and Keefer families.
Scott Morse Memorial Scholarship - $1,250
This scholarship is presented annually to an HHS senior who has successfully overcome a trial or hardship. It is funded through an endowment created by the Morse family.
John and Wanda Foster Agriculture Program Scholarship - $1000 ($500 in year 1; renewable for $500 in year 2)
This scholarship will be presented for the first time in 2016 to a Harrisonville senior who has been active in the Cass Career Center agriculture program and/or FFA chapter. It is funded through an endowment established by John and Wanda Foster.
Allison W. Smith Memorial Scholarship - $2000
This scholarship was presented for the first time in 2015. The intent of this scholarship award, which is presented memory of Allison Smith, is to encourage and support a senior female student athlete who strives for excellence in academics and sportsmanship and who demonstrates passion to engage in the world through leadership and/or innovative ideas to make the global and/or local community better for others. It is funded through an annual gift from the Smith family.
Samuel A Sloan, Evelyn Sloan, and Beulah Sloan McCoy Scholarship - Two $1,500 scholarships
This scholarship will be presented to a senior planning to study in an agriculture-related field. Additional criteria include leadership in school activities, service in the community, and intent to attend a four-year college or university. The scholarships are funded through a gift from Daryl and Millie Sloan.
Two scholarships available to 8th grade students
The Foundation oversees two scholarships that are presented to eighth-grade students and dispersed upon their graduation from Harrisonville High School.
The Katie Rios Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship funded through annual gifts from middle school staff and the Rios family. The scholarship is presented based on the student’s character, attitude, academics and citizenship.
The first Rios scholarship was presented in 2011 and disbursed in 2015.
The Donna Pfautsch HATS Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 is funded through an endowment created by the Pfautsch family. It is presented to an eighth-grader who is part of the Harrisonville Academically Talented Students program and is based on a record of academic excellence; diverse personal, academic and community interests; a love of self-directed learning; and use of individual talent, imagination and teamwork to accomplish goals, address challenges or solve problems.
Excellence in Academics program honors academic achievement
For more than 30 years, the Harrisonville Public School Foundation has sponsored the annual Excellence in Academics program to honor Harrisonville High School students who complete the year in the top 15 percent of their class.
Seniors are honored on their final day of class at the Senior Excellence in Academics Celebration, and recognition of underclassmen is at the Excellence in Academics Assembly in August. Both events are held during the school day in front of the entire student body.
The Senior Excellence in Academics Celebration includes the presentation of the $500 scholarships to four-year recipients. The Foundation started the Excellence in Academics Scholarships 14 years ago and has presented more than $142,000.
The Excellence in Academics program would not be possible without the support of our community through three levels of sponsorship: $100 Subscriber, $500 Scholarship Subscriber and $1,000 Corporate Subscriber.
To become a subscriber, you can mail a donation to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation, 503 S. Lexington, Harrisonville, MO 64701 with Excellence in Academics in the memo line. Or you can donate online at - https://harrisonvillepublicschoolfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/68571-2019-excellence-in-academics. If you have any questions, then please contact Foundation Executive Director Jill Filer at 380-2727, ext. 1224 or jill.filer@harrisonvilleschools.org
Get your "It's A Great Day to be a Wildcat" shirts before they're gone
The Foundation has a limited quantity of "Great Day to be a Wildcat" shirts available for purchase. We have youth and adult sizes. The shirts are $15 each. You can purchase shirts at the District Admin Office, 503 S. Lexington, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Please bring exact change, or checks may be made out to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.
If you live outside of Harrisonville, we would be happy to mail a shirt to you for an additional $5. Please call Tiffany Cox at 380-2727, ext. 1221 to check sizes and provide a mailing address. Checks can be mailed to 503 S. Lexington, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
About Us
Email: jill.filer@harrisonvilleschools.org
Website: www.harrisonvilleschools.org/foundation
Location: 503 South Lexington Street, Harrisonville, MO, USA
Phone: 8163802727
Facebook: facebook.com/HarrisonvillePublicSchoolFoundation