Kristen Bradley enjoyed an outstanding academic year at Wellsville-Middletown High School in the 2025-26 school year.

At the W-M Academic Awards Ceremony on Friday afternoon, the senior was rewarded for her success by earning her third academic letter and receiving an honor for finishing with a high score in the government exam.

The only thing she was uncomfortable about was being recognized in front of a large crowd at the W-M gymnasium.

“It’s scary,” Bradley said. “I grew up homeschooled, so being out there in front of a lot of people scares me.”

The one-hour awards ceremony celebrated the students’ outstanding achievements in the classroom from last year. The school recognized high school students who earned academic letters and fourth through 12th grade students who achieved proficient or advanced ratings on the spring 2025 MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) and EOC (End of Course) exams. A total of 81 students from the W-M R-I School District were recognized.

“We’re so glad to have our students, staff, parents and families here to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our schools,” said W-M Principal Kevin Oligschlaeger, the ceremony’s emcee.

There were 35 students at the elementary school and 21 students at the junior high school who finished with either proficient or advanced scores in the MAP test last year.

“These assessments help us understand what students know and how they are doing in important areas of learning,” Oligschlaeger said. “They give teachers and schools helpful information about where the students are thriving and where they may need more support. Earning a proficient or advanced score is a wonderful accomplishment. It reflects learning, preparation and persistence.”

Reed Nelson, who is now a student at the junior high school, finished with advanced scores in ELA, mathematics and science in his fifth-grade year. Colton Pritchett had advanced scores in ELA and math when he was a fifth-grader last year. A pair of third-graders who are now fourth-graders — Kleighton Jones and Skylah Kathriner — had advanced scores in ELA and math a year ago.

At the high school, W-M had 17 students who had either proficient or advanced scores in the EOC test last spring. Royce Wilkinson had an advanced score in biology and a proficient score in English II.

Bradley finished with a proficient score in government.

Bradley said she enjoyed having classes with choir teacher Katlyn Thull. The senior has been in the school’s choir for five years.

“Mrs. Thull has been really supportive my entire time in high school,” Bradley said.

Bradley was home-schooled until she was in eighth grade. Her mother, Roni, teaches math at the high school. She was also Bradley’s homeschool teacher.

“She really instilled a love of learning into me,” Bradley said.

Bradley plans to attend Missouri Valley College next year.

Among the other W-M seniors who were recognized at the ceremony were Evan Bryson, Jenna Collins, Kara Freie, Aubrey Harmon, Shane Joles, Leah Kleinsorge, Chase Mitchell, Gage Nichols, June Ostendorf and Willard Shireman. Like Bradley, Collins, Harmon and Kleinsorge also received their third academic letter.

Oligschlaeger said the academic letter is one of the highest academic honors at W-M. Students must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average and have a 95 percent attendance rate.