It was a busy three days for leaders of the Sweet Springs R-VII School, as the district conducted their commencement exercises and held its monthly board of education meeting.

19 seniors received their diplomas Friday night. Supt. Lori Price tells KMMO News that this year’s valedictorian is Garret Hoyes, who made history as the first Sweet Springs student to also receive his Associates degree at the same time. Hoyes concurrently completed his studies at State Fair Community College, and received his degree at Friday’s graduation ceremony from SFCC Dean of Student Services Autumn Whitehead.

Finals are underway this week at Sweet Springs, with the last day of school Friday. The school year’s conclusion means that the end-of-year audit will soon take place. Price says that school board members voted Wednesday, May 8 to accept the bid from Randall Fiene, CPA to conduct the district’s annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30.