BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Braydon Anthony Moeller, the son of Amy Moeller, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. Braydon is involved in JAG, Jobs for America’s Graduates. He enjoys JAG because “it encourages personal growth and helps us find career paths that suit us along with setting us up for success in them.” 

Three words he uses to describe himself are “apolitical, progressive and conservative.” In his free time, Braydon enjoys networking with peers and navigating fast-paced, high-stress situations where he has to manage resources like materials, health and shields. He says Tim Sweeney, the founder and creator of Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, has made the most impact on his life. His favorite childhood memory comes from when his dog got stuck under a tree. “It didn’t even fall or anything. She got stuck under the roots of it.” 

His favorite high school memory includes playing Fortnite with the “OPPS” in the back of Mr. Clark Thomas’ classroom. His favorite hour of the day is first hour when he has Mythology and Creative Writing. He said he will always remember the opportunities in the school that “seemingly go unnoticed.” He does not have a favorite teacher because “everyone has their own unique traits that make them incomparable.” 

When he graduates, he is most excited to have free time. He says he is choosing a few gap years to pursue other viable career options. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Devin Michael O’Hara, a 2026 graduate of Macon High School, is the son of Brian O’Hara and Rena Nolte. He is involved in wrestling and football. 

Advice he offers to underclassmen is, “Don’t let your grades slip.” He said something he will always remember is “going through four principals in the same number of years.” His favorite teacher at Macon is Mr. Cody Miller because he taught him a lot. His favorite class is Mr. Miller’s welding class because he enjoys it. 

In his freetime, he enjoys working. He describes himself as “resilient, outgoing and hardworking.” His favorite childhood memory is when he went on a float trip with his brothers. His favorite animal is dogs, his favorite food is bananas and an interesting fact about him is that he is on the A Honor Roll. 

After graduation, Devin will miss his friends the most. In the future, Devin plans to attend technical school. 

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

MHS 2026 Senior, Kailyn Paige Nichols, is the daughter of Daryl Nichols and Roxanne Warren. Kailyn is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Interact, Epsilon Beta, NHS and Science Olympiad. FCA is her favorite because she says, “I became a leader and it helps me to be more outgoing and outspoken about my faith with my friends and other students. She describes herself as "helpful,  outgoing and driven."  Kailyn’s favorite teachers are Mrs. Emily McVicker and Mr. Clint Coffey. When she graduates she says she is most excited to have more opportunities, meet more diverse people, and become independent in her own self. 

In her free time, Kailyn enjoys working out and hanging out with friends. Someone who had made the biggest impact on her life are her best friends because they have taught her what real friendship is like. She says her favorite high school memory is, “Having my English class with Megan freshman year because we had lots of fun and we were not afraid to be ourselves. Also attending all the high school events like the drive-around, homecoming and my first football game in the high school student section.” Her favorite class is weights and ACT prep because she says, “Mrs. McVicker is really fun and I had all my best friends in the class and I learned a lot.” 

Kailyn’s favorite food is a spicy chicken sandwich. Her favorite movie is "Grown Ups" or "Avatar." One piece of advice she has for underclassmen is, “Don't be afraid to be yourself and to stick in with a small group of people. It's okay to be different.” Her favorite animal is butterflies. 

In the future, Kailyn plans to attend the University of Missouri-Kansas City to major in Health Sciences, eventually earning her master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Dallas Wade McMullen, the son of Rick and Abbie McMullen, is a 2026 senior at Macon High School. 

After graduation, Dallas will miss English teacher Mrs. Emily McVicker. He said, “She’s been a big supporter of what I want to accomplish in life.” His favorite class is P.E. because he enjoys playing basketball. Advice he gives to underclassmen is, “Nothing is impossible. When people doubt you, say, ‘Why not?’” His favorite high school memory is squatting 305 pounds in weights class. Something he will always remember about his years at Macon R-1 is the growth he had as a person throughout each year. 

Dallas describes himself as “motivated, honest and athletic.” His brother has made the biggest impact on his life because, he says, “He has been a good role model for me.” His favorite childhood memory was watching Kobe Bryant win two championships in the NBA. He also remembers traveling to Dallas, Texas on a Thanksgiving Day to watch the Dallas Cowboys. His favorite movie is “Step Brothers,” his favorite food is steak and an interesting fact about him is that he is a very talented artist. 

In the future, Dallas plans to attend college and become a famous artist. 

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Connor Mikel Prescott Neeson, the son of Jeffrey Neeson and Erica Johnson, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. After graduation, Connor will miss his friends the most. One piece of advice Connor has for underclassmen is, “Don’t let anyone bring you down.” 

Connor’s favorite teacher is his English teacher, Mrs. Dawn Llewellyn. His favorite class in school is PE because he likes to be active. One interesting place he has traveled is Canada. His favorite food is chicken nuggets. Connor’s favorite movie is "It Chapter Two." His favorite animal is a fox. An interesting fact about him is that he has three of the most danger

ous snakes in the world as pets. 

In his free time Connor enjoys hanging out with his friends and working out. Three words he uses to describe himself are "confident, trustworthy and nice." Connor describes himself as "someone who is energetic, nice, good at listening and good at talking." Someone who has made an impact on Connor’s life is his dad because he has supported him all throughout school. 

When Connor graduates he is most excited for the freedom that he will get away from school. He will always remember the friends he has made along the way. His future plans include becoming a traveling welder where he will travel around the world.

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Reporter

Zakiya Forest Pool, the son of Forest Pool and Crystal Cross, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. He is involved in Macon Area Career Technical Education Center (MACTEC). He said that MACTEC is a “great way to set up future employment and get proper training” for future jobs. 

In his free time, he enjoys working on classic Chevys and spending time with his girlfriend. He describes himself as “simple and relaxed.”  Zakiya’s favorite childhood memory is when he used to play Rust with Eli Witt in middle school. “I always look back to that era when Covid hit and we had no responsibility or care in the world; just me, him, random friends and video games.” An interesting fact about Zakiya is that he is color deficient with two different color spectrums in each eye. 

The teacher he will miss the most, his favorite teacher, is Mr. Clark Thomas because he is “like a best friend who can teach you.” He added that Mr. Thomas “is cool to sit down and "nerd out" with over video games and random topics.” His favorite class is Building Trades because, he says, “It is nice to learn hands-on and have a way to set myself up for the future.” Advice he offers to underclassmen is to “enjoy the time you get and be excited for the future.” His favorite high school memory is when he and his buddies used to make concoctions of random food items at lunch. “It was always the most disgusting thing ever, but it was also funny.” Something he will always remember are the teachers who do more than just teach.

In the future, Zakiya wants to own land and a home in the country. He is most excited about the opportunities available to him after graduation. “With school not being a factor, I can spend my time invested in other places. Some examples of things I want to spend my time doing are getting my CDL (commercial driver’s license) and proper ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certification." 

BY PARKER WIEGAND

TNN Reporter

Logan Lee Kitchen, a senior at Macon High School, is the son of Dena Moyer and the late Almonzo Kitchen. He has recently taken up learning Mixed Martial Arts. Logan describes himself as "kind, honest, and respectful." 

His favorite high school memories came from the football field. Logan’s favorite teacher is his English teacher Mrs. Emily McVicker. “Ever since I lost my father she is always there to help me,” he said. He also enjoys working on cars and learning new things in his auto tech class. Logan's favorite movie is “Real Steel.” 

After leaving Macon High School Logan said he will miss the memories he made from hanging out with his friends the most. His future plans include entering the workforce, working with concrete or asphalt. 

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Grant Kendal Meisner is a senior at Macon High School and is the son of Matt and Lorie Meisner. Grant is a member of the Macon Tiger Baseball team and FFA. He can be best described as "outgoing, compassionate, and outdoorsy." Grant’s favorite memory from high school is winning the baseball district championship his junior year. The most influential people to him are his parents, because "they are encouraging and supportive to him."

His favorite childhood memory is all the times he went fishing with his dad. Grant is proud of what he accomplished throughout his high school run and regrets nothing that came from it. In particular, he has already completed many college classes in route to his high school diploma. In his spare time, he likes to hunt, fish and play baseball.

Of the activities he is involved in, Grant finds baseball to be his favorite because he gets to connect with his teammates and hopes they will play for a state title. His personal philosophy is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13, a verse from the Bible. One interesting fact about Grant is that he has had six surgeries. One thing Grant always wants to remember about his high school years is the relationships with his friends. What he will miss most about high school is what he devoted his four years of high school to - the sports programs.

Grant's future plans are to attend State Tech in Linn, Mo. to complete their alignment program, then later returning to work in the area.

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Adalyn June Meisner is a senior at Macon High School and is the daughter of Josh and Ashlie Meisner. Adalyn is captain of the Macon cheerleading team, is a member of student council, National Honor Society, the dance team and was in the Macon High School production of Legally Blonde: The Musical as Kate. She can be best described as "motivated, hardworking, and outgoing." Adalyn’s favorite memory is winning the Missouri State Cheerleading Competition her senior year. The most influential people to her are her mother Ashlie and Shannon Fry, her cheerleading coaches.

Her favorite childhood memory is when she went on vacation with her cousins, Brooks and Libby, her sister Macie and her Grammie and Pappie. She is proud of what she accomplished, having kept up with her grades, her part-time job and different sports and activities. Specifically, in cheerleading, she got first place at regional competition all four years, won state her senior year, made the dance team, and was involved in the musical. In her spare time, she likes to go to work so she can make money and she likes to hang out with her friends and family.

Of the activities she is involved in, Adalyn finds cheer to be her favorite, because being a part of the team allowed her to make new friends. Her personal philosophy is simply “work harder.” An interesting fact about her is that she is really good at remembering lyrics to songs. A few things she always wants to remember about her high school years are the friends she made through cheer, her mom being the coach and the fact that she got to cheer with her sister. A few things she will miss most about high school are being able to be involved in a lot of different things, having a close set of friends, and being able to live with her family.

Adalyn's future plans are to attend the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. to study pre-law. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Mallen Lee Payton, son of Stephen Payton and Jessica Jacobs, is a 2026 senior at MHS. He is involved in FFA and JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates). JAG is his favorite because he has been given a lot of opportunities and has made more friends through the program. 

In his free time, Mallen enjoys playing video games. His mother has made the biggest impact on his life because she has always been there for him, he said. His favorite food is anything his mom makes. His favorite place he has traveled to is Mexico. His favorite movie is “Team America: World Police.” 

Mrs. Dawn Llewellyn’s Senior English class is his favorite because his entire friend group also takes the class. The time they have spent together during seventh hour will always be his favorite memories of high school. His favorite teacher is Mr. Clark Thomas because “he is a chill dude.” 

After graduation, Mallen is excited for the chance to be able to make more money. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Isaiah Johanningsmeier, the brother of Alex & Rebekah Johanningsmeier & Bradley Johanningsmeier, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. He is involved in wrestling and track with wrestling being his favorite sport. 

Advice Isaiah offers to underclassmen is, “It’s going to be hard but push through it.” His favorite high school memory is coming back from his injury during wrestling season his senior year. The wrestling program and his friends is what he always wants to remember about high school. His favorite teacher is Mrs. Dawn Llewellyn. “She is one of my wrestling coaches and I like how she teaches,” he said. His favorite class is P.E. because, he said, it’s fun.

In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and wrestling. Three words his friends use to describe him are “energetic, kind and happy.” His brother and sister-in-law Alex and Rebekah, as well as his brother Bradley have had the most impact on his life. “They took me in and took care of me. They make me a better person,” he said. 

Isaiah is excited to graduate but is sad about leaving his wrestling teammates and coaches. In the future, he plans to enter the workforce.

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Allison Raylee Milhollin, the daughter of Jason and Cassie Milhollin, is a 2026 Macon High School Graduate. Allison is senior class president, student council representative, FFA member, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader, National Honor Society member and Interact member. FFA is her favorite, because, she says, “There's a lot of opportunities. I've learned a lot of leadership and just being creative.” When she graduates she is most excited to start her future career and have more opportunities. When Allison graduates she says, “I'll miss my friends, like my friend group, being all together because I know we'll probably never be together all together again.” One piece of advice she has for underclassmen is to "put yourself out there. Don't be scared to do stuff. Be involved. Go to events and talk to people, even if you don't know them. Make new friends.”

Something Allison always wants to remember about her years at Macon R-1 is how close everyone is because they all grew up together. Her favorite teacher is her freshman English teacher Misty Bruno because, she says, “It was a fun class and Mrs. Bruno is a fun teacher.” Her favorite class is her Ag classes because it is fun.
"We do a lot of different things depending on the ag class.” Her favorite high school memory is all of the FFA trips she went on with her friends. 

In her free time, Allison enjoys anything outdoors. She loves to be outside and she likes to be with her family. Someone who has made a big impact on her life is her grandma because she influences the things Allison does and her grandma is her best friend. Somewhere interesting she has traveled is Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Her favorite food is chicken alfredo. Her favorite childhood memory was when her brother was born. 

In the future, Allison plans to attend Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo. to major in nursing. 

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Clarissa Marie Mayes is a senior at Macon High School and is the daughter of Shane Mayes and Lisa Mayes. Clarissa is a member of the cheerleading team, the dance team, golf, National Honor Society, Interact and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is an instructor at All 4 Dance and takes dance classes and is part of the competition team at Macon Dance Experience. Three words that describe her best are "outgoing, hardworking, and caring." Her favorite high school memory is winning the state cheer competition during her senior year. 

The most influential person to her is her mom because she has shown her how to be a strong woman. Clarissa's favorite childhood memory is going to Disneyworld with her family, because it is “the most magical place on Earth.” Clarissa has no regrets and is proud of what she has accomplished in high school. In particular, she managed to keep good grades while being involved in three school sports. In her spare time, she likes to go shopping, workout, do yoga and dance.

Of the activities Clarissa is involved in, dancing at Macon Dance Experience is her favorite, because of the connection and bonds she has made with all the girls. Her personal mantra is “Who am I to judge another when I myself walk as an imperfect person?” a paraphrase of Luke 6:37 from the Bible. An interesting fact about her is that she loves to bake. Clarissa wants to remember from her high school years how hard she worked and how determined she was to get to where she is. What she is going to miss about high school is her teachers because "they all showed a lot of compassion and care for her."

Clarissa's future plans are to get a bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia, transfer to Medical School at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Mo. and become a family physician. 

BY ADDISON MATTINGLY

TNN Reporter

Jaxson Lyne Mattingly, son of Matthew and Gayla Mattingly, is a senior at Macon High School. Jaxson is in FFA and SkillsUSA as well as auto technology in the Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center. His favorite teacher is Mr. Jacob Huddleston because, “he’s a cool dude and a nice dude to work with in the auto tech classroom.” 

Jaxson describes himself as “fun, funny and kinda shy.” If Jaxson could talk to any person he says he would want to talk to his grandfather because, “he was an auto mechanic and a carpenter and I wanted to speak to him because I was three years old so I never got to hang out with him .” Jaxson’s favorite movie is “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” and, in his free time, he likes listening to his Stone Carlson Radio. The song he falls back to is ‘Rock and Roll Music’ by Chuck Berry.

Jaxson says the person that influenced him the most is his mom. Jaxson’s favorite memory of high school was the FFA field trip he took to Kansas City to go to the farm show. His least favorite memory of high school is testing. The person Jaxson will miss most is his friend Daniel Kuntz. The thing he’s most excited about doing after graduating is going to a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. His advice to underclassmen is to “study hard and try your best, because that’s all you can do.”

After graduation, Jaxson plans to attend Grand River Technical School for a nine-month period during which time he plans to get a certificate in auto technology. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Aeden Jace Jefferson, a 2026 graduate of Macon High School, is the son of Aaron and Loree Jefferson. He is involved in FFA. He said it is a fun group and he enjoys the people in it. 

Aeden will miss his teachers the most when he graduates. Advice he offers to underclassmen is to take advantage of the A+ Program. His favorite high school memory is when his friend tried to jump and fence and face-planted. Mrs. Emily McVicker is his favorite teacher. “She is always encouraging people and is a good person,” he said. His favorite class was his history classes because he has a passion for it.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games. He describes himself as “tired, quiet, and a homebody.” Mr. Jacob Huddleston has made the biggest impact on his life. He “made me realize life has people who will always try and kick you down, but you just have to get back up.” His favorite movie is “Midway,” his favorite food is pizza and his favorite childhood memory is laying in the grass with his dog. An interesting fact about Aeden is that he is double-jointed.

He is very excited to be graduating high school. His future plans include attending State Technical College in Linn, Mo. eventually getting a job in heavy equipment operation and management. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Daniel Andrew Maguire III, the son of Daniel Maguire Jr. and Tiffany Maguire, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. Daniel is involved in Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), which he enjoys because of the possibilities that it has open for him. The “chill environment” of JAG is an added bonus. He will miss the guidance from his JAG teacher, Mr. Devin Shrum. Additionally, he will miss JAG because of his friends, the trips and the “family feeling” he gets from it. 

He said he will miss everyone as they are right now. “I know this is the only time I’ll know my classmates like this,” he said. Advice he offers for underclassmen is, “Nobody defines you but yourself. If all you do is focus on improving yourself and others when you can, then you can do no wrong.” His favorite teachers while at MHS include Mr. Clint Coffey, Mr. Clark Thomas and Mr. Sam Quillen, based on music taste alone. 

In his free time, he enjoys working on his car and playing guitar. He describes himself as “adaptable, comfortable and mellow.” His friend Zoey has made an impact on his life because she helped him find his first job, an experience that has taught him a lot about people.” Daniel has traveled to Nassau, Bahamas to spread his sister’s ashes. His favorite childhood memory is playing HALO with his dad. An interesting fact about him, he says, is that he is the best HALO player in the school. 

He will always remember the people he encountered while a student at MHS - his friends and even the ones that he didn’t talk to. Daniel is most excited for the freedom to explore the world and experience new things. His future plans include attending trade school for auto mechanics while continuing to make music. 

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Ryder Austin Lewis, a 2026 graduate of Macon High School, is the son of Cody and Trinity Lewis. Ryder is a member of the baseball, football and basketball teams and was a member of the golf team in his junior year. While football is not his favorite sport, he said it did let him build a brotherhood that no other sport can build. 

Three words he uses to describe himself are "athletic, passionate and a 'momma’s boy.'" The most influential family member and person to him is his dad because he taught him everything he knows; manners, how to hold himself and work ethic. His favorite memory from his youth was growing up and experiencing things with his brothers. Ryder likes to work, work out, practice sports and fish. His personal philosophy is, “no one cares, or carter.” 

Ryder’s favorite memory from high school is winning the Homecoming game during his junior year. He is proud of what he has accomplished, including winning conference in baseball for three years in a row. Bittersweetly, what he wishes to remember from his time in high school is the time he spent with his friends; once he is out the doors for the last time, he won’t be able to see all his friends every single day, which is what he will miss from high school the most.

Ryder has committed to play baseball as a Columbia College Cougar in Columbia, Mo. He plans to eventually become a neurologist. 

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Liam Tyler Landes, a senior at Macon High School, is the son of Jamie Landes and Lannis McAlpin. Liam is a member of Culinary Arts and JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates). JAG proved to be his favorite, as it helped him realize he "has other opportunities besides going to college and getting debt."

Three words that he uses to describe himself are "outgoing, willful, and dedicated." He is proud that, during high school, he earned his first $1,000 paycheck. The most influential person in his life is his fiance Talyn Shearer, who, on top of showing unconditional love to him, he said, stuck with him through the roughest parts of his life and never wavered. His favorite memory from his childhood is spending the weekends with his loving grandma. The most influential family figure in his life is his uncle Joe, "a man who loves his family." In his spare time, he likes to do kickboxing.

His personal philosophy is “it’ll buff out.” One interesting fact about Liam is that he has a skin condition, he said, where he can write on himself, and the writing will stay there. Liam’s favorite memory from high school was the summer of his freshman year, or his first year of high school football. Something he always wants to remember about his high school years is the friends he kept. The biggest thing he will miss from high school is his ability to socialize, because he won’t be able to do as much as an adult.

In the future, Liam plans to install fiber optics. 

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Kadence Makenna Leeper, a 2026 MHS graduate, is the daughter of Travis and Tara Leeper. She is a part of the FFA, Student Council, National Honor Society (NHS), Epsilon Beta and Interact. Out of these, FFA is her favorite because she holds a leadership position as president and it helped her learn how to be a leader and put herself out there. Her favorite class this year is Ag "because they pertain to what I’m going to do with my life.” 

One piece of advice she would give to underclassmen is, “Stay involved. Most of my friends come from the organizations that I am involved in.” Something Kadence wants to remember most about her years at Macon R-1 are the people who got her where she is today. Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Emily McVicker. Someone she will miss when she graduates is her Ag teachers because without them she would not be on the career path she is on. 

An interesting fact about Kadence is she raises meat chickens, poultry and turkeys. Chickens are also her favorite animal. In her free time Kadence enjoys hanging out with her friends, working out, reading and shopping. Her favorite food is any type of pasta. Her favorite childhood memory is bringing her brother home from the hospital. Last summer, she traveled to Washington D.C. for her FFA chapter and for the Missouri Youth Chapter, which she says was amazing. 

After graduation, Kadence plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University to study Ag Business.

BY ADDISON MATTINGLY

TNN Reporter

Maecy Kathlene LeDeay, daughter of Ashley Mulanix and Kenny Doxey, is a senior at Macon High School. She is involved in JAG and SkillsUSA as well as graphic designs in the Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center (MACTEC). Her favorite teacher is graphic arts teacher, Mrs. Bobbi Linn, because, “she is a nice person overall, and she just knows how to understand the students and how they are in general.” Maecy describes herself as “funny” and “shy” and mentions that she is outgoing once she gets to know a person. If she could talk to any person she says she would talk to her great-grandmother because she was never able to meet her. Her favorite movie is “Hubie Halloween" and in her free time she likes to watch the television show “Supernatural.” The song that Maecy always returns to is “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls. 

When talking of people that influenced her, she said, “My mom has been pretty influential, but there’s been a bunch of people that influenced me and made me who I am.” Maecy’s favorite memory of high school is “making new friends and meeting new people,” while her least favorite memory is “drama” and the people that she does not like dealing with. 

The people Maecy will miss most after graduation are teachers Dr. Janet Wyatt, Mrs. Linn and Mrs. Dawn Llewellyn, as well as her friends. Maecy’s advice to underclassmen is, “Don’t let people bring you down, because once they do, you’ll probably struggle to get back up. Don’t give up on your dreams, don’t back out, just keep going. Keep what you want to do. Don't change it up unless you feel like you aren't capable of 100 percent doing it.”

After graduating, Maecy plans to become a children’s story author or write free-verse poetry, with a job on the side to support her career. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Chloe Danielle Owings, a 2026 graduate of Macon High School, is the daughter of Amy Dunlap and Philip and Jennifer Owings. She is involved in National Honor Society (NHS) and Macon Knights. She enjoys Macon Knights the most because she gets to hang out with friends at Ren Faire (Renaissance Faire), which is her favorite high school memory, and plays Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). 

In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching television, listening to music and baking. She describes herself as “friendly, passionate and loud.” Chloe’s favorite movie is “Howl's Moving Castle,” her favorite food is tacos and her favorite childhood memory is hanging out with her cousins at a family member’s auto mechanic shop. An interesting fact about her is that she has four siblings - three sisters and one brother. 

To underclassmen, she offers this advice, “Don’t let what others say about you bother you, be yourself. It’s all that matters." After graduating, she will miss teacher Mr. Clint Coffey, who is her favorite teacher because he makes his class interesting and fun. Her favorite class was Criminal Justice because she was able to learn about the umbrella of jobs in the field. Her instructor, Officer Ryan Walker, has also  made an impact on her because he has helped her become better at public speaking. 

The thing she will remember the most about high school is her friends and all the field trips that she has attended. She is most excited about going to college. Her future plans are to attend college to become a lawyer.

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Daniel James Kuntz, the son of Scott and Dawn Kuntz, is a 2026 senior at Macon High School. He is a member of the Macon FFA. His favorite memory from high school was FFA Animal and Tractor Day in 2024. Being a part of the FFA, Daniel says he has learned about growth, leadership and how to become a better person.

Three words he uses to describe himself are "hardworking, outgoing, and trustworthy." His favorite memory from his childhood is riding in the truck with his dad listening to country music. During his high school run, Daniel started his own business selling equipment. Needless to say, he is proud of what he has accomplished. In his spare time, he likes to drive across the country hauling equipment. The most influential person to him is his father, who taught him how to work hard and has really helped him be successful. His personal motto is “never do anything halfway.” An interesting fact about him is that he is an auctioneer. 

He doesn’t think he’ll miss anything from his time at Macon R-1, and he knows he’ll never regret anything from it. Daniel will always remember Homecoming 2025 because of the ride around and just being involved.

After high school, Daniel plans to continue being an auctioneer. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Caitlin Nichole Martin, a 2026 graduate of Macon High School, is the daughter of Michael and Mechelle Cato. She is involved in the Criminal Justice Program. She said, “I find it very interesting and it helped me choose a career.” 

Her favorite high school memory is prom her junior year. She will always remember how she made friends from many different grades after being the “new” girl her sophomore year. Her favorite teachers are her Criminal Justice Instructor, Officer Ryan Walker and her English teacher, Mrs. Dawn Llewellyn. Her favorite class is Criminal Justice. To underclassmen she says, “Take your time and don’t rush things. Enjoy it while it lasts.” 

Caitlin describes herself as “bubbly, kind and caring.” In her free time, she enjoys drawing, listening to music, playing video games and hanging out with her friends and boyfriend. Her stepdad has made the biggest impact on her life. She said, “He came into my life after my bio dad left. He is a father figure to me. He has taught me not to care about what other people think, has taught me how to stick up for myself and has taught me to work hard.” Her favorite movie is “A Dog’s Purpose,” her favorite food is tilapia and her favorite childhood memory is trading toys with her cousin. An interesting fact about her is that she originally wanted to be a veterinarian until joining the Criminal Justice Program.

After graduation, Caitlin is most looking forward to not having to stress over grades or being overwhelmed. She will miss her friends and boyfriend the most. Her future plans are to work for 911 Dispatching until the age of 21, when she wants to become a police officer. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Catherine Marie James, the daughter of Maria James-Watts, Michael Winebrenner and Tricia Watts, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. She is involved in Macon Knights, theatre, SkillsUSA and World Language Club. She said that each of the activities have helped shape who she is today. 

When she graduates, she will miss her friends from her criminal justice class and the activities she has been involved in. Her favorite high school memory was hanging out with friends before school. Advice she offers to underclassmen is to “enjoy life in your own way.” In her free time, Catherine enjoys reading, writing, listening to music and occasionally baking. She describes herself as “creative, loyal and carefree.” Her mom has made the biggest impact on her life. “She taught me to be kind and respectful but not to let anyone walk all over me,” she said. 

Her favorite teacher is Mr. Clint Coffey. Her favorite class is criminal justice because it teaches her important life skills and the reality of law enforcement. Her favorite movie is “The Lost Boys,” her favorite food is cheesecake and her favorite childhood memory is playing in the pool or going to the beach. A fun fact about Catherine is that she can speak in a very high-pitched voice for a certain amount of time. 

After graduating high school, she is most excited that she will be continuing her education at a college that is dedicated to her interests. She plans to attend Stephen’s College in Columbia, Mo. to pursue a bachelor’s degree in theatre. 

BY ADDISON MATTINGLY

TNN Reporter

Hannah Elizabeth Kenney, daughter of Adam Kenney and Misty Emmons, is a senior at Macon High School. Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Tara Fohey because, “she is sweet and thoughtful.” 

Hannah describes herself as “calm and quiet.” Her favorite food is steak. If Hannah could talk to anyone, she says she’d like to talk to Johnny Depp because, “he’s a cool dude,” and also mentioned that she likes him in the movie “Transcendence.” Her favorite movie in general, however, is “13.” In her free time, Hannah likes to doom scroll on TikTok. Hannah says the most influential person in her life is her sister because, “She always gets her work done and she's very on top of it.” 

After graduating, Hannah is most excited to move out of Macon. She plans to move to Louisiana to become a banker. The person she says she will miss the most when she moves is her mom. Her advice to underclassmen is to, “Don't slack on your work, for sure.” 

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Lily Delilah King, the daughter of Wade and Megan King, is a 2026 Macon High School senior. Lily is a December semester graduate. Throughout her high school career, Lily has been involved in basketball, track and field, softball, cheer, scholar bowl, yearbook, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and FFA. Track and yearbook are her favorites because she enjoyed triple jumping and capturing moments. 

She describes herself as "divalicious, sparkles and feisty mamacita." The most influential person in her life is American Rapper Fetty Wap. Her favorite childhood memory is visiting Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, in Memphis, Tenn. Lily said that what matters to her is the "eternal life lessons learned, the experiences gained and friendships lost and made." In her spare time, Lily likes to spend time with her friends, family, and cats, going on long drives and blasting her music all night long. An interesting fact about her is that she was named 2023 Miss Macon County Teen, 2023 La Plata Queen Soya and 2024 Nemo Fair Teen Miss. 

To Lily, “At the end of the day, everyone is just a wandering carbon based life form trying to figure out their way through life day by day, and when our time here on earth is up, we all bleed and shed the same shade of red.” What she wishes to remember from high school the most is the lessons and memories she learned and gained as well as leaving the public education system, because, she said, she has "had senioritis since kindergarten."

In the future, Lily plans to go "wherever the wind takes her."

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Lauren Mary Kemper, daughter of Brian Kempker and Kerri Stoecklein is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. Lauren is involved in 4-H, FFA and Missouri High School Rodeo. “FFA is my favorite because it helped me build more friendships and I’ve met so many people. It has given me a lot of opportunities." 

One piece of advice Lauren has for underclassmen is, “Always show up, no matter how you feel or the emotion your feeling when you wake up in the morning. Show up at school and do your best with what you have.” Three words that she would use to best describe herself are "hardworking, determined and caring." Someone who has made an impact on her life is her mom. She said, “She helps me with anything and I run to her with every problem.” 

Lauren’s favorite high school memory is Winter Formal and all the dances "because, for that one night, everyone is friends no matter who they are and everyone always has a good time." Her favorite teacher at Macon was Mrs. Kristina Parman, her ag teacher from freshmen and sophomore year. Mrs. Parman is now a teacher at South Shelby, but, Lauren said, “she has always been a big part of my life.” Her favorite class is any class that she has in the ag room or being a teacher assistant for Mrs. Jessy Reuterdahl because it is always fun and they always have something to work on.

Lauren’s favorite restaurant is Texas Roadhouse. Her favorite movie is "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Her favorite childhood memory is camping trips with her sister and riding bikes around a state park. Her favorite animal is a horse. An interesting fact about Lauren is that she is an extrovert now, but she was a complete introvert during her freshman year, so much that it was hard to get a conversation out of her. 

When she graduates she is most excited to get out of Missouri, see a whole different place and new environment, meet different people and have more opportunities. She will miss her sister the most because her sister has always been a huge part of her life. Lauren plans to attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. where she plans to major in animal science and pre-vet. Her plans are to become a veterinarian.

BY WILLIAM HENRY

TNN Reporter

Benjamin "Ben" Andrew Kauffman, the son of Matthew and Jamie Kauffman, is a senior at Macon High School. Ben describes himself as “athletic, funny and kind.” He played offensive guard and defensive end for the Macon Tigers football team, wrestles, is a member of National Honor Society (NHS), competes in Science Olympiad and plans to join track this spring. 

If Ben could meet one person, he would meet YouTuber and streamer Jynxzi, saying, “I watch him and he’s really funny.” His favorite color is green and his favorite movie is "Catch Me If You Can." Ben also enjoys watching "Forrest Gump" and "The Count of Monte Cristo." His favorite memory from high school is the start of his senior year before he broke his fibula. When he is not working as a busser for The Pear Tree Kitchen and Bar, Ben hangs out with his friends. They enjoy playing college football online, football outside, cornhole and ping pong. The most important thing Ben has done in high school is playing football because it has taught him a lot of lessons and allowed him to make a lot of friends. 

In the future, Ben plans to attend Moberly Area Community College (MACC), transferring to the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) to obtain a degree in physical therapy. One goal he has is to be successful so he can support himself, as well as have connections. He also hopes to have a family with three or four kids.

BY PARKER WIEGAND

TNN Reporter

Zalen Moise Fuller, a 2026 senior at Macon High School, is the son of Craig and Tessy Fuller. He is involved in football and track. His favorite high school memory was playing on the baseball team. 

Zalen is proud of making the most of his high school years and "just having fun with it." His favorite teacher is Mrs. Emily McVicker because, he said, "She is nice. She always helps me and she gave me presents and a party for Christmas." Zalen's friends describe him as "funny, athletic and strong." 

In his freetime, he likes to play video games and work out. His favorite movies are all the Spiderman and Godzilla movies. American rapper NF is his favorite singer. His favorite vacation spots are both Colorado and Wyoming, where he went for his sister's wedding. Zalen's favorite thing to eat is steak, medium rare, with mushrooms and gravy and green beans. A fun fact about Zalen is that he is the baby of four children. 

Zalen says he will be both happy and sad when he graduates high school because he will miss seeing his friends every day. His future plans are to enter the workforce.

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Raeanha Nevaeh Johnson, a 2026 senior, is the daughter of Kyle Thorpe and Kayla Johnson. Raeanha is a part of Epsilon Beta, National Honor Society (NHS) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). FCA is her favorite because she gets to talk to everyone and learn more about Christ.

After graduation, she is most excited for the freedom to do things she wants to do.  She will miss her friends Megan, Kailyn, Millie and Anastasia. Her favorite High School memory is when she was a part of the Macon High School Cheer Team. Her favorite teacher at Macon is Mr. Kurt Howell. Raeanha’s favorite class is Anatomy because she has a lot of friends in there and she likes the teacher, Mrs. Tarra Shoemaker. Something she always wants to remember about Macon High School is how she got to know everyone since she lives in a small town. 

Three words she would use to describe herself are "hardworking, kind and funny." An interesting place she has visited is North Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys sitting in her bed and watching television. Raeanha’s favorite movie is "Coraline." Her favorite food is pancakes. Her favorite childhood memory is getting off the bus at her grandpa's house and greeting her family. Her favorite animal is a penguin. An interesting fact about Raeanha is that she faked her vision test, but actually has really bad eyesight. 

 In the future, Raeanha plans to attend Moberly Area Community College to become a pediatric nurse. 

BY THOMAS CLINTON

TNN Reporter

Kace Talton Holman, the son of Talt Holman and Karen Waller, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. He is involved in football, basketball, baseball, golf, National Honor Society (NHS), Student Council and Science Olympiad. 

One thing that Kace says he does best is piecing together and planning schedules. Coach Dale Davenport and Coach Van Vanetta have had the biggest impact on him because they helped him understand football. The best advice he has received in life is to  "practice what you preach." 

He will never forget getting pulled over at the Homecoming ride-around or hurting his shoulder and foot during football season his senior year. Kace hopes that he is remembered as someone who was "nice" and "genuine." He hopes that students after him will take everything in while it lasts because it goes by fast. He said, "Don't let the time slip away." 

He is most excited for the adventure that awaits him after graduation. Kace is committed to playing football at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. While there, he plans to study business, a decision inspired by his father's construction business. 

BY JAKE FRY

TNN Reporter

Teagan Mae Hughes, the daughter of Jason and Tiffany Hughes, is a senior at Macon High School. Teagan is involved in Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG), Interact and Science Olympiad. She best describes herself as "intelligent, creative and sarcastic." Her favorite memory from high school comes from last year when she played Kahoot during fifth hour chemistry. The most influential people in her life are her friends, Lily, Kaleb, Emily and Lena because they made her realize that there are better people in Missouri than in her home state of Ohio.

Her favorite childhood memory is going to summer camp at Camp Whitewood, where she explored nature and met her childhood friends. The most influential family member for her is her mom because she taught her to be an independent person and explore her creative side. Teagan has definitely grown since her freshman year, as back then she barely cared about school. Now, she is trying in all of her classes and found her passions and strong suit in science.

In her spare time, Teagan enjoys art, watching her favorite television shows, "The Sandman," "Fallout" and "Interview With a Vampire" and taking care of her goats and cats. Of the activities she is involved in, JAG is her favorite because, on top of being vice president of MHS JAG, the program has helped her realize what she wanted to do in the future. 

Once she graduates, Teagan wishes to remember chemistry and all the knowledge that she got from it. Above all, however, she will probably miss her teachers the most because they taught her to love science. She plans to go down one of two paths; nuclear technology or mortuary science. 

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Makenzie Renee Hessell, the daughter of Jason and Jessica Hessell is a senior at Macon High School. In her free time, Makenzie enjoys going to the gym or playing basketball. She is apart of Interact, Girls Golf, Tigerette Basketball and MHS Student Council. Interact is her favorite because she gets to interact with the student body. 

Her advice to underclassmen is, "If you take Mrs. Murr’s class, do your homework!" Her favorite high school memory is her class being powderpuff champions three times. Something she will always remember from her years at Macon is all the friends and teammates she has made. Makenzie's favorite teacher is Mr. Clint Coffey and his biology class was her favorite because they made so many fun memories. 

Makenzie describes herself as "funny, outgoing and athletic." One person that has made an impact on her life is her cousin. She said, "She has always been there for me and I am so glad I got to grow up with her." Her favorite childhood memory is traveling around the world. She has traveled to Cambodia, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia. An interesting fact about her is that she was born in Guam. Her favorite movie is "The Hunger Games." Her favorite food is pickles. Her favorite animal is the cheetah. 

In the future, Makenzie plans to attend The University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and major in biological sciences. When she graduates high school, she is most excited to meet new people and make new friends. 

BY PARKER WIEGAND

TNN Reporter

Delaney Morgan Whitlock, a senior at Macon High School, is the daughter of Kelly Whitlock. She is a member of the National Honors Society (NHS), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and Epsilon Beta. She is also the Vice President of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Service Project Director of Interact. 

Her English teacher Mrs. Emily McVicker has made an impact on her high school years by always wanting to help her with anything. Delaney is proud of going to state competition for FCCLA. Prom will be one of the things she will miss the most about high school because she loves any reason to dress up. One of her favorite movies is “Ten Things I Hate About You.” Delaney's go-to song in her playlist is, “Chasing Pavements,” by Adele. Florida is one of her dream vacation spots. 

Upon graduation, Delaney plans to attend Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and go on to become a nurse practitioner. 

BY PARKER WIEGAND

TNN Reporter

Anastasia Lynn Gott, the daughter of Robbie and Annaka Gott, is a senior at Macon High School. She is a member of the Macon High School Wrestling Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), National Honors Society (NHS), Epsilon Beta and Interact. 

Anastasia describes herself at "perfectionist, disciplined and authentic." Anastasia’s science teacher Mr. Clint Coffey has greatly impacted her throughout her high school years. "Mr. Coffey always has an upbeat enthusiastic personality that brightens my day. He finds a way to make his class fun, welcoming and engaging. He always pushes you to do your best and makes sure you understand the topics." She said that Mr. Coffey genuinely cares about his students. "Whether it's asking how your day is going in the hallway or just lending a listening ear, he's always there for you. He also teaches valuable life lessons outside the classroom that will help you in your life."

In high school she was proud of maintaining good grades all four years. Her favorite class was weights. Her favorite high school memory was when she won her first wrestling match at the Tiger Mat Classic in Marceline her junior year. As a child, Anastasia constantly watched "Dora," one of her favorite television shows. Her dream vacation spot is tropical Hawaii. 

Anastasia's advice to underclassment is to "be kind to everyone. You never know what someone else is going through. Sometimes a smile or lending a listening ear can change someone's life. Treat people with respect, even when you're stressed or things feel overwhelming. Be the person who lifts others up, not the one who brings them down. The way you treat people becomes a part of who you are, and those small moments of compassion are what people will remember long after classes and tests are forgotten. In the end, it's not the grades or achievements that matter the most, but the person you become along the way." 

Anastasia's future plans include attending Truman State University where she plans to major in nursing, eventually achieving her masters degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner specializing in mental health. 

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Kaleb Scott Gandy, the son of Michael Gandy and Tessa Onken, is a senior at Macon High School. Kaleb is a member of SkillsUSA, the Health Occupations Program, and the Culinary Arts Programs at the Macon Area Career and Technical Center. His favorite organization is Culinary Arts because he enjoyed it the most. In his free time, he enjoys learning about history and things that involve the medical field, policing and emergency services because it is what he wants to pursue in the future. 

Three words he uses to describe himself are “inquisitive, outgoing, and curious.” Kaleb’s favorite movie is "It" by Stephen King. His favorite food is breakfast pizza. One piece of advice he has for any underclassmen is to "take all the opportunities the school provides for you, especially the programs we offer." 

A teacher who has made an impact on his life is Mrs. Shyla Terry, his health occupations instructor. He says she is particularly nice, and she helped him get rid of his shyness. Something he always wants to remember about his years at Macon are the fun parts of it like time with friends, class activities, field trips and the opportunities. 

When he graduates he is most excited for the freedom he will have but will miss the staff and teachers at Macon R-1. In the future, Kaleb plans to work as an EMT in Macon, eventually working up to become a paramedic. 

BY WILLIAM HENRY

TNN Reporter

Joan Corbera Casas, the son of Joan Corbera and Mariana Casas of Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. Joan is a foreign exchange student visiting America for the 2025-2026 school year. While stateside, Joan is living with Brian and Michele Anderson of Macon, Mo. He was a kicker for the Macon Tiger Football team and hopes to be the baseball manager in the spring. In Spain, Joan played soccer year-round indoors and outdoors. Joan was unanimously voted as the first team all-conference kicker in the Clarence Cannon Conference as a Macon Tiger. 

Joan would describe himself as "optimistic, happy and wise." Joan said he is used to living in a big city so living in a small town has been different for him. He said going from Spanish Fútbol to American Football was a challenge because he had to learn the steps for kicking. His favorite part of living in America so far is the people because they are nice and friendly.

If Joan could meet any one person, he would meet Leo Messi, an Argentine professional footballer, saying, “I’m a soccer fan, I love him.” He would also like to meet ex-Navy SEAL David Goggins. His favorite color is yellow, his favorite movie is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two” and his favorite television series is “Prison Break.” Joan’s favorite memory of high school in America is winning his first game of football and spending time with his friends in his classes. He says the most important thing he’s done in high school is passing his classes. 

Joan will return to Spain for his senior year, and is considering returning to America to attend college. He is planning to live in Europe or America to pursue a career.

BY PARKER WIEGAND

TNN Reporter

Jake Othick Fry, the son of Shannon and Shaon Fry, is a senior at Macon High School. He is a member of the National Honors Society (NHS), Tiger News Network, the Court Crushers Pickleball Team, the Special Olympics Bowling Team and the school's production of "Legally Blonde the Musical." Jake will play the part of Professor Callahan in the musical. 

A teacher who has greatly impacted him throughout his time at Macon R-1 is his sophomore English teacher, Mrs. Emily McVicker. “She helped me get out of my nervous breakdown system,” said Jake. Jake is also in her ACT prep class this semester. One of his favorite songs is “Game Over" by Brandon Yates, featuring Victor Borba. Jake's favorite high school memory was last year's homecoming game when the Macon Tigers got their first win of the year. 

Something he is proud of achieving in high school is getting his driver's license and passing his test on the first try. His favorite movie is "The Peanuts Movie." In Jake's free time, he enjoys watching YouTube videos and writing his own fanfiction. He is an avid fan of video games franchises such as Super Mario, Kirby and Pokémon.

Jake’s future plans are to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia to major in Film Studies with an emphasis in production. 

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Taylor Elizabeth Flowers, the daughter of Michael and Anna Flowers, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. She is involved in Choir and Yearbook, with Choir being her favorite because she has loved to sing as long as she can remember. 

Taylor enjoys watching movies, hanging out with her family and friends, sleeping and shopping. She describes herself as "nice, funny and outgoing." Her parents have made the biggest impact on her life. "Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today," she said. Her favorite food is Chinese and her favorite childhood memory is when she met her long-time best friend and now sister, Acadia. An interesting fact about Taylor, she says, is that she is very gullible. 

Her favorite high school memory was from freshman year in Mr. Kurt Howell's classroom when all of her friends would hang out in there and constantly laugh. Mr. Howell is her favorite teacher because "he was always a chill guy and always made jokes." Her favorite class is Yearbook because it is something new and she loves using her creative skills to make art. 

Her advice to underclassmen is, "The effort you put in through the years is so worth the outcome, so never give up." After graduation, Taylor will miss seeing her favorite teachers and her underclassmen friends. She is most excited to become independent and free. Her future plans include attending Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo. to study sociology and plans to transfer to a four-year university upon graduation.

BY DAWN LLEWELLYN

TNN Advisor

Acadia Grace Flowers, the daughter of Michael and Anna Flowers, is a 2026 graduate of Macon High School. She is involved in choir, theatre and track. She favors track and choir because she enjoys them and they calm her mind. Her favorite class is choir. "I've been in it for years and I have always loved the people I do it with. I have such a good bond with my choir class." 

In her free time, she enjoys coloring, being outside, working and spending time with her family and boyfriend. She describes herself as "outgoing, energetic and hilarious." Acadia's advice to underclassmen is, "Never underestimate yourself and how smart you are because you are smarter than you think." She will always remember the friends that she developed over the years and what she has learned as a student at Macon R-1. Her favorite high school memory is getting stuck in a locker in the locker room and her best friend was worried about telling the principal because they would have to reveal how she got stuck there in the first place. 

Acadia's favorite childhood memory was meeting her best friend, Taylor, who is now her sister. Her parents have made the most impact on her life. "They got me in a really low time in my life and they have taught me how to get through a lot and I can do anything when I walk with Christ." After graduation, Acadia says that she is going to miss her family and friends. She is most excited about being independent and being done with high school. Her future plans are to attend cosmetology school at Hart Career Center in Mexico, Mo. 

BY WILLIAM HENRY

TNN Reporter

Emily Grace Ferguson, the daughter of Daniel and Lisa Ferguson, is a senior at Macon High School. She is a member of SkillsUSA, a student in the class Early Childhood Careers, is an art teacher’s assistant and is a Journalist for Tiger News Network. Emily enjoys drawing, painting, photography and a little bit of writing. She describes herself as “honest, kind, and sarcastic.” 

Emily says that her Mom is the most influential person in her life and has shown her a good work ethic. If she could meet one person, Emily would want to meet Maya Angelou, saying, “She’s very wise and I would love to hear her words in person.” If she could have anything in the world, Emily would own her own island with three dobermans. To get to the island, she would have a jet that lands on a yacht “military style” before docking. Emily’s favorite food is crab rangoon, her favorite book is “Ruthless” by Carolyn Lee Adams and her favorite color is green, specifically emerald green. Emily’s favorite school memory is spending time with Reese Barnett, Morgan Riekeberg and Reagan Stieger in Mr. Thomas Kirkland’s class.

In the future, Emily plans to attend Moberly Area Community College. She also wants a family. 

BY ADDISON MATTINGLY

TNN Reporter

Jerek Dean Evans, son of Joe and Alison Evans, is a senior at Macon High School. His favorite teacher is Mrs. Dawn Llewellyn, his Senior English teacher because, he said, “She’s the GOAT.” His favorite class is Building Trades because, he said, “We aren’t stuck in a classroom and we get to do hands-on work.” Jerek is involved in high school JAG, Jobs for America’s Graduates. 

Jerek’s friends describe him as “funny.” If Jerek could talk to any one person, he would want to talk to former NBA star Dennis Rodman because “he’s the best rebounder of all time.” He enjoys spending his time hunting turkey and deer and fishing. Jerek’s favorite movie is "Dumb and Dumber," saying that he has “watched it since he was two” and has “seen it a hundred times since.” 

Jerek says he will miss sitting in the student section at sporting events the most after high school. His future plans are to attend Ozarks Technical Community College to obtain a degree in plumbing technology. He hopes to one day start his own plumbing business. 

BY REAGAN STIEGER

TNN Reporter

Lillian "Lilly" Aleace Downey, a 2026 Senior of Macon High School, is the daughter of Timothy and Kira Downey and Eric and Megan Edgerton. Lilly is a member of National Honors Society (NHS), president of Interact, a member of the World Language Club and is a part of theatre and the musical.  Out of all these clubs, Interact is her favorite club. "Being president is pretty fun," she said. "You get to basically do all the things and plan everything.” Three words she would use to describe herself are "outgoing, welcoming and loving." A piece of advice Lilly has for underclassmen is, “Don’t worry about the ACT stuff that much, You don’t have to get a 30 to be successful.” People that have made an impact on her life are her parents. She said, “They have been supportive, loving, and compassionate throughout my life.” 

In her free time Lilly loves to paint, participate in musicals and plays and hangout with her friends and family, especially her nephews. Lilly’s favorite high school memory was performing in the "Mean Girls" musical because it helped her come out of her shell. Her favorite teacher was the former choir teacher, Mr. Roscoe Rucker, because "he was an amazing person who showed grace and kindness to all students." Lilly's favorite movie is "Forrest Gump." Her favorite food is her grandma's beef and noodles. Her favorite childhood memory is when her brother let her sit in his room while he played video games and they shared crackers and a can of easy cheese. An interesting fact about Lilly is that she hates the question, “What’s your favorite color?” She says it's because she can never just pick one. But she likes groupings of colors, especially pink, orange and yellow. 

In the future, Lilly is consideirng attending Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa where her mom attended. She is considering a degree in education and would like to continue her foreign language studies.