Bryanna Beasley has been selected to represent Kearney School District in the 2012 Missouri Fine Arts Academy. Approximately 110 of Missouri's most talented rising juniors and seniors will comprise the 2012 academy. Each student is recommended based on these characteristics: artistically talented, possesses leadership qualities, devoted to learning, and expresses commitment to interdisciplinary experiences. The concept of the Missouri Fine Arts Academy grew out of an interest in providing an opportunity and level of support necessary to challenge, motivate, and empower Missouri's most talented arts students to become future state arts leaders.

The Kearney School District has had six students selected to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy: Blake Bailey, Sofia Gillespie, Shelby Mael, Matt Sebelski, Therin Showalter and James Wetzel will all be a part of this three-week academic program for 330 of Missouri's gifted students who are ready to begin their junior year in high school. The academy is a residential program now in its twenty-seventh year, held on, and partially funded by, the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The academy reflects Missouri's desire to strive for excellence in education at all levels. The program is based on the premise that Missouri's gifted youth must be provided with special opportunities for learning and personal development in order for them to realize their full potential. The curriculum focuses on the liberal arts, and a variety of stimulating extracurricular activities, enabling students to be part of a unique learning community.

Three Kearney High School juniors; Jacob Hayes, Kelsey Woehrman and Kylee Zimmerman are among 37 students chosen from 76 applicants, in the Kansas City area, to be selected for the Cerner Scholar Intern Program. The interview selection process involved 16 high schools within 9 districts. Jacob, Kelsey and Kylee will take part in a team working at Cerner each afternoon during the 2012-2013 school year. The teams will have the opportunity to work and gain knowledge in the areas of Information Technology, Business Tech. and Clinical while earning credits. Tracy Fields, Kearney High School Counselor states, "This is the first year for our district to be invited to take part in this program and we are very excited for our team to be representing the Kearney School District."

Ed Haney and Steve McDonald were re-elected as Kearney School District Board Members for the 2012–2013 school year. Ed and Steve are pictured swearing in with Carolyn Switzer, Board Secretary, at the Board Meeting held on April 12, 2012.

School Board President Mike Miller accepts the Kearney R-I 2011-2012 Distinction in Performance Award during a reception on April 10. Attending with him were Mandy Schanks and board members David Lehman, Craig Fischer, Steve McDonald, and Ed Haney.