Danielle Callanan, a teaching professions Instructor and Saline County Career Center instructional coach, and Liberty Gotmer gave an update on a recent Educators Rising Conference and Competition, which Post 558 and other area organizations helped sponsor. The conference and competition was held June 26-30 in Washington, D.C., and was attended by all six members of Educators Rising from Saline County. All members were able to participate in the competition, while two members placed in the top 10 competitors in the United States. Lily Wade took 3rd place in the competition, while Taylor Boyd took 4th place. In addition, Liberty Gotmer, Maddison Zdybel and Isabella Chevalier all placed in the top 20 competitors in the United States.

In addition to the update on the conference and competition, Callanan and Gotmer also spoke on the current enrollment of Educators Rising. Maddison Zdybel of Slater and Izabella Chevelier of Malta Bend both continued enrollment this year. Additionally, enrollment of Maranda Sharp of Malta Bend, William Wenzl and Katelyn Morgan of Marshall, Lexi Christensen, Claire Glenn, Dallas Miller and Madisen Thorton of Sweet Springs are also members of the group.

Students are currently working on their projects and will compete in-state next semester at competition in Fulton, Mo. Gallanan said the goal is to have everyone qualify for the 2023 Nationals conference and competition, which will be June 28-July 2, 2023.