Missouri Adults Can Now Earn an Accredited High School Diploma Online for Free

New adult high school completion program seeks to improve lives and communities

Missouri’s state tree, the flowering dogwood (pictured), is a great alternative to the Callery pear and produces similar white blooms in the spring. Photo credit: MDC

Nonnative Callery pears multiply quickly and crowd out native Missouri tree species.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The spring season is underway and many Missouri plants and trees will be blooming with life and color. Unfortunately, one invasive tree species will soon be prominent along roadways and other natural open areas: the Callery pear tree. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) urges the public to avoid this nonnative tree species when shopping for a new tree this spring.

The Callery pear, also known as the Bradford pear, Cleveland Select, Autumn Blaze, or Aristocrat, is a highly invasive tree that multiples quickly and crowds out Missouri native plants.

“The Callery pear rose to fame as a popular ornamental landscape tree in the 1960s because it was inexpensive, it grew fast, and it provided white blooms in the spring,” said MDC Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “But that’s where the list of benefits ends. Different varieties of the tree were planted close to each other, they cross-pollinated, and spread everywhere.”

Callery pears’ ability to cross-pollinate is why many roadsides, rightsof-way, parks, and other natural areas are filled with white blooms every spring.

The trees are infamous for the stinky smell, but also have poor branch structure. They don’t fare well in bad weather, often losing limbs or splitting apart.

MDC encourages homeowners and landscapers to grow native when picking a tree to plant this spring.

“The best decision is to plant a tree species native to Missouri, and there are several great trees to substitute,” said Hinnah. “Serviceberry trees produce similar white blooms in the spring and they have small red fruits that attract wildlife.”

Other great alternatives include American plum, hawthorn, eastern redbud, and Missouri’s state tree, the flowering dogwood. Hawthorns provide bountiful fruit and attractive fall color, while dogwoods thrive in shady areas, but can be difficult to grow.

Jefferson City, MO: Over 455,000 Missourians left high school without earning a diploma. Now, through a new program from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, those adults will have the opportunity to finish high school 100% online and at no cost through the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program.

Graduation Alliance has been selected as an adult high school diploma provider, made possible with the passage of SB718 by the 101st Missouri General Assembly. This program offers Missouri adults aged 21 and older the opportunity to earn their diploma for free while completing their coursework online, when and where it works best for them. Adult students will also receive support from teachers, 24/7 tutors, and a personal Academic Coach who monitors pace and progress.

“Going back to high school as an adult is challenging for a myriad of reasons,” Graduation Alliance CEO Ron Klaus-

Union Township will be taking bids for 1-1/4” clean rock until April 5, 2023. all rock must be applied to all roads by September 30, 2023. Submit bids to:

Scott Robinson

13840 St. Hwy U

Unionville, MO 63565 ner said. “Our goal is to remove as many barriers to graduation as possible and give students access to a high-quality education with a robust support system made up of people who understand the unique challenges of adult learners.”

Graduation Alliance is accredited by Cognia, and successful graduates will receive an accredited traditional high school diploma that will be accepted by employers, colleges and universities, and the U.S. military. Adult students also have the opportunity to earn career certifications to further their education and build employability skills while earning their high school diploma.

“A high school diploma is a terrific milestone but not the final destination,” Klausner said. “By providing students with opportunities to earn a credential simultaneous to their diploma, they will graduate with more confidence and preparedness for the workforce.”

Graduation Alliance provides workforce diploma programs in several states and is positioned to make a positive impact on Missouri adults living without a high school diploma. Nearly a quarter (24.7%) of adults over 25 without a high school diploma were living in poverty in 2020 — the largest group of people in poverty by educational attainment — according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Based on survey data collected six to nine months after program completion, 76% of our graduates have access to new or better jobs or promotions,” Klausner said. “They also reported wage increases, better opportunities for continuing education, and increased access to employer-sponsored healthcare. Graduation Alliance workforce diploma programs have a track record of improving students’ lives and the communities they live in.”

To qualify, you must be 21 years of age or older, be a Missouri resident, have access to a computer and the internet, and have not completed a GED or another high school equivalency. For more information and to sign up, visit MissouriDiploma.com.

About Graduation Alliance: Since 2007, Graduation Alliance has given schools and communities across the nation the resources and support needed to help individuals reach their educational and career goals. For more information about Graduation Alliance, visit GraduationAlliance.com.

ESTATE & TOOL AUCTION

SATURDAY MARCH 25th, 10:00 A.M.

Sale location: 16897 St. Hwy 5, Unionville, MO

Nancy Childers Bruce Estate & Guest Consignors

TRUCK/TRAILER/BUILDING: 1979 Ford ½ ton, a/t, 2wd, reg. Cab, 400 V8, 97k miles,straight truck, runs good, 5ftx10ft utility trailer-w/ ramp gate-good tires-ready to go, NEW 10’x16’ metal bldg-6ft roll up door, ANTIQUES: Victorian marble top highboy, Victorian high back chair, large walnut frame beveled mirror, lg pottery bowls, 6’ pine hand carved cabinet,marble top 3 drawer, victorian marble top chest of drawers, wooden fruit box, 10 pcs. Granite, Tall & Co. milk bottles and carrier, Griswold corn bread pans, Keen Kutter meat grinders, cream cans, wrought iron plant stands, steel wheels, handmade chest, wrought iron lamp, oak highchair, victorian (checkerboard) sofa table, victorian commode, smoke stand, small buffet, childs rocker, cast iron weather vane, enamel top kitchen table, mahogany plant stand, Nancy personal riding chaps and boots.

FURNITURE/HOUSEHOLD: Longaberger Collection-baskets-glasses-jars-trays-pottery-vases-bowlspurse-mugs, GE gas dryer, 36” sink, end tables, 4 drawer dresser, spring steel chairs, horse decor, bulldog statue collection, blonde kitchen table w/ 6 chairs, 3pc red wicker, pr. matching wicker chairs, 30 hand carved wooden Santas, 32” flat screen, dishes, non stick cookware, sm. & xl kennels, framed prints, paintings, small kitchen appliances, luggage, TOOLS/OUTDOOR: 2-SnapOn cordless impact guns, batteries, chargers, Milwaukee charger, Sioux air tools, pipe threader, new hydraulic cylinders, retractable air hoses, Blue Point and Williams wrenches, elec. hand tools, tabletop tile saw, manual tile cutter, socket sets, asst. Hand tools, cordless impact, 12v elec scissor jacks, floor jack, bottle jacks, automotive fluids, wheelbarrow, gas cans, Mac tool chest, 4” vice, 6” vice, B&D jigsaw, Dewalt grinder, portable jointer, hydraulic garage stool, new implement seats, post drivers, jumper cables, Cabelas fire pit, **Announcements made sale day take precedence over printed material.**Climate controlled bldg**Concessions by Aunt Denise’s Bakery**Full listing and photos on our “SANDS AUCTION” FB page

**Preview Friday, March 24th 11am-2pm.

SANDS AUCTION SERVICE

660-341-2776

Lucas Whitney,DVM~Brad Hines,DVM

Courtney Lawler,DVM~KendraGansz,DVM

Rob Gassman, DVM~Megan Durell,DVM

Find us on FB at Sands Auction

Aging Workers are in Demand

by John Grimaldi, Association of Mature

American Citizens

WASHINGTON, DC, Mar 17 -- It’s a given that the state of the U.S. economy over the past several years has caused many elders in our population to go back to work or, for those who are already in the workplace, to keep their jobs as long as they can. The inflationary cycle triggered by the policies of the Biden administration didn’t make it easy for older workers to make ends meet. The cost of living has increased considerably over the past