MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
THE STANDARD GRADUATION 2026
A note from the editor
Four years in high school and four years in college can hardly be compared to each other.
In high school, it seems like you’ll never graduate. In college, it seems like you never had enough time. Four years pass in the blink of an eye and, just like that, you’re off into the work force.
It’s very easy to let it slip by without noticing how quickly time is passing. We hope this issue can highlight some major accomplishments made in those four years, and what it truly means to be a Bear.
In The Standard’s 2026 Graduation Tab, you will find graduates from every walk of life. Our goal in highlighting these exceptional individuals is to show you, the reader, just how much can be done in such a short time.
Enjoy our final print of the 2025-26 school year, and don’t forget to soak up each moment you make at Missouri State.
Jayden Pettus, editor-in-chief
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design by Jayden Pettus On the cover:
A newly-graduated Missouri State alum holds up their diploma cover following May 2025 commencement.
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Mia Simone Parker Making magic behind the scenes
MAKANAKA BGONI Reporter Qmakanakabgoni
They say theater is a place to escape. To upcoming Missouri State graduate Mia Simone Parker, though, it has a more important meaning.
“For me, theater’s just the best way to connect with other people,” she said. “It’s my favorite form of storytelling.”
Parker’s theatrical love began in sixth grade, when she started acting at The Royal Theatre near her hometown of Bryant, Arkansas. She stayed on the performance side before gradually switching to playwriting and directing in high school. It was during this time period she discovered the latter to be her true passion.
She eventually found a home in Missouri State University’s Theatre and Dance Department. With the support of advisors and professors, she is on her way to graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in both theater and screenwriting film studies. It was when she started working on student films her sophomore year — and loved it — that she decided to bump up her minor in screenwriting to a major.
Despite choosing a behind-thescenes path, her natural talent and artistry still shine through.
Parker will continue her academic journey in September at Boston University, where she’ll be pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting. She will participate in one of the most highly regarded film programs in the country, which includes an internship in Los Angeles, California.
In short, Parker is going places and aiming to achieve great things.
During her time at Missouri State, though, she has kept busy to enhance not only her college experience, but the experience of those around her.
Parker became a MO State Ambassador her freshman year, joined Tabula Rasa Production Company, a student-run theater company out of the school’s department, her sophomore year, and has worked at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts for over a year.
“I toured MSU three times,” she said of the role and importance of the MO State Ambassadors in her life.
“The second time… the girl who was my tour guide was just so wonderful and she ate lunch with me and my mom. That had just been a really important moment of cementing that this was the school that I wanted to go to. I know how much that meant to me and I would love to do that for other people.”
Parker’s warm smile and welcoming personality have given her the perfect tools to be a great ambassador.
To her, though, the role is much more than just showing prospective students around campus.
“A (university ambassador’s) main job is being a tour guide,” she said. “I think, more importantly, (the job is) making them comfortable and showing them that this is a place that could be their home for the next 4 years, and we’ll take care of them.”
And while she impacts each person she takes on a tour, her influence is also widespread in the theater program where she has been a part of various productions.
She has rotated through numerous roles – from a lightboard operator in “Waiting for Lefty” to assistant stage manager in “Eurydice”. With eight Missouri State productions under her belt, Parker says her favorite was “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” for which she was the assistant director to Sarah Wiggin, theatre and dance professor.
“She was an excellent assistant director,” said Wiggin. “I relied on her being a very good extra set of eyes and ears in the room. I appreciated her thoughtful artistic suggestions and her proactivity, professionalism, and maturity.”
Parker’s theater involvement extends into Tabula Rasa, where she has become integral as the artistic manager on the board of members. The production company puts on student written and cabaret style shows for students across all departments and programs. Parker started as the secretary and worked her way up to her current position, which she’s held for the past two years.
Photo submitted by Mia Simone Parker
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in theater and screenwriting film studies, Parker will attend Boston University to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting.
Her position allows her to help plan out the shows of the semester, setting up and approving the season. And with her flair, she brings her style and skills to the group, craftfully blending creativity and leadership.
“She is honest without being harsh and understands the value of student-created theater and art,” said Mary Bates, technical director of Tabula Rasa. “Expression through art is something that is very important to her, and anyone who has the pleasure of speaking to her about art or seeing her work can tell that her passion shines through.”
It’s those characteristics and more that have made Parker a significant
person in many people’s lives.
“(Parker) is one of the most impactful people I’ve met in college,” Bates said of how Parker has impacted her. “We are very similar people, and one thing she does is inspire me.”
These past years at Missouri State have taught Parker many things. She has learned to balance the pleasure and work aspects of art. One her greatest accomplishments was staying on the dean’s list despite how stressful it was.
“It’s really more of a personal thing for me. I was like, I don’t need to, but I want to, it feels nice,” she said, highlighting her resolve.
Another accomplishment import-
ant to her was getting accepted into grad school.
“Honestly, I credit my professors at MSU with the fact that I was able to get into graduate school,” she said. “I think there’s a really big chance that had I gone somewhere else to do my undergrad, this opportunity would have never popped out for me.”
Those mentors and an academically stimulating environment have allowed her to become a more confident person that makes the most of the chances she gets.
“Take advantage of every single opportunity… (even if) you are too scared to ever say yes. You just need to put yourself out there.”
Brookelynn Shell Composing music, connection and creativity
HUNTER MEACHEAM Reporter Qhuntermeacheam
For Missouri State senior Brookelynn Shell, music has always been about more than the performance, but rather about the connection.
From singing in the church choir as a kid, to arranging music played at college football games, Shell’s journey as a student double majoring in instrumental music education and music composition is one rooted in both passion and purpose.
“I kind of came out of the womb doing music,” Shell said.
That passion for music eventually led Shell to Missouri State, where she says she immediately felt at home.
“I walked around and the buildings were just so gorgeous and everybody was so kind,” Shell said. “On my audition days, everyone was just hyping everyone up, you know? It really had that sense of family and collectiveness.”
Shell’s goals have evolved over time; she originally dreamed of pop stardom as a child before setting her sights on music education in middle school, which she credits the inspiration to her teachers.
Today, she plans on pursuing a career as a band director while continuing her composing work.
Her compositions have already managed to reach a wide audience here on campus as she arranges music for BearMania, Missouri State’s Pep Band, with one of her own pieces performed recently at March Madness in Austin, Texas and regularly at home games.
“If you went to a game and heard, ‘Party in the U.S.A’, that was my arrangement.” Shell said.
Beyond her achievements, Shell is proud to support the growth of Missouri State’s composition program. What began as a small group has expanded not only in size, but also diversity during her time.
“We have been able to recruit so many more women and people of color,” Shell said. “I like
to think I helped contribute to that.”
Her impact has also managed to find its way inside the classroom. Shell says one of her most meaningful college experiences came from a summer education course where she was able to challenge students to rethink what music is.
“They all had that lightbulb moment,” Shell said. “That moment of, ‘this is so interesting’ like the puzzle pieces just slid together.”
Shell’s journey has not been one without challenges. As a woman in a traditionally and historically male-dominated field, she says she had to learn how to embrace her voice and style.
“Something I had to fight for is being authentically myself,” she said. “And to have my music authentically represented, even if it is a little different than what you’re used to hearing.”
She describes her signature sound as fun, accessible and inspired by a wide range of influences, including film and video games. Shell also claims inspiration from associate director of bands Dr. Matthew Boswell.
“We started at pretty much the same time, we both had the ‘new kid on the block’ thing going. Shell said. “So we figured it out together, I mean, he was the first person that really believed in me.”
As graduation approaches, Shell has plans to stay in the Springfield area to teach before eventually pursuing a Master of composition. Shell claims while she looks forward to what’s ahead, leaving behind the close community she’s helped curate will be no easy task.
“It’s the convenience of the community because we’re all right here,” Shell said. “We all live close to each other, go to class together, eat together, there’s no guarantee we’ll ever be this close again.”
Shell claims the most important lesson she learned in college is that the most important thing isn’t how many hours you practice, but rather the connections you make.
“(The connections) are what stay with you after college.” Shell added.
Photo submitted by Brookelynn Shell Following graduation, Shell will spend time teaching in Springfield before pursuing a Master of Music in composition.
Photo submitted by Brookelynn Shell Shell was a member of the Missouri State University Pride Marching Band, as well as multiple other ensembles within the music department.
Dana Crisp Earning a degree while serving her community
RYLIE ROBINSON Reporter
Qrylie04.robs
Dana Crisp, a graduating senior at Missouri State University, has built a career rooted in dedication and service.
For the past 18 years, she has worked for CoxHealth.
Crisp decided to further her career and after four years, is graduating with a Bachelors in health services.
“In 2007, I went to OTC and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science as a physical therapist assistant,” Crisp said. “Now, I wanted to further my career so I could either go to school for something completely different or get my bachelor’s.”
Crisp chose to get her bach-
elor’s degree in a field related to her associates degree so that the transition between the two would be seamless, and she could continue towards her long-term goal of earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).
When choosing a university for her bachelor’s, Crisp had several options. Originally from Strafford, MO, and an alumna of Strafford High School, Crisp felt like Missouri State University was an excellent option for her. The desirable location, large programs, and her husband, Lane Crisp, being an alumnus drew her to the campus.
“My mother was a Drury alumna but I felt like the opportunities at MSU were overwhelmingly positive for my
degree,” Crisp said. “I studied hard these past four years to make use of these programs.”
Balancing school while maintaining a long-term career in healthcare was not always easy, but Crisp remained committed to her goals. Her determination and work ethic helped her stay on track, even while managing the responsibilities of both her professional and academic life.
While on MSU’s campus, Crisp met her best friend, Ashton Bowers, whom she names as the best thing to happen to her while pursuing her degree. She said that Bowers has been a constant source of encouragement and companionship.
After graduation, Crisp plans to take a gap year before applying to a hybrid PT program either in Oklahoma or at North Texas University. She would like to wait to attend the program so that Bowers may join her. She wants her best friend to stay with her for the next step. Planning for the future isn’t just about her career, but maintaining the relationships that have shaped her.
As Crisp plans for the future and the transition towards the next chapter, those who have worked with her closely recognize the wonderful person she is.
“It has been an honor to have Dana as a student in our program, in my courses and as an advisee,” said Tara Stulce, Director of the health services program. “She sets ambitious goals for herself and consistently puts in the time and effort to reach them. Dana brings a positive, funny, realistic, and encouraging presence to our online program, and she embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner. I’m excited to see what she accomplishes next.”
Photo by Jayden Pettus
Kris Lopez Missouri State’s mushroom man
ABBY SOMMER Reporter Qabbys2025
For senior Kris Lopez, the path to biology was an easy one.
“I’ve always been interested in nature and interested in how things work,” said Lopez. “And biology is such a complex field of science because everything’s connected. You mess with one thing, a billion other things mess up or change in some way, and I always thought that was interesting.”
More specifically, however, his path to biology started with mushrooms. A friend had explained some of the more fascinating properties of mushrooms, and he was instantly intrigued.
“And so I went on a hike by myself, and I just started seeing mushrooms everywhere,” Lopez explained. “Then, I started getting into identifying mushrooms, and then I started getting into how mushrooms can help remediate polluted soil.”
When he started college, continuing this passion was a no brainer.
“My obsession with mushrooms is what has gotten me into biology and through my major,” said Lopez.
Starting out at Ozark Tech-
nical College (OTC), Lopez has been an avid undergraduate researcher. At OTC, Lopez was a part of an independent research program that tested soil samples for antibiotic resistance, which he then tested against mushrooms to see if the mushrooms could counter the resistant bacteria in the soil.
Lopez also brought his love of mushrooms into his role as vice president of the Green Council at OTC, one memorable part of which was hosting mushroom growing workshops where he’d have people grow their own mushrooms.
After enjoying his time at OTC, Lopez took his enthusiasm for research to Missouri State. Last semester, he participated in another research study, this time with microbes and pollen.
“I was helping a graduate student look at how microbes affect pollen at different temperatures,” explains Lopez. “The implication of that is, as climate change keeps ramping up and the temperatures keep going up, how that affects the microbial community, which could affect how pollinators prefer certain flowers.”
During the spring of his senior year, he designed, wrote and implemented a semester-long experimental evolution study in which he artifi-
cially evolved yeast to have different shapes and sizes. This studied how microbe shapes and sizes affect how they are moved by bees.
Lopez has also led many mushroom forays, looking for all different shapes and sizes of mushrooms. After submitting one of these mushrooms to a national project that genetically barcodes mushrooms, it was confirmed that he’d found a new species of mushroom.
In looking back at his time in college, Lopez stressed the importance of undergraduate research.
“It’s so important for biology students, or science students in general, to not only get the hands-on experience of actually doing the research, but also, meet people,” he advised.
After graduation, Lopez plans to continue his learning and research with graduate work.
“The main goal is coming back (to Missouri State) and starting a mycology program,” he said.
He plans to pursue a master’s degree, researching in mycology and studying the use of mushrooms to remediate polluted land. After that, he plans to pursue a PhD and become a professor.
Photo submitted by Dana Crisp Dana Crisp (L) joins her husband Lane (R) as Missouri State Alumni following her graduation.
After graduating, Lopez plans to pursue a master’s and PhD.
Noah Kinder Finding a future through hardship
CAMRYN THRELKELD Reporter Qcamthrelkeld
In McQueary Family Health Science Hall, you will probably find Noah Kinder bringing a smile, kindness, hard work and respect for everyone he meets.
Originally from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Kinder found his second home in Springfield over the past three years.
Kinder attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and minor in psychology, but connected with Missouri State University’s physical therapy (PT) program due to the strong family environment.
“It didn’t seem like you were just another student,” Kinder said. “And that is something that I value.”
Beyond his coursework in the physical therapy program, Kinder has been involved much more throughout his time at Missouri State, shaping his experience and leaving quite the impact.
He was selected as a student ambassador for the health college program, to be a role model and positive influence for the other students during his first year.
“I was one of two students who got to know them and explain how the program was going and what we’ve been doing to make a positive change in people’s lives,” Kinder said. “That was an unforgettable experience that also helped me realize how important the PT profession is and how special it can be for the Springfield community.”
During one semester, Kinder participated in a graduate student program where past graduates had the opportunity to speak with current students to provide advice. He also spent time managing an intramural basketball team for about a month and a half to help keep things running smoothly.
Kinder aided in running the career fair for the MSU School of Health Sciences, an event where the department invited vendors from all around the midwest to come and recruit students. He was on the committee and gave his time and energy, while still maintaining an encouraging, considerate, respectful attitude to all.
Allison Adler, assistant director of clinical education, was a faculty sponsor for this event sharing that “(Kinder) was helping run the show and helped make it completely seamless”
“(Kinder) was keeping the whole day afloat, maintained composure and was incredibly positive, kind and respectful to everyone he came in contact with,” Adler said.
Kinder’s path to pursue physical therapy was strongly influenced by experiences growing up. As a basketball player, he dealt with many injuries, including breaking both his right and left foot along with a ruptured cartilage in his right elbow, that required surgery before high school senior year basketball.
During recovery, he noticed the family type of environment that existed.
“My calling was always to help anybody in need, and I thought that putting two and two together was really the path for me.” Kinder said. These experiences helped him
Following graduation, Kinder, a Lee’s Summit native, will move closer to home to work at PT Solutions in Overland Park, Kansas. He hopes to run his own facility in the future.
want to be a part of the process that helps others, which ultimately is what guided him towards physical therapy.
Many people played a key role in Kinder’s choice to pursue physical therapy, when he broke his foot and sprained his ankle, Aaron Horschig, who has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT), of Squat University, was his physical therapist.
Kinder called Horschig an “inspiration when I was younger.”
Amanda Wakeman, DPT, and internship supervisor Carolina Ridgway, DPT, were two people who “influenced” Kinder to be his “authentic self as a clinician.”
“They helped me see the potential I had that I never thought of and I will always be grateful for that,” he said.
Adler knows Kinder as having a large impact, more than realized.
“It doesn’t seem to matter what his circumstances are or that of his peers, he always brings to the table the sincerest positivity,” Adler said. “(Kinder) does a really good job at spreading that among others, because
of how genuine it is.”
The way that he shows up for others is what faculty say will carry into his future as a physical therapist.
Being a voice and image for the program is an accomplishment that should not go unrecognized. In Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Kinder was honored with a poster of his own.
“I thought it was really cool and surreal, because I never thought that would happen,” Kinder said. “My first day on campus I was walking around figuring out where things were and I saw all those big pictures and it was kind of a full circle moment.”
The physical therapy program is rigorous, and during his first year at Missouri State it was an adjustment. Kinder’s parents and girlfriend provided a support system.
“My parents are always ready to give me advice when I need it,” Kinder said. “If I didn’t live with my girlfriend, it’d be tough, she has seen the best and the worst, and that has helped pull me through … The biggest thing is having a support system that’s be-
hind you and once you establish that, you can achieve anything.”
After graduation, Kinder has plans to work at PT Solutions in Overland Park, Kansas, which specializes in general orthopedics and high school sports in the growing Kansas City area, with hopes of being a clinic director or having his own facility where he will open a gym and welcome anybody to come in.
Noah Kinder has left quite the influence during his time at Missouri State, and the program has been extremely touched.
“We are very lucky to have him be a representative for our program,” Adler said.
Whether it is in the classroom or across campus, Kinder’s impact is already clear, and is only just beginning.
“Never give up,” Kinder said. “Everybody has hard times, and you have to do what you can to get through it.”
Photo submitted by Noah Kinder
Emma Robertson Welcoming inclusivity, accessibility through linguistics
BRISSA MAGANA Reporter
As graduation approaches, senior Emma Robertson is taking steps towards her next phase of life. Leading with a strong academic record and a passion for making communication more accessible to others, she knows a thing or two about resilience.
Robertson, 22, has spent her time at Missouri State University pursuing a degree in Modern Language and Translation with an emphasis in Spanish. Though she currently lives in Springfield, that hasn’t always been the case.
Thanks to her parents working in Costa Rica, Robertson was able to spend 12 years growing up there and learning about the culture surrounding her. Eventually, Robertson moved to the United States for college, beginning her academic journey at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) before transferring to MSU.
Her interest in language began
early on and expanded during her time at OTC, where she studied American Sign Language. That experience is what allowed her to dive deeper into her passions and hone in on her linguistic skills.
“I really loved (American Sign Language),” Robertson said. “I really enjoyed studying language and seeing ways in which it opens doors, as well as how it could be used in the future, whether that be in interpreting or not.”
Although Missouri State does not offer an interpreting-specific program, Robertson felt that shifting to a modern language and translation degree would be beneficial to her as it complements her long-term goals. While she felt confident in her Spanish fluency, she wanted to strengthen other aspects of her abilities and foster a more profound relationship with the language.
“I was able to maintain my 4.0 GPA throughout all semesters by
mainly hunkering down, working hard, and placing my focus on my classes,” Robertson said of her most rewarding accomplishment during her time at MSU.
Her efforts have been well recognized by peers and faculty, leading to an invitation to join Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish Honor Society.
“(Robertson) embodies MSU’s Public Affairs mission: she is a diligent student with a passion for language and culture, and a dedication to serving the community,” said Heidi Backes, professor of language cultures and religion. “She is the kind of student whom all professors hope to have in their classes. Her enthusiasm is contagious, she is a leader in group work, and she always strives to do the best she can – and she has succeeded. I am proud of her work, and I know she has a bright future ahead of her.”
Robertson’s eventual goal is to interpret in a K-12 setting and help
facilitate learning for students.
As she prepares to graduate, Robertson describes her feelings as a mix of excitement and readiness.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I’ve been in school for five years now. It’s been a lot, but I’m ready to be done and move forward. I’m ready for what’s next, though it is a bit nerve-racking…this is it.”
Robertson expressed that while school has provided her with the tools to succeed, it will always seem scary to look ahead and know that it’s time to jump headfirst, never knowing what obstacles you’ll be challenged with along the way.
She encourages graduates of 2027 to give themselves time and grace as they navigate their last semesters of school.
“Take time to decide what you want your future to look like,” Robertson said. “You’re not really taught logistics and what application processes might entail. I did that a lot
this semester. As you get closer to your graduation date, make sure to do that to feel well prepared for what comes next. Also, push through and keep that motivation till the end. I know it’s easy to reach a point of exhaustion, but set your eyes on the goal because you are seconds away from being done.”
Ultimately, Robertson hopes to use her skills to create more inclusive environments and expand access for those who need it most.
“I would like to be able to open doors and create accessibility for people who might struggle without that extra help,” she said. “I want to foster inclusivity in every room I step into.”
As she leaves Missouri State, Robertson carries with her not only academic success but a clear sense of purpose rooted in connection, communication, and a sincere care for others.
Photo submitted by Emma Robertson Robertson plans to be an interpreter in a K-12 setting to help facilitate learning for
BROOKE BENNE Reporter
Zoe Musick comes from a family of educators who always told her she would make a good teacher. After a lifetime in musical theater, though, she didn’t expect to graduate from Missouri State University as an elementary education major.
Musick first came to MSU in fall 2019 as a technical theater major. Her plans changed after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which brought things to light she felt she needed to work on. She dropped out in spring 2021 to focus on therapy and selfhelp while figuring out life as an adult.
Looking to try something beyond theater, Musick began teaching dance and discovered she was drawn to education, much like the rest of her family. She returned to MSU in spring 2023, majoring in elementary education and minoring in theater.
“I really enjoy elementary be-
Zoe Musick: From stage to classroom
cause of their socio-emotional development and their malleability, and academic building,” Musick said. “I love math and reading and I think it’s super true that the trickle down effect — like my attitude and my excitement about it — rubs off on (the students).”
Since the start of the 2025-26 school year, Musick has been student teaching second grade at Wanda Gray Elementary School. She was placed in the Internship Academy, where, unlike traditional student teaching — typically 16 weeks in the spring — the internship lasts a full academic year.
Interns in the program help set up their classrooms in August, have access to paid substitute and tutoring opportunities and are immersed in classroom management and routines from the start.
Clinical assistant professor and Internship Academy coordinator Sara Tipton met Musick last spring during the interview and placement process.
Since then, she has worked closely with her through co-teaching, classroom observations and university coursework.
“I don’t think there’s anything that happens in Zoe’s education or in her co-teaching in the classroom that she does not adequately think through and plan for. She tries to predict what her students are going to need,” Tipton said. “She is very deliberate about meeting the needs of her students fully, not just their academic needs or not just, you know, making sure they are comfortable and safe in the classroom.”
Musick brings her musical theater background into the classroom, using dancing, singing, funny voices, themed outfits and performances to engage her students.
“If you spin it the right way, it’s just an eight-hour performance – it’s kind of like Broadway. It’s five, eighthour performances a day.” Musick said.
“A big thing in the College of Education is lifelong learning and making it exciting. I’m really passionate about cross-curriculum — math, science, English — and showing children it’s all interrelated,” Musick said. “Everything is everywhere; it’s not just math time or science time. I want to make learning fun because attention spans are already so small. A lot of them don’t even want to learn what they think you’re trying to shove down their throat. I always put on a show because if you can trick them into learning, then they’ll do it.”
Outside the classroom, Musick remains involved in theater as a member of Choir Union, a community-based choir on campus, since 2021.
She is also part of Springfield Public Schools’ Future Educators program, which provides a scholarship to education majors in exchange for a four-year teaching commitment after graduation.
After graduation, Musick will
Sanjana Dhanasekaran: Piano major excels at MSU
tions, including the solo and duet categories of the Missouri Music Teachers Association State Competition.
porting her peers through accompanying and chamber music,” stated Hong.
Following graduation, Musick plans to go right into the workforce.
teach third grade at Fremont Elementary and will be certified to teach first through sixth grade.
“I am really excited to see what she’s going to continue, you know, what continued success she’s going to have as she’s entering the teaching field,” Tipton said.
For Musick, the next step is just the beginning.
“I am really excited about building my own classroom and continuing to educate the future,” Musick said.
Working with other musicians who are at such a high level helps rise to that level as well, she explained.
Sanjana Dhanasekaran, a senior in Missouri State’s music department, is graduating this May with her bachelor’s degree in piano performance.
While she hasn’t been at Missouri State for her full undergrad — having transferred in 2023 from a college in her home country of Canada — Dhanasekaran has made a big impact on her program during her time at Missouri State.
“(Dhanasekaran) is highly receptive, dedicated and passionate about her studies, and she has grown into a mature, artistic, and well-rounded musician,” said Hye-Jung Hong, an associate piano professor who has a Doctorate of Musical Arts.
Since transferring to Missouri State, she has won several competi-
“I started playing (piano) when I was four, and it was really quite random,” Dhanasekaran said. “I asked my mom if I had lessons because other kids in my class were taking them, and it just stuck.”
Dhanasekaran followed a learning plan called the “Suzuki Method,” which emphasized the importance of starting young and staying consistent.
Shinichi Suzuki’s motto was “Every Child Can!” following his belief that music is for everyone, not just for the automatically gifted. The Suzuki Method helped keep learning fun, which lended Dhanasekaran to stick with it for all these years. She took group classes and private lessons when she was young, then attended an arts high school where she began playing solo recitals and chamber music.
At Missouri State, Dhanasekaran performs solo music, as well as accompanying her fellow students.
“She has been an active and generous collaborator, frequently sup-
There were many reasons Dhanasekaran decided to transfer from her college in Canada to Missouri State, but the selling point was Hong. The two met at the Texas State International Piano Festival, where Hong was serving on faculty and Dhanasekaran was performing in her masterclass.
“I was really just doing the whole summer festival thing to network and play for more professors, and get more experience.” Dhanasekaran remarked.
She didn’t have to come to Missouri State, and didn’t even necessarily attend the festival looking for a new school, but Hong was very convincing when talking about Missouri State.
“(Hong) is the most generous teacher I’ve ever had and is the teacher I’ve trusted the most,” Dhanasekaran said. “She’s never led me astray.”
It wasn’t just Hong, though, that Dhanasekaran transferred here for.
“Missouri State has such a high
level of teaching, especially for piano, that everyone who graduates from this program is practically a different person.” She explained.
The facilities were also part of the reason, according to Dhanasekaran, with Ellis Hall being a beautiful, yet highly-functional place for study and learning. The building was recently renovated, improving it further for musical use. Missouri State is also an All-Steinway School, so even the pianos themselves are incredible for learning.
“Honestly, I feel like I’ve gotten everything I wanted out of my undergraduate education by coming here, which even includes some of the (general education courses),” Dhanasekaran remarked.
It isn’t just the piano department that is strong here at Missouri State, she added, but the vocal, brass and cello studios as well. She was able to work with many of those students as an accompanist.
In addition to the high teaching skills and the facility, the camaraderie with other students and working together with experienced pianists aided Dhanasekaran’s musical growth.
Dhanasekaran graduates this May, with her senior recital on May 1st. She will be performing 2 large works and a set of smaller works, including Mazurkas, Op. 17 by Frederic Chopin. The recital will total about a 50 minute performance overall, including intermission.
This spring, Dhanasekaran participated in a highly competitive audition process to select a school to pursue her master’s degree. She received offers from many prestigious schools that offered her GA positions and scholarships, including Northwestern University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
She has chosen to attend The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, one of the nation’s top conservatories. There, she will be working as a keyboard GA while pursuing a master’s degree.
Through her talent, passion and kindness, Dhanasekaran has helped improve Missouri State’s piano program through her years here. While soon she will no longer be a Missouri State student, the impact she made on the school, the music program, and her peers will last far beyond her time as a Bear.
Photo submitted by Sanjana Dhanasekeran
Photo submitted by Zoe Musick
Dhanasekaran will serve as a GA at Johns Hopkins.
Ella Becker The heart of many
KC CULBERTSON Sports Reporter
Do you find yourself in a situation where you need a CUSA all-tournament team goalie? How about an athletic director’s honor roll member spanning from 2022 to 2025? What if someone needs to be educated on nursing? Or even someone to challenge in scrabble? Call Ella Becker.
Don’t know who Becker is?
Well, let’s pause and rewind things.
St. Louis, Missouri, native, Ella Becker was a multi-sport athlete at Lindbergh High.
Becker said she was good at volleyball, softball was done just for friends and her basketball skills were less than desired.
But soccer was the focal point for her high school career.
“Soccer always just came naturally for me,” Becker said.
Becker stated that her technical abilities made her a hybrid of a normal player but with the duties as a goal keeper so that she could still kick and handle the ball if needed. Those skills helped her post a .838 save percentage with 80 saves and four clean-sheets in her junior season of high school. This performance earned her a spot on second team all-state and made her the regional goalkeeper of the year.
When senior year rolled around, Ella wasn’t sure where she wanted to attend college. She wanted to branch out, so places like University of Missouri and Missouri State University weren’t even on her radar.
“It was never in my plan originally,” Becker said.
However, Missouri State was one of the first schools that reached out to her. Head coach Kirk Nelson was the one to call Becker and made her feel at ease.
“He didn’t even ask questions about me to start off. He’s like, ‘How are you doing? Like, how’s your family?’ Questions like that,” Becker said. That got her attention quickly. “You could tell he cared about me more than just a player, but genuinely as a person, because he genuinely wanted to get to know me as a person before we even talked about anything soccer, which was completely different from all the other coaches I talked to that day.”
Becker despised her recruiting adventure, as it was a draining process for her, but that call with Nelson was the bright spot of that day.
Becker and Nelson bonded quickly, and, in the 2025 season, Nelson placed a lot of trust in Becker to be a leader and to get the job done, always calling on her opinion after team meetings. She also became friends with assistant coach Sara Halilhodzic.
“I wouldn’t even call her coach because she’s always there for me outside and for soccer,” Becker said.
When Becker got to Missouri State, she had to take a seat her freshman year.
“I was sitting under three girls. So there was a senior, two juniors and then me, freshman. And it was kind of just, like, a rain check, and for the main part it was knowing my role,”
Becker recalled. “But I was there at practice every single day, working to get better, so that when one of them left, it was gonna be me. And, I wasn’t giving anyone else an option for it to be someone else,” Becker said.
That persistent energy, combined with her outgoing personality, motivated her to keep the grind up to answer the call to goaltend.
Becker answered during her redshirt sophomore year, when she got her first game appearance against Saint Louis. Right after that, she got her first start against Central Arkansas, where she proceeded to shut those Bears out.
Becker accumulated 135 minutes of playing time in 2024, so the coaches decided she would be the starter for the 2025 season. It wasn’t going to be easy, as the first two games of the season were against the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“I knew it was gonna be a big moment for me, and I was ready. But clearly, I was nervous. Because they just came down on us,” Becker recalled.
Becker put up a good fight against the Jayhawks but unfortunately let in four of the five goals Kansas scored on in a 5-2 loss.
But that did not falter Becker in the slightest, as she used the experience as a wake up call that she had to play more college-level soccer.
“I feel like I had really settled in after that KU game, and I was like, ‘Well that shouldn’t happen again.’ And I really just locked in,” Becker said. And locked in she did, as she let up only one goal in a 1-1 tie against Nebraska.
Becker carried that locked-in mentality for the rest of the season, as she started all 20 games, played fully for 16 of those games, boasted a .714 save percentage, had 70 saves and was on the CUSA All-Tournament Team.
Additionally, Becker won Conference USA goalkeeper of the week when she shut out a Liberty University team that went 6-0-2 in conference play for the year.
Obviously her skills are impressive, but what is Ella Becker like as a person and teammate?
Simply put, she’s the backbone and heart of the team.
For being the backbone, Becker makes sure she establishes support systems within the team.
“I want them to know that I will always be
there for them,” she said. Having someone to lean on is literally a backbone.
As for being the heart, Becker is the one that has the aura that instantly makes you feel better. She is always joking around and branching out to form relationships with new people. Furthermore, she is able to have in-depth conversations with just about anyone and treats everyone like family.
All this ties back to family.
“Family has always been like a really big part of my life. Like all my parents’ friends were like just one big family. So friends and family have been really important to me all throughout my life,” she said.
Being able to treat people like family members is nothing short of being a person of care and quality.
That care should be no surprise considering it’s what Becker does for a major and will do for a career – nursing.
Becker will be graduating from nursing school this May and will be starting her master’s program during the fall in addition to a nurse educator certificate. By next year, she will be looking to get a job as a nurse come January.
Outside of all the work of being a student-athlete, Becker loves being with her friends and family. Specifically, she loves sitting on her couch watching movies and shows and always loves when friends and family are over. It also should be no shock to learn she loves games, like Scrabble, to help fill her competitive drive. She also has a creative drive, as she paints banners for people when they accomplish things.
Becker is thankful to Missouri
State for giving her the opportunity and resources for her potential as an athlete, student and as a leader.
“I feel like it’s allowed me to experience things that I necessarily wouldn’t have if I went to a different school. It’s given me an environment where I can really, really grow and look at my accomplishments and be like, yeah, I did that,” she said.
from fall 2022 through fall 2025.
Photo submitted by Ella Becker Becker was on the MSU AD’s Honor Roll
Photo submitted by Ella Becker Becker was named to the CUSA All-Tournament Team in 2025.
Amanda MakingCleary a difference in and out of the sand
ELIZABETH
DEDERT Sports
Reporter
Qelizabethdedert
Amanda Cleary has been playing volleyball since she was 10. Whether on or off the sand, she carries this passion and drive wherever she goes while also maintaining a happy, bubbly personality as she enters her final weeks of college.
As the Missouri State University beach volleyball team wraps up its season, currently possessing a record of 23-4, she reflects on the hardship that has brought her here.
Cleary grew up 40 minutes outside of Chicago, where she found her love of volleyball as well as an interest in nursing from her grandmother and aunt. In high school, she was named conference player of the year, totaling 416 digs during the indoor season.
The past four years Cleary has spent on the team haven’t been easy, as her freshman year ended in a 9-13 team record. Cleary played in only three matches that season, but she came out hot in her following sophomore campaign, playing in all 33 matches and finishing with a personal record of 20-11, with two matches going unfinished. This was only the start of a slow build to what the team is at now.
“My coach really invested in me and took a chance on me starting my sophomore year,” Cleary said. “I worked really, really hard in the offseason to become a starter and to become successful.”
Work and determination have now built Cleary into the player she is now.
Specializing in two-pairs with her long-term teammate and fellow senior MacKenzie Steele, she and Steele broke the program record in wins by
a pair, earning 37 wins across two seasons
Cleary doesn’t just dominate in the sand, but also in academics, and she has made the MSU Athletics Director’s Honor Roll each of the past six semesters here at Missouri State.
She majors in nursing while specializing in cardiovascular care, and has even worked 12-hour shifts in the intensive care unit while still carrying out her responsibilities as a collegiate athlete.
Cleary spoke of her hard work and determination, saying, “Over these past three years, I’ve just put my head down and grinded.”
Why does she work so hard?
“It just goes back to that I’m just grateful that I’m physically capable of doing this sport,” she said.
Cleary had seemed to keep this mindset throughout her entire four years here at Missouri State, as she makes sure to stay grounded in what she loves and looks back at all the accolades and milestones she has attained.
Last season, Cleary played in all 28 matches with a 17-8 record, with one match not starting and two matches going unfinished. And even on senior day, head coach Ashley Emery let all four seniors play in their own singles match – allowing each of them to have their own time to shine.
As Cleary closes up her career, she remembers the matches that meant the most to her and the team. ULM was a big opponent that this team really wanted to see a win against. After Cleary and Steele had lost to the Warhawks each of the past two years, a slow fire was building.
This year, the Bears swept them 5-0.
“We just played lights out and put them away. I really wanted to get that
from spring ‘23 to fall ‘25.
win.” Cleary said. Being in healthcare, Cleary appreciates how lucky she is to participate in the sport that she loves, as she looks back on the patients she has taken care of, some older than her, but also some younger than her.
Appreciation for herself is the
driving factor behind everything that she does. Whether that is making sure she performs at a top level in her nursing clinicals or on the court, Cleary allows herself to take a moment and be grateful for every hardship she has endured, leading to these final moments.
As Cleary’s collegiate career is coming to an end, she looks forward to her now growing career in nursing. She may be trading volleyball in for nursing, but that doesn’t take away from the last 12 years of playing the sport she loves.
Photo by Jayden Pettus Cleary was a member of the MSU AD’s Honor Roll
Lana Janson Greatness exemplified
MADDUX RADOSEVIC Sports Editor DRadosevicMaddux
Lana Janson leads those around her. Whether it’s in the classroom, in the community or in the water, she exemplifies greatness.
What separates Janson’s leadership from the pack, though, is her implacable determination. Although some shy away from adversity, the breaststroke and freestyle swimmer guides others regardless of the situation, even when she is swimming in unfamiliar waters.
Originally from South Africa, the Missouri State University senior does not hesitate to travel great distances to accomplish her goals.
“My dream was always to come and swim and study in America,” Janson said. “A lot of my older friends did it back when I was in high school.”
After Janson graduated from high school, she made that dream a reality by starting her collegiate career at Canisius University in Buffalo, New York, to swim and study chemistry.
In her freshman year at Canisius, Janson helped the Golden Griffins win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
That season, Janson etched her name in the school record books in the 200-yard individual medley (2:05.09) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.59) while tying the program’s best time in the 100-yard freestyle (51.19). She also led the 800-yard freestyle relay that set the program record at 1:49.82.
These accomplishments brought Janson great confidence in her abilities.
“It just showed me that I was like capable of doing more than what I was already doing,” she said.
Despite all her success with the Golden Griffins, Janson did not see herself staying at Canisius.
Photo by Jayden Pettus
In the pool, Janson was a leader among her peers. She was named to the All-MVC First Team in 2024 and 2025, MVC Scholar-Athlete Team in 2024 and 2025, and the MSU AD’s Honor Roll fall 2023 through 2025.
“It wasn’t quite the place for me,” she said.
The 5-foot-10-inch student-athlete aspired to reach new heights elsewhere at an institution that would allow her to both study physics, not chemistry, and also challenge herself more in the water.
“She went to Canisius originally and really quickly I think realized that her talent was maybe above their level,” Missouri State swimming and diving head coach Dave Collins said. “She was looking for something that could challenge her a little bit more.”
Missouri State – a school that houses a physics program and has produced five Olympians and 14
NCAA national qualifiers through its swimming and diving team – was what she was searching for. Because of what she achieved when going from South Africa to Canisius, Janson made Collins “excited” when she entered the transfer portal and became a Bear.
“We’re talking about somebody who’s not only making the transition from high school to college, but she’s making the transition from moving countries,” Collins said.
Even though she had been in the United States for only about a year upon her arrival at MO State, Janson said Missouri State “immediately felt like home.”
“I had those people to race in practice, and it pushed me to be such a better swimmer and a better person,” she said.
With more competition around her, Janson realized Missouri State was the right fit.
“I think that was the biggest thing for me was like training with the high-achieving swimmers around me cause my previous team, I didn’t really have all of that,” she said. “And, I came to Missouri, and, suddenly, you know, I’m not the fastest anymore.”
Janson’s first year with the Bears resulted in the team’s eighth straight Missouri Valley Conference champi-
onship. Collins described Janson as an integral part of the group’s victory.
“If she’s not on this team, I don’t think we win that conference championship,” the 12-time MVC women’s championship winning coach said.
To lead his squad to the title, Collins got the most out of his All-MVC First Team sophomore.
“I feel like we leaned pretty heavily on Lana (Janson) because she was also helpful in relays, you know, so not only was it individual points for her but also relays,” he said.
Janson and her teammates set MVC records in the 800-yard free-
style relay (7:12.19) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:18.87) en route to the championship. She also attained the individual honor of being named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
After a successful first year in Springfield, Missouri, Janson said her Missouri State experience only got “better” from there. However, that improvement did not come without its challenges.
“In my junior year, me and a lot of other swimmers had to sort of step up and take the lead,” Janson said.
With seven seniors departing after the championship run, Janson and her teammates had to step up.
“Losing all those senior swimmers was really tough, and we sort of had to like fill in a lot of big shoes,” she said.
Situations like this one helped Janson develop the leadership qualities she now possesses.
“I think that definitely did teach me how to sort of step in when things aren’t going our way,” she said. And, step up she did.
Janson went on to claim All-MVC First Team honors yet again, and, yet again, she was named to the College
Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
Despite all these recognitions, in Collins’ mind, “being a leader” is Janson’s biggest accomplishment. He added that she exhibited this feature “even when things maybe weren’t going as planned.”
After rattling off eight straight MVC titles, the Bears accepted backto-back third-place finishes over the last two years. Although those results were not what the team was used to, Janson kept leading.
“I definitely feel like she was a leader of the team, and her teammates looked up to her,” Collins said.
It was no surprise why.
“I think she really enjoyed being around her teammates. She was a great communicator, supportive, yeah, hardworking. I mean, she had everything that we would look for,” Collins said.
In addition to taking on more responsibilities on the swim and dive team, Janson also had to stay on top of her studies.
“It definitely had its challenges,” she said.
Since she started as a chemistry major at Canisius, Janson began her
physics program in her sophomore year with a bit of catching up to do. As a result, working with her professors and managing a heavy course load of 18 credit hours became the norm for her.
Even though her schedule was hectic, Janson persevered.
“There’s been some 8 a.m. classes I had to walk in with wet heads or smelling like chlorine,” the three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete Team member said.
Collins spoke highly of these efforts.
“She’s the model for high-performing student-athlete – both parts of the word ‘student-athlete,’” he said.
Collins found it especially impressive that Janson was able to tackle such a difficult major in this pursuit.
“Those are courses that require a lot of outside the classroom time, and, for her to manage that while also training at a high level, she’s just an incredible example of time management, goal setting, motivation, you know, all the key words that you would look for in a highly successful person,” he said.
Janson’s many accolades have
now led her to the honor of serving as the student speaker at the 1 p.m. commencement ceremony on May 8.
Collins was “proud” when he first found out about the selection.
“You’re proud when you see somebody come in, work hard, have success and then it’s rewarded,” he said. “You’re proud.”
Janson sees the opportunity as an honor.
“I can represent a lot of different groups of Missouri State – I’m an international student, you know, swimmer, physics department,” she said.
Now, she hopes to capture this same sentiment of representing many different groups during her speech.
“I truly hope that when I stand up there and I speak that it feels that way too,” she said. “So, I hope I can, you know, make everyone feel that they’re represented.”
As her time in Springfield comes to a close, Janson reflects upon her growth as a person at Missouri State as her biggest achievement.
“I know how to push through hard times and how to stay, you know, humble and respectful, patient – definitely one I learned a lot – so I defi-
nitely think that’s my greatest achievement,” she said.
In light of all her success, Janson credits those around her for helping her do what she did.
“I did not do all of this alone. Like, it’s just not possible to do anything alone,” she said. “I had to lean on so many people – my physics department, I mean, my coaches, academic advisors, like, teammates, family.”
Janson sees the practice of trusting in the people around her as a vital skill.
“The importance of leaning on other people and not just trying to do it all alone – it gets you to good places,” she said.
Now, leaning on others leads her to the University of Kansas, where she will continue her academic career by studying bioengineering.
As Collins watches from afar, he expects the “incredible” Janson to continue to attain positive results.
“She’s going to be very successful in whatever she does,” he said.
To Collins, she is a leader.
“She’s the example,” he said. “And definitely somebody that we would definitely tell younger underclassmen to look up to.”
Maggie Haase Follows family’s footsteps in sport and degree
MADDUX RADOSEVIC Sports Editor DRadosevicMaddux
Energy makes motion possible. The more energy someone has the more that person is capable of. With Maggie Haase’s energy, anything seems possible.
Going from a small town in Colorado to Missouri State University, Haase practically willed her dreams of following in her mother’s footsteps and becoming a collegiate high jumper into existence.
And she’s done it with a radiant and bubbly personality too.
Originally from Eads, Colorado – a town with a population around 700 – Haase grew up in a farming family all through high school.
“That’s kinda what got me into the career I’m kinda on the path to go towards now,” she said.
That desire led Haase to pursue a degree in plant breeding and biotechnology at Missouri State, which she discovered had a grape breeding program that piqued her interest. The campus – featuring a much different landscape than what she was used to back in Colorado – also got her attention.
“I was really impressed by campus. There were just trees everywhere, and that was honestly the biggest deciding factor was that there’s trees cause back where I’m from we really don’t have too many – it’s pretty much a desert,” she said.
Aside from academics and the scenery of the campus, Haase also wanted to become a collegiate athlete.
Coached by her mother, Destiny, who did high jump at the University of Nebraska, Haase won the state championship in the high jump as a sophomore and as a junior at Eads High School.
Even though she said having her mom coach her during high school made the mother-daughter duo “closer,” she also said it came with its fair share of pressure.
“It was kind of terrifying because I knew I had a lot to live up to,” she said.
Despite the terror, Haase felt inspired to forge forward with track and field.
“She was the one who first inspired me to want to run track in college,” Haase said.
However, this dream was not new.
“Ever since I was in elementary school, I knew I wanted to go to college, and I wanted to be a high jumper, just like her,” Haase said.
Soon, it was time for Haase to try to make this dream a reality. After hitting a season-best in high jump, Haase filled out a recruiting questionnaire in November 2022 during her senior year of high school, but, unfortunately for her, the coaching staff did not have her on its radar.
“Maggie (Haase) was somebody who we weren’t actively recruiting because she was from a little further away from our footprint,” Missouri State head track and field coach Jordan Fife said.
After Haase did not get any feedback on her questionnaire, Destiny Haase messaged the coaching staff in March 2023. From there, Fife and his staff took notice. With some help from her mother’s message, Haase joined the team.
“Apparently she made a good impression cause they didn’t turn me away, so I’m pretty grateful for her for that,” Haase said.
The Eads, Colorado, product came into Missouri State in fall 2023 with a full academic scholarship and a whopping 55 credit hours. Still, she faced challenges early on as she shifted from the environment of a small town to Springfield, Missouri.
“I was super intimidated as a freshman. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was super nervous all the time. I was terrified. I had nightmares every night about missing practice actually, and I still do sometimes,” she said.
Reflecting back on her first year in college, Haase said she would have given herself the advice to “keep going.”
That is precisely what she did.
In the spring of her freshman year, she recorded a season-best 10.82 meter triple jump to finish in fourth place in the Springfield Showdown. The following season, the Bears finished fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference meet – the best result for the team since 2021.
Then, at the Washburn Open this January, she earned 11th place with a personal-best triple jump of 11.3 meters – shattering her previous best distance of 10.87 meters.
Although she has grown a lot as both a high jumper and as a triple jumper, Haase thinks her greatest accomplishment has been maintaining a 4.0 GPA during her time at Missouri State. Much of her enjoyment of working towards this goal came from “learning about plants.”
“I actually love going to class,” the frequent MSU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll member said.
She used her love for learning to land internships with the United States Department of Agriculture in Manhattan, Kansas. During that experience, Haase worked in a lab and conducted protein analysis on sorghum grain. Then, last summer, she interned at Texas A&M, where she worked with sorghum breeding.
Aside from her high achievements, Haase possesses a vibrant personality. Even Fife struggled to come up with just one word to describe her from her freshman year to now.
“I don’t know if one word can truly do it. I really don’t,” the nineyear track and field head coach said.
Instead, he offered two words: “joyful” and “selfless.”
“Maggie is the absolute like ideal
teammate, you know, that you would want in a program – very coachable, always positive, great work ethic –and I think, you know, is somebody who just has like a genuine joy and excitement for what she does every day,” Fife said.
She also brings that energy and excitement into her relationships with her teammates and coaches.
“She can relate to every single person, you know, that’s part of our program from one to 42, plus all of the staff,” Fife said.
In Fife’s experience, Haase also always seems to be the one to step up when he needs a volunteer.
“If she’s available, she’s gonna do it,” he said.
To him, that is just who she is.
“She will do everything within her power to make it happen, and she doesn’t want to let anybody down,” Fife said.
This trait exemplified itself when Haase and some of her teammates came up with an idea to get students to attend the Mo State Invitational in April.
“We came up with this idea that we would have college students race against each other,” Haase said.
Haase and her teammates organized the event so that students were free to participate in a 100-meter race for prizes.
“The winners of both the men’s and women’s division would get a case of Celsius and a golden spike,” she said.
Despite the fact that most of the planning took place a week before the meet, Fife could not deny Haase.
“I just couldn’t tell her no,” he said.
Spontaneous ideas like this one
reveal Haase’s commitment to whatever she sets her mind on. She credits her enthusiasm to two things. First, to her religion.
“I go to church every Sunday, and, being a Christian, I mean, I think the Lord has a big part in my attitude every day. I want to live to honor him. That just kind of helps me, you know, keep a good attitude,” she said.
Second, to the people around her.
“It’s easy to be positive when you’re around positive people,” she said.
The positive people at Missouri State certainly must have had an impact on Haase, as she said she has grown a lot in just three short years at the school.
“I came into Missouri State: I asked for my own dorm room cause I didn’t want to have roommates cause I thought I just was such an introvert, to now I’m just such a social person – I’m never even at my own house,” she said.
In response to her growth, Haase demonstrates gratitude.
“Missouri State has just been the best home I could ever ask for for these past three years. It’s really shaped me into the person that I am now,” she said.
After she graduates, Haase will leave the home she has built at Missouri State for another familiar location – Texas A&M – where she will begin a master’s program in plant breeding.
Once Haase leaves Missouri State, Fife expects to notice the absence of Haase’s spark.
“We’re definitely gonna miss her energy next year for sure,” Fife said.
Photo submitted by Maggie Haase Haase, an Eads, Colorado, native, was named to the MSU AD’s Honor Roll in fall 2023, spring 2024 and fall 2025.
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