Local Leaders and Families Gather to Recognize Graduating Seniors, as Part of Statewide Efforts by rootEd Missouri to Support Rural Students’ Planning for Their Futures
Clever, Missouri (May 9, 2025) – Clever High School today hosted its annual Decision Day, an event for the Class of 2025 to announce their post-graduation plans – which range from college, trade school, the military, or entering the workforce – as they set out on their paths to career success.
The 81 graduating students were joined by Missouri Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger, Clever High School rootEd advisor Rebecca Waisner, their families, teachers, school staff, and the broader community to celebrate their accomplishments and their strong plans for the future.
Decision Day is part of a broader initiative from rootEd Missouri, a partnership between the national nonprofit rootEd Alliance, Ozarks Technical Community College, and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program places dedicated, full-time college and career advisors alongside teachers and counselors in rural high schools to work with students one-on-one to develop and pursue clear plans for their continued education or training following graduation. Launched in a handful of schools in Missouri in 2018, rootEd served 13,000 students in rural Missouri this academic year across 130 schools.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said, “Missouri’s students are our state’s future, and Decision Day events shine a light on their incredible potential and many paths to success. By providing dedicated support through rootEd advisors, we’re ensuring that every student has the opportunity and resources available to develop a strong plan to make their dreams and career goals come true. I am immensely proud that Missouri is leading the way in investing in our rural communities and students’ futures.”
The rootEd model, enacted across five states by local advisors, is working. At Clever High School, advisor Rebecca Waisner’s work with graduating students has resulted in:
- 100% of seniors have a postsecondary plan
- 100% of seniors have a financial plan
- 100% of seniors have participated in a career exposure opportunity
Superintendent Dr. Brian Breeden shared, “We know our students can achieve great things with the right support, and with the dedicated career and college advising that rootEd advisor Rebecca Waisner is able to provide through rootEd, they’ve done just that. Decision Day is a testament to our commitment to the long-term success of our students and our community. We’re very proud to be a part of rootEd Missouri.”
“It’s been an honor to work with this extraordinary class of seniors as their rootEd advisor, and to help each student explore their goals and plans for their future,” said Rebecca Waisner. “Today’s Decision Day is a celebration of what’s to come, and I can’t wait to see what the Class of 2025 does!”
“Students at Clever High School and across Missouri have had a tremendous year setting up their plans for after graduation to achieve career success, with support from rootEd Alliance,” said Dr. Abby Benz, Executive Vice Chancellor, Institutional & Student Success at Ozarks Technical Community College. “With thanks to the continued support of the state, we are able to invest in the futures of these remarkable students, which will ultimately benefit our workforce and communities here in Missouri.”
Lisa MacDougall, President of rootEd Alliance, also attended, sharing her personal story of growing up in a small town and celebrating both Waisner’s and Clever High School seniors’ successes: “rootEd advisors work alongside teachers, counselors, and administrators to help seniors shape their futures and plan to achieve their goals. We extend our sincere thanks to Rebecca Waisner for preparing Clever High School seniors. To the Class of 2025, we celebrate not only your graduation but also the decisions you’ve made for what’s next. Congratulations to all of you and the supportive communities behind you!”
About rootEd Alliance
Every student should graduate high school on a path to a well-paying job and economic stability. rootEd Alliance places dedicated college and career advisors in rural high schools to work one-on-one with all seniors to define and create a plan for their futures, whether through a college degree, work-based learning, or military service. Launched in 2018 and now operating in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Alaska, and Idaho, rootEd advisors served over 20,000 students in more than 200 schools during the 2024–25 school year. This approach is working: because of rootEd, 29% more students are pursuing postsecondary education and career training. Learn more at https://www.rootedalliance.org.