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Convocation 2025

The Independence School District ushered in the new school year by welcoming back district employees at the 2025 Convocation ceremony. More than 2,500 educators, administrators, and support staff came together to kick off the start of the school year. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the people that make this district so special.

Full Convocation 2025 Recording

Convocation 2025 Program

The image appears to be a program or agenda for an event called %22Our Journey%22 with various sections and speakers listed, set against a background of a detailed map.
The image displays a list of %22Teachers of the Year%22 and %22Classified Employees of the Year%22 from an educational institution or district.
A woman with long brown hair and glasses is standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with a wooden stage and audience seating visible in the background.
2025-2026 Teacher of the Year, Nacole Benscoter
A middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses is standing behind a wooden podium, delivering a speech in front of an American flag.

2025-2026 Classified Employee of the Year, Danny Davidson

The image shows two men standing on a stage, one in a suit and the other in a yellow shirt, with two women in the background.
An elderly man with gray hair and a yellow shirt is speaking into a microphone on a stage, with a woman in the background.

Starfish Award Winner:

Tony Caudillo

Tony is in his 17th year with the Independence School District. He began his ISD career at Korte Elementary, where he worked for 12 years, before spending two years at Independence Academy and the past three years supporting Mallinson and Sugar Creek. Over the years, Tony has assisted staff in every school building across the district and worked with nearly every department, giving him a broad perspective and strong connections throughout the ISD.

Photos by David Rainey

The image shows three individuals wearing matching yellow and black shirts, with one of them holding a smartphone and smiling at the camera.
A group of marching band members in blue uniforms and feathered hats are performing in a large, modern indoor space with a reflective floor and walls.
A group of uniformed musicians, some holding drums and others holding wind instruments, stand in a large, bright room with wooden columns and a tiled floor.
A group of marching band members in uniform perform on stage in front of a large screen displaying the text %22Combined Convocation Ceremony%22.
A group of people dressed in blue uniforms standing in a formal arrangement in a grand, ornate lobby with a large spherical light fixture overhead.
A marching band with drummers and flag bearers is performing in a crowded auditorium with spectators seated in the background.
A group of performers, dressed in colorful costumes, stand on a stage in front of an audience seated in a theater-like setting.
A large auditorium filled with people, with a stage in the foreground adorned with various decorations and banners.
The image shows a large indoor venue filled with rows of people seated in chairs, with a person wearing a blue %22Human%22 t-shirt walking down the aisle in the foreground.
A group of uniformed marching band members performing on a stage, with an audience seated in the background.
A group of musicians in blue uniforms and feathered headpieces perform on stage in front of a crowd of people seated in the audience.
A group of performers in colorful uniforms and headpieces stand on a stage in front of an audience, with a backdrop of orange and blue decorations.
A group of people in colorful uniforms and headpieces are performing on a stage in front of an audience in a decorated indoor setting.
The image shows a woman standing at a podium on a stage, with an American flag in the background. There are several other people seated in the audience.
The image shows a group of people, including a woman standing at a podium and several others seated in the audience, in what appears to be a conference or event setting with an American flag and other stage elements in the background.
The image shows a group of people, including several women, seated on a stage in front of an audience. The stage is adorned with an American flag, and the background appears to be a formal setting, possibly a government or political event.
A large indoor auditorium filled with a crowd of people, with a stage and podium in the foreground.
A large auditorium filled with a crowd, with a stage in the foreground featuring a presentation or performance, surrounded by colorful lighting and projection screens.
The image shows a large crowd of people, with two women in the foreground raising their hands and appearing to be celebrating or applauding something on stage.
A woman in a blue outfit stands at a podium on a stage, with several people seated in the background.
A woman with curly blonde hair stands at a wooden podium, addressing an audience seated in the background.
A woman in a blue blazer stands at a podium with an American flag in the background, addressing an audience in what appears to be an auditorium or conference hall.
A woman with curly blonde hair stands at a podium in front of an American flag, gesturing as she speaks into a microphone.
The image shows two men standing on a stage, one in a suit and the other in a yellow shirt, with two women in the background.
The image shows two men shaking hands on a stage, with two women sitting in the background.
The image shows two men on a stage, one in a suit and the other in casual attire, with two women in the background.
Two men in formal attire are shaking hands on a stage, with colorful mannequins visible in the background.
An elderly man with gray hair and a yellow shirt is speaking into a microphone on a stage with a dark background.
The image shows an older man with gray hair and a friendly expression, standing on a stage and holding a microphone, with a dark background behind him.
The image shows two men, one in a suit and the other in a casual yellow shirt, shaking hands in what appears to be a formal setting, with a flag and other people in the background.
The image shows two men standing on a stage, one of whom is speaking into a microphone while the other listens. The background appears to be a room with chairs and other people present, suggesting this is some kind of event or presentation.
An elderly man with gray hair and a yellow shirt is speaking into a microphone on a stage, with a woman in the background.
The image shows a group of men in suits standing and speaking in front of an audience in a room with a blue-tinted wall and artwork on display.
A man in a suit stands at a podium in a church-like auditorium, addressing an audience seated in the rows of chairs.
The image shows three men in suits standing on a stage, with one of them holding a microphone and speaking to an audience seated in front of them.
The image shows three men standing on a stage, with one man holding a microphone and speaking to the audience seated in front of them. The background appears to be a church or similar indoor setting, with decorative elements visible.
A group of people, some wearing purple shirts, are gathered in a room with a large circular window in the background, engaged in what appears to be a lively discussion or interaction.
The image shows three men in suits standing on a stage, with one of them speaking into a microphone while the other two stand beside him.
The image shows a smiling man in a black shirt shaking hands with another man in a suit, with a large ornate window visible in the background.
The image shows a man in a suit speaking to a woman wearing a Van Horne Falcons t-shirt, with a stadium-like setting in the background.
The image shows a man with a beard wearing a black t-shirt with a graphic design, standing in front of a group of people in what appears to be a conference or event setting, with a wooden backdrop behind them.
The image shows a man in a suit shaking hands with a woman wearing a t-shirt with a graphic design. They appear to be in a formal setting, possibly a courtroom or government building, with wooden benches visible in the background.
A woman in a white shirt is speaking at a podium in front of an audience, with an American flag and other decorations visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people standing in what appears to be a church or similar indoor setting, with a flag and other decorations visible in the background.
The image shows a man in a suit speaking with a smiling woman wearing a blue t-shirt in what appears to be a church or community setting, with other people visible in the background.
The image shows three people wearing black t-shirts with graphic designs standing in front of a brick wall.
The image shows a group of people, including a woman in a blue shirt and two men, engaged in what appears to be a conversation or discussion in a setting with a wooden background.
A large crowd of people, mostly young adults, sitting in a theater or auditorium setting, with some wearing bright yellow shirts and others in casual attire, all appearing engaged and attentive.
The image shows a man in a suit speaking with a smiling woman wearing a gray t-shirt in what appears to be an auditorium or theater setting, with other people visible in the background.
A middle-aged man in a suit and tie is standing on a stage, holding a microphone and addressing an audience seated in the auditorium behind him.
The image shows a man and a woman engaged in conversation, with several other people visible in the background, suggesting a formal or public setting.
A group of people, likely students or performers, standing on a stage in a large auditorium with rows of seats in the background.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone, with several people seated in the audience behind him.
A man in a suit is speaking into a microphone on a stage, with a woman sitting in the background.
A large group of people, some wearing shirts with %22Nutrition Services%22 printed on them, gathered together in what appears to be a warehouse or event space.
A large group of people, likely a choir or performance group, standing on a stage in a theater or auditorium setting, with rows of seats visible in the background.
A group of people, some holding signs, standing on a stage in front of an audience.
A large group of people, likely participants in some event or performance, standing on a stage in front of an audience in a dimly lit auditorium.
A young woman with curly hair wearing a %22Trump%22 t-shirt stands on a stage in front of a crowd of people seated in an auditorium.
A group of people, some wearing t-shirts with logos, are gathered in what appears to be a warehouse or event space, with a brick wall in the background.
A large group of people, wearing various colored shirts, are standing on a stage in a theater-like setting with rows of seats in the background.
A man in a suit stands at a podium in front of an American flag, with two women in the background.
The image shows a man speaking at a podium in front of an audience, with a woman standing next to him and another woman clapping in the background. The podium is adorned with an American flag, and the setting appears to be a formal event or conference.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium on a stage, with several women seated behind him in colorful dresses.
A group of people, including a man at a podium and several women standing behind him, are gathered on a stage in what appears to be an auditorium or event venue.
A middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses is standing behind a wooden podium, delivering a speech in front of an American flag.
An older man in a suit stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with an American flag visible in the background.
The image shows a large auditorium or event space with rows of seats filled with people, and a person wearing a red t-shirt walking in the foreground.
A large auditorium filled with people, with a stage in the foreground displaying various colorful costumes and banners.
An elderly man in a suit and tie stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with an American flag visible in the background.
A large auditorium filled with a crowd of people, with a woman in the foreground walking through the audience and a large screen displaying a presentation in the background.
A large group of people, mostly young adults, are gathered on a stage in a theater-like setting, with rows of seats visible in the background.
A large group of people, likely performers or participants, standing on a stage in front of a seated audience in a theater-like setting.
A group of people, some wearing matching shirts, standing on a stage in front of a large audience in a theater-like setting.
A group of people, likely participants in some kind of event or performance, stand on a stage in front of a large audience seated in a theater-like setting.
A group of people, likely students, standing on a stage in an auditorium or theater, holding signs or banners with various messages.
The image shows a stage with several people standing on it, including a woman in a floral dress and a man in a black outfit, who appear to be engaged in some kind of interaction or presentation. In the background, there are rows of seats, suggesting this is a performance or event venue.
The image shows a group of people on a stage, with a woman in a floral dress embracing another person in the foreground, while several other individuals are seated in the background.
A group of people, some holding signs, standing on a stage in what appears to be an auditorium or theater setting.
A group of people, likely participants in some kind of event or competition, are standing on a stage in front of a large audience in a theater-like setting.
A group of people, mostly young women, are standing on a stage holding signs with various messages, in what appears to be an auditorium or performance venue.
The image shows a stage with several people standing on it, some in formal attire and others in casual clothing. The stage is surrounded by rows of seats, indicating it is likely a performance or event venue.
A group of young people, some holding signs, stand on a stage in a dimly lit auditorium or theater.
The image shows a group of women standing on a stage, with an American flag and a wooden podium in the background. The women are dressed in various colorful outfits, including blue, orange, and white dresses.
The image shows a stage with several people seated in chairs, and a woman standing at a podium addressing the audience.
A large auditorium with rows of seats filled with people, a stage with speakers, and a large projection screen displaying an image in the background.
The image shows a woman standing at a podium in an auditorium, with several other people seated in the background.
A woman is standing at a podium on a stage, delivering a speech, with an American flag and other decorations visible in the background.
A group of people, including a woman standing at a podium, are seated on a stage in what appears to be an auditorium or theater setting.
A woman in a floral dress stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with rows of seats visible in the background.
A woman in a colorful floral dress stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, while another person sits in a chair behind her in an auditorium setting.
A woman with long brown hair and glasses is standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with a wooden stage and audience seating visible in the background.
A group of people, some wearing casual clothing and others in formal attire, are gathered on a stage with a blue screen in the background.
The image shows two women in colorful dresses standing on a stage, shaking hands with a third woman in a white dress, with a large audience visible in the background.
Three women in casual attire standing on a stage, with a dark background and some lighting fixtures visible.
The image shows several people on a stage, with a woman in a blue suit shaking hands with another woman in a dark dress. In the background, there are other people standing and observing the interaction.
The image shows several people on a stage, with one person in a blue outfit standing in the foreground and others in various poses behind them. The background appears to be a dark stage with lighting focused on the performers.
The image shows two women in formal attire, one in a blue dress and the other in a floral print dress, standing on a stage with a screen visible in the background.
The image shows three women on a stage, with one woman in a red dress shaking hands with another woman in a pink dress, while a third woman with red hair stands nearby. The background appears to be a large audience seated in a theater or auditorium.
The image shows three people on a stage, with a large audience in the background. The two women in the foreground appear to be shaking hands, while the older woman in the center is standing between them.
The image shows a stage with three people standing on it, two women and one man, all dressed in colorful outfits. In the background, there is a large audience seated in rows, suggesting this is some kind of public event or performance.
A man in a plaid suit and glasses stands at a podium, delivering a speech in front of an American flag.
A man with a beard and glasses stands at a podium, delivering a speech in what appears to be an auditorium or conference hall, with an American flag visible in the background.
A woman stands at a podium on a stage, addressing an audience seated in the auditorium behind her, with several other women seated on the stage.
A woman in a navy blue dress stands at a wooden podium, speaking into a microphone, with an American flag visible in the background.
A woman in a navy blue dress stands behind a wooden podium, speaking into a microphone, with an American flag visible in the background.
A woman with blonde hair stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with an American flag visible in the background.
A large crowd of people, some seated and some standing, applauding and cheering in what appears to be a conference or event setting.
A large crowd of people sitting in an auditorium, with a group of individuals standing on a stage in the foreground.
A man in a brown suit stands at a podium on a stage, with a large screen displaying a person in the background, and several people seated in the audience.
A woman in a navy blue outfit is standing at a podium on a stage, with an American flag and other decorations visible in the background. Two other individuals, one in a blue outfit and one in a neutral-colored outfit, are seated in chairs behind the podium.
A woman with blonde hair stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with an American flag visible in the background.
The image shows a group of police officers standing in front of a large crowd of people, with some individuals in the crowd appearing to be cheering or applauding.
A police officer stands in the foreground, surrounded by a crowd of people applauding and cheering in the background.
A man in a beige suit stands in the foreground, surrounded by a large crowd of people in a dimly lit auditorium or event space.
A woman in a vibrant orange dress stands with her arms raised, surrounded by two other women applauding in a dimly lit setting.
A man in a suit stands in front of a large audience seated in an auditorium, with the crowd appearing engaged and attentive.
The image shows a man and a woman sitting in chairs, with an American flag and wooden paneling in the background.
A woman with curly blonde hair stands at a podium, wearing a bright blue blazer and speaking into a microphone. The background appears to be a wooden stage or platform.
A woman with curly blonde hair stands at a podium, wearing a bright blue suit and addressing an audience in what appears to be an auditorium or lecture hall setting.
A woman with curly hair stands at a podium, wearing a blue suit and speaking into a microphone, with a dark auditorium visible in the background.
A young woman with long, curly hair is performing on a stage, her arms raised in an expressive dance move, with a crowd of people visible in the background.
A woman in a blue outfit stands at a podium on a stage, with an American flag and a large screen behind her, while two people sit in chairs in the foreground.
A woman with curly brown hair stands in a dark setting, holding a microphone and smiling at the camera.
A woman in a gray top and black skirt is performing on a stage, with a crowd of people visible in the background.
A young woman with curly hair stands on a stage, surrounded by an audience, holding a microphone.
A young woman with curly hair is smiling and holding a microphone, standing in front of a dark background.
The image shows a woman standing on a stage in front of an American flag, addressing a group of people seated in chairs in the foreground.
A large crowd of people filling a dimly lit auditorium, with their phones illuminated and raised, creating a sea of lights against the dark backdrop.
A woman stands at a podium on a stage, addressing an audience seated in front of her, with a large screen displaying images in the background.
A woman with curly blonde hair stands at a podium, delivering a speech, while another woman in a blue suit sits in the background.
A large crowd of people, their faces illuminated by the glow of their phones, fills the dimly lit venue, creating an energetic and immersive atmosphere.
A woman with curly hair is singing into a microphone on a stage, with a dark background behind her.
A woman with curly hair is standing on a stage, holding a microphone and performing in front of an audience seated in chairs.
A woman with curly hair is standing on a stage, holding a microphone, while another woman is seated in the background.
A young woman with curly hair is standing on a stage, holding a microphone and speaking, while another woman is seated in the background.
A woman is standing on a stage in front of a large projection screen displaying a historical image, with an audience visible in the background.
A group of uniformed individuals holding American and state flags stands in the foreground, with a large American flag displayed on a screen in the background and an audience seated in the auditorium.
A group of military personnel, including both men and women, stand in formation holding American and state flags in a formal setting with a stage and audience seating visible in the background.
A woman with curly hair stands on a stage, holding a microphone and speaking to an audience in the background.
A large crowd of people gathered in an auditorium, with a stage in the foreground featuring a podium, American and other flags, and several individuals standing in military-style uniforms.
A uniformed individual stands at a podium holding an American flag, addressing a large audience in a dimly lit auditorium.
The image shows a group of military personnel holding American and Missouri state flags on a stage, with a large American flag displayed on a screen behind them.
A large crowd of people, some standing and some seated, in a room with American and other flags displayed, suggesting a political or civic event.
A large crowd of people, some in formal attire, gathered in an auditorium or event space, with a stage and lighting visible in the background.
A large crowd of people gathered in a grand, domed auditorium, with a stage and podium visible in the foreground.
A large crowd of people filling a grand, circular auditorium with rows of seats and a stage in the background.
A group of four people, two women and two men, are standing together in a park-like setting, wearing matching red t-shirts with a graphic design.
A large auditorium filled with a crowd of people, with rows of seats in the foreground and a stage with speakers in the background.
The image shows four people standing together in what appears to be an office or workplace setting, with a granite-patterned wall in the background.
Three women in red shirts are standing together in a lush, green outdoor setting.
Three people wearing matching %22Vintage Geek%22 t-shirts are standing together in what appears to be a hallway or lobby area, with a wooden door and wall visible in the background.
The image shows a group of four women wearing matching red t-shirts with a graphic design, standing together in what appears to be a lobby or entrance area with wooden walls and a sign on the wall.
Three women are standing together in what appears to be a lobby or hallway, with a wooden paneled wall in the background.
A group of four people wearing matching %22Truman%22 t-shirts standing in a hallway with an %22Elevator%22 sign visible in the background.
Four women wearing matching yellow and black uniforms are standing together in what appears to be a building lobby or entrance area. The background suggests a professional or institutional setting.
A group of four people, three men and one woman, are standing together and smiling in what appears to be a hallway or lobby area with a sign indicating %22North Shore Radio%22 in the background.
Three people, two women and one man, standing in front of a brick wall with greenery in the background.
A group of smiling people wearing matching red shirts stand together in what appears to be a hallway or lobby.
Three young women wearing black t-shirts with graphic designs are standing together on a street lined with trees and parked cars.
A group of people, some wearing black shirts with graphic designs, are walking along a path surrounded by lush greenery and brick walls.
Three young women wearing %22Bear Cubs%22 t-shirts are standing together in a park setting with lush greenery in the background.
Three young women in casual attire are standing together and smiling in an outdoor setting with trees and a street sign visible in the background.
Three men with beards and casual attire stand in front of an elevator, with a sign indicating the elevator's location.
Two young women, one with long dark hair and the other with short gray hair, are laughing and walking together in front of a building with large windows.
A group of five women wearing matching gray t-shirts stand together in a park setting with trees and greenery in the background.
A group of five smiling women in casual attire standing together in an outdoor setting with trees and a sign in the background.
A group of five young women wearing matching black t-shirts with a graphic design stand together in an outdoor setting with trees and buildings in the background.
Four people wearing matching black t-shirts with colorful text stand together in a park setting with trees and a lamp post visible in the background.
A group of people wearing matching gray t-shirts with a red logo are standing together in an outdoor setting with trees and other people in the background.
A group of people, wearing matching gray shirts, standing together outdoors in a park-like setting with trees and greenery in the background.
A man wearing a colorful, patterned jacket and yellow shoes stands in the foreground, surrounded by a group of people in the background in an outdoor setting with trees and greenery.
Four women standing together in a grassy outdoor setting, surrounded by trees and parked vehicles in the background.
Four women wearing matching t-shirts stand together in a grassy area, with a street sign for %22Community Cir%22 visible in the background.
A group of people wearing matching t-shirts stand together in a park setting, surrounded by lush greenery and a paved walkway.
A group of six women wearing matching yellow shirts stand together in front of a building, with a car visible in the background.