It has been a busy week across Chariton County schools, with students excelling in athletics, music, and academics while communities prepare for Homecoming festivities.
Thunder Football and Athletics
The Thunder football team hit the road for their first away game of the season at Orrick. At halftime the score stood at Orrick 16, Thunder 8, and fans who couldn’t make the trip followed along through a Hudl livestream. Earlier in the week the junior high Thunder squad celebrated a commanding 44–14 victory over Norborne/Hardin-Central, showing strength on both sides of the ball. On the softball diamond the Junior High Lady Thunder battled hard at the Salisbury Invitational Tournament and brought home a first-place finish, adding to the Thunder’s growing list of accomplishments.
Northwestern R-I
Northwestern students have been active both in and out of the classroom. The Eagle Marching Band traveled to Columbia for Mizzou Band Days, rehearsing challenging music and performing during a college halftime show. The district also announced a $1,000 grant from Chariton County Economic Development to support a playground sunshade project. Cross-country athletes competed in hot conditions at Marshall and posted strong finishes and personal bests. Spirit wear sales run through September 30, with proceeds supporting athletics, music, and quiz bowl, and FAFSA Night will bring representatives from North Central Missouri College to help families prepare for financial aid.
Salisbury R-IV
At Salisbury, athletics and school activities kept students and families busy. The junior varsity Panthers football team shut out Moberly 38–0 in a shortened contest, while junior high and high school softball teams played matchups against Harrisburg, Glasgow, Boonville, and New Franklin. Salisbury Elementary’s playground is temporarily closed for resurfacing and is expected to reopen in two weeks. In the classroom, Ms. Corbin’s science students harvested produce from the school garden, and Mrs. Erickson’s third graders practiced writing using the “Hand Paragraph” method. Homecoming is scheduled for October 10, and shirt orders are now open for families wanting to show Panther pride.
Brunswick R-II
Brunswick celebrated several milestones this week, including the arrival of a 2025 Freightliner school bus equipped with stop sign and backup cameras to boost student safety. The Wildcat Marching Band represented the district at the Brookfield Homecoming Parade, and junior high Lady Thunder softball players earned another tournament championship at Salisbury. Brunswick shooters placed well at the Centralia Trap Meet, and sixth graders explored circuits and electricity during STEM Lab Fridays, building working pianos with Makey Makey kits.
Keytesville R-III
Keytesville students also enjoyed a busy week. The seventh- and eighth-grade band marched in the Sterling Price Day Parade, preschoolers took part in a pirate-themed library story hour, and sixth graders built an outdoor scale model of the solar system to learn about planetary distances. On the field, junior high softball and football teams recorded wins that contributed to a strong fall season. The district released its 2025–2026 junior high basketball schedule, with practices set to begin September 22 after the MSHSAA required dead week.
Thunder Homecoming 2025
All three Thunder schools — Northwestern, Brunswick, and Keytesville — are preparing for a joint Homecoming on October 3. This year’s theme is “Storm Warning,” and students will participate in dress-up days leading up to the game. A pep rally is planned for the week prior, the big matchup against Braymer is set for Friday at 7 p.m., and coronation will follow immediately after the game. The Homecoming Dance in the Keytesville gym will run until 11:30 p.m. and is open to seventh through twelfth grade students from the Thunder schools; out-of-town guest forms must be submitted in advance for anyone attending from outside the districts.
From big wins on the field to hands-on lessons in the classroom, students across the county are proving that fall is a season of growth, achievement, and school spirit.
