2022 Pearce Award Nominees
The 36th annual prestigious Robert L. Pearce Award was announced on the evening of March 23, 2022 at the MASA Awards banquet. This annual award was instituted in 1987 by David and Richard to honor their father, Robert L. Pearce.
The selection of the Pearce Award recipient is made by the MASA Awards Committee from nominations submitted by each MASA Region. The Pearce Award includes a $500 scholarship donation to a student in the winning recipient’s school district.
The 2022 Pearce Award Winner:
Toni Hill, Bloomfield R-14 School District
Southeast Region
Since 2012, Mrs. Toni Hill has led the Bloomfield R-14 School District as Superintendent. Previously, she served the Portageville School District as Superintendent from 2006-2012. She advanced to the role of superintendent from middle school and high school principal positions with Bloomfield. Toni currently serves on the MASA Executive Board in the office of Secretary.
The 2022 Pearce Award nominees:
Kelvin Adams, St Louis Public School District
Greater St Louis Region
Dr. Kelvin Adams has served as the Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools since 2008. Kelvin advanced to this position from Executive Director of Human Resources for St Louis Public and Chief of Staff for the Recovery School District. Before his service to Missouri education, he held the positions of High School Principal and Area Superintendent for New Orleans Public Schools. Kelvin currently serves as a board member for the Boy Scouts of America - Greater St Louis Council and is a board member of Operation Food Search.
Mark Bedell, Kansas City School District
Greater Kansas City Region
Dr. Mark Bedell is the superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools. Previously, he served as Assistant Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools as well as the Assistant Principal, High School Principal, and School Improvement Officer for Houston Independent School District. Mark currently serves as the Greater Kansas City Executive Board member for MASA and is a representative board member for the National Association of School Resource Officers.
Kim Gaines, North Shelby School District
Northeast Region
Ms. Kim Gaines is currently the Superintendent at North Shelby School District, where she has served the school and community since 2014. She previously held the roles of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Moberly and the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at the Fort Osage District. Kim previously served on the MASA Central Office Administrators planning committee.
Roger Schmitz, Lawson R-14 School District
Northwest Region
Mr. Roger Schmitz has served the Lawson R-14 School District as Superintendent since 2011. He advanced to this position from the same district where he held the positions of Assistant Superintendent and Assistant High School Principal. Roger currently serves on the MASA Executive Committee as the Northwest Region Representative.
Marc Snow, Grain Valley R-5 School District
Greater Kansas City Region
Dr. Marc Snow has served as the Grain Valley R-5 School District superintendent for five years. Previously, he held the position of assistant superintendent, principal, and technology coordinator. Marc was the Principal and Assistant Principal at Smithville R-2 from 1997-2001. Marc is currently serving as the President of West Central MASA and previously served the WC MASA region vice president and secretary.
Dustin Storm, Miller R-2 School District
Southwest Region
Since 2015, Dr. Dustin Storm has led the Miller R-2 School District. He previously served as Superintendent of the South Callaway District and an elementary principal at both Webb City and Carthage. Dustin is the current Southwest Conference President and a Board member for the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence.
Jenny Ulrich, Lonedell R-14 School District
South Central Region
Ms. Jenny Ulrich is completing her ninth year as Superintendent of the Lonedell R-14 School District. Jenny served as principal in the Lonedell district from 2009-2013 and previously served as assistant principal and after-school director at Sullivan. Jenny currently serves on the Commissioner's Advisory Council and the Small Schools Legislative Committee. She is the 2021-22 MASA Executive Committee Treasurer and a former president of South Central MASA.