Annual Honors Banquet set for March 4

The Webb City R-7 Schools Foundation announces its 21st Annual Honors Banquet will be held Tuesday, March 4, at Webb City High School.

Doors to the Cardinal Dome commons will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased on or before Feb. 28 at the Central Office or online.

Distinguished Citizens Stephen and Pam Gollhofer

The foundation will be honoring Stephen and Pam Gollhofer as the 2025 Distinguished Citizens.

Stephen and Pam both graduated from Missouri Southern State University with bachelor’s degrees and received master’s degrees from Pittsburg State University. Stephen also received a specialist’s degree from Missouri State University.

Stephen began his career at Webb City in 1977 as a student teacher. He was hired the following year as a junior high social studies teacher. In 1990, he was hired as an assistant high school principal. He became the high school principal in 1995 and continued in that position until he retired in 2010. During his tenure, he was also a basketball and football coach for the junior high and an assistant football coach, defensive coordinator and athletic director for the high school.

Pam was a special education teacher at Sarcoxie, Joplin and Webb City. Her last 10 years were in Webb City, serving five different buildings. Upon retirement, Pam volunteered at Crosslines and Spring River Christian Village. She is currently involved with Friends of the Webb City Public Library and various activities at Central United Methodist Church.

Stephen and Pam are the parents of two sons: Seth (wife, Amy) and Drew (wife, Karla). They have six grandchildren. Both of their sons attended Webb City schools and were involved in numerous activities.

Hall of Fame, Pillars of Education and Cardinal Teachers

In addition to the distinguished citizens, the foundation celebrating:

Four Webb City R-7 Hall of Fame inductees

• Andy Casella
• William “Bill” Myers
• Dorothy Roe Lewis
• Andrew Watrous

Five Pillars of Education

• Arlene Hardcastle
• Eric Johnson
• George Mayes
• Debbie Noland
• Jamie Roth

Five Cardinal Teachers

• Christina Dickinson
• Tiffany Blair
• Brandy Weston
• Merry Welch
• LaHeather Fisher

• 2025 Foundation Staff Grant recipients.

The Webb City R-7 Schools Foundation was authorized and established in 2004 by the Board of Education as the philanthropic arm of the Webb City R-7 School District, with the sole purpose of supporting the overall education of the district’s students.

Tax-deductible gifts may be made in support of the foundation’s mission. For more information, call (417) 673-6000 or visit the foundation website.