Donna White named a Grand Marshal for MGHS Alumni Parade

Donna (Archer) White has been chosen as one of the Grand Marshals for the 2025 Mountain Grove Alumni Parade scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. Donna (Archer) White graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1965. She attended public school in Mountain Grove from the beginning of elementary school to the end of high school. She was involved in several activities including Drum Corps, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and she went to Girls’ State in Columbia. She received awards for Outstanding Typist, Outstanding Shorthand, SWBC Scholarship, SMS Alumni Scholarship and graduated with honors.
Donna began her teaching career at MGHS in the fall of 1971 before graduating from Missouri State University (formerly SMS) with a Bachelor in Business Education in 1972. She was also certified to teach vocational classes including typing, shorthand, computer applications, secretarial practice, accounting, clerical practice, and secretarial technology. Donna received her Master’s in Business Education in 1980 with a 4.0 grade point average. She was also inducted into the Who’s Who in Business Education while working on her Master’s Degree.
Donna actively supported the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club by serving as its sponsor and accompanied students who qualified for the district, state, and national FBLA competitions. Many former students will remember carrying around their Tom-Wat box full of items to sell. This was the fundraiser to pay for the FBLA spring trip and to allow students the opportunity to compete at district and state competitions.
Donna was given the opportunity to retrain adults after the closing of the Brown Shoe Company in Mountain Grove and later the Cabool Shoe Factory. Some of the adult students attended day classes along with the high school students. Others attended classes after school hours for six hours per night. All were trained for business related careers.
Donna retired in 2001 after 30 years of teaching; however, she continued to substitute for many years within the school district. After her retirement, she has continued to stay busy taking care of her health, reading, latch hook and collecting Panther memorabilia in her “Panther Den” room. “Once a Panther, always a Panther!” Donna is the proud parent of three children, Stephani Robertson (Wayne), Staci Kent (Shannon) and Amanda Suydam (Artie). She is also grandmother to five grandchildren, Weston Robertson, Brody Kent, Ryan Kent, Triston Suydam and Connor Suydam.