(This story is a class assignment and does not represent actual events. The subject is not dead, as of the time of posting.)

By Jared Jackson

SPRINGFIELD, MO– (03/09/2025) A student reporter for Evangel University, Grant VanNoy Binkley, 39, has passed away due to health complications following an altercation with a Kansas Wesleyan football player on March 9, 2025. Grant was born to parents Bill and Debra James-Binkley of Houston, Missouri on April 14th, 1986 in Springfield, Missouri. Grant lived in Springfield and attended Evangel as a student in the communications department pursuing a journalism degree. 

Grant was known for his outgoing personality and never being afraid to ask questions. He never backed down from asking brilliant questions that others were too afraid to ask. He was committed to excellence when it came to his schoolwork and always put maximum effort into his projects. “Nobody wanted to succeed more than Grant, and it was obvious,” said classmate Carson Twigg. “There were so many times where I did not want to ask a question, but Grant stepped up and asked it. I got to learn more because of him.”

If you knew Grant at all, it was pretty obvious that he loved to talk about sports. I, Jared Jackson, have experienced this firsthand. Almost every day Grant will greet me as I walk into class and then ask me what happened in Evangel’s most recent games. This was a genuine curiosity, not just small talk. Grant would often talk about funny moments on the field or any of his many funny sports stories that he had to offer with other players that he met at Evangel. Grant’s love for sports pushed him to go to college to earn his degree so that he could one day become the sideline reporter for the Kansas City Chiefs, his favorite team. “It was evident that he was very engaged and involved in the sports community,” said baseball player Taylor Wood who was recently interviewed by Grant. “For the short time I knew him, there was no doubt that he knew what he wanted to do.”

Grant leaves behind a lasting legacy of curiosity, enthusiasm, and passion for what he cherished in life. He will be dearly missed by those closest to him. He is survived by his parents Bill and Debra James-Binkley, sister Alexis Marie Pharris of Seymour, Missouri, and nephews Christopher Noah, Colten Joseph, and Michael James Pharris. Grant also leaves behind his loving wife, fitness model and professional MMA fighter Tekka Tyson-Binkley.

A celebration of life will be held at Evangel University’s Spence Chapel, followed by the burial at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you donate to the newly established Grant Binkley Scholarship fund, an organization that grants scholarships to those seeking a degree in sports journalism.

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(This story is a class assignment and does not represent actual events. The subject is not dead, as of the time of posting.)

By: Grant VanNoy Binkley

(Springfield, Missouri)– Jared Evan Jackson. (2004-2025) Born October 7th, 2004, in Springfield, Missouri to Craig and Kerrie
Jackson of Republic, Missouri. Brother of Jenna Jackson of Republic, MO. Survived alongside cousins Haley Smith, Logan Falk, Addison
Keck, Sierra and Cole Arndorfer, and Kolton Adkins. Survived alongside girlfriend Claudia Cannefax.
Evangel University is saddened by the sudden passing of star sophomore pitcher Jared Evan Jackson (21) of Republic Missouri. Jared
was killed in a hit and run accident heading home. Jared was a loving son, brother, cousin, teammate, friend and boyfriend. Jared was born on
October 7th, 2004, to Kerrie and Craig Jackson of Republic, Missouri. He went to school at New Covenant Academy and was a star pitcher on
the Evangel Valor baseball team.
Jared was a beloved teammate and good friend. He loved God, family, and baseball. His dream was to play for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jared was a state champion and accumulated a 2.45 career E.R.A with 200 strikeouts. During his time at Evangel, he was 12-2 with a 2.35
ERA. He was well respected by his coaches and teammates. He was also on the Evangel Lance school newspaper as sports editor.
Jared is survived by six cousins Haley Smith, Logan Faulk, Addison Keck, Sierra and Cole Arndorfer, and Kolton Adkins, as well as his
girlfriend Claudia Cannefax. Jared’s memorial will be held at Greenlawn North Funeral Home on March 14th, 2025, at 12:15 PM CDT with a
dinner to follow, the family is asking for donations to Evangel University in lieu of flowers. Evangel baseball will hold a public memorial at the
University baseball field on Saturday March 15th at 10:00 AM CDT. The team will wear a special patch on their jerseys for the remainder of the
season and a memorial plaque out on the center field fence. Proceeds from concessions will go to help cover the funeral costs

(This story is a class assignment and does not represent actual events. The subject is not dead, as of the time of posting.)

By Kylie Burks

SPRINGFIELD MO—A killer headline doesn’t always refer to the quality of the writing; sometimes they really do kill.

This was the case for Madison Mabry who died yesterday due to a heart attack. Authorities speculate her death was induced by the most recent edition of Evangel University’s newspaper “The Lance” that was in her hand, in which every name printed was spelled backwards and upside down.

“She knows how to work hard and prioritize the things that really matter to her,” Mabry’s college roommate Christa Takitani said. “She puts her heart and soul into everything that she’s a part of.”

Mabry was the managing editor of “The Lance” as well as the media communications coordinator and manager, writing and releasing a biweekly newsletter to the Evangel community. Though her commitment was commendable, Mabry may have taken the phrase “put your whole heart into everything you do” a little too literally.

“She gets a lot of pressure on wanting to do good and not let people down, so she is probably motivated by not wanting to disappoint or show fault in things because she puts so much pressure on herself to do well,” Mabry’s mother Jessica Mabry said.

Though the pressure of her journalistic work led to her untimely death, Mabry loved what she did. She used her position in the university to connect and communicate with others.

“Our role is to share the stories of people at Evangel and keep them informed about what’s happening,” she said prior to her death. “Getting to play a role in that is super great for me and gives me an importance and shows me the purpose of why I’m here right now.”

Discovering purpose, specifically God’s purpose, for her life is something that Mabry prioritized. She was often able to look back on her own life and see the times when God took difficult situations and turned them into something good. She then used that testimony to help direct other people.

“I’ve had many moments where I [had] doubts about what I’m doing, and I had times where I’m just not all put together and she just listened. At times she’d remind me, she’d go, ‘hey, it’s okay. You’ve got it, and God’s got it.’ That helped me refocus,” Tatikani said.

Jessica Mabry also saw this in how her daughter lived her life and in the attentiveness she had for the people around her.

“She was a positive influencer. She was one of the best listeners and she always had a way of seeing the good even when there’s bad and helping make a new perspective for people to see when sometimes they weren’t able to see that,” she said.

Though Mabry is no longer with us, her legacy lives on as she continues to impact her loved ones, reminding them of their God-given purpose and to pour passion into everything they do.