Sept. 11, 2024
12 Seniors Named 2025 National Merit Semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The Olathe School District has 12 seniors named National Merit Semifinalists.
- Olathe East High School: Wesley Janssen
- Olathe Northwest High School: Micah Augustine, Connor Chaffin, Ava Evans, Eston Garcia, Eugenie Kim, Alexander Pannier, Braden Pickard, Elijah Tamano
- Olathe South High School: Cody Schwindt
- Olathe West High School: Aidric Smith, Ethan Wolf
From the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level and in February they will be notified of this designation. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.
In addition, about 160 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,800 college-sponsored merit scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.
(Photo of the Olathe Northwest High School National Merit semifinalists)
Olathe East Named KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence
Olathe East High School was named the Performing Arts School of Excellence by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.
“We are so proud of our outstanding fine arts programs here at Olathe East,” Principal Kerry Lane said. “Our teachers put so much time and effort into building our students skills and putting on successful programs. Congratulations to our staff, students and their families for this prestigious honor!”
Olathe East was selected out of 35 schools, with 18 of those schools being selected as commended schools.
“The KSHSAA made a commitment to our schools in 2018 to annually recognize outstanding performing arts schools in the State of Kansas. This award is a wonderful testimony to our schools’ professionalism and efforts with our amazing students,” said KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit Megan Hagaman. “It is very difficult to flourish in all categories of the performing arts and we are so proud to honor these schools.”
Congratulations to our Fine Arts programs and their teachers:
- Band: Chad Reed, Rebecca Fillingham
- Choir: Derek Cross
- Orchestra: Michael Hanf, Daniel Lytle
- Accompanist: Dr. Kezia Schrag
- Theater: Matthew Rentfrow, Garry Goddard, Edward Shafer
- Debate/Speech: Stacy Goddard, Kevin Krause, Keith Larkin, Lauren Schultz, Erin Powell
(Photo of the Olathe East High School performing arts staff being honored by KSHSAA)
Pioneer Trail Student Receives 3D Game Design Honor at JCCC
Pioneer Trail Middle School seventh grader Cesar Frias’ 3D Game Design project was selected as “Project of the Week” at Johnson County Community College.
“Cesar's game, ‘aqua boy,’ was selected as a winner based on the skills and creativity displayed throughout, particularly in the level design,” JCCC Director of Turnkey Amber Georgieff said. “The committee had fun testing out his creation! With this win, Cesar's project is entered into the running for Project of the Summer, an overall prize of the summer season including winnings of up to $500!”
Frias attended the Youth Enrichment program at JCCC over the summer. One of the courses that he took was 3D Game Design with Unity taught by Santa Fe Trail Middle School language arts teacher Josh Stock.
East, South High School Yearbook Staff Awarded Walsworth Gallery of Excellence
The Olathe East High School and Olathe South High School yearbook staff have been honored as a Walsworth Gallery of Excellence Award Winner. This prestigious gallery showcases the most distinguished yearbooks in the nation, selected annually by Walsworth Yearbooks. Out of the thousands of schools whose yearbooks Walsworth publishes, only a select few are chosen for the Gallery of Excellence, which highlights outstanding achievements in design, photography, and writing.
