May 30, 2025

State Speech and Drama Championships

Out of 12 events contested at the State Speech and Drama Championship, Olathe students took home four individual state titles! This is a remarkable achievement that highlights the depth of talent across our schools. Congratulations to our state champions:

• Dramatic Interpretation – Piper Doyle of Olathe East High School, coached by Stacy Goddard
• Impromptu Speech – Connor Chaffin of Olathe Northwest High School, coached by Eric Skoglund
• Original Oration – Calista Wanjiku of Olathe East, coached by Stacy Goddard
• Oral Interpretation of Prose – Bridget Simmons of Olathe Northwest, coached by Eric Skoglund 

Other state medalists from Olathe:

Olathe East 

• Piper Doyle – third, Impromptu Speech
• Dylan Gilbo and Jakob Gilbo – fourth, Duo Interpretation
• Dylan Gilbo – fourth, Humorous Interpretation
• Dylan Gilbo – fifth, Oral Interpretation of Prose
• Piper Doyle – Quarterfinalist, Lincoln-Douglas Debate 

Olathe North 

• Bennett Morris – Quarterfinalist, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
• Ali Albadrawi – sixth, Impromptu Speech 

Olathe Northwest 

• Joseph Higgins – Quarterfinalist, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
• Bridget Simmons and Elsie Cordell – sixth, Duo Interpretation
• Connor Chaffin – sixth, Foreign Extemporaneous Speech 

Olathe South 

• Cameron Linde – second, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
• Grace Hartwell – sixth, Informative Speech 

Olathe West 

• Annabelle Owens – fourth, Impromptu Speech 

OATC Roadrunners Shine in SkillsUSA Competition  

SkillsUSA conferences and competitions, whether local, regional or state, are buzzing with talent, energy and innovation. These events bring together dedicated students and industry professionals who share a passion for excellence in career and technical education. Students compete locally and regionally for the opportunity to advance to their state conference, with state winners moving on to the national stage at the SkillsUSA Championships.

Our Olathe Advanced Technical Center Roadrunners shone at the state competition! Forty-four students competed in Hutchinson this week and here are the top finishers:

Gold

• First Aid/CPR - Emily Echeverry
• Automotive Technology Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) - Wyatt Ellsworth
• Welding Sculpture - Matthew Jonas
• Automotive Service Technology - Charlie Studier
• Electronics - Tucker Wright 

Silver 

• Carpentry - Oscar Arguello Rocha
• Nurse Assisting - Elliot Barber
• Medical Math - Hieu Do
• First Aid/CPR - Hieu Do
• Welding Fabrication Team - Derric Hillman, Hayden Jepsen, Mason Walters
• Pin Design - Devan Plunkett
• Electronics - Luke Roseburrough 

Bronze 

• Extemporaneous Speaking - Philip Besong
• Automotive Technology Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) - Vincent Herold
• Automotive Service Technology - Michael Hinze
• Electronics - Jonah Lidell
• First Aid/CPR - Brody Mueller

Additionally, they swept First Aid/CPR and Electronics at the state level! The gold level winners have secured a place to compete at the national competition to represent OATC, Olathe Public Schools, and the state of Kansas in Atlanta in June!

2025 Best Communities for Music Education

We’re proud to share that Olathe Public Schools has once again been named a “Best Community for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation! This marks the fifth time we’ve received this honor, with recent recognitions in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Earning this designation involves a detailed and rigorous application process that evaluates aspects such as program funding, graduation requirements, student participation, instructional time, and more. The award highlights our district’s continued commitment to providing high-quality music education for all students.

Celebrating Dr. Marta Silva's National Recognition: Dr. George I. Sánchez Award

Dr. Marta Silva, heritage language instructor at Olathe North High School, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Dr. George I. Sánchez Award by the National Education Association. This national recognition honors her decades of transformative work in education, advocacy and leadership on behalf of Latino students and immigrant families.

Dr. Silva’s steadfast commitment to heritage language instruction and her efforts to empower future Latina leaders through the Latina Leadership Club reflect the mission of the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing Latino representation in K–12 education and fostering environments where Latino students can thrive.

As one of fewer than 300 Latino educators serving across the greater Kansas City metro area, Dr. Silva’s voice and leadership are both rare and deeply impactful. Her work continues to inspire students, support families, and shape a more inclusive future in education.

National School Public Relations Association Digital Publication Awards

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) annually honors exceptional work in school communication through its Publication and Digital Media Awards. These awards celebrate outstanding tactical materials ranging from publications and newsletters to videos, websites, social media campaigns, and more. Entries are evaluated against others from similarly sized organizations, with judges assessing both overall excellence and the quality of execution within each category.

Throughout the school year, the district’s Communications Department works diligently to ensure the Olathe Public Schools brand is represented with clarity, consistency, and creativity. Several projects were recognized at the national level:

• Publication and Digital Media Award: Magazine Award of Excellence — Discover the Olathe Advantage
• Publication and Digital Media Award: Marketing Award of Merit — Olathe Public Schools Careers Marketing Materials
• Publication and Digital Media Award: Annual Report Award of Merit — Olathe Public Schools 2023-24 Annual Report
• Publication and Digital Media Award: Photography Honorable Mention — Central Elementary School's Pay It Forward Club 

School Nurse of the Year: Bev Vanderslice

Bev Vanderslice, school nurse at Manchester Park Elementary School, has been named School Nurse of the Year by the Kansas School Nurse Organization (KSNO) for her exceptional dedication, professionalism, and impact on student health and well-being.

This prestigious honor is awarded annually to a Kansas school nurse who exemplifies excellence in school nursing practice. Eligible recipients must be registered professional nurses with a minimum of five years' experience in school nursing, be current and recent members of KSNO/NASN, and spend at least 50% of their time providing direct care to students. Nominees are evaluated based on the standards set forth in the current edition of School Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice by the American Nurses Association and the National Association of School Nurses.

Nurse Bev’s compassionate care, clinical expertise, and unwavering support for students and staff alike make her a vital part of the Olathe Public Schools community. She will be formally recognized this summer by both KSNO and the National Association of School Nurses.

Outstanding Biology Teacher Awardee: Robin Dennis 

Robin Dennis, biology teacher at Olathe South High School, has been named the 2025 Outstanding Biology Teacher Awardee for the state of Kansas!

Presented by the National Association of Biology Teachers, the OBTA is one of the most prestigious honors in science education. Since its inception in 1962, the award has recognized outstanding biology and life science teachers across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., U.S. territories, Canadian provinces, and overseas U.S. schools. Each year, NABT selects educators who exemplify excellence in the classroom, leadership in the profession, and dedication to student success.

Ms. Dennis stood out not only for her innovative teaching but also for her meaningful impact on colleagues and the broader science education community. Julie Miller, Olathe Public Schools science coordinator, shared, “Robin’s ability to support and uplift other educators, meet colleagues where they are, and advocate for excellence in biology education is truly inspiring.”

Her teaching peers were equally impressed by her application and welcomed her into the longstanding tradition of OBTA recipients. We are proud to celebrate this teacher’s well-deserved recognition and are grateful for her continued leadership in shaping future scientists and science educators.