June 12, 2024 ~ The Olathe Public Schools Alumni Association will recognize three exceptional alumni and two Distinguished Persons of Honor during its Wall of Honor banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The event will be held in the Ball Event Center, 21350 W. 153rd Street, Olathe.

This year's honorees:

• Tom Kearney, a 1970 graduate of Olathe High School, taught in the Olathe School District for decades and now shines as a community volunteer.
• Kerry (Koenig) Lane, a 1991 graduate of Olathe South High School, began her teaching career in 1995 in Olathe and rose to high school principal.
• Joni (Caylor) Moreland, a 1988 graduate of Olathe North High School, founded a “for purpose” organization connecting individuals to many types of resources.

The late Catherine Smith, a retired district educator, and the late Dr. Melvin Winters, a longtime Olathe superintendent of schools, are this year’s Distinguished Persons of Honor. The Distinguished Person of Honor Award began in 2012 to recognize individuals who did not graduate from the district but provided exceptional support to the Olathe district for many years.

The dinner honoring these notable individuals will begin at 6 p.m. (socializing and seating at 5:30 p.m.). Tickets are $50 per person. Event and table sponsorships are also available. Call 913-780-8182 for tickets or sponsorship information.

View the Wall of Honor website to see photos and biographies of previous honorees.