May 2, 2025

First Olathe Students to Land Esports Scholarships  

Olathe West High School senior Elijah Kennedy has committed to play Super Smash Bros. at Baker University and will receive a $16,500 annual scholarship to help lead the school's new esports program. He is the first student in Olathe Public Schools history to earn a collegiate scholarship for esports. 

Olathe West High School senior Elijah Custer has committed to play Rocket League at the University of Kansas, which makes him the first D1 esports signee in Olathe Public Schools history. 

“This is more than just a milestone — it's the start of something big,” Olathe West Esports coach Kurt Parker said. “These students’ dedication, leadership, and character have made them a standout on our team, and we are incredibly proud of them.” 

44 Olathe Public Schools Students Named Career Technical Education Scholars 

The Kansas State Department of Education has named 200 high school seniors as 2025 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars. Olathe Public Schools has 44 seniors who were named CTE Scholars, making up almost a quarter of the winners. 

The CTE Scholar program honors well-rounded seniors who have demonstrated academic success, technical skill, and community involvement within a specific career pathway. The program launched in 2017. To qualify, students must complete at least three CTE credits, two of which must be above the introductory level, with a 3.5 GPA or higher in those courses. Scholars must also show civic leadership or complete 40 hours of community service, and meet one technical skill benchmark, such as earning an industry certification, college credit, or completing work-based learning. 

Honorees receive a certificate, honor cord, commemorative pin and statewide recognition. Congratulations to the following Olathe Public Schools seniors: 

Animal Science 

• Alexia Sumter – Olathe West High School 
• Charley Murphy – Olathe East High School 
• Lillie Hundley – Olathe North High School 

Construction and Design 

• Andrew Southall – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Arely Herrera-Morena – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Emerson Prather – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 

Corrections, Security, Law and Law Enforcement Services 

• Alexis Barrett – Olathe West High School 

Emergency and Fire Management Services 

• Alexis Jeffrey – Olathe West High School 
• Avery Ollig – Olathe West High School 
• Ben Kueter – Olathe West High School 
• Christian Ferman Almendra – Olathe West High School 
• Reece McClintock – Olathe West High School 

Graphic Design 

• Aidan Clevenger – Olathe Northwest High School 
• Autumn Lacross – Olathe Northwest High School 
• Inara Johannsen – Olathe Northwest High School 
• Joanna Ho – Olathe Northwest High School 

Health Science 

• Andrea Cerna – Olathe North High School 
• Audrey Harding – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Diana Manriquez Ibarra – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Hazen Frank – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Jazel Martinez – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Ju-A Kim – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Kavya Sood – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Kaylee Rider – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Natalie Biehn – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Piper Greeson – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Tessa Biehn – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 

Manufacturing 

• Matthew Jonas – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 

Mobile Equipment Maintenance 

• Michael Hinze – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 

Programming and Software Development 

• Jonathan P. Gabbert – Olathe South High School 

Restaurant and Event Management 

• Jaedon Turner – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 

Teaching/Training 

• Abby Miller – Olathe USD 233 
• Alicia Chia – Olathe USD 233 
• Au'Drey'Onna Dabdee – Olathe USD 233 
• Avery Geiger – Olathe USD 233 
• Brianne Roehm – Olathe USD 233 
• D'Maraee Barahona – Olathe USD 233 
• Hailey France – Olathe USD 233 
• Halle Bruss – Olathe USD 233 
• Isabella Hermansen – Olathe USD 233 
• Kristanna Moore – Olathe USD 233 
• Morgan Forshee – Olathe USD 233 
• Rebekah Bolyard – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Ryza Rollins – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 
• Sam Cowick – Olathe East High School 
• Taylor Schmidt – Olathe Advanced Technical Center 

Olathe West Educator Named 2025 Science Teacher of the Year for Biology 

Emily Myers, Olathe West High School science teacher, has been selected as the 2025 Science Teacher of the Year Award recipient for Biology. Presented by Kansas State University, this honor recognizes outstanding high school science educators in Kansas who inspire, engage and encourage students in biology. 

This award celebrates Myers’ dedication to excellence in science education and their lasting impact on students and the broader academic community. Myers was presented this award on Friday, April 25, with the two students who nominated her in attendance – Gabby Clinkinbeard and McKenzie Pomerenke. Myers was awarded $500 for this honor. 

Olathe Students Shine at State Technology Student Association Competition, Several Qualify for Nationals 

Students from three Olathe high schools earned top honors at the Kansas State Technology Student Association (TSA) competition and will advance to the national level this summer in Nashville, Tennessee. The Technology Student Association is a national organization of middle and high school students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. TSA has more than 233,000 members in about 2,000 schools across 49 states. 

Olathe West High School students, along with sponsor Kevin Hulsen, celebrate multiple first-place finishes: 

• Photo Technology – Sydney Verheaghe 
• Promotional Design – Ethan Wolf 
• Dragster Design – Taylan Parrish 
• Drone Challenge – Will Brown, Tai Fenton, Ethan Wolf, Isaiah Pagnozzi 
• Forensic Science – Kaylan Ulmer, Sydney Verheaghe 
• Digital Video Production – Ethan Wolf, Tai Fenton, Will Brown, Isaac McCalla, Isaiah Pagnozzi 
• Flight Endurance – Ethan Wolf 

Olathe Northwest High School students, along with sponsor Andrew Edmonson, earned first place in the following categories: 

• Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Engineering – Andrew Hoschouer 
• Debate Technological Issues – Connor Chaffin, Lauren Rice 
• Engineering Design – Jackson Hills-Sorenson, Emma Kilpatrick, Calvin Kilpatrick, Lily Schrick, Grant Uher 
• Geospatial Technology – Jackson Hills-Sorenson, Roland Andrews, Veer Dhillon 
• Manufacturing Prototype – Jackson Hills-Sorenson, Grant Uher, Andrew Hoschouer, Ivan Yee, Aramis Carrender 
• On-Demand Video – Roland Andrews, Conley Becker, Declan Cave, Ryan Iannetto, Veer Dhillon, Aramis Carrender 
• Prepared Presentation – Connor Chaffin 

Olathe East High School students, along with sponsor Robin Schuberth, celebrate the following first-place winners: 

• Extemporaneous Speech – Calista Wanjiku 
• Board Game Design – Emily Wyatt, Saffie Senghore, Will Rawalt 
• Fashion Design – Eleanor Newman, Lauren Kingston, Ara Karbasi 
• CAD Architectural Drafting – Viviana Romero 
• Architectural Design – Viviana Romero, Lauren Kingston, Eleanor Newman, Ara Karbasi, Saffie Senghore 
• Structural Design and Engineering – Brett Dittus, Lauren Kingston 

Students from all three schools will represent Kansas at the national TSA conference this summer. 

Leggett and Dueringer Named KPA Area Winners 

The Kansas Principals Association has announced its 2025 Principal of the Year area winners, recognizing outstanding school leaders from across the state. Among this year’s honorees are two Olathe Public Schools administrators. 

Brandi Leggett, principal at Central Elementary, was named the Elementary School Principal of the Year – Area 1 Winner. Leggett began her career teaching fifth grade in Philadelphia and then moved to the area and worked as an elementary school teacher, instructional coach, and has been a principal in Olathe Public Schools for six years. 

"I love bringing real-world learning opportunities to our school and instilling a passion for community service in all of our students,” Leggett shared. “This award is a tribute to my amazing colleagues, dedicated staff and supportive families. It’s a recognition of our teamwork in creating a great environment for our students to thrive and succeed.”  

Krista Dueringer, assistant principal at Chisholm Trail Middle School, was named the Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year – Area 1 Winner. Dueringer began her career as a student teaching science at Olathe Northwest High School during the school's inaugural year. Midway through the year, she was hired as a long-term substitute and was subsequently offered a full-time science teaching position at ONW for the following fall. During her 12 years at Olathe Northwest, she taught a variety of subjects including AVID, College Readiness, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, and College Biology, while coaching volleyball and softball. The transition into administration began at Chisholm Trail, where she has now served as an assistant principal for 10 years. 

“What I love about being a principal, especially at a middle school, is that there is never a dull moment!” Dueringer said. “I really enjoy the middle school age because the kids are still figuring out who they are becoming. They are silly and fun, emotional and crazy, and I love getting to work with them through all the things middle school brings. I also truly love the teaming at middle school and the opportunity to work closely with my teachers. I am so fortunate to work with an amazing team of administrators and educators that make Chisholm Trail such a special place!” 

Each year, the Kansas Principals Association, representing more than 750 school leaders statewide, honors principals and assistant principals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment to school improvement, and dedication to student success. Nominees are recommended by their school communities and selected by a committee of their peers. 

Congratulations to both leaders on this well-deserved recognition!