Dec. 13, 2023
Olathe North Athletic Trainer Inducted into Hall of Fame
On Nov. 12, Wayne Harmon, athletic trainer at Olathe North High School, was inducted into the Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society (KATS) Hall of Fame. Harmon earned this high honor for his decades of care for student-athletes, coaches and service to his profession.
“He has taken care of Olathe and the Olathe North community specifically for many years,” Olathe North Head Football Coach Chris McCartney said. “We are so blessed to have him. Congratulations to Wayne!”
The KATS Hall of Fame is dedicated to the pioneers of their profession in the state of Kansas, and to the colleagues who have served the profession, their patients, workplaces, and the state of Kansas, with distinction, according to the KATS website.
Olathe Northwest Receives AP Honor Roll Recognition
Recently, Olathe Northwest High School received the bronze award on the 2023 Advanced Placement Program (AP) School Honor Roll. Out of 102 eligible schools in Kansas, 11% earned a place on this year’s list. Over 4,500 schools, representing about 30% of eligible high schools, are being recognized for their work creating AP programs that deliver results for students while broadening access. Olathe Northwest is the only Olathe school to receive this award.
According to their website, the AP School Honor Roll offers schools recognition across four levels of distinction: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. For a school to be recognized on the honor roll, it must be located within the United States (including U.S. territories) or Canada and:
- Meet each of the following criteria anchored in research-based relationships between AP and college outcomes:
- College Culture: 40% or more of graduating cohort took at least one AP Exam during high school.
- College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school.
- College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP Exams during high school. At least one of those exams was taken in ninth or 10th grade, so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.
- Have full-time grade-12 enrollments. AP coordinators can update this information online in AP Registration and Ordering.
Olathe East Shines at Educators Rising Regional Conference
On Nov. 1, Olathe East High School had 76 Future Educators Academy students participating at the 10th Annual Northeast Educators Rising Regional Conference at MidAmerica Nazarene University. Students had an incredible day hearing from keynote speaker Amy Hillman, Olathe Recruiter Liaison and Future4 Educators coach, attending sessions, enjoying lunch and representing Olathe East as future educators. Seven students placed at Regionals and will be advancing to the Educators Rising State Conference in February! They are:
- Freshman Khloe Luckey — Second in JV Exploring Support Service Careers
- Sophomores Madisynn Milstead and Brooklyn Bowers — Second in JV Interactive Bulletin Board
- Junior Hailey France and sophomore Colt Hughey — First in Varsity in Public Service Announcement
- Junior Isabella Hermansen — Second in Varsity Ed Rising Moment
- Junior Halle Bruss — Second in Varsity Exploring Services Event
Mill Creek Hosts Districtwide Math Wings Competition
Fourth and fifth grade students across the district gathered at Mill Creek Campus on Nov. 14 for a districtwide Math Wings competition! Here are the results:
Fourth Grade:
- First Place – Sunnyside Elementary – Anishka Ragi, Anna Thielker
- Second Place – Ravenwood Elementary – Jack Vargas, Bryant Sturm, Immanuel Nikhil
- Third Place – Arbor Creek Elementary – Jaxon Harding, Dax Autrey, Josh Matewos
Fifth Grade:
- First Place – Regency Place Elementary – Vihaan Sripathi, Jacob Bush, Alex Jin
- Second Place – Canyon Creek Elementary – Odin Smith, Nathan Ruiz, Jack Avey
- Third Place – Ravenwood Elementary – Linna Wang, Miles Christy, Toby Esser
Mission Trail Student to Serve as KAY President
Elsie Cordell, eighth grader at Mission Trail Middle School, was selected to serve as the Area 1 KAY president. Cordell was selected at the Area 1 Regional Conference on Nov. 14.
The Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) is a character-building, leadership training, service organization directed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. This is a nationally recognized organization that provides students an opportunity to learn to assume their citizenship responsibilities and to enrich personalities through well-organized programs. The programs emphasize four areas of service: school, community, nation and world.
The KAY program is available to any KSHSAA member school students. The local organization is under the direction of the school principal, who then appoints a sponsor to lead the program. The Mission Trail KAY sponsor is family and consumer sciences teacher Kristen Fulps.
Selected for her dedication and years of experience with the KAY program, Cordell will serve the KAY clubs of Northeastern Kansas. Among her duties will be to attend a training meeting in Topeka, write up to three newsletters for the clubs she serves, attend KAY Leadership Camp and help conduct the 2024 Area 1 KAY Regional Conference.
“We are honored to have Elsie Cordell serve as a KAY area president,” said Sarah Smith, KSHSAA assistant executive director and KAY state director. “Her strong background in the KAY program, her proven leadership and enthusiasm for serving others will serve as a valuable motivator for the KAY clubs of Northeastern Kansas.”
Regency Place Principal Wins Principal Advocate Award
Greg Oborny, principal at Regency Place Elementary School, was one of three winners for the Principal Advocate Award at the Kansas School Counselor Association (KSCA) Counseling Conference in Emporia, Kansas. Fairview Elementary School Principal Andrew Dimmitt was also a nominee for this award.
The KSCA Principal Advocate Award recognizes the important partnership of school counselors and school administrators in providing services to Kansas schools. Nominations were submitted to KSCA and an awards committee consisting of school counselors, school counselor educators and school administrators reviewed the applications to make the selection for the awards.
The Kansas School Counselor Association is a state professional organization and a division of the American School Counselor Association. Both organizations assist school counselors in the work they do through comprehensive school counseling programs.
