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5-15-17 — Mid-May 2017 Awards
May 15, 2017
Olathe Northwest Receives National Recognition
Olathe Northwest High School was recently recognized as a top-ranked Kansas school by U.S. News & World Report.
Olathe Northwest is ranked ninth in the report and is one of 13 Kansas schools to receive a silver medal ranking. The medal ranking is based on their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare students for post-secondary education.
Olathe South DECA Places Nationally
Students on the Olathe South High School DECA team recently competed in the International Career Development Conference held in Anaheim, California. In order to compete at the national competition, participants must have placed in the top three in the event at their state level.
Five students from Olathe South qualified for the national competition: Alexi Fisher, freshman, financial consulting; Sydney Rottinghaus, freshman, principles of business management and finance; Megan Brune, senior, food marketing; Ryan Hovey, senior, retail merchandising; and Cameron Clark, senior, professional selling.
Hovey placed top 10 in the nation during the final round at the Grand Award Ceremony for retail merchandising. The ranking represents the highest placement Olathe South has achieved in DECA. Rottinghaus placed first in role-play and medaled in the Achievement Awards session for principles of business management and finance.
Olathe Teacher Receives Award in Information Technology
At the Mid-America Association for Computers in Education conference, Santa Fe Trail Middle School language arts teacher Josh Stock received the Making IT Happen award from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
The Making IT Happen award honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students. Since its inception, more than 500 educators from around the world have received the award.
Stock will be recognized at the ITSE national convention in June.
Three Olathe Students Receive National Merit Scholarship
Cole Brabec, senior at Olathe Northwest High School; Zachary Kulphongpatana, Olathe Northwest; and Arvind Subramanian, senior at Olathe North High School, are among the 25 Kansas students named winners of a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.
National Merit Scholarship winners were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalist and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
Olathe Students Receive Proclamation from City of Olathe
Olathe North High School students Amanda Yoksh and Daytona Hodson recently worked with the City of Olathe to proclaim May 14-20 Food Allergy Awareness Week.
Currently there are an estimated 6 million children in the United States living with food allergies. Yoksh and Hodson are currently developing Food Allergy Awareness activities and events in the Olathe community for the coming year. The students were recognized at Olathe City Hall and received a letter and proclamation from Mayor Michael Copeland.
Olathe North Teacher Receives Award From National Association of Biology Teachers
Olathe North High School biology teacher Brittany Roper was recognized with the Outstanding Biology Teacher of Kansas Award.
This award is given on behalf of the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) and the Kansas Association of Biology Teachers (KABT).
"Mrs. Roper's approach to teaching allows all of her students to succeed," Olathe North Principal Jason Herman said. "Project-based learning allows the students to understand the relevance of what they are learning. It also differentiates the rigor for each learner. This is the future of successful education."
District Tennis Facility Receives National Recognition
College Boulevard Activity Center (CBAC) Tennis Complex was recognized by the Tennis Industry/American Sports Builders Association's Distinguished Facility of the Year Awards and received the bronze award.
Tennis Industry magazine recognized CBAC's award in the May 2017 issue and highlighted its use for the Kansas State High School Tennis Tournament. CBAC was one of only two facilities that were honored by the magazine.
Olathe Students Receive Blue Star Award Nominations from Starlight Theatre
Olathe students and instructors received eight nominations for the 15th Anniversary Blue Star Awards from Starlight Theatre.
Alaina Jerguson, senior at Olathe East High School, is nominated for Outstanding Artistic Contribution by a student for her choreography in "The Wizard of Oz."
Brian Weber, sophomore at Olathe North High School, and Jordan DeLeon, sophomore, at Olathe South High School, are nominated for Outstanding Male Ensemble Member for their respective roles as Fred in "Oklahoma!" and Guest #3/One of Muzzy's Boys/Speed Tapper/Dance and Vocal Ensemble/Tapper in "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
Olathe East High School was nominated for Outstanding Scenic Design and Construction, Tier II ($1,851+) and Outstanding Lighting Design for their production of "Curtains." Olathe East also received nomination for Outstanding Costume Design and Construction, Tier II ($1,351+) and Outstanding Hair and Makeup Design for their production of "The Wizard of Oz."
Cole Bellamy, senior at Olathe North High School, is nominated for the $2,500 Rising Star Scholarship.
Winners of the 2017 Blue Star Awards will receive their honors in a public ceremony on Starlight Theatre's Cohen Community Stage Thursday, May 25.