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11-10-17 — District Staff, Students Receive Honors

Nov. 10, 2017

Olathe Northwest Volleyball Team Earns State Title

Olathe Northwest High School's volleyball team secured their second straight 6A state title at the Kansas state volleyball championship.

"I am so proud of the girls because they bought into our process of putting the team first and giving relentless effort," Olathe Northwest volleyball coach Barry Lenth said. "We told them all year that we were confident in their ability to win it all and they just needed to believe in themselves. Now they will get to raise a banner and become the first sport at Olathe Northwest to win back-to-back state championships. I'm very proud of these young ladies."

Olathe North Boys Cross Country Team Earns State Title

At the 2017 Kansas state cross country championship, Olathe North High School's boys cross country team won the 6A state title.

"We had a group of kids who worked hard, believed in themselves and each other, and put themselves out there," Olathe North cross country coach Levi Huseman said. "It's exciting to see that teamwork and dedication pay off in such a big way. I'm extremely proud of what they accomplished all season long."

The Olathe North girls cross country team finished third in the state.

Olathe North Band, Dance Team Earn High Honors

The Olathe North High School Screaming Eagle Marching Band and the Eaglettes Dance Team scored well at the Kansas Bandmasters Association Championships on Oct. 28.

The Screaming Eagle marching band finished third place overall and received the caption award for highest overall score in visual performance. This after receiving the class champion title and caption awards for highest scores for visual performance, overall effect and color guard in the preliminary competition.

"These students have worked exceptionally hard through the fall and have shown tremendous growth," Olathe North Director of Bands Justin Love said. "We could not be more proud of the progress these students have made!"

Olathe Northwest Student Named Finalist for KCP&L Award

Daytona Hodson, sophomore at Olathe Northwest High School, has been named a finalist for KCP&L's Community MVP of the Year award. This nomination stems from Hodson's advocacy for food allergy awareness and campaign which received community attention in May.

The KCP&L Community MVP of the Year grand prize is a $5,000 scholarship. As a finalist, Hodson receives a $1,000 scholarship and has also been invited to attend the Kansas City Chiefs play the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 10.

Indian Trail Principal Receives Principal Advocate Award

The Kansas School Counselor Association (KSCA) has selected Indian Trail Middle School Principal Sarah Guerrero to receive the prestigious KSCA Principal Advocate award.

"I'm honored to receive this award and I appreciate my colleague's nomination," Guerrero said. "The relationship between counselor and principal is very important. When counselors and principals work together effectively they can have a huge impact on student achievement."

Guerrero was honored at the upcoming Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) School Counseling Conference at Emporia State University. Guerrero was nominated by Indian Trail counselor Erika Short.

Olathe South DECA Members Earn Recognitions

group photo of the Olathe South DECA students In early November, Olathe South High School DECA members competed at the Blue Valley Northwest Eastern Regional Competition and earned 15 top-three awards.

Noah Bartlett, senior, placed first in test in principles of marketing. Anabelle Daugherty, sophomore, placed third in test in principles of business management and administration. Meadow Eddleman, junior, placed third in role play and third overall in the human resources management series. Alexi Fisher, sophomore, placed second in role play and third overall in the retail merchandising series. Jackson Martin, junior, placed first overall in role play and second overall in principles of business management and administration. Sydney Rottinghaus, sophomore, placed first in role play and first overall in the food marketing series. Kirsten Jackson, junior, and Emily Cords, junior, placed first in role play and first overall in hospitality services team decision making and Olivia Miller, sophomore, placed third in test and second in role play in business law and ethics team decision making.

Olathe Advanced Technical Center Students Elected to State Office

Three Olathe Advanced Technical Center (OATC) students have been elected to represent Kansas at SkillsUSA.

Ashton Albright, junior in auto collision, was elected as parliamentarian. Ryan Reidmiller, senior in auto technology, was elected as vice president and Brandon York, senior in auto technology, was elected as president.

"I'm so proud of each of these students in both their accomplishments and the manner in which they represent Olathe and OATC," Amy Stolz, OATC Administrator said.

Olathe Teacher Receives Award from Alma Mater

Andrew Heinicke, Olathe Public Schools special services coordinator, was recently named Emporia State University's 2017 Outstanding Recent Graduate from the School of Education.

The Outstanding Recent Graduate award recognizes a recent graduate from each of the undergraduate colleges and schools at Emporia State University. Selection for this award is based on criteria determined by each school/college and the stipulation that the recipient be no more than 10 years past graduation at Emporia State University.

"I am so honored to have the Emporia State University Teachers College choose me as its award recipient," Heinicke said. "ESU has such a strong tradition of producing highly effective educators. To be chosen to represent this group is humbling. I hope to continue to represent ESU's ideals of service to children in my work in Olathe."

Olathe Staff Member Publishes Book

photo of Roberta Roelfs holding her book Roberta Roelfs, Countryside Elementary library clerk, recently wrote and published a book. "Ana and the Sea Star" is available through many online retailers. The picture book follows a young girl who finds a starfish on the beach and has to make a choice about whether to take it home with her or let it go back to the sea.

"It's been a long process, and I'm so excited to see it all come together," Roelfs said. "I hope readers will enjoy experiencing Ana's story as much as I enjoyed creating it."