Points of Pride: Student and Staff Success Stories

Staff Honors

National Grand Prize Winners! In its third year, the Lawrence College and Career Academy continues to support the graduation and personal success and well-being of students that struggled to find their way in a traditional high school setting. The National School Boards Association selected the Academy for its Magna Award Grand Prize, a feature in the American School Board Journal, and recognition at the NSBA National Conference.

Lawrence Board of Education President Shannon Kimball and board member Kelly Jones presented an NSBA session about the board’s progressive Dress Code Policy.

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis and Past President Erica Hill shared information with other board and district leaders from across the country about the LMH Health Summer Leadership Academy. An innovative career mentoring program, it targets the leadership development of students from marginalized populations.

teaches — that they are the heart of her work,” said Billy Mills Middle School Principal Dr. Andrew Taylor of Lori Byers, gifted education teacher. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis named Byers the 2023 Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year and the district’s secondary school nominee to the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. Truity Credit Union sponsors the district staff recognition program and presented Byers with a check for $1,000.

“He builds and treasures relationships with his students, making sure each and every one of them feels valued and safe to make educational risks,” wrote a colleague about Brandon Daley, Woodlawn fourth and fifth grade teacher. The Lawrence Schools Foundation honored Daley with its $5,000 Dedication to Education Award.

Prairie Park students nearly blew the roof off the gym with cheers and applause when the district presented its spring Class Act

Award to administrative assistant Lisa Jones. Colleagues describe Jones as the “glue” that holds the school together. Truity Credit Union gave Jones a $500 reward for her outstanding work.

“It is clear in every interaction I have with our students — all of them, not just the ones she

After receiving the Lawrence Elementary Horizon Award as an exemplary novice educator in her second year of teaching, Julia Ferguson, Quail Run fourth and fifth grade teacher, earned the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Kansas Horizon Award.

Educators paraded into the ballroom under a mirror ball and to a standing ovation at the Kansas Teacher of the Year Region 2 Recognition Banquet. KSDE recognized 2022 Lawrence Teachers of the Year Monica Dutcher, Pinckney fifth grade teacher, and Zach Saltz, LHS video/digital media teacher, among other teacher leaders from the area.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation surprised Anastacio Romero, Cordley custodian, with its spring Acknowledging Classified Employees (A.C.E.) Award and $500. Every student decorated a heart to share with Romero and his family. The Foundation also stopped by FSHS to thank paraeducator Melody Barclay for her service with an A.C.E. Award and $500. One of her students called Barclay an A+ teacher, mentor, and human.

Langston Hughes school staff appreciate Erik Haden’s positive and friendly demeanor, strong work ethic, and can-do attitude. He knows all students by name and greets them with high-fives and fist bumps. The district presented Haden with its fall Class Act Award and $500 from community partner Truity Credit Union.

For creating a seamless approach to supporting students, the West Middle School Student Support Team earned the district’s 2022 Rick Doll Teamwork Award, and $1,000 from Truity Credit Union. "Each member of the team cares deeply for all students and strives to help them thrive. It is a privilege to work with every one of them, and our school is better because they are here doing everything they can for students," wrote school administrators of school registrar Scott Forkenbrock, student support facilitator Jennifer Georgie, counselors Tiffany Fike and Kristen Kircher, and WRAP social worker Maritza Rodriguez, as well as social worker Julie Ohse and psychologist Jenny Stork (not pictured).

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis appointed Broken Arrow Interim Principal Amanda Green to coordinator of systems of support and Pinckney Interim Principal Dr. Jennifer Schmitt to interim principal of LMCMS. He also promoted Prairie Park Interim Principal Jason Townsend to principal. Congratulations to these school leaders.

The Northeast District Kansas Music Educators Association (NEKMEA) recognized Joshua East, FSHS, as its Choir Teacher of the Year, and Heather Madgwick, WMS, as its Outstanding Educator for MiddleLevel Orchestra. In addition, the NEKMEA commended FSHS Assistant Principal Matt Renk as an Honor Administrator for developing, improving, and supporting music education.

A Hall of Famer! The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) inducted Pat Grzenda, retired adaptive physical education teacher and coach, into its Hall of Fame Class of 2023. A Lawrence and Kansas Master Teacher, Grzenda taught and coached girls and boys swimming and diving at LHS and FSHS for 34 years, including to eight state championships.

Since the district’s last newsletter, Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis recognized these outstanding school leaders as Principals of the Month: Amy McAnarney, FSHS; Amanda Green, Broken Arrow; Jackie Mickel, Langston Hughes; Dr. Carissa Miles, SWMS; and Therese Edgecomb, WMS. Nominate a principal, teacher, or support staff member for honors at usd497.org/Recognition

KU will present one of three Wolfe Teaching Excellence Awards to Matt Ellis, LHS math teacher and department chair. Three LHS alumni, now Jayhawks, nominated their former math teacher to receive the $3,000 cash award and recognition during KU’s Commencement weekend. LHS also receives $1,000.

Lori Greenfield, Prairie Park second grade teacher, earned the Cosmosphere’s 2023 LaunchLearning Fellowship. Fellows receive training to bring space science and exploration to their classrooms and funds for classroom supplies.

Jeff Dickson, LHS girls basketball coach, earned the Eddie Ryan Award as the top girls basketball coach in the Greater Kansas City area.

Morgan Hunter Education honored Jennifer Stogsdill, Prairie Park Elementary substitute teacher, as the 2022-2023 District Substitute Teacher of the Year. Other Substitutes of the Year by school include: Jo Cobb, Broken Arrow, Bev Hyde, Cordley, Catherine Egan, Deerfield, Heather Seratte, Hillcrest, Sue Messerly, Kennedy, Staci Prawl, Langston Hughes, Kim Gamble, New York, Sherry Tamerius, Pinckney, Kylee Bremer, Quail Run, Dora Gonzalez, Schwegler, Melinda Tyler, Sunflower, Paulette Breithaupt, Sunset Hill, Daya Ehret, Woodlawn, Ja'Relle Dye, Billy Mills MS, Emily Bjorlin, Liberty Memorial Central MS, Jennifer Horan, Southwest MS, Tracey Kastens, West MS, Steve Grant, FSHS, Megan O'Brien, LHS, Diane Spicer, LCCC/JDC, and Llara Baska, East Heights.

STUDENT & OTHER HONORS

to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. FSHS senior Jake Chun accepted his appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

FSHS’s Improvisation Team claimed the state championship at the Kansas Thespian Festival. Student Cella Allison received a perfect score for her monologue and the opportunity to perform in the Thespy Showcase. The Firebirds also earned the status of Gold Honor Troupe.

FSHS student Gillian Sellet earned Gold Key first place awards for her poetry and science fiction/fantasy story in the Missouri Writing Region of this year's Scholastic Writing Contest, qualifying her for national award consideration.

Future Military Officers. LHS seniors Jack Elsten and Jonathan Spoula received service academy appointments

Lawrence Chess Domination

Continues. FSHS won the state championship in the K-12 section at the Kansas Scholastic Chess Championships and placed first in 6A. Firebird Arthur Benson placed second individually. LHS finished third in 6A and fourth overall.

LHS students earned 6 Gold Keys and 7 Silver Keys in the Midwest Region Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, including a Silver Key Portfolio Award for Owen Musser and an Honorable Mention Portfolio Award for Luke Havener. Congratulations to Maya Amen, Davon Davis, Anna Erisman, Adele Erickson, Oliver Ewell, Olive Harrington, Havener, Emmy Hurd, Natalie Kennedy, Lin Kohler, Musser, and Allie White.

FSHS won its fourth consecutive KSHSAA 6A State Speech Championship, defeating 26 other schools. Individual state champions include Lily Otter, poetry, Ava Ayala, prose, and Cici Hunter, program of oral interpretation.

LHS student artists and photographers dominated area competitions, including the statewide "Kansans, As Talented as you Think!" art contest. Todd Poteet's Portfolio and AP Drawing students won first and second place in the Painting and second place in the Pastel categories. Angelia Perkins' photography students won Best of Show as well as first place in the Black & White Photography, Color Photography, Mixed Media, and Portrait categories!Congratulations, Olive Harrington, Natalie Kennedy, Luke Havener, Adele Erickson, Davon Davis, and Allie White (first place mixed media pictured here).

A Two-Time Youth of the Year! Named the 2022-2023 Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence Youth of the Year, LHS sophomore Arabella Gill once again represented the club at the state level, after having been celebrated as the Kansas Youth of the Year last year. (BGC Photo)

The young adults in the Community Transition Program earned third place and 13 top-three individual awards at Johnson County Community College’s Job Olympics. They competed in hostess, job application, mock interview, laundry sorting, and mail organization categories and brought home individual medals and a team trophy.

At the East Kansas National Speech and Debate Association District Tournament, FSHS won first place in Debate Team, Speech Team, and Overall District Sweeps. Kelly Thompson and Brenda Alvarez earned Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year honors. LHS finished third overall. Eleven FSHS and six LHS students qualified for nationals. LHS qualifiers: Caitlin Sand, Jack Stutler, Thomas Lushington, Channing Morse, Devyn Ridings, and Rose Kennedy. FSHS qualifiers and finalists include Cella Allison, Kady Bischmann, Connor Brown, Emma Stammeyer, Gilly Falin, Cooper Hefty, Emma Hefty, Cici Hunter, Sophie Racy, Anwen Williams, Liz Wyle, Ava Ayala and Nathan Peltier.

The FSHS Dance Team earned third place at the KSHSAA 6A State Championships. Members are Kara Alexander, Alexa Beaty, Jacie Butler, Lacey Farrar, Marina Kimzey, Kacia Kite, Claire Krannawitter, Lola Martin, Londyn Miller, Peighton Stewart, Serenity Stewart, Gemma Waldron, Angel Waller, and Alyx Wood. Coaches are Dena Johnston and Claire Johnston.

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A SWMS Future City Team made the school’s eighth appearance in the national competition. The school has placed in the top five at regionals 14 times. Team Taipei placed 11th in the nation for its design of a sustainable city of the future. Danielle LottonBarker is their teacher and Christopher Storm is their mentor.

At the Head of the Class. The 2023 Kansas Governor's Scholars Award Program will honor seniors in the academic top 1%: Felix Guo, Campbell Leitch, Thomas Lushington, and Shruti Mallik, of LHS; and Firebirds May Gao, Casey Kong, Steven Tao, and Keaton Xu.

The Thomas John Giffin Foundation presented a $5,000 check to tiny-k Early Intervention Services. The Foundation raised the funds through its TJ5K & Family Fun Run in November. This was the 10th and last year of the event, which has raised nearly $50,000 for tiny-k.

FSHS teams earned first and second in the 2nd Annual Kansas Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge and qualified for nationals. Each team had $500,000 to invest in a stock market simulation with the goal to produce the highest return on investment. Team members include Spencer Doan, Suyash Kumar, Ming Da Zhang, Ari Mattes, and Somjai Sengchan. Social studies teacher Blake Swenson sponsors the teams.

FSHS’s combined Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestras received a prestigious invitation to perform at the Kauffman Center in the 4th Annual Kansas City Classic Orchestra and Band Festival. Judy Erpelding directs the orchestras.

Making History. Three WMS students -- John Hindman, Sonam King, and Cameron Dozier -- placed in the top spots at regionals to advance to the Kansas History Day competition.

A National Champ! Congratulations to National High School Coaches Association Tournament Champion and All-American Matthew Marcum on his undefeated 54-0 senior season in wrestling. Firebirds Marcum and Eric Streeter both finished as KSHSAA 6A State Champions. They are pictured with teammates Grayson Hagen, fifth; Nolan Bradley, third; and Drew Streeter, sixth; at state.

LHS and FSHS students won multiple awards at the eMagine Media Fest. With more than 30 high schools competing, top finishers included Henry Adams, Morgan Salisbury, Arlo Paden, Logan Daniels, Hayden Houts, Jonas Lord, Cortland Miller, and Jun Brewer, LHS; and Angelo Tamayo, Sonder Murphy, Flora Smith, and Emma Liu, FSHS.

Wendo Kimori, FSHS senior, won the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for Kansas. The United Way of Douglas County also presented her with its Wallace Galluzzi Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. Kimori founded the NAACP Youth Council.

Get your Gus Peters’ original design before Juneteenth. FSHS student Gus Peters won the Lawrence Juneteenth Organization’s T-shirt design contest and $500.

More than 60 student musicians performed at the Lawrence Middle School Solo Festival and earned ratings in woodwind, bassoon, brass, and percussion categories.

Directors

Melissa Smith and Paul Morgenroth praised the students for choosing to do something hard, staying committed, improving skills, facing fears, and presenting themselves professionally. Pictured: Sam Emert and Mira Edie.

LHS students Jooseok Oh, Marcus Souders, Brandon Parnell, Felix Guo, Shruti Mallik, Ben Willems, Thomas Lushington, Eli VandeVoort, David Bell, Frances Parker, and Luci MacMillan earned top individual and team finishes in the Pittsburg State Math Relays.

These young chefs can cook! Lawrence College and Career Center

Chef Camille Eichorn celebrates the acceptance of two of her seniors, Jacob Newman and Deklan May, into Culinary School at Johnson County Community College.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Services staff shared equipment, techniques, and guidance with FSHS students interested in medical career fields. Gabriel Dalton teaches science and

The Lawrence Police Department, Lawrence Public Schools, and DCCC launched a “Handle with Care” Program in September that has identified and helped more than 60 vulnerable children affected by trauma. When law enforcement officers encounter a child at the scene of a traumatic event, they notify designated school staff to “Handle with Care.” This simple message triggers school support services as needed.

What does career and technical education look like at LHS? The Chesty Lions hosted their first annual Innovation Expo showcasing CTE programs. Attendees sampled culinary delights and watched live drawing, painting, and medical diagnostic demonstrations. They also perused financial ethics, video, animation, computer, photography, graphic design, woodworking, journalism, and agriculture exhibits.

The Art Effect/Trolley Barn Gallery in New York City selected photos by LHS students Luke Havener, Tanner Bewley, and Olive Harrington for its REEL Exposure competition and exhibition. Havener photo pictured.

Hazel Beeson, LHS, won first place in the jewelry category at Washburn Art Day for her locket that incorporates advanced metalsmithing. Levi Jones also placed first with his photography.

How can we work together to make Lawrence a better place? BMMS, SWMS, and WMS students participated in the first Middle School Equity Symposium. They discussed equity in their own schools and ways that they might improve the community. Dr. Carissa Miles and educators Tori Mitchell, ChaChi Rodriguez, and Kim Fuller sponsored the gathering.