Points of Pride: Student & Staff Success Stories

from Lawrence School Newsletter - May 2021

Data-Informed Decisions: Repurposing Kennedy as Early Childhood Community Center

Points of Pride: Student and Staff Success Stories

The Parents as Teachers National Center honored the PAT program as a Blue Ribbon Af liate for delivering high-quality services to families of children from birth to age three. Congratulations, Suzy Green, early childhood coordinator, and parent educators Stacie Daniels, Bruce Eggers, Miriah Essman, and Audrey Pool.

The West MS Team Novaturia earned the award for Best Future City Project Plan at the National Future City competition.

The FSHS boys’ cross country team captured the team’s rst Kansas State High School Activities Association State Championship.

The FSHS girls’ gymnastics team earned KSHSAA 6A State Championship honors. Lawrence gymnasts captured all of the gold medals at the state events. FSHS senior Talia Gay won her second consecutive all-around, as well as bars and beam. Lawrence High junior Paris Spotted-Tail won oor exercise and vault.

The National School Public Relations Association named Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis one of its 2020 Superintendents to Watch. The honor recognized Dr. Lewis’ use of communication technology in innovative and effective ways to engage and inform the school community. NSPRA celebrated these leaders with fewer than ve years of experience in the superintendent role for possessing dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication skills.

In the November General Election, Lawrence students continued to practice voting by casting online ballots in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.

Food Service looks forward to continuing to offer free meal service to all children ages 1-18 in the community next year.

The district provided three Student Support Centers to assist its frontline workers, classroom teachers, with childcare issues during remote learning.

USD 497 joined public health partners LawrenceDouglas County Public Health and LMH Health to facilitate COVID-19 testing and vaccination services for eligible students and staff.

Eleven students earned honors as National Merit Commended Scholars: Abdullah Ahmed, Ethan Berkley, Nicholas Dvorske, Isaac Phillips, Ian Snyder, and Reece Wohlford, LHS; and Rachel Bonnewell, Ryan Duan, Rebecca Feng, Asa Morrison, and Hollis Wilkins, of FSHS. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognized these seniors for exceptional academic promise.

The district will name an early childhood inclusive playground at Kennedy in memory of Lawrence philanthropist William Dann, a longtime supporter of the Lawrence Schools Foundation and the early childhood program.

Lawrence teachers used creative ways to teach in empty classrooms or from home during remote learning in the fall. Southwest MS English teacher Keri Lauxman followed the lead of pro sports venues and national awards shows by propping up some cardboard cutouts of famous people in her classroom.

WMS’s band livestreamed performances from the classroom, giving family members and others greater access to enjoy their music.

Using a theme of “Never Stop Exploring,” Sunset Hill’s library introduced students to an Amazon series called The World’s Toughest Race. Students received a video greeting from Fletcher Hamel, a former Lawrence resident and a contestant on the adventure reality show.

Elementary art teachers used video to introduce themselves to students and provide how-to introductions for their virtual lessons. Each elementary student has had the opportunity to learn from all of the elementary art teachers in the district this year.

School librarians used video book parades to highlight authors, recommend titles to students, staff, and families; and to mark special observances, such as Hispanic and Arab American Heritage Months.

Local McDonald’s owner-operators launched a new fundraiser, Fries for School Supplies, to support school districts. Marilyn Dobski, and son Kevin, donated $3,500 of proceeds from a la carte fry sales to the district for supplies and tools needed to support students and show appreciation to school staff during this unconventional school year.

ESPN recognized LHS among 36 schools nationwide as Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools.

The Northeast Library System chose the West MS, Cordley, New York, and Prairie Park libraries to participate in a grant program for up to $5,000 each to offset the purchase of materials and/or technology to help ease the disruption COVID-19.

Woodlawn Honorary Riverhawk 90-year-old Sybil Millar crocheted hats for students this winter. Millar said that she is sick of television and crocheting keeps her “out of trouble and is more fun than cleaning house.” Thank you, Ms. Millar!

Congratulations to eleven musicians selected to the 2021 Kansas John Philip Sousa Honor Band: Elise Rathmel and Murphy Nowak, Billy Mills MS; Elliot Kastens, Luke Rogers, and Julia Kwan, FSHS; Jooseok Oh and Lauren Seybold, LHS; Steven Duan, Jackson Giroux, and Camden Toews, Southwest MS; and Gayla Gao, West MS.

FSHS’s FFA Horse Evaluation Team placed fourth in the Southern Illinois University National Horse Judging Contest. The team competed against 272 individuals on 60 teams. Realynn Keefer earned ninth place and Lakyn Roehrich, 15th. Ingrid Loney and Sora Gillman rounded out the team.

LHS students Zora Lotton-Barker and Lili Christensen won the Kansas History Day State Championship in Senior Group Documentary and qualified for National History Day.

FSHS won the Class 6A Kansas State Speech Championship. Congratulations to individual state champions: Timothy Huffman, Emily Bial, and Molly Roecker. LHS finished sixth with Gretchen Bannwarth earning the individual state championship in Prose.

Billy Mills MS alumna Christina Haswood, Kansas House District 10 representative, visited her former school to talk to students about public service.

LHS senior Macala Sisson won The Artistic Discovery Contest for Congressional District 2. The U.S. Capitol will display her work for a year.

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The Lawrence Schools Foundation hosted a donation drive for the district’s Clothing Closet, open to students year-round by working through school staff.

West MS student Eleanor Roust earned the distinction of becoming only the second student in the history of “Elements of Music: PC/SL” studies to pass Level 3, and the first student to accomplish this online. Roust demonstrated 100% mastery on Level 1, 2, and 3 tests, culminating in a massive comprehensive test, on which she scored 100% on 148 questions.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation presented its $5,000 Dedication to Education Award to Baileigh Faler, Broken Arrow fourth grade teacher. A parent wrote of Faler, “She is kind, loving, and incredibly bright and believes every child should have the opportunity to learn and love learning.”

LHS students Connor Jones and Ashton Rapp were selected for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2020 All-National Honor Ensembles Virtual Event in January. Jones is first chair trombone in the NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra. Rapp is a member of the NAfME AllNational Choir. Rapp will also participate in the Schmidt Vocal Institute, one of the leading summer programs for talented high school singers held in partnership with Miami University of Ohio.

FSHS Debate Coach Kelly Thompson earned Coach of the Year honors from the Kansas Debate Coaches’ Invitational.

The Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence honored Azura Clark, Avion Nelson, both of LHS; and Akosua Danso and Pranav Vogeti, FSHS, in its, Youth of the Year competition. Vogeti earned top honors and competed for Kansas Youth of the Year.

Learning how to tell time on an analog clock found Jess Brown’s first graders at Sunflower using kinesthetic techniques to show what they know.

Congratulations to the 2021 ONE DREAM Martin Luther King Jr. Award recipients! Earning the Heart of Service Award: Samantha Saltz, New York teacher; Character Award: Jakobe Davis, Woodlawn student, and Ja’Kiyia Carson, FSHS student; Dreamer’s Award: Yahaira Dominguez, LHS student, and Rosina Aguirre, LHS teacher; and Champion of Equity Award: Hamza Asuku, LHS student.

LHS’s Helen Viloria, Cuyler Dunn, Aidan Zimney, and Jake Shew; and Joel Rose and Jenna Riggins alternates; earned third place in 4-speaker debate at the KSHSAA 6A State Tournament. FSHS’s Simon Ruland, Jacob Wilkus, Aiden Basore, and Ethan Harris, captured fifth place. Free State 2-speaker teams of Aaron Persinger and Abbey Hossler, and John Marshall and Serena Rupp, placed fourth.

These LHS students achieved honors in the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: Journee Matter, two Gold Keys; Nora Walburn, a Gold and a Silver Key; Alice Lubin Meyer, Gold and Silver Keys; Tanner Ashenfelter, Gold Key and an Honorable Mention; Sophia Kaufman, Silver Key; Ryleigh Leon, three Honorable Mentions; Analeesa Shawley, two Honorable Mentions; Cassidy Dunn and Chloe Lemmons, Honorable Mention. LVS student Lilianna Brown also earned an Honorable Mention.

FSHS students earned recognition as part of the Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra. (Front row) Jake Chun and Morgan Kimuri, cello; (Second row) Dingding Ye, viola; Julia Lin, violin; and Terry Mechem, viola. Not Pictured: Isabel Loney, cello.

Congratulations to FSHS’s Lindsey Hefty, the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s and Lied Center’s 2021 Graham Edmonds Standing Ovation Award recipient.

LHS’s A Capella Choir and the FSHS Choir and Orchestra performed for the KMEA Convention in February. Sunflower’s Choir became the first public school to perform for the KMEA virtually.

The LHS boys’ bowling team finished first at regionals while the girls’ team placed second.

FSHS Lady Firebird wrestler Mady Gray (132 division) earned recognition as a two-time state champion!

Congratulations to Eric Streeter and Nolan Bradley, third place; Caleb Streeter and Darius Shield, fifth; and Alex Allison, for placing sixth at the 6A Kansas State Boys’ Wrestling Tournament. LHS wrestlers Trey Medina and Kevin Honas placed second, Jack Elsten, fourth; and Andrew Honas, sixth. LHS and FSHS tied for ninth place in the team standings.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation received a donation of $50,000 to its ICAN Fund to help fund the immediate and basic needs of students and staff due to the pandemic.

Lawrence middle schoolers performed well at Topeka Model United Nations. Students honored as Best Top Delegate: Guilia Ventello, Asher Sikes, Ava Lee, Molly Kelly, Ella Hope, Goldy Stephens, Jonah Frye, Felix McGowan, Kellar Musser, and Eli Cokelet, LMCMS; Kaitlynn Sedich, SWMS; and Anwen Williams, WMS. Students earning Best Speech honors: Ruby Hall, Gus Richardson, Matthew Lui, Stephan Rubin, Sarah Whittaker, Felix McGowan, Julia Velasco, Lola Brown, and Ginny Besson, LMCMS; Julie Kong and Kyle Sikes, SWMS; and Cayman Barnes, Gilliam Sellet, and Drew Harrison, WMS. Students honored for Best Position Papers: Olive Minor, LMCMS; and Julia Kong and Neel Sabarwal, SWMS.

Team STEAM Robotics recognized Pranav Vogeti, FSHS junior, as its Dean’s List Award Nominee for the 2021 FIRST at Home competition.

FSHS Journalism set a new regional school record with 24 student wins, including five firstplace wins, in the Kansas Scholastic Press Association regional contests.

LHS’s 2020 Red & Black yearbook is a national Pacemaker finalist, widely considered the highest honor available in scholastic journalism. Kenna McNally, managing editor, and Sophia Kaufman, co-editor, flank adviser Barb Tholen in the photo at right.

LHS advanced more students to the Kansas Scholastic Press Association state competition than any other school in the region.

FSHS students in Amanda Torbett’s class built garden beds for Liberty Memorial Central MS.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation presented district and Cordley paraeducator Chrystal Hunter with an A.C.E award and a check for $500. A peer wrote of Hunter, “I have never met a bigger heart full of unconditional love for kids out there. She sees the unique specialness in every child and embraces it.”

The Foundation also presented an A.C.E. Award and $500 to LHS Assistant Speech and Debate Coach Shane Billig. A peer wrote, “Shane is an LHS alum who began coaching for us two years after he graduated. From day one, his work ethic and dependability were of the highest quality. He threw himself into coaching with gusto, and helped us qualify four teams to the national championship tournament in his first five years.”

The LHS Speech and Debate program celebrates three National Speech and Debate Association Academic All-Americans: juniors Jake Shew, Jenna Riggins, and Helen Viloria. FSHS congratulates NSDA Academic All-Americans: seniors Audri Gutierrez, Simon Ruland, and Emily Bial; and juniors John Marshall, Abbey Hossler, Ezra Joseph, and Serena Rupp.

Konrad Pedersen, Quail Run fourth grader, won a catapult competition as part of the KU Engineering Expo.

FSHS presented freshman Gracy Garcia-Sanchez with a Gemeinhardt B-foot flute from Band of Angels, a nonprofit devoted to providing support for student success in music.

LHS students Audrey Basham tied for second place, Alice Lubin Meyer tied for third place, and Caitlin Mooney earned Honorable Mention at High School Art Day sponsored by Washburn University and the Mulvane Art Museum.

Congratulations to LHS Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge winners: Alec Murphy, second place, $750; Bradley Schrock, third, $500; Ayomide Okuson, fourth, $250; and Connor Gellender and Charles Elsten, Honorable mention, $100 each.

The LHS IPS inclusive leadership class took the Plunge for Kansas Special Olympics and raised the highest amount of donations ($6,200) and assembled the largest team in the Lawrence area for the second consecutive year. Gracie Flanagan was the top fundraiser. The LHS baseball team was a large contributor so IPS students helped them plunge by dumping buckets of cold water on them after their game.