Several talented Auburn-Washburn students were honored this morning at the King Holiday Awards Program held at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park. Please join us in celebrating these 2026 Living the Dream Art, Essay, and Poetry Competition winners:

Art Competition Winners
🥇Cora Fleer – 1st place (5th-6th grade) | Washburn Rural Middle School | "Patches of Peace"
🥇Maya Cabrilo – 1st place (7th-8th grade) | Washburn Rural North Middle School | "The First With Many To Follow: Ruby Bridges"
🥉Marshall Dillon – 3rd place (5th-6th grade) | Washburn Rural North Middle School | "The March Forward That Isn't Finished"
🥉Jazmine Williams - 3rd place (7th-8th grade) | Washburn Rural North Middle School | "The Ones That Still Stand"

Essay Competition Winners
🥇Pranith Reddy Mandapati – 1st place (3rd-4th grade) | Jay Shideler Elementary School | "Brave Voices: Speaking Up, Staying Strong and Walking Proud"
🥇Danielle Philipi – 1st place (5th-6th grade) | Washburn Rural Middle School | "Fighting for Fairness"
🥉Ashrith Reddy Mandapati – 3rd place (3rd-4th grade) | Jay Shideler Elementary School | "A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way"
🥉Lillyanna Kimball – 3rd place (5th-6th grade) | Washburn Rural Middle School | "Keep Moving Forward"

Poetry Competition Winners
🥇Mildred May – 1st place (5th-6th grade) | Washburn Rural Middle School | "The Garden of Peace"
🥇Sophia Maxwell – 1st place (7th-8th grade) | Washburn Rural Middle School | "A Man of Many Colors"

Congratulations to these students whose creativity and voices reflect the values of hope, leadership, and positive change.

Washburn Rural North Middle School (WRN) hosted the Great Plains Regional Future City Competition today, welcoming 42 teams from schools across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The event is part of an international STEM challenge that invites students in grades 6-8 to imagine, design, and build cities of the future.

This year’s theme, “Farm to Table,” invited teams to envision a city at least 100 years in the future that eliminates food waste from production to consumption, promotes citizen health and safety, and incorporates innovative and sustainable solutions.

Throughout the fall, students worked in teams, applying engineering design and project management principles to complete a comprehensive, large-scale project. The experience helps students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for future success.

WRN’s team, led by WRN science teacher Todd Berry, created a remarkable display and research-based essay centered on the fictional city of Greenbridge, Spain.

Fifteen talented artists from Washburn Rural High School received recognition for their work at the 2026 Regional Scholastic Art Competition in Wichita.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious educational initiative supporting student achievement in the visual and literary arts. The Scholastic Awards look for work that demonstrates originality, technical skills, and the emergence of personal voice or vision.

This year, more than 1,600 artworks were submitted by students across Eastern Kansas, with 509 pieces earning regional honors from local Scholastic Awards affiliate Mark Arts. Award recipients’ work was recognized by a panel of creative professionals as the most outstanding work submitted. Washburn Rural High School had 29 works selected this year. Silver and Gold Key works will be on display at Mark Arts from Friday, February 6 through Saturday, March 28. The Open House and Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 28 from 10 am - 12 pm.

This gallery contains the works of our Gold Key and Silver Key winners. To view all 15 award-winning pieces, visit https://usd437.net/news/2026-01-2026-scholastic-art-competition/public-wrhs-home.

Reminder: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is an early release day. All schools will dismiss 90 minutes early.

🎶 Attention 5th Grade Families 🎶

Music Night will be held on Tuesday, January 13, at 6:30 PM at Washburn Rural High School. The event is designed to help families explore the Band, Choir, and Orchestra options available in 6th grade.

Student representatives, music department instructors, and local vendors will be on hand to answer questions and prepare you for the coming year.

Regardless of whether or not you attend, please take a moment to complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQrmHZJtKzb-TkmSGCebn1mg3jhbYGWalx67aVmIDS8zJaag/viewform.

Come support your Jr. Blues and all the students participating at tonight's basketball games vs. Hayden! Varsity Girls starts at approximately 6:00 PM and Varsity Boys afterward around 7:30 PM in the WRHS Activity Center and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees will be recognized between the Varsity Girls and Boys games.

REMINDER: Focus group sessions are happening next week! Hosted by our superintendent search firm, these sessions are a great opportunity to share your input and help inform the search. Your voice matters, and we hope you’ll join us!

Shuler Education Center is proud to showcase a rotating gallery of student artwork from across the district. These exceptional pieces reflect the creativity and talent of our phenomenal students. We invite you to stop by during regular business hours to view these works and many others currently on display!

We are proud to announce the 2026 Washburn Rural High School Hall of Fame inductees, who will be honored during an induction ceremony at 5:00 pm on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Washburn Rural High School.

✨ Christopher Currie (Class of 1983) – Currie built an extraordinary 21-year career in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant. He spent 17 years in the elite Marine Corps Reconnaissance community and deployed in multiple major operations, including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. His courage and leadership under fire earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, among other honors. Currie’s lifelong commitment to service exemplifies the highest ideals of leadership, integrity, and dedication.

✨ 1989 WRHS Football Team – The 1989 Junior Blues completed a perfect 12–0 season and captured the Class 5A state championship in a thrilling 10–8 victory over Salina Central. Led by head coach Ron Bowen, the team’s dominant defense, resilience in close games, and unmatched toughness defined one of the greatest seasons in WRHS football history.

Established in 2003, the WRHS Hall of Fame recognizes graduates and staff who have achieved remarkable accomplishments at the local, state, or national levels. You can learn more about these and other inductees at https://usd437.net/wrhs/hall-of-fame/inductees.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding Hall of Famers!

Come support your Lady Blues and all the students participating at tonight's Girls Basketball game vs. Olathe North! Varsity game starts around 7:30 PM in the WRHS Activity Center and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.