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Check out the latest issue of the Junior Blues Newsletter!
https://usd437.net/assets/newsletters/junior-blues-news/summer-2025
(Freshmen/New Student) Parents & Students: Our third guided tour of the facility will be on Wednesday at 1:00 PM. Registration is required. Refreshments provided at the end of the tour! Sign up at:
Best of luck to these students competing in the National Speech & Debate Tournament!
Auburn-Washburn USD 437
The National Speech & Debate Tournament kicked off Monday in Des Moines, Iowa, and we're proud to share that more than two dozen Washburn Rural High School students are competing on the national stage! Please join us in cheering on the following students as they represent our school community with skill, poise, and confidence:
▪️Jace Raines & GopikaaShri Chidambaranathan (Policy Debate)
▪️Kavinayashri Chidambaranathan & Aditi Nimishakavi (Policy Debate)
▪️Rebecca Reed & Aryan Verma (Public Forum Debate)
▪️Harris Chaudhry & Campbell Hight (Public Forum Debate)
▪️Tarrence Byrd (United States Extemp)
▪️Manaswini Koduru (United States Extemp)
▪️Zain Chaudhry (Congressional Debate-House)
▪️Sophie Heinen (Congressional Debate-Senate)
▪️Ella Conran (Dramatic Interpretation)
▪️Will Boyd & Lizzy Sturgeon (Duo Interpretation)
▪️Holly Sorrenti & Cambria Hall (Duo Interpretation)
▪️Jaiden Loreman & Morgan Boose (Duo Interpretation)
▪️Miriam Smith (Humorous Interpretation)
▪️Kennedy Wright (International Extemp)
▪️Xachary Browne (Program Oral Interpretation)
▪️Ariana Smith (Program Oral Interpretation)
▪️Abigail Buckhalter (Poetry)
▪️Ophelia Lackey (Informative Speaking)
indicates four-time-competitor
As of today, GopikaaShri Chidambaranathan and Jace Raines are still competing among the top 30 policy debate teams in the nation! You can follow the tournament and track results at https://www.speechanddebate.org/national-tournament-2025/.
The Debate and Forensics program is under the direction of head coach Tim Ellis. In his 12-year tenure, Washburn Rural has won three national championships and nine state championships in policy debate.
Go get 'em, Jr. Blues!
Way to go, Lady Blues! You make us proud!
Auburn-Washburn USD 437
🚨This is not a drill. Repeat. This is not a drill.🚨
For the first time in school history, your Lady Blues Soccer team is 6A STATE CHAMPIONS!
In what will go down as one of the hardest-fought battles in program history, the Lady Blues triumphed after double overtime and a penalty kick shootout. Congratulations to these amazing athletes and their coaches. You've made history!
The gold rush continues!🥇
Auburn-Washburn USD 437
There’s fast. And then there’s Jr. Blues fast!
Congratulations to these standout athletes who brought home gold at the Class 6A State Track & Field Championships:
🥇Isaiah Terry, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen, and Matthew Houser | 4x400 meter relay
🥇Isaiah Terry | 400 meter dash
🥇Liam Morrison | 300 meter hurdles
Not only did the 4x400 relay team win the state title, they broke the state record in the process!
Congratulations, athletes! You've etched your names in school history.
Join us in wishing our coaches and athletes good luck!
Auburn-Washburn USD 437
It’s an exciting weekend for Washburn Rural High School Athletics as several of our athletes and teams compete at the state level! Here’s a look at the days ahead:
🏃♂️ Class 6A State Track & Field
More than a dozen Jr. Blues will compete in individual events and team relays.
Location: Cessna Stadium, Wichita State University
Dates: Friday, May 30 & Saturday, May 31
Stay updated with performance lists and live results at https://www.kshsaa.org/react/activity/tournament/info/track%20&%20Field/state/11/0
🥎 Class 6A State Softball
The Lady Blues face off against Mill Valley High School today in the semi-final matchup. If they win, they will play in the title game at 5:00 PM.
Location: Arrocha Ball Park, University of Kansas
Date & Time: Friday, May 30 at 1:00 PM
Fan and ticket information is available at https://www.kshsaa.org/react/activity/tournament/info/softball/state/4/2
⚽ Class 6A State Soccer
The Lady Blues take on Mill Valley High School in the championship match on Saturday.
Location: Wichita Stryker Sports Complex
Date & Time: Saturday, May 31 at 4:30 PM
Fan and ticket information is available at https://www.kshsaa.org/react/activity/tournament/info/soccer/state/12/2
Wishing all of our coaches and athletes the best of luck! 💪
Come support your Lady Blues and all the students participating at tonight's State Semifinal Soccer game vs. Blue Valley! Game starts at 6:00 PM at the WRHS McElroy Field and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.
The winner of tonight's game will advance to the State Championship in Wichita on Saturday, May 31.
Come support your Lady Blues and all the students participating at tonight's State Quarterfinal Soccer game vs. Topeka High! Game starts at 6:00 PM at the WRHS McElroy Field and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.
The winner of tonight's game will advance to State Semifinals on Wednesday, May 28.
Dear WRHS Families and Students,
As we close the chapter on another remarkable school year, I want to take a moment to thank you—our students, families, and community—for your partnership, your trust, and your unwavering support of our mission here at Washburn Rural High School.
Each year brings its own set of triumphs and challenges, and this one was no exception. From academic milestones to musical performances, athletic grit to quiet acts of kindness, our students have grown in ways both visible and profound. I remain proud of the resilience, purpose, and spirit they’ve shown, and I’m equally grateful to the families who walk beside them in that journey.
Summer is a time to recharge, reflect, and reconnect. I hope each of you can find space to do just that—whether through rest, adventure, work, reading, or time with loved ones. I also encourage our students to keep one eye on the horizon: to use the summer months not just to pause, but to prepare. Great things rarely happen by accident. Whether you’re a rising freshman or a graduating senior, intentional choices now can set the stage for a meaningful, successful future.
To our graduates: thank you for leaving your mark on WRHS. You’ve shaped our halls with your presence and your leadership. As you step forward into what’s next, know that you carry the pride of a community that believes in you.
To all returning students and families: we look forward to welcoming you back in August, rested, inspired, and ready to build on the foundation we've laid together.
Until then, be safe, be kind, and be well.
Warm regards,
Ed Raines, Principal
raineedw@usd437.net
785-339-4100
Come support your Lady Blues and all the students participating at tonight's Regional Championship Soccer game vs. Manhattan! Game starts around 6:00 PM at the WRHS McElroy Field and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.
The winner of tonight's game will advance to State Quarterfinals on Monday, May 26.
