Principal

Greetings!

As we wrap up another school year, it's a great time to reflect on the many achievements that have defined this exciting and successful year at WRHS. From the classroom to the field, stage, and beyond, our students and staff continue to set an exceptional standard of excellence.

In athletics, WRHS captured City Championships in Boys' and Girls' Cross Country, as well as Boys' Swim and Dive. We earned Centennial League titles in Boys' Soccer, Volleyball, Boys' Cross Country, Girls' Bowling, and Boys' Swim and Dive, along with Regional or Sub-State Championships in Girls' Tennis, Boys' Soccer, Boys' Bowling, and Volleyball. At the state level, WRHS proudly claimed 6A State Championships in Boys' Cross Country, Boys' Soccer, and 4-Speaker Debate. Individual state honors included Boys' Wrestling champions Landen Kocher-Munoz (144 lbs.) and Jadyn Baum (215 lbs.); Boys' Swim champion Daniel Allen in the 100-yard butterfly; and Cody Spangler as the 6A State Boys' Bowling Champion. Our coaches were also recognized for their outstanding leadership, with Matt Swedlund named Shawnee County Coach of the Year for both Boys' and Girls' Cross Country, and Brian Hensyel earning Centennial League Coach of the Year, 6A State Coach of the Year, and the 2025 National Federation of State High School Associations Section 5 Coach of the Year.

Beyond athletics, our extracurricular and co-curricular programs continue to thrive. AFJROTC had another outstanding year, earning a 92% on its unit evaluation and qualifying for Distinguished Unit with Merit. Cadets performed strongly in competitions, bringing home multiple trophies in both drill and marksmanship. The Marksmanship Team earned 1st and 3rd place at the annual competition at Topeka West High School, with Joel LaCount taking 1st place overall individually. Cadets also demonstrated their commitment to service, averaging more than 23 hours of community service per cadet and extending their streak of over 2,000 total service hours to six consecutive years. Additionally, AFJROTC students connected classroom learning with real-world experiences through educational travel to Washington, D.C., and San Antonio, Texas.

The Music Department also had an outstanding spring. In March, the entire department traveled to Orlando, Florida, to participate in Disney's Imagination Campus and Universal's STAR program, where choir, orchestra, Concert Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band all performed. The months of February, March, and April were especially busy and successful. Jazz I performed at the State Music Convention (KMEA) in February and later competed at WSU in the KBA Jazz Championship, earning a tie for second place and an outstanding trumpet soloist award for Annie Winter. In April, all three jazz ensembles—Jazz I, Jazz II, and Jazz Combo—received "I" ratings at the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival hosted by Washburn University. The concert bands also achieved remarkable success, with all three groups earning straight "I" ratings at their respective festivals for the first time in program history. Concert Band performed at the Blue Valley West Band Festival, while Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble traveled to Lawrence for the KSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival. Additionally, on April 7, students earned 77 "I" ratings at the Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival, qualifying them to perform at the 6A State Solo and Ensemble Festival, which was hosted at WRHS in late April.

Washburn Rural Theatre also had an exceptional year. In addition to its mainstage productions of Booby Trap, Trap, Into the Woods, and The Curious Savage, students shared the musical with all 8th graders from WRMS and WRNMS. At the Kansas Thespian Festival, WRHS earned Gold Honor Troupe status, with 23 students competing—14 receiving Superior ratings and 9 earning Excellent ratings. Notable honors included Thespy Showcase selections for Chase Hastings, Eli Loyd, and Beck Carr. The competition one-act, Booby Trap, earned top honors as the Chapter Select One-Act, qualifying it for the International Thespian Festival.

The WRHS community has every reason to be proud. This has truly been a dynamic and rewarding year. On behalf of the entire team at WRHS, we wish you a relaxing, safe, and joyful summer. It has been our honor to work with you this year.