Principal

Welcome Back!

On behalf of the staff and administration of Washburn Rural High School, I am excited to extend to you our best wishes for a productive and exciting new school year. Let me assure you that the educational opportunities for students at WRHS are excellent, both by reputation and by the measured accomplishments of our students.

We enjoy one of the best reputations of any public high school in the State of Kansas! Last year, for example, we produced four National Merit Finalists or Semi-Finalists, and two National Merit Commended Scholars! Additionally, once again we were named one of the Best High Schools in America by US News and World Report!

For those of you following the life of our school, you're likely aware of the incredible athletic and extracurricular success we experienced last year. We were City Champions in Boys' Cross Country, Girls' Cross Country, Girls' Golf, Boys' Swim, Boys' Bowling, Boys' Tennis, Boys' Golf, Girls' Swim, and both Boys' and Girls' Track. We also captured Centennial League Championships in Boys' Soccer, Volleyball, Girls' Cross Country, Girls' Bowling, Boys' Basketball, Girls' Soccer, Softball, and Boys' Tennis. Our teams earned Regional or Sub-State Championships in Girls' Tennis, Volleyball, Boys' Soccer, Girls' Cross Country, Girls' Bowling, Boys' Bowling, Girls' Basketball, Boys' Basketball, Softball, Baseball, Girls' Soccer, and Boys' Tennis. Girls' Soccer went on to win their first-ever State Championship, while our Softball team and the Dancin' Blues each finished as KSHSAA State Runners-Up. We also celebrated three individual State Champions in Boys' Wrestling—Landen Kocher-Muñoz (138 lb.), Easton Broxterman (144 lb.), and Kristjan Marshall (157 lb.)—and three State Champion performances from our Track Team: the Boys' 4x400 Relay (Isaiah Terry, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen, and Matthew Houser), Isaiah Terry in the 400m, and Liam Morrison in the 300m Hurdles. Coaching excellence was also recognized, with multiple coaches earning City or League Coach of the Year honors.

Our extra-curricular and co-curricular programs flourished throughout the year, with the Music Department showcasing excellence at every turn. Jazz I earned top honors at multiple festivals, and the Wind Ensemble received unanimous "I" ratings at the KSHSAA Large Ensemble Festival. Orchestra students also impressed, with both the Chamber and Symphony Orchestras earning Superior ratings at the State Large Group Festival. Altogether, the department amassed 87 Superior ratings at Regional Solo/Ensemble events and concluded the year with memorable performances at Stringfest and the Awards Concert. At the State Large Group Music Festivals, the WRHS Chorale, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble all received top ratings. Notably, the Chorale also engaged in two distinguished collaborations—a fall coaching session with the world-renowned Chanticleer ensemble and a joint spring performance with the Augustana College choir.

The WaRu Theatre program also continued to uphold a standard of excellence both on and off the stage. In addition to a full season of performances, the program celebrated numerous accomplishments at both the district and state levels. Thespian Troupe #6193 was honored as one of only 33 schools in Kansas to receive the Gold Honor Troupe designation. At the Kansas Thespian Conference, twenty-one students competed in the Thespy competitions, with thirteen earning Superior ratings and qualifying for international competition. In a historic milestone, Weston Widman became the first student in the region to be selected as a Kansas State Thespian Officer. WaRu Theatre also prioritized community engagement. The Blues Studio Players toured local elementary schools—Farley, Indian Hills, and Wanamaker—sharing their musical production with the entire 8th grade. In total, they reached over 1,500 students across the district, inspiring the next generation of theatre enthusiasts.

During the 2024-2025 season, our debate and forensics squads won over four hundred awards at invitational tournaments across the state, including placing second in debate and third in forensics at the 6A state championship. We have 25 students qualified to the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines this June. Our speech and debate programs are ranked 5th in the nation for the Bruno E. Jacobs Trophy, an award given by the National Speech and Debate Association to the top school nationally.

The parents, staff, students and community which WRHS serves have much to be proud of. It was a truly exciting year!

In the coming year, I invite you to become a partner with us in your child's education, and in doing so, learn more about their "home away from home" - Washburn Rural High School. Attend their athletic events. Go to their concerts. Ask them about their school work. Talk with their teachers. Ask how you can volunteer in our building. By developing a deeper understanding of all that is available to your students at WRHS, you will help us to unlock the extraordinary potential within each one of them.

We look forward to the upcoming year with great hope and an unwavering belief in the promise of our young people. We wish all of you the very best! If we can ever be of service to you, please do not hesitate to call.