By Joan Davies
OK, I admit it. As a lifelong educator I’m an unabashed believer in all things about our “Quivira kids,” regardless of their age, status or accomplishments. Each year as I write this graduation feature article, I am reminded how special each one of our young adult graduates has become.
This year is no exception. Our sixteen high school graduates have amassed an amazing list of local, state and national academic honors, music and sporting awards, all while donating thousands of hours of volunteer service to local schools, charities and churches. The graduates will be attending a diverse group of schools, including the Universities of Colorado, Dallas, Drake, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Christian, Pittsburg State, Rockhurst, Colorado College, William Jewel College, and Johnson County Community College.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to each of our outstanding graduates.
Ethan Biron
Ethan Biron, son of Joe and Teresa Biron, graduated recently from Shawnee Mission Northwest (SMNW), where he was a Boys’ Swim Team member for 3 years and belonged to the Cougars Community Service Club (CCC). During this time, he also served as a lifeguard for Jeff Kelly, Inc. If not out and about the Lake or in the water, Ethan can be seen most Sunday mornings helping his Dad at the fire station.
Ethan plans to attend Johnson County Community College (JCCC), studying to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. He also plans to join the LQ Volunteer Fire Department.
Logan Coffman
Logan Alexander Coffman, son of Lisa and Casey Coffman, graduated from SMNW with a 4.0 GPA. While at SMNW, Logan excelled in academics, athletics and student government. He was a member of SMNW’s varsity golf and cross country teams, and the junior varsity basketball team.
While not working hard in the classroom or as an athlete, Logan was active on the Student Council, volunteered for CCC, served as SMNW’s newspaper sports editor and was the senior class vice-president.
Logan plans to spend time this summer playing golf, painting and playing the guitar and piano. In the fall, he heads to the University of Colorado (CU), majoring in industrial design.
Jackson Foth
Neil and Julie Foth’s son, Jackson Foth, is a 4-year honor roll graduate of SMNW and award winning golfer and basketball player for the school. On May 21 Jackson was runner-up in the boy’s 6A State High School Golf Tournament. He placed 2nd overall in the tournament with a score of 74, just one shot short of the championship. He and his SMNW golf team members placed 4th. Jackson was the Sunflower League golf champion for 3 years, 1st Team All State and 1st Team All Metro. He also broke Clay Devers’ long standing school record for most career medals won.
Jackson was a 2-year varsity basketball team starter, team captain and “Most Valuable Player” for 2011-12. While volunteering for CCC, Jackson tutored 2nd graders at Broken Arrow Elementary and for a special education students in a SMNW mentoring class.
Jackson heads to the University of Kansas this fall, where he will join the golf team. His major field of study is undecided at this time.
Abigail Gomer
Abigail Gomer. a SMNW 4-year 4.0 GPA Honor Roll student, President’s Student Service Award winner, National Honor Society member and athlete extraordinaire, is the daughter of Charlie and Christina Gomer and granddaughter of Fred and Margie Braun. In addition to academics, Abby excelled in four sports: golf, cross country, soccer, cycling and swimming, acting as the girls’ swim team captain this last season.
Last November Abby and her mother, Christina, competed in the grueling Ironman event in Florida. At 18 years of age, Abby was recognized as the youngest competitor out of the almost 3000 athletes and finished in 5th place in the 18-24 year old age group. Overall, Abby finished 147th out of 507 women who finished the race, with a time of 12:24:46.
She accomplished all of this while staying active in SMNW’s student clubs and activities, serving on the CCC’s executive board as a junior and senior and helping Shawanoe Elementary students in the after-school tutoring program. In recognition of her many hours of community service, Abby was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community in 2012.
This fall, Abby will attend Colorado College in Colorado Springs to study sports sciences.
Mary Hanson
Mary Hanson, daughter of Scott and Joanne Hanson, and granddaughter of Dick and CeCe Sandifer, was an accomplished vocalist, thespian and academic scholar while attending St. James Academy. Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, Mary was enrolled in Honors and/or Advanced Placement classes each of her four years at St. James. She earned Honor Roll status all four years and membership in the National Honor Society. She was a 3 year member of GRACE (Girls Respond Actively to Christ’s Example) and the Bella Donna Club her senior year.
An outstanding vocalist, Mary participated in the Concert Choir, Advanced Choir, Chamber Choir and Honors Choir, as well as musicals and plays every year. Most recently, Mary played Cinderella in the musical Cinderella Enchanted; and Elaine in Arsenic and Old Lace.
As a volunteer for St. Joseph Parish, Padre Pio Academy, Harvesters, Central KS School for the Deaf and the Villa St. Francis nursing home, Mary performed a variety of services for many in need of help. She also writes about an unusual hobby: “My sister Elizabeth and I custom design and bake multi-layer, decorative cakes in a variety of flavors, and even offer gluten free cakes. It is so much fun and produces something that everybody loves.”
Mary has been accepted to Rockhurst University on the Tom D. Harmon full-tuition nursing scholarship. After earning a bachelors of science in nursing degree, she intends to pursue graduate school to become a flight nurse or nurse anesthetist.
Bernadette Hursh
Bernadette Hursh, daughter of Kenneth and Teresa Hursh, graduated from SMNW, where she was named the school’s visual artist nominee for the 2012 Johnson County Shooting Stars award. She acted in the school musical, Grease, as a freshman and was a founding member of the Ukulele Club.
She donated hundreds of hours to various school and church clubs, including Club 121, a Christian sharing group; coalition fundraising efforts for helping children in Africa; and the Holy Trinity Catholic Church youth group. While in high school, Bernadette worked at Old Navy and Holy Trinity Catholic Church Aftercare Program, where she is currently employed. Bernadette also has her own small business taking senior pictures and family portraits.
Beginning college this summer at Johnson County Community College, she plans to study psychology while continuing with her photography business, her Aftercare job and sailing dock jobs.
Boris Huston
Boris Huston, son of Kent and Jolene Huston, graduated from SMNW, where he was an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate. This diploma requires candidates to take advanced course work and acquire a minimum of 150 hours of community service projects outside the classroom. In addition, each candidate must pass a series of oral and written tests, which are graded by a panel of international experts. His academic accomplishments included magna cum laude National Latin Exam, AP Scholar, National Merit Scholar, Kansas ACT Scholar, Sophomore Top 100, Kansas Designated Scholar and a 4-year academic letter.
His school activities included girls’ tennis manager, Girl Effect, Coalition, Latin Club, and he was the undisputed #1 soccer fan at Northwest. He played tennis all four years and was on the varsity team for three of those years. He qualified to go to state one year and was senior co-captain of the tennis team.
He was very active in Young Life, where he was a devoted student leader and camp attendee. This will be his third summer working in the business office at the Center for Rheumatic Disease by Saint Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza. He will still find time to play tennis at Lake Quivira!
This fall Boris will enter the Honors Program at Drake University, where he was awarded a Presidential Scholarship and a Trustee Scholarship. He plans to study actuarial sciences.
Logan Kembel
Logan Kembel, daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Kembel, graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy, where she earned four years of First Honors status, an AP biology award, Latin Honors Society membership, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Award for math and science.
While at St. Teresa’s, Logan played on the golf team as a freshman student and was active in the Cooking Club, Peer Helpers, Big Sisters. Giving back to her community, Logan donated 96 hours to the Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center.
Logan loves all things pertaining to her horse and horseback riding, which most likely influenced her decision to begin the study of pre-veterinary medicine this fall at Oklahoma State University.
Ryan McAnany
Ryan Mc-Anany, son of Pat and Mel McAnany and grandson of Betty McAnany, graduated from Rockhurst High School in May. Academic honors included First Honors as a freshman, sophomore, and junior student, then Ignatian Highest Honors his senior year. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Regis Service Club. He earned the Eagle Scout Award, served as a KAIROS retreat leader, was president of SADD and a Eucharistic minister.
Ryan was a talented varsity cross country athlete for four years, serving as the team’s captain as a senior. Cross country awards include the following: MO state qualifier placing 26th in the state, KC Metro Cross Country First Team, KC Star Cross Country Honorable Mention. He lists his favorite LQ activities as golfing, swimming and ultimate Frisbee–while not working for McAnany Construction Co., as well as running a landscaping business.
He will attend the University of Dallas in the fall, majoring in history, theology and Spanish.
Julia Mi
Julia Noland
chele Noland, daughter of Kent and Annie Noland, graduated from SMNW as an academically talented and very involved student. Her leadership positions include Student Council (class representative), Lady Cougar Swim and Dive Team (co-captain), Cougar Express Drill Team (co-captain) and Cougar Community Commitment (CCC) executive board. Additionally, she was Prom Committee vice president, was in Spirit Club and participated in Shawnee Mission Cotillion. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and was on the Honor Roll for the past four years.
Julia was born and raised at Lake Quivira. Growing up on the lake, she participated in every activity possible, from Swim Team and JTL to Summer Rec and Junior Golf. Her favorite memories include taking Summer Recreation classes and being with all of her Catfish buddies on the swim team.
Throughout high school, Julia was a volunteer for a variety of children’s charities and the Westside Family Church. With her love for children, Julia plans to attend Kansas State University in the fall, majoring in elementary education.
Nick Reedy
Nick Reedy, son of Mike and Chris Reedy, graduated from SMNW as a dedicated and committed volunteer for CCC during his junior and senior years. He volunteered at Turn Styles and Broken Arrow Elementary School where he assisted the gym teacher and librarian. He also tutored students through a program called Y-Stars. He helped his Environmental Ed classmates clean up the Missouri River. Nick also helped his dad deliver commodities to elderly shut-ins through Crosslines Ministries.
Without a SMNW formal club for skateboarding, Nick has still managed to actively pursue his love of the sport (the Lake is a perfect place for him to do just that!). Additionally, Nick has immortalized several of his friends through his creative videography and photography, much of which can be found on YouTube and Instagram. He enjoys all things about the outdoors, including mountain biking, rock climbing, swimming, tennis and playing recreational basketball or baseball.
Nick will be attending K-State in the fall with an undeclared major.
Sarah Schmidt
National Honor Society Member, recipient of two 4.0 academic letters, and graduate of SMNW, Sarah Schmidt is the daughter of Ray and Debbie Schmidt. Additionally, Sarah was a standout varsity soccer and varsity basketball team member as well as a KC Fusion Club soccer team. She was the captain of the Lady Cougar Soccer Team in 2012 and received Sunflower League Honorable Mention for basketball in 2012.
Many community services projects were undertaken by Sarah, including helping with youth basketball at SMNW and volunteering for four years in the Children’s Mercy Hospital Golf Tournaments. These tournaments managed to raise over $50,000 for the hospital over the four years of her involvement. She volunteers as an usher at her church, the Community Covenant Church.
Sarah has been accepted to William Jewell College with an academic and athletic scholarship. She will be a member of the WJC soccer team while pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
Bailey Sestak
Steve and Lynn Sestak’s daughter, Bailey Sestak, graduated from SMNW as a four year 4.0 Honor Roll student; a two year National Honor Society member; four year member of the Top 100 Club (class rank); a Spanish Language Award winner; and earned two academic letters with distinction. As an active and involved student, Bailey was a member of Club 121, Coalition, Cotillion, Foursquare Club, Health and Science Careeers Club, Spirit Club and the Student Council. As a senior, Bailey was the executive board’s publicist.
Bailey is a talented dancer and gymnast. She was a member of the Varsity Drill Team for three years,, serving as its captain as a senior. The team earned numerous championship awards while she was on the team. As a sophomore member of the Varsity Gymnastics Team, she placed 3rd in the KS state meet. When replying to a question about any unusual hobbies, Bailey wrote, “I don’t think I have an unusual hobby, but I dance over twenty hours a week at my dance studio, LE Dance.”
Committed to serving others, Bailey donated hundreds of hours while serving with CCC. Examples of her service projects include Crosslines Food Kitchen, Harvesters, Hospice Center, Race for the Cure, many SMNW Student Council events and Westside Family Church nursery.
Bailey will attend Texas Christian University this fall with a major in nursing. She plans to perform as a member of the TCU Showgirls Dance Team.
Taryn Vogel
Taryn Vogel, daughter of Lance and Jennifer Vogel, graduated with honors from SMNW. She earned induction into the National Honor Society as a junior; she was a four year 3.0 Honor Roll student; was the co-president of the Spirit Club her senior year; a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years; Four Square Club vice-president and a member of the school’s orchestra for four years.
Taryn is also a talented athlete as evidenced by her three year membership on the Varsity Girls’ Softball Team and Varsity Bowling Team. She volunteered many hours for the Rod Rogers Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit pancreatic cancer.
She will attend KU in the fall, majoring in Elementary Education.
Anthony Yates
Anthony Yates, son of Phil and Jean Yates, graduated from SMNW with a 3.82 GPA and as a 4.0 Honor Roll member. A standout athlete, Anthony earned a four year letter award in track and field (state champions in 2011) and three year letter award in cross country (state champions in 2011).
His senior year of 2011-2012, Anthony was president of the Ping Pong Club, a broadcaster for the Shawnee Mission Sports Broadcasting Network and woodworking ribbon award winner in the Research and Development Forum,. He volunteered at Catholic Charities Habitat for Humanity, and CYO, and was track team coach for 5th and 6th graders at Good Sheppard Catholic Church.
Anthony owns his own lawn care business, which he started in 2008, and he is employed as a cart/pro shop LQ employee. He will be attending Pittsburg State University, where he intends to compete as a decathlete on a track scholarship.
Eric Zoellner
Win and Carol Zoellner’s son, Eric Zoellner, graduated 5th in his class of 450 students, earning a 4.0 GPA from SMNW. He had an outstanding academic record, earning the following awards: Commended National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Honor, Kansas Honor Scholar, 4.0 Honor Roll member for eight semesters and the recipient of four academic letters with distinction.
An accomplished athlete, Eric
earned awards and recognition for three sports including soccer, swimming and tennis. He is also a member of the KC Fusion soccer club. As a senior, Eric was a starting varsity goalkeeper and letterman, and a member of the top five 6A ranked teams in Kansas for 2012.
Eric volunteered over 100 hours of community service work for activities like Adopt a Tot, Cougar Crazy Week, Gift of Life, Sleep in a Box, Komen Race for the Cure, Special Olympics Soccer and TOP Soccer, among others. As a member of the Shawnee Mission Cotillion, Eric represented SMNW at functions designed to foster goodwill among the Shawnee Mission schools and to promote etiquette and traditions.
Eric will be attending the University of Colorado in Boulder to study engineering.
