TOPEKA, Kan. - Annually, the Kansas State High School Activities Association presents the KSHSAA Governor’s Award recognizing one individual for outstanding contributions in the field of secondary education in Kansas. We are pleased to announce Janet Waugh, Kansas City, has been selected as the 2023 KSHSAA Governor’s Award recipient.

The KSHSAA Governor’s Award Selection Committee is comprised of the presidents of the Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Principals Association, United School Administrators, and the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association.

Recently retired from the Kansas State Board of Education, Janet Waugh has been a constant presence in Kansas education circles since first volunteering in 1967.  Her service began in the Kansas City area where she worked for her family business, helping where needed with Turner USD 202 schools as both her children went through the school system. Waugh was a supporter for local PTA chapters, volunteering in schools and serving on various committees.  She held local and county PTA offices, including president, and went on to become a Kansas-PTA regional vice-president, state treasurer and state vice-president. In 1983, Waugh was elected to the Turner USD 202 Board of Education where she assumed leadership positions as vice-president (1988-89) and president (1989-1991, 1993-1999). While on her local board of education, she was a member of the Kansas Association of School Boards.

It was in 1999 that Waugh was first elected to the Kansas State Board of Education, serving schools and students in her district for 24 years.  Through her time with the KSBE, she represented the Board on many committees and task forces, guiding the Board as vice-chair for three terms (2001-03, 2019-23) and chair for 2 terms (2003-04, 2009-10). In honor of her commitment to the students of Kansas, Waugh has been named a Friend of Education Award recipient from the Kansas-NEA, an honorary Life Member of the Kansas-PTA, and an honorary Life Member of the National PTA. As a co-founder and former chair of Turner Days, and a former member of the Turner Recreation Commission, Waugh was among the first inductees into the Turner Walk of Fame.

Janet Waugh will receive her award at Kansas City Turner, during the district wide fine arts fair, March 9.