TOPEKA, Kan. – Olathe East High School has been selected as the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence award winner. A total of 23 Kansas high schools will receive recognition by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) for outstanding performing arts programs.
A selection committee was formed from the following associations: Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA) and the Kansas Thespians (Theatre). Leaders from these three associations along with the KSHSAA staff collaborated to discuss numerous high schools that scored exceptionally high in debate, speech, music, and theater during the 2023-24 school year. The committee and the KSHSAA chose one winner, four finalists and 18 commended schools from across our great state. All 23 schools will be recognized with a certificate from the KSHSAA.
Winner: Olathe East High School
Finalists: Lawrence-Free State High School, McPherson High School, Topeka-Seaman High School, Topeka-Washburn Rural High School
Commended: Andover High School, Buhler High School, Coldwater-South Central High School, Garden City High School, Kansas City-Sumner Academy, Newton High School, Norton Community High School, Olathe South High School, Olathe West High School, Overland Park-Blue Valley High School, Overland Park-Blue Valley West High School, Pittsburg High School, Salina-Central High School, Shawnee Mission-Bishop Miege High School, Sterling High School, Sylvan-Lucas Unified High School, Tonganoxie High School, Wichita Collegiate School
“The KSHSAA made a commitment to our schools in 2018 to annually recognize outstanding performing arts schools in the State of Kansas. This award is a wonderful testimony to our schools’ professionalism and efforts with our amazing students,” said Megan Hagaman, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit. “It is very difficult to flourish in all categories of the performing arts and we are so proud to honor these 23 schools.”
Past winners are: 2018-19 Topeka-Washburn Rural High School (NFHS National and State Winner), 2019-20 Lawrence-Free State High School (First KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence), 2020-21 Sterling High School, 2021-22 Pittsburg High School, 2022-23 McPherson High School, 2023-24 De Soto High School.
Rod Garman and Jeremy Holaday, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Directors, joined the Olathe East administration for the first announcement at Olathe East High School on Friday, August 30. Bill Faflick, KSHSAA Executive Director, will join Dr. Hagaman for the formal presentation at Olathe East’s opening football game on Friday, September 6. Olathe East High School administration and performing arts departments will be honored in front of their community with a plaque presentation by the KSHSAA.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Megan Hagaman, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit
Office: (785) 273-5329
Email: mhagaman@kshsaa.org