TOPEKA, Kan. – Lawrence Free State High School has been selected as the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence award winner. This marks the second time Lawrence-Free State High School as been tabbed for the award making it the first repeat in the award’s seven year history. 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 2024-25 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: Lawrence Free State High School
Finalists: Andover High School, Overland Park-Blue Valley North High School, Pittsburg High School, Topeka-Washburn Rural High School
Commended: Buhler High School, De Soto High School, Greensburg-Kiowa County High School, Lansing High School, McPherson High School, Newton High School, Olathe East High School, Olathe South High School, Olathe North High School, Olathe Northwest High School, Olathe West High School, Salina-Central High School, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission South, Sterling High School, Topeka-Seaman High School, Topeka West 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. Lawrence Free State is the first school to be named the performing arts school of excellence for a second time. This award is a wonderful testimony to the amazing abilities and talents of Kansas educators and 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, 2024-2025 Olathe East High School.
Bill Faflick, KSHSAA Executive Director and Megan Hagaman, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director, joined the Lawrence Free State administration for the first announcement at Lawrence Free State High School on Wednesday August 13, 2025. Bill Faflick, KSHSAA Executive Director, will join Dr. Hagaman for the formal presentation at Lawrence Free State’s opening football game on Friday, September 5. Lawrence Free State High School administration and performing arts departments will be honored in front of their community with a plaque presentation by the KSHSAA.