Meet this year’s outstanding Kansas City Star Scholar-Athlete honorees, by school

You won’t find a finer group of young people in Kansas City than this year’s KC Star Scholar-Athlete high school award-winners, presented by The Kansas City Star and the Kansas City Royals.

Dozens of honorees are listed below, alphabetized by school.

The 2025 nominations came from faculty and staff at dozens of high schools in the KC Star’s circulation area — the Kansas City metro — earlier this year. School officials were encouraged to nominate as many as three students from their respective campuses.

All candidates were reviewed thoroughly. The field was narrowed through three rounds of judging by KC Star staffers and prominent members of the community, including players from the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC and KC Current.

Judges reviewed all nominees’ portfolios for athletic and academic prowess, as well as standout examples of community service.

Along with the Kansas City Royals, our partner in presenting these awards, we are proud to share a little bit more about each honoree.

With no further ado, let’s meet them:

BARSTOW

CARSON MATULA

Earned a 4.37 grade-point average. National Honor Society member and AP Scholar with Distinction. Spanish Honor Society and National Spanish Exam levels 3 and 4. Special Olympics volunteer for two years. Enrolled in nine AP courses and 11 honors courses. Named school’s best all-around athlete as a sophomore; most valuable athlete as a junior. Four-time basketball letter winner. All-conference second team as a senior. Four baseball letters; will play baseball in college. Two-time all-conference second team; all-district first team as a freshman.

College: Case Western Reserve University.

BASEHOR-LINWOOD

RYLEIGH JAE NYP

Earned 4.0 GPA on 4.0 scale, ranking first in class of 220. National Honor Society member for three years. Student ambassador for two years. Two years of orchestra. Performed more than 100 hours of community service. Earned three letters in powerlifting. Qualified for state for three years; finished third in weight class at state, highlighted second in hang clean, third in squat, fourth in bench press. One track letter. Also plays tennis.

College: Entourage Institute of Beauty.

BELTON

LOUISE JUITT

Overall KC Star Girls Scholar-Athlete winner for 2025 had a 4.17 GPA. Student council member, four years academic all-state; four academic letters. Twice named academic all-American. Choir section leader for five years. More than 60 hours of community service. Four wrestling letters. Ranked fifth in the U.S. in her weight class. Three-time all-American. In 2024, won the Las Vegas U.S. Open, and finished sixth at Fargo and the Super 32. Missouri state champion in 2025. Two-time Wonder Woman champion; three-time all-state first-team member. Named academic all-American in 2024. One cross country letter; two track letters.

College: Undecided.

BISHOP MIEGE

KRISTINA ERSKINE

Earned 4.94 GPA on 4.0 scale, ranking first in class of 178. Academic honors include National Merit finalist; National Honor Society; National Spanish Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; AP Scholar with distinction; and NSDA Superior Distinction. Other activities include: Kansas 4A Debate Champion in 2024-25; Debate Vice President, Math Honor Society Vice President; Gold Award for 350+ hours of community service; Speech and Forensics; and member of American Sign Language Club. Four soccer letters. Member of three state champion teams; EKL honorable mention in 2022. Three basketball letters. Member of two state champion teams. One cross-country letter.

College: Notre Dame.

BISHOP WARD

ALAINA MENDEZ

Earned 3.8 GPA; ranked 17th in her class of 66. Principal’s honor roll; Academy of Finance member, student council member, senior class president. Four volleyball letters. Four-year batting average of .587; struck out just 7 times in high school competition. Pitched in 53 games, totaling 243 innings and 400 career strikeouts; started senior year with 15 career home runs and five career no-hitters. Four-time first-team all-conference. Team captain for two years. Named team MVP in 2024. Three basketball letters. All-conference first team in 2024. Three softball letters. Will attend KCKCC on a Presidential Scholarship and has been accepted into the school’s honors program.

College: Kansas City Kansas Community College.

BLUE SPRINGS

PAIGE STUART

Earned 4.3 weighted GPA; ranked 26th in class of 573. National Honor Society member; student senate officer. FCA member and Rooted Ministries student leader. National Federation of State High school Association’s Award of Excellence for Sportsmanship in 2024. Four track letters. As a junior, won the Missouri 5A 800m, setting a new state record. Member of state champion and state-record setting 4x400 relay and 4x800 state champion relay. Won the 800m state title as a junior and finished second as a freshman. She holds five school records. Three cross country letters. Named all-state and all-metro three years.

College: Oklahoma State University.

BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH

JASMINE ROSS

Earned 4.26 GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked 62nd in class of 549. National Honor Society member; DECA; Kansas City Race Project Student Advisory Committee; Root Ministries Student Leadership Team. Four track letters. All-American in long jump as a junior – also won state title and set state meet record in the event. Named all-state in six events (long jump, 100, 20 in 2023; 4x100 and 4x200 in 2022.) Two volleyball letters. Academic all-state in 2021.

College: University of Central Florida.

BLUE VALLEY

GRADY WESTPHAL

Earned a 3.7 GPA. Awarded four academic letters; member of school’s ‘Fight Club’ (similar to FCA). Four-time baseball letter winner; will continue career at University of Texas. Junior season accolades included Kansas 6A Pitcher of the Year, EKL Pitcher of the Year, First-team all-state and first-team all-EKL. Pre-season all-American as a senior; the No. 1-ranked Kansas prospect by PBR and Perfect Game. Three-time football letter winner. First-team EKL receiver and honorable mention all-state as senior. As a junior, was second-team all-EKL and all-state honorable mention. Holds school record for career receiving yards. Two-time basketball letter-winner.

College: University of Texas.

BLUE VALLEY WEST

HALEE HORNER

Earned 4.27 GPA. National Honor Society member. Freshman mentor and KIDSCOR volunteer. Four cross country letters. Finished third at regionals; state qualifier. Two track letters. Qualified for the Kansas Relays. Two soccer letters.

College: University of Kansas.

BONNER SPRINGS

EMMA LARA

Earned 3.7 GPA; ranked 55th in class of 175. National Honor Society member. 20/20 Leadership Shining Star Award winner (Best Networker). KAY Club Member, Project Grad member; sports journalism member, yearbook editor. Four softball letters. Three volleyball letters. One bowling letter.

College: Coffeyville Community College.

CRISTO REY

ALEX WHITE

Earned a 3.5 GPA; ranked 19th in class of 47. National Honor Society member and school Honor Roll. Participated in student council and was a Thrive KC volunteer. Earned three volleyball letters and two girls basketball letters. Competed for KC Impact club volleyball program as middle hitter and outside hitter.

College: Clark University (Atlanta).

DE SOTO

MACKENZIE FARMER

Earned 4.07 GPA on 4.0 scale. Ranked 33rd in class of 232. National Honor Society member. Four-time academic letter winner; seven-time honor roll; Wildcat Award winner. Member of FCA; pep club board member; Ambassador and Mentors (A&M) Crew member. Four basketball letters. Holds nine school records, including points in a game and season; assists in a game and season; career assists; season and career steals; career scoring and careers wins. Four-time first-team all-conference. Conference player of the year as a senior. First-team all-state. Twice lead team to state tournament. Three volleyball letters. All-conference; led team to state appearance.

College: University of Central Missouri.

EAST HIGH

ESUBE BYOKE

Earned 2.78 GPA, ranking 101st in class of 292. Member of Global FC; mentors younger students in the program. Four-time soccer letter winner. Named all-district. A refugee from Tanzania, he arrived to the metro area in fourth grade. Selected to national All-American soccer team as a junior.

College: Missouri Valley College.

EUDORA

HANNA KELTNER

Earned 4.67 GPA on 4.0 scale. Ranked 13th in class of 113. Class president for three years; student body president for one year. National Honor Society vice president. Cardinal Corps executive member. FCA member. Senior Advisory Board member. Four cross country letters. Individual state champion as a senior; runner-up as a junior. Finished third at state as a sophomore. Lead team to a state title in 2023 and runner-up in 2024. Twice named academic all-state. Four track letters. Member of two 4x800 state champion teams. Won the state title in the 1,600 in 2023; was runner-up at state in 2022. Also played basketball.

College: Kansas State University.

FORT OSAGE

ISAAC WOODWARD

Earned 3.95 GPA. Ranked 38th in class of 378. Activities include student council, FCA, Club 121, and Special Olympics ambassador at school. Four letters in track and field (all-state three years). All-conference and state qualifier in javelin. Two years of football, including varsity his senior year (all-district). Four-time basketball letter winner. Named all-conference, all-area. Holds school records for 2-point field goals and blocks.

College: Texas Tech University.

GRAIN VALLEY

MALLORY CRANE

Earned 4.21 GPA; ranked 36th in class of 355. National Honor Society member. Member of Eagle Media and speech and debate team. Volunteered for multiple organizations. Garnered four letters in golf. All-state at 2024 state tournament after finishing 8th. Won conference tournament in 2022. Qualified for state tournament four times; twice named all-state. Holds school record for nine and 18 holes.

College: University of Missouri.

HARRISONVILLE

KAYLEIGH NORRIS

Earned 4.1 weighted GPA; ranked 20th in class of 187. National Honor Society and student council member. Student representative for the Cass County Wellness Committee; DECA. Three cross country letters. Two-time Missouri Class 4 state champion. Twice named All-Metro Runner of the Year. Three-time Greater Kansas City All-Metro first team; three-time All-State selection; three-time conference and district champion. Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year for 2024-25. Three track letters. In 2024, won the 3,200 state title. Was runner-up in the 1,600 and fourth in the 800. Was 2023 state champion in 1,600m and runner-up in 3,200 and 800. School record holder in cross country, 3,200, 1,600, and 800.

College: University of Alabama.

HOGAN PREP

DONYE MAYS

Earned 3.6 GPA, ranked second in his class of 75. (No academic accomplishments listed on nomination form). Garnered four letters in football; earned all-district linebacker honors and was Hogan Prep’s team captain. Earned four track and field letters and was an all-district award recipient. Received football scholarship offer from Muskingum University in March.

College: Offered by Muskingum (Ohio).

KEARNEY

JOE SCHRANZ

Earned 4.0 GPA; ranked 13th in class of 228. Twice named academic all-state in football; once in baseball. Three-time letter-winner in football. Named to All-Simone team and was a Bobby Bell Award semifinalist. Twice named first-team all-conference and all-district. First-team all-state as a senior; second-team all-state as a junior. Member of state champion team. Four letters in trap shooting, with three state tournament appearances. Two first-team selections. One letter in baseball.

College: Dartmouth.

LAWSON

JOCELYN CALVERT

Earned 4.14 GPA. Ranked 12th in her class of 105. National Honor Society member. Four cross country letters. Four-time first-team all-conference; four-time all-district; three-time academic all-state, and four-time all-state performer. Four track letters. Three-time first-team all-conference. Three-time academic all-state. Three-time all-district and two-time all-state. One wrestling letter.

College: Undecided.

LEE’S SUMMIT

ANGELA KIM

Earned 4.54 GPA. Member of National Honor Society, National Arts Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Was IB Diploma candidate. Four swim and dive letters. Four year all-conference and all-state performer. Holds two individual school records.

College: Johns Hopkins University.

LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH

KYLIE BINGER

Earned 4.41 GPA; ranked ninth in her class of 479. National Honor Society member. Student activity advisory council president. German National Honor Society member. Avid Tutor and Lee’s Summit Rotary Fall 2023 Student of the Semester. Three academic letters. Three cross country letters. All-district runner and state qualifier. Three diving letters. Qualified for state in 2025; was state finalist in 2024. Three soccer letters. All-state second-team pick in 2024. All-region and all-district first team pick. Two-time all-conference selection.

College: Drake University.

LEE’S SUMMIT WEST

MADISON CROSS

Earned 4.32 GPA; ranked 27th in her class of 489. National Honor Society member. Four-time principal’s honor roll and academic all-state. Earned PLTV White Coat. FCA member. Four cross country letters. Qualified for state all four years; second-team all-conference. Four track letters. Two-time all-state in 4x800 relay.

College: University of Central Missouri.

LIBERTY

YUHAO XIAO

Earned 4.37 GPA on weighted 4.0 scale; ranked first in his class of 494. National Merit Finalist and president of National Honor Society. Scored 36 on his ACT and 1590 on his SAT. One of 330 students selected to Missouri Scholars Academy. Technology Student association (one of top three in the state and qualified for nationals in five events). First-chair violinist in chamber orchestra; two-time all-state silver medal; two-time all-district orchestra. Member of West Point Summer Leaders Experience. Invited to 2025 Scholar Bowl individual player national championship. Volunteer ACT/SAT tutor in math and physics. Four letters in swimming. Three-time state qualifier; two-time conference medalist; four finishes in league’s top eight.

College: Columbia University.

LUTHERAN OF KC

GAVIN MARTENS

Earned 3.79 GPA; ranked No. 6 in class of 21. Member of student government and National Honor Society. Academic team – state second place in 2023; third place in 2022; fourth place in 2024. Four-year member of the National Honor Choir and High Honor Roll. Four years each of band, choir, and school musicals. Eagle Scout. Four letters in tennis. Won 4th in district doubles as a senior. Three soccer letters; two basketball letters.

College: Concordia University of Nebraska.

MARANATHA CHRISTIAN

TATE SHER

Earned 4.0 GPA. National Honor Society member. Junior class president. Third-place at district speech. Excellent Academic Achievement Award in 10 classes; Superior Academic Achievement award in six classes. I rating in choir solo. Cast in two school productions. Four volleyball letters. Member of state title team as a senior. Kaw Valley Conference Player of the Year and first-team all-state as a senior. 1,000-plus career kills and digs. School record holder for most aces in a season and career. Two-time team captain.

College: Kansas State University.

MILL VALLEY

CHARLOTTE CALDWELL

Earned 4.26 GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked 17th in her class of 313. National Honor Society member. Bronze Presidential Service award (132 hours of community service). Middle school youth group volunteer. Three years of Relay for Life planning committee. FCA member. Health Occupations Students of America. Women’s Empowerment Club. Four cross country letters. Member of 5A state title team in 2024. Third at state in 2024. Sixth at state in 2022; 11th place in 2023. First-team all-metro by GKCCA. Two-time academic all-state. Four track letters. Won 6A state title in 800m in 2024. Three-time regional 800 champion.

College: Kansas State University.

NORTH KANSAS CITY

SYDNEY FUGER

Earned 4.58 weighted GPA; ranked third in her class of 399. National Honor Society member. Girls STEM co-founder. Four tennis letters. 203 career singles and doubles wins – a state record. State record for combined singles and doubles wins in a season (59 in 2022). Four-time first-team all-conference in singles and doubles. Four-time all-state in singles. Two-time runner-up in state singles (2023 and 2024); third in 2022 and sixth in 2021. Ranked in the top 100 nationally. UTR Sports Ranking Top 50 U.S. High School players (No. 28 in 2024).

College: United States Naval Academy.

NORTHLAND CHRISTIAN

CREED CARLSON

Earned 3.9 GPA. National Honor Society and student council member. Student body treasurer. Participated in mission trip to Dominican Republic. Four volleyball letters. Four-time academic all-state. All-district first team and two-time team captain. Four basketball letters. Two archery letters. Team captain and academic all-state.

College: Southwest Baptist University.

NOTRE DAME DE SION

TAELYN SMITH

Earned 4.05 GPA (no other academic achievements provided). Earned four letters in soccer and basketball, as well as three softball letters. Finished basketball career with over 1,000 points.

College: Lincoln University.

ODESSA

GABE STUDDARD

Earned 3.97 GPA; ranked 13th in class of 146. National Honor Society member and Special Olympics helper. Four letters in football. Second-team all-conference as a senior. Junior accolades include all-state running back, second-team all-conference at running back and first-team all-conference and all-district at defensive back. Four-time academic all-conference and all-state in football. Four wrestling letters. Three-time all-state and all-conference selection. Won district championship as a junior. Member of state championship teams as a junior and senior. Four baseball letters; three-time all-state and all-conference academic honors.

College: MidAmerica Nazarene University.

OLATHE EAST

ENDER RIDER

Earned 4.51 GPA. Ranked 9th in class of 467. National Honor Society member. Four years on honor roll; coaches middle school wrestling. Four letters in wrestling. 6A state runner-up as a senior; 6A 6th place as a junior; state qualifier as a sophomore. 2023-2024 USMC National Merit Scholar. Totaled 140 career varsity wins. Holds school record for near-falls. Also played two years of soccer.

College: Fort Hays State University.

OLATHE NORTH

JAALAN WATSON

Overall KC Star Boys Scholar-Athlete winner for 2025 had a 4.53 GPA; ranked 32nd in class of 502. National Honor Society member. Member of Finance Club, Black Student Union, National Honor Society of Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine Academy. Four basketball letters. Three-time all-Sunflower League team, including two first-team picks. Sunflower Freshman of the Year. Three-time all-state pick. Holds the school record for steals. Two-time 6A Player of the Year finalist. Thousand-point scorer, ranking second on school’s career scoring list. Holds school record for career 3-pointers. Four football letters. Two track letters. Qualified for state in four events (100, 4x100, long jump, triple jump). Fifth in state triple jump as a junior.

College: Wesleyan University.

OLATHE NORTHWEST

CLAIRE SULLIVAN

Earned 4.61 GPA on 5.0 scale; ranked 6th in her class of 507. National Honor Society Member. National Arts Honor Society member. Rho Kappa National SS Honor Society. Student council and junior and senior committee member. Two-year member of Link Crew. RFC, DECA national qualifier and Leadership Olathe participant. Four golf letters. Member of state title team in 2022-23. Four-time state golf medalist – two-time first-team all-state, two-time second-team all-state. Named Olathe City Player of the Year and PGA Midwest Student Athlete in 2022. Kenneth Smith Golfer of the Year in 2024.

College: University of Mississippi.

OLATHE SOUTH

DYLAN PLATH

Earned 4.02 GPA; ranked 112th in his class of 496. Garnered school’s award for academic excellence (3.75 GPA or better). Four letters in cross country. Holds the school record in the 5K. Three-time 6A all-state performer. Was runner-up in 2024; fourth in 2023. Three-time all-Sunflower League, two-time all-region team and GKCAA All-Metro first team. Member of 2021 state champion team. Four track letters. School record holder in 800, 1,600 and 4x800 relay. 6A state champion in 800 in 2024; runner-up in 1,600. Won the 800 at the 2024 KU Relays.

College: Kansas State University.

OLATHE WEST

EMMA SALES

Earned 4.37 GPA; ranked 42nd in class of 299. National Honor Society member. Also member of student council, Link Crew, and FCA. Four volleyball letters. Four-time all-conference academic team. School record holder in blocks. Four basketball letters. Named first-team all-Sunflower League in 2023 and 2024. Also two-time team MVP.

College: Point Loma Nazarene University.

ORRICK

CASH HONEYCUTT

Earned 3.92 GPA; ranked fourth in his class of 35. All-conference Math Team. Honor roll for four years. National Honor Society member; student council member. President of school FFA, FFA National Convention attendee; played drumline in marching band for four years. Four letters in golf; one each in football and track. Four-year member of school trapshooting team. Plans to major in agriculture business/finance at Mizzou.

College: University of Missouri.

OSAWATOMIE

MACKENZIE WOOD

Earned a 4.0 GPA on 4.0 scale. Ranked first in her class of 75. Art Club president and three-year member. Science club for three years. National Honor Society and student council member. Member of forensics and FCCLA. Mental Health Club for two years. Four cheerleading letters. Two-time all-American. Member of OHS Dazzle for four years.

College: Pittsburg State University.

PARK HILL

JACK UNSELL

Earned 4.21 GPA on weighted 4.0 scale; ranked 14th in class of 447. AP Scholar and three-time finalist in National Speech and Debate Association. Two-time DECA national qualifier. Three-time national finalist in National Individual Events Tournament of Champions. Three-time state finalist in National Speech and Debate; two-time all-American, National Speech and Debate Association. National Scholar Bowl qualifier. Four soccer letters. First-team all-conference and all-district honors.

College: Truman State University.

PEMBROOK HILL

CAROLINE KROH

Earned an A+ GPA on A-F scale; ranked in top 10% of 94 students. Cum Laude Society member. Co-founder and president of Student Medical Club. Leadership Advisory Board. Spanish Club vice president. Student life editor and columnist for school newspaper. Four field hockey letters; team captain. Four basketball letters. Four lacrosse letters. Four track letters.

College: Williams College.

PLATTE COUNTY

KARLEE RIGGS

Earned 4.53 weighted GPA. National Honor Society member. Three-time academic all-state volleyball player. Co-President of Pirates Serve and Interact Club. Math Club member. Two-time FBLA national qualifier. FBLA state champion. Founding board member of memorial softball tournament in honor of her late father. Member of Pirates Rock. Northland Youth Leadership Program member. AP Scholar with distinction. Three volleyball letters. First-team all-conference, all-district, all-state and academic all-state for three years. Holds school record for most career kills, single-season kills, and single-season points.

College: Carroll University.

PLEASANT RIDGE

CANON DUNCAN

Earned 3.71 GPA; ranked 7th in class of 30. Class president for four years; two-year National Honor Society member, finished in top-20 of Battle of the Brains as a junior. Four cross-country letters. Two-time conference champion, first-team all-conference and state qualifier. Four track letters. Won 2A javelin state championship as a junior; two-time state qualifier. Three basketball letters.

College: University of Nebraska-Kearney.

RAYMORE-PECULIAR

PEYTON JOHNSON

Earned a 4.06 GPA, ranking 50th in class of 434. National Honor Society and student council member. Member of FCA and student leadership team. Four basketball letters. First-team all-conference and all-district as a senior. Two flag football letters. Member of national tournament qualifier; conference and regional championship team.

College: North Central Missouri College.

RICHMOND

KAYLEE KING

Earned 3.46 GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked 29th in class of 107. National Honor Society member. Four track letters. Four-time all-state performer. Owns school record in high jump, triple jump, and 100m hurdles. Conference record holder in triple jump and 100 hurdles. In 2024, was 6th at state in triple jump and 8th in 100 hurdles. One basketball letter.

College: University of Central Missouri.

ROCKHURST

HENRY ACORN

Earned 4.15 GPA on 5.0 scale. Member of Coffee Club, French Club, Giving Grove and Album Club. Delivered 500-plus books to Lead to Read KC as part of senior service project. Four cross country letters. Four-time all-state, first-team all-metro, and all-district. Twice won district title. Missouri 6A 2024 state champion. Made 2024 Midwest Nike Cross Regional first team, 2023 Midwest Foot Locker Regional all-region team. Four track letters. Three-time all-state. 2024 Missouri 6A state champion in 1,600 and 4x800 relay. Five-time all-district team; two-time sectional champion. 2024 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year. 2024 Festival of Miles qualifier.

College: University of Virginia.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

GEORGE HARTMAN

Earned 4.64 GPA, unweighted. Member of National Honor Society and student government. Member of Link Crew, helping freshmen get acclimated to high school. Fundraiser for Gift of Sole and Harvesters. AP and IB student. Three soccer letters; 2024 Sunflower Leage Midfielder of the Year; two-time first-team All-Sunflower League. Holds school’s single-season scoring record (24 goals). First-team all-state as a senior; second-team as a junior. 2024 6A State Midfielder of the Year. First-team all-Metro in 2024; member of first 6A state title team in school history. United Soccer Coaches Regional All-American. Earned three golf letters.

College: University of Colorado.

SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH

JACK EATON

Earned 4.73 GPA, ranking first in his class. National Merit semifinalist. AP scholar. Shawnee Mission North fine arts scholar. KMEA Kansas state 5-6A band member. Three-time ECKMEA district band member. Ernie Miller state and regional Eco-meet champion in mammalogy and wetlands. First-chair clarinet for three years in symphonic band. Four-year member of school marching band. Four letters in diving. 2025 Sunflower League champion; finished third in 2024. Third place in state diving meet; 8th in 2024.

College: Kansas State University.

SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST

ADAM HAGEMAN

Earned 4.35 GPA on weighted 5.0 scale; ranked 55th in class of 364. Member of FCA and young Republicans Executive Board for two years. DECA for two years; four years of coaching Kids Club Wrestling. Three football letters. First team all-state and all-Sunflower League at linebacker in 2024. Also first-team all-Sunflower League punter. Led state in tackles in 2022; finished third in tackles in 2024. Four wrestling letters. 6A state champion as a senior. Tied state record for best single-season record (50-0). Won 46 matches by pin, a state record. Career record was 151-17. Also won regional and conference titles. Lead team to top-10 6A state finish. State runner-up as a junior, third as a sophomore, and sixth as a freshman. Two track letters. Conference pole vault champion as a junior.

College: Grand View University.

SMITHVILLE

NAOMI HUNTER

Earned 4.19 GPA on 4.0 scale. Ranked third in her class of 202. National Honor Society member. Also member of student council, FCA, and band. Four cross country letters. Four-time state qualifier; holds school record in the 5k. Three track letters. Two-time state medalist in the 3,200 and 1,600. Also state medalist in the 4x800 relay. School record holder in the 1,600 and 3,200.

College: University of Kansas.

SPRING HILL

LOGAN BECKMAN

Earned 4.29 weighted GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked first in class of 224. National Honor Society member. Two-time Kansas Cross Country academic all-state. Senior class co-president. Four cross country letters. Kansas 5A state champion; also won conference title. Named 2024 KC Metro Runner of the Year for Kansas. Led team to 5A state title. Second-team NXR Heartland Regional. Finished fifth at state in 2023; member of state runner-up team. Four track letters. Top 10 in 2024 in both 1,600 and 3,200.

College: Kansas State University.

ST. JAMES

ANNIE WILKEN

Earned 4.41 GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked 25th in class of 231. National Honor Society president and student council member. Latin National Honor Society member. KAY Club, elected house captain. Thunder for Life (over 120 hours of community service). First honor roll for 7 straight semesters. Three cross country letters. Member of three Kansas 5A state title teams. Twice named academic all-state. First-team all conference for two years. Finished 8th in state as a junior. All-state cross country for two years; named team captain. Three track letters. Member of two state title teams. Three-time all-state performer. Member of three 4x800 state-champion teams. One soccer letter.

College: Benedictine College.

ST. MICHAEL

BENJAMIN SALANSKI

Earned 4.62 GPA on 4.0 scale. Ranked second in class of 96. Member of National Honor Society and student government. Spanish National Honor Society member. Christian Leadership Captain. Student ambassador and peer mentor. Four volleyball letters. Twice named to all-state and all-district teams. Two-time academic all-state. Four years of club volleyball. 2024 AAU Nationals; 2023 USA Nationals. Three soccer letters. Member of state runner-up team as a senior. Second-team all-conference and all-district as a senior.

College: Rockhurst University.

ST. PIUS X

ALYNAH TRAN

Earned 4.22 GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked fourth in class of 89. Principals honor roll for four years; captain of Padre Pio Community. Four swim letters. Four-time state honorable mention. Holds school record in three swimming events. Four career top-15 finishes at state meet. Four track letters. All-conference, all-district performer. Four cross-country letters.

College: Rockhurst University.

ST. TERESA’S

NORA RODDY

Earned 4.1 GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked first in class of 130. National Merit Finalist and National Honor Society member. Harvard Book Award. Rensselaer Polytechnic Medal for Math; science valedictorian. Four basketball letters. Twice-named all-district. Holds school single-season and career rebounding record. Also holds single-season blocked shot record.

College: Colorado School of Mines.

STALEY

GABRIEL WELLS

Earned 3.87 GPA; ranked 47 in class of 507. Member of National Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa at Maple Woods Community College. Missouri Scholars Academy. Two-time all-district band. Gold at state in baritone ensemble. Represented Missouri in invite-only trip for baritone ensemble. Four swimming letters. All-conference in four events. All-state in medley relay and freestyle relay. Member of state champion medley relay team. All-state in 50 breaststroke. Holds four school records, including 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Three track letters. State qualifier in 400 and 4x400 relay.

College: University of Missouri-St. Louis.

SUMMIT CHRISTIAN

MICHAEL WARD

Earned 4.25 GPA on 4.0 scale; ranked third in class of 90. National Honor Society member. Four-year chorale member; two year member of junior/senior ensemble. School Ambassador, math tutor, student council member and Spiritual Climate committee member. Garnered four football letters. Three year all-conference and all-district team. Academic all-state. Four basketball letters; two-time all-conference.

College: Baker University.

TONGANOXIE

SOLOMON CARTER

Earned 4.28 GPA, ranking first in class of 157. National Merit Finalist and National Honor Society member. Three Scholar Bowl letters. Member of Science Olympiad. Three debate letters; three-time debate state medalist. Three cross country letters. Two-time first-team all-league and academic all-state. Three-time state qualifier. Finished 9th at state in 2023. Three track letters. Five-time state medalist. Eighth at state in 800 and 1,600 in 2024. Member of two state runner-up 4x800 teams.

College: Dakota State University.

TRUMAN

JAYDEN HERL

Earned 4.51 GPA; ranked third in her class of 407. Three-time academic all-state in track and volleyball. Principals Honor Roll. McCoy Award Recipient. Rotary Student of the Month. Student ambassador and church volunteer. Four volleyball letters. Three-time all-conference and all-district. Named all-state in 2023. Four track letters. First-team all-conference. Two-time conference champion in pole vault. Placed fifth at state in pole vault in 2024.

College: Pittsburg State University.

VAN HORN

JAELYN TRAMEL

Earned a 4.47 GPA, ranking first in class of 205. McCoy award for junior academics. Member of C You in the Major League Foundation, Multicultural Club, and Amigos de las Americas Volunteer Program. Four soccer letters. All-conference first team and all-district second team selection. Named team captain. One cross-country letter and one volleyball letter. Earned Emerging Sports Leaders Scholarship from the Sporting KC-affiliated Victory Project.

College: University of New Mexico.

WINNETONKA

ALYSSA HOFFMAN

Earned 4.24 GPA; ranked sixth in her class of 336. National Honor Society and student council member. Member of school symphonic orchestra and Northland Youth Orchestra. Member of marching band, wind ensemble, pit orchestra, and Golden Variety Band. Varsity treble choir. Hope Squad. NCAPS (digital media and design). Garnered four letters on school dance team. Three-time academic all-state. Third in 2022 Division 3 Mix State Dance Team; fifth at 2023 Division 4 Hip-Hop State Dance; fifth at 2024 Division 4 lyrical state dance.

College: William Jewell College.

This story was originally published June 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.