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Celebrating excellence in Kansas yearbooks: 2024 All-Kansas Award recipients

KSPA recently completed its 2024 yearbook critiques, evaluating submissions from 51 schools across the state. These yearbooks were assessed for excellence in design, writing, photography, and overall presentation. Among the participants, 25 schools earned the prestigious All-Kansas Award, a distinction reserved for the most outstanding yearbooks.

High School Recipients

2A Division

  • Hillsboro High School – Adviser: Jessica Bowman, Name of Yearbook: Trojan, Editor: Trudy Hein

  • Phillipsburg High School – Adviser: Robin Sides, Name of Yearbook: The Panther, Editors: Jocelyn Billings, Kodie Wood, Jenna Storz, Kaitlyn Rothe, Cara Ricker

3A Division

  • Nemaha Central High School – Adviser: Katelyn Swart, Name of Yearbook: The Radar, Editors: Kaitlyn Bennett, Becca Palmeri, Laura Hemmes, Katie Tangeman

4A Division

  • Augusta High School – Adviser: Julie Barker, Name of Yearbook: Wings, Editor: Aspen Margrader

  • Bishop Miege Catholic High School – Adviser: Sarah McCambridge, Name of Yearbook: The Hart, Editors: Josie Herold, Grace Vanice, Gabby Anderson, Kate Pedrotti, Claire Wicker

  • Fort Scott High School – Adviser: Michelle Laubenstein, Name of Yearbook: Crimson, Editors: Jersee Wood and Makenzie Robertson

5A Division

  • Hays High School – Adviser: Jessica Augustine, Name of Yearbook: Indian Call, Editors: Arely Maldonado and Ava Schoenberger

  • Piper High School – Adviser: Bethany Pierce, Name of Yearbook: The Pirate, Editors: Annabelle Kump, Blayne Shuler, Morgan Parker, LaVeya Drew, Lillie Bauer

  • Shawnee Heights School – Adviser: Sarah Woelk, Name of Yearbook: The Thunderbird, Editors: Mason Deitcher and Ella Myers

6A Division

  • Blue Valley High School – Adviser: Michelle Huss, Name of Yearbook: Reflections, Editors: Makenzie Franko and Maggie Richardson

  • Blue Valley North High School – Adviser: Jacqueline Van Wyhe, Name of Yearbook: Northern Light, Editors: Stella Ain and Olivia Davis

  • Derby High School – Adviser: Joanna Chadwick, Name of Yearbook: Panther, Editors: Joselyn Steele, Kaidence Williams, Aubrey Nguyen

  • Free State High School – Adviser: Jared Shuff, Name of Yearbook: The Talon, Editors: Hannah Stone, Olivia Nagel, Richard Li, Isabelle Prô

  • Gardner Edgerton High School – Adviser: Kristy Dekat, Name of Yearbook: Trailblazer Yearbook, Editors: McKenzie Sullivan, Maddie Carman, Emma Bowman, Grace Fisher, and Chelsey Waterman

  • Manhattan High School – Adviser: Kristy Nyp, Name of Yearbook: Blue M, Editors: Jack Spiegel, Rachel Palmgren, Will Ivester, Advith Natarajan, and Daniel Biniecki

  • Mill Valley High School – Adviser: Kathy Habiger, Name of Yearbook: The JAG, Editors: Kate Haney and Sophia Estes

  • Olathe East High School – Adviser: Lindsey Skaggs, Name of Yearbook: Aurora, Editors: Roquel Howard, Leinla Howard, Sam Cowick

  • Olathe West High School – Adviser: Julia Walker, Name of Yearbook: Parliament, Editors: Brady Knutson, Laci Lister, Elizabeth Taylor

  • Shawnee Mission East High School – Adviser: Dow Tate, Name of Yearbook: Hauberk, Editors: Claire Schudy, Natalee Sandstrom, Ella Yun

  • Shawnee Mission North High School – Adviser: Becky Tate, Name of Yearbook: Brickhouse, Editor: Laurel Hansen

  • Shawnee Mission Northwest High School – Adviser: Christopher Heady, Name of Yearbook: The Lair, Editors: Danie Eaves, Marissa Buffon, Audrey Teel, Kaia Givner, Evan Schotland 

  • Shawnee Mission South High School – Adviser: Tucker Love, Name of Yearbook: Heritage, Editors: Leila Henderson, Lexie Johnson, Molly McCracken, Maggie Gerritz

  • Shawnee Mission West High School – Adviser: Amy Morgan, Name of Yearbook: Saga, Editors: Kali Lester and Kaitlin Wieneke

Middle School Recipients

Middle schools also shined in the competition, proving that great storytelling and design start early:

  • Maize Middle School – Adviser: Amanda Hawkins, Name of Yearbook: Crimson Wings, Editor: Laurel Hake

  • Maize South Middle School – Adviser: Monte Slaven, Name of Yearbook: Stampede, Editors: Morley Coleman, Landon Koerner, Farrah Fassoh

Recognizing Excellence

These schools exemplify the dedication and creativity needed to produce high-quality yearbooks. From compelling storytelling to polished layouts, these projects reflect the hard work of student journalists and their advisers. KSPA’s All-Kansas Award serves as a testament to the importance of journalism and design education, fostering a tradition of excellence that continues to inspire.

Congratulations to all the award recipients and their dedicated advisers for their outstanding achievements!