On October 9, 2024 more than 900 guests gathered to demonstrate how they are ‘All In’ for Shawnee Mission at the annual Shawnee Mission Education Foundation Fall Breakfast.
The event was hosted by Kim Hinkle, executive director of the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, alongside two student hosts—Sebastian Menendez, a senior at Shawnee Mission North High School, and Eriah Knox, a senior at Shawnee Mission South High School. Hinkle expressed her gratitude for the community’s engagement, saying, “When we say we’re ‘All In,’ we mean it. This morning is a powerful reminder of how our community, our students, and our staff come together to create a brighter future for every student in Shawnee Mission.”
At the breakfast, a big spotlight shined on the district’s innovative efforts. Dr. Kenneth Lee and Zulma Pérez-Estrella, instructors at the Center for Academic Achievement, shared insights into the strength of the district’s Biotechnology Signature Program. Shawnee Mission West High School junior Elizabeth Barnes inspired the audience by discussing her cutting-edge research and the national recognition she’s received through the program.
The morning also featured voices from the district’s Teacher Education pathway, with Shawnee Mission Northwest High School teacher Sarah Dent, Rising Star Elementary School teacher Ava Hauser, and Shawnee Mission Northwest High School students Luke Dent and Valentina Maslovaric. Dent, who leads the program, emphasized how Real World Learning is opening doors for students who want to be teachers. Ava Hauser shared how the Shawnee Mission School District helped her on the path to becoming a teacher, a journey Luke and Valentina are now on as well.
Next, Shawnee Mission South High School senior Cooper Grotzinger Frerichs and Shawnee Mission West High School junior Vivian Contreras Santos guest-hosted the Shawnee Mission Mic’d Up Podcast, interviewing Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher. They discussed achievements across the district, from all five Shawnee Mission high schools being named to the U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best High Schools in the Nation, to 73% of the Class of 2024 earning a Market Value Asset.
They also discussed the district’s updated Strategic Plan. Dr. Schumacher noted that more than 1,600 community members have been involved in shaping the future of Shawnee Mission through the plan, and that even more will be involved on action teams. He emphasized, “The thing I would like everyone to know is this isn’t my plan or the board’s plan—it’s the entire community’s plan, and it’s going to guide us through 2029.”
He also provided an update on the 2021 bond referendum, detailing the progress on elementary school rebuilds, secondary school improvements, and the completion of inclusive playgrounds at every elementary school.
“These upgrades are about making sure our students and educators have state-of-the-art facilities,” shared Dr. Schumacher. “Everything goes back to student achievement. Nothing is more important than our kids.”
Later in the program, Shawnee Mission North High School principal Dave Ewers shared a heartfelt testimonial, emphasizing how the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation works to support students and families every day through programs like Scholarship Shawnee Mission and the Cares Fund.
The event also featured a variety of student musical performances. The Indian Woods Middle School Jazz Band, Shawnee Mission East Blue Knights Jazz Combo, Shawnee Mission North Drumline, and Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School Mallet Ensemble all delivered incredible performances. A combined choir made up of students from Belinder, Benninghoven, Oak Park-Carpenter, and Rising Star elementary schools concluded the morning with an uplifting performance of “We’re All In This Together.”
The celebration wouldn’t have been complete without the energy brought by the Shawnee Mission West and South cheerleaders, Real World Learning student entrepreneurs, Shawnee Mission NJROTC, and Leadership Shawnee Mission students, all of whom contributed their talents to making the morning a success.
Shawnee Mission School District is the third largest school district in Kansas. The district serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in 34 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools, and several educational centers. It has been consistently ranked among the finest school districts nationwide for its high student performance. The district’s objective is that each student will have a personalized learning plan that will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success. The district serves a diverse student population from 14 cities within northeast Johnson County, Kansas, which is 10 miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit www.smsd.org.
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