2024 in review: Top 10 feature stories from Olathe this year
by Lucas Irizarry
There were hundreds of stories to be told across the Olathe area, including in the school district, the city at large and in some surrounding communities. Check out some of our favorites from 2024:
1. Olathe East named top performing arts school in Kansas
One school in Kansas was recognized above all others recently for overall excellence in performing arts by the Kansas State High School Activities Association — that school is Olathe East.
East is the first school in Olathe to be named the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence, an award given for exceptional results and performances in debate and speech, music and theater.
Five schools were named finalists this year for their work in the 2023-2024 school year, but East set itself apart with consistent program growth in recent years and strong finishes in state and national performances.
According to Jeff Smikahl, East band director and performing arts department chair, the school’s success is a product of a top-to-bottom focus on the success of every performing arts program.
“What is unique about East … is every single discipline in the performing arts at East is excellent,” Smikahl said. “There is not one single [program] that is just treading water … What’s been really cool working at East is it’s almost a kind of the identity of the school. People know, kids know … that is one of the things East is known for in the community.”
The performing arts-oriented culture at East partly stems from principal Kerry Lane, who has been principal since 2016. Growing up in the performing arts and then majoring in theater, Lane said she has a unique perspective on ways debate, music and theater can all improve. The first step is including students who may not be natural performers, but contribute at other levels.
“Really stretching to make it an inclusive environment for maybe students who don’t have any other place they feel they can excel in,” Lane said. “Making sure that we’re including not just the natural musicians or natural actors and actresses, but really trying to make it a place where everybody can grow and succeed.”
2. New Santa Fe Trail Middle School welcomes first students
The new Santa Fe Trail Middle School opened for business in August, with students and staff getting access to upgraded facilities and much more space.
“The kids are really excited, they love the new space,” Santa Fe principal JJ Libal said. “I had a student … say they felt like they were in Disneyland. They’re very excited with the new space and opportunities.”
The new building finished construction in April, completing a $65 million project funded by a $298.3 million bond measure passed in March 2022. This project replaces one of the oldest buildings in the district, constructed in 1968, with a spacious, modern layout.
Some major upgrades include a larger library media center, which is about triple the size of the original, breakout rooms within core classrooms for flexible learning experiences and wider hallways.
Outside of the core learning spaces and library, Santa Fe was able to bring over and upgrade its Cyclone Closet. The closet was started years ago at the old school, providing clothes, hygiene products and other essentials to families who may need them.
“It started as ‘Let’s have some clothing, let’s have some things in here if kids and families need them,’ and it just continued to grow,” Libal said.
The closet is managed by the Olathe Junior Service League, with student volunteer groups collecting items through service projects. The building upgrade has allowed the space to have longer hours and extra opportunities for families to get items.
3. City manager Michael Wilkes celebrates 25 years leading Olathe government
Olathe city manager Michael Wilkes has celebrated his 25th year in the position in February, reaching an uncommon milestone among non-elected government leaders.
Olathe’s population has increased by more than 50,000 over Wilkes’ tenure, going from a “bedroom community” to one of the fastest growing cities in the country. He has helped guide the city through the 2008 recession, the COVID pandemic and the constant improvement of the city library system, which is now at two locations.
Wilkes credits the city’s council members and hardworking staff for him staying in Olathe for so long, with passion for improving the city a key characteristic among those close to him.
Over the course of his tenure, Wilkes has noticed a shift from a more small two mindset to a “destination community,” with a fast growing population and major development projects. He credits the shift in part to longer terms for city council members.
“One of the changes I believe had a profound impact on the community, was moving from 2 year terms to 4 year terms for our City Council back in the early 2000’s. That transformed the lenses through which council members view the future and compelled them to take bold steps towards the success of our community. It’s been a wonderful journey to be a part of. I’ve had a tremendous opportunity to serve this great community and it’s something I’m incredibly thankful for,” Wilkes said.
4. West students continue annual traditions honoring 9/11 first responders
Students in the Olathe West public safety academy went through two traditions this Sept. 11 meant to honor first responders on Sept. 11, 2001.
The law enforcement and fire academies each participated in strenuous activities simulating what students call a fraction of what real first responders went through on 9/11.
The fire academy students climbed 1,045 up-and-downs on the main stairs, to total 2,858 floors and 52,472 stairs. Students complete the challenge with about 35-pounds of extra gear, though they are able to take breaks as needed.
Chris Curtis, Olathe fire fighter and public safety assistant facilitator, said the tradition has taken on a new dynamic in recent years, as no current high schooler was alive during 9/11.
“These kids were born on the eighth or ninth anniversary of 9/11, so this is true history for them,” Curtis said. “It’s about that ‘Never forget,’ that’s kind of the slogan for 9/11. The sacrifice those firefighters made, they knew when they were going up those stairs and the elevators weren’t working, that there was a really good chance it wasn’t going to end well for them that day.”
The law enforcement side of the academy began its own 9/11 tradition three years ago — this includes an 800 meter run, 72 pushups, 72 air squats, a 300 second plank and a 50-yard dummy drag. The 72 is meant to represent the first responders who died in the initial World Trade Center collapse, while the 300 represents those who died from complications from responding that day.
Both academies have students select a first responder to learn about prior to the events, carrying that person’s picture with them as they participate. Calum Lynn, a senior in the law enforcement academy, has participated all three years representing office Jerome M, Dominguez. Dominguez was 37 when the towers fell, and he died on 9/11.
“I know on 9/11 he went through a lot, he probably went into those towers knowing he was never coming back,” Lynn said. “This little bit of pain I go through doing this every year, it’s nothing compared to what he did for us. Not just for me, but for the country as a whole. I want to honor his sacrifice.”
5. Olathe shines at International Thespian Festival
The Olathe School District came away as one of the big winners of July’s International Thespian Festival, with students claiming five “Thespys” and 20 “Superiors.”
The festival, hosted in late-June at Indiana University-Bloomington, is the biggest week of high school theater in the country, featuring performances and productions from students across the globe. Olathe sent 60 students to this year’s event to perform and compete.
The aforementioned Thespys are the highest award a student can earn at the festival, with awards given in 19 performance and technical categories. Winners are recognized on stage and have the chance to perform in the showcase, though all performance contestants must perform before judges first to earn their spot.
Technical competitors must also make an eight-minute long presentation before judges detailing their process and design work. This portion is followed by detailed questioning from the judges.
Six Olathe West students and one South student won Thespys this year, including:
South’s Rachel Sullivan, solo musicalWest’s Leo Steger, scenic design – “The Prom”West’s Isaac Lowe, stage management – “The Prom”West’s Isys Haynes, stage management – “Frozen”West’s Aaron Shirley, Aidan Davis, Evan McCoy, group musical – “Aladdin”
Olathe is now up to 14 Thespys in the past five years, making it one of three districts in the country with 10 or more. West theater director Alisha Morris said many of the amenities across Olathe schools, plus support from administration, help to keep the district at the top of the high school theater hierarchy.
“I’m super passionate about having kids experience both the performance world and the technical world of theater because I think that’s what creates a well-rounded theater artist,” Morris said. “That’s really important to me. I’m really interested in the educational part of theater rather than getting results or big shows. The trophies are the cherry on the sundae.”
6. West biology teacher named Horizon Award winner
An Olathe West biology teacher won a Kansas Horizon award in January, honoring her for exemplary work early in her teaching career.
Janelle Craig, 36, is a second-year science teacher at West, who was nominated by principal Jay Novacek for the award. Craig is just one of up to 32 teachers selected for the award across the country.
“It means the world … this is a really tough field to be in and you really have to love it and have the passion for it,” Craig said. “To be recognized … I feel I did the right thing, it’s an honor to know there are other people who believe that as well.”
Craig did not take a traditional path to her teaching career, originally working towards being a doctor during undergrad at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She didn’t end up going down that path after becoming pregnant with her daughter.
Eventually, Craig tried out substitute teaching as a way to utilize her knowledge while having a job near home.
“I love being around people, and my thought was always ‘I want to help people, I’m going to be a doctor,’” Craig said. “My husband was in the military, he was gone a lot, so I thought ‘Okay, it would be nice to see what I can do differently with my career.’”
Craig was a substitute in every single grade level at some point, and in that time she found teaching to be her true calling. While not her first official teaching job, she did sub full time at a school in Detroit — she loved working with the children so much, she went and earned an education degree to continue her career in the field.
She joined West in the middle of a school year, at a time when her classes hadn’t had a real full-time teacher all year. That scenario added a bit of challenge to taking over the position, but Craig’s ability to connect with students in that time frame earned her a Horizon nomination.
7. Northwest dance wins back-to-back state championships
The Olathe Northwest dance team claimed its second-straight state title in November, edging out two other Olathe schools in the final round.
The win is the Ravens third championship since 2020, something coach Shannon Storer said speaks to the team’s overall goal of not placing a limit on its success.
“We use the word ‘limitless’ … it’s just something we really want to teach these teenagers,” Storer said. “They really truly don’t know what their limits are, and they have so much potential in them. When that’s met with passion and fire and work ethic, it’s just unreal what they find they have inside of them.”
Despite not winning in the fight song, band chant or crowd leading categories, ONW was consistent enough to win on points across the three categories. In the final spirit showcase round, Northwest scored a 95, defeating Washburn Rural by 0.4 points and Olathe West and North by more than one point.
Storer said a difference-maker that led to the team’s repeat win was the work ethic of this year’s senior captains, Elise Tates and Miley Fischer. At their suggestion, the team went from 39 rehearsals last year to 50 this year leading up to state.
8. Museum of Deaf History director discusses Olathe’s Deaf community, culture
The city of Olathe is joined communities across America in recognizing September as Deaf Cultural Month, which celebrates the culture, heritage and language unique to the Deaf community.
Olathe is home to the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD), the Museum of Deaf History, Arts and Culture (MDHAC), and the Olathe Club of the Deaf, and has been recognized as one of America’s most Deaf friendly cities.
Chriz Dally, the Executive Director of MDHAC, said one of the main goals of the museum is to change the perspective that Deaf people are in need of medical treatments or cures — a perspective that has negatively impacted the lives of Deaf people throughout history — and demonstrate how Deaf people are part of a vibrant culture with unique collective experiences and values that contributes to human diversity.
“Sometimes there are teachers who are well intentioned — or maybe not — but they believe strongly that Deaf children can learn to speak and use their residual hearing, so they focus totally on that,” Dally said, speaking through interpreter Robin Olson. “And thankfully, a lot of things have changed. Things are getting better, but back in the day, it was really tough.”
MDHAC was founded in 1988, when a group of Kansans recognized the need for a space to share resources and information about Deaf people and their history. The museum is across the street from KSD, which was founded in 1861.
Although significant progress has been made, Dally said the Deaf community is still fighting for visibility and equitable experiences. This is especially important in the case of schools for Deaf children, which are an important way for Deaf children to connect to their community.
“Another thing that’s unique about schools for the Deaf: they’re kind of the birthplaces of Deaf culture,” Dally said. “Often, it would be the first time that their deaf child would meet other Deaf children and have peers and role models through the staff. That started to develop a sense of pride, identity, culture and language within the community. So the schools for the Deaf still play an important role.”
Dally said that the Deaf community is fighting to maintain schools for Deaf children, and although it isn’t always easy, the Kansas legislature is supportive of KSD.
9. Olathe West boxer picks up 17th national championship en route to pro career
Marco Romero, a senior at Olathe West, won his 17th boxing national championship, solidifying him as one of the most successful amateur boxers in recent times.
He completed a four-day tournament in December 2023, winning three fights and maintaining his USA Boxing title in Lafayette, Louisiana. The 18-year-old has been the No. 1 ranked fighter in his class the past five years, and with one more amateur tournament scheduled in the spring, he says he is ready for the pros.
Romero’s 11-year boxing career began with his dad’s love for the sport. The pair would frequently watch boxing events, and Romero found himself inspired by the big-name athletes. Mexican boxers stood out in particular for Romero, including former pros Julio Cesar Chavez and Juan Manual Marquez — currently he bases his style off Canelo Alvarez, the current undisputed middleweight champion.
“He has a very similar style to me, we both go forward and I do try to emulate those combinations he throws, the head movement he throws,” Romero said. “I try to implement that into my style, while making it into my own.”
Romero didn’t immediately become the elite boxer he is now at the age of seven. He said even through some of the beatings he took as a young athlete, the love of the sport kept him going.
Romero has been in 133 amateur fights since his career started, with just five losses in that time — he hasn’t lost since 2019. He has won 17 national championships across a variety of tournaments, including four USA Boxing titles, the biggest amateur event in the country.
10. Heatherstone Elementary celebrates with school-wide viewing of eclipse
Olathe experienced a 90.7 percent total eclipse in April, bringing a unique learning opportunity to the skies above Heatherstone Elementary School.
“There are events in our world that are unique, they don’t happen very often, so you take advantage of the opportunity that’s there,” Nancy Smith, first grade teacher, said. “This is something that is part of everybody’s curriculum.”
Heatherstone adapted lessons for each grade level to make the event feel important to all students, whether that be learning about the stages of the eclipse or the natural effects of the moon covering the sun for a time.
Heatherstone adapted lessons for each grade level to make the event feel important to all students, whether that be learning about the stages of the eclipse or the natural effects of the moon covering the sun for a time.
Smith and school administrators were also able to make the eclipse into a family-oriented event, with the goal of getting students to discuss it at home and turn those lessons into broader conversations.
“This is more than just us, it’s our whole school, it’s our community and it’s our parents,” Smith said. “I love events, I love to do fine culture things that bring everybody together.”
The day culminated in a school-wide viewing of the eclipse on the front lawn — the district provided special viewing glasses for every student and staff member to see the last eclipse until 2024.
“While this is a little thing, it’s a huge thing when it brings our whole school together,” Smith said.
