 The Nickerson High School forensics team made school history at the 3A state tournament held May 2-3 at Maize High School, bringing home a team trophy for the first time since records began in the 1980s.

Competing with a full slate of 16 entries across just seven students, the Panthers placed third overall in the state, earning 287 sweepstakes points — the highest total during the current seniors’ tenure.

In Lincoln-Douglas debate on Friday, senior Haley McGill and sophomore Ellery Stapleton both advanced to the semifinal round after defeating Lyons debaters. In a Nickerson-versus-Nickerson final, McGill took first place and Stapleton placed second.

Saturday’s speech events saw all seven students compete: freshman Pollyann Frank (Poetry, Program of Oral Interpretation); sophomores Will Barkley (Informative, Poetry, Impromptu), Abby Dater (Humorous Solo, Prose), and Stapleton (Informative, Extemporaneous Speaking); and seniors Alec Brown (Informative, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu), McGill (Original Oration, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu), and Aziza Tuichieva (Informative).

Eleven entries advanced to semifinals, with four concluding their state runs there. Stapleton finished 10th in Extemporaneous Speaking, McGill was 10th in Impromptu, and Barkley placed 9th in Poetry and 7th in Informative.

Seven entries moved on to the final round. Barkley placed 6th in Impromptu; McGill was 6th in Oration and 3rd in Extemporaneous; Tuichieva earned 2nd in Informative; and Brown claimed 2nd in Extemporaneous and 1st place in both Informative and Impromptu.

“At the beginning of the season I gave the team three goals,” Bethany Jenkins, Head Coach said. “We wanted to qualify as many kids for state as possible, get a full state entry despite our small numbers, and contend for a state trophy. The kids really met every single goal this season.”

Seven of the nine team members qualified for state. The 16th entry was secured at the final regular-season tournament, and the Panthers edged out Halstead — who had beaten them at league — for the third-place finish.

“To say I’m proud would be an understatement,” Jenkins added.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746714563727.jpeg" alt="Nickerson Forensics - L to R: Assistant Coach Bailey Brewer, Head Coach Bethany Jenkins, Haley McGill (Sr), Aziza Tuichieva (Sr), Alec Brown (Sr), Will Barkley (So), Ellery Stapleton (So), Pollyann Frank (Fr), Abby Dater (So) - Photo courtesy Bethany Jenkins&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nickerson Forensics - L to R: Assistant Coach Bailey Brewer, Head Coach Bethany Jenkins, Haley McGill (Sr), Aziza Tuichieva (Sr), Alec Brown (Sr), Will Barkley (So), Ellery Stapleton (So), Pollyann Frank (Fr), Abby Dater (So) - Photo courtesy Bethany Jenkins&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure> The Nickerson High School forensics team made school history at the 3A state tournament held May 2-3 at Maize High School, bringing home a team trophy for the first time since records began in the 1980s.Competing with a full slate of 16 entries across just seven students, the Panthers placed third overall in the state, earning 287 sweepstakes points — the highest total during the current seniors’ tenure.In Lincoln-Douglas debate on Friday, senior Haley McGill and sophomore Ellery Stapleton both advanced to the semifinal round after defeating Lyons debaters. In a Nickerson-versus-Nickerson final, McGill took first place and Stapleton placed second.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746714921643.jpeg" alt="Lincoln-Douglas competitors Ellery Stapleton (So) and Haley McGill (Sr) - Photo courtesy Bethany Jenkins&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lincoln-Douglas competitors Ellery Stapleton (So) and Haley McGill (Sr) - Photo courtesy Bethany Jenkins&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Saturday’s speech events saw all seven students compete: freshman Pollyann Frank (Poetry, Program of Oral Interpretation); sophomores Will Barkley (Informative, Poetry, Impromptu), Abby Dater (Humorous Solo, Prose), and Stapleton (Informative, Extemporaneous Speaking); and seniors Alec Brown (Informative, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu), McGill (Original Oration, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu), and Aziza Tuichieva (Informative).Eleven entries advanced to semifinals, with four concluding their state runs there. Stapleton finished 10th in Extemporaneous Speaking, McGill was 10th in Impromptu, and Barkley placed 9th in Poetry and 7th in Informative.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746714729117.jpeg" alt="Nickerson Forensics - L to R: Head Coach Bethany Jenkins, Aziza Tuichieva (Sr), Haley McGill (Sr), Alec Brown (Sr), Assistant Coach Bailey Brewer - Photo courtesy Bethany Jenkins&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nickerson Forensics - L to R: Head Coach Bethany Jenkins, Aziza Tuichieva (Sr), Haley McGill (Sr), Alec Brown (Sr), Assistant Coach Bailey Brewer - Photo courtesy Bethany Jenkins&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Seven entries moved on to the final round. Barkley placed 6th in Impromptu; McGill was 6th in Oration and 3rd in Extemporaneous; Tuichieva earned 2nd in Informative; and Brown claimed 2nd in Extemporaneous and 1st place in both Informative and Impromptu.“At the beginning of the season I gave the team three goals,” Bethany Jenkins, Head Coach said. “We wanted to qualify as many kids for state as possible, get a full state entry despite our small numbers, and contend for a state trophy. The kids really met every single goal this season.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746714818548.jpeg" alt="Nickerson Forensic finalists, L to R: Aziza Tuichieva (Sr), Haley McGill (Sr), Will Barkley (So), Alec Brown (Sr) " />
 <figcaption>Nickerson Forensic finalists, L to R: Aziza Tuichieva (Sr), Haley McGill (Sr), Will Barkley (So), Alec Brown (Sr) </figcaption>
 </figure>Seven of the nine team members qualified for state. The 16th entry was secured at the final regular-season tournament, and the Panthers edged out Halstead — who had beaten them at league — for the third-place finish.“To say I’m proud would be an understatement,” Jenkins added.&nbsp;

Nickerson forensics team finishes third at state tournament 

BUHLER, KS — It’s been a whirlwind of speeches, scripts, and success for Buhler&nbsp;High School’s forensics team, which placed an impressive fifth overall out of 34 schools at the recent state competition. The team brought home multiple honors, including three individual state championships, and demonstrated the dedication and talent that comes from countless hours of preparation.&nbsp;

Leading the team’s standout performance were Chase Beals and Henry Trumpp, who were crowned state champions in duet acting. Known for their presence in the Buhler  Singers, the pair’s dynamic chemistry and theatrical flair earned top marks in one of the most competitive categories.&nbsp;

Another shining moment came from Kieron Bradley, who took the top spot in Lincoln-Douglas debate — a one-on-one format that emphasizes critical thinking, argumentation, and on-the-spot reasoning.&nbsp;

In addition to the state titles, the team saw several other strong finishes:&nbsp;

“These kids work incredibly hard,” said&nbsp;Cindy Couchman, Buhler Superintendent of Schools . “If you’ve ever had a student involved in debate or forensics, you know what goes into it — hours of after-school practice, constant research, and even rehearsing in the hallways. We’re incredibly proud of them.”&nbsp;

Much of the team’s success is credited to their coach, Dakota Yates, whose guidance has helped foster a culture of excellence. “We’re very fortunate to have Dakota on staff,” Couchman said.&nbsp;

Debate and Forensics may not always get the spotlight, but educators stress their long-term value. “It’s one of those activities that flies under the radar, but it builds skills that last a lifetime — public speaking, critical thinking, confidence. It prepares students not just for college, but for life.” added Couchman.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696683579907.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>BUHLER, KS — It’s been a whirlwind of speeches, scripts, and success for Buhler&nbsp;High School’s forensics team, which placed an impressive fifth overall out of 34 schools at the recent state competition. The team brought home multiple honors, including three individual state championships, and demonstrated the dedication and talent that comes from countless hours of preparation.&nbsp;Leading the team’s standout performance were Chase Beals and Henry Trumpp, who were crowned state champions in duet acting. Known for their presence in the Buhler Singers, the pair’s dynamic chemistry and theatrical flair earned top marks in one of the most competitive categories.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746715532758.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy - Dakota Sanders&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy - Dakota Sanders&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Another shining moment came from Kieron Bradley, who took the top spot in Lincoln-Douglas debate — a one-on-one format that emphasizes critical thinking, argumentation, and on-the-spot reasoning.&nbsp;In addition to the state titles, the team saw several other strong finishes:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Chase Beals also earned third place in prose interpretation&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Libby Trumpp placed sixth in original oration&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Jacob Friesen took fifth in informational speaking&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Connor Friars landed fourth in prose interpretation&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>“These kids work incredibly hard,” said&nbsp;Cindy Couchman, Buhler Superintendent of Schools . “If you’ve ever had a student involved in debate or forensics, you know what goes into it — hours of after-school practice, constant research, and even rehearsing in the hallways. We’re incredibly proud of them.”&nbsp;Much of the team’s success is credited to their coach, Dakota Yates, whose guidance has helped foster a culture of excellence. “We’re very fortunate to have Dakota on staff,” Couchman said.&nbsp;Debate and Forensics may not always get the spotlight, but educators stress their long-term value. “It’s one of those activities that flies under the radar, but it builds skills that last a lifetime — public speaking, critical thinking, confidence. It prepares students not just for college, but for life.” added Couchman.&nbsp;

Buhler forensics places fifth at state, has three state champs

Topeka, Kan. – Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, today, announced the overall winners of the financial literacy essay contest sponsored by the Securities Division of the Kansas Department of Insurance.  

Earlier this year, the Department granted $10,000 each to three organizations for a financial literacy essay contest. Jobs for America’s Graduates Kansas, Junior Achievement of Kansas, and the Kansas Council for Economic Education each entered a selection of essays from Kansas students who participated in their financial literacy programs offered in over 200 high schools across the state. 

The students with the top three essays from each organization were awarded a share of $10,000 in scholarships. The first-place essay from each organization then advanced to compete for an overall contest winner, and a share of an additional $10,000.  

The contest finalists and their awards are: 1st Place, $5,000 – Anusha Chaturvedi, Olathe North High School (KCEE) 2nd Place, $3,000 – Joel Umana Jimenez, Newton High School (JAG-K) 3rd Place, $2,000 – Cora Genovese, Washburn Rural High School (Junior Achievement)

“This year’s winners showed strong understanding of investment fraud red flags and what steps to take to stop scammers,” said Schmidt. “Congratulations to all the winners this year, and I encourage them to use what they have learned to help others.”  

The winning students receive their scholarships in addition to the $5,000 scholarship they won in the first round of the contest. The students receive the award money in the form of a 529 savings account to use for the advancement of their education. 

Previously announced winners from each participating organization can be found online at <a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/news/">insurance.kansas.gov/news</a>. For more information about the Kansas Insurance Department or to learn more about making smart investment decisions, visit i<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/">nsurance.kansas.gov</a> and <a href="http://SmartInvestKS.com">SmartInvestKS.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647376123800.png" alt="Kansas Insurance Department logo.PNG" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Insurance Department logo.PNG</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka, Kan. – Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, today, announced the overall winners of the financial literacy essay contest sponsored by the Securities Division of the Kansas Department of Insurance. Earlier this year, the Department granted $10,000 each to three organizations for a financial literacy essay contest. Jobs for America’s Graduates Kansas, Junior Achievement of Kansas, and the Kansas Council for Economic Education each entered a selection of essays from Kansas students who participated in their financial literacy programs offered in over 200 high schools across the state. The students with the top three essays from each organization were awarded a share of $10,000 in scholarships. The first-place essay from each organization then advanced to compete for an overall contest winner, and a share of an additional $10,000. The contest finalists and their awards are: 1st Place, $5,000 – Anusha Chaturvedi, Olathe North High School (KCEE) 2nd Place, $3,000 – Joel Umana Jimenez, Newton High School (JAG-K) 3rd Place, $2,000 – Cora Genovese, Washburn Rural High School (Junior Achievement) <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746273125096.jpeg" alt="Joel Umana Jimenez - Courtesy USD 373 Newton" />
 <figcaption>Joel Umana Jimenez - Courtesy USD 373 Newton</figcaption>
 </figure>“This year’s winners showed strong understanding of investment fraud red flags and what steps to take to stop scammers,” said Schmidt. “Congratulations to all the winners this year, and I encourage them to use what they have learned to help others.” The winning students receive their scholarships in addition to the $5,000 scholarship they won in the first round of the contest. The students receive the award money in the form of a 529 savings account to use for the advancement of their education. Previously announced winners from each participating organization can be found online at <a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/news/">insurance.kansas.gov/news</a>. For more information about the Kansas Insurance Department or to learn more about making smart investment decisions, visit i<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/">nsurance.kansas.gov</a> and <a href="http://SmartInvestKS.com">SmartInvestKS.com</a>.

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt awards financial literacy scholarships

NEWTON, Kan. — USD 373 has launched a Facilities Master Planning project in collaboration with RSP, a Kansas-based firm known for its expertise in school and community planning. The initiative aims to develop a long-term strategy for the district’s facilities by engaging a diverse group of stakeholders and analyzing key data.

Since November 2024, the district’s planning group—composed of community members, educators and other stakeholders—has met monthly to evaluate current facility conditions, enrollment trends and educational needs. Their work is intended to provide the Board of Education with data-driven recommendations for the future of USD 373’s facilities.

Community members are encouraged to attend an upcoming engagement session to learn more about the group’s findings and offer feedback. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at Chisholm Middle School.

For those unable to attend in person, the district will launch an online Social PinPoint survey the evening of May 14. The survey will remain open through May 28, allowing the broader community to share their perspectives and help shape the district’s next steps.

For more information, visit the USD 373 website or contact the district office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746137233865.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>USD 373 COMMUNICATIONSNEWTON, Kan. — USD 373 has launched a Facilities Master Planning project in collaboration with RSP, a Kansas-based firm known for its expertise in school and community planning. The initiative aims to develop a long-term strategy for the district’s facilities by engaging a diverse group of stakeholders and analyzing key data.Since November 2024, the district’s planning group—composed of community members, educators and other stakeholders—has met monthly to evaluate current facility conditions, enrollment trends and educational needs. Their work is intended to provide the Board of Education with data-driven recommendations for the future of USD 373’s facilities.Community members are encouraged to attend an upcoming engagement session to learn more about the group’s findings and offer feedback. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at Chisholm Middle School.For those unable to attend in person, the district will launch an online Social PinPoint survey the evening of May 14. The survey will remain open through May 28, allowing the broader community to share their perspectives and help shape the district’s next steps.For more information, visit the USD 373 website or contact the district office.

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