TOPEKA, Kan. – McPherson High School, Buhler High School, and Sterling High School were named to the Commended List for the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence award.
The award recognizes the best schools in Kansas in performing arts, selected by committees from the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), the Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA), and Kansas Thespians. The award is in its 7th year, naming 23 overall schools either as the overall winner, a finalist, or on the commended list.
McPherson and Sterling have won the overall award in the past. McPherson won following the 2022-23 school year and Sterling in 2021-22. For McPherson, they had at least been named a commended school for every year of the award dating back to 2018.
“The KSHSAA made a commitment to our schools in 2018 to annually recognize outstanding performing arts schools in the State of Kansas. Lawrence Free State is the first school to be named the performing arts school of excellence for a second time. This award is a wonderful testimony to the amazing abilities and talents of Kansas educators and students,” said Megan Hagaman, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit. “It is very difficult to flourish in all categories of the performing arts, and we are so proud to honor these 23 schools.”
Lawrence Free State High School won the overall award, becoming the award’s first repeat champion and winning their 3rd overall. Andover, Blue Valley North, Pittsburg, and Topeka-Washburn Rural were named finalists.
The full list of Commended Schools includes: Buhler High School, De Soto High School, Greensburg-Kiowa County High School, Lansing High School, McPherson High School, Newton High School, Olathe East High School, Olathe South High School, Olathe North High School, Olathe Northwest High School, Olathe West High School, Salina-Central High School, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission South, Sterling High School, Topeka-Seaman High School, Topeka West High School, and Wichita Collegiate School.
All 23 schools will be recognized with a certificate from the KSHSAA.
