Sylvan-Lucas Unified School has received a commendation from the Kansas High School Activities Association for outstanding performing arts programs. A total of 18 Kansas high schools will receive recognition.
A selection committee was formed by multiple groups including the Kansas Music Educator’s Association (KMEA), Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA) and the Kansas Thespians (Theatre). Leaders from these organizations along with the KSHS staff collaborated to discuss numerous high schools that scored exceptionally high in debate, speech, music and theater during the 2022-23 school year. The committee chose one winner, six finalists and 11 commended schools from across the state. All 18 schools will be recognized with a certificate from the KSHSAA.
De Soto High School was selected as the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award.
Finalists for this award include Fort Scott, Lawrence Free-State, Pittsburgh, Shawnee Mission South and Sterling High Schools.
Commended for this designation are Emporia, Maize, McPherson, Overland Park-Blue Valley West, Paola, Pretty Prairie, St. George-Rock Creek, Shawnee Mission-Bishop Miege, Sylvan-Lucas Unified, Topeka-Washburn Rural High Schools and Wichita Collegiate School.
“The KSHSAA made a commitment to our schools in 2018 to annually recognize outstanding performing arts schools in the State of Kansas,” Craig Manteuffel, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Dire OF Fine Arts and Spirit in a recent press release. “It is very difficult to flourish in all categories of the performing arts and we are so proud to honor these 18 schools in 2023-24.”
Most of these schools have a much higher student enrollment than SUHS. De Soto, for example, had an enrollment of nearly 1,000 students in the 2018-2019 school year. Maize had nearly 1,300 students. SUHS has a reported enrollment of 120 students.
The Sentinel congratulates SUHS students for their performing arts accomplishments!
