Our Phoenix Performing Arts Students performed a fabulous production last week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We are always amazed at our students' talent and incredible skills! This production was unique because the audience also sat on the stage and was fully immersed in it. Great job, Phoenix! #WeAre409
Congratulations and best of luck to JZ Kelley and Kelsey Kuhnert!! You both will do amazing things next year! #MovinOnUp #WeAre409 #ClassOf25
This week's Phoenix Feather winner is Jaselynn Miller from Mrs. McCully's fifth grade class! Students can earn a phoenix feather by showcases one of the AES 5 learner dispositions! #WeAre409
Wishing Parker Bowen and Brooklyn Kelley the best of luck next year! #WeAre409 #ClassOf25 #MovinOnUp
The AES Fun Run is May 2! #WeAre409
As you know we recently hosted an all school event called NED's Resiliency Ride.the students learned about never giving up, encouraging others and to do their best! Eye beat message to the students!! #WeAre409
Addisen Gallagher and Brandon Albright are #MovinOnUp to amazing things next year! Best of luck to both of you! #WeAre409 #ClassOf25
The AMS Kay Club made bunny goodie bags for the preschoolers at AES! Some members will be delivering them and helping with the preschool spring party. Such a fun way to build relationships with the younger students!! #WeAre409
Congratulations to AHS English Teacher Dawn “Doc” Smith for being honored as 2025-2026 USD 409 Teacher of the year! Well deserved!!
#WeAre409
Congratulations and best of luck to Marisol Carrol and Johnathan Hanzel as you are #MovinOnUp after graduation to do great things!
#WeAre409 #ClassOf25
Central had a busy week celebrating Quarter 3 accomplishments! Congratulations to these students who had a 90% attendance or above, a gpa of 3.0 and above, or who raised their gpa from Quarter 2 to 3! #progressiskey #WeAre409
Congratulations and best of luck to Miles Greenly and Piper Urban as you both are #MovinOnUp after graduation! #WeAre409 #ClassOf25
Best of luck to Ryan Dudley and Olivia Pennington who are #MovinOnUp to great things next year!! #WeAre409 #ClassOf25
Congratulations on #MovinOnUp to great things next year!! Best of luck to Kaysee Forgey and Jake Cook! #WeAre409 #ClassOf25
USD 409 is seeking feedback on the qualities and characteristics you want to see in our next superintendent. Your voice is crucial in helping guide this important decision. Please take a moment to complete our brief survey and share your thoughts: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/usd409ss Let's shape the future of our district together! #WeAre409 #CommunityVoice #LeadershipMatters
Our next two seniors are Hugh Davis and Kathryn Nieder-Nazarenko! Best of luck to each of you as you head to college next year!
#WeAre409 #MovinOnUp #ClassOf25
We have 10 new seniors we will highlight this week!! Let's kick it off with recognizing Xavier Tisdale and Chandler Dunn! Best of luck to both of you! ❤️💛
#WeAre409 #MovinOnUp #Classof25
Congratulations, and best of luck to Lily Oertel and Addison Bottorff next year! You both will do amazing things in the future! #WeAre409 💛❤️
It's time again to start celebrating the Class of 2025! Each day until graduation, we will celebrate two seniors and their plans for after graduation! Our 1st two seniors we are excited to celebrate are Devon Warman and Kionna Sharp! Best of luck next year! #WeAre409 💛❤️
Congratulations to Molly Cook, who found out a couple of weeks ago that she was a recipient for the Rudd Foundation Scholarship!! A four year, full ride to Emporia State!! Read more from Molly on this amazing accomplishment.
"Thursday, my life was changed for the better in a way I could never have imagined. I was honored to be awarded a full ride through the Rudd Foundation Scholarship. This incredible opportunity is a blessing, and it's made possible by a group of truly wonderful people. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude, and it’s heartwarming to know that all of my hard work and dedication has meant something. I can't fully express how thankful I am for this life-changing opportunity.
Of course, the road to this moment wasn't without its challenges. The application process was extensive and required me to demonstrate my involvement in both community and educational activities. I wrote two essays and had to prove my eligibility for a Pell Grant. At times, it felt like a shot in the dark. That the next stage was out of reach, but I tried my hardest and got a call saying out of almost 800 I made it to the top 75 and was on to the interview stage!
I traveled to Wichita for the interview with my cousin and their partner, feeling both prepared and nervous. The committee was incredibly kind and welcoming. Waiting to hear the outcome was a nerve-wracking experience, knowing how much this scholarship could change my life. So, when I found out yesterday that I had been selected of the top 50, I was completely taken by surprise and filled with immense gratitude. This scholarship is more than just financial support—it’s the start of a community that will guide and encourage me as I take the next step in my life.
I couldn’t have done this alone. The support I received from my community was invaluable. I’m deeply grateful for the mock interviews I had with Dr. Nugent and Mrs. Young, and for the amazing letters of recommendation from Miss Martin and Dr. Smith. I’m sure their words helped me stand out, and I’m so thankful for their belief in me.
This scholarship represents not just a chance to continue my education, but also a reminder of the incredible people who have invested in my success. I’m excited to move forward, knowing I have such a strong foundation to build on." -Molly Cook, AHS Senior
#WeAre409
