News2

Ferguson Takes State & Heads to Nationals

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Sam Ferguson, Trinity Academy, 2024, earned the title of state champion after winning the 3200m (2 mile) race at the Kansas State Track Meet last week. Not only did he win the 3A division, but his time was the fastest among all classes from 1A through 6A.

Sam also competed in the 1600m (1 mile) and secured 2nd place in the 3A division. In a rare feat, he and his teammates swept the podium, achieving 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Sam’s time in the 1600m was the second fastest across all classes.

Reflecting on this accomplishment, Sam shared, “It was an awesome way to end my high school career, and I am very grateful to my teammates, coaches, and family for all their support these past four years.”

Earlier in the season, Sam set a record in the 2000m Steeplechase, a performance that ranked him 3rd in the nation. This has opened the door for another opportunity: competing in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later this summer. Sam will compete in the top heat of the 2000m Steeplechase, striving to take the National Title.

Congratulations on a phenomenal season, and best of luck in your upcoming national competition, Sam!
By Claudette Glenn, ago

Tyson Fast-Tracks Academic Path

Hayden Tyson, The Independent School, 2021, will accelerate the path to his degree in behavioral sciences with a minor in Psychology by taking additional classes this summer, allowing him to graduate by the end of the season.

Adding to this accomplishment, Hayden has been invited to apply to the University of Kansas graduate program as a doctorate student. This program is unique because it allows students to begin as PhD candidates, earning a master’s degree along the way, which typically reduces the overall time needed to complete the PhD.

Hayden plans to train as both a researcher and a clinician at the University of Kansas, preparing for a versatile career in the field. Obtaining a PhD includes the potential to work in education and serve as university faculty in the future.

Hayden states, “The O’Shaughnessy’s foundation has granted me the freedom to look past financial barriers that would inhibit me from seeking a degree past my bachelor’s while also providing me with the support required to take such a critical but daunting step of pursuing a postgraduate degree. The O’Shaughnessy family has been with me every step of the way, and their presence in my life has been an essential component of fostering my continued interest in education.”hh

By Claudette Glenn, ago

Phipps Lands Internship in Germany

Toller Phipps, Heights High School, 2022, has been selected to participate in the DAAD RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) scholarship program for the summer of 2024 in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

DAAD RISE is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Each year, PhD students and research groups from German universities or institutes apply to be part of this program. Once accepted, they create a description of their research, including what type of major or experience they are looking for in an applicant, and upload it to an application portal. The portal allows North American, British, and Irish university students to apply to the research programs. The applicants can apply for up to three research programs that fit their major. The PhD students then rank the applicants, and the German government matches applicants to research groups.

Toller is one of 375 chosen applicants out of 2,400 and will be completing research on GaN transistors on printed circuit boards at the Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences, working directly with the P3E (Power Electronics, Electronics, and EMC) research group on campus.

The program focuses on academic research and encourages students to immerse themselves in German and European culture. Toller will be able to explore and experience the culture and traditions while pursuing his research interests.
Toller told us, “This experience is not just about enhancing my academic knowledge; it’s also about broadening my horizons and immersing myself in a global community.”

Congratulations, Toller!
By Claudette Glenn, ago

Conrady Prepares for Mission

Kael Conrady, Valley Center High School, 2023, is preparing to serve a 24-month full-time mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He will proselytize his faith (in Spanish) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, engage in service activities, and perform other church-related responsibilities. Kael will leave for the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in early September after he has finished his summer training for the Naval Academy.

“I’m just really excited to experience another country and culture while deepening my faith in Jesus Christ and sharing the joy that it gives me with others,” Kael stated.

We wish you the best of luck on your mission, Kael!
By Claudette Glenn, ago

Aziere Announces College Decision

Eli Aziere, The Independent School, 2024, has officially decided to attend the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, this fall to study History and Anthropology on the Pre-Law track. The sense of community on campus and the potential for internships in the Washington D.C. area or with someone within the school’s extensive alumni network were reasons that helped him make this decision.

“I’m really excited to experience life in another part of the country and become involved with different campus activities like the Wind Ensemble or student government organizations,” Eli stated. 

By Claudette Glenn, ago

Tran Announces Summer Plans

Jordan Tran, Maize South High School, 2020, has announced his summer plans!

After graduating from Duke University, Jordan will stay in Durham, NC, to work as a research analyst for the Duke Regeneration Center. He will work to improve cancer patients’ survivorship by minimizing acute and long-term side effects of radiation therapy. He will also be investigating novel medical countermeasures against acute radiation syndrome in the scenarios of nuclear terrorism.

“I look forward to being able to fully dedicate my time to pushing forward the field of regenerative medicine and potentially improving treatment options for individuals affected by radiation and cancer,” Jordan shared.

Congratulations, Jordan!

By Claudette Glenn, ago

Kanagy Commits to Graduate School

We are thrilled to announce that Ben Kanagy, Trinity Academy, 2021, has recently accepted a top scholarship for graduate school at Wheaton College! Ben will commence his journey towards a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Exegesis this coming August, following his (double) graduation in May.

The program at Wheaton College is designed to be one of the most rigorous platforms for delving into the profound intricacies of biblical texts, encompassing their original languages and rich cultural and historical contexts. Starting this fall, Ben will be taking both Greek and Hebrew language classes.

Wheaton’s interdisciplinary approach ensures that Ben can explore various fields of study, including the psychology program. It is noteworthy that Wheaton College’s graduate program has a track record of sending students to top doctoral programs annually, opening up Ben’s future academic pursuits.

Beyond academia, Ben is excited about residing in Chicago and enjoying their jazz music.

Ben remarked, ” Both of my undergraduate degrees were pretty broad, so I’m excited to get to focus more narrowly on my interest in biblical texts, languages, and their cultural-historical contexts. A major reason I chose Wheaton was the faculty, who are world-class scholars and whose work I’ve read much of over the years. It’s a bit unreal that I’ll now get to work closely with them in my master’s program!”

Congratulations, Ben! We are excited to see what this next chapter holds for you!

By Claudette Glenn, ago

Torres Chosen as Rudd Scholar

It is an honor to announce that Israel Torres, senior at Wichita Northeast Magnet, has been awarded the Rudd Scholarship!

The Rudd Foundation states, “We are searching for students who persevere. The ones who, though they get knocked down, get right back up. Those who will strive harder than everyone else and continue to meet their challenges head-on.” This quote perfectly encapsulates Israel’s determination and resilience, making him a truly deserving recipient of this honor.

Let’s give Israel a round of applause for this incredible accomplishment!
By Claudette Glenn, ago

Lovett wraps up summer internship with a full-time offer!

Hendrix Lovett, Wichita Southeast High School, 2021, has completed his six-week internship at Kiel Maritime in Darwin, Australia. It is safe to say he has fallen in love with all things Aussie, which is good because he returned to the States with an offer for a full-time post-graduation position!

Kiel Maritime was founded in July 2018 to assist local maritime operators in their vessels’ operational and legislative needs. The company has grown, supporting locals with maritime services and advice. In January 2020, they established a branch on Phillip Island, Victoria, and in July 2021 launched a new office in Perth to ensure they could keep up with client demand.

By Claudette Glenn, ago