HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Turner wrestling results from the Blue Valley Northwest Husky Wrestling Invitational

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Below are wrestling results from the Turner Golden Bears' recent meet at the 2015 Blue Valley Northwest Husky Wrestling Invitational.

KU to honor 171 seniors from Wyandotte County high schools

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Students from 10 Wyandotte County high schools will be honored Tuesday, Nov. 11, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 171 seniors from high schools in Wyandotte County will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 7 p.m. program and reception at Wyandotte High School, 2501 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City.

Since 1971, the Kansas Honors Program has recognized over 125,000 scholars who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school senior classes and are selected regardless of occupational plans or higher-education goals. Each year, the KU Alumni Association and its volunteers host 36 programs that reach all 105 counties across the state and include approximately 360 high schools.

During the ceremony, each student will receive a Webster’s New College Dictionary and a commemorative certificate.

Ann Brill, dean of journalism & mass communications at the University of Kansas, will speak to the students and their parents and guests.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Chris Schneider and Stephanie Parker, of Kansas City, are program coordinators.

The Kansas Honors Program is made possible by KU Endowment and proceeds from the Jayhawk license plate program.

The Class of 2015 scholars  from Wyandotte County:

Bishop Ward High School

Richard Cassidy - Kansas City
Jairo Fernandez-Solis - Kansas City
Harold Johnson III - Kansas City
Viviana Lizarraga - Kansas City
Lesslie Martinez - Kansas City
Kendall Nick - Kansas City
Anna Powell - Kansas City
Karina Rodriquez - Kansas City
Evan Sadrakula - Kansas City

Bonner Springs High School

Sudarat Alongkornvilai - Kansas City
Francisco Banuelos - Bonner Springs
Steven Barnes II - Bonner Springs
Mikaela Bennett - Kansas City
Jacob Dobbs - Bonner Springs
Jennifer Hammond - Bonner Springs
Rachel Johnson - Edwardsville
Samantha Joyce - Edwardsville
Lauren Murphy - Edwardsville
Samuel Nelson - Bonner Springs
Bailey Presler - Kansas City
Gabrielle Rye - Basehor
Shelbey Taylor - Kansas City
Rayna Weibrecht - Kansas City
Jacob Wylie - Kansas City

F.L. Schlagle High School

Jacob Armstrong - Kansas City
Jasmin Bell - Kansas City
Ray'Monik Brown - Kansas City
Nayeline Coronilla-Guerrero - Kansas City
Jazminn Glavin - Kansas City
Tia Henderson - Kansas City
Jordan Her - Kansas City
Tavia Holt - Kansas City
Jonathon Manion - Kansas City
Imani Newman - Kansas City
Kayleen Perkins - Kansas City
Mercedes Platt - Kansas City
Janie Vang - Kansas City
Evelin Villigrana - Kansas City
William Wallace - Kansas City
Johnny Xiong - Kansas City
Linda Xiong - Kansas City

J.C. Harmon High School

Kathy Antillon - Kansas City
Steven Avila - Kansas City
Samuel Avila Rocha - Kansas City
Tha Aye - Kansas City
Yessina Benavides - Kansas City
Gabrielle Custer - Kansas City
Pa Doh - Kansas City
Mariah Elmer - Kansas City
Jesus Galvan - Kansas City
Ta Gaw - Kansas City
Tasha Jackson - Kansas City
DaNishia James - Kansas City
Hsar Klaw - Kansas City
Mia Miner - Kansas City
Anita Omazic - Kansas City
Mary Perez - Kansas City
Brittany Perry - Kansas City
Jazmin Rosales - Kansas City
Yazmin Sandoval - Kansas City
Ana Simental - Kansas City
Amber Smith - Kansas City
Juan Carlos Tirado Garcia - Kansas City
Connie Yang - Kansas City

Kansas State School for the Blind

Joshua Harsch - Topeka

Piper High School

Tyler Albracht - Kansas City
Matthew Appl - Kansas City
Jacob Asherman - Kansas City
Taylor Beashore - Kansas City
Colton Beebe - Kansas City
Laura Clark - Kansas City
Katherine Comer - Kansas City
Madison Hays - Kansas City
Lyndi Lloyd - Kansas City
Natalie Moon - Kansas City
Lydia Paterson - Kansas City
Emily Pennington - Kansas City
Hannah Roper - Kansas City
Nicole Stimetz - Kansas City
Mikala Sullivan - Kansas City

Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences

Marie Abed - Kansas City
Cheyenne Brown - Kansas City
Mylan Gray - Kansas City
Mija Jones - Kansas City
Christina Lor - Kansas City
Sara McMahon - Kansas City
Nouksapha Phomsouvanh - Kansas City
Manuel Sandoval - Kansas City
Ngainunmawi Sonna - Kansas City
Ana Suarez - Kansas City
Steve Thao - Kansas City
Helen Venegas - Kansas City

Turner High School

Silvana Alcantra - Kansas City
Alondra Aviles-Gallegos - Kansas City
Andie Burch - Kansas City
Zuleyma Cedeno - Kansas City
Michael Creek - Kansas City
Victoria Escarpita - Kansas City
Cecilia Gutierrez - Kansas City
Anastasia King - Kansas City
Samuel Kline - Kansas City
Daniarely Loma - Kansas City
Jessica Morris - Kansas City
David Navarrete - Kansas City
Anh Ngo - Kansas City
Coby Patterson - Kansas City
Janeth Reyes - Kansas City
Colton Russell - Kansas City
Lacey Stiles - Kansas City
Kaylynn Stratton - Kansas City
Krista Thomas - Kansas City
Kayla Tidwell - Kansas City
Zachary Uthe - Kansas City
Susan Vongphrachanh - Kansas City
Mitchell Yurgel - Kansas City
Adrian Zamora - Kansas City

Washington High School

William Bailey - Kansas City
Franklin Conard - Kansas City
Deanna Daniels - Kansas City
Wava Dixon - Kansas City
Mason Fortner - Kansas City
Stephanie Her - Kansas City
Nicole Jones - Kansas City
Muhjaazee Love - Kansas City
Robert Martinez - Kansas City
Donald Metoyer - Kansas City
Anthony Ornelas - Kansas City
Kylah Owens - Kansas City
Ros'Lynn Payne - Kansas City
Deja' Perkins - Kansas City
Kaytlynn Pulley - Kansas City
Karen Ruiz-Gonzalez - Kansas City
Lauren Stroble - Kansas City
Keyanna Tolon - Kansas City
Diana Wade - Kansas City
Kelsey Williams - Kansas City
Kierstin Williams - Kansas City
Tucker Wright - Kansas City
Far Zing - Kansas City

Wyandotte High School

Yesenia Bilbao - Kansas City
Kendall Dale - Kansas City
Monica Dirks - Kansas City
Kimberly Escobar Alvarado - Kansas City
Valentina Flores Molina - Kansas City
Mayela Franco - Kansas City
Arpan Giri - Kansas City
Alexis Gonzalez - Kansas City
Imelda Gonzalez - Kansas City
Ashok Gurung - Kansas City
Emmanuel Guzman - Kansas City
Karla Guzman - Kansas City
Mariana Hill - Kansas City
Sofia Jimenez Omana - Kansas City
Prince-Russell Johnson - Kansas City
Van Lian - Kansas City
Joseline Martinez - Kansas City
Bu Meh - Kansas City
Aminah Muhammad - Kansas City
That Nung - Kansas City
Ana Ortega - Kansas City
Ruben Ponce - Kansas City
Bhagat Regmi - Kansas City
Jesus Rosales - Kansas City
Evelin Rueda - Kansas City
Jazmin Ruiz Meza - Kansas City
Carolina Sotelo - Kansas City
Moises Suazo - Kansas City
Mayly Valenzuela - Kansas City
Donte Walters - Kansas City
Aaliyah Woods - Kansas City
Chong Yang - Kansas City.

Former Turner student graduates from basic military training

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Air Force Airman Chase L. Brown graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Brown is the son of Charles Brown of Kansas City and nephew of Lenetta Dent of Wilson.

He is a 2012 graduate of Turner High School, Kansas City.

LINK: Another KCK graduation controversy at Turner High School

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Last week, seniors at Washington High School protested during school hours after changes were made to the school's graduation ceremony.

Now, five students at Turner High School will not be allowed to walk following a food fight.

NBC Action News reports that five students at Turner High School will not be allowed to walk at the school's graduation ceremony after a food fight escalated last Friday.

While a cell-phone video shows that dozens of students were involved in the fight, only five were punished.  According to the school district, the five were punished after an investigation was carried out.

Statement from the school district:

“There was a food fight at Turner High School last week deemed to be a “senior prank”. Turner High School administration identified the students responsible for planning and carrying-out the event. Consequences were issued in accordance with district policy. Senior students are regularly reminded that participation in activities which cause disruption to the environment will jeopardize participation in the Turner High School graduation ceremony. This event caused not only disruption to the school environment, but posed significant safety concerns for other students. We regret the impact that these students’ choices may have on family members hoping to witness the graduation ceremony.”

Click here to watch the story from NBC Action News.

PHOTO: Turner High School student awarded scholarship

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Turner High School senior McKenzie Dick was recently awarded Ottawa University’s first competitive Biology Scholarship following her participation in the inaugural math and science competition on November 19 on the Ottawa University campus in Ottawa, Kansas.

She received a $15,000 scholarship renewable annually for four years.

Dick will be a freshman biology major at Ottawa University in the fall of 2014. Her brother, James Dick, is currently a junior at OU in the exercise science program.

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PHOTO: Ottawa University biology professors Dr. Kristen Epp, Dr. Hank Tillinghast and Dr. Steve Boese look on as Turner High School senior McKenzie Dick signs with Ottawa University after winning its first Science Competition scholarship. 

Turner High School teacher named semi-finalist in Teacher of the Year competition

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- A local high school teacher was named one of the six best teachers from Region 3.

Turner High School teacher Jennifer Thomas was one of six semi-finalists from Region 3 for the 2014 Kansas Teacher of the Year.

More information from the state:

Brandi Leggett, a third-grade teacher at Prairie Ridge Elementary School in Shawnee (De Soto USD 232), and Jennifer R. Smith, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Lakewood Middle School in Overland Park (Blue Valley USD 229), were named Region 3 finalists for the 2014 Kansas Teacher of the Year award today. This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state.  

The announcements were made during ceremonies at the Marriott Hotel in Overland Park. As finalists for the Kansas Teacher of the Year distinction, Leggett and Smith each received a $2,000 cash award from Security Benefit, a major partner in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program.

In addition, they are now eligible to be named Kansas Teacher of the Year, an award that will be announced during ceremonies in Wichita on Nov. 23.

Leggett and Smith were among six Teacher of the Year semi-finalists from Region 3, which covers the third U.S. congressional district.

Other semi-finalists were Shauna A. Hammett, an elementary reading teacher at Shawanoe Elementary School in Shawnee Mission (Shawnee Mission USD 512); Elizabeth “Liz” Long, a first-grade teacher at Edgerton Elementary School (Gardner Edgerton USD 231); Jennifer Thomas, a ninth-grade science teacher at Turner High School in Kansas City (Turner USD 202); and Kelly Ulmer, an eighth-grade science teacher at Santa Fe Trail Middle School in Olathe (Olathe USD 233).

Each of the semi-finalists received a red marble apple with a wooden base, compliments of The Master Teacher in Manhattan. Statewide, 105 educators were nominated for the Kansas Teacher of the Year distinction.

Nominations are made in each of four regions in the state. The Kansas State Department of Education, sponsor of the Kansas Teacher of the Year program, appoints regional selection panels comprised of teachers, education administrators, and higher education representatives to select semi-finalists and finalists from each region.

Each panel selects six semi-finalists – three elementary teachers and three secondary teachers. From those semi-finalists, the panel in each region then selects one elementary finalist and one secondary finalist. The Kansas Teacher of the Year is selected from among the state’s eight regional finalists.

The mission of the Kansas Teacher of the Year program is to build and utilize a network of exemplary teachers who are leaders in the improvement of schools, student performance, and the teaching profession. The Kansas Teacher of the Year team, comprised of the Teacher of the Year and state finalists, serve as ambassadors for education in Kansas, making public appearances across the state promoting education and the teaching profession.

The individual selected as the Kansas Teacher of the Year is eligible for national distinction as Teacher of the Year. The National Teacher of the Year program, sponsored by Target, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers, in partnership with the ING Foundation, the University of Phoenix and People to People Ambassador Programs.

Turner alum graduates from basic military training

Air Force Airman Nicholas J. Woolley graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Woolley is the son of Shauna Woolley of Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kan.

He is a 2012 graduate of Turner High School in Kansas City, Kan.

AT&T donates $5,000 to Share the Bear; donation to benefit Highland Crest area in Turner

Share the Bear, a Kansas City-based charitable organization, has received a $5,000 contribution from AT&T to support its Youth Ambassador program and redevelopment in the Highland Crest neighborhood. 

“Share the Bear is a critical part of improving afflicted neighborhoods in Kansas City,” said Share the Bear Board Member and State Representative Stan Frownfelter. “Support for our programs goes a long way toward making the entire state of Kansas stronger.”

The Youth Ambassador program is an established program in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The program is a collaboration of community partners who join forces to implement a state-of-the-art summer work program for under-served youth.

Aimed at combating negative peer influences, Youth Ambassadors are hired to explore their communities through digital photography, documentary production, writing, art historical references and intimate interviews.

Their work culminates in an end-of-summer showcase where their work is showcased to the Kansas City community.

“This program supports the educational goals of some of our most at-risk students and cultivates young leaders that will influence our community for decades to come,” said Share the Bear President and Unified Government Commissioner Angela Robinson Markley. “We greatly appreciate AT&T’s support.”

The contribution also supports Share the Bear’s other program initiative, specifically the redevelopment of the Highland Crest neighborhood. Because educational concerns are so deeply impacted by poverty, blight and crime, the correlation between educational performance and neighborhood issues cannot be ignored.

By focusing on Turner Unified School District’s most blighted neighborhoods, namely Highland Crest, Share the Bear aims to build a strong foundation in supporting and promoting under-served youth. 

“We are proud to be part of this holistic approach to supporting young Kansans who are most in need,” said AT&T Kansas President Steve Hahn.

Sports results: Turner bowling team sweeps competition

The Turner Golden Bears bowling teams are off to a great start.

Both teams swept Bishop Miege and Maranatha Academy earlier this week.

Leading the way for the boys team was Chance Rivera, who had a 696 series. Clarence Goodwin added a 629 for the boys side.

Jovanna Ramirez won the individual meet on the girls side, shooting a 607 series. Heather McDaniel had a 578-series and Betty Gillespie earned a 539-pin series.

Rivera, one of the best bowlers in the Kansas City metro area, bowled his 10th perfect game right around the New Year.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Turner High School to host "Back to School" night

Turner High School's "Back to School" night will be held August 9.

The high school will host students and families from 4 to 8 p.m. Teachers are expected at the event beginning at 5 p.m.

For more information, check out turnerusd202.org.

Turner High School fundraiser tomorrow

Turner High School will host the 5K To The Bear Cave Saturday morning at 7 a.m.

The run is an event that supports Turner athletics.

More information: 

The 5K To The Bear Cave is a 3.1 mile run/ walk.

The mission is to provide all Turner High School students and supporters with an opportunity to raise money for their clubs, organizations, and athletics through a fun and interactive way, with the support of the administrators, teachers, community members, local businesses, and YOU!

This event is a fundraiser for all Turner High School students. The MORE participants we have, the MORE money we will be able to raise for our school.That said, the race is open to everyone!

The race begins in the main entrance of Turner High School, goes through Pierson Park and then ends where the race initially began.

The cost to participate in the 5K To The Bear Cave is $20 including a race t-shirt and goodie bag. There are two options to register:

The 5K To The Bear Cave is a student-led project. All of the proceeds will go directly to Turner High School's student clubs, organizations, and athletics.

STUDENTS: Come participate and raise money so you can have money for new uniforms, equipment, and gear for this season!

PARENTS: Participate or volunteer to help your student have an awesome year with adequate gear.

OTHERS: Join along, contribute, and support a great cause for the youth!

Online Registration: http://www.active.com/running/kansas-city-ks/5k-to-the-bear-cave-2012

Website: http://5ktothebearcave.weebly.com/