Raymore-Peculiar High School students were recognized for outstanding achievements in speech, debate, theatre, Job Olympics, and creative theatre during the May board of education meeting.
Speech and debate coaches Dane Schnake and Jayme Overstreet were honored alongside students who competed at Missouri’s highest levels of competition. The Ray-Pec Speech and Debate team earned an impressive second-place finish in Overall Sweepstakes at the state tournament, an award recognizing excellence across multiple competitive events.
School officials praised the team’s dedication, preparation, and teamwork, noting that the accomplishment reflects both individual talent and the program's overall strength.
Several students also earned individual state honors:
Duo Interpretation:
Amari Russell and Eli Showen - State Champions
Evan and Kaedyn Blede - 2nd Place
Vanessa Diaz and Aurora Lautzenhiser - 4th place
Duet Acting:
Kyan Roth and Sawyer Griffin - 4th place
Dramatic Interpretation:
Vanessa Diaz - 2nd place
Amy Robinson - 6th place
Storytelling:
Kaedyn Blede - 7th place
Prose:
Amy Robinson - 7th place
Ray-Pec theatre students were also celebrated for exceptional performances at the state level. Students involved in the productions Amadeus and The Laramie Project earned top honors in the Missouri competition.
Kaedyn Blede received the STAM Award for Best Actor, while Amadeus captured third place in the One-Act Play competition. The Laramie Project earned a second-place finish in Readers Theatre.
District leaders noted that Ray-Pec was the only school in Missouri to place in both theatre categories, highlighting the versatility and talent of the student performers and directors.
The evening also recognized students participating in Job Olympics and Creative Theatre Workshop programs, alongside teachers Katie Huff and Jayme Overstreet.
Job Olympics participants competed in events designed to build workplace and life skills, including stocking shelves, sorting laundry, folding towels, vacuuming, envelope stuffing, coin recognition, and mock job interviews with local business leaders. Through regional and state competitions, students demonstrated teamwork, perseverance, problem-solving, and workplace readiness.
Creative Theatre Workshop students were honored for their performances in Mother Goosed and The Day the Internet Died. Organizers said the productions helped students strengthen communication skills, build confidence, express creativity, and support one another through rehearsals and performances.
School officials concluded by recognizing all participating students for representing Ray-Pec with enthusiasm, dedication, and pride.
