Congratulations to the Boys' and Girls' Track and Field teams competing at State! ๐โโ๏ธ๐๐จ
Gabe Voelker broke his own school record in the 3200m (9:15.2), placing 5th in the finals!
The girls' 4x100 team of Sarai Clark, Amaya Hill, Moriah Tucker, Kynah Simmons has qualified for the finals tomorrow with the second fastest time in the state! They also qualified for the 4x200 finals tomorrow with the 3rd fastest time!
Kynah Simmons made the finals in the 100m with the 3rd fastest time of 11.99 AND the finals in the 200m with the 5th fastest time of 25.15!
๐ถ As the final notes of the school year fade, we're celebrating an amazing journey filled with growth, friendships, and unforgettable memories! Watch our talented RPHS Chamber Choir perform in this end-of-year video. Here's to all the hard work, joy, and achievements of the past year. Have a fantastic summer! ๐๐
https://youtu.be/CTEDSZVyprs?si=6syDsYZl_YxMkinu
Once a Panther, Always a Panther! ๐ค๐พ๐
https://youtu.be/JVEBwi6Ez8Q?si=I67MFfSWn__vVggv
This episode of Through the Eyes focuses on our seniors! We checked in one final time before they graduated and asked them to reflect on their time at Ray-Pec.
๐ฅ The final Staff Spotlight of the year is here! ๐ฅ
In this episode of Staff Spotlight Dr. Slagle sits down with Joe O'Neal. Joe is retiring at the end of the 2023-24 school year after 28 years in education and 26 years at Ray-Pec. The end of the video also includes names and photos of our other 2024 retirees. ๐
Over the weekend, the Track and Field teams had athletes qualify for State in 10(!) events! Congratulations!
Sectional Champions
Girls 4x100
Kynah Simmons, Moriah Tucker, Sarai Clark Amaya Hill
Girls 4x200
Kynah Simmons, Moriah Tucker, Sarai Clark Amaya Hill
100 Meter Dash
Kynah Simmons
Sectional Runner-ups
200 Meter Dash
Kynah Simmons
Shot Put
Sarai Clark
3200 Meter Run
Gabe Voelker
3rd Place Finishers
300 Meter Hurdles
Noah Smith
4th Place Finishers
Long Jump
Moriah Tucker
400 Meter Dash
Amaya Hill
3200 Meter Run
Ashlyn Smith
Congratulations to High School Vocal Music Teacher Stephen Rew on being named one of 215 quarter finalists for the 2025 Music Educator Award sponsored by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum! The award is given to current educators - from kindergarten through college in both public and private schools - who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who advocate for the ongoing inclusion of music education in schools. Semi-finalists for the award will be announced later this year.
To read more about the award, visit the Grammy Awards website here: https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-music-educator-award-quarterfinalists-announcement-grammy-week-67th-grammys-awards
Congratulations to Ali Jo Locher, who will be honored at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on Sunday, May 19, at Union Station! The ceremony will honor some outstanding athletes, coaches, and programs. Locher will be recognized as part of the Diamond 9 awards, which are presented to former Missouri high school and college baseball and softball players who have made positive contributions to the sports.
Locher is being recognized for her achievements at the University of Central Missouri and her role as head softball coach at Ray-Pec High School.
Information about the ceremony: https://mosportshalloffame.com/events/kansas-city-enshrinement-2/
*****
Locher is the head softball coach at Ray-Pec High School and teaches physical education at Ray-Pec East Middle School
She came to Ray-Pec in 2022 from Warrensburg High School where she had been the head softball coach for the previous three seasons. Prior to coaching the Warrensburg Tigers, Coach Locher was a graduate assistant softball coach at UCM where she was also a former collegiate softball player for the Jennies.
Coach Locher is among the UCM softball greats according to the record books. You'll see Coach Locher among the single-game, season, and career leaders in multiple categories. Coach Locher made the All-MIAA team three times as a player and is the only Jennie to be awarded the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Happy National School Nurse Day! ๐ฉบ
Let's take a moment to appreciate the amazing school nurses who work to keep our students healthy, safe, and thriving. Your dedication and care make a world of difference in our schools and communities. Thank you for all that you do! ๐
Congratulations to Ray-Pec students who auditioned and were selected for the Missouri Choral Directors Association All-State Honor Choirs to be held this July in Springfield.
Find the full list on our website: raypec.org/article/1582549
The Ray-Pec Panthers Boys Golf Team finished in 2nd place in the Suburban Gold Conference tournament on April 30 at Fred Arbanas! ๐ฅ
The Panthers had a team score of 315 led by 3 All-Conference players: Jack Mallory 72, Landon Jambrosic 76, and Ethan Priest 82. Congratulations and good luck at the District Tournament on Monday!
Congrats to Ray-Pec High School Senior Bryanna Planker on being named the Cass Career Center Young Professional of the Month for May! Bryanna is an active member of the CCC Advanced Health Services Program. She is a member of SkillsUSA Missouri and the National Technical Honor Society, and also serves as a CCC Student Ambassador.
The Ray-Pec Panthers finished in 2nd place in the Suburban Gold Conference tournament yesterday at Fred Arbanas! ๐ฅ
The Panthers had a team score of 315 led by 3 All-Conference players: Jack Mallory 72, Landon Jambrosic 76, and Ethan Priest 82. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Ray-Pec High School instrumental music and vocal music students on tremendous performances at the MSHSAA State Solo & Ensemble Festival on April 26!
Results: raypec.org/article/1570922
Congratulations to Ray-Pec High School on receiving three Blue Star award nominations for its production of the "Shrek - The Musical!"
Ray-Pec was nominated for Outstanding Costume Design and Outstanding Hair and Makeup. In addition, Eli Showen was nominated for the Sophomore Rising Star Scholarship.
Modeled after Broadway's Tony Awards, Starlight's annual Blue Star Awards recognize achievement and excellence in musical theatre among Kansas City area high school students. Winners will be announced in 24 categories, with students from 54 area high schools. The ceremony is free, open to the public, and all tickets are general admission seating. Although admission is free, tickets are required. Red carpet arrivals and photo opportunities begin at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16.
Congratulations to the Ray-Pec Volunteer of the Year, LeeAnne Thompson! The award was announced during a reception on April 23.
Affectionately known as โthe uniform mom,โ LeeAnne has taken on the daunting task of uniforms for the marching band, and handled the task to perfection! She ensures that all band members (approx. 120) are fitted with their uniform, dressed properly and oftentimes staying later than the band directors to get everything done. She helped move props during practices and performances, handled uniform malfunctions with ease, wiped away countless tears, and most importantly - knew every child in the band. She knew their name, their instrument, their grade in school, and took time to listen to them and make each of them feel important. This is LeeAnneโs final year with the marching band, and she will be missed next year!
Finalists for Volunteer of the Year were honored at a reception last night. They are pictured with PTA Council President Jodi Price. Pictured, from left: Aaron Howlett, Shelby Ayres, Nicole Cline, Lora Kurzweil, Desiree Almanza, LaTisha Spiller, Lyndi Dewey, Amy Sellmeyer, Amber Rodriguez, Jodi Price, Michelle Houston, LeeAnne Thompson, Laurie Keeley, Debbie Kansteiner
This week is Administrative Professionals Week and today is Administrative Professionals Day! Thank you to all of you for everything you do to keeping things running like clockwork! ๐
This morning 20 of our talented students signed letters of intent to compete at the next level! Their blood, sweat, and tears have paid off. Congratulations and best of luck as you take your next steps! ๐ค๐พ๐
This morning 20 of our talented students signed letters of intent to compete at the next level! Their blood, sweat, and tears have paid off. Congratulations and best of luck as you take your next steps! ๐ค๐พ๐
Over the weekend, in their first ever competition, the RP Flag Football won the Regional Championship at Arrowhead Stadium to earn a berth to compete in the National Flag Championships in Canton, Ohio! Sabrina Shakes was game MVP! ๐
It's signing day! Tune in to watch some of our RPHS students making commitments for their future! ๐ฅณ
https://www.youtube.com/live/kE96e7lk5GU?si=9dSpQ49m7ogX82c6