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At the Board of Education Meeting on Monday, October 7, our district recognized four individuals who were presented with the 232 TORCH award. This newly branded award recognizes district staff for their exceptional commitment to students and our district. 

Our first stop in September was Belmont Elementary where Superintendent Cory Gibson and Principal Pam Hargrove recognized fourth grade teacher Darcie Sheppard with the 232 TORCH Award. Darcie was selected to receive this award because she is one of the most flexible, creative, caring and willing leaders on the Belmont fourth grade team. As Pam Hargrove shared, one of Darcie’s biggest gifts is seeing a need and filling it! She continually steps up to meet challenges, such as changing teaching grades, where she brings her energy and leadership to a new group of people to make everyone better, every day.

The next person recognized at Monday night’s meeting with the 232 Torch Award was Tiffany Meyer, a dedicated paraprofessional in the Connections C Program at Belmont. Pam Hargrove revealed that Tiffany has very quickly become the “glue” for her special education team where is not satisfied with simply being a part of the Connections C program. She insists on bringing every ounce of her body and soul into the program with ideas, leadership and support. Tiffany is also working on her teaching degree so she can become a special education teacher in the near future.

The second building with staff members recognized at Monday’s Board of Education meeting with the 232 TORCH award for September was Cedar Trails Exploration Center. Here we were able to recognize Sam McLeod, Manufacturing Instructor.

CTEC CAPS Administrator, Tim Mispagel selected Sam to receive the TORCH award because he is living the mission of our district. Sam displays a mastery in what he teaches which helps get his students excited about the projects they are working on and exploring the learning possible within his classroom. He excels in building relationships with his students to understand their goals and help them learn the manufacturing craft. 

When new principal, Deb Ricker, was asked who was worthy of this year’s 232 TORCH award at Cedar Trails Exploration Center, the choice was obvious to her. In addition to all of her day-to-day responsibilities as the building secretary, Tricia Wilson went above and beyond to get the new principal up to speed with her new role. While also supporting the new building administrator, Trish also trained the new lead secretary for CTEC. She was able to tackle all of this and more with her calming grace and welcoming smile.

Congratulations to  all our staff recognized for the month of September with the 232 TORCH Award. We are so lucky to have you as a part of our district.Check out the full video presentation of the 232 TORCH Award for September   

Students from both Mill Valley and De Soto High Schools joined forces to create a special art design project for the City of Shawnee. The finished artwork, a two-year venture involving USD 232 high school students from conception to completion, is now on permanent display at the round-about located at Monticello Road and Clear Creek Parkway.

In the fall of 2022, the City of Shawnee selected the sculpture design proposal “Flight of Florescence” submitted by Mill Valley High School student, Sophia Hsu. Once the final selection was made, student Julie Steeb from De Soto High School, created a mock-up of the final design to present to city officials. After the approval of the mock-up was received, CTEC CAPS students fabricated this project for their year-long, senior capstone project in their Production Methods class at Cedar Trails Exploration Center. Students Daniel Blaine (MVHS), Sam Colletti (MVHS), Connor Jacober (DHS) and Jackson Rose (MVHS), each took on a different aspect of the structure, engineering and assembly of the final piece during the 2023-24 school year.

These four students along with their instructor, Sam McLeod and the CTEC CAPS Administrator, Tim Mispagel, enlisted help of Wilkerson Crane Rental that donated services to place the finished project for display on Monday, June 24.

 

USD 232, in partnership with Panasonic Energy, is proud to serve as one of the sites in this year’s Parade of Hearts event. Parade of Hearts has become an annual, public art experience which celebrates and unites our diverse community while supporting local nonprofits by placing beautifully designed hearts by local artists throughout the Kansas City Area.

Cedar Trails Exploration Center was selected as the site in the district to host “Reflective Skies”, designed by local artist, Emily Bennett. Here is what Emily shared about the inspiration behind her design:

Kansas City is situated between two states of great plains, with large skies bridging the two together. The beauty of both Kansas and Missouri meet in Kansas City, and my heart design reflects this idea. I enjoy finding movement and light in the skies I paint, as it is a reflection of its surroundings. Much the same, the vibrant sky featured on my heart design reminds the viewer of the truly beautiful landscape Kansas City sits in. The inspiration for this heart was actually a stark winter Kansas ranch, so I hope the viewer can remember to see and appreciate some brightness and loveliness of our little place in the Midwest, even when it's hard to find.

This year, over 100 local artists were asked to create a unique design inspired by hope and unity then place their vision on a five-foot heart sculpture. Individuals in the greater Kansas City Community will have the opportunity to visit all 101 hearts which will be spread out across America’s Heartland from mid-April through mid-August 2024.

Parade of Hearts website and mobile app include maps and details of each artistic heart on display. Visit www.theparadeofhearts.com to learn more about this year's artists and their heARTful creations.