Today is Graduation Day for Center High School seniors! 🎓 Families and friends, if you aren’t able to join us for the ceremony, you can watch the livestream courtesy of HiveTV.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Your hard work, perseverance, and growth have led to this important milestone. Tonight we celebrate all you have achieved! We are so proud of each of you and can’t wait to see where your future takes you.
Once a Yellowjacket, always a Yellowjacket. 💙💛 #CenterProud
Congratulations to our CHS seniors who completed the A+ Scholarship Program!
Andre Bailey
Babacar Balde
Cameron Brigham
Icysis Buckle
Yolanda Ekuase
Brennan Eubank
Imara Gayhardt
Mikaylah Hill
Camden Lewis
Omar Nemah
Theodore Noel
Damariyon Pruett
Lachlan Riggs
Imani Rivera
Gabriel Thompson
Logan Urias
Allison Van Horn
Ezra VanRiette
Oscar Vargas Garcia
Lucas Westring
A+ students are eligible to receive reimbursement for the cost of tuition and general fees while attending a Missouri public community college or vocational/technical school on a full-time basis.
These students have met a high standard of criteria including 95% high school attendance, at least 50 hours of tutoring, good citizenship, and a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Well done A+ seniors! We are #CenterProud of you!
Andre Bailey
Babacar Balde
Cameron Brigham
Icysis Buckle
Yolanda Ekuase
Brennan Eubank
Imara Gayhardt
Mikaylah Hill
Camden Lewis
Omar Nemah
Theodore Noel
Damariyon Pruett
Lachlan Riggs
Imani Rivera
Gabriel Thompson
Logan Urias
Allison Van Horn
Ezra VanRiette
Oscar Vargas Garcia
Lucas Westring
A+ students are eligible to receive reimbursement for the cost of tuition and general fees while attending a Missouri public community college or vocational/technical school on a full-time basis.
These students have met a high standard of criteria including 95% high school attendance, at least 50 hours of tutoring, good citizenship, and a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Well done A+ seniors! We are #CenterProud of you!
The countdown to graduation continues as we celebrate our seniors who received community scholarships and special awards! 🎓💙💛
These scholarships and honors recognize leadership, academic achievement, service, and the positive impact these students have made on our school and community. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Angela Pearson Scholarship: Laila Kind & Yolanda Ekuase
John T. Belcher Scholarship: Aiyana Martin
Dr. Beth Heide Principal’s Volition Award: Kennady Lingle
Sharon & Donald Goff Scholarship: Mikaylah Hill
Dr. Robert E. Bartman Superintendent’s Leadership Award: Lyrica Porter & Dwayne Irvin
Male & Female Athlete of the Year: Jayde Minor & Ra’heym Ansley
Booster Club Scholarship: Niveah Bell, Jayde Minor, Andy Peterson, Lyrica Porter, Allison Van Horn, Ezra VanRiette & Lucas Westring
Renee Art Memorial Scholarship: Icysis Buckle
Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award: Icysis Buckle & Marlee Rush
King Merit Scholarship: Geneva Martinez & Ava Raper
King Legacy Scholarship: Icysis Buckle
We are so proud of these outstanding Yellowjackets and all they have accomplished. 👏✨ #CenterProud
These scholarships and honors recognize leadership, academic achievement, service, and the positive impact these students have made on our school and community. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Angela Pearson Scholarship: Laila Kind & Yolanda Ekuase
John T. Belcher Scholarship: Aiyana Martin
Dr. Beth Heide Principal’s Volition Award: Kennady Lingle
Sharon & Donald Goff Scholarship: Mikaylah Hill
Dr. Robert E. Bartman Superintendent’s Leadership Award: Lyrica Porter & Dwayne Irvin
Male & Female Athlete of the Year: Jayde Minor & Ra’heym Ansley
Booster Club Scholarship: Niveah Bell, Jayde Minor, Andy Peterson, Lyrica Porter, Allison Van Horn, Ezra VanRiette & Lucas Westring
Renee Art Memorial Scholarship: Icysis Buckle
Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award: Icysis Buckle & Marlee Rush
King Merit Scholarship: Geneva Martinez & Ava Raper
King Legacy Scholarship: Icysis Buckle
We are so proud of these outstanding Yellowjackets and all they have accomplished. 👏✨ #CenterProud
Congratulations to our seniors who received Center High School Department Awards for the 2025-26 school year! 🎉
Department Awards are selected by CHS teachers and recognize seniors who have excelled in their subject areas. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Woodshop & Skilled Trades: Robin Newell
Business: Rex Taylor
Hive TV: Icysis Buckle, Damariyon Pruett & Phallon Beach
PLTW Engineering Pathway: Oscar Vargas Garcia, Ezra VanRiette, Mya Trentadue & Babacar Balde
Art: Gabriela Olivares
ELA: Ava Raper & Lachlan Riggs
Science: Jade Gray, Ava Raper & Jacob Mekonen
Math: Oscar Vargas Garcia
Social Studies: Ja’Kobe Brooks & Theodore Noel
Physical Education: Phallon Beach & Sir Shelton
International Language: Natalia Rodriguez & Allison Van Horn
Culinary Arts: Geneva Martinez & Natalia Rodriguez
Design: Rachel Beargie
DECA: Dixon Alvarez
Golden Jacket Distinction of Growth Award: Rachawn Barber
💙💛 #Center Proud
Department Awards are selected by CHS teachers and recognize seniors who have excelled in their subject areas. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Woodshop & Skilled Trades: Robin Newell
Business: Rex Taylor
Hive TV: Icysis Buckle, Damariyon Pruett & Phallon Beach
PLTW Engineering Pathway: Oscar Vargas Garcia, Ezra VanRiette, Mya Trentadue & Babacar Balde
Art: Gabriela Olivares
ELA: Ava Raper & Lachlan Riggs
Science: Jade Gray, Ava Raper & Jacob Mekonen
Math: Oscar Vargas Garcia
Social Studies: Ja’Kobe Brooks & Theodore Noel
Physical Education: Phallon Beach & Sir Shelton
International Language: Natalia Rodriguez & Allison Van Horn
Culinary Arts: Geneva Martinez & Natalia Rodriguez
Design: Rachel Beargie
DECA: Dixon Alvarez
Golden Jacket Distinction of Growth Award: Rachawn Barber
💙💛 #Center Proud
Today, we’re proud to recognize our graduating seniors who earned academic letters and pins. Congratulations to these outstanding Yellowjackets on this incredible achievement! We are so proud you are part of the Hive! 👏✨ #CenterProud
Phallon Beach
Ja’Kobe Brooks
Icysis Buckle
Brennan Eubank
Bruce Garcia-Juarez
Jade Gray
LaRyan Hines
Jacob Mekonen
Halimah Muhammad
Omar Nemeh
Theodore Noel
Gabriela Olivares
Lachlan Riggs
Logan Urias
Allison Van Horn
Ezra VanRiette
Oscar Vargas-Garcia
Rahenyor Viveros
Lucas Westring
Zenarey Williams
Phallon Beach
Ja’Kobe Brooks
Icysis Buckle
Brennan Eubank
Bruce Garcia-Juarez
Jade Gray
LaRyan Hines
Jacob Mekonen
Halimah Muhammad
Omar Nemeh
Theodore Noel
Gabriela Olivares
Lachlan Riggs
Logan Urias
Allison Van Horn
Ezra VanRiette
Oscar Vargas-Garcia
Rahenyor Viveros
Lucas Westring
Zenarey Williams
The countdown to graduation on Thursday, May 14 is on! 🎓💙💛
As we celebrate the Class of 2026, we’re recognizing our senior scholarship and award recipients leading up to graduation. Today, we are proud to honor these students for earning academic letters through their hard work, dedication, and academic achievement:
Babacar Balde
Cameron Brigham
A’Lacia Carter
Savannah Frank
Mikaylah Hill
Ambrose Kline
Jasmine Lawrence
Aiyana Martin
Geneva Martinez
Lyrica Porter
Ava Raper
Mya Trentadue
Congratulations, Yellowjackets! We are #CenterProud of all you have accomplished. 👏🎉
We’re grateful to partner Access KC with to support our students! AccessKC visited Center Middle School last week to provide free vision exams for students. Access to vision care plays an important role in student learning, confidence, and overall well-being, and we appreciate the support in helping our students succeed. 💙💛 #CenterProud
We’re sending a BIG thank you to our incredible school nurses! 💙💛
Center School District is lucky to have this team of skilled, compassionate professionals who care for and support our students every day. We appreciate you all!
#SchoolNursesDay #CenterProud
Center School District is lucky to have this team of skilled, compassionate professionals who care for and support our students every day. We appreciate you all!
#SchoolNursesDay #CenterProud
We’re building something special at Center School District, and we want you to be part of it!
From our youngest learners to our high school classrooms, we’re looking for passionate educators ready to make an impact, build relationships, and help students dream big. 💙💛
Now hiring the following teacher positions for 2026–27:
• Music (K–5)
• Special Education (Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary)
• Kindergarten & Elementary Teachers
• Middle School Social Studies
• High School Math, ELA, Social Studies & Spanish
• CAS Math/Science (Middle School)
• PEGS Teacher
If you’re ready to join a supportive, student-centered team where your work truly matters, we’d love to meet you. Apply today, and become part of something meaningful.
From our youngest learners to our high school classrooms, we’re looking for passionate educators ready to make an impact, build relationships, and help students dream big. 💙💛
Now hiring the following teacher positions for 2026–27:
• Music (K–5)
• Special Education (Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary)
• Kindergarten & Elementary Teachers
• Middle School Social Studies
• High School Math, ELA, Social Studies & Spanish
• CAS Math/Science (Middle School)
• PEGS Teacher
If you’re ready to join a supportive, student-centered team where your work truly matters, we’d love to meet you. Apply today, and become part of something meaningful.
🎶 Big news for our future musicians!
Starting this fall, Center School District will offer 5th grade band, giving students the chance to explore instruments and build their skills earlier than ever.
Open to all 5th graders, with instruments available to rent or use through the district.
“I want students to realize how much fun it is to play music,” said CHS Band Director David Fritz. “It’s something they can do for the rest of their life.”
#CenterProud #DreamBig
Starting this fall, Center School District will offer 5th grade band, giving students the chance to explore instruments and build their skills earlier than ever.
Open to all 5th graders, with instruments available to rent or use through the district.
“I want students to realize how much fun it is to play music,” said CHS Band Director David Fritz. “It’s something they can do for the rest of their life.”
#CenterProud #DreamBig
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Katie Roe to Center! Ms. Roe has been named Center School District Secondary Coordinator for the 2026-27 school year.
She brings 20 years of education experience in South Kansas City, ranging from high school math teacher to cabinet-level leadership. A student-centered, systems-focused leader, she is known for driving academic improvement, expanding real-world learning, and building strong community partnerships in both the Hickman Mills and Grandview School Districts.
Ms. Roe has previously served in the leadership roles of Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services, Executive Director of Secondary Schools, Director of College & Career Readiness, and High School Assistant Principal.
She holds her Education Specialist degree in K-12 Leadership from Webster University and earned her Masters Degree in Teaching & Learning at Avila University. Additionally, she has completed doctoral coursework at Walden University. Katie is a former Grandview C-4 District Teacher of the Year honoree, has presented at ISTE and MSBA conferences, and serves on Missouri’s DESE MSIP Advisory Board.
“I’m honored to join Center School District and serve a community committed to excellence and growth for all. I look forward to strengthening systems that support innovative learning, workforce readiness, and meaningful outcomes for every student,” said Ms. Roe.
She brings 20 years of education experience in South Kansas City, ranging from high school math teacher to cabinet-level leadership. A student-centered, systems-focused leader, she is known for driving academic improvement, expanding real-world learning, and building strong community partnerships in both the Hickman Mills and Grandview School Districts.
Ms. Roe has previously served in the leadership roles of Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services, Executive Director of Secondary Schools, Director of College & Career Readiness, and High School Assistant Principal.
She holds her Education Specialist degree in K-12 Leadership from Webster University and earned her Masters Degree in Teaching & Learning at Avila University. Additionally, she has completed doctoral coursework at Walden University. Katie is a former Grandview C-4 District Teacher of the Year honoree, has presented at ISTE and MSBA conferences, and serves on Missouri’s DESE MSIP Advisory Board.
“I’m honored to join Center School District and serve a community committed to excellence and growth for all. I look forward to strengthening systems that support innovative learning, workforce readiness, and meaningful outcomes for every student,” said Ms. Roe.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Kenny Park to Center! Mr. Park has been named Center Elementary School Vice Principal for the 2026-27 school year.
He is very excited to join the Center team. He brings 15 years of experience as an educator, including three years as a behavior interventionist and six years teaching grades 3–6 in Kansas City. Most recently, he has served as the Dean of Students at Guadalupe Center’s Elementary School, supporting more than 800 students.
Mr. Park is passionate about building systems in which both staff and students feel supported, valued, and set up for success. He believes in creating a culture where students take genuine ownership of their actions not as a punitive measure, but as a critical component of growth. At the same time, he holds a strong belief that adults have a responsibility to continually reflect on and improve their practices to better serve students.
He places a high value on strong teaching and engagement strategies and strives to make school an enjoyable environment for both students and staff. Throughout his career, each school experience has contributed to his growth as an educator, and he is eager to learn from and contribute to the many positive initiatives already in place at Center.
He is very excited to join the Center team. He brings 15 years of experience as an educator, including three years as a behavior interventionist and six years teaching grades 3–6 in Kansas City. Most recently, he has served as the Dean of Students at Guadalupe Center’s Elementary School, supporting more than 800 students.
Mr. Park is passionate about building systems in which both staff and students feel supported, valued, and set up for success. He believes in creating a culture where students take genuine ownership of their actions not as a punitive measure, but as a critical component of growth. At the same time, he holds a strong belief that adults have a responsibility to continually reflect on and improve their practices to better serve students.
He places a high value on strong teaching and engagement strategies and strives to make school an enjoyable environment for both students and staff. Throughout his career, each school experience has contributed to his growth as an educator, and he is eager to learn from and contribute to the many positive initiatives already in place at Center.
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Sasha Grossman to Center School District! Ms. Grossman has been named Red Bridge Elementary School Principal for the 2026-27 school year.
She is honored and excited to serve as the principal of Red Bridge Elementary and to return to the Center School District. With 14 years in education, she has served as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, and interim principal in Center, and most recently as an assistant principal in the Excelsior Springs School District. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to supporting both students and staff while building a positive, collaborative school community.
Sasha earned her undergraduate degree from Avila University and her graduate degree in educational administration from William Woods University. Throughout her career, she has remained focused on continuous improvement and on creating systems that support both academic success and the well-being of every student.
She believes every child deserves to feel known, valued, and challenged each day. She is committed to fostering a school environment where strong relationships, high expectations, and a sense of belonging are at the foundation of the work. She values collaboration, open communication, and partnering closely with staff and families to ensure all students are supported and successful.
Outside of school, Sasha enjoys spending time with her husband, Nicholas, and their daughter, Helena. She is truly excited to join the Red Bridge community and looks forward to a successful year together.
She is honored and excited to serve as the principal of Red Bridge Elementary and to return to the Center School District. With 14 years in education, she has served as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, and interim principal in Center, and most recently as an assistant principal in the Excelsior Springs School District. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to supporting both students and staff while building a positive, collaborative school community.
Sasha earned her undergraduate degree from Avila University and her graduate degree in educational administration from William Woods University. Throughout her career, she has remained focused on continuous improvement and on creating systems that support both academic success and the well-being of every student.
She believes every child deserves to feel known, valued, and challenged each day. She is committed to fostering a school environment where strong relationships, high expectations, and a sense of belonging are at the foundation of the work. She values collaboration, open communication, and partnering closely with staff and families to ensure all students are supported and successful.
Outside of school, Sasha enjoys spending time with her husband, Nicholas, and their daughter, Helena. She is truly excited to join the Red Bridge community and looks forward to a successful year together.
The Center School District Board of Education welcomed three new members to the Board this month: Melissa Bellante, Marsha Brown, and Kristin Stokely (pictured left to right). The new members were elected on April 7 and were officially sworn in at the April 13 Board of Education reorganization meeting. Learn more about the new board members on our website.
Join us in celebrating two amazing staff members! The March 2026 Heart of Center recipients are Morgan Westhoff, Math Teacher at Center Middle School, and Andre Allen, Head Custodian at Red Bridge Elementary School.
Both were honored at the March 2026 Board of Education meeting for going above and beyond in their roles. Congratulations, Ms. Westhoff and Mr. Allen: your hard work is seen and appreciated!
#HeartOfCenter #TeacherExcellence
Both were honored at the March 2026 Board of Education meeting for going above and beyond in their roles. Congratulations, Ms. Westhoff and Mr. Allen: your hard work is seen and appreciated!
#HeartOfCenter #TeacherExcellence
Due to the inclement weather forecast, Friday, April 17 will be an early release day for all Center School District schools. There will be no after school activities today.
Join us for our annual Spring Title I Meeting on Tuesday, April 21 from 5:30–6:30 pm at Center Middle School.
Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services Dr. Amy Casey will share about the ways Title I funding supports our schools, like providing funding for curriculum, professional development, and supplies. And you'll have a chance to share your feedback about how the funding is used.
Your feedback matters and helps guide important decisions for our district. We hope to see you there!
#CenterProud 💙💛
Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services Dr. Amy Casey will share about the ways Title I funding supports our schools, like providing funding for curriculum, professional development, and supplies. And you'll have a chance to share your feedback about how the funding is used.
Your feedback matters and helps guide important decisions for our district. We hope to see you there!
#CenterProud 💙💛
👏 We're proud to recognize the March Yellowjackets of the Month: LaRyan Hines, Savannah Frank, and Gabriela Olivares! 🌟
The Yellowjacket of the Month award celebrates outstanding academic achievement at Center High School. These students exemplify the hard work, dedication, and determination that define academic excellence at CHS. Congratulations, LaRyan, Savannah, and Gabriela!
The Yellowjacket of the Month award celebrates outstanding academic achievement at Center High School. These students exemplify the hard work, dedication, and determination that define academic excellence at CHS. Congratulations, LaRyan, Savannah, and Gabriela!
Big congratulations to two outstanding members of our Hive! 🎉
Kyle Stern (Center Middle School) has been named our District Staff of the Year, and Maureen Kramanak (Center High School) has been named our District Teacher of the Year!
Please join us in celebrating their incredible impact on our students, staff, and school community. 💙💛 #CenterProud
Kyle Stern (Center Middle School) has been named our District Staff of the Year, and Maureen Kramanak (Center High School) has been named our District Teacher of the Year!
Please join us in celebrating their incredible impact on our students, staff, and school community. 💙💛 #CenterProud
🎉 Celebrating Assistant Principals Week! 🎉
We’re grateful for the incredible Assistant Principals across Center School District who support students, partner with teachers, and help our schools run smoothly every day.
Thank you for the leadership and care you bring to our district. We appreciate you! 💙💛#CenterProud
We’re grateful for the incredible Assistant Principals across Center School District who support students, partner with teachers, and help our schools run smoothly every day.
Thank you for the leadership and care you bring to our district. We appreciate you! 💙💛#CenterProud
