WRHS Bank, Common Grounds Coffee Shop, and The Shack, the school-based enterprises (SBEs) at Washburn Rural High School, have earned Gold Certification and will be recognized at DECA’s International Career Development Conference in April in Atlanta, Georgia.

An SBE is an entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods and services to meet the needs of the market. SBEs are managed and operated by students as hands-on learning laboratories that integrate National Curriculum Standards in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA advisors have utilized this effective educational tool for over four decades to provide their students with realistic and practical learning experiences that reinforce classroom instruction, enhance 21st Century skill development, and prepare students for college and careers.

The Washburn Rural DECA members who contributed to the certification were Nicholas He, Kaci Hodgson, Keegan Knudtson, Kate Muir, and Kailyn Petersen, with guidance from their DECA chapter advisor, Brian McFall. The SBEs at WRHS have operated for over 15 years, an accomplishment that reflects sustained excellence and commitment.

“DECA’s School-based Enterprise Certification Program is a rigorous process designed to help DECA members demonstrate their classroom learning in a practical, learning laboratory, and then translate that into meaningful outcomes,” said Christopher Young, Chief Program Officer at DECA Inc. “These DECA members are practicing important workplace readiness skills while preparing for college and careers.”

DECA’s SBE Certification Program recognizes outstanding achievement while motivating SBEs to pursue continuous excellence and growth. Enterprises may receive certification at three levels: bronze, silver, or gold. To apply, SBEs must submit comprehensive documentation demonstrating how they meet established marketing and retail standards. Documentation is reviewed by a certification committee, which determines the level of recognition awarded. DECA’s SBE program is sponsored by Otis Spunkmeyer Inc.

REMINDER: There will be no school on Thursday, February 19, and Friday, February 20. We look forward to connecting with families during parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday, February 18, and Thursday, February 19. Please refer to information from individuals schools for conference schedules.

Come support your Jr. Blues and all the students participating at tonight's basketball games vs. Junction City! Varsity Girls start at approximately 6:00 PM and Varsity Boys afterward around 7:30 PM in the WRHS Activity Center and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.

The King & Queen of Courts Crowning Ceremony will take place in between the Varsity Girls and Boys games.

Drumroll, please! 🥁

For the sixth consecutive year, an Auburn-Washburn student has claimed the title at the Shawnee County Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Washburn Rural North Middle School student Praneetha Bobba, who secured the championship with the winning word, “caribou.” Praneetha will go on to represent Shawnee County at the Kansas State Spelling Bee in Salina this March.

Registration for Summer Coding Camp is now live! Camp will be held June 1-4, 2026 at the Washburn Rural High School Innovation Center. Camp is available for Auburn-Washburn students entering grades K-9. Explore computer science concepts, play with robots, learn to code, and much more at summer coding camp!

Cost includes t-shirt, snacks, drinks, and liability insurance. Register by April 30 to receive the early registration rate of $75: https://sites.google.com/usd437.net/cshs/events/summer-camp.

Three members of the Washburn Rural High School community were recognized by the Board of Education last night for representing the very best of our district.

💫 Shining Star Student Award – Justin Jeon
Justin Jeon was honored for excellence defined not just by achievement, but by service and leadership. A senior at WRHS, Justin independently began volunteering two years ago to tutor and mentor middle school students in the After School Assistance Program. What started as service quickly grew into leadership, as he now coordinates scheduling, communication, and consistency for his tutoring team.

Justin serves as President of both National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and was recently admitted to Cornell University. Yet, as Principal Raines noted, “What stands out most is his humility, reliability, and care for others.” He represents the very best of Washburn Rural – scholarship, service, and character – and we are proud to celebrate him as a Shining Star.

💫 All Star Staff Award – Kyle Fowler
Longtime teacher and assistant coach Kyle Fowler was recognized for contributions that have been “consistent, generous, and largely behind the scenes.” Kyle has supported students, athletic programs, and colleagues with a steadiness and dependability that never seeks the spotlight.

When he transitioned from social studies into Construction Science to meet a building need, he embraced the challenge fully. “He stepped into Construction Science, learned new programming, developed new technical skills, and embraced a steep learning curve – all to meet a need in our building,” said Raines. “He did it quietly, without complaint, and without any expectation of recognition." He does an extraordinary amount for the WRHS community is most deserving of this recognition.

💫 All Star Staff Award – Bradley Miles
Bradley Miles was honored as someone who “truly represents the heart of Washburn Rural.” A WRHS graduate, Bradley has served the district for nearly 19 years. Though he works a shortened schedule, “He accomplishes more in that time than many do in a full eight-hour day," shared Raines. "There is no downtime with Bradley – when he’s here, he’s all business.”

While his work ethic is remarkable, it’s his spirit that makes him truly special. He is genuine, authentic, and brings energy and positivity to everyone around him. “Bradley is not just someone who works in our building," shared Raines. "He is part of our extended family. We are better because he is here, and we are grateful for his commitment, his energy, and his heart."

Please join us in congratulating Justin, Kyle, and Bradley for shining so bright and representing the very best of Washburn Rural High School! 🌟

The Blue Gallery at Washburn Rural High School is proud to feature alumna Clare Fallon and her show, “Slow Growin.”

Clare’s work is rooted in the people, places, and moments that surround us every day. She transforms photographs and lived experiences into powerful oil paintings that convey intense emotion through color, composition, and narrative. Inspired by artists like Daniel Sprick and Andrew Wyeth, Clare’s pieces capture not just what we see, but what we feel.

Welcoming Clare back to WRHS as a featured artist is a true full-circle moment. We invite you to stop by The Blue Gallery during the month of February to experience “Slow Growin” for yourself.

Washburn Rural High School Theatre is proud to present "Into the Woods," a musically sophisticated show with fantastical elements of a magical world:

📅 Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 PM
📅 Friday, February 6 at 7:00 PM
📅 Saturday, February 7 at 7:00 PM
📅 Sunday, February 8 at 1:00 PM

Tickets are on sale now: https://gofan.co/app/school/KS24358.

The story follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. The consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

Come support your Jr. Blues and all the students participating at tonight's basketball games vs. Blue Valley! Varsity Girls starts at approximately 6:00 PM and Varsity Boys afterward around 7:30 PM in the WRHS Activity Center and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.

Eighth-grade technology students at both Washburn Rural Middle School and Washburn Rural North Middle School are partnering with the ESTEEM Environmental Lab to design and build birdhouses and feeders to support local bird populations. This hands-on experience connects engineering, environmental science, and wildlife conservation with real-world woodworking and design experience.

The project launched last week with an engaging presentation from Janeen Walters of the Topeka Audubon Society and Washburn University. Students learned about native Kansas bird species, appropriate food sources, and how thoughtful birdhouse design can help protect against predators. Once completed, the student-built birdhouses and feeders will be installed at Auburn-Washburn’s outdoor environmental campus, where they will support local wildlife.

Thank you to the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation for funding this project through their annual classroom grant program.