Thomas County Class of 2026

Celebrating Every Senior Story

Search, browse by school, and explore the students, families and community sponsors behind this year’s Senior Spotlight.

Heartland Christian Schools

Blaine Beckley

Parents:Josh & Carla Beckley

Future Plans:Blaine will be enlisting in the Marine Corp

Sponsored By

Rianna Inman

Parents:Ryan & Erin Inman

Future Plans:Rianna will continue working and get her pilot's license

Sponsored By

Levi Kersenbrock

Parents:Jeremy & Amber Kersenbrock

Future Plans: Levi will attend Calvary University in Kansas City

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Colby High School

Chloe Ackerman

Parents:Brad Ackerman & Tammy Plumisto

Future Plans:Attend FHSU and major in Radiologic Technology

Sponsored By

Jaren Kyle Adelman

Parents:Karen & Jayde (Pronounced JD) Adelman

Future Plans:Enter into the workforce as a custodian for Colby Public Schools

Sponsored By

Jacob Alexander

Parents:Ron & Krista Alexander

Future Plans: To enter the workforce

Sponsored By

Raeden Aschenbrenner

Parents:TJ & Taylor Aschenbrenner, Aaryss Aschenbrenner

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays Tech Northwest and major in Respiratory Care

Sponsored By

Opal - Ann Backus

Parents:Vannessa Whitehead, David Backus & Luara Backus

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College

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Anjali Balbuena

Parents:Antonio & Martha Balbuena

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College

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Yatzhira Barraza

Parents:Wendy & Adrian Ruelas

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College and major in Physical Therapy Assistant

Sponsored By

Kinslie Blake

Parents:Amy & Daniel Blake

Future Plans: I am planning on going to Colby Community College for my Associates of Science then transfering to Kansas University for Pharmaceutical Science or the Physical Therapy Program

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Sunny Blanck

Parents:Carey & Chad Jones

Future Plans: Major in sports in my school in Germany

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Kora Busby

Parents:Ron & Sonya Busby

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College and Major in Accounting and Finance

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Coryl Carman

Parents:Curtis & Shana Carman

Future Plans: I will be attending Fort Hays State University and major in Medical Diagnostic Imaging

Sponsored By

Isabella Marie Castañeda

Parents:Chris & Tiffany Castañeda

Future Plans: Attend Kansas State University and major in Animal Science with the concentration of Pre-Veterinary Medicine

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Caleb Cersovsky

Parents:Nicole Husband and Lloyd Cersovsky

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College, transfer to Kansas University and major in Astronomy

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Sadie Cheney

Parents:Melinda Dixon and CW Cheney

Future Plans: Attend Butler Community College and major in culinary and pastry Arts.

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Cobin Curry

Parents:Shawn & Mindy Curry

Future Plans: Attend FHSU Tech Northwest and major in Electrical Technology

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Maverick Davenport

Parents:Levi Davenport & Shari Stephenson

Future Plans: Enter the work force

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Kayden Davis

Parents:Bradly & Andrea Davis

Future Plans: Attend FHSU Tech Nothwest and major in Web and App Development

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Ryder Dempewolf

Parents:Aaron & Jessica Dempewolf

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College to continue athletic/academic career in business. Then hopes to go to a four year, and major in construction management.

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Bryton Dixon

Parents:Dale & Heather Dixon

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays Northwest and major in Electrical Technology

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Kaleb Dixon

Parents:J.R & Jamie Babst & Melinda Dixon

Future Plans: Attend FHSU Tech Northwest and Major in Electrical Technology

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Tennyson Eicher

Parents:Jake & Becky Eicher

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays Technical College North West and Major in Precision Agriculture Technology

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Tyler Faber

Parents:Jerry & Robin Faber

Future Plans: Plans to attend Fort Hays Tech Central and major in Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.

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Austin Gerstberger

Parents:Jason & Tanya Gerstberger

Future Plans: Planning to attend West Texas A&M and major in Animal Science Pre-Vet

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Benjamin Gines

Parents:Anthony & Alicia Gines

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Keegan Glassman

Parents:Brett & Molly Glassman

Future Plans: I plan to attend Colby Community College to play baseball, then transfer to Kansas State University to pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree.

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Alisson Gomez Diaz

Parents:Marlen Diaz & Gerson Hernandez

Future Plans: To attend college to study Human Resources.

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Ryan Harder

Parents:Marcus Harder & Tia Wenrich

Future Plans: To enter the work force

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Bryce Haug

Parents:Lindsay & Raymond Haug

Future Plans: Attend FHNW in App and Web Design

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Cheyanne Hill

Parents:Ashleigh & Billy Hill

Future Plans: To attend Colby Community College and major in Nursing

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Shaylee Holzmeister

Parents:Doug & Susan Holzmeister

Future Plans: Attend Kansas State University and major in Nursing

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Madison Hull

Parents:Nolan Hull, Shaly Niemeyer, Eddie Mainus

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays State University and major in Medical Diagnostic Imaging while doing the Radiologic Technologist Program and the Ultrasound Technologist Program

Sponsored By

Taydon Janousek

Parents:Adam & Alisha Janousek

Future Plans: Attend Kansas State University and major in Professional Aviation

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Jordan Jones

Parents:John & Brandi Jones

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays State University and major in Biology

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Stella Kauffman

Parents:Dustin & Darci Kauffman

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College and major in Nursing

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Zachary Kistler

Parents:Tim & Jessica Kistler

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays Tech Northwest and major in Diesel Technology

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William Knowles

Parents:Justine Fringer & John Valdez

Future Plans: To pursue a career in MMA.

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Estefania Lopez

Parents:Juana López Samora & Mauro Mendez

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College and major in Pre Medicine

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Aidden Marroquin

Parents:Kassy & Gabe Marroquin

Future Plans: Attend University of Arkansas and major in Business

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Tiana Martinez

Parents:Jessica Espinoza

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays State University and major in Nursing.

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Tage Meadows

Parents:Benjamin & Cami Meadows

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Gesna Miryam-Chelle Pearson

Parents:Tim & Sonya Pearson

Future Plans: Attend University of Kansas major in Business Marketing and pursue a career in International Law

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Breck Niblock

Parents:Brandy & Terry Niblock

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Molly J Norman

Parents:Craig & Jackie Carroll, Mathew Norman

Future Plans: To attend Fort Hays Tech Northwest for one more year to get an Associate's degree in App Development & Emerging Technologies, and then reevaluation

Sponsored By

Jake Palmgren

Parents:Travis & Shelby Palmgren

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Riya Patel

Parents:Mitesh & Nisha Patel

Future Plans: Attend an aviation academy to become a commercial pilot.

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Diana Sarahi Pineda

Parents:Jelen Pineda, Orlin Pineda

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Bryndon Powell

Parents:Kristi Epp

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Makenzi Rhymer

Parents:Josh & Cassandra Rhymer

Future Plans: Attend Colby Community College and graduate with an associates degree in Physical Therapy Assistant.

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Landon Ritter

Parents:Whitney Ritter & Jason Schwarz

Future Plans: To attend Fort Hays Tech North Central for Automotive Technology.

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Reid Ryan

Parents:Michelle Morris, Adam & Stephanie Ryan

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Luiz Salazar

Parents:Irving & Nancy Beltran

Future Plans: To attend FHSU and major in Welding

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Derek Sanchez Barraza

Parents:Minnie & Angel Barraza

Future Plans: To attend Colby Community College transfer to Wichita to major in Physical Therapy

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Caydence Schiltz

Parents:Michael & Katelyn Hallbleib

Future Plans: To attend Colby Community College and major in Criminal Justice

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Ryker Schmidtberger

Parents:Matt & Deanna Schmidtberger

Future Plans: To join the workforce.

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Eric Schroeder

Parents:Kriss & Lisa Schroeder

Future Plans: To attend Colby Community College then transfer to Kansas State University to Major in Agriculture

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Stryker Shaw

Parents:Tawney & Cody Shaw

Future Plans: Finishing my classes at Fort Hays Northwest Tech

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Luke Shull

Parents:Tracy & Stephen Shull

Future Plans: To attend Fort Hays Tech Northwest for Precision Agriculture.

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Braelyn Stupka

Parents:Shayne & Bailey Stupka

Future Plans: Major in Nursing at Fort Hays State University

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Aiden John Sullivan

Parents:Jessica Razo & Jerad Sullivan

Future Plans: To join the workforce, then trade school.

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Brittany Swartz

Parents:Cory & Tammy Swartz

Future Plans: To attend Emporia State University, major in biology on a pre-physician assistant track, and dance on ESU's dance team.

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Summer Turner

Parents:Billy & Ashley Turner

Future Plans: To attend Fort Hays Tech North Central and major in Business

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Ian Vergara

Parents:Ericka Alvarez & Eduardo Lopez

Future Plans: To attend Colby Community College and get an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene

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Talon Wark

Parents:Ryan & Brandi Wark

Future Plans: To attend FHSU Tech Northwest and major in Welding

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Kalyssa White

Parents:Melissa White, Drew White & Kyle Bandy

Future Plans: Attend Hays Hair Academy Of Design

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Brady Wiedeman

Parents:Brent & Sherrie Wiedeman

Future Plans: Attend Kansas State University and major in Finance

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Braxton Withington

Parents:Kyle Withington & Shelby Willour

Future Plans: Attend Cloud County Community College to play Baseball while also majoring in Business, then transfer to a 4 year program and play baseball and major in Construction Management.

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Cody Wright

Parents:Ashley & Justin Wright

Future Plans: Attend Fort Hays State University and major in Health And Human Performance

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Kade Youngman

Parents:Sean & Dana Youngman

Future Plans: Major in Finance and the University of Kansas

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Brewster High School

Delina Kenny

Parents:Yuvette Romero & the late Glenn Kenny

Future Plans: Plans to become a State Trooper

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Cheyenne Morris

Parents:Shannon & Shelly Butler

Future Plans: Plans to attend Fort Hays Tech Northwest for cosmotology.

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Tyler Palmer

Parents:Mike & Emily Palmer

Future Plans: Plans to continue his education in college and go with the flow, the wind will take you places if you let it.

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Nathanial Peterson

Parents:Brian & Amber Peterson

Future Plans: I plan to get straight into work while also getting my business and finance degree, and then seeing where the wind takes me afterward.

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Kamdyn Schmidt

Parents:Kevin & Susan Schmidt

Future Plans: I plan to work through this summer, then attend Fort Hays State University in the upcoming fall semester. I plan to further my education by majoring in Early Childhood Education, and earning my degree in teaching. Once I earn my degree, I plan to begin my teaching.

Sponsored By

Jentry Schroeder

Parents:Nic & Kelly Schroeder

Future Plans: I plan to go to Fort Hays State University, to get a Bachelor's degree in clinical psychology. This will bring me a step closer to my career goal of becomimg a psychiatrist.

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Tucker Skolout

Parents:Brad & Marie Skolout

Future Plans: Plans to work, maybe attend a technical college.

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Dylan Wicks

Parents:Brian & Lori Wicks

Future Plans: Plans to get a stable job and claim I'll be an Electrical Engineer until further notice.

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Golden Plains High School

Tanner Sage Black

Parents:Lori Perry

Future Plans: Plans to attend Fort Hays State University and Major in Political Science.

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Anais Cepeda

Parents:Ivon & Omar Montes

Future Plans: Plans to attend Colby Community College and Major in Nursing.

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Braylee Rashel Knowles

Parents:Candi Zahrodka & J.W Knowles

Future Plans: Plans to attend Colby Community College and Major in Animal Science and Social Work.

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Diego Armando Perez

Parents:Alejandra & Orlando Mar

Future Plans: Plans to attend Colby Community College and Major in Culinary Fine Arts / Nutritionist.

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Jaxson Floyd Vasbinder

Parents:Sara & Michael Pope

Future Plans: Plans to attend Kansas City Community College and Major in Mortuary Science.

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Dylan Eugene Wark

Parents:Chad & Dez Wark

Future Plans: Plans to attend Kansas State University and Major in Computer Engineering

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Ezekiel Edward Weiner

Parents:Ed & Ellen Weiner

Future Plans: Plans to attend Fort Hays State University and Major in Health and Physical Education.

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Home School

Catie Caines

Parents:Peter & Sabrina Caines

Future Plans: She plans to continue living with her parents

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Veronica Higerd

Parents:Jonathan & Nathalie Higerd

Future Plans:

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Josiah Hoppe

Parents:Phillip & Jaimee Hoppe

Future Plans: Plans to continue his education at Fort Hays NW Tech in Goodland Studying Electrical Technology. He also plans to play Baskeball there during his education.