Olathe West High School conferred diplomas to 391 members of the Class of 2025 at its commencement ceremony, where school leaders and student speakers highlighted academic and extracurricular achievements, scholarship totals and staff retirements.

The ceremony, led by Principal Jay Novacek and Superintendent Dr. Brent Yaeger of Olathe Public Schools, named 41 students in the top 10% of the class, recited school honors and noted that 180 students earned more than $12,400,000 in academic and athletic scholarships from 57 institutions. The district presented diplomas under the graduation requirements approved by the Kansas State Board of Education and implemented locally by Unified School District 233.

In remarks to graduates, Principal Jay Novacek told students, “there are 3 types of people in a high school, those who watch what happened, those who wonder what happened, and those who make it happen,” and noted that the Class of 2025 “made it happen for Olathe West.” Student speaker Brynn Konkel asked classmates to consider the minutes and moments of high school, saying the class had “spent 302,400 minutes at Olathe West” and urged graduates to be present for defining moments. Student speaker Sharron Woodberry reflected on setbacks and reinvention, asking, “Who am I without the game?” and encouraging peers that “setbacks do not define us.”

The program listed extracurricular accomplishments across arts and athletics: marching band grand-champion titles at two fall festivals; high ratings for wind ensemble, concert band and jazz band; state-level placements in choir and theatre; multiple state championships and league titles in cross country, volleyball, soccer, track and baseball; and individual state champions in swimming and cross country. District officials also noted career-technical and internship experiences through the Green Tech Academy, Public Safety Academy and other programs.

School leaders recognized three retirees: Assistant Principal Greg Smith, retiring after 35 years in Olathe Public Schools; Mike McLaughlin, a social studies teacher and coach retiring after a 36-year career; and paraeducator Katherine Peel, with 22 years in education. The ceremony also named Mike Weatherhead as a retiree who was unable to attend. Superintendent Dr. Brent Yaeger and administrators presented top-10 medals and other honors during the event.

The ceremony acknowledged 10 graduates who have enlisted or accepted military appointments, including students headed to the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and an appointee to the U.S. Naval Academy. School staff asked families to wait roughly 30 minutes after the ceremony before coming onto the field for photographs.

The event concluded with the singing of the alma mater, a diplomas presentation by district officials and a hat toss. Administrators reminded attendees that diplomas were conferred in accordance with the Kansas State Board of Education requirements as implemented by Unified School District 233.