Class of 2023

From the first moment Blue Valley’s 2023 graduating class stepped into the school building, whether it was on the first day of kindergarten as they clutched the hand of a family member or a few years down the road as they nervously stepped into a classroom of students at a new school, teachers and staff welcomed them with open arms.

These students have grown up in Blue Valley. Inside the walls of their schools, they’ve experienced the highs and lows of life, always knowing that an educator was there to guide and support them. As they walked out of their high school for the last time and crossed the stage at graduation, they became cemented into Blue Valley history.

Five Blue Valley seniors sat down with the district to share their experiences and stories about their educational journeys.

KAYLA SUAZO, Blue Valley North

New York School Of Interior Design

Involved in cheerleading, Sources of Strength, Gender Equality Club, book club and peer tutoring

“I mean, I know what’s to come, but it makes me kind of nervous to leave everyone. They made it feel like a home ... When I moved here, I was really scared and nervous to start a new school again. The staff and all the people around me made it easy for me to come to school with a smile on my face.”

NICHOLAS MURPHY, Blue Valley High

West Point Military Academy

Involved in debate & forensics, swim team, cross country, Model U.N.

“Blue Valley has pushed me and brought me to things I never thought I would enjoy and people that I would have never met. The teachers, they make a point to get to know you and talk to you. Just enjoying being in their presence really makes me love coming to school. This is probably my favorite place to be. I loved being in high school, and I loved being in your class.”

SIR-TRENTON VAUGHN, Blue Valley West

COMMUNITY COLLEGE THEN 4-YEAR SCHOOL

Involved in school choir, basketball, football, track, debate, leadership position in Black Student Union

“I’ve moved around … freshman year in Missouri, then I moved to West Palm Beach sophomore year … When I moved here, the coaches, the counselors, the staff members — they just really helped me exceed my own expectations for myself. I didn’t have the best habits in school, but now I feel like there’s no aspect or field I want to go into that I couldn’t start here. I’m a very extroverted person, I’m a lot of energy. The teachers, the staff members are always cool. They make it really easy to be yourself. The energy was just great, the energy was amazing.”

LINDSAY HARRIS, Blue Valley Northwest

The University Of Kansas To Study Elementary Education

Involved in peer tutoring, BVNW Dance Team

“For me, personally, I feel like there’s been a lot of administrative and teacher support. Not necessarily being, ‘I remember them teaching me this.’ But I remember learning qualities from certain teachers — respect, responsibility, making lessons that suit the group of students they have. I’ve always had that passion of wanting to help people, so as long as I’m pursuing a career where I get to do that, I think it’ll be really fulfilling.”

HEILYN JONES, Blue Valley Southwest

Kansas State University To Study Mechanical Engineering

Involved in Blue Valley’s Career Ready Program, welding at JCCC

“Growing up, my parents really noticed the opportunities in Blue Valley. That really picked up junior year with the Career Ready program, HVAC, welding. It got me hands-on experience. I want to run my own welding company, rig welding. Blue Valley has the resources to really set you up for success. I just appreciate all the teachers that supported me.”