FROM HELM the
A Message from the Superintendent, Dr.
Jessica Dain
As we wrap up the winter months, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible work happening across Piper School District. Since late fall, our schools have continued to demonstrate the strength of the Piper community through student achievement, outstanding extracurricular performances, and meaningful learning experiences. From successful academic, co-curricular and extracurricular seasons to continued recognition of our outstanding staff through the #PurpleReign awards, our students and educators continue to exemplify what it means to learn, lead, and serve with Pirate pride.
This edition of our winter publication highlights one of the most powerful learning experiences we offer our students, the Senior Capstone Experience. As part of Piper’s commitment to Real World Learning, each senior participates in a capstone opportunity that allows them to immerse themselves in a career field of interest while working alongside industry professionals and mentors. Through internships, client-connected projects, and hands-on experiences, students apply the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their academic journey to authentic, real-world challenges.
These capstone experiences give our students a distinct competitive advantage as they prepare for life after high school. Whether our graduates pursue college, the workforce, the military, or other postsecondary opportunities, the ability to collaborate, problem-solve, communicate effectively, and think critically sets them apart.
Beyond the classroom, our students also demonstrate these same values through service and leadership in our community. This winter, members of the Piper High School boys basketball team partnered with Special Olympics Kansas to host a basketball clinic and game for athletes from across the region. The event, which was also featured by 810 Varsity, brought together students, families, and community members for an afternoon focused on inclusion, mentorship, and the joy of sport. Experiences like this reflect the heart of Piper and the values outlined in our Portrait of a Piper Graduate.
Thank you to our incredible staff, families, community partners, and mentors who make these opportunities possible. Your partnership helps ensure that Piper students graduate with both the confidence and the competencies needed to succeed. Together, we continue to build a district where learning is relevant, experiences are meaningful, and every student is prepared for a bright future.
Proud to be a Pirate,
Jessica
Seniors in the Arts & Media Academy, Vinh Dark, Kinsley Kane and Alena Sewell, presented their Senior Capstone project to Dr. Dain and Cabinet members. The students are designing a mural that will be displayed as vinyl signage at Piper High School, depicting Piper’s Portrait of a Graduate competencies and characteristics.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Piper Community,
As the Board of Education continues its work to identify the next Superintendent of Schools, we would first like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Jessica Dain for her dedicated service to Piper USD 203. Dr. Dain’s leadership and commitment to our students, staff, and community have helped strengthen the district and advance opportunities for our learners. We are thankful for the positive impact she has made during her time in Piper and wish her the very best in her upcoming retirement.
This message serves as an update on the work being completed to identify our next Superintendent of Schools.
First and foremost, thank you to the community members, parents, staff, and students who participated in the community survey. We are grateful for the strong engagement, with more than 700 respondents providing thoughtful input to guide this important decision.
In addition, our search firm, KASB (Kansas Association of School Boards), has conducted nine different focus groups involving 124 individuals. These groups included community members, parents, administrators, classified staff, certified staff, and students. The perspectives shared in these conversations have provided valuable insight into the priorities, expectations, and hopes our community holds for its next leader.
In early March, the Board of Education met with Dr. Michelle Hubbard from KASB to review the preliminary feedback collected through the community survey and focus groups. KASB has since compiled and analyzed all of the data to identify the key attributes our community believes are most important in the selection of our next superintendent. This feedback directly informed the development of the leadership profile and is guiding the next phase of the search process. A summary of this data is also highlighted in the graphic included with this article.
We remain committed to transparency and meaningful engagement throughout this process and will continue to provide updates as the search progresses with a goal of hiring the new superintendent at our April 13th Board of Education Meeting.
Thank you for your continued involvement in our incredible school district.
Sincerely,
Ashley Biondi, President Piper USD 203 Board of Education
PIPER BASKETBALL PROGRAM HOSTS SPECIAL OLYMPICS
CLINIC AND GAMES
The Piper High School Boys Basketball team partnered with Special Olympics Kansas to host a basketball clinic and exhibition game at Piper High School this January, creating an afternoon centered on inclusion, teamwork, and community engagement.
The event began with a clinic led by Piper players and coaches, who worked alongside Special Olympics athletes through basketball drills, skill-building activities, and practice-style games. The clinic gave participants the opportunity to develop their skills while connecting with the high school athletes in a fun and encouraging environment.
Following the clinic, the athletes competed in a game that was broadcast live by 810 Varsity, allowing families and community members to tune in and celebrate the experience. The energy in the gym reflected the excitement of the day, as players and participants shared the court and the joy of the game.
For the Piper Boys Basketball team, the clinic and game were another way to give back to the community they represent. Throughout the season, the team also hosted free youth clinics at Piper elementary schools, helping younger students learn the game while building connections with Piper student-athletes.
Events like this highlight the leadership and character of Piper’s athletes. Their willingness to mentor, serve, and engage with others reflects the values of the Piper Portrait of a Graduate and demonstrates how athletics can positively impact the broader community.
BRINGING UNIFIED SPORTS TO PIPER
Piper is excited to continue expanding opportunities for inclusion through Special Olympics Unified Sports. As part of our commitment to becoming a Unified Champion School, we are working to bring students with and without disabilities together through shared athletic experiences.
Currently, Piper hosts Unified Bowling at the secondary level and hopes to expand the program next year to include sports such as basketball and bocce. The Unified Champion Schools model focuses on three key areas, Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole School Engagement, all designed to promote inclusion and build a stronger, more connected school community.
REAL WORLD LEARNING: HOW COMMUNITY PARTNERS HELP PIPER STUDENTS TURN PASSION INTO PURPOSE
On any given weekday morning, Piper High School seniors can be found far beyond the walls of their classrooms.
One student might be assisting a physical therapist as a patient works through recovery exercises. Another may be analyzing marketing strategies with a local business team. Across town, a student could be observing a veterinary procedure, helping prepare a home for the Parade of Homes, or working alongside technicians in an automotive shop.
These are not simulations or classroom assignments. They are real experiences, happening in real workplaces, alongside professionals who have chosen to invest in the next generation of Piper graduates.
Across our district, students continue to demonstrate what it means to learn, lead, and serve with Pirate pride. While academics, athletics, and extracurricular achievements highlight the strength of our schools, some of the most powerful learning happens when students step beyond the classroom and into the community.
At Piper High School, every senior participates in a Capstone Internship or Client Connected Project, an experience that brings together four years of academic learning, career exploration, and professional skill development. These opportunities allow students to apply what they have learned to authentic challenges while working side-by-side with industry mentors.
Through these partnerships, students gain more than experience. They gain confidence, clarity about their future, and the ability to collaborate, problem-solve, and communicate in professional environments.
But none of it would be possible without the businesses, organizations, and community leaders who open their doors to Piper students each year.
Together, these partners help ensure that learning is relevant, experiences are meaningful, and Piper graduates leave our district ready to make an impact.
The Community Behind the Classroom
Dozens of organizations, from healthcare providers and construction companies to public agencies and small businesses, partner with Piper High School to mentor students each year.
These community leaders donate their time, knowledge, and workplaces so students can experience firsthand what a career really looks like.
For Dilyn Schooley, Clinic Director at F.I.T. Muscle & Joint, the motivation is simple: help students see the reality behind a career before committing years of education to it.
“The best way to learn about a career is to shadow it and watch how problems get solved, information is communicated, and how tools are actually used,” Schooley said.
At the clinic, Piper students observe patient care, assist with daily operations, and gain insight into the teamwork required to run a healthcare practice.
Schooley noted that the Piper intern he worked with impressed the staff with his professionalism and eagerness to learn.
“He was very professional, dressed nice, and willing to learn,” he said.
For many students, Capstone confirms a passion they’ve been developing for years.
At Preferred Physical Therapy, interns interact with patients, observe rehabilitation treatments, and learn about the communication and empathy required in healthcare.
“Our physical therapy organization was motivated to partner with Piper High School because we believe it is important to give back to our community,” said physical therapist Allison Campion.
Students gain meaningful exposure to clinical environments and develop interpersonal skills that are essential in patient care.
Sometimes, those experiences lead to opportunities beyond graduation.
One former Piper intern was eventually hired by the clinic while continuing her education in physical therapy.
“We ultimately hired Inara Barnes as a Physical Therapy Technician,” Campion shared. “We are proud to support her continued growth within our organization.”
Stories like this demonstrate how internships can evolve into long-term career pathways.
Not every Capstone experience takes place in an internship setting. Many students collaborate with businesses through Client Connected Projects, where they work on real challenges faced by local organizations.
Through a partnership with KC Home Adventures | ReeceNichols Real Estate, Piper students are learning about residential development, marketing strategies, and community planning.
Students have contributed ideas toward the development of a luxury residential community in the Piper area and explored how branding, architecture, and marketing shape the identity of a neighborhood.
Realtor Kim Brown says the real estate industry provides a unique learning opportunity because it combines multiple career fields.
“Real estate is a field that touches many areas including marketing, finance, construction, negotiation, architecture and entrepreneurship,” Brown explained.
By working on real projects with real impact, students gain a deeper understanding of how industries operate beyond the classroom.
A Two-Way Impact
While students gain valuable experience, community partners often say the mentorship experience is equally rewarding.
At Basehor Veterinary Clinic, students observe surgeries, assist with patient care, and learn how veterinarians diagnose and treat animals.
Clinic owner Dr. Kelly Lightfoot says mentorship played a critical role in shaping her own career.
“Had I not gotten that experience and mentorship, I may not have decided at an early age to begin working toward that goal,” she said.
Today, she is helping the next generation find their own path.
One former Piper intern now works full-time at the clinic while pursuing a veterinary technology degree. Hosting students, Lightfoot says, brings fresh energy to the workplace.
“The experience is not only valuable for the students but is very rewarding for us as well.”
For Russel Owens, Fleet Manager for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, mentoring students also strengthened his team.
“Teaching students that are interested and excited to do mechanic work raised the morale in our shop,” Owens said.
One of the most memorable moments came when interns helped disassemble a wrecked police vehicle to study its components.
“Watching the excitement on the students’ faces as we towed in the wrecked police car and gave them the chance to take it apart,” Owens said. “That was very rewarding.”
The Senior Capstone Experience reflects what makes Piper School District unique: a strong partnership between educators, families, businesses, and the broader community.
Together, these partnerships create meaningful learning opportunities that prepare students for whatever path they choose after graduation whether that be college, career, military service, or entrepreneurship.
Most importantly, they help Piper students graduate with more than a diploma.
They graduate with confidence, experience, and the competencies needed to succeed.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
MAKING REAL WORLD LEARNING POSSIBLE
Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Basehor Veterinary Clinic
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Commercial Real Estate, Matt Watkins
Do or Dye Salon
Edge Gymnastics
F.I.T. Muscle and Joint
Federal Aviation Administration
Fleet Services - Unified Government of KCK/ WYCO
Greenamyre Rentals
Henson Memorial Church of God In Christ
Homefield
Incite Design Studio
Johnson Legal Nursing Consulting
KC Home Adventures | ReeceNichols
Real Estate| Kim Brown
KCKCC Athletic Department
Legends Toyota and Honda - Baxter Auto
Lynch Real Estate | Amber Dollard
Lynnmark Mercantile
Midwest Cuts Barbershop
Old Dominion Freight Line
Patty Jarvis, Dental Hygenist
Preferred Physical Therapy
Piper Booster Club
PT Solutions
Pure Movement Integrated Health Center
Red Tail Academy
The Law Office of Kathleen E. Irish, LLC
The University of Kansas Health System
Universal Construction
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Wyandotte County UG - Correctional Cadet Program
Wyandotte Economic Development Council
STUDENT DIRECTORS TAKE THE LEAD
BY: MADDY MARES, PHS SENIOR & COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
During the 2025–2026 school year, the Piper Theatre Department produced three student-directed one-act plays. The year prior, students were informed they would have the opportunity to direct a short play of their choice. To be considered, students submitted their ideas for approval. After reviewing the submissions, theatre director Scott Ladish selected three productions: Funtown, Bad Auditions by Bad Actors, and How to Get Away With a Murder Mystery.
Each production was directed by a different student. Senior Trin Bales directed Funtown, junior Rachel Birrell directed Bad Auditions by Bad Actors, and senior Claira Baker directed How to Get Away With a Murder Mystery. For these students, the experience meant stepping into the role of director rather than their usual positions as actors or crew members.
The student directors were asked to reflect on the experience and how it changed their perspectives on theatre production. When asked how the process affected their understanding of theatre, Baker said, “It has really opened my eyes and helped me gain a wider perspective towards the process of completing a successful show.” Taking on the director role allowed students to better understand the responsibilities and challenges directors face while guiding a production.
Bales described the emotional and practical demands of directing. “This experience was both wonderful and exhausting. It required constant patience, focus, and flexibility. As taxing as that was, there were so many proud moments, and I received so much support from everyone around me.”
Because the directors were students, questions were raised about how much creative freedom they were given and whether there were limitations. The student directors explained that Ladish allowed them significant creative control. He encouraged them to take the lead on decisions for their productions, allowing them to truly serve as directors. Baker explained, “He acted more as a supervisor or producer for our shows and only stepped in when necessary.”
One of the most important responsibilities the student directors took on was casting their own shows. This gave them insight into the factors directors consider when selecting actors. Bales explained the approach taken while casting Funtown: “When I was casting the show, I really considered who I thought was most capable of demonstrating the level of emotion required for each character. I also thought about the chemistry between the actors and compared it to the relationships between the characters.”
In addition to directing actors, the student directors worked with head crew members to determine how the characters and scenery would appear in the final production. Some directors had little experience with set design or construction, so they collaborated closely with crew members to learn about the process while seeing their ideas come to life.
Through this experience, the student directors expanded their understanding of theatre beyond acting, gaining hands-on experience in leadership, design, and the behind-the-scenes work that brings a production together.
Photos by: Adrian Ibarra-Penca
PIPER WRESTLING BATTLES TO STATE WITH 11 QUALIFIERS
BY: AINSLEY GIESE, PHS SENIOR & COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
The Piper wrestling program had a strong showing this season, sending a combined 11 athletes from the boys and girls teams to the state tournament in Wichita.
The Piper girls team qualified five wrestlers for state, continuing the rapid growth of the program under head coach Salvador Aleman.
“The sport has grown tremendously in the last few years,” Aleman said. “Our program five years ago had one wrestler and dipped to zero the following year. This season, we started with 25 wrestlers. We only graduate four seniors and have a big group coming in. A lot of that growth is due to the culture we’re building in the Piper community.”
Aleman, who previously coached the boys team, said transitioning to coaching the girls program brought new challenges but also rewarding moments.
“One of my biggest challenges this year was the emotion of our lady wrestlers,” Aleman said. “It’s different from what I was used to, so it took time to adjust and learn how each wrestler handles nerves and pressure.”
Senior Maia Dolinar continued to make her mark on the program, becoming a two-time Kansas state champion.
“It felt good to win another state championship,” Dolinar said.
Two-time Kansas 5A Champion Maia Dolinar pins opponent
“It was definitely a relief. I was mainly focused on giving it my all. I think I was so focused on winning that I didn’t wrestle my absolute best, but I’m still proud of the result.”
The Piper boys team also had a successful season, qualifying six wrestlers for the state tournament.
Head coach James Thompson said the team showed steady improvement throughout the season. “We had four wrestlers advance to day two of competition,” Thompson said. “We built on last year’s success while gaining valuable experience that will help us moving forward.”
Junior Emiliano Martinez said his main focus heading into the tournament was making his family proud. “My goal going into state was to make my dad proud and win a match,” Martinez said.
Thompson said the determination shown by athletes like Martinez reflects the culture of the program. “Coaches across the area have told me that when a Piper wrestler steps on the mat, they know they’re in for a fight,” Thompson said. “That says a lot about our athletes’ mindset and preparation.”
Freshman Dane Gibson qualified for state after returning from a fractured collarbone just before regionals. “State was tough but exciting as a freshman,” Gibson said. “Coming back from my injury made it even harder, but I worked through it and did my best.”
With strong performances from both teams and a growing number of athletes in the program, Piper wrestling continues to build momentum heading into future seasons.
Photo by: Brian Turrel
PIPER HIGH SCHOOL STATE QUALIFIERS
SWIM: Sean Nguyen, Logan Broek, Johnson Seal, Justus Lockamy, Gavin Trusskey, Chase Kindle, Avery Williams, Gavin Hein, Owen Scruggs, Jordan Joyce, Head Coach Amy Bartlow, Assistant Coach Em DePriest
POWER LIFTING: Natalie McCoy, Rylee Burke, Calei McConnell, Nora Turney, Ellie Bennett, Sadie Young, Ava Foster, Sophia Maderos, Melissa Hawkins, Molly Wilson, Isabella Larrosa, Coach Kevin Coker, Coach Justin Richmond
BAND : Faith Paulakovich, Band Teacher Josh Kelley
SCHOLARS BOWL: Vinh Dark, Madi Raveill, Ava Foster, Lily Hartig, Violet Bass, Head Coach Matt Richard Assistant Coach Katie Gray
POWER LIFTING: Luke Johnson, Matthew Damron, Cooper Ward. Jacob Bruce, Trent Rymer, Connor Musil, Roch Emanuel, Eli Corral, Aydin Metherell, Zion Foster, Jose Maderos, Arrin Taylor, Coach Kevin Coker, Coach Justin Richmond
PIANO SUPERIOR RATING : Gianna Hosler, Choir Teacher Shelly Cole
WRESTLING: Josh Richardson, Dawson Dunn, Emiliano Martinez, Dane Gibson, Mack Capps, Keyon White, Abrianna Everson, Penny Dolinar (4th place), Savanna Bruce, Rylee Burke (4th place), Maia Dolinar (1st place), Olivia Schneider, Yazmin Sullivan, Cadence Schneider, Nia Patterson, Head Coaches Jimmy Thompson and Salvador Aleman, Assistant Coaches Elizabeth Thompson, Josh Mendoza, Tawny Cater
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