Class Notes

C lass Notes

LIMITLESS. LEARNING. POTENTIAL.

ALUMNI NEWS

1986

Alison Hill Langham is currently serving as President of the Board of the Lawrence Children’s Choir in Lawrence, KS.

1991

Bridget Elmer and her husband Lyman moved back to Topeka in the summer of 2021 and have enrolled their daughter Wilhelmina “Mina” at Topeka Collegiate! Mina is thriving in Mrs. Berryman’s Kindergarten class while son Henry (3) is looking forward to joining the class of 2032 as a Prekindergartener next year! Bridget is now giving back to Topeka Collegiate by serving on our Board of Trustees.

1994

Travis Stryker is the president of CAS Constructors in Topeka. In his recent survey responses, he had good things to say for how well Topeka Collegiate prepared him — “Great preparation for advanced education and a peer group that is focused on the same goal to never stop learning … Early understanding of the value of a team.” Additionally, Travis models the mission of Responsible Citizenship in his own life by being active in the community, having volunteered as the TARC Foundation Board Treasurer, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center Board Chairman, Topeka Active 20-30 Club member, KSPE Topeka Chapter President, Kansas Water Environment Association Board Member and Young Professional Trustee.

1997

Benjamin Bammes is the Director of Research and Development at Direct Electron, which is a company specializing in cameras for electron microscopy. This work is exciting not only because his company strives to be at the bleeding edge of camera technology but also because Benjamin enjoys traveling around the world to collaborate with researchers and speak about his work at international scientific conferences. Benjamin and his wife Stephanie have been married almost 17 years and have four energetic children, Elliott, Parker, Cora, and Zoe, who keep them busy!

1998

Blake Whitaker works as an Analyst with the federal government and enjoys running in his free time. He recently responded to our Topeka Collegiate Alumni Survey and had this memory to share of his time here — “When I was in middle school, I took an elective several times that Mrs. Franklin taught called ‘Hurray for Hollywood.’ We watched classic films and learned about important parts of film history or styles of filming. I have very fond memories of watching Rear Window, The Third Man, Psycho, and the The Maltese Falcon. Clearly Alfred Hitchcock was an important part of the course. But we also watched other classics like High Noon, To Catch a Thief, and many more. She introduced us to the idea of Film Noir and many other important concepts. I still remember this elective fondly and almost always stop and watch these movies when they are on TV. Most importantly, it gave me an early appreciation for an art form

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that I really had not thought of as an art form at all.”

2001

Asona Lui traveled back to Kansas this past spring gave the graduation address to the Class of 2021. She was able to share many words of wisdom from her experiences as a physician during the pandemic as well as lessons she has learned throughout her life and education. She and her husband Marco live in San Diego where Asona is a resident physician in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of California — San Diego.

2003

Jordan Carter serves on the Topeka Collegiate Board of Trustees where she is chair of the Marketing Committee. In our recent Alumni Survey, she gave these kudos to Topeka Collegiate — “I learned so much about being a global citizen and navigating the world, from interpersonal relationships to empathy to curiosity about other people’s backgrounds. The people at Topeka Collegiate really lived its values and taught me the importance of caring about global ideals.” She and her fiancée Nick Gitto ’06 got married in the midst of the pandemic and, for the best news, their daughter Charlotte was born in December 2021!

Cristal Coufal (Hannigan) responded to our Topeka Collegiate Alumni Survey with these memories – “Mr. MacDonald was amazing at keeping you on track and interested with his stories that somehow always tied into the lesson plan. Making hot air balloons in lower school, taking the whole grade out to my parents lake house and having park rangers (I think?) speak, and of course, SeaCamp!” Cristal and her husband Josh live in Topeka where Cristal is a Provider Records Specialist in the Health Insurance Industry.

Christina Gitto Wissman is an Esthetician at Radiance Medical Spa. Christina and her husband Matt welcomed baby Sophie in November 2021.

2008

Edward Collazo earned his bachelor degrees in philosophy and economics with minors in psychology and music from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Upon his return to Topeka, he was the assistant forensics coach at Shawnee Heights High School, and there tutored students in every math subject from pre-algebra to pre-calculus. In 2021, after a stint teaching math at Topeka Collegiate, he returned to his high school alma mater, Topeka High, as a math instructor.

2009

Luke Miltz works for Netsmart in Overland Park, KS, as a Marketing Campaign Manager and is also currently pursuing a Master of Divinity through Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. When asked to share how Topeka Collegiate prepared him for a successful career, Luke answered, “Specifically,

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my ability to conduct research, problem-solve, and eloquently present findings in writing and presentation were impacted early-on by participation in learning opportunities like History Day, Earth Works, and Exchange City. I demonstrate an ability to out-perform colleagues in this way in my work today.” On his LinkedIn profile, he shares that he is passionate about using corporate power and platform to do good in the world and about seeing personal growth in others.

Cooper Self is a 2022 J.D. candidate at Creighton University School of Law. He married his wife, Desirae, in September 2019. A year later, they welcomed their first child, Lane Walker, and are expecting their second child in January 2022. Fremont, NE, is the place they call home.

2010

Maria Kingfisher-Smith graduated from Washburn University in May of 2020 with a degree in English Literature and works as Assistant General Manager at Thornton Place. She married Cameron Smith in an autumn ceremony on October 30, 2021.

Austin McClure graduated in 2020 with a Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Kansas. He was able to pass the CPA exam over the course of 2020 and began working for a Public Accounting Firm in late 2020. A lot of his time lately has been spent traveling to hospitals to audit them. He still travels to race (NHRA dragsters), which, although it has been greatly limited due to COVID, hopes to focus on racing more again in the near future.

2011

Ella (Brown-Richards) Peterson

graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2019 with a degree in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies with minors in Psychology, Business, and Human Sexuality. Six months later, on Nov. 19, Ella married Ethan Peterson at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Topeka. Ella is currently working as a student financial services counselor at Rockhurst University. This summer she began a graduate program at Arizona State University, working toward a Master of Arts in International Human Rights Law &andSocial Justice. Ella and Ethan live in Kansas City and are the proud parents of two lucky pups.

Skyler Dykes received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors and Distinction in Music and French from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2020. She then began a joint Juris Doctor and Master’s in Musicology at Washington University in St. Louis in August of 2021. While this degree combination may seem unorthodox, Skyler says it suits her academic and professional interests to a tee. She is not certain where these two degrees will lead her, but she is grateful to WashU for welcoming her desire to engage in multidisciplinary studies at the graduate level and to the friends, family, and colleagues who assisted her in getting to this point.

Max Stucky Halley works as a Battering Intervention Group Facilitator for the Family Peace Initiative. In his free time, he

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enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, Macy, playing Magic, the Gathering, and golfing.

Cheyenne (Kahler) Roemer is an editor and is in her fourth year of being a track coach at Hayden High School. She and her husband Colton are expecting their first child, a daughter, in December. A surprise baby shower was organized in October by friend and fellow Collegiate alum Elena Blum ’11. Baby Roemer is sure to be spoiled by big brother Tannin!

2012

Micaela Magee graduated in December 2021 from Florida Institute of Technology with her Masters of Science degree in Psycholog.! She will be continuing her studies at FIT in the Doctor of Psychology program.

Jordie Schwerdt graduated from UCLA in the spring of 2020 and finally got to celebrate with graduation ceremonies in the fall of 2021 (COVID). She was selected in 2021 to be a member of the NBA Lakers dance team (#LakerGirl) and is currently working toward her BSN degree at Cal State Fullerton.

Jeremiah Shipman has been accepted into the University of Kansas School of Medicine, after pursuing degrees in Medical Biochemistry and Spanish at Kansas State University,. He began classes this fall and is currently focusing on family medicine.

2013

Toma Dimitriu got a new look this summer when he donated his long locks to Wigs for Kids.

Gabrielle Fager attends The University of Kansas as a Business Marketing major. She plans to graduate in the Spring of 2022. Bryce Valley graduated magna cum laude in May 2021 from Drake University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics and Data Analytics. He is now working for Epic Systems (the developer and supporter of MyChart) as a software developer in Madison, Wisconsin.

2015

Myah Berryman is attending Washburn University in Topeka, majoring in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Forensic Investigation. She loves to walk with her dog, Auggie, and has recently been learning to speak Korean. She was a bridesmaid in her brother Alec’s (’10) wedding this October. One of Myah’s favorite memories is when her mom purchased this opportunity at the Topeka Collegiate auction — to ride with my friends in Mr. Patterson’s old Volkswagen to Sonic!

Kai Glashausser is a music major at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Check out some of his arrangements at https:// kaiglashausser.bandcamp.com/

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Korbin Kido started his own property management company called Midwestern Rentals. He has purchased his first two single-dwelling homes to manage as rental properties.

Matt Mahan is a rising junior at McPherson College in McPherson, KS, and has received the 2021 MTFCI Foundation/Tacoma Chapter Scholarship. Matt is majoring in Automotive Restoration Management. He wrote an article for the July-August 2021 edition of Model T Times, a bi-monthly publication of the Model T Ford Club International, Inc. His article is entitled “Keeping History on the Road: A Grandson Proudly Brings Life Back to His Grandma’s Model T.” Matt’s photograph of the Model T is also featured on the cover of this issue.

Baker Valley is a junior at The University of Kansas, majoring in Business Analytics and Finance. In the Spring of 2021, he was inducted into the Jack Dicus Business Honors Program. During the summer of 2021, he had an internship for Creative One in Topeka.

2016

Coral Aboud received her International Baccalaureate diploma from Washburn Rural High School in 2020 and is now a sophomore at The University of Kansas where she is pursuing a major in Architecture and a minor in Latin American Studies. She is a member of the Kappa Chapter of Alpha Sigma Kappa- Women in Technical Studies sorority and volunteers her time in the summer to teach summer camps at Topeka Collegiate!

Irene Caracioni is pursuing degrees in Economics, Mathematics, and Spanish at The University of Kansas. She is the Social and Service Chair of the Dole Institute of Politics and is a recipient of the 2020 Allan J. Cigler Academic Enrichment Fund Award in which she works alongside Political Science professor Dr. Brittnee A. Carter on a project entitled “Allied Attacks: The Dangers of Networks in Right Wing Extremist Violence in the U.S.” and to research women’s involvement in terrorism. She is also a member of the KU Trade War Lab that does research on the US-China trade war, focusing on the economic impact of escalating trade disputes and the politics behind those disagreements.

Dylan Crawford graduated from Lawrence Free State High School and is currently attending the University of Kansas, majoring in Film Studies.

Kai Field lives in Beaverton, OR, and loves that she’s so close to the ocean. She is attending Portland State University, majoring in Applied Linguistics/TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Sydney Frederick is a sophomore at Emporia State University where she is pursuing a degree in nursing.

Taman Kanchanapalli is attending the University of South Florida, majoring in Biomedical Sciences. His aspiration is to go to medical school.

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Malcolm Lathrop-Allen graduated from Topeka High School in 2020 and is a pitcher on the baseball team at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA. He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Aditi Malay is attending Washington University in St. Louis. She is on the Pre-Medicine track and is majoring in Global Health and Anthropology and minoring in Computer Science.

Jay Ram is studying Physics and Computer Science at Columbia University in New York, NY. Nathan Swaffar is attending The University of Kansas as a journalism and mass communications major with an emphasis in Sports Media. Fittingly, he has been the Sports Editor for the University Daily Kansan since May 2021.

2017

Trinity Barnett graduated from Washburn Rural High School in the International Baccalaureate program and was a member of National Honor Society. She graduated in the top 10% of her class and was named a Kansas Honor Scholar. During high school, Trinity was an officer for the Topeka Zoo Youth Council and worked at The Shack, which is the WRHS merchandising company. She is now attending Elon University in Elon, NC, majoring in psychology.

Catya Carrington graduated from Interlochen and is currently a freshman at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She is a Soprano Classical Voice Major studying to get her Bachelor of Music in Voice. She spent the summer in Topeka and was in two Helen Hocker Theatre shows for the Bathhouse Players - Sense and Sensibility and Starmites. Alex Faught graduated from Hayden High School and is attending The University of Kansas.

Sho Glashausser graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Washburn Rural High School and received the 2021 WRHS IB Citizen Scholarship. He graduated in the top 1% of his class and was named a Kansas Honor Scholar and a Kansas Governor’s Scholar. During high school, Sho was active in National Honor Society, track and field, cross country, chess club, and co-led the Topeka Collegiate After School Adventures Chess

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Program as well. At graduation, he received the award for Outstanding Biological Science Student. During his senior year, he earned the title of “Candidate Master” from the U.S. Chess Federation, and throughout the year, he was the top-rated K-12 chess player in the state. He is currently in the midst of a gap year, during which he is focusing on teaching chess — online and in person, individually and to groups (including at Topeka Collegiate) — and on competing in tournaments on the national circuit. Next fall, he will attend Swarthmore College, just outside Philadelphia, majoring in philosophy and pre-med.

Xavier Harrison was a 2020 Governor’s scholar at Topeka High School and was the anchor of their daily newscast, Morning Report. He is currently studying Engineering at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Andrew Johnson graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Longview High School in Longview, TX. During his senior year, he and another IB student helped raise $4,225 for the Asbury House Child Enrichment Center by holding a virtual 5K run. Upon graduation, Andrew received the Texas Gold Star with Merit award and will be attending Oxford College at Emory University in the fall. Oxford College is an undergraduate division of Emory University for first- and second-year students, emphasizing stellar teaching and student leadership.

Nibi Kulkarni graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Washburn Rural High School. He graduated in the top 10% of his class and was named a Kansas Honor Scholar and is a National Merit Scholar. During high school, he was an officer for the Topeka Zoo Youth Council and was on the soccer and golf teams. He also competed in Scholar’s Bowl. Nibi is attending New York University and majoring in business and political economics.

Ananya Vasu graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Washburn Rural High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated in the top 10% of her class and was named a Kansas Honor Scholar. During high school, Ananya was the vice-president of the Topeka Zoo Youth Council and was on the WRHS yearbook staff for three years. She is attending The University of Kansas majoring in biochemistry and journalism/ pre-med.

2018

Sam DeLong is a senior this year at Manhattan High School and has been named a National Merit Semifinalist. He seems to be heading toward a political science/international relations type of career and has been active at MHS in debate

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and model UN, as well as tennis and drama where he had a lead role in a musical and play the past two years. Sam’s college choices include the University of Chicago, Washington University, Columbia, Yale, Tufts, Brown, and MIT.

Lilian Thornton entered a piece in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, and her piece received a Gold Key Award during the 2020-21 school year. Her work was exhibited at Mark Arts Gallery in Wichita earlier this year as part of the Eastern Kansas Scholastic Art Awards. Lilian is also a Questbridge Scholar and will be attending Dartmouth in the fall.

Elena Pacioianu is a senior at Topeka High School. This summer, she received recognition for being on the Washburn University CEP Dean’s Honor Roll for the 20202021 school year. This fall, she was inducted into the Topeka High chapter of the National Honor Society.

Rishi Pandya is a senior at Washburn Rural High School and is a National Merit Commended Scholar. He is a member of the varsity debate team, competing in Open and Public Forum Debate styles.

Luxanna Sands is a senior at Topeka High School and is a varsity soccer player. She was a member of the 2021 All-Shawnee County girls soccer team as a midfield player.

Om Watson is a senior at Washburn Rural High School and is a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. This fall, he participated in The Washburn University math department’s annual Math Day on Nov. 16, 2021. Students participated in math testing and the “Mathnificient Race,” a scavenger hunt on the Washburn University campus for information required to solve a sequence of problems as quickly as possible.Om earned the overall top score on the exam, with a score of 36 out of 40. Washburn Rural High School also placed first in the 6A team awards.

2019

Laura Beatty participated this summer in the Washburn 2021 High School Leadership Academy alongside fellow Alum Teddy Decker (’18). She is a junior at Topeka West and is involved in marching band and cheer. Abby Boyd is a junior at Washburn Rural High School. This year, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and is a member of the Dancin’ Blues dance team, who won first place in the KSHAA Game Day Competition in November 2021.

Lydia Etzel is a junior at Washburn Rural High School and is on the varsity Cheer Team.

Elizabeth Fecteau is a junior at Topeka High School. She is part of a travel club and is planning a trip to Ecuador with that group once the pandemic subsides.

Dylan Foster is a junior at Hayden Catholic High School and is on the golf team.

Jordan Garvin is a junior at Shawnee Heights High School and competed in the High School Boys 400 Meter Dash at the 2021 Joe Schrag City Invitational. He also is a soccer player and received honorable mention for the All-Centennial League boys soccer team.

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Aidan Morrison is a junior at Topeka High School and is a varsity soccer player. He received honorable mention for the All-Centennial League boys soccer team this fall.

Perry Payne is a junior at Topeka High School. He has been recognized by TopSports.news as one of 15 boy swimmers to watch in 2021-2022.

Taylor Rantz is a junior at Shawnee Heights High School. She is a varsity athlete on their volleyball and basketball teams and a member of the National Honor Society.

Ewan Thompson is a junior at Topeka High School. This summer, he received recognition for being on the Washburn University CEP Dean’s Honor Roll for the fall semester!

Chloe Wolgast is a junior at Washburn Rural High School. During the pandemic, she put her artistic talents to work by drawing a piece called Fast Food Heroes: Keeping America Fueled #Covid19. Her work was honored with Gold Key and American Visions nominations and was on display at the Mark Arts Gallery in Wichita in February 2021.

Superior/High Honor Roll Students from the Class

of 2019: Ewan Thompson, Thomas Schmidt, Perry Payne, Madisyn Vobach. Not pictured: Alexis Brosa, Elizabeth Fecteau, Janea Johnson, Aidan Morrison, Kalanise Swindell, Noah Valdivia-Mendez

2020

Kylee Brosa is a sophomore at Topeka High School. This past season she ran track in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles.

Charlie White is a sophomore at Topeka West High School. He is involved with the forensics team and competes in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking.

2021

Lauren Birkbeck is a freshman at Hayden Catholic High School and is a member of the Wildcat Dance Team. Meredith Burgess is a freshman at Silver Lake High School in Silver Lake, KS, and is active on the debate team.

Logan Hortenstein is a freshman at Topeka High School. He is active in theater and recently ran tech for the THS debut of Spongebob the Musical, as well as performed in the Topeka Civic Theatre production of The Addams Family, Jr., alongside fellow alum Holly Sorrenti.

Josie Linn is a freshman at Topeka West High School. Josie is member of the school’s volleyball team.

Aditi Nimishikavi is a freshman at Washburn Rural High School and is a novice debater.

Brett Rantz is a freshman at Shawnee Heights High School and is a member of the school’s football team. Brett plans to work as a 2022 summer camp counselor at Topeka Collegiate’s Summer Blast!

Holly Sorrenti is a freshman at Washburn Rural High School. She recently performed in the Topeka Civic Theatre production of The Addams Family, Jr., alongside fellow alum Logan Hortenstein.

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