As the 2025-2026 school year comes to an end, I am filled with pride for our students and our graduates.
The class of 2026 has been inspiring to watch through their high school career. They’re a diverse group, as evidenced by the wide range of career and life goals they have. I am excited to see them pursue their dreams and take the best of themselves into the world. (And, if we’re really lucky, they’ll always be proud to call Ellis their hometown.)
Honestly, it’s impossible not to marvel at the work of all our students and staff. Ellis students at all grade levels outperform several surrounding districts, beating state averages by nearly 12 percentage points in math and nearly 20 points in language arts.
Of course, this sort of success is a tribute to the commitment of our teachers and staff, as well as the partnership and support of our families. Ellis students are incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many caring adults who are invested in their success.
Every year, May is a time to recognize and appreciate many different groups of district staff. I want to take this chance to thank the educators, administrative professionals, bus drivers, nurses, grounds and maintenance workers and food services professionals who make our schools what they are. There’s not a person in our district who doesn’t directly support our students’ learning journey.
Here are a few recent highlights of our students and staff shining with talent:
• D.A.R.E. Graduation was a chance to celebrate our fifth-grade students’ commitment to making positive choices in their lives.
• The FFA Labor Auction raised $4,055 — a tremendous success made possible by our amazing community! This helps our FFA chapter support senior FFA member scholarships, pay for the auction costs and send members to the state convention later this month. Special thanks goes to Brandon Pfeifer for donating his services for this wonderful cause.
• Fourth, fifth and sixth graders celebrated Earth Day by sprucing up the community with a trash cleanup effort.
• Our high school musicians played beautifully at the State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival at Bethel College. Congratulations to Skylynn Begler for receiving an Outstanding (I) rating for clarinet solo, also to Skylynn Begler, Tayler Schmidt and Kinzie Sunley for an Outstanding (1) rating for clarinet trio, and to Tayler Schmidt for receiving an Excellent (II) rating for her bass clarinet solo.
• Two Washington Grade School students were recognized in this year’s Hays Arts Council Creative Writing Contest. Congratulations to Johanna Jacques and Luke Schoenthaler for taking first place in the poetry and prose categories.
• Fifth graders Emma Wichert and Kenzie Flinn represented Ellis at the county Famous Figures contest, a program of the Hays Arts Council. Emma placed 2nd Dressed as Dottie Schroeder. Kenzie dressed as Ethel Catherwood where both girls wrote and gave a presentation on their historical figure .
• Congratulations to the State Forensics 1A Improvised duet acting state champions, Mason Rohleder and Haylee Comer. Other state placers include Madison Birdsong, Maggie Fitzgerald, Emma Downing, Journey Swaggerty, Kinzie Sunley and Eliana Brull.
• The amount of scholarships that Seniors received from many organizations is incredible! Thank you to all that support our students!
• Journalism students Raegan Jimenez, Eliana Brull, Emma Downing, Evelyn Merriman, and Sienna Schmidt won the 1A Photography Contest Sweepstakes at the State Journalism Contest.
• And of course, spring sports are wrapping up with regional and state contests. Best wishes to our golf, softball, baseball and track teams!
It really is remarkable how many different people, young and not-so-young, play a part in our students' learning and memory-making across Ellis schools. Just in the last month, our seniors have learned CPR from Sheresa Brull and were guests of the Rotary Club to learn about being a civil servant.
It’s no wonder my Railer Pride is overflowing right now. Whether the end of a wonderful school year, the future ahead of our seniors or the upcoming alumni reunion May 22 and 23rd, we are so fortunate to be part of this special community. Thank you for all you do!
Janice Wilson
Superintendent