Wildcat Growl
November 13, 2022
Our Vision:
De Soto High School ensures all students learn at a high level and have a positive sense of belonging, developing each student to be ready for their future.
Principal's Message
Wildcat Family,
Thank you to our Student Leadership and Service class - which organized an all-school assembly on Friday, November 11th, in honor of Veteran's Day.
Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast! Their hard work resulted in several wonderful performances last week. We hope you were able to attend the show. Great job, Wildcats!
Congratulations to the DHS Football team. They had a great season including winning the UKC Championship and a 5th consecutive KSHSAA Class 5A Regional Championship. Several Wildcats also earned All United Kansas Conference Honors. 1st Team: Josue Perales, Charlie Woleben, Sam Torline, and Cole Heitman. 2nd Team: Bennett Hutchison, Grant Brownell, and Davis Barr. Honorable Mention: Jacob Fagen, Carson Miller, Ryan Schottler, Angelo Saunders, Charlie Tadlock, Misael Calderon, Jason Jurmann, and Sean Gibson. Congratulations to Coach King for earning UKC Football Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to the following Wildcats making an All-UKC Boys Soccer Team. 1st Team: Brody Macoubrie, Gibson Daise, Micah Brownell, and Tate Atkinson. 2nd Team: River Howard, and Honorable Mention: Evan Marincovich, Zach Myers, and Andrew Powers.
Congrats to the following Wildcats for making an All-UKC Volleyball Team. 2nd team: Erin Barr, Carson Schuman, and Honorable Mention: Chloe Kmiecik.
Congratulations to several Cross country runners receiving recognition from the Greater Kansas City Cross Country Coaches Association All-Metro Team: Palmer O'Conner, Joshua Fullmer, Brooke Bundt, and Addison Gillespie.
Congratulations to Olivia Hamer! Olivia received an outstanding honor from the Board of Education at the board meeting on November 7, 2022. Her artwork was selected to be on permanent display at the Administration Offices in De Soto.
Please join us in congratulating the following students for being selected to our ECKMEA All-District Honor Choirs: Rose Rulifson, Emily Mlodzik, Kimmy Ippel, Bonnie Bartlett, Avery Bowlin, Ellie Dossett, Jack Murillo Porras, Ryan Jenkins. Great job!
Please join us in congratulating the following students for being selected for one of this year’s ECKMEA Honor Bands: Keegan Flynn, Josh VanDeCreek, Anna D’Andrea, Gavin Billinger, Kellan Flynn, Fin Smadja, Ryan Lange, Nick Maskill, Dylan Handley, Lillia Spiess, Tristan Feener, Nick Budilija, Aidan Hamer, Nic Weaver, and Cole Bichelmeyer. Congrats, all!
Congrats to Nick Weaver and Aiden Hamer who performed with the NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles in Washington D.C. representing the top performing high school musicians in the United States and is the highest honor an instrumentalist can receive during high school. Outstanding!
DHS Cats Care is collecting donations for the De Soto Food Pantry as part of a Holiday Food Drive. Contributions need to be turned in to seminar teachers by November 17th.
The winter athletic season starts this week with tryouts and practices. Good Luck to all the athletes and teams!
Beginning November 30th and taking place each Wednesday for the rest of the school year, De Soto High School will be on an adjusted schedule called - Collaborative Team Time (CTT). The first class of the day will begin at 8:20 am. Students arriving between 7:30 am and 8:15 am will need to enter the building through the front main entrance or through the attendance office entrance. They will be directed to a study hall environment in the Commons or Union. Teachers will be engaged in professional collaboration during this time. This schedule only impacts the high schools and does not impact students using bus transportation to school. Bus riders are expected to enter the building on arrival and cannot leave school unless called out by a parent or guardian.
Thanks, and Go Wildcats!
Sam Ruff
Principal, DHS
ECKMEA Honor Band
Please congratulate the following people for making one of this year’s ECKMEA Honor Bands.
Blue Band:
Keegan Flynn – clarinet - 12th chair
Josh VanDeCreek – Bari Sax
Anna D’Andrea – trumpet – 3rd Chair
Gavin Billinger – Trombone – 6th chair
Kellan Flynn – Tuba – 2nd Chair
Red Band:
Fin Smadja – Oboe – 3rd chair
Ryan Lange – Horn – 6th chair
Nick Maskill – Trombone – 3rd chair
Dylan Handley – Euphonium – 3rd chair
Alternate:
Lillia Spiess – Clarinet – alternate
Tristan Feener – Trumpet - alternate
Jazz Band:
Nick Budilija – Drum Set
Aidan hamer – Trombone – 2nd chair
Nic Weaver – Trumpet - 1st chair
Cole Bichelmeyer – Trumpet – 3rd chair
DHS Debate Coach earns Diamond Award
2022 Student Art Award Winners recognized by Board of Education
Students from each school received an outstanding honor from the Board of Education and were recognized at the board meeting on November 7, 2022. Their artwork was selected to be on permanent display at the Administration Offices in De Soto.
District art teachers select original works of art, created the previous school year, from among their students to become part of the permanent collection. The following students received creative achievement awards:
2022 Art Award Winner Olivia Hamer
Julie Steeb
Logan Fixsen
Anna Taylor
DHS Christmas Sweaters
The cheer team is selling DeSoto Christmas "Sweaters"! Order by November 18th and ship directly to you or pick up at DHS the week after Thanksgiving. These would make a great top to your Christmas pajamas and festive to wear all season long! https://idntiteez.chipply.com/DESOTOCHRISTMAS/store.aspx
Two DHS students attend NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles
School Meals
Homework Request Information
When your student is absent from school, please encourage your student to reach out to teachers requesting assignments missed due to the absence. Certainly, parents can also reach out to teachers, but part of becoming a self-directed independent learner is communication, being organized, and advocating for yourself. If your student is experiencing a longer-term absence (a week or more), our counselors are available to assist in this process.
Need to contact the Counselors?
DHS Counselors and Social Worker
Crissy Johns (A-G): CJohns@usd232.org
Abbey Heller (H-N): aheller@usd232.org
Kaitlin Britt (O-Z): KBritt@usd232.org
Joe Kordalski (Social Worker): Rkordalski@usd232.org
De Soto High School students are invited to A Night With K-State Engineering!
The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is hosting events for high school and community college students. Representatives will lead an interactive presentation for students and their guests to learn more about engineering. We would love for your students to join us at one of the following events:
· YouTube Live | Tuesday, Nov. 29
Learn more about engineering degrees, scholarships, career opportunities and industry partners.
K-STATE NIGHT IN KC!
K-State is inviting all students from the KC area to join the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, academic colleges and other individuals from campus to join us for a K-State Night in the Kansas City area on Tuesday, November 15th. Students will hear from current and past K-Staters, including our Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Dr. Karen Goos. We’re excited to share what life could look like as a Wildcat!
Event Details
Tuesday, November 15th
DoubleTree Overland Park
Program from 7:00-8:30 PM, Registration begins at 6:30 PM
Kansas ScholarShop
In partnership with Sallie Mae, Kansas State Treasurer’s office has launched the Kansas ScholarShop initiative. ScholarShop aims to restore hope and excitement for students seeking educational and career advancement after high school. With access to 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion; students can search and find scholarships, grants and awards tailored specifically to their deepest passions. For more information visit: https://kansascash.ks.gov/scholarshop.html
Cat Booster Club
Securly App
Parents can have peace of mind in knowing your student’s search history and time on their device. See your student’s online activity in real-time and catch up with weekly email snapshots by signing up with the Securly app. Follow the link for more information and directions.