Centralia School

*Updated-Results are included this time!* Another great weather day for a track meet..a lot of PRs were made at the Junior High Track Meet on Tuesday! JH track & field is back in action on Monday at Valley Heights.

***2025 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT*** Written by Benji Puvogel Parker Koch was born to his parents, Jason and Marcie Koch on July 21, 2006. He is the only son and oldest out of six children. His sisters' names are Jacie, Taige, Piper, Halle, and Kinley. Parker lives on his family farm, just outside of Centralia. Parker has been involved in a lot of activities, like Band, Basketball, Choir, FFA, FBLA, Football, Forensics, Leadership Group, NHS, Scholar’s Bowl, Track, and Wrestling. For him, the activities he enjoyed the most were Football, Band, and Scholar’s Bowl. When asked what his favorite memory from high school was, he said, “It was probably going to activities with my classmates and having fun.” Parker is still undecided about which college he will attend, but he plans to pursue a degree in the financial industry and eventually work toward earning a law degree. Reflecting on his high school experience, he shared, “The most challenging part of high school was probably just scheduling things during junior and senior year. I overcame it by using reminders and to-dos on my phone and talking through what I had to do with my mom.” These challenges, he explained, helped prepare him for the future. “I think high school prepared me by holding me responsible and accountable for myself—whether it was grades or behavior, I was pushed to be my best while still having to put in the work.” When asked to sum up his high school journey in one word, Parker replied, “Fleeting. It all seemed to go by so fast.” He had a few words of advice for his sisters once he left home: “Respect everyone, and never make yourself more important than any other person. Try new things and push yourself. Stay close to God, and stick with your friends and family.” He also had advice for the freshman class and the upcoming senior class. To the freshman, “ Any freshman reading this should get involved and spend time with their classmates.” His advice to the next year's seniors, “Please do as much as you can with your classmates. Next year will go by so much faster than you think.”. Those were some great words from a senior leader, who is proud to be in the class of 2025. And we all wish him the best of luck on his college choice and all his future endeavors.

***2025 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT*** Written by Taylee Wells On March 13th of 2006, Morgan Lynn Allen was welcomed into this world by her parents, Ryan and Jaime Allen. She has two younger siblings, Jenna and Easton Allen. Morgan, a senior at Centralia High School, heavily focuses on her academics. She enjoys participating in academic competitions and utilizing any opportunity to engage in public speaking. Morgan loves to travel, no matter where the destination is, and enjoys outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and spending long summer days at the lake. Morgan will be attending Fort Hays State University to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Morgan is involved in many activities and clubs. Some of these clubs include Future Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National Honor Society (NHS), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Student Council (STUCO), and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Her favorite club that she is involved in is the Kansas Association for Youth (KAY), where she is the president. She loves KAY Club because she has seen the most impact on her community while doing that, and has gotten to meet a lot of new people and be the area president. Morgan improved her public speaking skills, which helped her grow as a leader, and she formed many connections! She participated in the school play/theatre throughout high school. On top of all the clubs and extracurricular activities, she ran Cross Country and was the first girl wrestler from Centralia, where she started her wrestling career at Onaga. In her earlier years in high school, she also took part in volleyball, softball, and track. Morgan has made many memories throughout high school, her favorite being playing the hide and seek game in Mrs. Gleason’s class that they do every year. She looked forward to it since junior high and even picked out a specific hiding spot, even though she didn’t win. Another one of her top memories was qualifying for State wrestling and being the first female wrestler to do that from Centralia, even after she thought she wouldn’t be able to do so because of her elbow injury. For Morgan, the feeling was unmatched. “Transformative” is one word to describe her high school experience. High school has changed her into a person she never expected herself to be, with accomplishments, leadership roles, and everything else she has learned along the way. If Morgan had the opportunity to relive one high school memory, it would be Senior year homecoming week, especially when the Senior class was the homecoming champions for the 4th time. Their class has always been very close, and homecoming is a week for them to shine in their senior year. It was unforgettable for Morgan and so much fun to decorate and come together as a team. The advice Morgan would give to next year’s Senior class is to get involved and stay strong. Challenge yourself like you never have before to prepare you for college. She believes that doing this will enable you to explore your fullest potential and make you realize how capable you are of doing the unthinkable. The most challenging part of high school for Morgan is managing all the activities she is a part of. She overcame this by realizing how much stronger of an individual this is going to make her, and how much she was gaining from everything she was involved in. High school has prepared Morgan for her future in ways she never imagined. She’s developed strong public speaking skills, leadership, and gained the confidence to pursue goals she once thought were out of reach. Before high school, Morgan wasn’t very focused on her education. She was shy and preferred to do what everybody else did. But now, she’s driven, determined, and ready to take on anything! After graduation, Morgan plans to attend Fort Hays State University to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and explore the possibilities of extending her education with a nurse practitioner program. She looks forward to exploring public speaking opportunities and expanding her leadership in organizations. As Morgan has contributed meaningfully to Centralia and the surrounding community, she has also developed a range of skills that will equip her for her future professional success. Something you may not know about Morgan is that she loves to travel with her whole heart! Especially to foreign countries, she wants to explore job opportunities that allow her to do that. She is a very curious person and loves to explore new cultures and new environments, specifically in authentic ways, not just as a tourist. Morgan is sure to continue growing personally and professionally in her future career.

Good day to everyone. The baseball game vs D-West tonight has been cancelled. At this time, we do not have a reschedule date.

The Centralia High School Track team travels to Frankfort today. The meet starts at 3:00 pm. Good Luck Panthers!

Centralia Junior High Track has a meet in Frankfort today. The meet starts at 12:30 with Triple Jump & High Jump. All other field events will start at 1:00 pm. The running events will start at 3:00 pm. Good Luck Panthers!

Centralia JV Softball plays at home today versus Nemaha Central. The double header starts at 4:30 at the Centralia Softball Field.

Centralia Golf travels to Seneca for a meet at Spring Creek Golf Course that starts at 1:00 pm. Good Luck Panthers!

The Centralia Softball & Baseball teams have doubleheaders today. The Softball team travels to Seneca to take on Nemaha Central. The doubleheader starts at 4:30 on Seneca West Field. The Baseball team is at home versus Frankfort. The doubleheader starts at 4:30 at Centralia Baseball Field. Good Luck Panthers!

Great job by the Centralia Golfers at the Washington Co. JV meet today. Benji Puvogel tied for second with a 50 Neil Haug got 5th with a 52 Kalin Olberding got 8th with a 54

USD 380 is taking applications for an assistant softball coach. Experience preferred. Bus license preferred. This is a rule 10 position. If interested submit an application letter and qualifications by mail or email to: Joel Bickford 209 school st. Vermillion KS 66544 Superintendent of USD 380 Schools bickfordj@usd380.com

The Centralia JV Golf team travels to Washington for a meet that tees off at 3:00 pm at Cedar Hills Golf Course. Good Luck Panthers!

Centralia Baseball & Softball are back in action today! Both teams are on the road versus Valley Heights. Baseball plays at 3:30 in Waterville at Lipton Ball Fields (South Field), 315 W Elm St., Waterville, KS Softball plays at 4:00 pm in Blue Rapids at 316 W. 5th St. Blue Rapids, KS

JH Track & Field had a perfect weather day competing in Onaga yesterday. Faith Plager tied the school record in high jump (4’10”). Mollie Winkler set the record in 2005. 8th grade girls (Tenley Heideman, McKenna Griffith, Faith Plager, & Carlee Steinlage) broke the 4x100 record (55.16). Old record was set by Sabrina Allen, Joanie Gleason, Renee Heideman, & Ciara Stallbaumer (55.27).

After learning about comics and studying heroes the 2nd graders created comic strips about the life of Aviatrix Bessie Coleman!

The Centralia Golf team made big time improvements from last week! The team shot 25 strokes better and placed 2nd yesterday in Onaga! Bronx Talley shot an 85, and got third! Landon Heller shot a 97 and placed 8th! Gage Wimberly, placed 10th! Blake Broxterman took 13 strokes off his round from a week ago. Way to Go Panthers!

Another great meet for Centralia High School Track & Field on Tuesday at Nemaha Central. The girls team placed second out of seven teams and the boys placed 6th. We will be in Frankfort on 04/24. Girls: 100m dash: Hayden Kramer (1st), Tatum Kramer (2nd), Harper Kramer (4th) 200m dash: Hayden Kramer (1st), Harper Kramer (3rd) 400m run: Tatum Kramer (2nd), Myah Tanking (4th) 800m run: Keelyn Rempe (4th), Kya Franklin (6th) 1600m run: Kya Franklin (3rd), Keelyn Rempe (4th), Cora Thompson (6th) 3200m run: Meleah Talley (6th) 100m hurdles: Erin Smith (4th) 4x100m relay: Myah Tanking, Harper Kramer, Hayden Kramer, Tatum Kramer (1st) 4x400m relay: Myah Tanking, Harper Kramer, Hayden Kramer, Tatum Kramer (1st) 4x800m relay: Cora Thompson, Meleah Talley, Kya Franklin, Keelyn Rempe (2nd) Pole Vault: Kya Franklin (2nd) Triple Jump: Myah Tanking (6th) Shot Put: Josie Haverkamp (5th) Javelin: Marissa Broxterman (6th) Boys: 800m run: Gavin Fulkerson (6th) 1600m run: Gavin Fulkerson (2nd), Kris Fulkerson (6th) 3200m run: Kris Fulkerson (4th) Pole Vault: Jayce Schmitz (1st) Shot Put: Wade Deters (5th) Javelin: Ben Haverkamp (1st)

Centralia Golf has a meet today in Onaga. The meet starts at 1:00 pm at Cool Springs Golf Course. Good Luck Panthers!

Centralia Junior High track team travels to Onaga today for a meet starting at 1:00 pm. Field events will be first followed by running events at 3:00 pm.

Centralia High School Track travels to Nemaha Central today for a meet that starts at 4:00 pm. Field Events will be first, followed by running events at 5:30 pm. Good Luck Panthers!