Central Heights Vikings Shine at KSHSAA Regional Solo & Small Ensemble Festival
This past Saturday, our talented Central Heights music students participated in the KSHSAA Regional Solo & Small Ensemble Festival in Independence, KS. With 19 students performing in 22 different events—including 15 solos and 7 small ensembles—it was a full day of incredible music, dedication, and success. Our first performance began at 8:07 AM, and our final performance concluded at 3:20 PM. It was a long but rewarding day, filled with outstanding performances from all of our students.
The hard work and preparation paid off in a big way, as 15 out of our 19 participating students earned First Division I Ratings, qualifying them for the State Solo & Small Ensemble Festival! Nine soloists and five small ensembles achieved this top honor, securing their place at the state competition.
State Qualifiers – First Division I Ratings
Soloists:
Brooks Hamilton, Alto Saxophone – I
Jenna Jumet, Vocal – I (78 out of 80/Near Perfect Score)
Liley Elsasser, Vocal – I
Russell Reed, Trombone – I (78 out of 80/Near Perfect Score)
Riley Sprinkle, Euphonium – I
Kinsley Shaffer, Tuba – I
Alayna Fallis, Horn – I
Benjamin Wuertz, Trumpet – I
Charli Smith, Vocal – I (78 out of 80/Near Perfect Score)
Small Ensembles:
Central Heights Brass Quintet (Knox Cannady, Jenna Jumet, Russell Reed, Kinsley Shaffer, Benjamin Wuertz) – I
Swing Group (Karley Davis, Liley Elsasser, Jenna Jumet, Russell Reed, Alyson Roll, Charli Smith, Alyssa Welch) – I
Treble Trio (Karley Davis, Liley Elsasser, Jenna Jumet) – I
Elding Quartet (Russell Reed, Alyson Roll, Charli Smith, Alyssa Welch) – I
Central Heights Woodwind Trio (Arabella Dunbar, Paige Powell, Alyssa Welch) – I
Additionally, several students earned Excellent II Ratings for their performances:
Students Receiving II Ratings:
Paige Powell, Flute Solo – II
Josiah Meyer, Xylophone Solo – II
Arabella Dunbar, Flute Solo – II
Knox Cannady, Horn Solo – II
Alyssa Welch, Clarinet Solo – II
Central Heights Trumpet Trio (Mathew Dunbar, Jenna Jumet, Ben Wuertz) – II
Central Heights Saxophone Trio (Karley Davis, Aydan Dunbar, Brooks Hamilton) – II
Dalainey Coble, Vocal Solo – CO
A special mention goes to our Trumpet Trio, who were just one point away from earning a First Division I Rating and qualifying for State.
Hard Work and Dedication Pay Off
Every one of these students has spent countless hours practicing their solos and ensemble pieces, some beginning their preparation as early as the start of the school year. They have worked diligently to refine their range, tone, expression, and dynamics, while also developing the essential skills of ensemble listening and balance. Their dedication and commitment to musical excellence were evident in their performances, and we couldn’t be prouder of them!
Next Stop: State!
All of our State qualifiers will compete at the KSHSAA 3A State Solo & Small Ensemble Festival on April 26 at Gypsum-Southeast Saline High School. We are excited to see them continue their journey and showcase their talents on the state stage!
Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to Kristy Hamilton for serving as our third coach and driver for the day—your support made a huge difference! A special thanks to our incredible accompanist, Carol Cooper, who played beautifully for 16 of our events. We truly couldn’t have done it without her. And, a huge thanks to Vincent Lickteig for coming to our rescue with one of the suburbans. Finally, thank you to all the friends & family who traveled to Independence to support our amazing music students. Your encouragement and enthusiasm mean the world to these young musicians.
It was truly a fantastic day to be a Viking! Congratulations to all of our students on their outstanding performances, and best of luck to our State qualifiers as they continue their musical journey!
⚾️ Opening Day fun at Central Heights! Last Thursday, we kicked off the MLB season with a special treat—our middle school and high school student council members served up hot dogs and nachos to our staff! A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day a home run. We love celebrating together! 🌭
The Central Heights Middle School band was busy making music last week before spring break! On Tuesday, March 11th, we had the honor of hosting the Middle School Three Rivers League Band event. Our students spent the afternoon rehearsing with guest conductor Darrell Cox, putting in the hard work to deliver an incredible evening performance. Their dedication truly showed, and we couldn’t be prouder! Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success—way to go, Vikings!
Our Vikings are on the road today, March 31st, taking on Jayhawk-Linn! Baseball and softball both play at 4:30 PM, so be sure to wish them luck and show your support!
Here's a look at what's happening on the school calendar this week—lots of fun and exciting events ahead! Enjoy your week, Vikings!
Our band and choir students are off to Independence, KS today for the Regional Solo & Small Ensemble Festival!
🎵 Wishing them all the best as they showcase their hard work and talent—Go Vikings! 💙💛
Announcing your 2025-2026 Spirit Squad. Congratulations!!
Save the Date!
Join us for the Middle School and High School Science Fair on April 9th from 6-7 PM!
Our students have been busy testing their ideas and finding answers to some fascinating questions—like how our senses affect sports performance, what causes tooth decay, and which SPF level offers the best protection.
Come see their hard work in action and explore the results of their experiments!
Elementary Yearbook Orders are due April 1st. If you haven't gotten one ordered yet please see the attached flyer for the QR code. If you can't pay online, please send cash/check to the Elementary Office by April 1st. Thank you.
Flyers & Registration forms are now available for the Bill Smell Junior Golf program sponsored by Franklin County Optimist Club. You can pick up the registration form at the Elementary Office or you can go to the Ottawa Golf Course. You will need to drop the registration form off at the Ottawa Golf Course. There are limited number of spaces available, so please get your child registered right away if they are going to participate. The deadline is May 23rd. Thank you.
Just a friendly reminder—Father-Daughter Dance forms are due tomorrow! Don’t forget to turn them in so you don’t miss out on this special night of fun and memories.
The Lady Vikings kick off their season with a series sweep! 🥎Taking Game 1 with a 20-3 win and Game 2 with a 10-2 victory, they’re off to a fantastic start! Keep up the great work, Vikings!
The Vikings baseball team had a strong night on the field, earning wins of 20-0 and 16-0 against St. Paul. Great job, Vikings!
Our Baseball and Softball teams are on the road tonight, heading to St. Paul for a 4:30 p.m. start!
Let’s go, Vikings!
A Walk to Support CDH Awareness!
For her senior project, Layla Roll is organizing a walk to raise funds and awareness for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). Mark your calendars for April 19th at 1:00 p.m. and be part of this meaningful event!
🌟 Event Details:
📅 Date: April 19th
⏰ Time: 1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Central Heights Track
💲 Cost: $10 - $20
📝 Registration Deadline: April 3rd
In addition to the walk, enjoy outdoor games, face painting, and great food!
Register now to support Layla and this incredible cause! https://forms.gle/UgAed3a3FMMBQrrE9
Donkey Basketball was a blast! Congrats to the student boys' team on winning the championship game! A big shoutout to all of the community members, teachers, alumni, and staff who took on the challenge—those donkeys were equal parts sweet and stubborn! So many laughs and unforgettable moments.
A huge thank you to the High School Student Council for putting on such a fun event and to everyone who came out to support. We appreciate you!
🎉🛼 Roll on over for PTA Skate Night! 🛼🎉
Hey there, awesome families! It’s time to lace up those skates and roll on over for a night of fun, laughter, and memories! 🕺💃
Join us for a PTA Skate Night where we’ll be skating, grooving, and having an absolute blast together! Whether you're a skating pro or just there for the snacks 🍕🍿, there's something for everyone!
This is a can't-miss event—so bring your best moves and let’s skate the night away! 😎
See you on the rink! 🛼💥
Great way to start the baseball season! ⚾💙💛 The Vikings take the season opener with a doubleheader sweep against Marmaton Valley!
Don't Miss Out on Your Piece of History!
Order your Middle School yearbook today! Cherish the memories of this unforgettable year with stunning photos, candid moments, and more.
The wait is over—Central Heights Baseball is kicking off the season at HOME! The Vikings take on Marmaton Valley at 4:30 p.m.
Let’s start strong—see you at the field! 💙💛 #GoVikings
