Two Topeka students honored as National Merit finalists; Educators Rising students headed to nationals

The USD 501 Board of Education recognized two National Merit Scholarship finalists and several students qualifying for the Educators Rising national competition during school highlights.

Wyatt Humphrey, a Topeka High senior, was introduced by district leaders and accepted his recognition at the meeting. “Oh, hi. I'm Wyatt Humphrey and I go to Topeka High School,” he told the board when asked to identify himself. District staff said Wyatt qualified as a National Merit finalist based on a top PSAT score and noted he has taken advanced university-level math coursework through district arrangements.

The board also presented a certificate to Jacob Marchant of Topeka West, another National Merit finalist. Marchant told the board he enjoyed AP Calculus and said computers are an area of interest for his postsecondary plans; he was introduced with family in the audience.

Separately, CTE instructors Diane Kimsey and Robin Dixon presented six students who qualified to attend the Educators Rising national conference. Two students spoke: Ellie (who competed in lesson planning in the fine arts and recorded a classroom lesson) and Tessa Noland (who, with a partner, produced a teacher‑recruitment PSA titled “Inspire Generations”). Instructors described the projects as intensive, project‑based work that required many hours of planning and production; district staff said Educators Rising nationals will be in Orlando and expected to draw more than 3,000 students this year.

Board members congratulated the students and thanked instructors and families for support. The board also issued “intent to hire” notices as part of a district initiative to encourage future teachers: one student present received an intent to hire for a position four years from now, subject to the district's hiring processes.