District recognizes February senior of the month, Living the Dream food-drive winners and school counselors

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education recognized students and staff at the start of its meeting, naming Damien Thompson, a Cap City senior, as the district’s February senior of the month and presenting him with a plaque and remarks from teachers and board members.

Damien Thompson told the board he plans to pursue career-oriented training after high school and described his interests in culinary arts and hands-on courses such as woodshop. Cap City staff praised Thompson’s leadership and technical skills. Video and in-person remarks accompanied the recognition.

The board also recognized Living the Dream’s eighth-year food-drive partnership with the district and presented a traveling plaque to Winston Elementary for collecting the most items three years in a row. Winston teachers and students described classroom- and community-driven fundraising tactics; one fourth-grade class reported collecting more than 700 cans. The student council used monetary donations to purchase additional items, and students received celebratory incentives such as pizza parties.

Finally, the board acknowledged school counselors for Counselor Appreciation Week, with district staff highlighting the counselors’ role in social-emotional support, college and career readiness efforts such as Apply Kansas (Kansas Board of Regents), and day-to-day student advocacy. Dr. Grimes introduced counselors representing elementary, middle and high school levels: Mallory Jacobs, Jean Ryan and Brooke Mulford.

Board members and staff urged continued community support for food insecurity efforts and praised the counselors’ role in student development and mental-health supports. The district scheduled group photos and a short break to follow the recognitions.