2025 Shooting Stars Finalists
The Arts are a vibrant force that enrich every community and elevate the quality of life for all. They’re not just a subject; they’re the heartbeat of innovation, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and self-expression—essential skills for students to thrive in today’s world.
The Shooting Stars Program is here to celebrate the incredible talent of Johnson County’s high school seniors who are making their mark in the arts. Since 1997, Shooting Stars has honored over 1,000 students for their artistic achievements, and this year, we’re taking it to the next level!
Join us for the 2025 Shooting Stars Gala on April 6, 2025, where we’ll be awarding nine first-place scholarships ($1,400), nine second-place scholarships ($700), and nine teacher honorariums ($300) to recognize the dedicated educators who help these young artists shine.
A huge thank you to the foundations, businesses, and individuals whose generous support makes the Shooting Stars program possible. Together, we’re helping the next generation of artists soar!
Literature
Eli Marvine, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Mary Vassilevsky, Shawnee Mission East High School
Aspen Gallentine, Blue Valley High School
Quinn Kelly, St. Teresa’s Academy
Gabriel Calvert, Pembroke Hill Upper School
Photography
Kinley Silliman, Blue Valley Southwest High School
Han Mellenbruch, Shawnee Mission East High School
Nicholas Danner, Blue Valley High School
Andrew Guyer, Olathe East High School
Evelyn Fisher, Blue Valley Northwest High School
Production & Design
Reese Irwin, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Sophie Ermgodts, Blue Valley Southwest High School
Dani King, Gardner Edgerton High School
Riley Gaikowski, Shawnee Mission East High School
Audrey Belden, Olathe South High School
Hannah Mueller, Spring Hill High School
Roux Harper, Olathe West High School
Lucy Giem, Olathe East High School
Strings
Eli Tamano, Olathe Northwest High School
Ivanka Joshi, Blue Valley West High School
Joseph Park, Olathe West High School
Theatre Performance
Katie Coughlin, Blue Valley West High School
Matthew Fortino, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Reese Miller, Mill Valley High School
Sage Reedy, Shawnee Mission North High School
Aaron Shirley, Olathe West High School
Caroline Kelley, Olathe East High School
Noah Hasting, Olathe South High School
Cameron Hargrove, Blue Valley Southwest High School
Macie Martin, Heritage Christian Academy
Alicia Hernandez-Gonzalez, Olathe North High School
Sophia Mullinax, Olathe Northwest High School
Luke Dent, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Sebastian Gonzalez, Layton Blue Valley North High School
Kail McCrary, Pembroke Hill Upper School
Nia Gosier, Shawnee Mission South High School
Three-Dimensional Art
Zoey Karr, Shawnee Mission East High School
Vivian Maxwell, Olathe North High School
Katie Mueller, Blue Valley High School
Eva Minor, Blue Valley Northwest High School
Cole Defever, Blue Valley Southwest High School
Laiken Vorthmann, De Soto High School
Rory Smith, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Emeline Dahl, Olathe South High School
Charley Godsil, Gardner Edgerton High School
Adler Downs, Olathe East High School
Two-Dimensional Art
Paige Horne, Olathe Northwest High School
Lily Klein, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Macy Orrick, Olathe East High School
Betsi Waldeck, The Barstow School
Sydney Anderson, Heritage Christian Academy
Siena Masilionis, Blue Valley North High School
Ramsey Browne, Blue Valley High School
Hala Bayazid, Blue Valley Southwest High School
Cora Jones, Mill Valley High School
Madison Smith, Blue Valley Northwest High School
Kaila Burnside, Gardner Edgerton High School
Macy Orth, Olathe West High School
Amelia Diefendorf, Shawnee Mission East High School
Levi Mong, Kansas City Christian High School
Benjamin Stelzer, De Soto High School
Audyn Deterding, Spring Hill High School
Hannah Lank, Shawnee Mission North High School
Voice Classical
Nate Udell, Olathe Northwest High School
Daniel Liang, Spring Hill High School
Lucas MacNider, Olathe South High School
Blake Gray, Mill Valley High School
Bubba Hayne, Blue Valley West High School
Ava Strella, Olathe North High School
Aubree Smith, Shawnee Mission West High School
Alex Houghtlin, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Brie Quinlan, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Winds & Percussions
Ben Dresbach, Olathe Northwest High School
Tanner Register, Olathe South High School
Fin Smajda, De Soto High School
Ryne Poindexter, Olathe East High School
Iason Wilson-Brown, Shawnee Mission South High School