For the fifth time in the five-year history of the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence awards, Sterling High School has been honored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association for quality programs and performances in band, choir, debate, speech (forensics) and theatre. For the 2021-22 school year, Sterling was awarded in the Commended category, which includes 12 other Kansas High Schools, while three were named finalists, and one as the winner of the award.
Sterling was honored two years ago as the 2019-2020 Performing Arts School of Excellence, after being tabbed as a finalist in the two years prior. Since winning the award, SHS has received the Commended level award the past two years.
The award is selected annually by a committee of leading educators in the state music, speech, and theatre professional associations and KSHSAA staff members. Schools earning these awards score exceptionally high in debate, speech, music, and theatre during the school year.
Sterling's Performing Arts Department is led by teachers Betsy Dutton (Debate, Speech, and Theatre), Clark Comley (Choir), and Abby Giles (Band). They are supported by Janis Fair (Accompanist), Cindy Anthony (K-4 Music & Accompanist), Torey Wilson (Debate/Forensics Assistant), Katie Lumbert (Forensics Assistant), Marilee Kruse (Forensics Assistant), Piper Harding (Director/Choreographer), Wayne Beaver & Caleb Brownlee (Set Construction), Lillian Zimmerman & Will Dutton (Lobby Display).
Noteworthy in this accomplishment: Sterling High School is the only school in the state to be awarded each of the five years since the inception of this award. Furthermore, this award is not based on school classification, so the pool of schools for these awards is every KSHSAA member school. Of the five schools to win this award, Sterling is the only school classified below the 4A level.