💙❤️ Rock Chalk, Jayhawk! ❤️💙
We are proud to celebrate our Abilene High School alumni 🤠🧡🤎 who were named to the University of Kansas Fall 2025 Honor Roll!🎓
👏 Congratulations to:
⭐ Maddie Beswick – School of Education & Human Sciences
⭐ Summer Bice – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
⭐ Nicholas Holmes – School of Engineering
⭐ Megan Holmes – School of Journalism & Mass Communications
⭐ Marissa McKinney – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
⭐ Maren Meneley – School of Music
⭐ Josie Parks – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
⭐ Jacobi Robinson – School of the Arts
⭐ Kellen Signer – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
⭐ RJ Vopat – School of Business
We would also like to recognize:
⭐ Juliana Rivera – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. While not an AHS graduate, Juliana moved to Abilene with her parents, Jami and Rick Rivera, where her father serves as USD #435 Assistant Superintendent. We are proud to celebrate her achievement as part of our Abilene community!
Way to represent, Cowboys and Jayhawks! Your hard work and dedication continue to make our community proud! 🧡🤎
#AHSCowboyPride 🤠 #RockChalkJayhawk❤️💙 #KUHonorRoll #AcademicExcellence 🎓
#DickinsonCountyProud
🧡🤎 Congratulations to Chris Krenzin – Young Entrepreneur of the Year! 🤎🧡
Abilene High School is proud to celebrate Mr. Chris Krenzin for being named 2025 Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Driving Dickinson County “Best of the Best” & “Of the Year” Awards Gala on February 21, 2026, at Sand Springs Venue! 🌟🏆
As the owner of 7-Ate-5 Mobile Food & Catering 🚚🍴 and a dedicated AHS educator, Mr. Krenzin exemplifies Cowboy excellence both in business and in the classroom.
At AHS, he inspires students every day through:
👨🍳 Culinary Essentials
🥖 Baking & Pastry I & II
🍳 Culinary Arts
🥘 Culinary Applications
👢 FCCLA Sponsor
☕ Cowboy Coffee Mentor
This recognition highlights his leadership, innovation, and positive impact across Dickinson County — and we are incredibly proud to call him one of our own!
Way to represent Abilene High School in true 🧡🤎 Cowboy style! 🤠
#ChrisKrenzin #7Ate5 #BestOfTheBest #YoungEntrepreneur #DickinsonCounty #CowboyPride #OrangeAndBrown #AHS #CTE #CulinaryArts
🤠🧡🤎 Abilene High School Seniors – Scholarship Opportunity! 🤎🧡🤠
🌾🌎 Dickinson County Conservation District Scholarship 🌎🌾
Are you passionate about agriculture, conservation, or protecting our natural resources? This scholarship is designed to encourage students to grow their interest, gain technical skills, and pursue careers in conservation-related fields!
💰 Award: Up to TWO $1,000 scholarships
▪️ $500 awarded at the start of college
▪️ $500 awarded after successful completion of one semester (2.0+ college GPA required)
🎓 Eligibility:
✔️ Minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
✔️ Enrolled full-time in an agriculture or natural resource conservation-related program such as:
🌱 Agronomy
🌾 Range Management
🌳 Forestry
🗺️ Geography
📰 Agricultural Journalism
🍎 Agriculture Education
🦌 Wildlife Management
(Other related conservation/ag fields may qualify!)
🗓️ Deadline: April 3, 2026
Return completed applications to the Dickinson County Conservation District. Applications and more information available at https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5160/AHS/6178528/2026-Scholarship-Application.pdf
This is a great opportunity to invest in your future while making a difference for our land and community! 🌾🤠
#ScholarshipOpportunity #DickinsonCounty #ConservationCareers #AHSCounseling #NaturalResourceConservation
🎓🌟 March Scholarship Opportunities – Don’t Miss Out! 🌟🎓
In March alone, there are:
📍 8 Local Scholarships
🌻 10 Kansas Scholarships
🇺🇸 14 National Scholarships
Our community truly wants to support your future plans — take advantage of these amazing opportunities and APPLY! 💪✨
🏆 Local Scholarships Available:
📝 GFWC of Kansas Scholarship – $500
Essay-based award applied to tuition or room & board
📅 Due: March 1
🐾 Wayne Ward Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
For students connected to greyhounds (application + recommendations)
📅 Due: March 1
🎓 PEO Chapter CZ Memorial Scholarships (In memory of Era Jane Laing & Sharon Sweatland)
For senior girls with 3.0+ GPA attending a 4-year accredited college
📅 Due: March 20
📚 PEO Chapter GY Scholarship
For senior girls with 3.0+ GPA attending an accredited college or vocational school (activities & recommendations considered)
📅 Due: March 27
🏥 Memorial Health System Volunteer Corps Scholarship – $1,000
For students (3.0+ GPA) pursuing a medical-related degree
📅 Due: March 27
⭐ Optimist Scholarship in Memory of Don Feller (Former AHS educator and coach)
For students (2.5+ GPA) who participated in vocational classes at AHS
📅 Due: March 27
✈️ Abilene Aviation Association Scholarship Grant (Renewable)
For students with financial need interested in aviation careers (2.5+ GPA)
📅 Due: March 28
🥎 Marcia K. Debenham Memorial Scholarship
For senior female softball letter recipients (2.5+ GPA)
📅 Due: March 31 (Turn into Counseling Office)
💡 Don’t leave money on the table! Deadlines will be here before you know it. Stop by the Counseling Office if you need help or have questions!
#AHSCowboysCowgirls 🤠 #ScholarshipSeason #ApplyNow #SeniorYear #FutureFocused #AHSOpportunities
💊🤎 Abilene High School Alumni Scholarship Opportunity! 🧡💊
The Bud and Linda Bankes Family Pharmacy Scholarship is now open! This $1,000 scholarship supports students pursuing a career in pharmacy and investing in the future of healthcare.
👨⚕️ About the Honorees:
• Bud Bankes was a dedicated Abilene pharmacist who carried on a long-standing local pharmacy tradition, serving generations of families with trusted, hometown care.
• Linda Bankes was a longtime high school Spanish teacher who later earned her doctoral degree and devoted her life to education, lifelong learning, and community service.
Together, they demonstrated that caring for a community happens through healthcare, education, and service.
📚 Eligibility:
✔️ Abilene High School alumni and/or Dickinson County residents
✔️ Planning to attend pharmacy school at the University of Kansas or St. Louis University
✔️ Preference given to Dickinson County and Kansas residents
📝 Application Requirement:
Submit a 300–500-word statement explaining how this scholarship will support your educational journey and outlining your future plans in pharmacy.
⏳ Deadline: April 1st
If you’re ready to combine professional skill with compassion and community impact — apply at https://www.communityfoundation.us/bud-and-linda-bankes-family-pharmacy-scholarship.cfm
#AHSAlumni #DickinsonCountyKS #PharmacyScholarship #FuturePharmacist #ScholarshipOpportunity #CommunityLegacy
Photo used with permission from the Abilene Reflector Chronicle
✈️ Interested in a future with the U.S. Air Force? ✈️
An Air Force recruiter will be at Abilene High School on Thursday, February 19th, located outside the cafeteria during all four lunch periods.
Stop by to learn more about service options, exciting career paths like aviation, cybersecurity, and logistics, plus educational benefits and tuition assistance.
#USAF #CareerExploration #FutureReady #StudentOpportunities #EducationBenefits #Cybersecurity #Aviation #Logistics
🦒🌿 Now Hiring at Rolling Hills Zoo – Apply Today! 🌿🦓
Rolling Hills Zoo is hiring seasonal positions (ages 16+) — perfect for high school & college students!
✨ Openings include:
• Gift Shop/Admissions
• Tram Drivers
• Landscape
• Restaurant
✔️ Flexible scheduling
✔️ Weekends & holidays required
✔️ Great customer service skills a plus
📧 Send your resume & application to info@rollinghillszoo.org
📍 625 N. Hedville Rd., Salina, KS
Make your summer unforgettable! 🌞
#NowHiring #SummerJob #RollingHillsZoo #StudentOpportunities #ApplyNow
🐾❤️ Paws-itively Wrapped Up in Love! Happy Valentine’s Day from Duchess! ❤️🐾
🩺🎓 Thinking About a Career in Medicine?
Parents, families, and educators — this one’s for you! Join an informative webinar designed to help you support students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. 👩⚕️👨⚕️
📅 February 25th
⏰ 7:00 p.m.
#PreMedJourney #CollegePlanning #MedicalSchoolPath #CareerExploration
🇺🇸🎖️ Rising Seniors: Ready for the West Point Challenge? 🎖️🇺🇸
The United States Military Academy at West Point invites current juniors to apply for the Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) — a five-day, overnight immersion led by current cadets!
💪 Participants will experience:
✔️ Hands-on academic workshops (17 options)
✔️ Army PT workouts & obstacle courses
✔️ Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)
✔️ Leadership & team-building challenges
✔️ An authentic look at cadet life
📅 2025 Session Dates:
• May 30 – June 3
• June 5 – June 9
• June 11 – June 15
🗓️ Applications open February 15 (rolling decisions begin March 15).
✨ Applying to SLE also completes the first step of your West Point application!
💲 Scholarships are available for students with financial need (covers the $495 fee + travel).
🎥 Watch the SLE 2025 Video: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=West+Point+Summer+Leaders+Experience+2025
🔗 Learn more: https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
📝 Apply here: https://candidate.westpoint.edu
#AHSCollegeAndCareer #WestPoint #FutureLeader #ClassOf2027 #MilitaryAcademy #LeadershipMatters 🇺🇸
🤠🛠️📚 CTE Month at Abilene High School! 🧡🤎
February is National Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month, and we’re proud to celebrate how CTE helps our Cowboys build real-world skills for college, careers, and the workforce! From hands-on learning to industry credentials, CTE opens doors and helps students explore meaningful career pathways. 🚜💻🩺
Abilene High School offers 9 Career Pathways, including:
🔹 Business Finance
🔹 Animal Science
🔹 Health Science
🔹 Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems
🔹 Plant Science & Industry Operations
🔹 Media Design & Communications
🔹 Restaurant & Event Management
🔹 Construction & Design
🔹 Teaching & Training
A huge 🤠👏 shout-out to our outstanding CTE educators for providing high-quality instruction and opportunities that lead to student success: Michelle Schultze, Janeal Shivers, Dawn James, Molly Burton, Charity Bathurst, Gavin Fry, Cauy Hayes, Chris Krenzin, Kyle Sheahon, Ryan Perkins, Alex Moyers, and Kyle Taylor.
Thanks for helping our Cowboys earn credentials, engage in project-based learning, and shine on state exams! 🌟
#CTEMonth #AHSCTE #AbileneCowboys #CareerReady 🤠 #OrangeAndBrownPride 🧡🤎 #FutureFocused #StudentSuccess
🎓⚖️ Thinking about a future in law? KU has a fast-track option! ⚖️🎓
The University of Kansas LEAD Program (Legal Education Accelerated Degree) lets motivated students earn a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in just six years—one year faster than the traditional path. Students begin law school coursework as undergraduates, saving time, tuition, and getting an early start on a legal career. 💼📚
Why LEAD?
✔️ Save a year of tuition
✔️ Guaranteed admission to KU Law (with criteria met)
✔️ Early connections with law professors and students
✔️ Real-world legal experiences, including courts and law firms
✔️ Personalized advising for courses, internships, and careers
📅 Deadline Alert:
Current high school seniors and newly admitted KU students for Fall 2026 must apply by Friday, February 27, 2026 at KU Admissions.
#KUJayhawks #RockChalk💙❤️ #FutureLawyer #AcceleratedDegree #CollegePlanning #LegalEducation🎓⚖️
🏅Academic Excellence Highlight! 🐝✨
Congratulations to Matigan Kobiskie, an Abilene High School graduate, on being named to the Emporia State University Honor Roll for the Fall 2025 semester! 🖤💛
Matigan is majoring in Elementary Education📚🍎. She earned this honor by achieving a 3.80 GPA or higher while completing at least 12 credit hours — an impressive accomplishment!
We’re proud to see our Abilene Cowboys 🧡🤎 shining at Emporia State University, home of Corky the Hornet 🐝. Keep up the great work, Matigan!
#AbileneHighSchool 🤠 #AHSProud 🧡🤎 #EmporiaState 🐝 #HornetPride 🖤💛 #CollegeSuccess 🎓
🎓🤠 Wildcat Pride from Cowboy Country! 🤠🎓
Abilene High School is proud to celebrate our alumni at Kansas State University for their academic achievement during the Fall 2025 semester! 💜🤍
To earn this recognition, students achieved a 3.75 GPA or higher while completing at least 12 graded credit hours. Semester Honors come with commendations from their deans and are recorded on students’ permanent academic records. 📚⭐
👏 Congratulations to:
• Blair Adams
• Dylan Allen
• Marissa Cook
• Lucas DeDonder
• Gabriela Guillen
• Addison Hasenbank
• Reese Jackson
• Amara Johnson
• Mia Johnson
• Sammy Stout
• Grant Waite
• Cayden West
Way to represent AHS! 🧡🤎➡️💜🤍
#AcademicExcellence #KSU #AHSProud #CowboyPride🤠 #WildcatPride🐾 #SemesterHonors #OrangeAndBrown🧡🤎 #PurpleAndWhite💜🤍
🤠🧡 College Success Alert! 🧡🤠
Abilene High School is proud to recognize our graduates who earned a spot on the Fort Hays State University Dean’s Honor Roll for the Fall 2025 semester! 🐅💛🖤
Out of 2,066 students honored, these former Cowboys stood out by completing 12+ credit hours and earning a 3.60 GPA or higher—a huge accomplishment whether on campus or online!
👏 Congratulations to:
• Alice Bathurst
• Eden Bathurst
• Landon Bathurst
• Leighton Bathurst
• Kambree Bryson
• Allison Rose
• Ayden Taylor
We’re proud to see our orange & brown represented so well in tiger gold & black!
#AHSProud #CowboyPride 🤠 #OrangeAndBrown 🧡🤎
#FHSU #TigerPride 🐅 #DeansHonorRoll #CollegeSuccess #HardWorkPaysOff 🎓
🧡🐾🤠 Counseling Week Shoutout! 🤠🐾🧡
As we wrap up National School Counseling Week, we also want to give a huge shoutout to Duchess—a vital (and four-legged!) member of our counseling team at Abilene High School.
From offering calm and comfort to brightening hallways with tail wags and belly rubs, Duchess supports our students and staff every single day. We’re so grateful for the joy, connection, and cowboy-strong heart she brings to our office.
Thank you, Duchess, for all you do! 🐶🧡🤠
#CounselingWeek #TeamDuchess #FacilityDog #GoodGirlEnergy #CounselingOfficeCrew #PawsitivelyAwesome #RescuesForEducation 🧡 #DogDaysAtAHS 🐾 #CowboyPride 🤠
🚀 CEO is for EVERYONE! 🚀
Interested in business, leadership, or starting your own company someday? The Dickinson County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program could be for you!
💼 What is CEO?
CEO is a year-long, project-based course that connects students with local business leaders and real-world experiences. Students will:
✅ Visit area businesses
✅ Learn from guest speakers
✅ Participate in a class business
✅ Write business plans
✅ Start and operate your own business
✅ Receive one-on-one mentoring
🧠 Students build essential 21st-century skills like problem-solving, teamwork, communication, responsibility, and self-motivation.
📍 Class Details:
• Meets daily from 7:30–9:00 AM
• Held at various locations throughout Dickinson County
• Earns 2 elective credits per year.
If you’re curious, motivated, and ready to learn beyond the classroom—CEO is for you!
📲 Scan the QR code on the poster or apply online:
👉 https://www.dickinsoncountyceo.com/
⏰ Applications close Friday, March 13th!
#DickinsonCountyCEO #CEOisForEveryone #StudentEntrepreneurs #FutureBusinessLeaders #RealWorldLearning #CareerReady #21stCenturySkills
🍎✨ Thinking About Becoming a Teacher? 📚🍎
If you’re interested in a career in education, stop by and talk with Mrs. Janeal Shivers in Room 5 or visit with Mrs. Rachel Schlesener or Mrs. Julie Weishaar in the Counseling Office to learn more about the path to becoming a teacher!
#FutureEducator #TeachTheFuture #CareerExploration #EducationCareers
🚨 Scholarship Deadline Alert! 🚨
The Community Foundation of Dickinson County Scholarships close February 15 at 11:59 PM — time is running out! ⏰
📌 Reminder for applicants:
Review your application and confirm BOTH letters of recommendation have been submitted.
➡️ Applications will NOT be considered without two recommendations.
🔄 Need to change a recommender?
• If your application is in Draft, you can send a new request email.
• If your application is Submitted, contact Jennifer Parks to have it moved back to Draft.
⚠️ Don’t wait until the last minute! Recommendation requests take time for everyone involved.
✨ Why apply?
• 56 scholarships available
• Over $190,000 in awards 💰
• One simple application matches you with all scholarships you qualify for!
📅 Deadline: February 15
📍 Apply through the Community Foundation of Dickinson County
📞 Questions? Contact Jennifer Parks at 785-263-1863
🌟 Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future!
#ScholarshipDeadline #CFDC #FutureReady #ApplyNow #DontWait
🐾 Hi friends! It’s Duchess, your facility dog at AHS! 🐾
On behalf of the students, staff, and families of Abilene High School, I want to help celebrate School Counselors Week by giving a big tail-wagging THANK YOU to our amazing counselors, Mrs. Rachel Schlesener and Mrs. Julie Weishaar! 🧡
Every day, they offer guidance, encouragement, and support—whether they’re helping with schedules, college and career planning, or simply being a calm, caring presence students can count on. Their dedication makes AHS a better place for everyone. 🐶✨
Please join me in thanking Mrs. Schlesener and Mrs. Weishaar for all they do for our school community. Happy School Counselors Week!
#SchoolCounselorsWeek #AHSFamily #RescuesForEducation #ThankYouCounselors #DuchessApproved 🐾🧡
