On April 6, 2025, De Soto High School held the second annual Academic Banquet at Kill Creek Barn. Ten students who held the top ten spots in their class ranking, with a grade point average of 4.3 or above, were recognized for their scholastic excellence alongside their respective most influential teachers.

Austin Chase

Teacher of Influence: Mr. Mercer

Austin plans on attending the University of Alabama on the National Merit Finalist full-ride scholarship to pursue a degree in Political Science.

Sydney Coffman

Teacher of Influence: Mr. Murphy

Sydney plans on attending Kansas State University to play soccer and to major in either Chemical or Electrical Engineering.

Isabella Guess

Teacher of Influence: Mr. Mispagel

Isabella plans on attending Columbia University in New York City to major in Bioengineering and Machine Learning.

Lucienna Guess

Teacher of Influence: Mrs. Agre

Lucienna plans on attending the Honors College at the University of Kansas to double major in

Neuroscience and Philosophy.

Lainey Huggins

Teacher of Influence: Mrs. Adams

Lainey plans on attending Iowa State University to double major in Pre-Law and Environmental Science.

Evan Johnsson

Teacher of Influence: Mrs. Sixta

Evan is undecided but plans on majoring in Aerospace Engineering and continuing band at the collegiate level.

Pierce Kreihbel

Teacher of Influence: Ms. Ayers

Pierce plans on attending the University of Kansas to pursue a degree in Engineering.

Emma McCracken

Teacher of Influence: Mrs. Friday

Emma is undecided but plans on majoring in either Broadcast Journalism or Environmental Law.

Drew Parks

Teacher of Influence: Mr. Hagstrom

Drew plans on attending Kansas State University to pursue a degree in either Civil or Mechanical Engineering.

Stella Showalter

Teacher of Influence: Mr. Hamilton

Stella plans on attending the Honors College at Kansas State University to major in Biology.