USD 483

Southwestern Heights wishes to announce the valedictorian and salutatorian of the graduating class of 2026.

Ryan Kisner, Principal, has announced Lacie Banman and Jackson Stanfield as co-valedictorians and Hailey Saucedo as salutatorian for the class of 2026. 

Lacie is the daughter of Isack and Susie Banman, Jackson is the son of Kurt and Jennifer Stanfield and Hailey is the daughter of Nefro and Martha Saucedo.  These selections are based on the students’ cumulative grade point averages throughout high school.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The school district’s dual language program has seen much success since its implementation and Monday evening, staff from Prairie View Elementary shared some of that progress with the USD 480 school board.

Prairie View Elementary School Principal Louisa Gonzalez started the presentation by giving some of the program’s history.

L&T staff report

Don Rash not only established a successful business enterprise in Liberal, he also served in elected office, as a community volunteer and donated to multiple causes that have left a lasting legacy on the community.

As a Seward County Commissioner, Rash supported the construction of the Seward County Activity Center. As a Liberal City Commissioner, Rash was instrumental in the creation of the overpass on Country Estates Road and the establishment of the fountain located in Downtown Liberal.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI, occur when the brain experiences sudden trauma or damage to it.

TBI can result from a closed injury, namely some kind of force or impact but the skull remains intact, or open injury such as force impact that pierces the skull and damages brain tissue directly.

It is estimated 1.7 million people experience TBI annually, and in 2020, there 64,632 deaths from TBI across the U.S.