The Board of Directors of Kansas Next Step Inc. this week announced the Star Students, Teacher and Support Team Member of the Month for October.

This month’s Star K-8 Student of the Month is Ethan Brummer, an eighth grade student at TMP-Marian Junior High School. Ethan has been active in Student Council, band, cross country, basketball, track, and Builder’s Club. He is described as being “a strong role model for his peers,” and TMP administrators note he “has done an outstanding job of enlisting and encouraging his peers to set a positive climate in their hallways.”

The October Star High School Student of the Month is Patrick Kepka, a senior at TMP-Marian High School. During his time at TMP, Patrick has participated in Math Relays, the Prayer and Action Summer Mission Program, the State chess tournament, American Legion Boys State program, and a food drive in Wilson, KS. He has also volunteered as a server and lector at his church, and he teaches chess to community members through the Hays Public Library.

In nominating Patrick for this award, the administrative team at TMP-Marian said, “He has earned a reputation as an outstanding student and leader, and consummate volunteer.” He is also credited with having “…great focus, quality insights, a solid work ethic, excellent organizational skills, positive sportsmanship, high standards, and commitment to excellence.”

The October Star Teacher of the Month is Kelli Jo Kirmer, instructor of biology at TMP-Marian High School. Among Kelli Jo’s school responsibilities are coaching debate, forensics, softball, track, weightlifting, and Junior Varsity volleyball. She is the assistant director of musicals and dramas, and participates on the School Improvement Team as well as the Sophomore Advising Team. She is also active in her church and is a regular participant in the Heartland Community Theater. TMP-Marian administrators describe Kelli Jo as a “dynamo” and state, “Beyond all of her duties, Kelli is the first one to volunteer to help others around school. She has boundless energy and an even bigger heart.”

This month’s Support Team Member award winner is TMP-Marian Campus Minister Barbara Wagoner. Barbara is a volunteer for several organizations and committees including the St. Joseph Food Pantry, Holy Family Elementary School, the Festival of Faith committee, and Bethesda Place. In nominating Barbara for this award, the TMP-Marian administrative team stated, “She coordinates all aspects of our school’s spiritual programming in grades 7-12.” Additionally, “She brings a great sense of working with people, mediating conflict, creating a positive environment and an openness to change and challenge. Our students see her as a “soft place” to land if they are having a tough day.

“In a small school like ours, she is a tremendous asset to our administration. She pitches in at all levels of service whether it is serving lunch in the cafeteria, covering a class, supervising an activity or offering her insights on our administrative and leadership teams.”

Each of the October honorees received a certificate of recognition and a monetary award.

Area school administrators, faculty, and staff are invited to nominate students, teachers, and support staff members for Kansas Next Step’s monthly awards. Nomination forms can be found under the Programs tab at www.kansasnextstep.org.

Kansas Next Step is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and facilitating the exploration of unique and exciting educational opportunities for motivated learners.