Topeka High School Historical Society

05/31/2026

What a month! Before May ends, the THSHS would like to recognize 5 very special seniors who recently graduated, the 2026 THSHS Ed Love Scholarship Recipients.

Rowan Darby - Member of the National Honors Society, a Shawnee County Honors Scholar and Board of Regents Scholar. He is an Eagle Scout, member of Student Government, Trojan Theater, the THS Band, Wrestling and Golf Teams, and Acapella Choir. He plans to attend KU and become a Pediatrics doctor.

Anna Goering - Member of the National Honors and English Honors Societies. She received the THS Tower and Senior of the Month awards. She is a member of the Madrigals, Link Crew, Theatre, Varsity Track Team and was in the Daisy Chain for 3 years. She plans to attend KU and major in Political Science and Psychology.

Alfredo Solis - Member of the National English Honors Society, a Shawnee County Honors Scholar, and a Kansas Honors Scholar. He is a member of Student Government, Link Crew, Interact Club, Morning Report, Robed and State Choir, Madrigals, and is Theatre Club Secretary. He received a top rating in solo performance at State and plans to attend KU and major in Theatre and Film/Media Studies.

Natalie Barnes - Senior Class Vice President, a Men's Soccer Team Manager and a Training Assistant. She also plays on the Women's Soccer Team and is a member of the National English Honors Society. She plans to pursue a degree in nursing at St. Catherine's University.

Amber Wirtz - Member of the Madrigals, Robed Choir, Interact Club, Student Government, the Morning Report, the Swim Team, American Field Service, Spirit Club, and the Medical Club. She serves as the Vice President of the MU Alpha Theta Society and is a member of the National English Honors Society. She is also a Shawnee County Honors Scholar. She plans to pursue a degree in nursing from Baker University.

Be sure to read the upcoming newsletter for more information about them. Congratulations to this year’s scholars and we wish you the best of luck as you start this new chapter!

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📸: 2026 scholars pictured with THSHS Vice President Jacque Rocha, Scholarship Committee Chair Cindy White, and board member Shayla Kincade.

05/17/2026

THSHS family let’s welcome our newest alumni, the Class of 2026!

Congratulations and best of luck! Keep that Trojan pride with you always, it truly is something special!

Hail to the Black and Gold, Forever!

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05/11/2026

The THSHS would like to extend condolences to the family of Dick Patterson. Mr. Patterson, was an important voice for the THSHS, spending much of his 50+ year career in education at Topeka High as a math teacher, head football coach, and associate principal. He was honored as THS Distinguished Staff in 2014.

https://www.cjonline.com/obituaries/phut1450812

05/05/2026

Just 1 week until our spring Friends of Topeka High luncheon!

Join us on May 12th with special guest, Nancy Vega (THS 1970) who will share history and stories of the Daisy Chain.

Bring pictures of your Daisy Chain dresses and even better if you bring your dress. You may be asked to model it in a fashion show!

Grab your tickets before they sell out!

Join the Topeka High Historical Society in the THS Teachers' Cafeteria for a barbeque lunch created by Engroff Catering.

04/10/2026

Calling all future "yearbook angels!" Do you want to help a Topeka High senior remember their high school years and all the memories they made before adventuring off into the "real world?"

Yearbook Angels is a donation system where alumni, community members, and more can purchase a book to be donated to a senior based on financial need. (Seniors, keep an eye out at the end of April for how to apply to receive a yearbook!)

Donating a yearbook is super easy; all you need to do is purchase a yearbook on the main Jostens website in the yearbook adviser's name (Abby McElroy) so that it will be marked as a donated book in the system! (If you would like to donate more than one, you can simply add more in your online cart.)

Yearbooks are priced at $65 + tax (or $70 flat if you would like to pay in cash/check, but please reach out to McElroy to send/deliver it: [email protected])

Link to purchase: jostensyearbooks.com

Any and all questions can be emailed to McElroy at the email above!

04/10/2026

Congrats to the 1st inductees of the THS Science National Honor Society!

04/10/2026

Quill & Scroll, the high school journalism honor society is celebrating 100 years today, Founded on April 10, 1926.

The Topeka High Chapter of Quill & Scroll was also founded in 1926, 100 years ago!

The first documented mention is in the 1927 Sunflower, see the picture below for the THS charter members!

If you were in Quill & Scroll, we would love to hear from you! Tell us about your experience and share those memories!

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04/02/2026

URGENT: The Friends of Topeka High Spring lunch has been rescheduled to May 12th at 12:00.

Those that registered, thank you! You will receive an email with the date change.

Those that haven’t registered but are interested in joining us on May 12th, grab your tickets!

We will still be celebrating Quill and Scroll and the Yearbook staff as well as discuss ways to support the THS band.

And of course now that we will be even closer to graduation, we will celebrate the Daisy Chain!

Register at the link below! Tickets are $15 and will include a BBQ lunch.

Join the Topeka High Historical Society in the THS Teachers' Cafeteria for a barbeque lunch created by Engroff Catering.

04/01/2026

Still time to get your tickets! Join us for lunch on April 7th!

Join the Topeka High Historical Society in the THS Teachers' Cafeteria for a barbeque lunch created by Engroff Catering.

03/26/2026

Calling all former members of Quill and Scroll, Yearbook, Band, and Daisy Chain!!

Our upcoming Friends of Topeka High lunch is going to be a fun one that you don’t want to miss!

Join us on Tuesday April 7th at 12:00 with invited guest Abby McElroy, journalism teacher and Quill & Scroll sponsor. Quill and Scroll is celebrating a big milestone this year, turning 100 years old! Ms. McElroy will also be discussing her program Yearbook Angles, where alumni and friends can pay for yearbooks for students that can’t afford them.

Hannah Schumacher, Band Backer President and wife of 501 Board President, will also join us to discuss the year end concerts and an opportunity to help purchase a badly needed band trailer.

This is an opportunity to learn what’s happening at THS and donate to needs and causes that benefit the students!

As we are getting close to graduation we will also be celebrating one of our favorite traditions, the Daisy Chain! Bring your hat or outfit if you still have it! Even better if you wear it!

Register at the link below! Tickets are $15 and will include lunch on Tuesday April 7th!

Join the Topeka High Historical Society in the THS Teachers' Cafeteria for a barbeque lunch created by Engroff Catering.