On Friday, August 18th we had the ultimate privilege of being able to gather and induct our 2023 Circle of Gold class. Induction into our Circle of Gold is the highest honor at Collegiate, reserved for the true architects of our school. Among the many qualifications for receiving this honor, one is that the honoree’s official role within Wichita Collegiate must have come to an end. As such, this event is a reunion of our past and our present in the most special way.
In doing the math for this year’s special class, one is quick to notice that these ten people combined for over 250 years of service to the school. Their love for our school and our students was and still is evident in their commitment to all things Wichita Collegiate. Each and every Spartan that walks our halls continues to be impacted by the strong foundation they have left behind for our school. This year’s class includes:
Barbara Burcham’s years of service as a preschool teacher can be seen in the generations of children that have grown up to be confident, resilient adults that thrive long beyond their years at Wichita Collegiate School.
Kathie Dakhil’s vision and generosity as both a tireless parent volunteer and dedicated Trustee will be felt for generations of Spartans.
Tom Davis’s long tenure as Head of School brought nearly two decades of stability in leadership that allowed us to flourish and meet the needs of our community.
Virginia Kehoe, who taught Latin for over 40 years at Collegiate,inspired generations of graduates with her quiet yet inspiring spirit and love of language.
Diana Nixon brought learning to life in her history classroom as she created memorable and hands-on experiences for her students.
Dr. Jerry Nixon’s imprint on our school lies in a generation of Spartans’ understanding of the value of research and good writing skills.
Ann Ramseyer was instrumental in bringing service learning to our campus, while promoting, nurturing, and encouraging students to be the best versions of themselves.
Susie Steed welcomed new families, showcased our school with impactful campaigns, and was always the greatest cheerleader for Collegiate.
Barbara Stokley's passion for teaching was felt by the hundreds of students that entered her classroom during her career in the Middle and Upper School English department.
Kathy LeValley Wagner inspired a love of physical activity with innovative, creative lessons that transformed our gym into a vibrant classroom for over 40 years.
During Friday’s All School Assembly, we had the opportunity to recognize these individuals in front of the next generation of Spartans. After a brief introduction of each honoree, they were presented with flowers from a current Spartan who is still benefiting from their legacy. That evening we gathered for a dinner where speeches were shared about each remarkable individual. The words spoken by their friends and colleagues often touched on the shared traits amongst the group, most common of which was their neverending dedication to Wichita Collegiate School. Many inductees also chose to share their own reflections. As Diana Nixon spoke about how special her thirty-plus years as a member of faculty were, she shared, “It was the greatest journey.” A quick glance around the room showed that all of the nominees were nodding in agreement.
Every one of these special people helped build the foundation for what Wichita Collegiate is today. The inspiring words shared both by and about the inductees on Friday night are still echoing in the ears of those in attendance and will be for a while to come. We all left feeling exactly what Mrs. Wagner said in her speech: "I've been a lot of places...there is NO place like Wichita Collegiate School."