RON BEITER
A 1966 Graduate Mr. Beiter lettered In Swimming, Football, and Track. Mr. Beiter received All-American Honors in 1966 with a 330 Intermediate Hurdles State and National Best time, becoming the first All American Athlete in Wichita Heights history. He was the track team Captain in 1965 & 1966, and in 1966 was the Parade Of Champions Male Track Athlete of the year. After high school he attended Wichita State and was the Missouri Valley Champion in the 440 yard Intermediate hurdles. Mr. Beiter is retired and currently resides in Oklahoma.
VERNON SMITH
A 1969 graduate, Mr. Smith started swimming in 1960 when he was 9 years old. This led to him being named the 2nd All American and first All American Swimmer in Heights’ history. He was the Swim Team Captain during his Junior and Senior years. He was a two time All American and a 3 time State Champion in the 50 and 100, holding school and state records in both. He also ran track and cross country. Attending the University of Arkansas, he lettered all 4 years and led the team as Captain his Junior and Senior years. He was the first Razorback to qualify for the NCAA Championships and the first to win a Southwest Conference individual title. He qualified for the NCAA Championships 3 out of the 4 years. Mr. Smith graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BSBA in 1974. After swimming, he married his high school sweetheart Lynda Chancellor; they are celebrating 51 years of marriage. They have two sons, Chap and Bryan and they all live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
REBECCA BRANDEWYNE
After graduating from Wichita Heights in 1972, Rebecca enrolled at Wichita State University, where she graduated cum laude with departmental honors in 1975, earning a B.A. in journalism and, sometime afterward, an M.A. in communications. Twice a recipient of the Victor Murdock Scholarship, Rebecca taught interpersonal communication at the university level before becoming a published writer. She was twenty-one when she started work on her first novel, No Gentle Love. She finished the book a year later and sold it to Warner Books some months after her twenty-third birthday, making her, at that time, the youngest romance author in America, a record that stood for ten years. To date, she has written nearly three dozen bestselling titles, including novels and novellas. Her books have been named to a variety of best selling lists from the New York Times to USA Today, and many others. For her works, she has won awards including the Classic Award for Classic Romances, the Golden Quill Award for Best of the ’80s Historical Romances, the Bronze Pen Award, the Silver Pen Award. She has also been inducted into the Romantic Times magazine’s Hall of Fame. Rebecca’s books have been translated into over twenty foreign languages, and they have been published in over sixty countries worldwide. Rebecca currently has millions of books in print in the United States alone. She has appeared on television shows and film in conjunction with being a romance novelist. Rebecca is a founder and member of Novelists, Inc., a charter member of Romance Writers of America, and a member of Mensa. After nearly 30 years as a writer, she is largely retired and now spends her days immersed in Celtic myth and history, a lifelong passion.
ALICIA THOMPSON
A proud graduate of the class of 1987, Dr. Alicia Thompson is a dedicated leader championing education and opportunity for all. Prior to retiring, Dr. Thompson served the Wichita Public Schools for 31 years beginning as a teacher, building-level administrator, district-level administrator supervising 60 elementary schools and, ultimately, serving as the first woman and first person of color Superintendent of Schools since its 154 years of existence. Currently, Dr. Thompson serves as an Associate Vice President Pre-K-12 Connections and Special Projects at Wichita State University. A graduate of Langston University, Newman University, and Wichita State University. Dr. Thompson has remained active in the Wichita community by serving on the board of directors for the Greater Wichita YMCA, Goodwill Industries of Kansas, Heart Springs, Board of Directors for the Kansas Health Foundation, Fidelity Bank board of Trustee, the WSU Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization (SASO), WSU Tech and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Additionally, Dr. Thompson has also received numerous accolades and awards for her work in the field of education. Dr. Thompson enjoys traveling, and spending time with her family.
JEFF PRESCOTT
A 1990 graduate, Mr. Prescott was the first Heights student to win a national championship at the National Debate and Forensics Tournament when he won the National Student Senate in 1990. Raised in Wichita, Kansas, Ambassador Prescott earned his B.A. from Boston University and his J.D. from Yale Law School. Ambassador Jeffrey Prescott was nominated by President Biden on June 21, 2023, and confirmed by the Senate on February 8, 2024, to serve as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture with the rank of Ambassador, at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, Italy. Ambassador Prescott previously served as the Deputy to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, leading Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Washington office at the Department of State. During the Obama-Biden Administration, Ambassador Prescott served as then-Vice President Biden’s Deputy National Security Advisor and his Special Advisor for Asian Affairs. He also served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf States on the National Security Council. Ambassador Prescott joined the Obama-Biden Administration in 2010 as a White House Fellow. Prior to the Biden-Harris Administration, he was Executive Director of National Security Action and Strategic Consultant to the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, Ambassador Prescott was a Senior Research Scholar and Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School and Deputy Director of Yale’s China Center. He was also a Bernstein Fellow and staff attorney at the Lawyers Committee on Human Rights in New York.
ANUP JACOB
A 1991 graduate, Mr. Jacob found his voice at Heights and helped the Debate and Student Congress teams attend Nationals in back to back years. He won the Senate National Student Congress in 1991, making Wichita Heights the first school to win back to back National Championships in that event. He learned the meaning of service while serving as Student Government President and being a team player on the Tennis team coached by Coach “Goose” Doughty. Mr. Jacob has spent his professional career investing in new energy, water and industrial technology businesses that are making our global systems not only sustainable, but also resilient. His career has taken him around the world from New York, to London to India to AbuDhabi and to his current home in San Francisco. Mr Jacob also believes in paying it forward and sits on several non profit Boards, including Grid Alternatives, which aims to bring renewable energy to low-income homeowners. He has served as a national judge for the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, the Financial Times Social Innovations Awards, the Sheik Zayed Future Energy Prize, the MIT Clean Energy Prize. Anup holds a degree in Economics, with Honors, from the University of Chicago and in his free time, enjoys running with his dog, surfing with his two children and going to Burning Man with family.
LAWRENCE DAVIS
Our next inductee, Larry Davis graduated from Wichita Heights High School in 1967. He was a 3-year letterman in Track and Football. In 1965, as a sophomore, he set the Heights record in the 100-yard-dash. He was also co-captain of the track team in ‘66 and ‘67. Davis set a record for the most touchdowns in a football game when he scored 3 touchdowns against 4th ranked Salina in 1966 - this record stood for 15 years. After High School, Larry attended Lincoln University, an HBCU in Jefferson City, MO where he graduated in 1971 with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and Economics. As commander of the ROTC Cadets, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army. From there, Davis attended Meharry Medical College, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1978. He was then promoted to Captain in the United States Army Dental Corps. He served almost 40 years and retired from the military as a full Colonel in 2008, receiving numerous awards and citations which included 5 Army Commendation Medals and a Meritorious Service Medal. In 2008 Colonel Davis was inducted into the Lincoln University ROTC Hall of Fame. During his military service, he was deployed twice; in 1990 he served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and in 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dr. Davis was also in private practice as a dentist in Wichita, KS, from 1982 to 2017. He served on the board of Directors of The Center for Health and Wellness from 1997 to 2009. During his last year of service, from 2008 to 2009, Dr. Davis was the Chairman of the Board. From 1982 to 2015, Dr. Davis volunteered monthly as a dentist at the Sedgwick County Health Department Comprehensive Disadvantaged Children’s Dental Clinic. Along with many other volunteers, Dr. Davis participated twice in 2 KMOM’s (Kansas Mission of Mercy). He performed free general dentistry for patients of all ages who otherwise could not afford dental care. In 2016, a year before he retired, Dr. Davis was inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy - an international dental honor and service organization dedicated to the recognition of outstanding dentists throughout the world. Larry has been married for 55 years to the former Janice Alnutt of Kansas City, MO, where they currently reside.
STEVE CROSLEY
For over 30 years, from 1986 to 2017, Steve Crosley was a fixture at Heights High school as an educator and coach. In the Social Science department, Mr. Crosley taught Physical Education, World History, US History,Current Events, and Government. He ended his teaching career as the Special Education Department Chair. As a coach for many athletes in a variety of sports, he had multiple state champions, numerous top 3 finishers and athletes who received athletic scholarships to schools across the country. His impact on the thousands of students and athletes that he coached and taught, and the lasting impact it has had on their lives cannot be understated.
Boys 4x800m State Champion Relay Team
The story has been repeated before, but often great teams are put together at the last minute. The state champion 4x800m boys relay was no different. The team comprising of Ferrien Harris and brothers Tevas, Tevan, and Tyrell Everett first ran as a unit at the KU Relays where they finished third. That group would not run together again until the city league championships. For their last three meets of the year, they won the city league, regional, and state titles. Their state record time of 7:47.85 was at the time a 6A state record time and that record still stands today, 19 years after they set it.
Ferrien Haris
A 2005 graduate, Mr. Harris had an outstanding Track and Field experience at Heights High School, culminating in a record setting, and still standing state championship in the boys 4x800m relay. With over 15 years of experience in the aerospace industry, and a strong dedication to daily community growth, he inspires those he comes in contact with daily much as possible. He is honored to be recognized by the Heights Hall of Fame. This acknowledgment reflects their commitment to excellence and a record that to this point still stands; creating a loving community and family environment.
Tevan Everett
A 2005 Heights graduate, Tevan had an outstanding Track and Field experience at Heights High School. He was a state champion at 400m, the 4x400m relay as well as the 4x800m relay, culminating in a record setting, and still standing state championship in the boys 4x800m relay. At the University of Texas, he received the Texas Longhorns Most Valuable Athlete award, was a 5x All American, 5x Big 12 Champion, 4x All Academic Team, NCAA National Champion in the Distance Medley Relay and the NCAA National Champion Runner Up in the 800m. He graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning in Development and Corporate Communications. As an Adidas sponsored professional athlete he was a member of Team USA in 2012. Tevan is currently a Collaboration Technologist at HP and a devoted husband and father of two boys, residing in Austin, Tx.
Tevas Everett
A 2005 graduate, Tevas had an outstanding 4 year Track and Field experience at Heights High School, culminating in a record setting, and still standing state championship in the boys 4x800m relay. He attended K-State his freshman and sophomore year before transferring to the University of Texas where he became a Big 12 Champion and two time All-American in the outdoor 4 X 400 relay and the indoor Distance Medley Relay. He was a Business Communications Major and Graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He is currently the owner of Everco Investments and Founder of MuskMode Luxury Fragrances.
Tyrell Everett
A 2008 graduate, Tyrell was only a freshman when the 4x800 team broke the state record that still stands today. He would later go on to win the 800m state title as a Senior at Heights and hold the 800m school record. After graduation he accepted a scholarship to run track at the University of Missouri where he became a team captain and more importantly met his wife, Shawnte, who also ran track. They have recently celebrated 8 wonderful years of marriage and have two beautiful daughters.
A 1969 Wichita Heights graduate, Doug was a 4-time state qualifier, a 3-time state placer and a two-time state champion wrestler in 1968 and 1969. Along with being a member of the first Heights team to win a state championship in any sport in 1968, Doug was also Heights’ first wrestling All-American in 1969. Wrestling for 4 years at Iowa State, including 3 national collegiate team championships, and then coaching high school for many years, you can say that wrestling is in Doug’s blood. Please welcome 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame; Mr. Doug Lunt!
Ray Troll is an American artist based in Ketchikan, Alaska. Attending Wichita Heights from 1970-1971, before graduating in 1972, he earned his BA from Bethany College in 1977, his MFA in studio arts from Washington State University in 1981, and in 2008 was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts from the University of Alaska Southeast. Ray’s and his artwork have appeared in galleries, museums, exhibits, television, movies and more. Ray’s is best known for his scientifically accurate and often humorous artwork involving the worlds of both ichthyology and paleontology. Please welcome 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame; Mr. Ray Troll!
A teacher at Heights for over 20 years, Royal started his career at Wichita Heights in 1970. Prior to that, Royal joined the Air Force at the age of 17 in 1950. He served in England and went to college on the GI Bill after his service. He married Melva Barrier and had two sons, Craig, and Gary. Eventually Royal started teaching at Heights High School and became the head of the math department in his 25 years at Heights. He was impactful on both the faculty and student body during his carrier at Heights. Please welcome 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame; Mr. Royal Owens
An accomplished actress, well known director, and participant in theater activities throughout the city, Ms. Jabara was a revered drama teacher at Wichita Heights from 1968-1980. During her teaching career, Ms. Jabara taught Speech, English, Dramatics, and Forensics. Producing and directing theater for Wichita Heights and the entire city, including her traveling mobile Medicine Show, Ms. Jabara touched the lives of countless students and theater lovers alike. Please welcome 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame; Ms. Mary Lea Jabara!
A 1982 graduate, Shawn started playing professionally as a musician in Wichita at 16, playing with numerous bands including Lotus with Martina McBride. In 1988, Shawn moved to Los Angelas to pursue a career in music and signed with EMI Publishing which led to him playing on the Tonight Show and at Lollapalooza in 1992. In 1993 he signed a record deal in London and still resides across the pond. Shawn has released 60 albums as an artist and producer. He has played on hundreds of records as a session musician with such artists as Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams, Barry Manilow, Spice Girls, Black Pumas, etc. Shawn has composed music for films and television with his music featured in "80 for Brady", "Ugly Betty", "Oceans 13", "Eastbound & Down", "Vice Principles"," Nip Tuck", "House of Cards", and "Desperate Housewives" to name a few. He also composed the award winning score to Rockstar’s Bully video game. Shawn has been doing a radio show on Soho Radio for nearly 8 years and recently made a documentary film in 2018 which was screened all the world. He also has a soon to be released book coming out in 2024. a book which will be released in 2024. Shawn has toured the world performing, making, and composing his music. Welcome 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame; Shawn Lee Mahan!
A 4 year starter for Wichita Heights, Taylor was a 4 time first team All GWAL selection as well as a 4 time First Team all 6A. She led her team to three state tournaments. In 2001, the team finished 24-1 and a third place 6A state finish. In 2002 (24-1) and 2003 (21-4) Taylor led her team to the 6A State Championship! For her career, Taylor McIntosh won 89 games and lost 8. Taylor went on to star at the University of Kansas where she started every game for four years as a Pharmacy major. She currently is a Pharmacist in Wichita, Kansas. Welcome 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame; Taylor McIntosh-Williams!
A 2009 graduate, Bailey Beins is one of the most accomplished swimmers in Heights’ history. Bailey was 1st team all-city from 2006-2009, and 1st team all-state from 2007-2009. She is the city league record holder in the 100m Butterfly and 100m Backstroke, was the 2009 state champion in both events, and at the time of her graduation, was the state record holder in the 100m Backstroke. She was a high school All American, and the 2009 Kansas State Women’s Swimmer of the year. After high school, Bailey went on to have a successful collegiate career at the University of Denver where she was an academic All American, team captain, and a school record holder. Please welcome 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame; Ms. Bailey Beins-Marek!
The 2002 Wichita Heights girls’ basketball team was the first state championship team, girls or boys, at Wichita Heights since the 1980’s. After a 24-1, 3rd place state finish in 2001, and with every player returning, the team was ready to take the next step towards a championship title. With a 24-1 record, the 2002 team won the Wichita city league, sub-state, and 6A state championship. Over a two year period, this team captured 2 city league titles, 2 sub state titles, a 3rd place finish and state title! With player contributions from a diverse range of skill sets, and their dedicated coaching staff, the 2002 Girls State Championship team paved the way for what would become a basketball juggernaut in the state of Kansas. This group of players started the winning tradition of championship basketball at Wichita Heights. Please welcome, a 2023 inductee into the Wichita Heights Hall of Fame: The 2002 Wichita Heights State Championship Girls Basketball Team!
A 1982 graduate, Jill Redo was an 3 time state track and field champion in the 100 high hurdles, 200 low hurdles and the 400m relay team. She was the first female athlete at Heights to be recognized as an All American. She still currently holds the school records in track and field for the 100 meter dash (1980), 100 meter high hurdles (1982), 200 meter dash (1980), and the 400 meter relay (1982). Please welcome, a 2022 inductee into the Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame: Jill Redo!
The first inductee will be announced on Monday, September 13th! And the inductee's into the innaugarl Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame are:
In a seven-season career at Wichita Heights, Coach Norwood had many accomplishments. From being the first African American head coach at the high school level in USD 259, to an undefeated season and a 5-A state title in 1977, Coach Norwood believed his greatest contribution to humanity was his impact on those around him. Please welcome, as an inaugural inductee into the newly created Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame: Coach Lafayette Norwood!
Nicknamed "Big Dawg", he is a retired American basketball player. Heplayed power forward for six different teams in the National Basketball Association across 16 seasons. Antoine was born in Oklahoma City. A tall, garrulous youngster, Carr was a star basketball player at Wichita Heights High School (class of 1979)—a teammate on the 1977 Heights team with future NBA player Darnell Valentine. He accepted a scholarship to play locally at Wichita State University. A four-year player, Carr was a major contributor on a team that also included future NBA players Xavier McDaniel and Cliff Levingston, averaging 17 points per game while shooting over 55% during his college career. In his final college game, he scored a school-record 47 points against Southern Illinois on March 5, 1983. He played for the US national team in the 1982 FIBA World Championship, winning the silver medal. Please welcome, as an inaugural inductee into the newly created Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame: Antoine "The Big Dawg" Carr!
In a 16-year career as head coach of the Wichita Heights wrestling program, Coach Gard’s accomplishments are almost too numerous to list: 10x city league champion, 9x state tournament top 5 finishes, 59 state tournament placers, 2 All American’s, and state championships in both 1976 and 1968, which was Heights’ first ever state team title in any sport. A member of the 1999 Kansas Wrestling Hall of Fame, please welcome, as an inaugural inductee into the newly created Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame: Coach Dee Gard!
A 1972 graduate of Wichita Heights, Cynthia (Sikes) Yorkin is a former Miss Wichita and Miss Kansas, as well as finishing in the top 10 in the Miss America pageant. She is an actress both on stage and on screen. Recently, as a producer, she was able to bring the critically acclaimed film Blade Runner 2049 to the big screen. Please welcome, as an inaugural inductee into the newly created Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame: Cynthia Sikes Yorkin!
A 1975 graduate, Parkinson graduated summa cum laude from WSU & first in his class at the KU Law School. After entering private, Parkinson served in the Kansas legislature from 1991 to 1997. From 1999 to 2003, he was chairman of the Kansas Republican Party. In May 06’, then Governor Sebelius chose Parkinson as her running mate for her reelection campaign. In March 09’, President Obama announced Governor Sebelius as his nominee for US Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sebelius resigned as governor of Kansas following her confirmation in April of 09’; Parkinson was sworn in as the 45th governor of Kansas the same day! Please welcome, as an inaugural inductee into the newly created Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame: Mr. Mark Parkinson!
A 1987 graduate, this former 4x state champion Falcon diver still holds the WHHS 6 and 11 dive records as well as the city league record for girls diving. She broke her own 1984 state record in 1987, and that record lasted until 1995. Upon graduation, this Falcon was a 4x letterer & 3x All American at Nebraska while helping the Huskers to back to back Big 8 titles in 1990 and 1991. Please welcome, as an inaugural inductee into the newly created Wichita Heights High School Hall of Fame: Ms. Amy Aarsen Passauer!