2022 North Star Awards Announced

Major Ewers and Josephine Tyrrell, 2022 Shawnee Mission North seniors, are this year’s winners of the North Star Award.

Each year, this honor is presented to two Shawnee Mission North High School seniors. They are selected for the honor by building educators based on academic excellence, leadership, school, and community involvement, teamwork, and respect for others.

Both students were very deserving of the award and are known for the ways they spread positivity throughout Shawnee Mission North High School, Jon Durham, associate principal  shared.

“These students both demonstrate a lot of the attributes we try to help students cultivate at Shawnee Mission North High School and they did so over the last four years,” Durham expressed. “Knowing they will continue on this trajectory and continue to apply what has gotten them this far, I know they will be very successful.”

Steve Sears, a 1979 Shawnee Mission North High School graduate, created the $2,000 scholarship and presents it each year to two students through the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation.

Major Ewers was nominated for the Presidential Silver Award by Dustin Jamison, associate principal, and Annette Gonzalez, athletic/activities director.

 “He gave back to our school community through his involvement in athletics, activities, and leadership,” Gonzalez shared. Ewers is involved in track and field and plans on attending Johnson County Community College next year.

Ewers’s journey at Shawnee Mission North was one of growth and determination, Durham shared.

“He is consistent in his approach, always showing up and completing the task,” Durham added. “He always has the attitude that ‘If this is what is needed, then this is what I will do to succeed.’”

Josephine Tyrrell plans to attend the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, accepting $99,200 in scholarships from the university. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was nominated for the Presidential Silver Award by Kayte Cormack, social studies teacher, and Gonzalez. Tyrrell earned a Shawnee Mission North Sports Foundation Scholarship for track and will participate in track and cross country in college.

From the point of freshman year, Tyrrell demonstrated aptitude, talent, and leadership skills.

“She always has a cheerful, but purposeful demeanor,” Durham added.

The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation advances scholarship and leadership in the Shawnee Mission School District to ensure all students achieve their full potential.