The Pando Initiative

05/28/2026

Check it out! 💚

Headed to the 2026 USA|Kansas Uniting Leaders Conference? Make sure you swing by the Reality U booth! Thank you Hutton for inviting us to share a booth.

Come say hello, meet the team, and take the Reality U Challenge. A fun, interactive experience that puts your real-world decision-making skills to the test. Think you can balance life, career, finances, and the unexpected? There’s only one way to find out!

And don’t miss our very own Dr. Patrick Sehl presenting "Reality U: A Hands-On Path to Career and Life Readiness" Thursday morning at 8:00 AM in Room Cherry 202B! Be sure to grab a seat early and join the conversation.

Stop by the booth.

Take the challenge.

Connect with the Reality U team.

We can’t wait to see you there!

05/20/2026

92 Pando NextGen Seniors.
4 high schools.
Years of hard work, growth, and determination.

We’re celebrating the graduating seniors of Wichita High School North USD 259, Wichita West High, Wichita Southeast High School, and Derby High School as they officially close one chapter and step into the next.

Our Pando NextGen team has had the privilege of walking alongside these students through class planning, college and career preparation, scholarship applications, big decisions, tough moments, exciting wins, and everything in between.

To our seniors: we are incredibly proud of you and honored to have been part of your journey. Your story is just getting started, and we cannot wait to see where life takes you next. 💚

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

05/14/2026

⭐ To round out our 2026 STAR Student celebrations, it’s time to recognize our Wichita Public Schools High School STAR Students! 💚⭐

This year, we’ve had the honor of celebrating 60 incredible STAR Students from 30 Pando schools. Each one has inspired us through their leadership, perseverance, kindness, growth, and the positive impact they make in their schools and communities every single day.

Through Pando NextGen, these students are preparing for life after high school, building confidence, and creating bright futures for themselves and those around them.

🏫 Wichita High School North USD 259
Sponsored by US Logo, Inc.
STAR Students: Ayeleen & Scarlett

🏫 Wichita Southeast High School
Sponsored by Phil & Judy Frick
STAR Students: Naryiah & Kei’Arie

🏫 Wichita West High
Sponsored by ReeceNichols South Central Kansas
STAR Students: Brianna & Abraham

05/13/2026

⭐ Next up… the Wichita Public Schools Middle School STAR Students! 💚⭐

These students are showing what it means to lead by example through resilience, kindness, determination, leadership, and the positive impact they make in their schools every day.

🏫 Curtis Middle School
Sponsored by Douglass Investment Group
STAR Students: Riley & Shyanne

🏫 Hamilton Middle School
Sponsored by The Joint Chiropractic
STAR Students: Raymond & Thomas

🏫 John Marshall Middle School/ Familias De La Escuela Marshall Middle School
Sponsored by The Joint Chiropractic
STAR Students: Eva & Nicole

🏫 Pleasant Valley Middle School - USD 259
Sponsored by The Joint Chiropractic
STAR Students: Grecia & Elijah

🏫 Truesdell Middle School
Sponsored by The Joint Chiropractic
STAR Students: JayVen & Robyn

05/13/2026

⭐ We told you there were too many amazing Wichita Public Schools elementary STAR Students for just one post… so here’s Group 2! 💚⭐

These students are being recognized for the impact they make every single day through perseverance, encouragement, leadership, growth, and the positive energy they bring to their schools and classrooms.

A huge thank you to our Wichita Public Schools District Sponsor, Kansas Surgery and Recovery, for helping us celebrate students across Wichita Public Schools!

🏫 Jefferson Elementary School
Sponsored by Karl & Pam Hesse
STAR Students: Husna & Allie

🏫 Lawrence Elementary
Sponsored by Lipsey Consulting GROUP
STAR Students: Aide & Eliria

🏫 Stanley Elementary School
Sponsored by Shaun & Shelley Gillen
STAR Students: Daphnee & Alena

🏫 Washington Elementary School
Sponsored by Seth McConico
STAR Students: Ranae & Addison

🏫 White Elementary School
Sponsored by Lipsey Consulting GROUP
STAR Student: Domi'Air

🏫 Rea Woodman Elementary School
Sponsored by Audacyy
STAR Students: Raul & Dantez

05/12/2026

⭐ So many Wichita Public Schools elementary STAR Students that we have to have TWO groups! Introducing the first group of incredible students being recognized at the 2026 STAR Awards!

Every one of these students brings something special to their school community, whether it’s kindness, determination, leadership, encouragement, or simply being someone others can count on. 💚⭐

A huge thank you to our Wichita Public Schools District Sponsor, Kansas Surgery and Recovery, for helping us celebrate students across Wichita Public Schools!

👇 GROUP 1 👇

🏫 Cloud Elementary School
Sponsored by Audacy
STAR Students: Pamela & Alfonso

🏫 Colvin Elementary Usd259
Sponsored by Alexandra Urbina
STAR Students: Melissa & Kenya

🏫 Franklin Elementary
Sponsored by Josh & Sherri Hamilton
STAR Students: Thaleyah & Lucas

🏫 Harry Street Elem WPS
Sponsored by Hew & Judy Goodpasture
STAR Students: Dawna & Kadensze

🏫 Val Jackson Elementary
Sponsored by Audacy
STAR Students: Amiera & Keylin

05/12/2026

⭐ And now it’s time to meet the 2026 STAR Students from Derby Public Schools!

From elementary school to high school, these students are making a difference through their positivity, determination, leadership, and the way they show up for those around them every day.

A huge thank you to our Derby Public Schools District Sponsor, Walmart Derby - N Nelson Dr, for helping us celebrate students across Derby! 💚⭐

🏫 Cooper Elementary
Sponsored by William & Angela Back
STAR Students: Angie & Violet

🏫 Oaklawn Elementary
Sponsored by Credit Union of America
STAR Students: Antonio & Saniyah

🏫 Derby Middle School
Sponsored by Woodlawn United Methodist Church
STAR Students: Natalie & Arlyn

🏫 Derby North Middle School
Sponsored by Woodlawn United Methodist Church
STAR Students: Travis & Lillieana

🏫 Derby High School
Sponsored by Tim & Janet Sprecker
STAR Students: Mark & Jamiyah

05/11/2026

⭐ Who’s ready to meet our two STAR Students from Haysville Public Schools?!

These outstanding students are being recognized for their growth, leadership, perseverance, and positive impact at school and beyond.

A huge thank you to our Haysville District Sponsor, Emprise Bank, for helping us celebrate our Haysville STAR Students! 💚⭐

🏫 Prairie Elementary - USD 261
Sponsored by Shaun & Shelley Gillen
STAR Students: Dane & Tanner

05/11/2026

🎉 Meet the 2026 STAR Students from Maize USD 266!

These incredible students are being recognized at The Pando Initiative’s STAR Awards, presented by Quantum Credit Union, for their leadership, growth, positivity, and impact in their schools and communities.

A huge thank you to our Maize District Sponsor, Capitol Federal, for helping us celebrate and uplift students in Maize! 💚⭐

🏫 Maize Elementary School
Sponsored by Hutton
STAR Students: Harmony & J’nyla

🏫 Maize Central Elementary School
Sponsored by Josh & Sherri Hamilton
STAR Students: Zoe & Jami

🏫 Maize South Elementary
Sponsored by Shannon & Eli Shields
STAR Students: Myah & Ella

🏫 Pray-Woodman Elementary
Sponsored by Hutton
STAR Students: Kroy & Harlow

🏫 Vermillion Elementary
Sponsored by Karen Blucher
STAR Students: Martin & Zaydan