The 2017 Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll has been announced by the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools.
On the honor roll are individuals who attended Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools and are inspirations to many, according to a school district spokesman.
Their accomplishments showcase their incredible skills and life stories, highlighting their perseverance, hard work and dedication, according to the spokesman.
They will be honored at a Reasons to Believe ceremony to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
The list of honorees includes:
• Dennis Ray Brockman Sr., regional vice president – Midwest Region, Starbucks Coffee Company, Washington High School class of 1983.
• Latorua J. Chinn, DOM, principal of Trini-Con, Thel, and Beck LLC, a government contract compliance company, Wyandotte High School class of 1974.
• Joanne Collins, community leader and former Kansas City, Mo., councilmember, Sumner High School class of 1953.
• Stephanie Dawkins Davis, U.S. District Court magistrate judge, Schlagle High School class of 1985.
• Mark Dupree, Wyandotte County district attorney, Wyandotte High School class of 2000.
• Chris Gaunce, division president, SumnerOne| Unisource Document Products, Washington High School class of 1975.
• Ronald Harland Sr., president and founder of Evolv Solutions, LLC, Sumner High School class of 1967.
• John William Hudson II, is chief executive officer and president of Focus Driven Enterprises, LLC, Washington High School class of 1996.
• Ronald Miller, U.S. marshal for the District of Kansas, Washington High School class of 1968.
• Mary Helen Murguia, U.S. circuit judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Harmon High School class of 1978.
• Raymond Rico, immigration attorney, Garcia Immigration Law Firm, LLC, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science class of 2001.
• Yolanda Thompson, principal, Schlagle High School, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science class of 1989.
Reasons to Believe was established in 2002 to generate pride and celebrate the progress being made throughout the school district, according to a district spokesman. As part of the program, nominations are sought for the Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll, which spotlights successful alumni to encourage and inspire today’s students. The nominations are reviewed by a panel of judges that includes members of the Board of Education, Reasons to Believe Steering Committee, students, business leaders, and a former Alumni Honor Roll recipient.
– Information from the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools