Pittsburg USD 250 Foundation

10/09/2026

Three Dragons — Katie Henderson, Cannon Loughmiller, and Parker Pinamonti — are embarking on their college careers with help from the Marilyn Noble Memorial Education Scholarship.

Marilyn loved teaching. She served in the Pittsburg Community School District starting in 1967, first at Washington Elementary and then George Nettels Elementary, teaching several generations of children before retiring in 1989. She and her husband Bill also owned American Concrete. This scholarship is given each year by her family in her memory.

Katie is attending Pitt State and with the goal of a career in marketing or technology.

Cannon is attending the University of Kansas with an interest in law and education.

Parker is pursuing a degree in construction management at Pitt State and is playing for the Gorillas.

All three were active in extracurriculars and leadership roles in high school, and all three excelled academically.

Congrats, Katie, Cannon, and Parker! (shown here with Marilyn’s grandson Justin, who serves on the Foundation board)

10/07/2026

Teachers at all six schools in USD 250 are using 35 grants totaling $24,500 to positively impact the lives of hundreds of students.

At Meadowlark Elementary, Tracy Coke, Neely Evans, and Amy Smith used their grant funding to purchase an 11-book series, Blackthorn Stables, to support young readers —especially those who are developing foundational reading skills or who may have dyslexia.

“Students have already started enjoying the different genres of mystery! It has been so much fun watching them explore, make predictions, and discover what happens next in each book,” said Coke. “These books have been such a wonderful addition to our classroom libraries, and we love seeing our students excited about reading and discovering new stories!”

Smith agreed.

“I had a student last year who struggled with reading,” she said. “After being introduced to these books, they were his first choice for reading because the way they are printed made them easier for him to focus and read.”

The next grant application cycle will open in November.

09/24/2026

This fall, 80 graduating seniors from the Class of 2026 are starting their next chapter at universities across the region with the help of $157,500 in scholarships given through the USD 250 Foundation!

Thanks to donors, community support, and Night of Dragons, our scholarship program keeps growing — last year we awarded $145,000 to 74 graduating seniors!

What will 2027 look like?

To help us continue to make an impact on young lives, we invite you to consider:

➡ donating during Match Week in November
➡ buying tickets for Night of Dragons
➡ establishing a scholarship in memory of someone, in your own name, or as a member of a class

Questions? Message us or send an email to [email protected]

09/13/2026

Nominations are now open for our 2027 Distinguished Alumni Award! Do you know a great candidate?

Nominate a deserving Dragon at usd250foundation.org by Dec. 31. The recipient will be honored at the Pittsburg High School graduation in May 2027!

The USD 250 Foundation established this award to recognize Pittsburg High School graduates who have distinguished themselves through their work, personal accomplishments, or in the lives of others. These individuals serve to inspire our students to greater achievement.

08/31/2026

Two Dragons have started their next chapter with the help of a scholarship named for a longtime first-grade teacher, Altricia Misse, who spent most of her career at George Nettles Elementary School and wanted to help students pursue a higher education.

Malcolm, a first-generation college student, was active in athletics in high school and is now driven to make a difference in the lives of others; he is attending Labette Community College with the goal of going into healthcare.

Grace, who also was active in athletics as well as other school organizations and was passionate about her faith, is attending Mid America Nazarene University with the goal of a degree in youth and family ministry.

Congrats!

08/29/2026

The McQuade Family Scholarship is helping advance the education of two Dragons who dream of careers in healthcare: Elizabeth (Ellie) Carper and McKenzie Lee.

It’s awarded each year by the family of Bill McQuade, a 1973 graduate of Pittsburg High School and a huge Dragon fan, to students who were involved in sports; Elizabeth played soccer and McKenzie was on the dance team.

Elizabeth is now attending Pitt State to major in biology (pre-dentistry), while McKenzie is pursuing a degree in healthcare at Washburn School of Applied Studies.

Congrats!

08/14/2026

Five deserving Dragon graduates — Elizabeth Carper, Noah Hodge, Michelle Lucas, Kalin Manuel, and Lacey Strode — are the recipients of a scholarship funded by Bess Spiva Timmons, a generous community member whose legacy lives on.

All five say they are pursuing a higher education for the positive impact it will make on their lives and on the lives of others.

Lacey will attend Lesley University to get a degree in art therapy.

Kalin will attend Pitt State to pursue an education in business, HR, and construction safety.

Michelle will attend KU to study law, English, or psychology.

Noah will attend Pitt State to major in education.

Elizabeth will attend Pitt State to major in pre-dentistry or healthcare.

Congratulations!

08/13/2026

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Friends of Pittsburg High School Performing Arts Scholarship: Allie Allison (Performance) and Anna Ozbun (Tech), both active throughout high school in numerous productions.

Allie plans to attend Pitt State and pursue a career in interior design with a focus on historical preservation, combining passions for art, history, and creativity. The goal? To own a design business, restoring historic spaces while making a lasting impact for future generations.

Anna plans to attend Kansas State University to pursue a career in technical theater with a speciality in stage management and a minor in creative writing. Her dream? To write a Broadway play!

08/12/2026

The Joan E. and Steven Lewis Memorial Scholarship will make a difference to two deserving Dragons heading to Pitt State this fall.

Joan E. (Sullivan) Lewis (Class of 1958) was a longtime teacher at Pittsburg and Frontenac schools. After the death of her first husband, she married Steve Lewis (Class of 1957).

Her sons, Brian and Bill, also Dragons, established a memorial scholarship in their names.

This year's recipients are De’Marus Partee and Kya Galindo. De’Marus wants to impact lives through education and will major in wildlife biology, while Kya dreams of serving others and will pursue a degree in nursing.

Congrats!

08/11/2026

Mason Deringer and Parker Pinamonti are this year’s recipients of the Coach Larry Garman Legacy Scholarship, awarded to students who played football at least two years for the Dragons and who plan to attend Pitt State.

Coach Garman was head football coach for the Dragons from 1965 to 1999, amassing a record of 255-84-5.

Mason, who was a strong safety and slotback for the Dragons, plans to study communication and education. Parker, a team captain for the Dragons, plans to pursue a degree in construction management and will play for the Gorillas as a defensive end.

Congratulations!