Winter Royalty To Be Crowned At Eureka Junior/Senior High School This Friday, Jan. 31

The 2026 Eureka Junior Senior High School (EJSHS) Winter Royalty King and Queen will be named in a ceremony on Friday, Jan. 30, during halftime of the high school boys basketball game at EJSHS.

The community is invited to attend. Students in grades nine through twelve recently selected the following students as the 2026 Winter Royalty Court. For Queen: Miley Baumgartel, Rose Buck, Taryn Burk, Ava Noble and Brooklyn Ogden; for King: Nathaniel Clark, Davian Damron, Kaleb Hollis, Owen Morris, and Noah Rippy.

The 2026 Crown Bearers are Marshall Elementary first graders Nora Whittaker and Lincoln Treece. Whittaker is the daughter of Danica Baker and Tanner Whittaker. She would like to be a teacher when she grows up. Her favorite color is pink and her favorite sport is basketball.

Treece is the son of Anthony and Ariel Treece. He would like to be an astronomer when he grows up. his favorite colors are blue and orange, and his favorite sport is soccer.

They will be escorted by the 2025 Winter Royalty King Cody Lewis and Queen Chloe Lewis.

This year the theme for the annual event is “Winter Royalty: The Musical.” Each day the students dress up based on a selected musical. The Spirit Days are as follows: Monday: “ Once Upon a Mattress” Wear PJs; Tuesday: “ Wicked” Pink vs Green; Wednesday: “ High School Musical” wear Jerseys; Thursday: “ Mary Poppins” Anything but a backpack; Friday: “ Hamilton” wear USA colors: red, white and blue.

Winter Royalty To Be Crowned At Eureka Junior/Senior High School . . . .

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All King and Queen candidates are members of the senior class. The following backgrounds were provided, listing the candidates’ activities they have participated in during high school.

Queen Candidates Rose Megeal Buck

Rose Megeal Buck, 18, is the daughter of Dan and Pam Buck of Eureka. She has participated in Track and Cross County for four years and has broken four school records: 5K, mile, two mile and 800M. She has also been involved in FCA for four years, and she is currently their STUCO rep. Her academic honors include multiple Tornado Awards and Honor Roll throughout high school. Rose is a member of the Christian Congregational Church in Eureka and currently works at The Gym. After graduation, Rose plans to attend Friends University to run Cross Country and Track, then pursue a coaching career.

Taryn Elise Burk

Taryn Elise Burk, 17, is the daughter of Erin and Renee Burk of Eureka. She has participated in Softball and Cheerleading for four years. While cheering, she was named a UCA All-American Cheerleader twice and her team placed 3rd at State Cheer in back-to-back seasons. She has participated in FCCLA, FCA, and WILD Science for one year, SADD for three years and Yearbook for two years, where she is currently serving as Senior Yearbook Editor. Outside of school, she works at Eastside Service in Eureka. Her academic honors include Regular and High Honor Roll and Tornado Awards in multiple classes. After graduation, Taryn plans to attend Eric Fisher Cosmetology School to obtain a cosmetology license.

Miley Kaye Baumgartel

Miley Kaye Baumgartel, 17, is the daughter of Jerrid and Jessica Baumgartel of Severy. She has participated in Wrestling for one year, Softball for four years and Cheerleading for three years. While cheering, she was named a UCA All-American Cheerleader twice, was a Pin-It-Forward recipient and placed 3rd at State Cheer in back-to-back seasons. She has participated in FFA, SADD, SAFE, Foreign Language Club, FCA and Wild Science for four years. She is currently serving as Sentinel and STUCO rep for FFA, Vice President of SADD, and is a Kansas State Officer of SAFE. She has been on the High Honor Roll and received multiple Tornado Awards. Outside of school, she has been a member of 4-H for eight years and is currently in the Harmony Sunflowers 4-H Club. After graduation, Miley plans to attend Kansas State University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Education.

Brooklyn Rayn Ogden

Brooklyn Rayn Ogden, 18, is the daughter of Jesse and Kristian Ogden of Eureka. She participated in Volleyball for four years and Powerlifting and Track for two years. As a sophomore, she placed third at state in the 4x100M relay, and as a junior she placed 5th at state in the 4x100M relay and qualified in the 100M race. She placed 5th Overall at state Powerlifting as a junior and is competing again this year. She has been a member of SAFE, Foreign Language Club and FCCLA for two years, and SADD for four years. She has been on the High Honor Roll and Regular Honor Roll and has received multiple Tornado Awards. After graduation, Brooklyn plans to attend Wichita State University to pursue a degree in Dental Hygiene.

Ava Olivia Noble

Ava Oliva Noble, 17, is the daughter of Phil and Anna Noble of Eureka. She participated in Cheer for four years. While cheering, she was named a UCA All-American Cheerleader twice and her team placed 3rd at State Cheer in backto- back seasons, making school history. The cheer team also received Grand Champion at the Wichita Heights: Battle of the Squads. She has been a member of SAFE for two years, NHS and SADD for three years, and Foreign Language Club, Wild Science and STUCO for four years. Ava is currently serving as STUCO Vice President and NHS Secretary. She is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Her academic honors include George Eastman Young Leaders Award, Wichita State Honors Scholar, Winter Wildcat Classic All-Academic Team for two years, High Honor Roll, Eureka Honors Club for four years and Tornado Awards in multiple classes. After graduation, Ava plans to attend the University of Kansas double majoring in business-supply chain management and journalism- digital marketing communications.

King Candidates Noah Alexander Rippy

Noah Ale xander Rippy, 18, is the son of Troy and Jamie Fisher of Eureka. He participated in Football for three years, where he was named the Defensive MVP and All-District 1st team Linebacker twice, and has also been an All-League 1st team Linebacker. He has been involved in Tornado TV for three years, and has been on the High Honor Roll and Regular Honor Roll throughout high school. After graduation, Noah plans to attend Butler Community College to pursue a degree in Elementary Physical Education.

Nathaniel Paul Clark

Nathaniel “Nate” Paul Clark, 18, is the son of Buddy and Patricia Clark of Eureka. He participated in Football, Basketball and Track for four years. During the 2025 Track season, he received 6th in Javelin at the TVL meet. He has also lettered in Football and Track. Nate has been a member of Wild Science for one year, FCA, STUCO, and Art Club for three years, and SADD for four years, where he is currently serving as President. Outside of school, he has worked for Eureka Livestock Sales for four years. His honors include Regular and High Honor Roll and Tornado Awards in multiple classes. After graduation, Nathaniel plans to attend Allen Community College for a degree in sports medicine and athletic training to pursue a career as a football coach.

Kaleb Anthony Hollis

Kaleb Anthony Hollis, 17, is the son of Kyle and Sheena Hollis of Eureka. He participated in Baseball for four years, Football for two years, and Basketball for one year. Kaleb was a member of SADD for one year. His academic honors include Regular Honor Roll and Tornado Awards. After graduation, Kaleb plans to attend the Welding Technology Program at Hutchinson Community College.

Owen Andrew Morris

Owen Andrew Morris, 18, is the son of Timothy Morris of Eureka and Valerie Morris of Rural Eureka. He participated in Band for four years and Baseball for two years. He has been a member of Wild Science and SADD for two years and FFA for four years. Owen is a member of the Fredonia Seventh Day Adventist Church. His academic honors include High Honor Roll, Regular Honor Roll, an Academic Letter and multiple Tornado Awards. After graduation, Owen plans to join the workforce with Cobalt Boats in Neodesha.

Davian Isaiah Damron

Davian Isaiah Damron, 17, is the son of Tamara Damron of Eureka. He participated in Basketball and Baseball for four years and Cross Country for two years. He has been a member of Wild Science for four years, Foreign Language Club for three years, SADD for two years and FCCLA for one year. In 2023, Davian played for the Wichita Greys travel baseball team. His academic honors include Honor Roll and Tornado Awards in multiple classes. He is currently enrolled in the Automotive Technology Technical Certificate program at Flint Hills Technical College. After graduation, Davian plans to go to Butler Community College to pursue a degree from the Diesel Technology program.