A proud tradition continued on Saturday, Jan. 17, as McPherson High School celebrated huge achievements and excellence at its 31st annual Wall of Fame Ceremony. This ceremony is held in McPherson’s historic Roundhouse. The event brought together alumni, families, educators, and community members to recognize outstanding former students whose accomplishments have left a huge impact on the school.
First established in 1994 by the Booster Club, the McPherson High School Wall of Fame honors standouts, coaches, and contributors. Certain requirements have to be met to qualify for this recognition, depending on the activity. Immediate qualification for induction onto the Wall of Fame shall be earned by any individual McPherson High School athlete, debate, forensics, or music student who wins a KSHSAA-sanctioned state championship.
The McPherson Booster Club consists of a Wall of Fame committee, which runs this event. Every year, someone from this club serves as the Committee Chairperson. This year’s Committee Chairperson was Bob Baldwin. The Wall of Fame committee is a separate entity that is funded by the Booster Club.
“This year, we added 14 plaques with 18 individuals represented and three state team championship banners,” Stated Baldwin.
This year’s individuals included Scott Shaefer, Zach Phillips, Jordan James, Jace Kinnamon, Hayden Hoxie, Haely Hagemann, Gabe Pyle, Florence Hall, Ciara Rawson, Brody Seidl, Bree Pickerell, Bennet Cromwell, Gavin Christiansen, Addison Chapman, Marissa Pearcy, Kierstan Trost, Danica Brunk, and Clarea Williams.
The three state championship banners that were hung in the roundhouse included Softball, Speech and Debate, and Basketball.
2025 Class 4a State Speech Champion, Informative Speaking, Zach Phillips says, “My biggest challenge in becoming a state champion was definitely myself. Being in my own head thinking about how I am never going to become a state champion, but I feel a lot of people go through the same thing, and it is really just something you have to work past!”
Phillips also stated, “The biggest takeaway that I got from it is that everyone has a voice, no matter how much self-doubt you have, or how many bad things are happening in your life, channel that feeling and turn it into something incredible.”
There are many students who have a dream to be on a plaque in the Roundhouse someday. “Advice I would give to students who want to be up on the wall is to be determined and give 110% everyday. Most people only see the games, not the hard work in the weight room or at practice, or putting in their own reps outside of practice,” said 3x Kansas Softball Coaches Association Class 4a, All-State First Team Softball Player Addison Chapman.
This is the first-ever Softball State Championship banner that McPherson has ever had, so it was a big moment for the school and team.
“The moment we won the state championship was the very last pitch of the game. That feeling was magical. All of us throwing our gloves in the air, hugging eachother, and having tears of happiness was one of the best moments of my life,” said Chapman.
This night was definitely a night to remember for so many people. The stories and memories are what made this night so special to many.
