The 2024 Eureka Junior/ Senior High School (EJSHS) Winter Royalty King and Queen will be named in a ceremony on Friday, Jan. 12, during half time of the high school boys basketball game at EJSHS, as the Tornadoes take on the Wildcats of Burlington. The community is invited to attend.
Students in grades nine through twelve recently selected the following students as the 2024 Winter Royalty Court, for Queen: Sylvie Frakes, Banff Perkins, Abigail Altis, Kiara Pool and Gabriella Randall; for King: Paiton Gravatt, Marcus Britain, Dominic Samuels, Gabriel Fansler and Cayden Wesley.
The 2024 Crown Bearers are Marshall Elementary first graders Allie Knowles and Ridge Samuels. Knowles is the daughter of Justin and Lindy Knowles and Samuels is the son of Heath Samuels and Ashley Pettigrew. When they grow up, Allie wants to be an artist and Ridge wants to be a soccer player. They will be escorted by 2023 Winter Royalty King Trey Howard and Queen Makenzie Miller. Each day of Winter Royalty Spirit Week, the students will have a different theme to follow. This year the theme for the annual event is “Once Upon a Winter Royalty.”
Each day the students dress up according to a specific Disney movie. The days are as follows: Monday: “ Sleeping Beauty” wear PJ’s; Tuesday: “ Monsters U” wear college gear; Wednesday: ‘ Moana” wear tropical/Hawaiian; Thursday: “ Beauty and the Beast” rhyme without a reason pairs; Friday:
“ Captain America” wear red, white and blue.
Between the varsity girls and boys games next Friday, students in grades 9-12 will share decorated shopping carts.
Students in grades nine through twelve are also invited to attend the winter royalty dance, which will be held from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m., in the Tornado Activity Center (TAC).
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.
Sylvie Dawn Frakes
Sylvie Dawn Frakes, 17, is the daughter of Buck and Camille Frakes of rural Eureka. She has been involved in FFA, where she has been the Secretary her junior and senior years and attended the FFA state convention in Manhattan this past June. She has also been involved in Wild Science and was the Junior Class Treasurer. She has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school, and received Tornado Awards for English, World History and Chemistry. She is a member of Christ Lutheran Church and every month serves free meals through Community LinC. Frakes will enroll at Kansas State University in the Spring of 2025 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in horticulture.
Paiton Micheal Gravatt
Paiton Michael Gravatt, 17, is the son of Kevin and Natasha Gravatt of Eureka and the late Tisha Gravatt. He has lettered as the manager of the football team and in wrestling all four years of high school. He has been involved in Wild Science, FFA, Powerlifting, and currently serves as the Student Council Representative of FCCLA. He has received Tornado Awards in World History and English. He has also been involved with the Harmony Sunflower 4-H Club and currently serves as their Vice President. He is taking classes through Flint Hills Technical College (FHTC) for welding. After graduation, he plans to finish his welding degree at FHTC and pursue a career in that field.
Banff Isabella Perkins
Banff Isabella Perkins, 17, is the daughter of Mark and Donelda Perkins of rural Eureka. She was a member of the Varsity Girls Golf team for two years, and Powerlifting her sophomore year. She is the Captain of the Varsity Scholar’s Bowl team, and has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school. She has participated in Band, Jazz Band, Wild Science Club, Book Club and Art Club. She recently played Scarlett in the spring production of “Clue.” She was the Treasurer of Upper Fall River Jayhawkers 4-H Club, Parliamentarian of Greenwood County 4-H Council, and owns Flour Petals Online Bakery. After graduation, Banff plans to attend the University of Missouri to pursue a degree in Journalism. Marcus Norman Britain
Marcus Norman Britain, 18, is the son of Daniel Britain and Leann Eddings of Eureka. He participated in Wrestling his Freshmen year. He has been a member of the Foreign Language Club, where he currently serves as Vice President. He has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school, and received Tornado Awards for History and English. After graduation, he plans to attend Butler Community College to pursue a degree in Foreign Language. Abigail Nicole Altis
Abigail Nicole Altis, 18, is the daughter of Kim Altis and Chad Altis both of Eureka. She participated in volleyball for 2 years. She is a member of FFA, SADD, and Wild Science where she is currently serving as Secretary. She earned her CNA in July of 2023 and works at the Eureka Nursing Center. She has received an Academic letter and been on the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll throughout high school. She has received Tornado Awards in Physical Education, World History, Chemistry and Art Fundamentals. After graduation, she plans to attend Hutchinson Community College and pursue an applied science degree in Radiography.
Dominic Michael Samuels
Dominic Michael Samuels, 19, is the son of Cris Samuels and Shawna Shepherd, both of Eureka. He has participated in football for two years, and track his freshman year. He has been a member of Wild Science, Foreign Language Club, FCA, and FFA. He has been on the Honor Roll, and received Tornado Awards in History and English. He is taking classes through FHTC for welding. After graduation, he plans to finish the welding certification at FHTC, then pursue a business degree.
Kiara Rose Pool
Kiara Rose Pool, 17, is the daughter of Cody and Jennifer West of Eureka. She has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school, and received Tornado Awards for World History and English. She is a Certified Nurses Aide and has worked at Eureka Nursing Home since her junior year. After graduation, she plans to attend Wichita State University and pursue a nursing degree and career in that field.
Gabriel Adam Fansler
Gabriel “Gabe” Adam Fansler, 17, is the son of Jermie Fansler of Ponca City and Dusti Fansler of Toronto. He recently played Wadsworth in the spring production of “Clue.” He has been involved in Boy Scouts of America, where he is certified in CPR and lifesaving under both BSA and the Red Cross, as well as Youth and Adult Protective Training for the BSA. For the past two summers, he has been a camp counselor and ropes course instructor at Hale Scout Reservation in Oklahoma, and plans to do so again this year. After graduation, Gabe plans to attend college and pursue a career in higher education.
Gabriella Ann-Riedinger Randall.
Gabriella “Gabby” Ann-Riedinger Randall, 17, is the daughter of Becky Randall of Eureka and Jason Reidinger.Shehasparticipated in Cheer, and is currently involved in Art Club, SADD and SAFE. She is a Certified Nurses Aide and has worked at Eureka Nursing Center since her junior year. After graduation, she has plans to attend the Eric Fisher Academy to pursue a license to become an Esthetician.
Cayden Michael Wesley
Cayden Michael Wesley, 18, is the son of Emily Scott of Eureka and Jimmie Wesley of Wichita. He participated in basketball for one year, and football for two years. He was also involved in the Wild Science Club. He currently works at Eastside Service. He has been on the Honor Roll his junior and senior years, and has received Tornado Awards from Math, Science, Social Studies and English classes. After graduation, he plans to attend Pittsburg State to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.
