Kansas Connections Academy, a tuition-free, online public school serving students in grades K-12, celebrated the school’s 212 graduating high school seniors in a ceremony on Friday, May 16. Chanute resident Sofia Maria Ciufulescu is one such graduate.
Students, family, friends and faculty gathered both in person and online to honor the Class of 2025 at Johnson County Community College for the commencement.
Kansas Connections Academy’s Class of 2025 consists of graduates from many cities and towns across the state, including Andover, Chanute, Kansas City and more. Among the graduating class, 44% plan to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities, including Brigham Young University, Kansas State University, Marquette University, New York University Tisch School of the Arts and the University of Kansas. Additionally, 23% plan to enter the workforce, 22% plan to receive vocational training and 5% plan to serve in the military or take a gap year. The graduates were collectively awarded more than $2.3 million in scholarship funds.
“Choosing Kansas Connections Academy was the best decision we could have made for my education,” said Abrar Khan, a graduating senior from Overland Park. “Through Kansas Connections Academy, I found incredible mentors, built a strong sense of community with my peers, and had the flexibility to pursue my passions – from earning my third-degree black belt and teaching Taekwondo, to leading the NewZine and the Music Production and E-Sports clubs. I’m excited to continue this journey in college, where I’ll be working toward my dream of becoming a physician. I’m incredibly grateful for the foundation Kansas Connections Academy has given me.”
After admittance to 17 major colleges and receiving more than $1.7 million in scholarship offers, Abrar will be attending the 6-year combined B.A./M.D. program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the fall.
“We are so grateful for the contributions these bright young students have made in our community,” said Laura Hochman, principal at Kansas Connections Academy. “This year’s graduating class has demonstrated a passion for learning and we’re proud of the confident, capable individuals they’ve become. While we will miss them here at school, they will always be a part of Kansas Connections Academy, and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.”
