Governor Laura Kelly visits Maize South High School

Governor Kelly visited Maize South on Thursday to learn about mental health intervention services in USD 266

Leah Brown

Governor Laura Kelly visits with the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Beth Parker regarding mental heath in the Maize community. After talking to an extensive group of USD 266 representatives, Governor Kelly addressed individual concerns about specific issues in the district.

Ainsley Cramer, Assistant Editor
October 7, 2022

On Thursday, Governor Laura Kelly made the trip from Topeka to visit Maize South High School to learn about mental health services in the district. 

She noticed how Maize was able to reach her campaign goal of having counseling services accessible to students 24/7 and wanted to learn more about the program with hopes of making this available to more kids in Kansas.

Governor Laura Kelly listens to students speak in-depth about their mental health and how they have grown with the help of staff members from Maize High and Maize South High School. The Governor ended the visit by saying, “Each one of you has really inspired me into expanding the mental health department.” (Photo by Leah Brown)

USD 266 is partnering with ComCare of Sedgwick County to provide counseling for students not only at school, but on the weekends and during summer, if needed. Governor Kelly visited with four students to learn about their experiences with the program.

“I was, sort of, amazed at how open these kids were about their issues and how much they were willing to talk about their own stories and their experience here accessing health services through ComCare in conjunction with their high school,” Kelly said. 

Governor Kelly was impressed with the stories students shared and the goals they shared for their futures. These aspirations are what Governor Kelly wants to encourage through youth mental health outreach programs across Kansas; encouraging students to find things they enjoy and a direction to take with their high school career.

“These kids are goal-oriented, I mean, we’re talking about some freshmen who already know what they want to do with their lives,” Kelly said. “That’s a tribute to the program.”