The Goddard Public Schools community is honoring several staff members who have shared their stories of serving in the United States Armed Forces. From active reservists to decorated veterans, these individuals embody the spirit of service over self, bringing invaluable experiences and values back into the classroom and district operations. We want to extend our most sincere gratitude for the service they, and others, continue to provide to our country and community. Today, on Veteran's Day, and each day - THANK YOU for your service to these beautiful United States of America!
Several staff members shared their stories, revealing deep personal motivations for their service.
Annette Allee (Sergeant, U.S. Army): Annette joined the Army right out of high school alongside her twin brother, inspired by her sister's service and their brother-in-law, who served as their recruiter. She is very proud of her time in the Army, which included tours in South Carolina, Germany (in a combat support hospital), and Fort Lewis in Washington state. Currently Allee serves as a Paraprofessional at Amelia Earhart Elementary School.
Dirk Ankerholz (Specialist, U.S. Army Reserves): Dirk served as a Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1997 to 2005. He chose to serve because he always felt like [he] wanted to and needed the financial support the military offered to go back to college. His unit was the 388th Med Log Battalion Forward, a medical supply unit, where he worked in the HR department. Currently Ankerholz serves as a Math Teacher at Goddard High School.
Tristan Davis (Retired Technical Sergeant, Kansas Air National Guard): Tristan served 15 years part-time in the Kansas Air National Guard, retiring as a Technical Sergeant. She initially chose to serve to “do something bigger and better.” Her true purpose, however, became evident when both of her children also joined the Kansas Air National Guard, of which she’s very proud (Darian Folmar Leasher & Brooklynn Davis). Currently Davis serves as the Registrar at Apollo Elementary School.
Dillon Frangenberg (2nd Lieutenant, Kansas Army National Guard): Dillon is still actively serving in the Kansas Army National Guard. He enlisted at 18, before graduating high school in 2019, inspired by his grandpa who served in World War II. His goal was to join to protect and serve his country, help others, make a difference, and see the world. Currently Frangenberg serves as a Math Teacher at Eisenhower High School.
Robert Graf (Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy): Robert joined the Navy for nine years because he was interested in traveling and didn't want to go straight to college. Despite calling it the "toughest school ever," he saw the world and looks back on his experience positively. Currently Graf serves as a Bus Driver for USD 265 Transportation.
Gordon “Russ” Huff (Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force): Huff was influenced by a family legacy of service, with his grandfathers serving in World War I (Army and Merchant Marines) and his father serving in the Marines during the Korean War. He was inspired by a college professor's stories of the U.S. Air Force and the friendships he developed while serving with the U.S. Geological Survey. Russ served for nine and a half years, including two and a half years in Germany, where he met his wife and started his family. Currently Huff serves as a Bus Driver for USD 265 Transportation.
Lisa Jibben (Active & Reservist, U.S. Navy): Lisa served for two years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, and an additional four years as a reservist during Desert Storm. She worked on the H46 and H3 in a helicopter squadron. Currently Jibben serves as a Paraprofessional at Explorer Elementary School.
Austin Mann (Ensign/Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy Active Reserves): Austin is currently an Officer (O1 Ensign) in the active reserves of the Navy, having previously served as an E5 Petty Officer Second Class. He joined because he loves his country and wanted to "show [his] students that service to others and our country is important!” Currently Mann serves as a English & Language Arts Teacher at Goddard Middle School.
King Sanders (Retired Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force): King retired as a Technical Sergeant from the Air Force, motivated by an interest in serving his country and the opportunity to travel the world. The field of avionics (working on airplanes) also appealed to him at the time. Currently Sanders serves as a Instructional Support (Special Education) Teacher at Eisenhower Middle School.
Ryan Storck (Sergeant, U.S. Army): Ryan served in the U.S. Army from 2004-2008, reaching the rank of E-5 (Sergeant). He enlisted primarily because of the events of 9/11, wanting to be a part of something bigger and challenge himself. Serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom was a huge honor, and his time in the service taught him valuable principles and allowed him to serve with some of the best people. Currently Storck serves as a Social Studies Teacher at Eisenhower High School.
The #265Family’s dedication to honoring veterans is further showcased by several school-based activities planned for Veteran's Day and/or the week of.
Discovery Intermediate School hosted a Hero's Breakfast on Monday (Nov. 10th) morning at 7:15 a.m. led by their Pride Pack. Social Studies classes at Discovery also created a Veteran's Wall by the library, where students brought in pictures and information about a veteran they know, sharing their stories before adding them to the wall. Attendees of the Hero’s Breakfast were able to view the wall of appreciation on their way in.
Amelia Earhart Elementary School is hosting their annual Veteran's Day Program at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13th, 2025. This program will honor all veterans with a student color guard, and veterans will be handed an American flag as an appreciation for their service. The school will also have an Honor Wall in the front hallway with pictures and information on family members (of students) who have served.
Challenger Intermediate School has Social Studies students conducting "historical interviews" with members of the senior community (age 60 or older), with extra credit offered for interviewing a veteran. Additionally, Challenger students have created a ‘thank you’ poster that will hang in the walls of the local Veteran's Affairs (VA) building. It’s an American flag made out of stars, drawings, and affirmations to display and show our appreciation.
CDS (Clark Davidson Elementary School) is having a class perform a short Reader's Theatre play about Veteran's Day on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. Students will also be making ‘Thank You’ cards on Monday and Tuesday, which will be delivered to local Veteran Centers.
Mixed Abilities students from Eisenhower Middle School have been preparing for Veteran's Day with a presentation from their teacher, Shannon Long, which taught about the history, sacrifices, and tearful reunions. Having several department members with veterans in their families, the students are also writing 'thank you' letters. This is adapted for learners of all abilities, for example, those with speaking devices will utilize their device to form sentences that are then entered into a Google Doc, thus creating a 'thank you' letter.
Some Explorer Elementary School classrooms have a tradition of sending a class picture and a letter of appreciation to veterans they know and family members of the kids in their class.
This collective snapshot of dedication - from the personal decision to enlist to the hands-on projects that students and classes will be creating - demonstrates the deep connection and appreciation for service within the Goddard Public Schools family. Today and every day the service of our active duty, veteran, and retired service members is appreciated and recognized. The sacrifices made and commitment to service is what makes this country the very best place to call home. From the entire #265Family to each of our service members, THANK YOU!