February 25, 2023

Five distinguished alumni will be inducted into the LSHS Hall of Fame on April 9 at Lee’s Summit High School. These graduates are honored for their significant civic contributions, their leadership and consistent modeling of integrity for young people, and their noteworthy professional success. These individuals bring great pride to LSHS, and they are eligible for induction ten years post-graduation. Plaques featuring the honorees will be on display at LSHS.

The 2022-2023 honorees are: Vaughn Baker – 1985, Alicia Sage French – 1993, Anthony Knopps – 1982, Dalton Vann – 1984, and Russell Weaver – 1970.

The banquet will be held April 8, at 6:00 PM. Reservations are required, and the cost is $30 per person. For more information, please contact the high school at 816-986-2107 or [email protected].

Alicia Sage French – Class of 1993
During her time at LSHS, Alicia was involved in band, National Honor Society, basketball, softball and track. She received an ROTC Scholarship to University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After college, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving 9 years, and ending as a Captain in the US Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, she joined the healthcare field as a registered nurse. In 2018, Alicia was selected as one of San Antonio’s top 10 nurses. In 2021, she received the Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service from the Dept. of the Army for contributions during the Pandemic. In her community, she raises money for Cystic Fibrosis and has received the Volunteer Service Award for Taft High School band. Alicia is also a published author, writing about Cystic Fibrosis care.

Anthony Knopps – Class of 1982
While at LSHS, Anthony was involved in newspaper (Senior year Sports Editor), National Honor Society, and was the boys basketball statistician (lettered 4 yrs). He was also a Boy Scout, earning Eagle Scout recognition. Anthony holds a BA in communications from MU, and an MA in Political Management from George Washington University. Anthony spent thirty years as a journalist, running newsrooms in Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Ohio. He was the first political director for Lilly Broadcasting, a faculty member of the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, a senior faculty member in the Graduate School of Communications at Southern New Hampshire University, and a published author. Currently, Anthony serves as President of Strategic Communications for the US Presidential Service Center. He has raised funds for St. Jude’s, and for scholarships for children of military personnel who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, and has personally delivered first aid kits to Ukraine.

Vaughn Baker – Class of 1985
While at LSHS, Vaughn was involved in basketball, orchestra, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After graduation, he served in the US Army National Guard as a military policeman, and in the Lee’s Summit and Independence police departments. Vaughn earned many awards and recognitions during his tenure including: LS Officer of the Year 1992-93; Medal of Valor in 1997 for rescuing subjects in a burning residence; Meritorious Service Award in 1998 for consistent dedication, service and performance in SWAT team assignments; and Meritorious Service Award in 1995 for founding, planning and coordinating the “Midwest Annual SWAT/Police Competition” which grew to over 185 participants from nine states by 1999. Vaughn conducted pro-bono police tactical training engagements for police centered mission trips to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, Germany, France, Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain and Italy. He served as the President of Strategos International and volunteered during multiple disasters in the US and internationally.

Russell Weaver – Class of 1970
Russell was involved in track and debate at LSHS. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Missouri, was a scholarship member of the Speech and Debate team, and earned his J.D. from MU. He practiced law in the KC area for two years and then became professor of Law & Distinguished University Scholar at University of Louiville’s Brandeis School of Law. An author of hundreds of books and articles, he speaks at conferences all over the world about legal issues, specializing in the First Amendment. Russell served as legal consultant to the constitutional commissions in Kyrghyzstan and Belarus, and, since 1992, has served as Executive Director and on the Board of Trustees of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools. Each year, he organizes international discussions, bringing together prominent scholars in the fields of free speech, privacy, legal remedies, and administrative law.

Dalton Vann – Class of 1984
While at LSHS, Dalton was involved in NHS, men’s choir, basketball, football, and track and field. After graduation he attended Southwest Baptist University and the University of Central Missouri where he earned a Bachelor’s in Education. Dalton has coached numerous high school sports including football, basketball, track, and strength and conditioning, and is an Ordained Pastor, motivational speaker, and foster parent. His motivational speaking is focused on character development for adult and youth males. He is the owner of Saints Athletic Club, a youth competitive sports club program. Currently Dalton is a coach, educational assistant focusing on at-risk youth, pastor and motivational speaker. He is a visionary with the ability to establish rapport and credibility with a diverse group of people from all walks of life.