Making A Difference For Area Youth
Sources Of Strength
Sources of Strength's mission is to provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength. KTSA is proud to have partnered with Johnson County Mental Health and area suicide prevention organizations to fund Sources of Strength in all Blue Valley as well as Johnson County high schools and middle schools.
Blue Valley School District
KTSA and Blue Valley School District have partnered to implement innovative programs in every grade level in the district. Targeting resiliency, happiness and coping skills, "the whole child" is the focus of our efforts. These are programs in addition to Sources of Strength and include Social and Emotional Learning initiatives and Youth Mental Health First Aide training for staff, and so much more.
Wilderness Science Center WELLNESS WALK
Where Nature & Mental Health Come Together
We believe mental health is equal to physical health.
Maybe, if that concept was better understood as a community, Chad Harrell's tragic story could have been different. He had a great love of the outdoors. Perhaps he could have found solace in nature and developed tools to help him through dark moments.
We invite you to step outside. Immerse yourself in nature. The Wellness Walk is an incredible place to do just that. Slow down. Renew your senses. And find JOY in your surroundings.
Located at 5001 W 163rd Terrace, Overland Park, KS
Annual Lacrosse Scholarships
2024 Blue Valley Eastside Lacrosse Scholarship Recipients
Emmett Abar
Depauw University
"And one thing sticks out to me about Chad. He was the kind of person that did the right thing. The person that put in the extra work. The person you’d want to go to war with. I can tell that because the effect his story has had on this community is apparent. Even to someone who moved here only a couple years ago. Which is why every team needs their own “Chad”. Someone who will encourage you when you make your mistakes, and the one to be by your side to celebrate your victories. I’m sorry to have never met him, but will try to act as he did, both on and off the field. "
Seth Stevens
Missouri Welding Institute
"To Keep the Spark Alive with the people that I’m surrounded by, I always radiate positivity. I show genuine interest in others, I can actively listen to what people are saying, ask questions about their interests, and engage in meaningful conversations with people…you can make people feel heard and appreciated. It is all about building connections and fostering meaningful relationships."
Aaron Thomas
Kansas State University
"We may often feel like something isn’t worth it or that just us doing something won’t make a difference, but that is how nothing gets done. We need to apply these traits in our real life to make a difference in our communities and everyday life. Once we step up, the people around us will see that and want to step up as well. We need to strive to become the best versions of ourselves, and in doing that we can make everyone around us better. I want to be seen as someone that picked up the people around him and inspired them to give it there all. I want to be seen as someone who gave other people the “spark” of never giving up."
2023 Blue Valley Eastside Lacrosse Scholarship Recipient
William Wallace
University of Kansas
2022 Blue Valley Eastside Lacrosse Scholarship Recipients
Cooper Hillman
Kansas State University
Nick Reinig
Kansas University
Jack Toal
University of Missouri
Lars Yarkosky
Rockhurst University
2021 Blue Valley Eastside Lacrosse Scholarship Recipients
Cooper Collins - Goalie
Rockhurst University
Ozzy Scoggins - Attack
Rockhurst University
Wyatt Cutler
Kansas University
2020 Blue Valley Eastside Lacrosse Scholarship Recipients
Caleb Nelson - Defender
Baylor University
Campbell Collins - Midfielder
Rhodes College
Chase Taulbee - Attack & Midfielder
University of Arkansas
Drew Waldron - Attack
Kansas State University
Nick Eyen - Midfielder
University of Michigan
Otto Dunn - Midfielder
Kansas State University
Paul Garcia - Defender
Oklahoma State University
2019 BVN Scholarship Recipient
Eryk Yarkosky - Defender
Hofstra University
2018 BVN Scholarship Recipients
Alex Bounmiswang - Midfielder
University of Kansas
Andrew Gomen - Goalie
University of Kansas
Alex "Alessio" Garcia - Midfielder
Kansas State University
Seth Welhoelter - Defender
Kansas State University