The USD 373 Education Endowment has selected its 2025 Distinguished Alumni award recipients: Ashley (Anstaett) All, Laura Ice, Sandra Nickel, Kristin Neufeld-Epp and Todd Wedel.

This award recognizes outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves in a significant way since graduating from high school. These individuals serve as an inspiration for current students, as they strive for excellence in their personal and professional roles in the community, state, nation and world.

Recipients are added to a plaque on the wall inside Newton High School.

Click to view our Distinguished Alumni accept their awards.

Ashley (Anstaett) All (1999) has built a nationally-recognized career in strategic political communication, grounded in values she learned growing up in Newton as the daughter of long-time The Newton Kansan publisher, Doug Anstaett. With degrees from the University of Kansas and a master’s from Columbia University, Ashley began her career in Kansas politics, serving as communications director for the Senate Minority Leader, the Attorney General’s Office, and Governor Laura Kelly. In 2021, she launched her own firm, Novel Strategies LLC, and played a pivotal role as communications director for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, the historic 2022 campaign to maintain reproductive rights in Kansas. Her leadership has since influenced winning campaigns across the U.S., and in 2023 she founded the Kansas Coalition for Common Sense, a nonpartisan hub empowering Kansans through research-based messaging. A sought-after national speaker and media voice, Ashley continues to champion effective, values-driven communication to bridge divides and inspire action.

Laura Ice (1976) has built an exceptional legal and corporate career. After earning her education degree from the University of Kansas and briefly teaching English at NHS, Laura followed her passion for law, graduating from Washburn University School of Law in 1984. She became a partner at the Adams, Jones Law Firm in Wichita before transitioning to Textron Financial Corporation in 1997, where she rose to Senior Vice President and General Counsel. In that role, she oversaw complex international finance transactions, helping expand Textron’s global reach. Laura’s professional excellence has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Kansas Bar Association Professionalism Award, the Wichita Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and her current role as President of the Kansas Bar Association. A role model of integrity, leadership, and service, Laura credits her success to the strong foundation she received from Newton Public Schools and continues to champion public education as a cornerstone of opportunity.

Sandra Nickel (1979), whose journey began in Mrs. Cook’s journalism class, has carved out a celebrated career as an award-winning children’s author. With a background in social work, law, and film, Sandy transitioned from a legal career to writing stories for her daughter—eventually earning an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and finding her passion in children’s literature. Her books have earned critical acclaim, including the prestigious Christopher Award (2020), the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award (2021), and honors such as the Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and Charlotte Huck Award recommendation (2022). A finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction, Sandy is known for creating stories that affirm empathy, imagination, and acceptance—especially inspired by her daughter's autism diagnosis and her newest book, Seven, which celebrates staying true to oneself. Today, Sandy shares her expertise by leading writing workshops across the U.S. and Europe, inspiring future storytellers just as she was once inspired at NHS.

Kristin Neufeld-Epp (1991) -  affectionately known as “Ms. Kristin,” has been the director and lead teacher of New Creation Preschool since its founding in 1994, driven by a lifelong passion to create a safe, inclusive space where young children can learn and grow. A Bethel College graduate with a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, she launched the preschool as a community outreach effort with a sliding fee scale to ensure accessibility for all families. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristin pivoted to free online preschool through Facebook and YouTube, expanding her reach from 30-60 local children to children from coast to coast and across the U.S. and Canada. Her innovative approach created a global preschool community during a time of isolation, offering children a place to feel seen, loved, and empowered. In 2021, she published a book chronicling this journey, continuing her mission to nurture curiosity, connection, and agency in every child.

Todd Wedel (1996) has dedicated his life to service through scouting, faith, and community. As a Construction Project Manager at Hutton Construction in Wichita, he brings leadership and commitment to his professional life, but his greatest impact has been as a 20-year Scoutmaster, mentoring more than 50 Eagle Scouts who have gone on to excel in various fields. A lifelong member of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, Todd has served on numerous committees, led the youth bell choir in honor of his mother, and continues to share his musical talents with the Prairie Bronze Bell Choir. Recognized at both local and state levels with every Scouting America award available, he is a shining example of how consistent, humble service can shape generations and strengthen a community.

For a full list of past recipients, visit this link.