IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing and celebrating the 100th Anniversary of East High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22436, October 19, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Jalen Anderson, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, East High School, located at 1924 Van Brunt Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri, has served generations of students and families for a century and remains an
important part of Kansas City Public Schools and the Jackson County community; and,
WHEREAS, the historic East High School building opened in 1926 and was designed in the Neo-Classical style by prominent Kansas City school architect Charles A. Smith; and,
WHEREAS, throughout its history, East High School has reflected the changing face of Kansas City, growing from a neighborhood school serving largely working-class families into one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse schools in the metropolitan area; and,
WHEREAS, today, more than 40 languages are represented among East students, and the school proudly embraces its identity as a “School of Many Nations, One Home”, welcoming students and families from around the world; and,
WHEREAS, East High School offers distinctive educational opportunities, including an urban agriculture program believed to be the only program of its kind in a Missouri public school, with approximately one in five students participating in hands-on instruction in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, landscaping, and related fields; and,
WHEREAS, East High School demonstrates its commitment to Indigenous language, culture, and history through language and observance of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honoring Indigenous children forced into residential and boarding schools, survivors, their families, and those who never returned home; and,
WHEREAS, East High School was named by U.S. News & World Report among its 2026-2027 Best High Schools in both the Kansas City area and the State of Missouri , one of only four Kansas City Public High Schools to receive that recognition; and,
WHEREAS, the East High School Bears captured the 2023 Missouri Class 3 Boys Soccer State Championship, the first soccer state championship in school history and East’s first team state championship since its boys basketball team won a state title in 1929; and,
WHEREAS, East’s soccer program reflects the international character of the school, with a recent varsity roster including 19 foreign-born players among 22 team members, bringing together students from across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond through a shared love of soccer; and,
WHEREAS, on September 26, 2026, current students, alumni, educators, staff, families, and community members gathered for East High School’s Centennial Celebration to honor its history and celebrate generations of East students and educators; and,
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Principal Dr. Bryan VanOsdale, along with East’s faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, and community partners, the school continues to honor its history while preparing new generations of students for the future; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri , that the Legislature hereby congratulates East High School on its 100th Anniversary , recognizes its century of service to students, families, Kansas City, and Jackson County, and extends its best wishes for continued success throughout its next one hundred years.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22436 of October 19, 2026, was duly passed on ___________________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays ____________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
______________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature