Courtesy Photos

"Good things happen when you work hard." - Hankie Holefelder

WHS senior Kaleb Hamilton attended the KSHSAA All-Class State Piano Festival held at Wichita State University on February 22, and for all his hard work getting there, he returns with a "I" rating from the judges!

Kaleb qualified to perform at State by earning a "I" rating with his piece, the first movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata Op. 27 No. 2, at the regional festival hosted at Friends University two weeks prior.  He practiced and memorized this music under the direction of Hankie Holefelder, whom Kaleb has taken lessons from during the past 12 years of Holefelder's 65-year teaching career.  Of Kaleb's accomplishment this weekend, Hankie said, "He played well, and I am so proud of him.  Good things happen when you work hard."  Holefelder did not attend the state festival due to illness but watched a recording of his playing for the judges.

Kaleb’s WHS vocal music teacher, Jennifer Ault, was on-hand for the performance and said,“What a wonderful achievement his senior year!" She added that Kaleb represented Wellington "with so much grace and poise" and expressed how proud she was of the Crusader Singers member.

Kaleb's honor this weekend makes him only the third Wellington student--all Holefelder's students--to earn this distinction for piano in the past 20 years.  Current WHS junior Ethan Brungardt earned a "I" rating in 2024, and alum Nate Ybarra earned the rating in both 2015 and 2013.  

Congratulations to Kaleb for your elite accomplishment!  

Disclosure: Hankie Holefelder is the grandmother (and former piano teacher!) of this author! :)