Safety in Schools

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PAST EVENT: April 2, 2025

Marking twenty-six years after the mass shooting at Columbine High School (CO), American Public Square invited guests to the William Jewell College campus for a panel discussion addressing the impact of gun violence in schools. This conversation, organized by William Jewell interns and staff, was presented ahead of Jewell Theatre Company’s upcoming production of “Columbinus,” a play about the 1999 Columbine High School massacre running April 10-13 at William Jewell College (tickets available here).

A multi-disciplinary conversation, the event brought together experts representing education, nursing, and the performing arts, each offering their unique perspective on this critical issue. Panelists shared their professional insights and explored how gun violence impacts students, educators, healthcare providers, and communities. They discussed ways to tell stories of victims and survivors of gun violence to address and mitigate its devastating effects.

Cal Perkins, a senior majoring in theatre at William Jewell College, moderated the discussion. Panelists included:

• • Ashton Botts, J.D. (Arts), William Jewell College graduate, APS member, and director of “Columbinus”
  • Dr. Jeanine Haistings (Education), professor of Education at William Jewell College
  • Dr. Anthony Maglione (Arts), professor of music; director of Choral Studies; director of the artist certificate in Choral Conducting at William Jewell College
  • Dr. Anna Kaaiakamanu (Nursing), assistant professor of Nursing at William Jewell College

Cal Perkins (he/him) is a fourth-year theatre major at William Jewell College. He is from Sand Springs, OK – but now lives in Bridgton, ME. He is a full-time independent artist, along with a part-time voice actor. Cal participates in Cardinal Voices on campus, along with being a member of APO (Alpha Psi Omega). He has a large interest in directorial roles in theatre, along with acting. Aside from the arts, Cal has taken an interest in the history of Russia along with advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Ashton Botts (William Jewell College ’10) is an attorney, actor, and director based out of Kansas City. She is the director of Jewell Theatre Company’s production of “Columbinus.” As an artist and legal professional, she strives to bring attention to social and political issues through storytelling. To that end, Ashton has directed plays such as “The Laramie Project” and has worked with theatres across the country as dramaturg for multiple productions of “What the Constitution Means to Me.” Botts is also a Member of American Public Square.

Dr. Jeanine Haistings received her doctorate from the University of Kansas where she also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. After graduating from Jewell with a B.S. in Elementary Education/Middle School Mathematics in 1992, she taught in elementary and middle schools for a number of years during which she also earned her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Elementary Mathematics Education and Educational Technology from the University of Memphis. Her research interests include virtual math manipulatives, facilitating the connection between abstract math and concrete experience, pre-service teacher math anxiety and interdisciplinary techniques of teaching. Dr. Haistings is a member of and presenter at several professional organizations such as the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Dr. Anna Kaaiakamanu graduated from William Jewell in 2017 with a bachelors degree in Nursing. She then to work at Centerpoint Medical Center in the Intensive Care Unit where she specialized in cardiac and trauma nursing. She went back to school to get her master’s in Nursing Education and began working at William Jewell in the Nursing Department in 2019. In 2022, she graduated with her Doctorate in Nursing Practice with an emphasis in Nursing Leadership.

Anthony J. Maglione is the Director of Choral Studies at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri where he holds the Robert H. McKee Chair of Music. Maglione is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, East Carolina University, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Under his direction, William Jewell College choral ensembles performed at regional and national conferences, were twice named Runner Up (2nd Place) for the American Prize in Choral Performance College/University Division, and released two commercial recordings on Centaur and Albany records. Maglione is founder and Artistic Director of the professional choir, Cardinalis, and Director of Music and Choirmaster at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City. In addition to his responsibilities in Kansas City, he serves on the summer faculty of Westminster Choir College.

ROVING REPORTER:

Ivan Calderon

Ivan Calderon (he/him) is a third-year Musical Theatre and English double major from Lawrence, KS. He participates in Concert Choir, Cardinal Voices, Sigma Tau Delta, is the vice president of Alpha Psi Omega, and the recruitment chair of Lambda Chi Alpha. When Ivan isn’t at school, he teaches and trains at his Taekwondo studio and works in various gardens throughout the city of Lawrence.

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