Empowering Futures: How Education in Smith County Leads Students to Success

In Smith County, we hold the belief that a robust education forms the cornerstone of a prosperous community. Our schools are dedicated to fostering the next generation, equipping students with the necessary tools for success in academics and life.

From early childhood to high school, Smith County provides a variety of educational opportunities that emphasize quality teaching, personalized attention, and community engagement.

EDUCATION in smith county

In our county, two schools are building bright futures for our youth:

1. Smith Center USD 237

2. Thunder Ridge USD 110

   
   

   

   
   

Both schools boast proven histories of success, scholarship opportunities galore, career strategies and excellent teacher to student ratios. The proof is in the pudding when meeting Smith Center Junior-Senior High School student, Ruby Osthoff.

Enterpreneurship Challenges

Ruby recently championed the 2024-25 Smith County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC). Then, later she went on to win the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC) this spring. These competitions give students an opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by going through the process of developing a business proposal.

At the Smith County YEC, student entrepreneurs will compete in three areas:

• Written executive summary

• Trade show booth

• Four-minute presentation

Smith Center Economic Development, NetWork Kansas, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and several local donors teamed up to provide over $7,000 in cash prizes across several awards.

After winning in Smith County, Ruby then went to compete at the 2025 KEC. This year was the largest yet and was hosted at Kansas State University.

Competitors had to complete three mock board rooms where they pitched their business and answered pre-written questions provided by the KEC coordinators. In addition, they had to submit an executive summary of their business and a three-minute video pitch prior to the competition. There was also an optional trade show that Ruby participated in.

Explore our Q&A Session with Ruby:

Q&A WITH WINNER RUBY osthoff

Choose Smith County: What aspects of your school experience—small class sizes, strong academics, or unique programs like YEC—have been most valuable to you?

Ruby: The most valuable aspects of my school experience include the variety of activities that Smith Center Junior-Senior High have available and the teachers who help me to balance my academics with these activities.

I have had the opportunity to be involved in many organizations and activities, including FFA, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, Seatbelts Are For Everyone (SAFE) Committee, and more. These kinds of activities allowed me to gain leadership development, real-world skills, and meet mentors. I believe that strong academics are important, but this part of my high school career has prepared me for life.

Choose Smith County: How have your teachers, mentors, or community members supported your growth and success?

Ruby: Because I am so involved, I miss school for activities often. I am lucky enough to have teachers who support me in these organizations, and work to ensure that I have a fair amount of time to get my assignments done.

My mentors have always supported me by providing me with help when I need it. I have a hard time asking for help, as I am a very independent person. My mentors are always there for me, and I would not have had the positions and accomplishments that I have without them. They serve as my biggest cheerleaders and have always been the first to celebrate each success. 

Choose Smith County: Tell me about your business concept—what inspired you to start it, and what problem does it solve?

Ruby: My business is Raising Regenerative, an all-natural grass-fed beef business. My business is conceptual, however, my family does own and operate our own real beef business.

I have always been passionate about agriculture, and when I first started participating in the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge several years ago, I wanted to find a way to incorporate agriculture in some way. This led me to start this project inspired by my family’s business, and I have used it for several years since.

My local community and the surrounding areas don’t have a wide variety of beef options, and most people have to buy conventionally raised beef from the grocery store or locker. My business provides nutritious beef to anyone who is looking for beef treated without antibiotics, chemical pesticides, or dewormers and has never been fed grain.

My family also practices regenerative agriculture, which is focused on increasing nutrient density and improving the health of the soil, plants, animals, and food products. My business focuses on this factor.

Choose Smith County: How has participating in the YEC prepared you for future opportunities?

Ruby: The YEC has helped me develop the ability to speak extemporaneously. In the future, I plan to take over management of my family’s farm and ranch. The YEC has prepared me to accomplish this, and the skills I have learned will help me run a profitable business. 

Choose Smith County: What do you love most about living in Smith County?

Ruby: I love the values of the people surrounding me in Smith County. Being raised by farmers and ranchers, I have classic midwestern values of grit, determination, and hard work.

As I've matured, these values allowed me to grow as a person and have success in my school, community, and activities. My community acknowledges my accomplishments and successes, and people that I don’t even know will come up and congratulate me. This shows how much the people of my county care for each other, and I love that it is so close-knit.

Choose Smith County: How has growing up here influenced your aspirations and career goals?

Ruby: I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in agriculture, but I didn’t know exactly what path. Despite feeling unsure, I felt that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to, thanks to the support from my teachers and mentors. One teacher in particular, Mr. Rob Buckmaster, would always highlight the fact that successful people with important careers once sat in the same seats that my peers and I were sitting in. He said these things often to remind us that we had these opportunities too, if we worked hard for what we wanted. People like Mr. Buckmaster have influenced me to use hard work to accomplish my dreams.

Choose Smith County: What are your plans after high school?

Ruby: Upon graduation, I plan to attend Kansas State University and major in Agricultural and Natural Resource Communications and minor in business and leadership studies. I plan to become an agricultural advocate, perhaps educating producers on regenerative agriculture or in the USDA or Kansas Farm Bureau. I plan to balance my career while also working towards taking over the family farm. 

Choose Smith County: Do you see yourself returning to Smith County in the future?

Ruby: I do see myself returning to Smith County to take over my family’s farm. I am a fifth-generation farmer and rancher, and this is one of the most important aspects of who I am. I love my community and the values of the people surrounding me. My family’s farm is where I belong, and I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. 

Education not only fulfills its role in rural communities but also cultivates lifelong learners who are prepared for success in any setting. Whether you're looking to start a family or recruit the next generation of professionals, the quality of education provided by Smith County schools offers endless possibilities at every level.

If you're thinking about relocating to a rural area or want additional details, get in touch with us, one of our local representatives would be thrilled to connect with you! Also, be sure to subscribe to our list to keep informed about upcoming stories, testimonials, and events from Smith County, KS.