TMP-Marian
TMP-Marian is pleased to announce the new faculty joining the Hays school for the 2025-26 school year.
Ms. Whitney Befort will teach 6th grade social studies and 6th grade crop science as well as lead the high school Scholar’s Bowl team. Ms. Befort graduated from TMP-Marian High School in 2022 and is graduating from Fort Hays State University in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in history secondary education.
"I am extremely excited to come back to my high school and teach 6th grade social studies. I have many fond memories of TMP-Marian from when I was a student, and I am hoping to help students grow in their studies and interests!” Ms. Befort said.
Ms. Rhonda Windholz is returning to TMP-Marian as well, not as a former student, but as a former teacher. Ms. Windholz taught at TMP-Marian from 2022-2024. Mrs. Windholz recently moved back to Hays from Tennessee. She has worked in education for 29 years.
“I’ve done much soul searching and praying this year and am excited to give back and help prepare our students for their future,” Ms. Windholz said.
Mr. Conor Nicholl will teach 6th and 7th grade English Language Arts as well as coach the junior high girls basketball team. Additionally, in the spring, he will assist with the softball team.
Mr. Nicholl most recently taught English language arts at Victoria Jr/Sr High School. He may be familiar to many Monarchs because he was the JH girls basketball head coach for the 2023-24 season. He was also a high school girls basketball assistant coach and assistant softball coach during the 2023-24 school year.
"I am very happy to rejoin the TMP-M community," Nicholl said. "My family and I have long held TMP-M in high esteem. We love the faith-filled atmosphere and the smaller school environment. I am happy to be involved as both an educator and a coach with TMP-M and excited for what's to come."
Other teaching assignment announcements:
Sr. Mary Monica will teach senior religion including overseeing the Senior Capstone projects. Mr. Rick Binder will teach 8th grade religion and Confirmation prep. Ms. Brenda Rose will take on Lead Teacher duties in the junior high while continuing to teach 8th grade language arts.
Located in Hays, Kan., Thomas More Prep-Marian is a Catholic school serving grades 6-12. Students come from Hays, the surrounding region, and from countries around the world. The school was founded by the Capuchin Franciscans as Hays Catholic College in 1908 and ultimately became Thomas More Prep-Marian in 1981. The school continues to serve young people in the traditions of spiritual growth, academic excellence, and leadership formation.