Over 1,300 high school students, from 90 schools, converged on Fort Scott Community College Aggie Day April 6, according to Ryan Edgecomb, an agriculture instructor at the school.
Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma high school buses line parking lots at FSCC for Aggie Day April 6.
Former FSCC Agriculture Instructor Gary Harvey started the event in the mid-1970s, said Edgecomb.
“This is my 15th Aggie Day,” Edgecomb said. “The Ag Department hosts the event. Blake Davis is my teaching partner and livestock coach.”
FSCC Ag Instructor Ryan Edgecomb, right, shares a light moment with area high school ag teachers, following the Ag Teachers Brunch in the Ellis Arts Center Friday morning.
Students competed in a variety of areas, including agronomy, entomology, farm management, floriculture, food science, livestock, meat evaluation, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, speech, veterinary science, and reasonings.
Those from Bourbon County schools who ranked in the top ten in the contests:
In the Intermediate Live contest, Clay Brillhart, Uniontown, received 2nd place; Zach Snyder, Uniontown received a 10th place.
In the Junior Live contest, Tate Crystal, Uniontown, received the 3rd place.
In Senior Questions Live, Graham Hathaway, Uniontown, received the 2nd place; Kolby Shoemaker, Fort Scott, received a 10th place.
In Senior Reasons Live, Kolby Seested, Uniontown, received the 3rd place.
In the Veterinary Science contest, Maddie Ard, Uniontown, received 2nd place; Aubry O’Neal, Uniontown, received the 8th place.
In the Junior Speech contest, Hannah Beerbower, Uniontown, received the 4th place.
The event is sponsored by Purina and Purina Mills Honor Show Chow, which also includes an ag teacher brunch.
“We are honored to have Purina and Honor Show Chow back as our sponsors for a third straight year, and we’re grateful for their support,” Edgecomb said.
Edgecomb said the event has multiple purposes.
“It’s a recruiting tool for FSCC, allowing students to see and showcase our school,” he said.
In addition, the event is “an educational contest to help schools prepare for district and state events,” Edgecomb said.
Over 100 support people are employed to help with Aggie Day: faculty, staff, students and former students, Edgecomb said.
From left FSCC Basketball Coach Blake Cochran, Jon Barnes, Donnie Flowers, Tyler Zinn, John Montgomery, Lucas Kelley, J. M. Gregg, Aaron Williams, Andre Nelson, Dontrell Sanders, Jayden Davis, George Brocato, and Daemar Jones introduce themselves at the beginning of the March Madness Reading Challenge assembly.
It takes practice and lots of it, to do anything well, including reading.
That in a nutshell, is what the Fort Scott Community College Basketball Team told the students at Eugene Ware Elementary during an award assembly Wednesday afternoon.
During the month of March, students have been competing with other classes in reading the most minutes.
The classroom winners of each grade level were given a poster of the FSCC Basketball Team along with a promised extra recess, during the assembly held in the school gym.
The winners were: Carrie Southwell’s 3rd grade class with 3, 220 minutes of reading, Joyce Flanner’s 4th grade with 3,002 minutes and Jill Couch’s 5th-grade class with 2,232 minutes.
During the assembly, students were randomly picked from the audience to participate in a basketball throw challenge.
The winner of that challenge was Quadar Moreland, a fourth-grade student. Because of his win, all 4th-grade students were given autographed posters of the team.
Brenda Hill, an instructional coach at Ware, and Mary Mauer, a teacher, collaborated on the idea of capitalizing on basketball’s March Madness national competition to encourage students to practice reading.
Below are photos of the afternoon assembly.
Carrie Southwell gives her 3rd-grade students “high fives” following the announcement that the class read the most minutes for the reading competition.Students lined up to take a turn at getting the ball through the basketball hoop.
Some students needed a little extra help getting the ball through the hoop and the college basketball players helped.
Quadar Moreland gets some encouragement from the FSCC basketball team following his win of the basketball contest.Students look over the poster of the FSCC Basketball Team while waiting in line to get it autographed.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott from April 9-15 provided by the Chamber of Commerce:
09
USD 234 Board of Education Meeting 5:30 pm
10
Story Time – Hosted by Fort Scott Public Library at 10:00 am. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks related to our theme in the downstairs event room, along with a play table for before and after the stories. All story times welcome any-age children and teens. Hope you can come. Tell your friends!
10
Kiwanis Meeting- FSCC Heritage Room- 12:00 pm
10
T.O.P.S. Meetings Held at BRCC 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
10
FSCC Hounds Men’s Baseball vs Allen County -2:00 pm
10
Cruise Night 2018 hosted by Tri-Valley Foundation 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation’s annual fundraiser. The evening includes a dinner, music, door prizes, and both live and silent auctions. All money raised from the evening goes toward our mission of providing quality and affordable homes as well as aid in the delivery of services to our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the counties of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson in Southeast Kansas. Any donation would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration.
10
Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County meeting, Old Congregational Church, Board meeting at 6:30, program at 7 pm
Ken Lyon will present a power-point presentation on the WWI Bourbon County soldiers. Come learn some history on these brave men of the early 1900’s.
We will have great fellowship, refreshments, and a door prize, hope you can attend!
11
Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center, 9:00 am – 10:00 am. Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run. Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller, and coffee. Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission.
11
Story Time – Hosted by Fort Scott Public Library at 10:00 am. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks related to our theme in the downstairs event room, along with a play table for before and after the stories. All story times welcome any-age children and teens. Hope you can come. Tell your friends!
Adult Coloring Program Hosted by the Fort Scott Public Library 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The coloring isn’t just for kids! Coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks provided.
11
TAG- Teen Advisory Group – Community Service -Fort Scott Public Library – 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
11
Mercy Hospice Bereavement Support Group 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott
Call Melissa George, Chaplain for more information 620-223-8533
12-26
Gold Canyon Candle Sales Begin Today-Fort Scott Middle School Fundraiser. Call the Middle School PTO for more details.
12
Chamber Coffee – hosted by KOMB FM 103.9 at Arnold Arena on the campus of FSCC., 8:00 am
FSCC Hounds Men’s Baseball vs Johnson County. This is to be a doubleheader. Games will start at 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm.
12
Thursday Card Players, Buck Run Community Center, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
13-14
Livestock Sale, Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10:00 am – You don’t have to be a buyer just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
13-14
7th Annual Home, Sport, Farm, Garden Show hosted by KOMB 103.9 at Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College
* Hours:
Friday, April 13th, 5-8pm
Saturday, April 14th, 9am-3pm
There will be 56 inside booths and more outside!
Come to shop the wide variety of vendors and enter to win hundreds of prizes!
Call KOMB FM at 620-223-4500 for more information.
13
Lady Hounds Softball vs Independence 2:00 pm at the FSCC Softball Field
13
Theology on Tap- 7:00 pm. “Are you worried about robots replacing you (or your grandchildren)?” 510 E. Eddy, Fort Scott
14-15
Little Britches Rodeo at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds
14
FSCC Kids Fair. 9:00 am – 12:00pm
Free Event at College
Right across from the soccer fields, outdoors. Going on the same time as the home show
14
Lady Hounds Softball vs Cowley County 1:00 pm at the FSCC Softball Field
14
The Southpaw Preachers hosted by Crooner’s & Liberty Theatre. 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm 113 S. Main Fort Scott.
This powerhouse band draws their inspiration from hard-hitting funk, soul, R&B, and rock. Southpaw blends both original music and covers into their diverse sets and is known for folding a uniquely asymmetrical sound into well-loved songs.
15
Perry’s Pork Rinds is offering free delivery to Ft Scott on Sunday, April 15th from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm for any pre-orders placed online. www.perrysporkrinds.com
16
Fort Scott Boys Varsity 18 Hole Golf Match at Woodland Hills Golf Course
Jude Ward and Harold Kraft had a vision in 1972 of opening a company that would allow people a chance to grow financially and career-wise.
Mr. Ward and Mr. Kraft started up a printing company that would not only outperform the competition but would help create more opportunities for people who wanted a career and not just a job. Now over 45 years later, that “legacy” continues as Ward Kraft still stands at the top of the list when it comes to employers in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Ward Kraft employs 340 people.
That thirty-five percent of their current workforce has been employed at the company for ten years or more shows that Ward Kraft is a place that a person can call a career and not just a job.
What started out as a forms company in the early seventies has evolved into a company that specializes in forms, labels, plastics, and specialty products; working out of three divisions at their campus in Fort Scott.
Competitive wages (with wages ranging from $10.40 to $22.00 depending on the work area and skill level), good benefits, stability, advancement opportunities, and a good working environment are a just a few of the reasons the employees at WK have made the company their working home for so many years.
Dee Covey, who has been with the company for over 12 years says, “I have been blessed to have an awesome job. I work with great people who believe in teamwork and a boss who is very understanding and always listens to me”.
When asked about Ward Kraft and the longevity of their members, President of Manufacturing Phil Quick (a 28-year member) said, “I feel we keep good members at WK because of the work environment, and family atmosphere. Our managers and members care about doing the right thing for the customer, and the team. Attitude and effort are the main ingredients for being successful at WK.”
During the company’s annual Christmas dinner, service awards were handed out to members that were celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service.
Five-year service awards, pictured (from left to right) Richard Racer, Ashley Farmer, JoAnn Dugan, Chris Thurston, Jay VanBuskirk, Cindy Schroeder, Brad Matkin, Daniel Gauthier, and Wayne Racy
Celebrating 5 years: JoAnn Dugan, Ashley Farmer, Daniel Gauthier, Bryan Hughes, Brad Matkin, Mike Pyle, Richard Racer, Wayne Racy, Cindy Schroeder, Scott Smith, Chris Thurston, and Jay VanBuskirk.
Ten-year service awards pictured (from left to right) Reva Dent and Roberta Anderson.
Celebrating 10 years: Roberta Anderson, Ryan Kraft, Thom McCreedy, and Reva Dent
Fifteen-year service awards: pictured (from left to right) Ben Morrell, Matt McClellan, Dana Ruhl, Bob Piotrowski, Jeanette Sisseck, Lisa Hull, Steve Williams
Celebrating 15 years: Ken Ash, Lisa Hull, Matt McClellan, Ben Morrell, Bob Piotrowski, Dana Ruhl, Jeanette Sisseck, Joshua Smith, Steve Williams, and Teresa Zimmerman.
Twenty- year service awards –pictured (from left to right) Michelle Heaton, David Budd, Twila Milburn, Sara Griffith, Carey Mooney, and Randy Thurston.
Celebrating 20 years: David Budd, Sara Griffith, Michelle Heaton, Twila Milburn, Carey Mooney, and Randy Thurston
Twenty-five-year service awards (from left to right) Bill Meech, Billy Cowan, and Steve Denton
Celebrating 25 years: Billy Cowen, Steve Denton, Billy Hill, Bill Meech, and David Zimmerman
Thirty-year service awards pictured (from left to right) Melinda Collins, Raymond Mauck, and Jesse Crum.
Celebrating 30 years: Mark Christy, Melinda Collins, Jesse Crum, Ray Mauck, and Joy Wiltse
Thirty-five-year service awards pictured from left: Dennis Harper, Danny Harper, and Gary Bosley.
Celebrating 35 years Gary Bosley, Danny Harper, Dennis Harper, and Roger Kraft
Forty-year-service award, pictured is Patty Gauthier.
Celebrating 40 years: Patty Gauthier and Jerry Parsons
2017 Retirees – (from left to right) Danny Harper and Jimmy Tucker
Celebrating the retirements of Jimmy Tucker (31 years of service), Danny Harper (35 years) and Joy Wiltse (30 years).
Ward Kraft, Inc. is part of the WK Holding Company which also includes local companies FS Munitions, KW Cattle Co., ReproLogix, 4 State Sanitation and Recycling, and Christian Learning Center.
Ward Kraft will hold a job fair on April 10th at the Empress Event Center, located at 7 North Main, from 10 am to 2 pm and will be looking for people who want to be part of their team.
Positions that are available are production members, sales personnel, and office staff to name a few. WK staff will be present to talk to prospective members about these opportunities and to answer any question you may have about the company.
Ward Kraft management believes the employees have made the last 45 plus years possible and successful and are still committed to hiring the “Person Not the Position”.
Ted Hessong was hired as the new superintendent for Fort Scott schools.
Ted Hessong, currently superintendent of USD 456, was hired Tuesday evening by the USD 234 Board of Education. He will begin June 2, 2018, and was hired on a two-year contract as the new superintendent in Fort Scott’s school system.
The following is a FortScott.Biz interview with Hessong.
What motivated you to get into education?
“My mom was a teacher at Fort Scott Middle School, which was a great example of what a teacher should be. I was also active in sports and I wanted to be a basketball coach since 7th grade.”
Education?
” I graduated from Fort Scott High School and earned an Associates Degree from Fort Scott Community College. I got my Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education from Pittsburg State University. I also received my Master’s in Building Leadership and District Certification from PSU.”
Experience?
” My first two years in education I was a science teacher and coach at Pleasanton Junior/Senior High School in Pleasanton, Kansas. I then accepted a position at Frontenac Junior High and High School teaching science and coaching, where I did my student teaching. I spent 17 years at Frontenac School district, where I went from a teacher to assistant principal for the 6th-12th-grade building. I then became the first junior high principal at Frontenac because we separated the junior high from the high school. The last five years at Frontenac I was the high school principal following the retirement of one of my mentors, Joe Martin. The past two school years I have been the superintendent at Marais des Cygnes Valley School District, which is composed of the communities of Melvern, Quenemo, and Olivet in Kansas.”
Family?
“I have three children.”
What interested you in the position in Fort Scott?
“Fort Scott has tremendous respect throughout the state of Kansas as a top-notch district. I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to return to my hometown to lead the district that really gave me my start in education.”
What do you feel you bring to the district?
“I feel my leadership experiences have prepared me to lead Fort Scott in a variety of areas to provide the best opportunities for the students of Fort Scott to experience success.”
What assets do you see in USD 234?
” The biggest asset Fort Scott has to offer is the teachers, staff, and students at Fort Scott. All these groups are what make Fort Scott an excellent school district.”
Any concerns?
“No concerns at this time.”
Any interests besides education, hobbies?
“My biggest interest is spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy sports, playing golf and mowing.”
The Design Review Board will meet on Thursday, April 12th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to the building at 202 State Street and any other matters that may come before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.
The City of Fort Scott will be updating some water distribution piping at the College Booster Pump Station on April 7th, 2018 – Saturday morning from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Customers that live south of 21st Street may experience low water pressure during this time. For questions or concerns, please contact Michael Mix, Public Utility Director at 620-215-6319.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Fort Scott Police Department daily report can best be viewed on a computer.
The FSPD is located at 1604 S. National, Fort Scott, KS 66701, phone 620-223-1700.
