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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Katelyn Dancer Is Attending Tel Aviv Univsersity Then Columbia University
Katelyn Dancer, 19, is the daughter of Tracy Dancer and Kathy Gillmore Dancer, Fort Scott.
She decided to attend Columbia University for the opportunity to attend two colleges, one in Tel Aviv, Israel, and then a second degree at the Columbia campus in New York.
“I chose to attend Columbia for its unique dual degree program. This degree program allows students to complete different bachelor’s degrees in the traditional four years.”
“For their first bachelor’s degree, students go to an overseas university in their freshman and sophomore years, and the second bachelor’s degree is completed at Columbia University in New York.”
“As a sophomore, I am currently attending Tel Aviv University in Israel— but I’m very excited to be in New York next year. For me, this program made attending an Ivy League of any sort possible, financially and acceptance-wise.”
“I get one degree from Tel Aviv University and one degree from Columbia University. At TAU, I will receive a Bachelor’s of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies, and my current plan is to major in American Studies at Columbia with future plans for Law School.”
“Paying an Ivy League tuition, in my case, became much more realistic when faced with only two years of tuition and housing in New York instead of four years. The acceptance rate to my dual degree program is also about 22%, whereas the general acceptance rate for Columbia University is a whopping 4%.”
“I started gathering information about schools I was considering applying to in the middle of my junior year. The process of applying to colleges was very time-intensive because of my decision to apply to multiple low acceptance schools.”
“The total undergraduate population at Columbia University is about 9,500. However, there are only about 120 students in the Dual Degree program between TAU and Columbia.”
Not only classroom learning, Katelyn is also learning about other cultures by living in a foreign country.
“The best part about my experience so far has been the travel and independence I’ve gained. I’ve had a truly unique experience, and I’m extremely proud of myself, as is my family, for moving across the world and living and studying in a foreign country by myself.”
“The biggest challenge has been being so far away from my support system in Kansas and the large credit load each semester. The workload is manageable, but classes can run until 8 p.m., so I can have very long days of classes.”
“I am thrilled to be the first graduate in a very long time to attend an Ivy League school.”
Katelyn graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2024.
“I hope it is the beginning of a new period for FSHS graduates where students truly have the opportunity and support to apply and stand out to Ivy League schools.”
She credits the school counselor and teachers for the chance to follow her dream.
“I wouldn’t have been able to apply to these highly selective schools without the help of Mrs. Martin and the wonderful teachers who wrote recommendation letters, hosted clubs, and gave me a strong foundation on which to build. I would encourage every Fort Scott student to shoot for the stars because with the right focus, commitment, and timeline (start early!) FSHS graduates are absolutely capable of landing themselves as Ivy League alumni.”
Ivy League schools are considered the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world. Eight private Northeastern American schools are known for their highly selective admission process, academic excellence, and promising career opportunities for those who attend, according to U.S. News and World Report online.
Princeton University, New Jersey; Harvard University, Massachusetts; Yale University, Connecticut; University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania; Cornell University, New York; Brown University, Rhode Island; Dartmouth College, New Hampshire; and Columbia University, New York, are the Ivy League Colleges.
Surviving The Holidays For Those Grieving November 17
Downtown Halloween Parade/Trick-or-Treat is Tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.
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Fort Scott Stamp Club Meets November 8 At The Library
Local Girl Attends Ivy League School Seeking Research and Graduate Opportunities
Caroline Barnes, 18, a Fort Scott High School 2025 graduate, started at one of the nations Ivy League colleges in August.
Ivy League schools are considered the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world. Eight private Northeastern American schools are known for their highly selective admission process, academic excellence and promising career opportunities for those who attend, according to U.S. News and World Report online.
Princeton University, New Jersey; Harvard University, Massachusetts; Yale University, Connecticut; U. of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania; Cornell University, New York, Brown University, Rhode Island; Dartmouth College, New Hampshire and Columbia University, New York are the list of Ivy League Colleges.
Carolyn is the daughter of Penny Pollock-Barnes and Chris Barnes.
Why did you choose Cornell for college? And when did you start?
“I started this Fall (moved in August 18th, class started August 25th). I chose Cornell because it’s in a location I enjoy (upstate NY), it is strong in many fields (I have interdisciplinary interests, as you’ll see in my minors and majors), and has many opportunities for research and graduate study in plant biology. There’s also a very specified major to what I want to study.”
What is your major?
“I am majoring in Biological Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Cornell is divided into smaller colleges, like the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Art, Architecture, and Planning. Biological Sciences is within both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences). I’m wanting to concentrate in Plant Biology, and to minor in Business and in Fashion Studies.”
Was the process difficult applying at an Ivy League school?
“It was much more complicated than applying to a state school, but only slightly more involved than other out of state colleges I applied to. For many colleges you do a basic application through the Common App, which has a set of questions and essays of its own, and then complete essays specific to the university. For Cornell, the specific college your major is in also requires essays. This ended up being around 5 short essays, the longest having a word limit of 500 words and the smallest 150 words. Now the application requires submission of ACT scores, but they were not submitted at all when I applied.”
How many attend the college?
“3,861 in the class of 2029,
16,128 undergrads,
26,793 total students.”
What is the best part so far of your college experience?
“I would say getting all As in my first two preliminary exams (these are cumulative exams but over about half or a third of the course material interspersed through the year, and then a final fully cumulative exam at the end of the semester. We don’t do tests over each unit/idea). Coming into the semester I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle the coursework. Doing well on the exams (they were curved to As) made me feel better at belonging at Cornell. The friends I’ve made are also a highlight, but there’s nothing specific enough to note.”
What has been a challenge?
“It has been a challenge balancing school work with social engagement. To stay on top of my work, especially my chemistry class, I could easily spend 6-9 hours a day working outside of class. It usually ends up being about 7. To try and make sure I’m still having social interaction on a typical day I always get dinner with a group of friends and form study groups with friends in the same classes. I also have to intently plan actual hangouts, which is harder to fit in, but necessary. Joining clubs was also helpful, so I’m part of a mental health club, a voting advocacy club, a dungeons and dragons club, and a leadership club. All of these things has made balancing school with social engagement easier.”
How can you encourage those at Fort Scott High School to dream big for their future?
“Get involved in high school. Even if you don’t want to leave Fort Scott, or know what you want to do, you’ll be exposed to so many new people and you’ll learn the things you like. No one is going to judge you for being involved. Also, don’t be afraid to start a club and make a major impact. If you can show a demonstrated interest you could have a huge impact on the school and town. You just have to try it!!”
“We also have really great counselors. Reach out to them to talk about school things and future things. They want to help you and they’re good at it. Don’t go through things alone.”
Halloween Festivities This Saturday Downtown for Youth
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Pulling Together For The Common Good
The U.S. Federal Government shut down is affecting areas not thought of previously.
During a city supervisor’s meeting last week, it was brought up in conversation that the Fort Scott National Historic Site’s lawn had not been mowed as usual.
“With the government shutdown the FSNHS, staff has not been allowed to work at the Fort, but the grass continues to grow,” said Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Manager on the city’s Facebook page. “So I reached out to the FSNHS superintendent to see what kind of hoops we needed to jump through to enable us to mow the property. After a few days of government work we were given the OK to proceed with mowing, Knowing the weekend is going to be nice and visitors will be wanting to see the Fort in it’s beauty, the Parks Department and Chief Bruner took time out of their regular daily duties to go mow and weedeat the grounds. Thank you guys for your dedication.”
Norman Mackley, Fort Scott Park Department Supervisor, said “At a supervisors weekly meeting, I think, (Fort Scott Fire Chief) Dave Bruner volunteered. Then Dave contacted me.”
Thursday afternoon, October 16, Mackley and Parks Maintenance employee Paul Ballou, each took a 72 inch city lawn mower and spent about three hours mowing the Fort Scott National Historic Site lawn.
“I found out, there is more to mow than I thought,” Mackley said. “I estimate seven acres.”
On Friday, Bruner trimmed weeds and overgrown grass with a with a weed eater to keep the Fort lawn looking neat, and manicured, with trimming also from Mackley and Ballou.
Wreaths Across America Prepares For the Annual Remembrance Wreath Laying on December 13
ANNUAL WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Fort Scott National Cemetery
Plans are being confirmed for the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony and laying of remembrance wreaths, according to Location Coordinator Diann Tucker. She, together with assistant Mika Milburn-Kee, wish to thank everyone for their sponsorship of wreaths this year and said, “each day the goal grows closer to completion”. Sponsorships are still needed to cover the nearly 7000 military sites that need to be honored with a wreath at Fort Scott National Cemetery. Wreaths are $17.00 each. To send a check, deliver a check or use a credit/debit card to sponsor, you can call Diann at 620-224-7054 or Mika at 620-223-6700. All sponsorships for this year should be received by November 20. The brief ceremony will begin at 10 AM on December 13, immediately followed by placement of wreaths by volunteers.
Tucker said the local ceremony will be honored this year to have speaker Pat Proctor, a retired United States Army colonel. Upon retirement from the Army he settled in Leavenworth, Kansas. Proctor is a graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies, was deployed to Jordan as a battalion commander, and deployed in 2009 as the operations officer for Task Force Patriot (2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery) to Saddam Hussei’s hometown of Tikrit, Iraq. In 2007, Proctor worked as part of the Joint Strategic Assessment Team, comprised of diplomats, military theorists, and intellectuals assembled by Gen. David Patraseus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker and led by Col. H. R. McMaster to develop the strategy for post-surge Iraq. Retired Colonel Proctor currently serves as an assistant professor of Homeland Security at Wichita State University.
We want to thank everyone for their current and past support of this event, and ask that you share with your friends, family, email friends, and Facebook friends, said Tucker. We invite you, look forward to seeing you, and welcome the many volunteers, on December 13. You are each appreciated.
Volunteers Needed for Haunting of Belltown
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Haunting of Belltown 
Don’t forget to bring blankets and lawn chairs for movie viewing comfort!
Trolley transportation will be available all evening, with parking at Twisted Trailers.
Suggested Donation: $5
Important:
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Candidate Forum at Ellis Center on October 22
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Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Learns of Fall Happenings in Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet is a meeting to share events and opportunities that are coming.
Stacy and Wayne Racy, owners of Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall, were introduced by Lindsey Madison, Chamber CEO.
The Racy’s took over ownership in May 2025, from the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, where they are members. Since then, they have been revamping the menu to some healthier options and featuring evening entertainment periodically. They are having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Honor Flights program for military veterans on Oct. 25 starting at 4 p.m. To learn more:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=fort%20scott%20honor%20flights
Later than evening the coffee company will feature live music by Serenade at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 Admission is free for this concert.
For updates on happenings at the coffee company: https://www.facebook.com/fscommonground/
Main Street Approach
The City of Fort Scott Housing and Community Development Coordinator Lisa Dillon spoke about work done on a possible Main Street Program designation. Main Street assists in developing strategies to revitalize or strengthen downtown areas.
The Main Street Program will give technical assistance, training, access to design services, available state and national grant funds and membership to the Main Street America Network, according to info provided by Dillon.
Dillon said it has proven to be successful for communities enhancing the downtown area, but there must be community engagement in the process.
“After meeting four times over the past six months to plan and discuss this effort, we’re now at the point of collecting letters of support for our application,” Dillon said later.
To create a letter of support:
Other news from the meeting:
- Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski told the group that the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour will proceed, but because of the government shut down during the planning season for the event, ” it may not be what it was in the past.” Tickets will go on sale on Nov. 1.
- The City of Fort is sponsoring a live music concert by Almost Kiss on Oct. 25 at 9 p.m. at the pavilion on North National Avenue, with costumes encouraged, said Rachel Carpenter, Special Project Coordinator.
- Carpenter also told of a new app that she is using that can tell how many visitors visited the city, for example: Fortfest 2025 had 2,500 visitors. Additionally, it can tell spots the visitors went to while here.
- The city is sponsoring Haunted Trails at Riverside Park on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Actors are still needed, those “who like to scare people.”
Contact Carpenter at 620-223-0550 Ext. 205.
- The annual children’s downtown Halloween Parade will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 25, with preliminary fun activities and pizza and drink to end the event. Drink donations are appreciated. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 620.223.3566.
- Small business Saturday is November 29.
- The Christmas Parade is Thursday, December 4 with a theme of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
- During Christmas on the Bricks festival event, stores will stay open late and entertainment will abound in the downtown. Diane Striler is the facilitator of this annual event. There will be a cookie making site, a wreath making site, a skating rink, carriage rides, a new event at the splash pad area for children, various alcoholic tasting spots around the downtown, a scavenger hunt and tree decorating contest among many others. See their Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/fortscottchristmasonthebricks
- The Chamber downtown map that has been in the making is nearing completion, Madison said.
- The Chamber Guide and Directory deadline is Oct. 31 for reviewing all info.
- There is a Chamber sponsored candidate forum on Oct. 22 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College, doors open at 5:30 p.m.
- Upcoming Chamber Coffees: 10/23 is First United Methodist Church, 10/30 is Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant Awards at Landmark Bank.
- There are E-community grants and Grow KS grants available: contact the Chamber for more details.
- The Cohn’s Fall Murder Mystery Dinner is Oct. 30.
Buy Tickets by calling 620-418-6209
or order online at
- The coffee bar at Hare and Crow Barber Shop opens soon.