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Category Archives: Youth
Young Entrepreneur Moves Forward with His Business: A-Z Odd Jobs
A local Fort Scott Community College student is moving forward with skills he has developed on his own, called A-Z Odd Jobs.
“I grew up helping my grandpa, Mark Tucker, on his cattle farm, and that is where I learned how to operate the tools I now use every day,” Max Blubaugh said. “I’ve grown up in Fort Scott, and I love being present in Bourbon County. I like to transform properties for people and give them something to be proud of.”
“I offer a wide range of services,” he said. “I do small-scale construction projects, limb/tree/brush removal, junk removal, heavy lifting, lawn care/mowing, snow removal, and anything on your ‘honey do’ list. Anything from A-Z!”
He is a 2025 graduate of Fort Scott Christian Heights.
“I am currently in my second semester at FSCC. I plan to eventually transfer to Pittsburg State University to major in construction management.”
“This has been my part-time job since I started my business in my junior year, but I didn’t try to do things consistently until the summer following my senior year. I realized there was a need for the type of work I do, and decided to push things more. Things have been picking up as of late. I’m busy, but I would like to be busier! I am not currently an LLC, but that is coming soon.”
He can be reached at 620.215.3459.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587000414887
His grandparents are Mark and Brenda Tucker and Dave and Shelia Blubaugh, and his parents are Brad and Bethany Blubaugh, all of Fort Scott.
He is involved in the community as an active member of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Be The One Who Shows Up: CASA
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Kansas Thespians Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day Topeka, KS
— On March 11, 2026 Kansas Thespians host a Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day at the Kansas State Capitol. Over 200 Students, educators, and advocates come to the Capitol from across the state to advocate for positive arts legislation and theatre programming in our schools.
As dedicated supporters of theatre, Senator Cindy Holscher, and Representative Kirk Haskins have partnered with Kansas Thespians for this day to highlight the economic impact of the arts in our communities and the importance of strong arts education in our schools. Kansas Thespians promote lifelong learning through theatre in over 100 high school and junior high Thespian troupes across the state, with over 3000 inducted students.
Their hard work has been honored numerous times at the International Thespian Festival with schools, individual students, and educators from our state being recognized for their remarkable work.
The impact of arts programming and theatre can be felt in communities across Kansas. It is estimated by the Thespians that high school theatre brings in around a million dollars in community monies which is significant to our state. Theatre students will visit with their legislators, observe legislators in action on the floor of the senate, and have a possible photo op with the Governor.
### For more information on the advocacy day, contact the Kansas Thespians Advocacy Chair, Contact: Katie Murphy Advocacy Chair Email: [email protected]
Representatives are available for interviews to speak on this issue and bring awareness to the cause.
To schedule an interview with Thespian Representatives, please contact Katie Murphy
DRAFT Schedule for Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day FROM 2025
8:30- Begin arriving. Enter through North Entrance at ground level to pass through security. Proceed to first floor to check in.
9:00- Check on first floor. Tables will be visible.
9:30 – Large group photo
10:00-12:00 – Meetings with Reps
12:00 – Go to singing positions in Rotunda ground floor. Warm up etc.
12:15- Sing in the Rotunda
12:30- 12:50- Press Conference with Senator Cindy Holscher, Representative Haskins and Advocacy Steering Committee committee member
12:50- Lunch, additional legislative appointments
2:15 Assigned schools enter the Senate Gallery.
2:30 Senator Cindy Holscher’s Point of Privilege and Proclamation.
DID YOU KNOW KANSAS THESPIANS …
- Maintains 98 active Thespian or Junior Thespian troupes.
- Has over 2900 active high school or junior high Thespian members in Kansas.
- Has numerous Thespian troupes attend The International Thespian Festival.
- Maintains 6 Student Thespian Officers who work together on the Kansas Thespian State Board.
- Holds a Kansas Thespians Festival each year with over 2300 students, teachers, and college representatives in attendance. During this time Kansas Thespians rent the entire Century II Convention Center and The Wichita Hyatt Regency, Wichita, Kansas for this three day event.
- Had an administrator recognized as Theatre Administrator of the Year by the Educational Theatre Association 2023 and 2024.
- Has an Olathe Director of Theatre selected to serve on the national Educational Theatre Association Board of Directors.
- Is recognized as a Gold Honor Chapter by The Educational Theatre Association.
- Olathe South High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2020 by The Educational Theatre Association.
- Leavenworth High School garnered first place in the nation 2020 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
- Topeka West High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2022 by The Educational Theatre Association.
- Topeka West High School garnered first place in the nation 2022 and 2023 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
- Topeka High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2023 by The Educational Theatre Association.
Overall, Kansas has over 20,000 students involved in theatre each year with each Kansas Thespian School producing an average of five productions a year. This equates into an average of 15 performances a year per school with an average attendance of 150 people or more per show. When the math is figured,and you add the total number of performances across Kansas, we have at least a quarter of a million people watching high school musicals and plays across our great state with a box office impact of at least $1,300,000 spent on attending high school productions, not to mention spending impact on local businesses for production supplies estimated at another half a million or more.
THEATRE EDUCATION IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN MARCH
Students at Fort Scott High School Lead Community Advocacy Efforts
Students at Fort Scott High School are joining the national grassroots effort called Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) to advocate for the benefits of theatre education in schools. Members of International Thespian Society (ITS) Troupe #7365 are drawing attention to the need for increased access to quality theatre programs for all students.
To get the word out, students are participating in a number of theatre related activities. On Feb. 27 the troupe participated in community service activities at the Senior Center in downtown Fort Scott. They held a Theatre in Our Schools Month Kick-Off Party on March 1 at FSHS and presents to the USD 234 Board of Education on March 9. On March 11, the troupe travels to Topeka to meet with Thespians from across the state and Senator Tim Shallenburger and Representative Rick James to celebrate and discuss Theatre Advocacy Day in KS.
Throughout the month, the troupe will dress to represent various musicals on Musical Mondays and wear theatre-related shirts on Theatre Shirt Thursdays. They also have Improv Acting Troupe practice on Tuesdays after school and FSMS Drama Club on Fridays after school. A group of Thespians are also traveling to New York City to see Broadway shows and tour the Broadway Museum over Spring Break. To finish out the month, the troupe holds the annual FSHS Talent Show & Senior Minute to Win It at 7 p.m. on March 26. The Talent Show is open to the public and tickets are $5 at the door.
The ITS is the theatre honor society for middle and high school students. These Thespians plan and implement TIOS activities in their schools, in their communities, and with elected officials. The presentations and activities explain how theatre education positively shapes students’ lives by instilling necessary life skills. TIOS Month is an opportunity for students, parents, communities, school boards, and elected officials to come together to make theatre education more available to all students. One of the key messages is that theatre skills help students develop vital 21st-century skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, as well as social/emotional skills critical to students’ growth as young adults.
Sophomore Aimee Hardwick said, “Drama didn’t just teach me how to act, it taught me how to believe in myself. And while sometimes, I’m still quiet, it’s no longer because I feel like I have to, it’s because I choose to be. Drama isn’t just an activity, it’s my safe space, and it has changed my life.”
Isis Patton, sophomore, adds, “Theatre education helps students be creative with others and say what they think and feel. When students act, direct and put on a show they learn how to talk to people and see things from different points of view. These skills are useful when students are on stage and in life.”
Theatre in Our Schools is jointly sponsored by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). For more information about TIOS, visit schooltheatre.org/tios and follow #TheatreInOurSchools on social media.
About the Educational Theatre Association
The Educational Theatre Association is an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators. EdTA is the parent organization of the International Thespian Society, the honor society for theatre students that’s inducted more than 2.5 million Thespians since 1929. Additionally, EdTA operates the Educational Theatre Foundation, the organization’s philanthropic arm dedicated to broadening representation and increasing access. Visit schooltheatre.org to learn how EdTA inspires theatre educators to transform lives.
About the American Alliance for Theatre & Education
The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), among the most recognized arts education organizations, works to ensure that every young person experiences quality theatre arts in their lives provided by proficient, talented artists and educators. Based in Washington, DC, AATE continues to advocate for arts education, serving as a national co-sponsor of Arts Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill and on the leadership team of the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS). AATE co-authored the National Standards for Theatre Education K-12, sits on the Arts Education Partnership steering committee as well as the Arts Education National Advisory Council, and serves on the editorial board of the Arts Education Policy Review.
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Nazarene Youth Trivia Night is March 7
FSN TEENS ANNOUNCES 4TH ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT TO SUPPORT STUDENT MISSIONS AND CAMP EXPERIENCES
Fort Scott, KS — Fort Scott Nazarene Church’s student ministry, FSN Teens, is excited to host its 4th Annual Trivia Night on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 pm at 1728 Horton Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
This fun-filled evening is open to everyone and designed to bring the community together for a great cause. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just in it for laughs and fellowship, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy friendly competition while supporting FSN Teens.
Participants can register as individuals or form teams of up to six people. Entry is $10 per person or $60 per full team. Trivia will be played in rounds throughout the night, with plenty of chances to show off your knowledge. Dinner will be available for purchase, and childcare will be provided with registration.
Proceeds from the event help send students to transformational experiences, including summer camps, mission trips, and the Nazarene Youth Conference — opportunities that foster growth in faith, community, and leadership.
Local businesses and supporters are encouraged to get involved by entering a team, sponsoring a round or the entire event, donating a silent auction basket, or helping promote the night in the community. If you are interested in sponsoring the event reach out to Andrea Bryant at [email protected].
Event Details at a Glance:
📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
📍 Location: 1728 Horton Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701
💵 Cost: $10/person or $60/team (up to 6)
📧 Contact: [email protected]
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support the next generation of leaders — gather your squad, dust off your trivia skills, and join us for a night of fun and purpose!
https://facebook.com/events/s/-4th-annual-trivia-night-/1660731478226895/
Uniontown Preschool Enrollment Is Open For Next Year
FSHS Performs Clue (High School Edition) on March 5-7
Fort Scott High School Performs Clue (H.S. Edition)
Fort Scott High School performs the play Clue (H.S. Edition) at 7 p.m. on March 5-7 in the FSHS Auditorium.
“It’s a dark and stormy night, and we’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well, dead. So whodunit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, Clue is a madcap comedy that will keep the audience guessing until the final twist,” according to Concord Theatricals.
The show features seniors Levi Fairchild as Wadsworth the butler, Sypher Cannon as Mrs. White, and Grace Walker as Miss Scarlet; juniors Landon Hill as Professor Plum and Ava Johnson as Mrs. Peacock; and sophomores Theodore Bowman as Mr. Green, Gianna Gorman as Yvette the maid, and Tray Maloun as Colonel Mustard.
Clue is adapted from the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. Parental guidance is suggested as the play includes simulated use of weapons and smoking.
Tickets are reserved seating and are $8 for adults and $6 for youth. Tickets are available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Clue (H.S. Edition) is directed by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with Mesa Jones as Assistant Director and Jericho Jones as Sound Designer.
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Uniontown Schools Kindergarten Roundup Is March 23
West Bourbon Elementary School – Uniontown
Kindergarten Roundup Coming in March
A screening clinic for 2026-2027 kindergarten students has been scheduled for Monday, March 23 at West Bourbon Elementary. To be eligible for kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2026.
Students who will be new to WBE will sign up for a 30 minute slot to be assessed on March 23. Please bring in your child’s birth certificate and immunization record. The agenda for the child will include kindergarten skills assessment, vision, hearing, speech, and checking health records.
Kindergarten children are required to have a physical exam within 12 months of beginning school and have all current immunizations. The Girard Medical Center is available for immunizations and physicals; if you would like to contact them for a coinciding appointment call 620-756-4111.
Due to the screenings, there will be no Kindergarten class on March 23rd.
For the best testing environment for your child, we ask that you not bring brothers or sisters.
To set up a time for screening and assessment, please call the school at 620-224-2350, option 1, or visit https://tinyurl.com/2026WBEK-Roundup.
FSHS Wrestling Program Is Seeking Sponsors
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The Beacon Reflects on 2025 Successes
FSHS Hosts Cancer Awareness Week Starts Feb. 6
Fort Scott High School is hosting a Cancer Awareness Week to raise awareness, honor cancer fighters and survivors, and support cancer related causes through school wide activities and fundraising. The week will include both a community event and daily student involvement at the high school.
Cancer Awareness Week is intended to be educational, meaningful, and engaging. It reminds students and the community of the impact cancer has on so many lives and how collective action, even small contributions, can make a difference. Cancer Awareness Week is being organized and led by Fort Scott High School Junior Allie Wards, with support from FSHS staff and administration. FSHS clubs assisting Wards with the event include Community Empowerment, Zero Reasons Why, and Key Club.
The following events are planned:
Friday, February 6th – Cancer Awareness Week will begin with a Miracle Minute at a home basketball game at FSHS. During this minute, attendees will be invited to donate in support of cancer awareness and related causes. The event will also include recognition of cancer fighters and survivors to honor those affected by cancer.
Monday, February 9th – Friday, February 13th – Throughout the week at Fort Scott High School, students will participate in simple awareness activities designed to educate, encourage compassion, and build community support.
Monday: Students will write encouraging notes to cancer patients and their families.These notes will be donated to Care to Share who will help distribute them.
Tuesday: A large poster will be displayed for students to sign reading: “I stand with cancer fighters because…” students will be encouraged to write their personal reasons and messages of support.
Wednesday: A school wide Google form will be shared with students containing some cancer awareness questions. Students will also vote for songs to be used later in the week during a special fundraising event.
Thursday: Students will receive temporary tattoos and are encouraged to take photos wearing them and post on Instagram, tagging @fshscancerawareness to help spread awareness beyond the school.
Friday: The week will conclude with a school assembly. Throughout the week, students are donating money under specific teachers’ names. The top teachers with the highest total donations by Thursday afternoon will participate in a karaoke performance during the assembly. They will sing the top 3 songs chosen by students and wear costumes selected from the FSHS Theatre costume wardrobe. At the assembly, FSHS will present Care to Share with all funds raised throughout the week.
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