FSHS Thespians attend International Thespian Festival. From L: Angie Bin, Lily Brown, Clark Uttinger, Levi Fairchild, Grace Walker, Gianna Gorman, Junie Fisher, Ava Johnson.
FSHS Thespians attend performances at the International Thespian Festival.
FSHS sent more Thespy (individual event) competitors to this year’s Festival than ever before. 2026 graduates Levi Fairchild and Junie Fisher and junior Gianna Gorman competed in Musical Solo. Senior Ava Johnson performed Contrasting Monologues. Graduate Lily Brown competed in Short Film and graduate Grace Walker in Stage Management. Senior Clark Uttinger and Fairfield also performed in Duet Acting. The students qualified for nationals by receiving a Superior rating at the Kansas Thespian Festival in January.
Three of the students received a Superior rating at ITF, the highest honor of the Thespy rating system. These include Fisher and Fairchild in Musical Solo and Walker in Stage Management.
From L: Grace Walker, Levi Fairchild, and Junie Fisher receive Superior ratings on their Thespy (Individual Event) performances.
The troupe enjoyed opening festivities with 4,000 other Thespians including appearances by Huey Lewis and Thespian alum in the Savannah Bananas. They saw award winning productions of Urinetown, Suffs, Dear Evan Hansen, Shrek, The Night Witches, Kimberly Akimbo and The Prom. They finished the week with a Thespy Awards Ceremony and Showcase.
Throughout the week, the group attended workshops by theatre professionals and Broadway stars from across the country. This included a Legally Blonde dance Master Class with original Broadway cast member Paul Canaan.
The Thespian troupe is directed by Angie Bin. The next performance for FSHS is a production of Legally Blonde Jr. in November at FSHS.
from left: State Treasurer Baron Rodvold; Lieutenant Governor Beckett Romain; Governor Bo Barkley; Attorney General Raj Gugnani; and Secretary of State Jackson Roberts. Submitted photo.
June 2, 2025 — Bo Barkley, a resident of McPherson, Kan., and a senior-to-be at McPherson High School, has been elected governor of the 2026 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas. The announcement was made this evening during the Kansas Boys State evening retreat at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
Barkley, the Kansas Boys State Federalist Party governor candidate, and his lieutenant governor running mate, Beckett Romain, a resident of Wichita, Kan., and a junior-to-be at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, won the election over the Nationalist Party governor candidate Burklee Jackson, a resident of Concordia, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Concordia High School and his lieutenant governor running mate, Alexander Caldwell, a resident of Overland Park, Kan., and a senior-to-be at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Election results for other state offices:
(Name, Party, Hometown, High School – all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted; all are seniors-to-be)
Secretary of State — Jackson Roberts, Nationalist, Spring Hill, senior-to-be at Spring Hill High School, defeated Keaden Yim, Federalist, Lenexa, senior-to-be at Olathe Northwest High School.
Attorney General — Raj Gugnani, Federalist, Fort Scott, senior-to-be at Fort Scott High School, defeated Jace Daugherty, Nationalist, Andover, senior-to-be at Andover High School.
State Treasurer — Baron Rodvold, Federalist, Wichita, senior-to-be at Derby High School, defeated Alex Ray, Nationalist, Winfield, senior-to-be at Winfield High School.
Kansas Boys State Governor Barkley will give his inaugural address tomorrow (Wednesday, June 3) at 8 p.m. at K-State’s McCain Auditorium. The event will conclude with the Kansas Boys State band, chorus and talent show.
Wednesday evening’s festivities kickoff at 7:30 p.m. with a flag retirement ceremony at the World War II Memorial in front of McCain Auditorium. The event is an observance of the proper respect for the American flag and how unserviceable flags are properly disposed. The honor guard from the American Legion Pearce-Keller Post No.17 in Manhattan will present the ceremony. Dr. John Lindholm, a 1949 KSU graduate who provided the dog tags as a model for the “Tags of Honor” sculpture at the World War II Memorial, was a longtime Kansas Boys State staff member as a Legionnaire advisor before passing away in January 2020. Both events on Wednesday night are open to the public.
High school students from across the State of Kansas are participating in the 2026 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, which started on Sunday (May 31) and ends Saturday, June 6, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This is the program’s 34th consecutive session at KSU and 88th overall. The Kansas Boys State program includes students who have just completed their junior year of high school (will be seniors in the fall) and sophomore year of high school (will be juniors in the fall).
The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.
Submitted photo. Back row – John Doherty, Father Yancey Burgess, Faber White; middle row – Kendrick Simon, Jake Lewis, Cole Casper, David Regan, Beckham Fox; front row – Jhett Lyons, Avery Meeks, Jaxon Lyons
A spring tradition at St. Mary’s Catholic School is for the outgoing students to help beautify the area. These projects have included planting spring bulbs and annuals in front of the building, tending a pollinator garden behind the school, and filling pots with blooming flowers. Each group has learned about gardening while adding to the beauty of the school grounds. This year’s group is particularly noteworthy because these ten boys have been together as St. Mary’s students since they started kindergarten.
INNOVATION GENERATION:
Inspired artmaking about Unsung Heroes whose ideas changed the world.
ARTEFFECT announces a new summer competition: Innovation Generation! This competition focuses on the theme of innovation and invites young artists to celebrate the stories of Unsung Heroes who made positive, profound, and lasting contributions to others through their innovations, inventions, and research.
The competition is open to high school students. All students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate, including rising high school freshmen (students entering 9th grade in Fall 2026) and students who graduated high school in 2026. Submissions due September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
🚨 FORT SCOTT, IT’S TIME TO SHOW UP & SHOW OUT! ❤️🥎
That first sendoff was only the beginning!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27th, the girls are headed to Lawrence for the remaining rounds of the State Tournament at Arrocha Park, and the community is invited to send them off in BIG Fort Scott fashion! 🙌
🚌 Bus leaves TOMORROW, MAY 27th at 10:30 AM
📍 Route: National Ave. → Wall Street → Highway 69
❤️ PAINT THE TOWN RED
🎈 Bring your signs & balloons
📣 Bring your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, EVERYONE!
👏 Line the streets and make some noise
🎉 Let’s turn downtown Fort Scott into one big pep rally!
The semi-final game is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at 3:00 PM.
📺 To watch live:
Search “Fort Scott TV” on YouTube and subscribe or click HERE!
A HUGE thank you to our local businesses for helping make the live stream possible! ❤️
Stewart Davenport, Violin; Dr. Karen Fremar, Foundation President; Juni Fisher, Voice/Theatre at Fort Scott High School.
The Fremar Foundation has awarded its 2026 scholarship grants to include several area high school graduating seniors. Dr. Karen Fremar, foundation president, recently presented the $1,000 awards, foundation medals, honor cords, and certificates to 5 outstanding musicians and artists. These extraordinary student musicians and artists are scholastically ranked at the top of their graduating classes. Awards are competitive and are granted after review of taped auditions and portfolio presentations by the foundation’s scholarship committee, comprised of professional musicians from the Kansas City area. Awardees may also receive invitations to be featured performers or exhibitors at the foundation’s future public concerts and events.
Scholarships awarded to Fort Scott High School students included, Stewart Davenport, violin, who will attend Kansas University; and Juni Fisher, voice/theatre, who will attend Pittsburg State University.
Dr. Karen Fremar, Uniontown High School Art Teacher Chris Wood and Jewell Endictott. Submitted photos.
Fremar Foundation President’s Awards were awarded to Jewel Endicott, artist from Uniontown High School, headed to Kansas State University; Alex Brady, flutist from St. James Academy, at Kansas University; and Talya Banwart, vocalist from the private music studio of Pat Harry and senior from Christian Learning Center, who is headed to Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University.
Dr. Karen Fremar with Alex Brady, flutist from St. James Academy, will be heading to Kansas University at a concert in Leanwood, KS.
The Fremar Foundation is a charitable non-profit that recognizes outstanding accomplishments in music and the arts by graduating high school seniors. Since its inception in 2010, the foundation has awarded thousands in grants primarily to musicians and artists in the Fort Scott area. Former Fort Scott residents and musicians Mayson Lane, Julie Gettler Silfverberg, and Dr. Karen Fremar serve on the foundation’s board together with Kansas Citians Melody Stroth, Dee Sligar, and director emeritus Larry McMullen.
From left Pat Harry, private voice coach; Taly Banwart, vocalist, from Christian Learning Center with Dr. Karen Fremar. Submitted photos.
Apprenticeship Office Awarded Funding to Expand Youth Opportunities
TOPEKA – The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced it has been selected as one of 10 states to receive the prestigious Talent Ready funding through CareerWise and the Future Ready Apprenticeship Center. This highly competitive national recognition puts Kansas at the forefront of building the next generation of workforce through innovative youth apprenticeship opportunities for young Kansans starting as early as 16 years of age.
“Kansas is growing its youth apprenticeship pipeline to connect our young Kansans to high-demand careers while still working towards their degrees,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This national recognition reflects the strength of our vision and our commitment to opening doors for students across Kansas and into a wide range of industries.”
The $200,000 award provides Kansas with resources and national partnerships needed to expand youth registered apprenticeship opportunities, particularly with high school students — by aligning programs with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways. These initiatives enable students to learn, gain industry specific credentials and experience, and prepare them to step into high-demand careers.
This initiative gives Kansas the ability to:
Expand youth apprenticeship opportunities across key industries
Build alignment between apprenticeship programs and CTE coursework
Increase employer engagement in building sustainable talent pipelines
Create scalable systems that connect education to workforce
Kansas has demonstrated national leadership in apprenticeship innovation, including its goal of reaching 10,001 active apprenticeships by 2031. The new funding opportunity will further reinforce the commitment to building a future-ready workforce and ensuring students have access to high-quality, work-based learning experiences and long-term career success.
As part of the national cohort, Kansas will collaborate with leading workforce and education organizations, gaining access to best-in-class technical assistance, strategic guidance and proven frameworks to scale apprenticeship systems across the state.
“This milestone is more than funding — it’s about building a system that works for students, employers and the Kansas economy,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “We’re committed to building real pathways and partnerships that create career opportunities for future generations.”
Employers are a crucial part in building the workforce of the future. To learn more about how to get involved or start a youth apprenticeship program, visit here.
Kansas recently celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, using its platform to discuss the success and future opportunities of building youth registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas. To view photos from the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards, visit here.
For additional information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit here.
About the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship:
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship was established by Governor Laura Kelly on Sept. 6, 2022, through Executive Order #22-07. The Office supports apprenticeships across multiple industries to provide a highly skilled source of labor for employers and ensure occupational proficiency for career-seekers. The program incorporates on-the-job learning, technical instruction and mentorship to create long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Tiger Drama Camp Presents “The Entire American Revolution (In 40 Minutes or Less)”
The Fort Scott High School Tiger Drama Camp presents “The Entire American Revolution (In 40 Minutes or Less)” by Eddie McPherson at 7 p.m. on May 29 and 30 at the FSHS Auditorium.
The camp is directed and designed by the FSHS Thespians and open to children going into 1st through 9th grades.
Pioneer Drama says, “History has never been so fun… or so fast! Flying through the major points of America’s quest for independence, this fast-and-loose comedy plays like a highlight reel of history in hilarious fashion! Sorry, Hamilton’s busy in a different play, but your audience will both laugh and learn as they watch patriots such as George Washington, Paul Revere, Samuel and John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Franklin battle the vain King George III and his British soldiers. From the Boston Tea Party to the Battle of Bunker Hill (Did you know it was really Breed Hill?!) to the crossing of the Delaware and onward to the British surrender at Yorktown…”
The cast includes 25 students from the surrounding area while over a dozen high school students serve as directors and technical crew. FSHS recent graduates Levi Fairchild and Chris Newman serve as Directors and Thespians is directed by FSHS Theatre teacher Angie Bin.
Tickets are $5 and available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Tickets are reserved seating and doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
FSHS Tiger Drama Camp was recently featured in the Show Me the Ozarks Magazine. The in-depth story can be found on the magazine’s website.
“The Entire American Revolution (In 40 Minutes or Less)” is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama
Vickie and Larry Shead from their farm’s Facebook page.
Vickie and Larry Shead work diligently every year to have a homestead festival at their farm, located near Garland in Bourbon County. They do this to encourage the community in homesteading.
Alongside them are their children, grandchildren and community members who share in their enthusiasm for the homestead lifestyle.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, homesteading is “the act or practice of living frugally or self-sufficiently, especially by growing and preserving food.”
Over the years, the Sheads have widened the scope of their farm festival to include locals and a festival that includes events, entertainment, and vendors, making it a fun family day.
The Shead Farm Festival is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2468 Cavalry Road, Garland. Tickets are $5 or for a family of five or more members $25. For more information 620.224.4149 or www.sheadfarm.com.
From their Facebook page.
Vickie Shead said there are new events added this year and some new vendors.
“Laura James from Lucky Horse Ranch will be bringing her miniature horses for young children to ride.
“Also, Steve William, from Redfield, will be at the festival with wagon rides pulled by his giant draft horses.
“Other new vendors include: chicken tractors, canning shelves, herb/spices, birdhouses, books, baskets, fudge, pork rinds, sourdough items, and more!” she said.
Information booths will include the National Resources Conservation Service, explaining their grant program to help people farm and garden.
The Shead Farm Homestead Festival is offering kids vendor booth spots for young business-minded kids who would like to sell their products or services.
If you have a young business minded child and you have been looking for an opportunity to sell their product or service, you have found it. Sign up for a spot at the Shead Farm Festival kids vendor booths. We look forward to hosting your young vendor and shopping their business booths.
Sign up for a kids (ages 6-18) vendor booth spot for FREE today by clicking HERE!
