20 Scott Avenue houses the Hercules Hobby store. Submitted photo.
Hercules Hobby, a store that sells sports cards, autographed memorabilia, helmets, Pokemon, and Magic The Gathering cards, opened in Fort Scott on June 13.
The store is located at 20 Scott Avenue.
“I had 25 kids in here on our soft opening,” said Phil Jackson, owner of the store. “Some kids play tournaments with Pokémon and MTG cards. There may be tournaments possible at a later date.”
“I have been a collector my entire life; my grandpa, who passed away, was a collector,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about a brick and mortar store for a while—something fun for kids to do on the weekend.”
“My grandfather will be in the soul of this store,” he said.
Hours of operation currently are 4-8 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Other days and times to be determined at a later date.
“It’s something we don’t have around here,” Jackson said. “I bought and sold items at shops in Kansas City. There is none like this in our area.”
Levi Qualls, left, is the manager, and Phil Jackson is the owner of Hercules Hobby. Submitted photo.
He hired the manager, Levi Qualls, following a conversation at Faith Church, where they both attend.
“Levi shares the same love of this hobby that I do,” Jackson said.
For more information, contact Jackson at 515-512-3883.
This new business is under Jacksons Enterprise LLC.
Parents and grandparents watching their loved ones at the Fort Scott Splash Pad now have the benefit of sitting in the shade.
The Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Park was a grassroots project that opened in 2023, according to its Facebook page. This year a new handicapped-accessible restroom and two shading devices were installed on the north side of the park.
Katy Shead, Fort Scott, has been selected as a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Katy homeschooled through Veritas Scholars Academy (VSA), which is an online school based in Lancaster, PA. On May 30th, she graduated as valedictorian in her class of 115 other students from all over the world.
Katy Shead speaking as class valedictorian at her school on May 30. Submitted photo.
Her most difficult class was chemistry, she said. “But it was also the most interesting.”
Despite it not being easy, she has chosen it as a major.
Katy will major in chemistry at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan (student population 1400-1800 students) beginning this fall. She will minor in Greek and Classical Education, she said.
Her goal with this education plan:
“I want to read the Greek Bible on my own, and I want to teach chemistry, or something, science or math at a classical school, especially online.”
“I want to study the Greeks and Romans and the original texts, not just the stuff that people wrote about them,” she said.
Katy has had a classical education.
Classical education has three different stages of learning, she said.
“First is grammar and lots of memorization, foundational knowledge. Second is logic, around middle school age, which is how you make a coherent argument with clear and logical thinking, recognizing fallacies. To connect ‘Oh, this happened in this year and it did affect this.’ The third stage is taking the connections in the logic stage, and using information you already have, and communicating it.”
Katy used this education, this past year, to come up with her own research statement and defended it in a paper and a presentation.
A person in Scotland with expertise in the field and a PhD read her paper and asked questions. A professor guided the process and graded it.
Her research statement was Imago Dei Impact on the Church’s Perception of Autism.
“It was about the inherent value that God gave humans when He created them in His image. The paper argues that if the church recognizes autistic people’s intrinsic value, then they’ll be empowered to love them as they should,” she said. “The point of the paper is that sometimes the autistic members are viewed as charity cases.”
Other awards she has received during her high school years: Dean’s List at VSA from 2021 to 2024, a national award at the 2023 Classical Learning Test, Summa Cum Laude on the 2023 National Latin Exam, inducted into the 202Highest Honors Class at VSA, and Cum Honore Maximo Egregio in 2021, a National Latin Exam she took, earning a perfect score.
During high school, Katy has been a student mentor, an independent tutor of maths and sciences, a literature club co-chair, and a volunteer at K-7 Kanakuk Camp, Missouri. She also worked with special needs people at Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Kansas, and Camp Barnabas, Missouri. She also volunteered at her grandparents’ annual Shead Farm Festival near Garland.
She is the daughter of Haley and Mark Shead.
About National Merit Scholars
16,000 semifinalists competed in the 70th annual National Merit
Scholarship Program, according to an NMS press release. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award,
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a scholarship application, providing information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received, according to the press release. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Angel Brazeal will be speaking at the Parent Empowerment Circle on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at First Southern Baptist Church , 1818 S. Main, Fort Scott, where she’ll share her experiences and insights on navigating systems for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Angel Brazeal, LMSW, is an outpatient therapist, foster parent of 10 years, and lifelong advocate for children and families. With a background in early childhood education and mental health services, Angel brings a wealth of experience to her work. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Kentucky University with certifications in clinical practice and substance use disorders. As a mother to four children ranging in age from 5 to 21—including two with special needs—Angel draws from over two decades of hands-on parenting experience, both biological and adoptive. Her life and work have also included supporting loved ones with complex mental health conditions, further shaping her compassionate and trauma-informed approach. She has served in roles from preschool director to manager of children’s services at Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center. Born and raised in Fort Scott, Kansas, Angel is passionate about helping families and individuals with autism and other needs access care and support. She brings valuable personal and professional insight into navigating the complex systems that serve individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Kenlee Eden, Kodie Wells, and Blair Felt. Submitted photo.Hadley Wells, Charlee Wells, Klair Kobernat, and Bella Antone. Submitted photo.
Southeast Kansas will send two projects to the National History Day Championship in College Park, Maryland, June 8-12. Five projects from Christian Learning Center attended the State National History Day Championships in Topeka in April.
The Fort Scott State Champion groups competing at Nationals in June will present their performances at 6:30 PM on Thursday, May 29th, at the Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott. This presentation will allow the students to practice sharing their projects and raise funds for their trip to College Park, MD. The community is invited to attend and support the two groups of students. Attendees can enter through the CLC Gym doors.
The following students are State Champions and will be sharing their projects on May 29th:
Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, and Kodie Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center will participate in the Senior Group Performance category, coached by Megan Felt and Rachel Wells. Their project is entitled Elzbieta Ficowska: Embracing Her Responsibility to Take a Stand for the Rights of the Polish People. Their project is a performance based on Elzbieta Ficowska. As a baby, Elzbieta was rescued by Irena Sendler from the Warsaw Ghetto and would grow up to become a leader in the Polish Solidarity Movement. As a leader in the Polish Solidarity Movement, Elzbieta Ficowska worked to bring rights and freedoms back to Polish citizens in the 1980s. The people of Poland believed it was their responsibility to free the nation from Communism.
Bella Antone, Klaire Kobernat, Charlee Wells and Hadley Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center participated in the Junior Group Performance category at the State National History Day competition, coached by Rachel Wells. Their project is Miners Labor Rights: Mary Skubitz the Voice Above the Ground Who Rose to Fight. The performance is based on the actions of Mary Skubitz and the Amazon Army in Crawford County. In 1921, Mary Skubitz led the Amazon Army to march for the rights of the men and children working in coal mines. They felt it was their responsibility as family, to march for fair payment and working conditions. This march of over six thousand women brought the miners’ struggles for fair labor laws to the surface all around the state of Kansas.
History Day encourages students to express their knowledge of and interest in history through creative and original dramatic performances, media presentations, historical papers, website design, or three-dimensional exhibit projects. The research and study for district, state, and national competitions take place throughout the entire school year.
The national competition involves the top 2,800 students from across the nation, chosen from over 800,000 who compete to advance from local to state to national competition. All 50 states and several countries will be represented at the National competition. The theme this year is “Rights and Responsibilities in History.”
The Lowell Milken Center provides critiques and helps with research for National History Day Unsung Hero projects from Kansas and throughout the United States.
Give your student a summer to remember with CHC/SEK’s Inspire Health Summer Camps! Kids will explore exciting healthcare careers through hands-on activities led by local health professionals–including nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and medical and
dental residents.
Inspire Health Kids Camp is for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade, while Inspire Health Academy is designed for junior high and high schoolers.
Students can choose from three summer camps, each designed to fit their grade level.
All camps will be held at the John Parolo Education Center, 3015 N. Michigan in Pittsburg.
• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering Kindergarten – 2nd Grade)
Dates: July 1st – 3rd
Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $120
• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering 3rd – 6th Grade)
Dates: July 22nd – 25th
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
• Inspire Health Academy (Entering 7th – 12th Grade)
Dates: July 29th – August 1st
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
At Inspire Health Summer Camps, students of all ages explore the world of healthcare through fun, hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and engaging lessons led by CHC/SEK health professionals. Younger campers get a playful introduction to wellness and how the body works, while middle and high school students dive deeper with clinical simulations, creative projects, and career-focused sessions. It’s a unique opportunity to spark curiosity, build skills, and connect with mentors in the healthcare
field.
Space is limited for each camp and scholarships are available to request on the registration form. If you would like to gift a camp scholarship, visit
https://chcsek.org/donate/ and select the Inspire Health Foundation.
To register for any camp visit: https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth/camp-registration/
Inspire Health Foundation is a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Learn more about Inspire Health.
About Inspire Health Foundation
Inspire Health Foundation, Inc. (IHF) is fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals by
connecting students with experts in the healthcare field. IHF sparks students’ interest in healthcare through camps, events, hands-on learning activities, and scholarships. By partnering with local
healthcare professionals and organizations, IHF provides students with the resources and pathways they need to succeed in their local healthcare systems and positively impact their communities. Founded in 2021, IHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. To learn more, visit https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth.
The Fort Scott High School Tiger Drama Camp presents “The Rainbow Fish: An Undersea Adventure” by Austin Zumbro at 7 p.m. on May 30 and 31 at the FSHS Auditorium.
The camp is directed and designed by the FSHS Thespians and open to children going into 1st through 9th grades.
Based on the international bestseller and award-winning book, The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister, the play includes a wonderful message of friendship and belonging. According to Pioneer Drama Service, “These ‘denizens of the deep’ admire the famous Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in all the ocean. But when Rainbow Fish refuses to share their vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature. Unhappy that no one adores them anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus. Octopus helps the young fish learn that it’s far better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful.”
The cast includes nearly 30 students from the surrounding area while 16 high school students serve as directors and technical crew. FSHS recent graduates Emi King and Cooper George 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.
“The Rainbow Fish” is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Colorado.”
A camping trip to Quivira Scout Ranch in Sedan, Kansas, combined both troop groups. Back row left to right: Cody Dean, Xanderia Fowler, Brenda Iverson, and Aaron Finley. Front row: Max Petrillo, Charlie Hoffmeyer, and Xaviar Fowler. The picture was taken on October 6, 2024.
Local Scouts are working towards a monetary goal to go to camp.
Scouting Troop 114 will sell pancakes for $3 on Saturday, June 7, at the Fort Scott Farmers Market. The market is from 8 a.m. to noon and is located under the Downtown Pavilion on North National Avenue at Skubitz Plaza.
The Downtown Pavilion is at the corner of National Avenue and Old Fort Boulevard. The pavilion houses the Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, and Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m.
This is the Troop’s final fundraiser before summer camp, which is planned for June 15-21 at Camp Arrowhead, Marshfield, MO.
At the camp, the children work on earning merit badges, making friends, and “making memories,” said Mandi Widder, one of the troop leaders.
The Troop is divided into Troop B, the boys, and Troop G, the girls.
“It’s called Scouting America, it was the Boy Scouts, they changed their name,” Widder said. “Both boys and girls can join who are entering sixth grade through age 18 can join. We meet on Mondays at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. The leaders of the Girls Troop are Jeff Pommier and Amanda Widder, and the leaders of the Boys Troop is Brenda Iverson. Both troops are number 114. The kids are working hard on merit badges and earning their ranks from Scout rank to Eagle rank.”
First United Methodist Church at Third Street and National Avenue,
Ethan Hill, a Christian Learning Center high school student, will present a solo piano recital on Saturday, May 17 at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National Avenue. The recital will feature works by Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert, and other composers.
Hill’s piano teacher, Pat Harry, says he is not only a gifted piano student but a gifted academic student as well, and recommended him to be featured on fortscott.biz.
“It is an unusually advanced achievement to present an entire recital of masterworks from memory as a high school student,” she said.
The performance is the culmination of “a lot of years of playing them a lot,” Hill said. He will be using no sheet music during the 40 minutes of his recital performance.
Academically, Hill said he has “always been good at math and sciences, and problem solving.”
Hill has numerous math competition medals (most notably at the Pittsburg State University Math Relays), numerous medals from piano competitions, and two wins at the Sun Powered Student Challenge. He attended Boys State of Kansas, is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and was voted jr./sr.
high school president.
His extracurriculars included basketball, soccer, swimming, and track through the years.
In his sophomore year, he began looking at different fields of engineering as a career.
This led to his decision to major in biomedical engineering.
Following his graduation on May 15, Hill will head for the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo., to major in biomedical engineering and minor in music.
Ethan is the son of Kaleigh and Garrett Hill.
Pat Harry from the Kansas Music Educational Association Hall of Fame website.
Pat Harry Piano Studio’s owner taught vocal music in Fort Scott for 29 years and in public schools for 39 years.
Currently, she is privately teaching piano to 16 students, with the youngest in first grade and the oldest graduating this year.
When the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center – Greenbush first administered the Kansas Communities That Care (KCTC) Student Survey in 1995, 36% of students reported they had never drunk alcohol. Now, that number has soared to 76%.
In fact, reported substance use among Kansas youth has reached a 30-year low. “That’s a huge accomplishment schools and communities should be proud of,” said Program Evaluator Jeremy Johnson. “Because of their efforts, we have decades of data trends that provide insight into youth attitudes and behaviors regarding substance use, mental health, bullying, and more.”
The survey was designed to provide an anonymous platform for student voice. School districts, community coalitions, and others use that data to apply for funding for services and programs that directly benefit students. Youth feedback also helps inform strategic planning. Combined, these efforts have contributed to significantly reducing risk factors, like substance use.
Key findings from 2025 include:
Alcohol is the highest reported substance used. Seven percent of youth reported using it in the past 30 days, compared to 4.9% for vaping and 2.6% for marijuana.
Nearly 31% of youth reported feelings of depression in the past year. That number has steadily decreased since it peaked from 38% in 2022. Similarly, reported suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts have declined in recent years.
Kids who reported being bullied daily reported feelings of depression more than twice as much as kids who reported they had never been bullied.
Greenbush administers the KCTC Student Survey annually to 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders across Kansas. The survey is funded by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
