Tag Archives: featured

COVID-19, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Senior Serves on Kansas Learning Plan Commission

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Elizabeth Ngatia. Submitted photo.

USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong nominated Fort Scott High School Senior Elizabeth Ngatia to serve on the Kansas Learning Plan Commission, started by the Kansas State Department of Education.

The KSDE asked all school districts to nominate one senior from the graduating class of 2020 to be on the task force to assist other seniors across the State of Kansas in dealing with the pandemic of COVID-19.

“I felt so honored, thankful to have a superintendent who believed in me so much,” she said. “The nomination was to represent the USD 234 school district and our seniors.”

Hessong was impressed with Ngatia as a student at FSHS, he said.  “After hearing some of her speeches, I was moved by the passion she had for topics she was conveying to the listener. I was not aware of Elizabeth’s personal story at the time of the nomination, but when she shared her story with me I knew she was the right choice to nominate for her to represent USD 234.”

Once nominated, Ngatia wtote a bibliography about herself and  waited to see if she was selected to be a part of the 50 students selected.

“After the meeting with the 50 students, a few weeks passed and KSDE contacted me about being a part of an even smaller group to help have a more focused conversation that can benefit students,” she said.

The group met online for discussion beginning May 1.

The following is an email interview with Ngatia.

What do you do on the commission?

“I discuss my thoughts, ideas, and concerns about my struggles as well as other seniors and their struggles through this trying time with fellow seniors in Kansas, and the staff of the KSDE.”

How do you meet?

“We meet every few weeks on Zoom calls as a group.”

Elizabeth Ngatia,  top middle , in a Zoom meeting with others on the Kansas Learning Plan Commission. Submitted photos.

 

What is the commission all about?

“The commission is all about… the leaders of the Kansas education system, getting to hear from students about how we are coping with everything. They are able to have an insight on what ways they may be able to help with such a drastic change. However, the commission goes beyond Covid-19 and the burden it has been. We discuss how and what educators can do to help address some of the barriers seniors face. What they can do to create, and improve, some of the high school learning experiences for future graduates.”

Has anything good come out of the experience of the pandemic that shut down the country, for you?

“I think for me I took the time to grieve and be heartbroken about the situation. I took the time to remember all the things that would no longer be accessible to me, once I got past that grieving stage, I reminded myself that this is the way that it has to be, that although it has affected many important areas of my life, I must look at the positives. I quickly recognized how lucky and blessed I am to have a home life where I feel safe, cared for, and can easily focus on my online studies well. At the end of the day, you must take the bad situations and make them good, I am happy to have gotten this extra time with my family, this extra to also re-evaluate and discover more about myself before moving on to a new chapter of my life.”

What challenges have there been?

“For me, asides from the common missing being with friends and extended family, it was navigating post-secondary education plans without the help of teachers and especially the counselors.”

What are you looking forward to in your education?

“I am really looking forward to being in the leadership community at Washburn University and being around such a family-like atmosphere. I am also really looking forward to studying pre-law (political science) in the capital city where I will hopefully get to work with some of our state lawmakers and see everything in action, hopefully, pick up a few skills!”

“Elizabeth has a bright future in front of her and I know by her participating in this task force, others will be able to learn and relate to her story and she will help her fellow seniors across the State of Kansas in dealing with COVID-19 in a positive manner,” Hessong said.

 

Ngatia shared a little of her life journey with fortscott.biz:

She was born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya, and her parents worked hard to support the family.

  “At the age of seven, my family immigrated to America,” Ngatia said. “My parents picked up jobs at local fast-food restaurants to support us.”

The culture in Kenya and the U.S. were immensely different, she said and she felt like she was out of place due to her strong accent, financial issues and other cultural differences.

Her family became her source of motivation.

Her parents told her the American Dream was meant for her and her sister.

  “They pushed us to be successful because this is an opportunity not many have in Kenya,” she said.  

The faith and support of her parents helped her realize the opportunities she has before her, and she looked for ways to change the status quo, by getting involved in many school activities to fulfill the goals she had, she said.

 

Art, Bourbon County

Art Is Ageless Winners Announced

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Thyra Babcock won the Best of Show prize for her “Round of Robins” submission, in the amateur division of the Art Is Ageless juried competition at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. All photos were submitted.

 

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility,  recently honored winning artists in the annual Art Is Ageless juried competition, according to a press release.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” Becky Kellum, marketing director at the facility, said. “Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

Winners are as follows:

In the professional division:

 

1)      The Tony Forelli piece, “Wilderness Knife”  won two ribbons  1) Mixed Media /Crafts Professional and  2) People’s Choice Professional.

 

 

2)      Sculpture 3/D Professional “ Forever” by Bobbie Kemna

 

 

3)      Quilting Professional “ American Flag” by Carolyn Crystal

 

 

4)      Photography Professional “ Sunrise at Fort Scott National Cemetery “  by Paul Milks

 

 

5)      Painting Professional “ Gossip “ by Carolyn Munsell

 

 

6)      Needlework Professional “ Flower Bag” by Carolyn Crystal

 

 

7)      Christmas  Professional ‘ Christmas Stocking “ by Carolyn Crystal

 

 

8)      Best of Show Professional “ Druzy Diamonds “ by John Bartlesmeyer

 

 

9)      Judges Choice Professional “ His Word” by Tony Fornelli

 

In the amateur division:

 

1)      Christmas Amateur  “Thompson Farm “ by Linda Thompson

 

 

2)      Needlework Amateur “ Flower Bouquet” by Charlotte Kite

 

 

3)      Fiber Arts Amateur “ Star of Bethlehem ” by Jean Strader

 

 

4)      Mixed Media/Crafts  Amateur “Joy in Motion”: Barbara Gibson

 

5)      Painting Amateur “ The Cottage “ Glenda Stevicks

 

6)      Sculpture 3/D ( Amateur ) “ G.E. lives Here!” by Gerald Elliott

 

7)      This piece, “The Clover Valley”  by Earline Foster, won two  ribbons  1) Quilting Amateur  2) Judges Choice  “ The Clover Valley “

 

 

8)  People’s Choice Amateur “ Flower Garden “ by Carolyn Eastwood

 

 

9)  Best of Show Amateur “ Round of Robins “ by Thyra Babcok

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Special Night Planned for FSHS 2020 Grads on May 16

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The class of 2020 at their prom. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott High School staff wanted a way to recognize the senior class on the night of their original graduation date, Jeff DeLaTorre, athletics/activities director said.
To honor the FSHSClass of 2020 on that evening,  Saturday, May 16, staff members have planned a”Senior Cruise Night”.
Students in vehicles will follow a lead car around the city starting and ending at the high school. Vehicles must be street legal, he said.
Students are invited to wear their cap and gown on the cruise.

” We saw that some other schools around the area were doing something similar to this so we thought it would be a good way to recognize them,” DeLaTorre said.

 

A parent or family member is encouraged to drive the vehicle on the cruise so their 2020 senior can fully enjoy the event, he said.

Students who have not picked up their cap and gown yet, can still do so,  DeLaTorre said.

The car cruise will drive around points in Fort Scott that have been a part of the students’ educational journey.
Senior class members in years past have gone to their former elementary and middle schools for a walk-through the halls which honors them.
So the cruise night route will go to each of the district’s schools, sort of a trip down memory lane.
” We chose this route for a couple of reasons,” DeLaTorre said.   “One, we wanted to spread it out so people could be present along the route and still practice social distancing.”
“But the significance of going by Eugene Ware Elementary, Fort Scott Middle School, and Winfield Scott Elementary was to kind of take the place of the traditional ‘Senior Walk-Through’ that the senior class usually gets to do at the end of the year.  They usually walk the halls of each of these buildings one more time and the students and teachers congratulate them.  The Class of 2020 won’t get to do that so we thought we would include the schools in the Senior Cruise.”
On May 16, the seniors will follow a route that will be led by School Resource Officer Mike Trim.
Senior students are asked to arrive at the high school by 6:45 p.m.
The event will start at 7:00 p.m.
The line up will be starting in the southwest corner of the  FSHS front parking lot, and the line will proceed to the east, on the south side of the high school and will weave into the east parking lot.
Here is the route:
-Start at the southwest corner of FSHS
-turn north on Main Street and go to 6th Street
-turn west on 6th and go to National Avenue. Turn north on National
-stay on National until Wall, turn east
– stay on Wall until Margrave, turn south
– at 3rd Street turn east (in front of Eugene Ware)
– at Broadway turn south
– at 6th turn west until Margrave, then turn south
– at 10th turn east and head up to middle school
– turn south on Sheppard and then turn west on 12th
– at Margrave turn south until East National
– follow East National until National. Head north and then turn west on 12th
– take 12th to Crawford and turn north, then turn west on 10th
– follow 10th (in front of Winfield Scott) to Horton
– At Horton turn north and go to 6th and continue east on 6th
– At National turn south. At 9th turn east and cruise ends at 9th and Main in front of high school
The route is highlighted in yellow in this map submitted by FSHS Activities Director Jeff DeLaTorre.
“Community members are asked to be present along the route to recognize our senior students,” DeLaTorre said.
Here are some important items to remember for this event:
– All social distancing guidelines must be followed. Seniors will need to stay in their vehicles before, during, and after the event.
– One senior student per vehicle (unless it is siblings).
For the high school senior to be able to enjoy the experience more, it is encouraged that a parent or family member to drive the vehicle for them.
– Community members are asked to be present along the route to recognize the senior students but are asked to stay in their vehicles to practice social distancing.
If you live along the route you are invited to come out on your porch or front yard to show your support.
– This is not a parade!
All traffic rules and laws must be followed, including stop signs, stoplights, etc.
Also, because it is not a parade all vehicles must be street legal.
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Farmer’s Market Continues on Saturdays and Tuesdays

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The Fort Scott Farmer’s Market will continue on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. at Skubitz Plaza, directly in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

This farmer run market provides a friendly, safe, and fair local market of fresh locally produced items for the community, according to its’ Facebook page.

Linda Bower and husband Chet, have been involved in the market for 25 years she said.

Things will be a little different in 2020 with the pandemic in that social distancing will be maintained, Bower said.

“The public health nurse, Becky Johnson, has OK’d the farmer’s market,” she said. “We have to do social distancing. Masks are optional. Hand sanitizers will be available.”

The Bowers will be bringing spring harvested food produce.

“We will be bringing broccoli, onions, lettuce, spinach, and radishes,” she said.

The Fort Scott Garden Club will have their annual plant sale this Saturday, May 9.

Other vendors are:

R and B Produce, owners Ronnie and Beverly Brown, will be selling nuts and nut bread: (pumpkin, banana, poppy seed, apple nut),  caramel rolls, jelly, and salsa.

Locust Hill Lamanchas, owner Sue Reinecke and family, will be selling goat’s milk products: soap, lotion, body cream, all-natural deodorant, and candles.

 

Sue Reinecke sells goats milk products at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market.

Micki Kraft will be bringing fabric facemasks in three sizes-$3 each. and also aprons (kids and adults), kitchen towels, hot pads, dish rags, and microwave potato bags.

Leta Herboldsherimer will be selling baked goods, pot holders, and dish rags.

Some Amish families will be selling plants and a new vendor will be selling glassware yard decor, Bower said.

To learn more about becoming a vendor, please click the application and guidelines here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tmtWzbD4woEHX7618JRrH2xvuouv08Pl/view?usp=sharing

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19, Government

Help For Small Businesses in the County With Inventory and Capital

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CDBG-CV

Bourbon County businesses with under 50 employees may soon apply for grant funds because of the financial effects of the pandemic.

These grants will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rural small businesses should contact the county economic development director, who will apply for the grant.

“We are exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity, Hoenor said.  “The goal of the grant is job retention.  We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.  Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating. “
“The City of Fort Scott will have the opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding,” she said.

Contact  Hoener at   [email protected]  to get a  business included in the grant application.

Under the Corona Virus Aid and Economic Security Act (CARES), Kansas will receive an additional $9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used exclusively to support projects related to combating the impact of COVID-19, according to a press release from Hoenor.

 

Hoenor received notice of a public hearing yesterday and attended online.

 

The following is an email interview with Hoenor regarding the grants for small businesses in the county.

Who is the target for the grant?
There are four proposed activities with this specific grant.  At this point, we are focusing on businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
What benefits will the grant give the applicant?
 Applicants can use the grant funding for inventory or working capital needs.
What is the application process?
 The county will apply for grant funds, identifying a general number of businesses we intend to help in our grant application.
Grant means no payback, right?
We have not seen the specific requirements but grants typically mean they do not have to pay it back unless the recipient does not fulfill the obligations the grant was intended for.
What is the timeline?
We were told the applications process will be online and hope to have available next week.  It will be first come first serve.
Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Development Director. Submitted photo.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Online Classes Pose Some Challenges For Middle School Student

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Alexis Tourtillott at home doing online school work. Submitted photo.

 

Alexis Tourtillott, age 11, attended Fort Scott Middle School until the COVID 19 Pandemic, closed down classes nationwide in March 2020.

Tourtillott started about a month ago to do lessons with teachers on the internet as a part of USD 234 Continuous Learning Plan.

“I started four weeks ago and I am doing online school for about five classes,” Tourtillott said via an email interview.

“A typical school day is waking up, doing a zoom class, then work,” she said. “I probably spend about one-and-one-half hours on it daily.”

She has faced some challenges, she said.

Submitted photo.

“Doing my work at home is kind of hard because there are so many distractions,” Tourtillott said.  “My greatest challenge is pushing myself to do the work even though I don’t want to.”

“I think the new learning plan is going well, especially for the amount of time the teachers had to plan for it,” Alexis mother, Amy Wiltse said. “I cannot imagine the stress that this causes for them.”

 

Bourbon County, Business

Food + Cotton Candy and Snowcones: Sunshine Shack

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Shayla Knight, the owner of the Sunshine Shack, makes a soft pretzel for a customer on Saturday.

Shayla Knight is a mother of six children and has a  food trailer business that she started last year.

She has reopened her business, Sunshine Shack LLC in her driveway at 606 Sherman in Uniontown.

“It’s convenient with the kids,”  Knight said. “They can be with mom while I’m working.

She also has the help of husband Kyle Knight, she said.  “This is our home base address.”

Kyle works for the City of Fort Scott during the day.

“I have been in the food industry for 10 plus years,” Shayla said.  “Ranging from fast food, fine dining, and schools.  I enjoy serving the community and customer service is a high priority for me! I love to chit chat! “
She started her business in April 2019.
“My food trailer has the ability to move wherever I would need to be such as fairs, festivals, and other community events,” she said.
Shayla Knight, owner of the Sunshine Shack, a food trailer in Uniontown. Submitted photos.
Sunshine Shack is currently open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays,” she said. This is… subject to change as we hope to attend some events throughout the season.”
“We are currently looking at the possibility of catering our fun stuff like cotton candy and snow cones for birthday parties,” she said.
When social distancing is over the Knights will provide a few picnic tables for people to sit and enjoy their food on the property, but not currently, she said.
A happy customer of the Sunshine Shack on Saturday.

The business Facebook page is Sunshine Shack LLC, or call 620-224-8493.

Business, Fort Scott

Sunshine Boutique Reopens Today Showing-Off Expansion

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Sunshine Boutique has expanded to 2 South Main.
Sunshine Boutique has added space to their shop at 18 E. Wall and now has a storefront at 2 S. Main that is connected to it.
It is a small, family-run business with a wide variety of goods and services.
Sunshine Boutique has more space to shop in. Submitted photo.
“We do fresh and silk flowers for all occasions, tuxedo rentals, decor, gourmet foods and coffees, clothing, jewelry, candles, and more,” Rillie Creollo, store manager, said.
Creollo is the grand-daughter of Georgia Brown, the store owner of the long-time boutique in downtown Fort Scott.
Submitted photo.
“We offer our community a friendly and personable place to hang out and shop,” Creollo said.
“2 S Main is the new addition and we are having a soft opening on Monday (today),” she said. “To keep ourselves and our customers safe we will be practicing social distancing and scheduling times to sanitize throughout the day.”
“We expanded to introduce some new inventory and give us and our customers a little more breathing room while shopping,” Creollo said.
Georgia Brown, left, is the owner of Sunshine Boutique. The store manager is Rillie Creollo, right.
Submitted photo.
The store manager has added new items during the expansion.
“A whole new line of clothing including Kancan jeans, crystals, plants, candles, sage, hand-blown crystal orbs, and Doterra essential oils,” Creollo said.
Submitted photo.
Operating hours will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Before and after hour appointments are available upon request.
Sunshine Boutique. Submitted photos.

To contact the store: 620-223-6007

Bourbon County, Schools

New WBE Kindergarten Teacher: Haley Troutman

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Haley Troutman

Haley Troutman, 27, is the new kindergarten teacher at West Bourbon Elementary school in Uniontown for 2020-2021.

She has two years of experience teaching at Precious Lambs Preschool and two years teaching at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Fort Scott in Grades 3 and 4.

Troutman completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from KSU in 2014, then took a position with Precious Lambs Preschool as their director/lead teacher.

“To gain more experience in childhood behaviors, I worked for a year at SEK Mental Health as a children’s case manager,” she said.

“In 2018, I began Kansas State University’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program (MAT program). I have spent the last two years as a 3rd and 4th-grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary. It has been a wonderful journey, but I am beyond excited to settle in my hometown.”

Troutman’s hometown is Uniontown, Kansas.

“I am so excited to be an Eagle again,” she said.  “The staff has been so welcoming and wonderful to me already.”

She is married to Stuart and has three children, Molly (age 8), Sadie (age 5), Jett (age 2).

 

What is the best part of teaching for you?

“I love building relationships with students and their families. It is also rewarding to see the gains that children make throughout the course of a school year, both socially and academically.”

 

What are the greatest challenges?

“I would say, ensuring that every student is challenged at his/her academic level while meeting the needs of the whole group. I love the challenge of differentiation. Additionally, being a responsive teacher can be challenging; being able to notice what is working and change what isn’t.”

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Kenny Felt Photography Has New Digs

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Kenny Felt Photography’s new studio is located next to the Common Ground Coffee shop location on East Wall.
Kenny Felt Photography’s new address is 10 E. Wall St.
He is moving from a small studio on Main Street, around the corner.
“When I moved into the old location, it was really only meant to last until I found a bigger space,” Felt said. “It worked well for newborns and seniors but I really needed more space.”
Having the larger space will allow Felt  to accommodate large groups and families  “as well as expand on what I can do creatively in the studio.”
Felt has memories of this particular building.
“I’ve loved this building on Wall Street since 2001 when I began working at the Fort Scott Tribune as a photographer,” he said. “
“I sort of grew up here as a college student. My first job out of high school was as a photojournalist for the paper even though I had barely any knowledge of how to work a camera. Through a lot of dumb luck, I fell into photography and have loved it ever since. Even after leaving the Tribune, I regularly photographed subjects throughout the various open areas in the building. it’s always had great light coming through the large windows. Now that it’s been given new life, I’m excited to see what happens! “
Kenny Felt’s new studio at 10 E. Wall. Submitted photo.
Felt is impressed with the renovation project of Jennifer LaRoche.
“When I heard about the plans for renovation I had high hopes for what it would turn into but never did I imagine it would’ve turned out as beautiful as it has,” he said. ” It’s unreal how beautiful everything is.”
Felt can be reached by phone a  620-719-0249.  His website is www.kennyfelt.com OR he can be found on Facebook or Instagram @kennyfelt
Felt provides all sorts of photography services.
“I do all varieties of photography but specialize in seniors pictures, weddings and newborns,” he said.
Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS New Technology Teacher: Matt Glades

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The Glades family: Matt, Alyssa and sons, Bishop and Maddox. Submitted photo.
 Matt Glades, 32, is the new Fort Scott High SchoolTechnology Teacher for 2020-21.
” I spent nine years at Fort Scott Community College,” Glades said. ” I worked as a coach, adjunct instructor, TRiO Counselor, Director of Admissions, and sponsor for the President’s Ambassador Program.”
Glades earned an Associate of Science Degree from Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Engineering Technology from Missouri Western State University and a Masters Degree in Health, Human Performance, and Recreation from Pittsburg State University.
He is currently working towards a Master’s in Education at Fort Hayes State University.
His hometown is Galena, KS.
He is married to Alyssa,  and they have two sons-Bishop and Maddox.
In his spare time he likes sports, coaching, movies, and spending time with friends and family, he said. He is a member of Community Christian Church and the USD 234 Mentor Program.
How did you become an educator?
“Education was not my first choice out of college. I honestly thought that I would never have the courage to be able to speak or teach in front of students. I worked for an engineering firm in Springfield, MO for almost a year. However, during that time I felt like I wasn’t in the right place. God was watching over me and changed my life forever. I would spend the next decade working with students at Fort Scott Community College. In the Fall of 2019, I was fortunate to coach for the FSHS football team and I felt that this is where I needed to be. I am very thankful and excited to be a part of USD 234.”
Is there someone who inspired you?
“I have been truly blessed to have had such amazing teachers and coaches in my life. I can only hope and pray that I can replicate their qualities and attributes to help students grow.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“To me, the best part of teaching is having the ability to have a positive impact on someone. Working at FSCC, I was able to see the difference one person can make in another person’s life. There’s nothing quite like having someone come back and thank you for helping them. “
What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?
“I think the biggest challenge that I will face is trying to help students settle back into a school routine during my first year as a teacher.”
Fort Scott, Schools

Local Students Take First and Second In Kansas History Day

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Adelynn Nolan, left, and Katelyn Dancer perform their history presentation. Submitted photo.

Students are still working on school competitions, even in the pandemic.

For some local students, the work paid off with earning the right to go to nationals. However, the pandemic has stopped them from physically going to College Park, Maryland to the national competition.

“They were disappointed,” Fort Scott Junior High and High School Enrichment Teacher Angie Kemmerer said.

The Kansas History Day Competition was held online this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
  Fort Scott Middle School had six students and Fort Scott High School had one student compete by submitting four projects in all.
Four students from this group took first and second in the junior group performance category.
“It’s unusual for one school to take first and second in the same category,” Angie Kemmerer said.
This year’s theme was “Breaking Barriers in History”.
“Students engaged in intense historical research using primary and secondary sources, visited the World War I Museum and the Edward Jones Historical Research Library, and conducted interviews to develop their projects,” Kemmerer said.
“Even though their time was cut short due to school closures from the epidemic, each of these students continued to work on their projects from home,” she said.   “As the competition changed from an in-person to a virtual format, students adjusted to the new requirements for each of their chosen categories.”
FSMS seventh-graders Caroline Barnes and Madelyn Cook created a junior group exhibit titled “Fly Girls” featuring women that broke barriers by being the first Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). Jacqueline Cochran formed the WASPs, Ola Mildred Rexroat was the first and only Native American WASP, and Hazel Ying Lee was the first of two Asian women and died in service without military recognition.  Deanie Parrish is one of the original WASP’s who is still alive. This groups of brave women inspired generations of women to follow in their footsteps like Nancy, Deanie’s daughter, who joined the military. The WASPs were part of the push for women to have equal rights as men, even if they didn’t realize it at the time, according to information provided by Kemmerer.

FSHS freshman Katelyn Leavell did a senior individual performance on unsung hero Anna Coleman Ladd titled: “Breaking the Barrier of Social Stigma: Anna Coleman Ladd and the First World War”.

“My project relates to this year’s theme because social stigma is one of the most prominent and hard to overcome barriers in society,” Leavell said. “My project focuses primarily on this barrier and the stigma of disabled WWI veterans. The barrier of social stigma based on physical disfigurements from combat was the hardest to break. Anna’s artistry and mask-making abilities covered the problem areas for a soldier so the world couldn’t see that part of them. With the newfound confidence, the men were able to find themselves and overcome that stigma. Though many were buried with their masks, they still had the confidence through their lives to go out into the world, unrestricted by physical barriers and social anxiety.”

Qualifying for the National History Day Competition in the junior group performance category are the two Fort Scott Middle School groups; eighth-graders Katelin Dancer/ Adelynn Nolan and Kaitlin Hardwick/ Regen Wells.
First place in the junior group performance category was Music to Everyone’s Ears: How Motown Broke Society’s Barriers by Katelyn Dancer and Adelynn Nolan.

The group knew they wanted to choose a topic that challenged the normal thought process and related to the theme in a creative way, according to information provided by Kemmerer.  The group’s first ideas consisted of artists, scientists, and musicians- people who broke barriers on a smaller scale and within their career field.   In the end, they decided on Motown because it included that artistic charm.

The most difficult aspect of the project was the script, and was rewritten four times before it was finalized.

Motown’s sound played an important role in demolishing the barrier of race that previously divided the country. Black and white audiences alike attended Motown concerts.  Motown also had a significant influence on the music industry, bringing about modern forms of musical production, management, and style.

Second place in the junior group performance category:  From Soldiers Heart to PTSD: Breaking the Barriers Around Mental Health by Kaitlin Hardwick and Regen Wells
Kaitlyn Hardwick, left, and Regen Wells perform their history day presentation. Submitted photos.

 While doing research on disabled American veterans,  the group found multiple articles pertaining to the topic of mental health within soldiers and veterans of WWI. After more research, they decided that they would choose the development and social acceptance of mental health, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, in soldiers and veterans of major wars.

The stigmatized barrier around the acceptance of PTSD in our society as a mental disorder was the topic chosen. People who had the disorder were shunned and undiagnosed and it was seen as a flaw.

The project was a performance about the journey to overcoming this stigma, highlighting several moments on the path to PTSD recognition. In the groups performance, they discussed the effect of PTSD on veterans of the Civil War, in WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War, and how it has evolved over time into what it is today.
PTSD  has developed from an unknown mental illness that was not treated, to a treatable condition in not only veterans, but in survivors of trauma such as sexual assault, abuse, natural disasters and accidents.
It is estimated that 3.5 percent of U.S. adults have PTSD. Approximately, 1 in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD within their lifetime. So much has happened to bring PTSD into societal acceptance, and not just in America. All around the world the barrier has been diminished for getting help for mental illness.
About National History Day

The range of NHD topics encompasses all disciplines and all areas of the world, according to the information provided. These projects speak volumes on how this program promotes global awareness. But it also fosters self-awareness, and creative real-world problem solving that can lead students to understand how each one of us has the potential to positively impact our world. 

“NHD allows students to experience the exhilaration that comes from being innovative thinkers and producers.” Kemmerer said.” As their teacher, I hope these experiences help them realize they have the potential to change the world for the better — and the skills to do it.