Jackie Shadden is the new fourth-grade teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School in Uniontown. She is pictured in her classroom, getting ready for the first day of school on August 30.
Following 13 years as a fifth-grade teacher in Nevada, Mo., Jackie Shadden is the new fourth-grade teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown. Her hometown is Fort Scott.
“My mom, Ruby Gerant, inspired me to become a teacher,” Shadden said. “She taught for quite a few years as a high school English teacher in Uniontown.”
“I love learning and sharing knowledge with others,” she said. “And it’s always been a joy to be around kids.”
Shadden attended Fort Scott Community College, then Pittsburg State University where she earned a bachelors and masters degree in education.
She married David Shadden and had two kids, Seth, age 10-years-old and Hailey, 8.
“My husband and I care for my family’s farm, where we raise cattle,” she said.
“I am hoping to become more involved with my community since I will be teaching closer to home,” Shadden said.
A 15-year-old was killed Wednesday in a three-vehicle crash five miles south of Fort Scott in Bourbon County, according to a Topeka Capital-Journal report.
The incident was reported at 9:40 a.m., according to the Kansas Highway Patrol’s crash log.
Hunter D. Kovacic, of Stark, was driving north on US-69 when he crossed the center line. He sideswiped a southbound Ford F350 and then struck a semi-truck head-on.
It isn’t known if Kovacic was wearing a seat belt.
The driver of the Ford F350, who was wearing a seat belt, wasn’t injured.
The semi’s driver, Billy Rabbit, 40, of Pryor, Okla., was transported to Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott with injuries. He was wearing a seat belt, KHP said.
Carl Brenner, new Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at Fort Scott National Historic Site, started July 22.
The new Fort Scott National Historic Site Ranger has been around.
From Shenandoah National Park, VA to Grand Canyon National Park, AZ to Pinnacles National Monument, Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Park-all in California to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in the Texas Panhandle, Carl Brenner has been all across America.
As of July 22, Brenner is the new Supervisory Ranger and Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS.
“I came to Fort Scott to continue my journey,” Brenner said. “I grew up in St. Louis, MO. I love the history close to home.”
Brenner is ready to become a part of Fort Scott.
“I’m ready to begin engaging with the community-schools, hospital, veterans, all civic organizations here in town,” he said. “And reaching out to other communities to bring them here.”
He wants to tell the story of the fort and its opportunities.
Brenner has a passion for the National Park Service.
“The park service story is the story of America,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to share that story.”
“Growing up I never realized you could have a job in the park service,” Brenner said. “Learning about nature and the cultures, being able to share them can be a career.”
That’s what his father, John Brenner, taught him, which inspired him. His first supervisor, Barb Stewart, also ” instilled the values of what the park service is and the possibilities that exist.”
The N.P.S became his family, he said.
His personal family is a wife, Maggie, who is still packing up their belongings in Texas, and his dogs, a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever.
Brenner has been welcomed by the community, he said, and he is impressed with the number of activities that go on in town.
He will have to coordinate with all the activities to “have people come and enjoy the fort,” he said.
This week is Trailblazer Week at the fort.
Brenner believes this is an exposure to the fort and a pathway into a career for youth.
“I’d like to start doing that with schools, the curriculum at the schools,” he said. “Try to build pathways for people to learn about resources and opportunities with the park service.”
I want to thank everyone who voted and participated in the 2018 primary election.
It’s an honor and a privilege for us as Americans to show our appreciation and dedication to all who stood up and defended our rights to self-govern and to have a voice in the electoral process.
May God bless America as we bless Him.
Kansas House of Representative District 4, Trevor Jacobs
Uniontown schools have enrollment August 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again on August 9 from noon to 7 p.m.
The school district has its’ first day of school on August 30.
Uniontown native Vance Eden, 33, is the new principal at West Bourbon Elementary School, as of July 1.
” My first priority is to make sure every student and teacher have the things they need to have the best possible start to the school year,” Eden said.
Eden attended Uniontown schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
He then attended Pittsburg State University attaining a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.
He taught seven years, four years as a 6th-grade teacher and three years teaching Title 1. He served as assistant principal in Webb City, Mo. for four years.
He and wife, Rachel have two children, a son-Scout, 6 years old and a daughter-Rhuey, age 4. They are members of Community Christian Church.
Why did you choose education for a career?
” Working in education is a great way to be a positive impact on the kids and families of the community where you live,” Eden said.
Ralph Carlson and Tammy Helm play as part of the Friday Night Concert on August 3.
The Hemphill Family and Friends will be the featured act at this week’s concert at Heritage Park at 7 p.m.
The weekly Friday Night Concert is at First and Main Streets and is free and open to the public.
Ralph Carlson is the organizer of the concert series, which is sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs.
Lawnchairs line Main Street at for the Friday Night Concert on Aug. 3. Lawnchairs also filled the area in front of and to the side of the pavilion. Several area musicians entertained the audience at this concert.
That excitement is that our school district gets to start preparing to see our amazing children and staff!
Although, the first week of school can become very stressful for both students and staff. To help overcome this stressful time, I would like our community to show their support to our USD 234 staff during the first week of school.
We would appreciate donations for giveaways to be handed out to our wonderful staff at our all staff meeting August 20th.
You may show your appreciation by decorating your business windows, offering discounts, or just saying thanks when you see our staff.
USD 234
greatly
appreciates our community and all of your
continued
support!
Donations for giveaways may be brought to the board of education or you may contact Nick Traul at
