'Saving Our Past’s Future' has a new advocate

The Ellis County Historical Society has been awarded
a grant of $84,706 from the Heritage Trust Fund for brick work on the
First Presbyterian Church as one of seven projects funded by the Kansas
Historic Sites Board of Review. 

“We are honored
to receive this grant and it is vital to our plan to fully restore and open our
main campus museum with new and exciting exhibits," said Amanda Rupp, ECHS executive director." We want to be a ‘must-see’
destination for our local citizens and tourists who come to Ellis County.” 

A total of 36 applicants requested over $2.78 million during
this grant round. HTF grants reimburse expenses for projects that preserve or
restore qualifying historic properties.

Work began at the beginning of April and should see
completion in mid-summer.

Efforts to give a new lease of life to the society began in
2021 with a new board and three part-time staff.&nbsp;

In July of 2022, Rupp was named executive director. She is a homegrown native to western Kansas and has a vision,
together with the board and staff, of what ECHS can develop from its foundation
of over 50 years. 

Public interest in the new direction and changes is growing
as witnessed by the $190,000 of private donations given for various projects
since 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682424864951.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>'Saving Our Past’s Future' has a new advocate</h2>SubmittedThe Ellis County Historical Society has been awarded
a grant of $84,706 from the Heritage Trust Fund for brick work on the
First Presbyterian Church as one of seven projects funded by the Kansas
Historic Sites Board of Review. “We are honored
to receive this grant and it is vital to our plan to fully restore and open our
main campus museum with new and exciting exhibits," said Amanda Rupp, ECHS executive director." We want to be a ‘must-see’
destination for our local citizens and tourists who come to Ellis County.” A total of 36 applicants requested over $2.78 million during
this grant round. HTF grants reimburse expenses for projects that preserve or
restore qualifying historic properties.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682424911119.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Work began at the beginning of April and should see
completion in mid-summer.Efforts to give a new lease of life to the society began in
2021 with a new board and three part-time staff.&nbsp;In July of 2022, Rupp was named executive director. She is a homegrown native to western Kansas and has a vision,
together with the board and staff, of what ECHS can develop from its foundation
of over 50 years. Public interest in the new direction and changes is growing
as witnessed by the $190,000 of private donations given for various projects
since 2021.

Ellis Co. Historical Society receives grant for church brick work

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682608606650.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH OF HAYS, PROVIDING CHILDREN'S PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT IS LOOKING FOR COMPASSIONATE AND QUALIFIED TEAM MEMBERS. CAMBER IS HIRING NURSES, THERAPISTS AND DIRECT CARE STAFF.

CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE CULTURE WITH COMPETITIVE BENEFITS INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, FREE DENTAL, A 2.5 PERCENT RETIREMENT SAVINGS MATCH, AND GENEROUS PAID TIME OFF.

MOST OF ALL, CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS AN INSPIRING MISSION –FIND YOUR PURPOSE WITH A MEANINGFUL CAREER.

APPLY TODAY ONLINE AT&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cambermentalhealth.org/careers/">CAMBERMENTALHEALTH.ORG/CAREER</a>&nbsp;AND JOIN THE CAMBER TEAM. CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER CAMBER BENEFITS:

* Inspiring mission –make your career meaningful! * Competitive pay for the industry * KVC pays 76% of medical insurance costs for employees * Free dental insurance * Generous policies for parental leave, paid time off and holidays * 403(b) retirement savings plan with 2.5% company match * A positive, supportive culture where employee opinions count * A strong focus on promoting internally * Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion * Fun employee celebrations including meals, parties and casual get-togethers * Ongoing training and learning opportunities

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681925190638.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH OF HAYS, PROVIDING CHILDREN'S PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT IS LOOKING FOR COMPASSIONATE AND QUALIFIED TEAM MEMBERS. CAMBER IS HIRING NURSES, THERAPISTS AND DIRECT CARE STAFF.CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE CULTURE WITH COMPETITIVE BENEFITS INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, FREE DENTAL, A 2.5 PERCENT RETIREMENT SAVINGS MATCH, AND GENEROUS PAID TIME OFF.MOST OF ALL, CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS AN INSPIRING MISSION –FIND YOUR PURPOSE WITH A MEANINGFUL CAREER.APPLY TODAY ONLINE AT&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cambermentalhealth.org/careers/">CAMBERMENTALHEALTH.ORG/CAREER</a>&nbsp;AND JOIN THE CAMBER TEAM. CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER CAMBER BENEFITS:* Inspiring mission –make your career meaningful! * Competitive pay for the industry * KVC pays 76% of medical insurance costs for employees * Free dental insurance * Generous policies for parental leave, paid time off and holidays * 403(b) retirement savings plan with 2.5% company match * A positive, supportive culture where employee opinions count * A strong focus on promoting internally * Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion * Fun employee celebrations including meals, parties and casual get-togethers * Ongoing training and learning opportunitiesAND MUCH MORE!

Popeyes opens for business in north Hays

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

While most school districts in the state are seeing decreases in enrollment in part due to aging populations and migration of young families to urban areas, Hays' enrollment is growing.

A Hays USD 489 audit report to the school board on Monday showed an increase in enrollment.

Hays enrollment had been within about 12 students for the last three years, but its full-time equivalent increased by 43 students for the 2022-23 school year.

Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent, said this is important because this is the number on which the state bases funding.

The district's headcount was 3,420 students, which includes virtual and pre-kindergarten at-risk students.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682438402841.png" alt="Hays USD 489 full-time equivalent enrollment" />
 <figcaption>Hays USD 489 full-time equivalent enrollment</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostWhile most school districts in the state are seeing decreases in enrollment in part due to aging populations and migration of young families to urban areas, Hays' enrollment is growing.A Hays USD 489 audit report to the school board on Monday showed an increase in enrollment.Hays enrollment had been within about 12 students for the last three years, but its full-time equivalent increased by 43 students for the 2022-23 school year.Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent, said this is important because this is the number on which the state bases funding.The district's headcount was 3,420 students, which includes virtual and pre-kindergarten at-risk students.&nbsp;Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Audit shows enrollment increase for Hays USD 489

Works of art that were meant to preserve memories of loved ones turned into an addictive hobby for a Stockton native.

Cindy McDowell, 74, creates shadow boxes using vintage jewelry.

Her art is on display now through Saturday at Professor's, 521 E. 11th, Hays.

She created her first piece after her grandmother died using pieces of her jewelry.

She decided to repeat the effort after her mother died, creating an elaborate Christmas tree. 

"When I look at them, I see the pear pin that my mother wore. She wore it a lot. She had a turtle pin that she wore all the time. When I see those, I know who they belonged to, and that brings a memory," she said.&nbsp;

She made a mermaid for her bathroom and in the foreground is her grandmother's rosary box. Her name was inscribed in gold on the box.

"Whenever I see that, it's neat because you know it is a piece of your family," she said. "The earrings that are in the tail are grandma's earrings."

Although she dabbled with the craft before, when her mother died she now had her mother's jewelry, her aunt's jewelry who died before her mother and the remainder of her grandmother's jewelry. Her creativity exploded.

Although women have been creating these mixed-media displays for years, McDowell brings a modern flair to her pieces by using her scrapbooking skills.

"I have scrapbooked for years, but there are only so many baseball, basketball and football games you can do," she said of the scrapbooks she created for her grandchildren.

McDowell said she picks out a central piece of her work. It could be a turtle, hummingbird or butterfly. Many of the centerpieces of her work are colorful vintage broaches.

She uses scrapbook paper, beads and scrapbook embellishments to fill in the backgrounds.

Once she starts gluing, a piece may take an hour or two to complete, but the creative process may be more involved, she said.

"I'll wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning and think, 'Oh, that will work there,' " she said. "Then I have to go downstairs and find the jewelry I'm thinking about."

McDowell, who worked in banking for more than 40 years, sells her artwork. However, she said she barely is able to recoup the cost of the materials and the frames. She keeps creating because she loves it.

The hunt for new pieces of jewelry is part of the excitement. Now, when she travels, her plans include visiting local thrift stores to shop for overlooked gems.

McDowell occasionally does commissioned pieces for family members, but she said she prefers not to. She says it's too much pressure.

McDowell's art also&nbsp;can be seen and purchased at Funky Junky or Now and Then Treasure Chest in Stockton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682454116834.jpeg" alt="Cindy McDowell of Stockton creates shadow boxes with vintage jewelry. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Cindy McDowell of Stockton creates shadow boxes with vintage jewelry. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostWorks of art that were meant to preserve memories of loved ones turned into an addictive hobby for a Stockton native.Cindy McDowell, 74, creates shadow boxes using vintage jewelry.Her art is on display now through Saturday at Professor's, 521 E. 11th, Hays.She created her first piece after her grandmother died using pieces of her jewelry.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682452764888.jpeg" alt="This peacock created by Cindy McDowell is on display at Professor's through the end of the month.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>This peacock created by Cindy McDowell is on display at Professor's through the end of the month.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>She decided to repeat the effort after her mother died, creating an elaborate Christmas tree. "When I look at them, I see the pear pin that my mother wore. She wore it a lot. She had a turtle pin that she wore all the time. When I see those, I know who they belonged to, and that brings a memory," she said.&nbsp;She made a mermaid for her bathroom and in the foreground is her grandmother's rosary box. Her name was inscribed in gold on the box."Whenever I see that, it's neat because you know it is a piece of your family," she said. "The earrings that are in the tail are grandma's earrings."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682452822374.jpeg" alt="Art by Cindy McDowell.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Art by Cindy McDowell.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Although she dabbled with the craft before, when her mother died she now had her mother's jewelry, her aunt's jewelry who died before her mother and the remainder of her grandmother's jewelry. Her creativity exploded.Although women have been creating these mixed-media displays for years, McDowell brings a modern flair to her pieces by using her scrapbooking skills."I have scrapbooked for years, but there are only so many baseball, basketball and football games you can do," she said of the scrapbooks she created for her grandchildren.McDowell said she picks out a central piece of her work. It could be a turtle, hummingbird or butterfly. Many of the centerpieces of her work are colorful vintage broaches.She uses scrapbook paper, beads and scrapbook embellishments to fill in the backgrounds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682452864318.jpeg" alt="This ocean scene and owl were created using vintage jewelry by artist Cindy McDowell.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>This ocean scene and owl were created using vintage jewelry by artist Cindy McDowell.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Once she starts gluing, a piece may take an hour or two to complete, but the creative process may be more involved, she said."I'll wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning and think, 'Oh, that will work there,' " she said. "Then I have to go downstairs and find the jewelry I'm thinking about."McDowell, who worked in banking for more than 40 years, sells her artwork. However, she said she barely is able to recoup the cost of the materials and the frames. She keeps creating because she loves it.The hunt for new pieces of jewelry is part of the excitement. Now, when she travels, her plans include visiting local thrift stores to shop for overlooked gems.McDowell occasionally does commissioned pieces for family members, but she said she prefers not to. She says it's too much pressure.McDowell's art also&nbsp;can be seen and purchased at Funky Junky or Now and Then Treasure Chest in Stockton.

Stockton artist preserves memories using vintage jewelry

City Manager Toby Dougherty has announced the appointment 
of Tom Howie as the new project manager for the city of Hays. He will 
assume his duties May 1.

Howie, a Hays resident, comes from the private 
sector, where he worked as a business consultant and project manager for 
various commercial and residential projects.

“Tom will be an immediate 
asset for the city of Hays," Dougherty said. "His skill set and private sector experience 
will bring a unique perspective to the position.”&nbsp;

Howie graduated from Regis University with a bachelor of science in operations management.

John Braun, the current project manager, will shift to full-time project manager of the R-9 water supply plan over the next couple of months, according to Collin Bielser, deputy city manager.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682518688794.png" alt="Howie" />
 <figcaption>Howie</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysCity Manager Toby Dougherty has announced the appointment 
of Tom Howie as the new project manager for the city of Hays. He will 
assume his duties May 1.Howie, a Hays resident, comes from the private 
sector, where he worked as a business consultant and project manager for 
various commercial and residential projects.“Tom will be an immediate 
asset for the city of Hays," Dougherty said. "His skill set and private sector experience 
will bring a unique perspective to the position.”&nbsp;Howie graduated from Regis University with a bachelor of science in operations management.John Braun, the current project manager, will shift to full-time project manager of the R-9 water supply plan over the next couple of months, according to Collin Bielser, deputy city manager.&nbsp;

City of Hays hires new project manager

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

On Jan. 9, the USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education voted 5-2 to close 
Wilson High School at the close of the 2022-23 school year. Some Wilson 
residents continue to battle that decision. Last October, the Wilson 
High School Future Committee was formed in an effort to keep the school 
open. Member Michael Kratky said the group is planning to file a 
petition that could eliminate the district altogether.

"We have 
plenty of signatures already from people who are in favor of the 
petition," he said. "We will proceed with the petition after May 1. We 
gave the board an opportunity to give us a one-year extension for 
2023-24, so we can work out the solutions for our school. If not, then 
we're going to proceed with the disorganization petition."

Per 
Kansas statute 72-635, whenever a disorganization petition is filed with
 the appropriate number of signatures, the matter shall be put on a 
ballot before all voters in the district. If a majority of voters 
approve the disorganization, the matter goes to the Kansas State Board 
of Education.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/e5ef6350-89e6-4704-8d7d-b84f3567b429">RELATED ARTICLE: USD 112 BOE votes to close WHS</a>

"There's
 a possibility, with disorganization, we could become a sub-district of 
another district, which means we would manage our own funding and our 
own expenses," Kratky said. "We feel we have options either way, with 
the one-year extension or the disorganization. As far as the 
disorganization, we don't really have anything to lose. We have 
everything to gain."

Kratky and a group of others have testified 
before the Kansas Legislature on multiple occasions. House Bill 2138 
pertaining to school closings passed the legislature but, with several 
other items attached in the bill, was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly. The 
group now gives the USD 112 BOE until May 1 to extend Wilson High's life
 for another year, or the petition will be filed in Ellsworth County, 
the home county of the district that spans 548 square miles in parts of 
five counties.

"This is historical for Kansas because there has 
never been a disorganization if it goes to that," Kratky said. "It's up 
to the 112 Board. They've been given a choice, on our part, to give us a
 one-year extension and work through the process of what we need to get 
done to save our 7-12."

In his March 22 testimony before the 
Kansas House Committee on Education, Kratky detailed the history of WHS,
 which was founded in 1887, and remained a single-school district until 
consolidation into USD 328 with Holyrood, Bushton, and Lorraine in 1966.
 In 2010, USD 354 Claflin joined the consolidation, which became USD 112
 Central Plains.

Kratky testified that in February, the board of 
education stated by consensus it would delay the Wilson closure if a 
transfer to another district could be negotiated. He said the committee 
has been in talks with other districts, but the board reversed its 
decision by voting 5-2 against any extension.

Roberta Meier, who 
has taught for 36 years, has expressed concerns about the lack of a 
district-wide staff meeting to discuss how the closure would impact 
staff, directly and indirectly, with unemployment and retirement 
benefits possibly on the line. She's also expressed concern about the 
lack of a transition plan for the Wilson High students when the school 
closes.

Per statute, a petition to disorganization cannot be put 
on the ballot between Jan. 1 and July 1 of any year. Primary elections 
in Kansas are scheduled for Aug. 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682603132348.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostOn Jan. 9, the USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education voted 5-2 to close 
Wilson High School at the close of the 2022-23 school year. Some Wilson 
residents continue to battle that decision. Last October, the Wilson 
High School Future Committee was formed in an effort to keep the school 
open. Member Michael Kratky said the group is planning to file a 
petition that could eliminate the district altogether."We have 
plenty of signatures already from people who are in favor of the 
petition," he said. "We will proceed with the petition after May 1. We 
gave the board an opportunity to give us a one-year extension for 
2023-24, so we can work out the solutions for our school. If not, then 
we're going to proceed with the disorganization petition."Per 
Kansas statute 72-635, whenever a disorganization petition is filed with
 the appropriate number of signatures, the matter shall be put on a 
ballot before all voters in the district. If a majority of voters 
approve the disorganization, the matter goes to the Kansas State Board 
of Education.<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/e5ef6350-89e6-4704-8d7d-b84f3567b429">RELATED ARTICLE: USD 112 BOE votes to close WHS</a>"There's
 a possibility, with disorganization, we could become a sub-district of 
another district, which means we would manage our own funding and our 
own expenses," Kratky said. "We feel we have options either way, with 
the one-year extension or the disorganization. As far as the 
disorganization, we don't really have anything to lose. We have 
everything to gain."Kratky and a group of others have testified 
before the Kansas Legislature on multiple occasions. House Bill 2138 
pertaining to school closings passed the legislature but, with several 
other items attached in the bill, was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly. The 
group now gives the USD 112 BOE until May 1 to extend Wilson High's life
 for another year, or the petition will be filed in Ellsworth County, 
the home county of the district that spans 548 square miles in parts of 
five counties."This is historical for Kansas because there has 
never been a disorganization if it goes to that," Kratky said. "It's up 
to the 112 Board. They've been given a choice, on our part, to give us a
 one-year extension and work through the process of what we need to get 
done to save our 7-12."In his March 22 testimony before the 
Kansas House Committee on Education, Kratky detailed the history of WHS,
 which was founded in 1887, and remained a single-school district until 
consolidation into USD 328 with Holyrood, Bushton, and Lorraine in 1966.
 In 2010, USD 354 Claflin joined the consolidation, which became USD 112
 Central Plains.Kratky testified that in February, the board of 
education stated by consensus it would delay the Wilson closure if a 
transfer to another district could be negotiated. He said the committee 
has been in talks with other districts, but the board reversed its 
decision by voting 5-2 against any extension.Roberta Meier, who 
has taught for 36 years, has expressed concerns about the lack of a 
district-wide staff meeting to discuss how the closure would impact 
staff, directly and indirectly, with unemployment and retirement 
benefits possibly on the line. She's also expressed concern about the 
lack of a transition plan for the Wilson High students when the school 
closes.Per statute, a petition to disorganization cannot be put 
on the ballot between Jan. 1 and July 1 of any year. Primary elections 
in Kansas are scheduled for Aug. 1.

Wilson High School supporters not going down without a fight

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682523121956.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Join us at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Hays Public Library for a short presentation on Midwest Energy’s new three-part demand rates, an explanation of demand, and how to manage demand.&nbsp; Custom bill analysis will be available for Midwest Energy customers who attend to estimate what their bills could look like in the next few years as demand rates are fully implemented.

Refreshments will be served, and questions will be answered. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-222-3121. We hope to see you there!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586196165303.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Join us at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Hays Public Library for a short presentation on Midwest Energy’s new three-part demand rates, an explanation of demand, and how to manage demand.&nbsp; Custom bill analysis will be available for Midwest Energy customers who attend to estimate what their bills could look like in the next few years as demand rates are fully implemented.Refreshments will be served, and questions will be answered. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-222-3121. We hope to see you there!

33rd McGuire Scholarship Scramble postponed to Sept. 1

FHSU’s Department of Music and Theatre will present its fifth annual FHSU New Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Complimentary tickets will be available in the lobby 30 minutes before each concert or in advance at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Friday concert will feature the music of current FHSU composition majors and the works of FHSU alumni with degrees in music composition from FHSU. Some works included in the program are&nbsp;“Free-Minded Overture”&nbsp;for electronic percussion by student Nathan Weiss and&nbsp;“Phantom Miniatures”&nbsp;for flute and clarinet by alumnus Nathan Brown. The concert will be performed by both music students and faculty.

The Saturday concert will present an evening of the music of Katherine Bergman. Bergman&nbsp;is a Minnesota-based composer who draws on environmentalism and literature to create music described as hypnotic and visceral. She has received commissions and performances from leading ensembles throughout the United States and abroad.&nbsp;

As part of the New Music Festival, under the direction of Dr. Kristin Pisano, Bergman will give a lecture entitled “Landscape Music: Process and Purpose” on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Malloy Hall, room 115, on the FHSU campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.&nbsp;

The evening performance on Saturday will feature the world premiere of Bergman’s&nbsp;“An Absence of Silence”&nbsp;for violin, cello, piano, and bass clarinet. This work was commissioned by the FHSU New Music Ensemble, an ensemble of FHSU music faculty who share a passion for the music of living composers.

The annual FHSU New Music Festival aims to engage, educate, and inform the community about new music.

“We are so excited that Katherine Bergman will serve as composer in residence for the 2023 festival and eagerly anticipate the premiere of&nbsp;‘An Absence of&nbsp;Silence,’” Pisano said. “Both concerts are filled with exciting, diverse, and beautiful music.”&nbsp;

Performers at this concert are Brian Buckstead, violin; Ben Cline, cello; Gustavo do Carmo, piano; Hilary Shepard, flute; Kristin Pisano, clarinet/bass clarinet; James Pisano, clarinet; Matt Rome, clarinet and Ryan Pearson, percussion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682540801541.jpeg" alt="Katherine Bergman, featured composer of Saturday evening’s New Music Festival." />
 <figcaption>Katherine Bergman, featured composer of Saturday evening’s New Music Festival.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsFHSU’s Department of Music and Theatre will present its fifth annual FHSU New Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Complimentary tickets will be available in the lobby 30 minutes before each concert or in advance at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau.The Friday concert will feature the music of current FHSU composition majors and the works of FHSU alumni with degrees in music composition from FHSU. Some works included in the program are&nbsp;“Free-Minded Overture”&nbsp;for electronic percussion by student Nathan Weiss and&nbsp;“Phantom Miniatures”&nbsp;for flute and clarinet by alumnus Nathan Brown. The concert will be performed by both music students and faculty.The Saturday concert will present an evening of the music of Katherine Bergman. Bergman&nbsp;is a Minnesota-based composer who draws on environmentalism and literature to create music described as hypnotic and visceral. She has received commissions and performances from leading ensembles throughout the United States and abroad.&nbsp;As part of the New Music Festival, under the direction of Dr. Kristin Pisano, Bergman will give a lecture entitled “Landscape Music: Process and Purpose” on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Malloy Hall, room 115, on the FHSU campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.&nbsp;The evening performance on Saturday will feature the world premiere of Bergman’s&nbsp;“An Absence of Silence”&nbsp;for violin, cello, piano, and bass clarinet. This work was commissioned by the FHSU New Music Ensemble, an ensemble of FHSU music faculty who share a passion for the music of living composers.The annual FHSU New Music Festival aims to engage, educate, and inform the community about new music.“We are so excited that Katherine Bergman will serve as composer in residence for the 2023 festival and eagerly anticipate the premiere of&nbsp;‘An Absence of&nbsp;Silence,’” Pisano said. “Both concerts are filled with exciting, diverse, and beautiful music.”&nbsp;Performers at this concert are Brian Buckstead, violin; Ben Cline, cello; Gustavo do Carmo, piano; Hilary Shepard, flute; Kristin Pisano, clarinet/bass clarinet; James Pisano, clarinet; Matt Rome, clarinet and Ryan Pearson, percussion.

FHSU New Music Festival on tap for Friday, Saturday

&nbsp; On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.hctks.com/" target="_blank">Hays Community Theatre's</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/the-comedy-of-errors/" target="_blank">Comedy of Errors</a> director Adam Conkey shares details of the upcoming performance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Hays Community Theatre set to perform Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors April 27-29" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=a5a3s-13f176d-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682524767191.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.hctks.com/" target="_blank">Hays Community Theatre's</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/the-comedy-of-errors/" target="_blank">Comedy of Errors</a> director Adam Conkey shares details of the upcoming performance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Community Theatre set to perform Shakespeare's 'Comedy of Errors'

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

More than 7,000 rain barrels have been assembled and purchased since the rain barrel project started several years ago in Hays.

Stacie Minson, K-State watershed specialist, is project organizer. 

"This year is definitely the year for rain barrels, my fear is," she said.

Volunteers from the Fort Hays State University Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity will help construct the rain barrels Thursday, along with Ellis County Master Gardeners, the city of Hays, and K-State Watersheds.&nbsp;

The barrels are built ready-to-go, said Minson. 

"All you have to do is put it under your down spout," she said.

The barrel building starts at 3 p.m. and&nbsp;completed rain barrels may be picked up from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the K-State Agricultural Center, south of Hays at 1232 240th Ave.&nbsp;

Cost is $40 per barrel. Contact Minson at 785-769-3297 to reserve one.

The plastic 55-gallon barrels that previously held cola syrup are donated by Heartland Coca-Cola of Victoria.&nbsp;

Hays-built rain barrels are located in at least 15 states, including Alaska, according to Minson.

The Region 7 Environmental Protection Agency, which includes Kansas, presented the rain barrel project in Kansas City several years ago.

Then EPA Chicago had Minson ship assembly parts to their region so they could host a similar event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682521133640.jpeg" alt="Volunteers assemble rain barrels from 55-gallon cola syrup containers donated by Heartland Coca-Cola, Victoria. Photos and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Volunteers assemble rain barrels from 55-gallon cola syrup containers donated by Heartland Coca-Cola, Victoria. Photos and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostMore than 7,000 rain barrels have been assembled and purchased since the rain barrel project started several years ago in Hays.Stacie Minson, K-State watershed specialist, is project organizer. "This year is definitely the year for rain barrels, my fear is," she said.Volunteers from the Fort Hays State University Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity will help construct the rain barrels Thursday, along with Ellis County Master Gardeners, the city of Hays, and K-State Watersheds.&nbsp;The barrels are built ready-to-go, said Minson. "All you have to do is put it under your down spout," she said.The barrel building starts at 3 p.m. and&nbsp;completed rain barrels may be picked up from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the K-State Agricultural Center, south of Hays at 1232 240th Ave.&nbsp;Cost is $40 per barrel. Contact Minson at 785-769-3297 to reserve one.The plastic 55-gallon barrels that previously held cola syrup are donated by Heartland Coca-Cola of Victoria.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ui0ea6HM-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Roll Out Rain Barrel " style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Hays-built rain barrels are located in at least 15 states, including Alaska, according to Minson.The Region 7 Environmental Protection Agency, which includes Kansas, presented the rain barrel project in Kansas City several years ago.Then EPA Chicago had Minson ship assembly parts to their region so they could host a similar event.

🎥 Roll Out the Rain Barrel event is Thursday in Hays

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A car belonging to a Hays woman that was reported stolen in Saline County didn't disappear into a cloud of dust the second time it was found.

A 2006 Dodge Magnum belonging to Jennie Bettes, 50, of Hays, was found Tuesday at an apartment complex at 2130 E. Crawford Street,&nbsp; according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. The car was locked and intact.

Soldan said a couple of people of interest have been developed and law enforcement personnel are looking for them now.

The Magnum's brush with the law began at 3 a.m. Friday when it was stopped by an officer of the Salina Police Department. Two people in the vehicle, including the driver, who was Bettes' son, were arrested, Soldan said Tuesday, however, he did not know what the requested charges were for either person. Bettes was not in the car at the time of the stop.

When the arrests were made, the keys to the car were given to the third person in the car, Soldan said Tuesday. He explained that in such situations, a driver is given the choice of having the vehicle towed or having someone he or she knows drive the vehicle from the scene.

When Bettes was unable to determine the whereabouts of the car for several days, she reported it stolen to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Monday. The person who was given the keys to the car could not be found and does not answer his cellphone.

After the car was reported stolen, an officer was looking for it in the Salina Police Department's new Flock traffic/tag reader camera system. The officer noticed that the car appeared in the area of W. Crawford Street and Centennial Road at multiple times throughout the day, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Tuesday.

Late Monday night, a patrol officer got behind the car near the intersection of Viemont Avenue and Beverly Drive in west Salina and attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 1600 block of Beverly Drive. When the officer got out of his patrol vehicle and ordered the driver of the Magnum to do the same, the car sped off southbound on Beverly Drive and a pursuit began.

Forrester said Tuesday that during the pursuit, speeds reached approximately 100 mph.

The pursuit went west on W. Crawford Street, and the car blew through the stop sign at Kansas Highway 140. It then went west on K-140 before turning north on S. Hohneck Road.

Forrester said that due to the dust, the officer lost sight of the Magnum and terminated the pursuit.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA car belonging to a Hays woman that was reported stolen in Saline County didn't disappear into a cloud of dust the second time it was found.A 2006 Dodge Magnum belonging to Jennie Bettes, 50, of Hays, was found Tuesday at an apartment complex at 2130 E. Crawford Street,&nbsp; according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. The car was locked and intact.Soldan said a couple of people of interest have been developed and law enforcement personnel are looking for them now.The Magnum's brush with the law began at 3 a.m. Friday when it was stopped by an officer of the Salina Police Department. Two people in the vehicle, including the driver, who was Bettes' son, were arrested, Soldan said Tuesday, however, he did not know what the requested charges were for either person. Bettes was not in the car at the time of the stop.When the arrests were made, the keys to the car were given to the third person in the car, Soldan said Tuesday. He explained that in such situations, a driver is given the choice of having the vehicle towed or having someone he or she knows drive the vehicle from the scene.When Bettes was unable to determine the whereabouts of the car for several days, she reported it stolen to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Monday. The person who was given the keys to the car could not be found and does not answer his cellphone.After the car was reported stolen, an officer was looking for it in the Salina Police Department's new Flock traffic/tag reader camera system. The officer noticed that the car appeared in the area of W. Crawford Street and Centennial Road at multiple times throughout the day, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Tuesday.Late Monday night, a patrol officer got behind the car near the intersection of Viemont Avenue and Beverly Drive in west Salina and attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 1600 block of Beverly Drive. When the officer got out of his patrol vehicle and ordered the driver of the Magnum to do the same, the car sped off southbound on Beverly Drive and a pursuit began.Forrester said Tuesday that during the pursuit, speeds reached approximately 100 mph.The pursuit went west on W. Crawford Street, and the car blew through the stop sign at Kansas Highway 140. It then went west on K-140 before turning north on S. Hohneck Road.Forrester said that due to the dust, the officer lost sight of the Magnum and terminated the pursuit.

Stolen car belonging to woman from Hays found in Salina

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has announced that 175
college students were selected for the second annual Student Voting Honor Roll. ALL IN’s Student
Voting Honor Roll recognizes college students at participating campuses who have gone above and
beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education and turnout efforts in their
communities.

Among those selected was Grace McCord, a Fort Hays State University freshman and Hays High School graduate.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a1c4f3f2-ecf1-41e0-a51a-ffc6e005298a">RELATED: FHSU president on Grace McCord and get-out-the-vote efforts.</a>

Last year’s midterm elections saw one of the highest youth voter turnouts in a midterm election in the
last 40 years – an estimated 23 percent of young people ages 18 to 29 turned out to vote. The Honor
Roll highlights students who played a critical role in driving voter registration, education and turnout
on their campuses. The diverse group of honorees spans 39 states, including 35 students at
minority-serving institutions and 23 students at community colleges. The full list of student honorees
is available here.


“This year’s honorees played a crucial part in registering and empowering student voters ahead of last
year’s midterm elections, resulting in historic turnout among young voters. The ALL IN Campus
Democracy Challenge is honored to celebrate hundreds of student leaders encouraging nonpartisan
democratic engagement across the country,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of
the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These students organized voter registration drives,
coordinated campus-wide voter engagement resources and brought polling locations to their campuses.
We are excited to watch these students continue to change the world.”


The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in
nonpartisan student democratic engagement. With the support of the ALL IN staff, campuses that join the
ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items to institutionalize nonpartisan civic
learning, political engagement and voter participation on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy
Challenge engages more than 9.8 million students from 965 institutions in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. Campuses can join ALL IN here.


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682368324370.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseThe ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has announced that 175
college students were selected for the second annual Student Voting Honor Roll. ALL IN’s Student
Voting Honor Roll recognizes college students at participating campuses who have gone above and
beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education and turnout efforts in their
communities.Among those selected was Grace McCord, a Fort Hays State University freshman and Hays High School graduate.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a1c4f3f2-ecf1-41e0-a51a-ffc6e005298a">RELATED: FHSU president on Grace McCord and get-out-the-vote efforts.</a>Last year’s midterm elections saw one of the highest youth voter turnouts in a midterm election in the
last 40 years – an estimated 23 percent of young people ages 18 to 29 turned out to vote. The Honor
Roll highlights students who played a critical role in driving voter registration, education and turnout
on their campuses. The diverse group of honorees spans 39 states, including 35 students at
minority-serving institutions and 23 students at community colleges. The full list of student honorees
is available here.
“This year’s honorees played a crucial part in registering and empowering student voters ahead of last
year’s midterm elections, resulting in historic turnout among young voters. The ALL IN Campus
Democracy Challenge is honored to celebrate hundreds of student leaders encouraging nonpartisan
democratic engagement across the country,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of
the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These students organized voter registration drives,
coordinated campus-wide voter engagement resources and brought polling locations to their campuses.
We are excited to watch these students continue to change the world.”
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in
nonpartisan student democratic engagement. With the support of the ALL IN staff, campuses that join the
ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items to institutionalize nonpartisan civic
learning, political engagement and voter participation on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy
Challenge engages more than 9.8 million students from 965 institutions in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. Campuses can join ALL IN here.

FHSU freshman named to All In Democracy Challenge honor roll

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported just one new COVID-19 cases had been identified in Ellis County from April 15 and 21.

KDHE reports updated case numbers weekly on Wednesdays.

Ellis County fell to the the low-incidence category (see map below), along with several other northwest Kansas counties. Wichita, Sheridan and Jewell counties were in the only counties in Kansas in the high-incidence category.

<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Since reporting began, there have been 8,478 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682535147070.png" alt="Ellis County COVID-19 curve" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County COVID-19 curve</figcaption>
 </figure> The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported just one new COVID-19 cases had been identified in Ellis County from April 15 and 21.KDHE reports updated case numbers weekly on Wednesdays.Ellis County fell to the the low-incidence category (see map below), along with several other northwest Kansas counties. Wichita, Sheridan and Jewell counties were in the only counties in Kansas in the high-incidence category.<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.Since reporting began, there have been 8,478 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682535178541.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: New COVID cases dwindle in Ellis Co.; just one new case

The
annual spring Art Walk is again set to return to downtown Hays on April 29. 

Following
the format adopted during the pandemic, the event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. with participants throughout downtown and beyond.

“Going
from 10 to four instead of a three-hour evening does give people more time to
get around,” said Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder.

The
expanded time frame allows participants to explore exhibitions outside the core
downtown area more easily.

“Plus,
it's a really awesome way to support, in general, the downtown,” Meder said.
“When people are down there all day looking around at the art, they're also
going to hit a restaurant or coffee shop or wine bar, they're going to hit some
of the little awesome boutique stores that we have in downtown Hays that
usually can't be on the Artwalk just for space constraints.”

Again
anchoring the Spring Art Walk is the Smoky Hill Exhibition inside the Hays
Arts Center, 112 E. 11th.

This
year will mark the 54th anniversary of the exhibition, the oldest juried fine
art exhibition in the state. Cash awards totaling $3,000 are set to be given
out.

“It's a
big deal,” Meder said. “And, in fact, we'll have a patron reception the night
before.”

While
various artistic stylings will be available during the day, Meder said it will
also mark the first opportunity to view interior expansion going on work at the
<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/01a6c66f-a594-456c-ac04-bc6172a512fe">First Care Clinic</a>, 1301 Main.

“They've
got all the major construction work and things done,” Meder said. “And they
said this is a great time to share our space and let people see what we're
going to be about. So, it's not open for their business yet, but they're going
to be on the Artwalk. And so that's really cool.”

The day
will also be an opportunity to explore the recently opened <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/96919371-593d-482a-8dec-5e5b23ed7638">Blue Light Body Arts</a>, after moving and reopening under a new name.

“If
you've always wanted to check it out, or maybe talk to somebody and just see what
goes on, they're going to be open that day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with some great
art,” Meder said.

Participants can find a full list of the participating locations on the Hays Arts Council's website,&nbsp;<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">haysartscouncil.org</a>,&nbsp;where she said a printable form can be found.

"You can
just print it out on good old paper if you want to walk around with it," Meder said. "Otherwise, pull it up on your device as you're trekking around the community."

With it, Meder said, "You will be able to plan your strategy. And check out all these locations
by the end of this weekend. So you've got a whole week to see what's going on."

 And with the full day of events, she said it is an opportunity to experience the Art Walk with those that may traditionally struggle with large crowds.

"This
has such a spread of time, and there is no congestion anywhere because of the
way the day is set up," Meder said. "Still tons and tons of visitors. But there's never some
major congestion. And so this is a good day for everyone to come out and enjoy
our downtown overall. But where the arts are the focus and the foundation of a
really wonderful day for our community."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682447351615.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThe
annual spring Art Walk is again set to return to downtown Hays on April 29. Following
the format adopted during the pandemic, the event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. with participants throughout downtown and beyond.“Going
from 10 to four instead of a three-hour evening does give people more time to
get around,” said Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder.<div><iframe title="Hays Art Council’s Spring Art Walk returns for full day event April 29" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=xsv6p-13f01de-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The
expanded time frame allows participants to explore exhibitions outside the core
downtown area more easily.“Plus,
it's a really awesome way to support, in general, the downtown,” Meder said.
“When people are down there all day looking around at the art, they're also
going to hit a restaurant or coffee shop or wine bar, they're going to hit some
of the little awesome boutique stores that we have in downtown Hays that
usually can't be on the Artwalk just for space constraints.”Again
anchoring the Spring Art Walk is the Smoky Hill Exhibition inside the Hays
Arts Center, 112 E. 11th.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682447401416.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This
year will mark the 54th anniversary of the exhibition, the oldest juried fine
art exhibition in the state. Cash awards totaling $3,000 are set to be given
out.“It's a
big deal,” Meder said. “And, in fact, we'll have a patron reception the night
before.”While
various artistic stylings will be available during the day, Meder said it will
also mark the first opportunity to view interior expansion going on work at the
<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/01a6c66f-a594-456c-ac04-bc6172a512fe">First Care Clinic</a>, 1301 Main. “They've
got all the major construction work and things done,” Meder said. “And they
said this is a great time to share our space and let people see what we're
going to be about. So, it's not open for their business yet, but they're going
to be on the Artwalk. And so that's really cool.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682447417903.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The day
will also be an opportunity to explore the recently opened <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/96919371-593d-482a-8dec-5e5b23ed7638">Blue Light Body Arts</a>, after moving and reopening under a new name.“If
you've always wanted to check it out, or maybe talk to somebody and just see what
goes on, they're going to be open that day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with some great
art,” Meder said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682448117682.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Participants can find a full list of the participating locations on the Hays Arts Council's website,&nbsp;<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">haysartscouncil.org</a>,&nbsp;where she said a printable form can be found."You can
just print it out on good old paper if you want to walk around with it," Meder said. "Otherwise, pull it up on your device as you're trekking around the community."With it, Meder said, "You will be able to plan your strategy. And check out all these locations
by the end of this weekend. So you've got a whole week to see what's going on."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682447384261.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> And with the full day of events, she said it is an opportunity to experience the Art Walk with those that may traditionally struggle with large crowds."This
has such a spread of time, and there is no congestion anywhere because of the
way the day is set up," Meder said. "Still tons and tons of visitors. But there's never some
major congestion. And so this is a good day for everyone to come out and enjoy
our downtown overall. But where the arts are the focus and the foundation of a
really wonderful day for our community."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682447369980.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682447337931.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Hays Art Council's Spring Art Walk returns for full-day event April 29

Hays USD 489 school members debated nepotism for the second meeting in a row Monday night.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/caf3d4b9-e869-42ad-84f8-def54af685e2">At their meeting on April 10, two of the school board members, Allen Park and Curt Vajnar, raised objections about the district hiring Superintendent Ron Wilson's wife as a teacher.</a>

The board voted 5-2 to hire Andrea Wilson.

The school board does not interview candidates for positions other than the superintendent but has final approval over personnel transactions. These transactions are usually part of a consent agenda and their approval is considered routine.

The superintendent shall make reasonable efforts to determine whether a candidate for employment is related to a board member or an administrator of the district. If a candidate is related to a board member or administrator, the superintendent will make this fact known to the board.

In the case of the person that was hired Monday night, that person was the relative of an administrator in the district. The person would not be directly supervised by that administrator. The superintendent notified the school board of the relationship prior to the board meeting on Monday.

District policy does not specifically prohibit administrators' relatives from working in the district. It does prohibit sitting board members' relatives from being hired.

Except in an emergency, the board will not employ anyone who is the father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of any board member.

Vajnar, who has a relative working in the district, said he has an issue with family members working underneath administrators.

Board member Allen Park also said he was unsure if the district is following the policy and asked that the board look at it further.

Board President Craig Pallister, whose wife also worked for the district when he was a principal, said he did not understand what portion of the policy the district was not following.

"Ron (Wilson) did exactly what the policy asked last month and this month," Pallister said. "He is following policy."

Board vice president Ken Brooks said, "This is the same discussion we had last month that got out of hand. You should have asked for something to be put on the agenda."

Board member Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp said there is no violation of policy.

Board member Tammy Wellbrock said if board members want to change policy that should be added as an agenda item.

The personnel transactions were approved 4-2 with Vajnar and Park voting against. Board member Lori Hertel was absent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682436349864.png" alt="School board members (from left) Craig Pallister, Curt Vajnar and Tammy Wellbrock at their meeting Monday night. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>School board members (from left) Craig Pallister, Curt Vajnar and Tammy Wellbrock at their meeting Monday night. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays USD 489 school members debated nepotism for the second meeting in a row Monday night.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/caf3d4b9-e869-42ad-84f8-def54af685e2">At their meeting on April 10, two of the school board members, Allen Park and Curt Vajnar, raised objections about the district hiring Superintendent Ron Wilson's wife as a teacher.</a>The board voted 5-2 to hire Andrea Wilson.The school board does not interview candidates for positions other than the superintendent but has final approval over personnel transactions. These transactions are usually part of a consent agenda and their approval is considered routine.The district's nepotism policy reads:The superintendent shall make reasonable efforts to determine whether a candidate for employment is related to a board member or an administrator of the district. If a candidate is related to a board member or administrator, the superintendent will make this fact known to the board.In the case of the person that was hired Monday night, that person was the relative of an administrator in the district. The person would not be directly supervised by that administrator. The superintendent notified the school board of the relationship prior to the board meeting on Monday.District policy does not specifically prohibit administrators' relatives from working in the district. It does prohibit sitting board members' relatives from being hired.Except in an emergency, the board will not employ anyone who is the father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of any board member.Vajnar, who has a relative working in the district, said he has an issue with family members working underneath administrators.Board member Allen Park also said he was unsure if the district is following the policy and asked that the board look at it further.Board President Craig Pallister, whose wife also worked for the district when he was a principal, said he did not understand what portion of the policy the district was not following."Ron (Wilson) did exactly what the policy asked last month and this month," Pallister said. "He is following policy."Board vice president Ken Brooks said, "This is the same discussion we had last month that got out of hand. You should have asked for something to be put on the agenda."Board member Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp said there is no violation of policy.Board member Tammy Wellbrock said if board members want to change policy that should be added as an agenda item.The personnel transactions were approved 4-2 with Vajnar and Park voting against. Board member Lori Hertel was absent.

Hays USD 489 BOE debates nepotism again at Monday meeting

Daniel Huantes has an unbridled enthusiasm for the small-town feel of Fort Hays State University. That enthusiasm is contagious, both inside the classroom and throughout campus. Huantes, a native of San Antonio, Texas, will graduate with dual bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics in May.

It was through his father, who works at a lab in San Antonio, that Huantes first heard of FHSU. He remembers his father frequently telling him that students from FHSU who interned at his San Antonio lab consistently outperformed interns from more prominent universities.

Huantes was just a seventh grader when Dr. Gavin Buffington, chair of FHSU’s physics department, began sending him departmental recruiting mailers.

“It was kind of a joke in my house. Oh, yeah, I’ll go to this little school in Kansas,” Huantes said. “But as I got closer to applying to colleges, it was on my list.”

“My dad’s advice was to take it seriously and look into it because of how competent the interns had been over the years. So, Fort Hays State became more of a real possibility. And once I visited, it was set.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682364050684.jpeg" alt="Dan Huantes" />
 <figcaption>Dan Huantes</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsDaniel Huantes has an unbridled enthusiasm for the small-town feel of Fort Hays State University. That enthusiasm is contagious, both inside the classroom and throughout campus. Huantes, a native of San Antonio, Texas, will graduate with dual bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics in May.It was through his father, who works at a lab in San Antonio, that Huantes first heard of FHSU. He remembers his father frequently telling him that students from FHSU who interned at his San Antonio lab consistently outperformed interns from more prominent universities.Huantes was just a seventh grader when Dr. Gavin Buffington, chair of FHSU’s physics department, began sending him departmental recruiting mailers.“It was kind of a joke in my house. Oh, yeah, I’ll go to this little school in Kansas,” Huantes said. “But as I got closer to applying to colleges, it was on my list.”“My dad’s advice was to take it seriously and look into it because of how competent the interns had been over the years. So, Fort Hays State became more of a real possibility. And once I visited, it was set.”FHSU wasn’t the first university Huantes visited. The most significant difference he saw between FHSU and universities such as Texas A&amp;M, Georgia Tech, and the University of Washington was the distance between students and faculty. But, after he met Dr. C.D. Clark and Buffington and visited the Hays community, he was sold on FHSU.“The physics department is so relaxed,” he said. “There is an open-door policy. There is a personal touch.”“The more I visited, the more I thought I wanted a small-town feel. I felt much more comfortable driving around Hays than in any of the other college towns I visited. Hays just felt like somewhere I could see myself.”Huantes found many ways to give back to the FHSU community, such as tutoring and mentoring. He has been a tutor for the past three years and is currently a mentor with the honors college.“Mentors can support students and give them suggestions and empathy,” he said. “In tutoring, you have to convince students to disillusion themselves of the idea that asking a question is revealing that you don’t know anything.”“That’s not how college works. Sometimes you have to pull the handbrake. Ask questions. Let the professor know that you need to back up a bit.”He said he has benefited from the experience of his instructors, such as Clark, who also serves as Huantes’ advisor. Huantes has developed friendships and comradery with his professors that go beyond the classroom, sometimes to the soccer field and track. On a challenge, he once competed in a 200-meter race with Dr. Eric Deyo.Deyo said his own undergraduate experience at a smaller university helped him see the benefit of interacting on a personal level with students.“You need to put a human face on physics because it is a very intimidating subject in many ways,” Deyo said. “If you open a physics book as an undergrad, it looks like a foreign language, and it’s hard to see that you can learn it if you just keep at it.”One of Huantes’ undergraduate services has been to help recruit KAMS students for the physics department by visiting high schools throughout the state. Through “physics road shows,” Huantes and other physics department members have attempted to demonstrate the near-magical properties of physics.“At a certain age, children don’t exactly know what physics is,” Huantes said. “Showing them the cool things you can do with physics is a bit like a magic show, which is the point of physics. Things that might seem like magic happen in the world, and physics is behind the scenes. So we show them the trick and explain why it happens.”It’s Huantes’ drive to be of service that helps set him apart from other students, according to Deyo.“He has taken other students under his wing to try to help them along, Deyo said. “As good of a physics student as he is, he is really quite social and helpful to people. He’s a special student. We will miss him.”Complex physics equations and in-depth research can be overwhelming to some students. Huantes has found a way to refresh his mind through music. A piano student since age six, Huantes has studied under Dr. Irena Ravitskaya for the past three years.&nbsp;“I get to keep music in my life and have someone knowledgeable and skilled at pedagogy as a professor,” he said. “I’m glad I found physics. I love it. But I might study until I have a headache. Then I go practice piano, even if it’s just scales. I’m a little fresher after that and can come back with a new perspective.”Ravitskaya said she enjoyed the curiosity about different musical styles and composers that Huantes exhibited during his years of taking lessons from her. From classical and romantic era music to modern and jazz, Huantes always enjoyed learning new techniques and musical nuances.“It was a joy to work with him,” Ravitskaya said. “He was always interested in the expressive aspect of compositions.”Rarely does she see a non-music major invest the hours and effort required for piano proficiency.“It’s really amazing how much time he spent in the music building instead of doing what other young people his age do for relaxation or free time. In this respect, he is an exceptional young man.”After graduation, Huantes plans to pursue his master’s degree at a larger institution. He has applied to several graduate programs and hopes to study solid-state physics. For Huantes, solid-state physics meets at the interface of several different kinds of physics, so pursuing that discipline will enable him to keep his interests broad.He admitted that there have been things he has missed about his urban roots during his time at FHSU. For instance, 24-hour restaurants such as Whataburger are lacking in the Hays landscape.“But I know that the second I leave Hays, I’ll say, ‘Why did I leave?’ In the city, there’s so much traffic, and people are less laid back, less friendly,” he said. “There are so many things I really appreciate about Hays, and I know I’m going to miss it.”

Local