On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University Alumni Association interim executive director Tammy Wellbrock and communications coordinator Noelle Husmann share information about FHSU tags.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Official state FHSU car tags more than just decorative" 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=5mu9w-1062033-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3&btn-skin=3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University Alumni Association interim executive director Tammy Wellbrock and communications coordinator Noelle Husmann share information about FHSU tags.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Official state FHSU car tags more than just decorative

&nbsp;Tiger Thrive, a virtual mental health platform was launched this spring by Fort Hays State University’s counseling and support services center, the Kelly Center.

Tiger Thrive offers all current FHSU students, faculty, and staff therapeutic content on various mental health issues via Blackboard, a Web-based course-management system. Tiger Thrive is designed to provide FHSU students&nbsp;access to a range of self-paced online courses that teach strategies to help improve their mental health and&nbsp;deal with the stresses of college.

The content for the virtual platform was developed by Sadie Spurlock, a counselor at the Kelly Center, and Will Stutterheim, the center’s assistant director. It includes&nbsp;resources that walk viewers through concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress management, sleep habits, eating disorders, and more.

Spurlock received her master’s in Advanced Education Programs with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling and was hired as coordinator of the SAMHSA grant, which the Kelly Center received in January 2020. The three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) help provide the Kelly Center funding for suicide prevention programming on campus and in the community.

Spurlock was working part-time at the Kelly Center at the time and said the grant funding gave her the perfect opportunity to work on the virtual program. She explained that the purpose of the program is threefold:

1) To give virtual students the opportunity to view pre-recorded videos since licensure restrictions allow the center to provide therapy sessions for Kansas residents only,

2) To offer a more comfortable setting for people who might be uncomfortable with the thought of traditional therapy sessions, and

3) To give current clients something to reinforce what they are hearing in sessions at the Kelly Center.

“We want to give people something similar to the Kelly Center experience,” she said, “and make it more personal to Fort Hays State.”

More than 6,500 of FHSU’s total enrollment of 15,033 are online students, and those students can access Tiger Thrive from anywhere at any time. Spurlock said that while the Kelly Center cannot conduct therapy sessions with out-of-state students, counselors are available to help callers search for services in their area.

“They can still call us, and we will help them find someone in their vicinity where they can go for therapy,” she said. “We want our virtual students to feel a part of Fort Hays State, and that includes the counseling experience.”

Spurlock said that this type of service is especially important in recent years. The need for counseling has grown consistently over the past six years and was up 200 sessions at the Kelly Center from a record-breaking year in 2020 – to 4,361 sessions by the end of May 2021.

Spurlock pointed out that Tiger Thrive is not intended to replace traditional therapy.

“We hope this can be a first step for our virtual students who might be thinking about seeking therapy,” she said. “If you are experiencing anxiety or depression, here is a first step. These resources on Blackboard are just one click away.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623102856174.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University Relations&nbsp;Tiger Thrive, a virtual mental health platform was launched this spring by Fort Hays State University’s counseling and support services center, the Kelly Center.Tiger Thrive offers all current FHSU students, faculty, and staff therapeutic content on various mental health issues via Blackboard, a Web-based course-management system. Tiger Thrive is designed to provide FHSU students&nbsp;access to a range of self-paced online courses that teach strategies to help improve their mental health and&nbsp;deal with the stresses of college.The content for the virtual platform was developed by Sadie Spurlock, a counselor at the Kelly Center, and Will Stutterheim, the center’s assistant director. It includes&nbsp;resources that walk viewers through concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress management, sleep habits, eating disorders, and more.Spurlock received her master’s in Advanced Education Programs with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling and was hired as coordinator of the SAMHSA grant, which the Kelly Center received in January 2020. The three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) help provide the Kelly Center funding for suicide prevention programming on campus and in the community.Spurlock was working part-time at the Kelly Center at the time and said the grant funding gave her the perfect opportunity to work on the virtual program. She explained that the purpose of the program is threefold:1) To give virtual students the opportunity to view pre-recorded videos since licensure restrictions allow the center to provide therapy sessions for Kansas residents only,2) To offer a more comfortable setting for people who might be uncomfortable with the thought of traditional therapy sessions, and3) To give current clients something to reinforce what they are hearing in sessions at the Kelly Center.“We want to give people something similar to the Kelly Center experience,” she said, “and make it more personal to Fort Hays State.”More than 6,500 of FHSU’s total enrollment of 15,033 are online students, and those students can access Tiger Thrive from anywhere at any time. Spurlock said that while the Kelly Center cannot conduct therapy sessions with out-of-state students, counselors are available to help callers search for services in their area.“They can still call us, and we will help them find someone in their vicinity where they can go for therapy,” she said. “We want our virtual students to feel a part of Fort Hays State, and that includes the counseling experience.”Spurlock said that this type of service is especially important in recent years. The need for counseling has grown consistently over the past six years and was up 200 sessions at the Kelly Center from a record-breaking year in 2020 – to 4,361 sessions by the end of May 2021.Spurlock pointed out that Tiger Thrive is not intended to replace traditional therapy.“We hope this can be a first step for our virtual students who might be thinking about seeking therapy,” she said. “If you are experiencing anxiety or depression, here is a first step. These resources on Blackboard are just one click away.”

Fort Hays State launches virtual mental health platform

Kansans have learned that culture wars don’t stop at the state line. They invade most every aspect of our daily life.&nbsp; Lately the teaching of American history has come under fire.&nbsp; Whether the battle is political (Republican vs Democrat) or ideological (critical race theory vs traditional explanations of history), this media-fed assault is taking aim at public schools.

Our schools should be a place where students learn about our democratic system and their place in it, not a battleground for opposing viewpoints.

The culture war now raging reaches far beyond arguments over what view of America history should be taught.&nbsp; It’s a struggle that encompasses the core of democracy, because American democracy transcends the organization and functioning of government to embrace wider responsibilities of citizenship—respect, decency, civic obligation and love of liberty.&nbsp;

To fulfill the fore founders’ original purpose of public education to create an informed electorate, what should we teach our K-12 students today about history and our way of life?&nbsp;

For the current year, Kansas teachers are required to teach civics embedded in the curriculum of students in grades K-four.&nbsp; Social studies classes or embedded instruction in the intermediate grades are determined by individual school districts. For high school students, study of&nbsp;world history, American history and government including concepts of Kansas history and government and the U.S. constitution are required for graduation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Virtually all of us can agree that this is a strong curricula.&nbsp; The furor, however, is not about “what” is required in our schools. It’s about “how” it’s taught.

Chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; Introduced in the last legislative session, the bill did not pass.&nbsp;

According to the Kansas law what is required in Kansas public schools is the purview of local school boards based on state policy and federal law.&nbsp; Currently state standards present a centrist approach.&nbsp; Both the unfair, unjust events in American history as well as the nation’s rise to become a beacon for liberty and the strongest economic and military force in the world are taught by presenting comprehensive, accurate accounts of the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Critical race theory—the current center of contention—illuminates institutional and personal racism that continues to this day.&nbsp; Other accounts describe American history as a march of slow progress.&nbsp; Neither is fully accurate.&nbsp; From the thinking of early Greeks to the present, humankind has been unable to produce any one theory that connects the full sweep of history to explain why the past happened the way it did.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansans must not allow piecemeal legislation or full-blown curriculum coming from any political or ideological group to overtake school curricula.&nbsp;&nbsp;Historical theories are the work of university-level studies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Directionless yet significant public contention over the teaching of American history should be met with local school-district examination of social studies and history curriculum by teachers and administrators, involve community input and culminate in elected school board review.&nbsp; Democracy put into practice will either identify areas of needed improvement or reassure parents and students that their school is on the right track.&nbsp;

Respect for diversity and patriotism are not mutually exclusive concepts, except in culture wars.&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansans have learned that culture wars don’t stop at the state line. They invade most every aspect of our daily life.&nbsp; Lately the teaching of American history has come under fire.&nbsp; Whether the battle is political (Republican vs Democrat) or ideological (critical race theory vs traditional explanations of history), this media-fed assault is taking aim at public schools.Our schools should be a place where students learn about our democratic system and their place in it, not a battleground for opposing viewpoints.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The culture war now raging reaches far beyond arguments over what view of America history should be taught.&nbsp; It’s a struggle that encompasses the core of democracy, because American democracy transcends the organization and functioning of government to embrace wider responsibilities of citizenship—respect, decency, civic obligation and love of liberty.&nbsp;To fulfill the fore founders’ original purpose of public education to create an informed electorate, what should we teach our K-12 students today about history and our way of life?&nbsp;For the current year, Kansas teachers are required to teach civics embedded in the curriculum of students in grades K-four.&nbsp; Social studies classes or embedded instruction in the intermediate grades are determined by individual school districts. For high school students, study of&nbsp;world history, American history and government including concepts of Kansas history and government and the U.S. constitution are required for graduation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Virtually all of us can agree that this is a strong curricula.&nbsp; The furor, however, is not about “what” is required in our schools. It’s about “how” it’s taught.Chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; Introduced in the last legislative session, the bill did not pass.&nbsp;According to the Kansas law what is required in Kansas public schools is the purview of local school boards based on state policy and federal law.&nbsp; Currently state standards present a centrist approach.&nbsp; Both the unfair, unjust events in American history as well as the nation’s rise to become a beacon for liberty and the strongest economic and military force in the world are taught by presenting comprehensive, accurate accounts of the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;Critical race theory—the current center of contention—illuminates institutional and personal racism that continues to this day.&nbsp; Other accounts describe American history as a march of slow progress.&nbsp; Neither is fully accurate.&nbsp; From the thinking of early Greeks to the present, humankind has been unable to produce any one theory that connects the full sweep of history to explain why the past happened the way it did.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansans must not allow piecemeal legislation or full-blown curriculum coming from any political or ideological group to overtake school curricula.&nbsp;&nbsp;Historical theories are the work of university-level studies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Directionless yet significant public contention over the teaching of American history should be met with local school-district examination of social studies and history curriculum by teachers and administrators, involve community input and culminate in elected school board review.&nbsp; Democracy put into practice will either identify areas of needed improvement or reassure parents and students that their school is on the right track.&nbsp;Respect for diversity and patriotism are not mutually exclusive concepts, except in culture wars.&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Despite culture wars, U.S. history can be taught

COLBY — Colby Community College announced the names of students who earned a place on the spring 2021 honor rolls. Those listed completed 12 or more credit hours and had no failing grades.&nbsp;

The President's Honor Roll includes 83 students with a 4.0 grade point average. Thirty-seven students on the Vice President's Honor Roll had GPAs between 3.75 and 3.99.

Names are listed by home location or country. Some names are not published at the request of the student.&nbsp;

Axtell&nbsp;– William Enfield.&nbsp;Belleville&nbsp;– Tobi Wilber.&nbsp;Berea, Ohio&nbsp;–&nbsp;Tyler Hampu.&nbsp;Brewster&nbsp;– Weston Schmidt.&nbsp;Brighton, Colo.&nbsp;– Savanna Anderson.&nbsp;Broomfield, Colo.&nbsp;– Blake Labuda.&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;– Kyle Bloor, Matthew Dobberthien, Kyle Froehlich, Tyler McWillie, Zachary Olson,Cleary Simpson, Ataru Yamaguchi, and Tucker Zdunich.&nbsp;Cedar Rapids, Iowa&nbsp;– Erin Cervantes.&nbsp;Cheyenne Wells, Colo.&nbsp;– Kristy Ball.&nbsp;Cimarron&nbsp;– Morgan Clinesmith.&nbsp;Clayton&nbsp;– Addison Brooks.&nbsp;Codell&nbsp;– Grace Werner.&nbsp;Colby&nbsp;– Brianna Barnett, Brandon Brier,&nbsp;Wendy Chavez, Robert Cheruiyot, Samantha Coulter, Gloria Di Lauro, Lorae Hessler, Miah Jackson, Kelvin Kipchirchir, Adriana Mendez, Laurel Myers, Olivia Navarro-Alsina, Amanda Neitzel, Kaitlyn Nelson, Jillian Niblock, Aaron Platt, Landon Rinehart, Lacy Weigel, Peyton Wahlmeier, Abigail Wetter and Jacob Wetter.&nbsp;Council Grove&nbsp;– Shyanne Allen.&nbsp;Dresden&nbsp;– Candace Taylor.&nbsp;Fort Worth, Texas&nbsp;– Kiarra Henderson.&nbsp;Glade&nbsp;– Kagan Keeten.&nbsp;Goodland&nbsp;– Ellie Keen, Abigail Ordonez, Abigail Rascon-Hernandez, and Jourdan Williams.&nbsp;Grainfield&nbsp;– Jett Schmidtberger.&nbsp;Grinnell– Jordyn Vincent.&nbsp;Hoxie&nbsp;– Jennifer Hansen, Lauren Patmon, and Alayna Shepard.&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;–&nbsp;Ruxandra Flueras.&nbsp;Johnstown, Colo.&nbsp;– Sophie Supernor.&nbsp;Leoti&nbsp;– Dora Langdon-Seaton.&nbsp;Lithonia, Ga.&nbsp;– Kerrigan Johnson.&nbsp;Loveland, Colo.&nbsp;– Allison Westbrook.&nbsp;Lyman, Neb.&nbsp;– Regan Hodsden.&nbsp;Manhattan&nbsp;– Alyssa Troyer.&nbsp;Moscow&nbsp;– Howard Owens.&nbsp;Norcatur&nbsp;– Dru Kasson.&nbsp;Norton&nbsp;– Tessa Hauser.&nbsp;Nunn, Colo.&nbsp;– Jennasi Fall.&nbsp;Osborne&nbsp;– Sarah Seifert.&nbsp;Oskaloosa&nbsp;– Megan Miller.&nbsp;Peyton, Colo.&nbsp;– Jennifer Williams.&nbsp;Phillipsburg&nbsp;– Elyzabeth Gourdon, Ethan Leidig, Anahy Sandoval-Sanchez, Ty Sides, and Kristen Wells.&nbsp;Pierce, Colo.&nbsp;– Ryleigh Carr.&nbsp;Plainville&nbsp;–&nbsp;Justina Merritt.&nbsp;Poland&nbsp;– Marta Roicka.&nbsp;Pratt&nbsp;– Jarrett Bates.&nbsp;Scott City&nbsp;–&nbsp;Charity Weeks.&nbsp;Seldon&nbsp;–&nbsp;Danica Ritter.&nbsp;Severance, Colo.&nbsp;– Macy Gurnsey.&nbsp;Smithfield, Neb.&nbsp;– Cailey Grabenstein.&nbsp;Sterling, Alaska&nbsp;– Morgan Chace.&nbsp;Strasburg, Colo.&nbsp;– Darian Riggs.&nbsp;Syracuse&nbsp;– Mazie Cole.

Ashland&nbsp;– Mary Mills and Sarah Mills.&nbsp;Atwood&nbsp;–&nbsp;Libby Mosley.&nbsp;Beloit&nbsp;– Gracie Wessling.&nbsp;Chapman&nbsp;– McKenna Kirkpatrick.&nbsp;Colby&nbsp;– Danae Berkgren, Breanna Campbell, Meghann Elling, Kourtney Finley, Danielle Isham, and Thane Wildeman.&nbsp;Fort Morgan, Colo.&nbsp;– Madison Griffith.&nbsp;Goodland&nbsp;– Mychael Allen.&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;– Shante Korbe.&nbsp;Imperial, Neb.&nbsp;– Yeraldin Almanza.&nbsp;Indianapolis, Ind.&nbsp;– Nan Lou Brown.&nbsp;Jennings&nbsp;– Luke Wahlmeier.&nbsp;Lakewood, Colo.&nbsp;– Reece Noel.&nbsp;Liberal&nbsp;– Tyrik King.&nbsp;Marysville&nbsp;– Brandi Crownover.&nbsp;North Platte, Neb.&nbsp;– Kamryn Hughes.&nbsp;Oakley&nbsp;– Kylie Park and Carla Johnson.&nbsp;Oberlin&nbsp;– Sage Lohoefener.&nbsp;Palco&nbsp;– Natalie Bollig.&nbsp;Philadelphia, Pa.&nbsp;– Christine Connolly.Richmond, Texas&nbsp;– De'Jah Vigilante.&nbsp;Rigby, Idaho&nbsp;– Taylor Sheppard.&nbsp;Saint Francis&nbsp;– Coy De Waal.&nbsp;Sharon Springs&nbsp;– Zackary Box.&nbsp;South Jordan, Utah&nbsp;– Sydnee Hoffman.&nbsp;Sterling&nbsp;– Skylar Eidson.&nbsp;Towanda&nbsp;–Michelle Gerber.&nbsp;Victoria&nbsp;– Ashley Lang.&nbsp;WaKeeney&nbsp;– Dawson Arnold.&nbsp;Wauneta, Neb.&nbsp;– Katelyn Thompson.&nbsp;Worton, Md.&nbsp;– Teira Johnson.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611227923055.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CCCCOLBY — Colby Community College announced the names of students who earned a place on the spring 2021 honor rolls. Those listed completed 12 or more credit hours and had no failing grades.&nbsp;The President's Honor Roll includes 83 students with a 4.0 grade point average. Thirty-seven students on the Vice President's Honor Roll had GPAs between 3.75 and 3.99.Names are listed by home location or country. Some names are not published at the request of the student.&nbsp;President's Honor Roll&nbsp;Axtell&nbsp;– William Enfield.&nbsp;Belleville&nbsp;– Tobi Wilber.&nbsp;Berea, Ohio&nbsp;–&nbsp;Tyler Hampu.&nbsp;Brewster&nbsp;– Weston Schmidt.&nbsp;Brighton, Colo.&nbsp;– Savanna Anderson.&nbsp;Broomfield, Colo.&nbsp;– Blake Labuda.&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;– Kyle Bloor, Matthew Dobberthien, Kyle Froehlich, Tyler McWillie, Zachary Olson,Cleary Simpson, Ataru Yamaguchi, and Tucker Zdunich.&nbsp;Cedar Rapids, Iowa&nbsp;– Erin Cervantes.&nbsp;Cheyenne Wells, Colo.&nbsp;– Kristy Ball.&nbsp;Cimarron&nbsp;– Morgan Clinesmith.&nbsp;Clayton&nbsp;– Addison Brooks.&nbsp;Codell&nbsp;– Grace Werner.&nbsp;Colby&nbsp;– Brianna Barnett, Brandon Brier,&nbsp;Wendy Chavez, Robert Cheruiyot, Samantha Coulter, Gloria Di Lauro, Lorae Hessler, Miah Jackson, Kelvin Kipchirchir, Adriana Mendez, Laurel Myers, Olivia Navarro-Alsina, Amanda Neitzel, Kaitlyn Nelson, Jillian Niblock, Aaron Platt, Landon Rinehart, Lacy Weigel, Peyton Wahlmeier, Abigail Wetter and Jacob Wetter.&nbsp;Council Grove&nbsp;– Shyanne Allen.&nbsp;Dresden&nbsp;– Candace Taylor.&nbsp;Fort Worth, Texas&nbsp;– Kiarra Henderson.&nbsp;Glade&nbsp;– Kagan Keeten.&nbsp;Goodland&nbsp;– Ellie Keen, Abigail Ordonez, Abigail Rascon-Hernandez, and Jourdan Williams.&nbsp;Grainfield&nbsp;– Jett Schmidtberger.&nbsp;Grinnell– Jordyn Vincent.&nbsp;Hoxie&nbsp;– Jennifer Hansen, Lauren Patmon, and Alayna Shepard.&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;–&nbsp;Ruxandra Flueras.&nbsp;Johnstown, Colo.&nbsp;– Sophie Supernor.&nbsp;Leoti&nbsp;– Dora Langdon-Seaton.&nbsp;Lithonia, Ga.&nbsp;– Kerrigan Johnson.&nbsp;Loveland, Colo.&nbsp;– Allison Westbrook.&nbsp;Lyman, Neb.&nbsp;– Regan Hodsden.&nbsp;Manhattan&nbsp;– Alyssa Troyer.&nbsp;Moscow&nbsp;– Howard Owens.&nbsp;Norcatur&nbsp;– Dru Kasson.&nbsp;Norton&nbsp;– Tessa Hauser.&nbsp;Nunn, Colo.&nbsp;– Jennasi Fall.&nbsp;Osborne&nbsp;– Sarah Seifert.&nbsp;Oskaloosa&nbsp;– Megan Miller.&nbsp;Peyton, Colo.&nbsp;– Jennifer Williams.&nbsp;Phillipsburg&nbsp;– Elyzabeth Gourdon, Ethan Leidig, Anahy Sandoval-Sanchez, Ty Sides, and Kristen Wells.&nbsp;Pierce, Colo.&nbsp;– Ryleigh Carr.&nbsp;Plainville&nbsp;–&nbsp;Justina Merritt.&nbsp;Poland&nbsp;– Marta Roicka.&nbsp;Pratt&nbsp;– Jarrett Bates.&nbsp;Scott City&nbsp;–&nbsp;Charity Weeks.&nbsp;Seldon&nbsp;–&nbsp;Danica Ritter.&nbsp;Severance, Colo.&nbsp;– Macy Gurnsey.&nbsp;Smithfield, Neb.&nbsp;– Cailey Grabenstein.&nbsp;Sterling, Alaska&nbsp;– Morgan Chace.&nbsp;Strasburg, Colo.&nbsp;– Darian Riggs.&nbsp;Syracuse&nbsp;– Mazie Cole.Vice President's Honor RollAshland&nbsp;– Mary Mills and Sarah Mills.&nbsp;Atwood&nbsp;–&nbsp;Libby Mosley.&nbsp;Beloit&nbsp;– Gracie Wessling.&nbsp;Chapman&nbsp;– McKenna Kirkpatrick.&nbsp;Colby&nbsp;– Danae Berkgren, Breanna Campbell, Meghann Elling, Kourtney Finley, Danielle Isham, and Thane Wildeman.&nbsp;Fort Morgan, Colo.&nbsp;– Madison Griffith.&nbsp;Goodland&nbsp;– Mychael Allen.&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;– Shante Korbe.&nbsp;Imperial, Neb.&nbsp;– Yeraldin Almanza.&nbsp;Indianapolis, Ind.&nbsp;– Nan Lou Brown.&nbsp;Jennings&nbsp;– Luke Wahlmeier.&nbsp;Lakewood, Colo.&nbsp;– Reece Noel.&nbsp;Liberal&nbsp;– Tyrik King.&nbsp;Marysville&nbsp;– Brandi Crownover.&nbsp;North Platte, Neb.&nbsp;– Kamryn Hughes.&nbsp;Oakley&nbsp;– Kylie Park and Carla Johnson.&nbsp;Oberlin&nbsp;– Sage Lohoefener.&nbsp;Palco&nbsp;– Natalie Bollig.&nbsp;Philadelphia, Pa.&nbsp;– Christine Connolly.Richmond, Texas&nbsp;– De'Jah Vigilante.&nbsp;Rigby, Idaho&nbsp;– Taylor Sheppard.&nbsp;Saint Francis&nbsp;– Coy De Waal.&nbsp;Sharon Springs&nbsp;– Zackary Box.&nbsp;South Jordan, Utah&nbsp;– Sydnee Hoffman.&nbsp;Sterling&nbsp;– Skylar Eidson.&nbsp;Towanda&nbsp;–Michelle Gerber.&nbsp;Victoria&nbsp;– Ashley Lang.&nbsp;WaKeeney&nbsp;– Dawson Arnold.&nbsp;Wauneta, Neb.&nbsp;– Katelyn Thompson.&nbsp;Worton, Md.&nbsp;– Teira Johnson.&nbsp;

Colby CC announces spring 2021 honor roll recipients

Three-day weather outlook

	When is the last time the man in your household had a medical check-up? Men visit their physicians less often than women, and tend to wait longer before having problems treated. What these facts suggest is that men don't pay attention to, or take care of, their health as well as women.&nbsp;

	We will be celebrating Father’s Day soon and someone conveniently decided June is also Men’s Health month! Even though Father’s Day is a week away let’s take a look at some of the facts behind men's health:&nbsp;

*cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death;&nbsp;

*high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels affect cardiovascular health;&nbsp;

*diabetes incidence is on the rise-- many don't realize they have the condition;&nbsp;

*an enlarged prostate will affect more than 50% of all men after 60 years of age;&nbsp;

*early prostate cancer has no symptoms and often goes undetected;

	The biggest concern is that too many men are conditioned to ignore their health and to avoid going to the doctor. Men are 25% less likely to visit a doctor than are women.&nbsp; &nbsp;

	While the statistics on men and their health seem to be staggering, the good news is that the primary conditions affecting men’s health are treatable if detected early and may be preventable with simple lifestyle changes.&nbsp; Here are some tips for the men among us:

	*Have regular check-ups.&nbsp; Men see their doctors around 20% less often than women and tend to wait longer before having health problems treated.&nbsp; As a result, men’s quality of life is often lower than that of women as they age.

	*Keep an eye on blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.&nbsp; Have these health indicators checked regularly.

	*Make the necessary lifestyle changes-- such as increased exercise, improved nutrition, reduced smoking and alcohol consumption-- to prevent many unnecessary and disabling illnesses.

	Many of the most common male illnesses are preventable and treatable.&nbsp; Encourage the men you care about to take care of themselves now in order to live a long and healthy life.

A good publication to help understand those health numbers is: <a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3263.pdf">https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3263.pdf</a>

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>	When is the last time the man in your household had a medical check-up? Men visit their physicians less often than women, and tend to wait longer before having problems treated. What these facts suggest is that men don't pay attention to, or take care of, their health as well as women.&nbsp;	We will be celebrating Father’s Day soon and someone conveniently decided June is also Men’s Health month! Even though Father’s Day is a week away let’s take a look at some of the facts behind men's health:&nbsp;	*cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death;&nbsp;	*high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels affect cardiovascular health;&nbsp;	*diabetes incidence is on the rise-- many don't realize they have the condition;&nbsp;*an enlarged prostate will affect more than 50% of all men after 60 years of age;&nbsp;	*early prostate cancer has no symptoms and often goes undetected;	The biggest concern is that too many men are conditioned to ignore their health and to avoid going to the doctor. Men are 25% less likely to visit a doctor than are women.&nbsp; &nbsp;	While the statistics on men and their health seem to be staggering, the good news is that the primary conditions affecting men’s health are treatable if detected early and may be preventable with simple lifestyle changes.&nbsp; Here are some tips for the men among us:	*Have regular check-ups.&nbsp; Men see their doctors around 20% less often than women and tend to wait longer before having health problems treated.&nbsp; As a result, men’s quality of life is often lower than that of women as they age.	*Keep an eye on blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.&nbsp; Have these health indicators checked regularly.	*Make the necessary lifestyle changes-- such as increased exercise, improved nutrition, reduced smoking and alcohol consumption-- to prevent many unnecessary and disabling illnesses.	Many of the most common male illnesses are preventable and treatable.&nbsp; Encourage the men you care about to take care of themselves now in order to live a long and healthy life.	A good publication to help understand those health numbers is: <a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3263.pdf">https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3263.pdf</a>	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Concerns with men’s health

By BRETT MARSHALL <a href="https://www.wacathletics.com/hays-dreiling-is-best-in-wac-baseball/">Western Athletic Conference</a>

Sometimes good things happen when one least expects it.

Sometimes, good things turn into great things. And in the case of 
high school sports, great things turn into great seasons that will 
remain memorable for a lifetime.

That might be one way to describe the 2021 spring baseball season for
 Hays High’s Dylan Dreiling and his Indians’ diamond teammates.

“I think coming into this year, we didn’t expect to be as good as we 
eventually were,” said Dreiling, a junior pitcher/outfielder who was 
voted the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Year by the
 league’s coaches. “Not having last season I don’t think affected us, 
and I think in some cases made us play better.”

Two seasons earlier, Dreiling was making his high school debut with 
the Indians. The team missed the postseason run to a state tournament 
berth in Class 5A, but Dreiling had his summer baseball team to fall 
back on when he left for the east coast to play with the elite Tri-State
 Arsenal team.

“The big thing about this season is that after missing one year, you 
only have four years of high school so losing one whole year makes you 
appreciate it just a little more,” said Dreiling.

And the 5-11, 195-pound junior did make the most of his return to playing with his hometown friends.

In a season in which the Indians finished 19-4 overall and placed 
third in Class 5A at the state tournament, Dreiling was nearly perfect 
on the mound.

Dreiling fashioned an unbeaten 9-0 record while posting a scintillating 
0.52 earned-run-average. Those two marks established new school records 
for a single season.

“I think I’m mainly just very competitive,” Dreiling said when 
talking about his strengths. “First, I’ll try to throw the fastball, but
 I also have my change-up, which is usually pretty good. Every once in a
 while, I’ll throw in a curve.”

The numbers tell the story of a dominant season for Dreiling, both 
from his left-handed pitching gems, to his range of hitting exploits.

He went to the plate for 86 official at-bats, collecting 37 hits. He 
had seven doubles, three triples and three home runs to add to his 24 
singles. In the 23 games played, he recorded 26 RBIs and scored 29 runs.
 He struck out only 2 times and also added 11 stolen bases to his 
resume.

In recent years, the change-up has been his go-to pitch, estimating 
that it comes in at about 72 mph while he has been clocked at about 88 
mph for his fastball.

In his pitching performances, Dreiling threw 54 innings, giving up 
just 21 hits, six runs of which only four were earned. He walked 23 and 
struck out 94, a high-end 1.74 strikeouts per inning.

“My curve? I have no clue on that one,” Dreiling said. “Still working on getting that to be a better pitch.”

From the end of the fall football season, Dreiling had spent many 
days in the weight room, working on getting stronger while also adding 
weight to his frame. The hard work paid off, as he went from 175 pounds 
to about the 195-200 pound range.

“I’ve always been pretty fast, but I thought if I could add the 
weight, I’d be that much stronger and could throw harder,” Dreiling 
said. “At the same time, I worked hard to keep up my speed.”

That transitions into his playing centerfield when not on the mound. 
This season, Dreiling hit a rock-solid .427 that helped the Indians’ 
high-scoring offense produce many double-digit run outings.

But he thrives on the defensive aspect of playing centerfield.

“I just like playing there because I have control of the outfield and
 the infield on fly balls,” he said. “The game has kind of gone away 
from defense, so for me, I just try to make the plays and have a good 
glove.”

Most centerfielders exhibit the skills of running to both their left 
and right, going back deep on fly balls or scampering in to grab line 
drives or hard ground balls into the outfield.

“I’m probably best at coming in on line drives,” Dreiling said. “It allows me to use my arm to keep runners from advancing.”

This summer, now that the spring season is over, will once again see 
Dreiling head east to play with the updated version of Tri-State 
Arsenal, now called G-Form Artillery.

“It’s a really good team with players from all over and we play a lot
 of tournaments up and down the East Coast,” Dreiling said. “I’ve been 
doing this since the fall of my eighth grade year when I played on a KC 
team and pitched six and two-thirds inning of no-hits. One of the kids 
from the other team played on an older team and he asked me if I was 
interested. I’ve been playing with them ever since.”

When he home for a short break in the summer, you will find Dreiling 
suited up to play for the local semi-pro team, the Hays Larks. But it 
doesn’t replace the bond he has with his high school teammates, and 
sometimes he longs to have more time to be in the dugout, or on the 
field with them.

“Those are the guys I grew up with, and there is just an 
extra-something special about playing high school baseball,” Dreiling 
said. “I have created new friendships with the team back east, but it 
doesn’t have the same feel as when I’m playing here at home.”

When he was notified about the WAC Player of the Year award, Dreiling said he was both excited and surprised.

“You know, we didn’t win league (6-2 while Dodge City was 7-1), so I 
thought that somebody from Dodge City might win it,” Dreiling said. “We 
struggled a little in the early part of the season and lost a game or 
two that perhaps we could have won. But overall it was a really good 
season and we played our best ball at the end.”

When the Indians punched their ticket to the state tournament at Eck 
Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University, Dreiling was excited 
for the opportunity.

“It’s a great stadium to play in and I am so happy we played there,” 
he said. “It was a big goal for me to play there with my friends. I 
don’t get to play with them in the summer, so it was very special.”

Dodge City head coach Zach Shipley was recognized as the WAC Coach of the Year for guiding the Red Demons to the league title.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436267801.png" alt="Hays High juniors Jack Fields, Dylan Dreiling, Garrett Wellbrock, Noah Weimer and Dalton Dale after the regional championship game. Dreiling was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and Wellbrock and Dale were also named to the first-team squad, along with senior Dominic Bainter. Seniors Dawson VonFeldt and Ben Krannawitter were named to the second team." />
 <figcaption>Hays High juniors Jack Fields, Dylan Dreiling, Garrett Wellbrock, Noah Weimer and Dalton Dale after the regional championship game. Dreiling was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and Wellbrock and Dale were also named to the first-team squad, along with senior Dominic Bainter. Seniors Dawson VonFeldt and Ben Krannawitter were named to the second team.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRETT MARSHALL <a href="https://www.wacathletics.com/hays-dreiling-is-best-in-wac-baseball/">Western Athletic Conference</a>Sometimes good things happen when one least expects it.Sometimes, good things turn into great things. And in the case of 
high school sports, great things turn into great seasons that will 
remain memorable for a lifetime.That might be one way to describe the 2021 spring baseball season for
 Hays High’s Dylan Dreiling and his Indians’ diamond teammates.“I think coming into this year, we didn’t expect to be as good as we 
eventually were,” said Dreiling, a junior pitcher/outfielder who was 
voted the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Year by the
 league’s coaches. “Not having last season I don’t think affected us, 
and I think in some cases made us play better.”Two seasons earlier, Dreiling was making his high school debut with 
the Indians. The team missed the postseason run to a state tournament 
berth in Class 5A, but Dreiling had his summer baseball team to fall 
back on when he left for the east coast to play with the elite Tri-State
 Arsenal team.“The big thing about this season is that after missing one year, you 
only have four years of high school so losing one whole year makes you 
appreciate it just a little more,” said Dreiling.And the 5-11, 195-pound junior did make the most of his return to playing with his hometown friends.In a season in which the Indians finished 19-4 overall and placed 
third in Class 5A at the state tournament, Dreiling was nearly perfect 
on the mound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436887300.png" alt="The 2021 Hays High Indians brought home the third-place trophy from the Class 5A state tournament in Wichita." />
 <figcaption>The 2021 Hays High Indians brought home the third-place trophy from the Class 5A state tournament in Wichita.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dreiling fashioned an unbeaten 9-0 record while posting a scintillating 
0.52 earned-run-average. Those two marks established new school records 
for a single season.“I think I’m mainly just very competitive,” Dreiling said when 
talking about his strengths. “First, I’ll try to throw the fastball, but
 I also have my change-up, which is usually pretty good. Every once in a
 while, I’ll throw in a curve.”The numbers tell the story of a dominant season for Dreiling, both 
from his left-handed pitching gems, to his range of hitting exploits.He went to the plate for 86 official at-bats, collecting 37 hits. He 
had seven doubles, three triples and three home runs to add to his 24 
singles. In the 23 games played, he recorded 26 RBIs and scored 29 runs.
 He struck out only 2 times and also added 11 stolen bases to his 
resume.In recent years, the change-up has been his go-to pitch, estimating 
that it comes in at about 72 mph while he has been clocked at about 88 
mph for his fastball.In his pitching performances, Dreiling threw 54 innings, giving up 
just 21 hits, six runs of which only four were earned. He walked 23 and 
struck out 94, a high-end 1.74 strikeouts per inning.“My curve? I have no clue on that one,” Dreiling said. “Still working on getting that to be a better pitch.”From the end of the fall football season, Dreiling had spent many 
days in the weight room, working on getting stronger while also adding 
weight to his frame. The hard work paid off, as he went from 175 pounds 
to about the 195-200 pound range.“I’ve always been pretty fast, but I thought if I could add the 
weight, I’d be that much stronger and could throw harder,” Dreiling 
said. “At the same time, I worked hard to keep up my speed.”That transitions into his playing centerfield when not on the mound. 
This season, Dreiling hit a rock-solid .427 that helped the Indians’ 
high-scoring offense produce many double-digit run outings.But he thrives on the defensive aspect of playing centerfield.“I just like playing there because I have control of the outfield and
 the infield on fly balls,” he said. “The game has kind of gone away 
from defense, so for me, I just try to make the plays and have a good 
glove.”Most centerfielders exhibit the skills of running to both their left 
and right, going back deep on fly balls or scampering in to grab line 
drives or hard ground balls into the outfield.“I’m probably best at coming in on line drives,” Dreiling said. “It allows me to use my arm to keep runners from advancing.”This summer, now that the spring season is over, will once again see 
Dreiling head east to play with the updated version of Tri-State 
Arsenal, now called G-Form Artillery.“It’s a really good team with players from all over and we play a lot
 of tournaments up and down the East Coast,” Dreiling said. “I’ve been 
doing this since the fall of my eighth grade year when I played on a KC 
team and pitched six and two-thirds inning of no-hits. One of the kids 
from the other team played on an older team and he asked me if I was 
interested. I’ve been playing with them ever since.”When he home for a short break in the summer, you will find Dreiling 
suited up to play for the local semi-pro team, the Hays Larks. But it 
doesn’t replace the bond he has with his high school teammates, and 
sometimes he longs to have more time to be in the dugout, or on the 
field with them.“Those are the guys I grew up with, and there is just an 
extra-something special about playing high school baseball,” Dreiling 
said. “I have created new friendships with the team back east, but it 
doesn’t have the same feel as when I’m playing here at home.”When he was notified about the WAC Player of the Year award, Dreiling said he was both excited and surprised.“You know, we didn’t win league (6-2 while Dodge City was 7-1), so I 
thought that somebody from Dodge City might win it,” Dreiling said. “We 
struggled a little in the early part of the season and lost a game or 
two that perhaps we could have won. But overall it was a really good 
season and we played our best ball at the end.”When the Indians punched their ticket to the state tournament at Eck 
Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University, Dreiling was excited 
for the opportunity.“It’s a great stadium to play in and I am so happy we played there,” 
he said. “It was a big goal for me to play there with my friends. I 
don’t get to play with them in the summer, so it was very special.”Dodge City head coach Zach Shipley was recognized as the WAC Coach of the Year for guiding the Red Demons to the league title.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436414268.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436433111.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays High's Dreiling is best in WAC baseball

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported no new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Wednesday.

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

As of Friday, the University of Kansas Health System reported there were zero COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed for three consecutive days.

Since reporting began, there have been 3,759 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 73 coronavirus-related deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623431729289.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported no new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Wednesday.<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.As of Friday, the University of Kansas Health System reported there were zero COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed for three consecutive days.Since reporting began, there have been 3,759 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 73 coronavirus-related deaths.

KDHE: No new virus cases in Ellis Co. since Wednesday

Oilers Cheerleading is excited to announce they have opened registration for their third season.

At Oilers Cheerleading, they are all about fun and fairness. Their experienced coaches train the team to reach their highest potential and to always have a great time. They have been around since 2018 and are not planning on going anywhere.

Since 2018, Oilers Cheerleading has been a youth organization in the Hays area. They welcome all children ranging from first through sixth grade. Your child will get to experience the fun of authentic cheerleading at home football games while enjoying and understanding the true love of the sport. They cheer for the local Oilers Football teams. Smiles, sharpness, and sportsmanship - those are the hallmarks of Oilers Cheerleading.

In the Oilers Cheerleading Program, cheerleaders learn cheers, cheer counts, stunts, dances, jumps and performance material. Along with this, they will learn sharpness and motion techniques. The Oilers Cheerleaders are known for their unique pom performances and ripples, sharpness, loudness, and their fullness of high energy and spirit. Cheerleaders do public performances, cheer at games and participate in parades.

The cheer squad provides the tools to increase cheerleading skills. It also provides the squad to have the opportunity to build fundamental life skills and relationships that last a lifetime, while having fun.

Because our cheer squad is all about fun, they love to have cheer parties and camps.

What makes our squad unique? They are the only cheerleading organization located in Hays that allows your child to cheer at their own home football games. They cheer for all of the traveling Oilers Football Teams, but they only cheer at their home games in Hays.&nbsp;

This will be their third season. This would have been their fourth season, but due to the COVID outbreak last year, their season was canceled. With this being said, they are very excited to start up again this year and get back on track.

They&nbsp;provide special halftime performances at our Oilers Football Championship games, which are at the Fort Hays State University Football Stadium.

Cheerleaders Safety is the top priority. They pride themselves in being fair coaches. Coach Jenny Linenberger and Holly Linenberger could not be more proud of each squad every year. Each child has a unique and important aspect that they bring to the squad. Cheerleaders are focused, hardworking, determined and their smiles are contagious and bring joy to the community and Oilers Fans. They are grateful to all of the parents who let us coach their children. They are blessed to cross paths with these children. Persistence equals excellence, and they could not be more proud of our cheerleaders and it brings them joy and excitement to see them shine and watch their faces glow as they perform and cheer while having fun.

Jenny and Holly are a mother and daughter coaching team, which makes this even better, due to the fact that they are very compatible. Their top priority is safety, fairness, and providing a fun-loving experience. You will not find any other coaches that work together so well that have such compassion and dedication towards cheerleading.

As a part of this experience, they annually participate in homecoming and holiday parades. In fact, a few of our upcoming events include the Bazaar On The Bricks Sidewalk Sale, the Fourth of July Parade, the Hays High Homecoming Parade, the FHSU Homecoming Parade, and a Hays Tree Lighting Performance.

Along with this, instead of having one cheerleading camp this year, they will have two cheerleading camps with the Hays High School Cheerleaders coached by MacKenzie James and the Ellis High School Cheerleaders coached by Kristi Bittel. They are so happy to have two awesome camps, with outstanding cheerleaders and excellent coaches.&nbsp;

Feel free to visit our new website <a href="https://hllinenberger.wixsite.com/oilerscheerleading" target="_blank">https://hllinenberger.wixsite.com/oilerscheerleading</a>

For more information visit our Facebook Page @OilersCheerleadingHays and our Instagram Page @oilers_cheerleading

Here is our 2021 Registration Link <a href="https://forms.gle/XA5uub6wxHXrdrr49" target="_blank">https://forms.gle/XA5uub6wxHXrdrr49</a> This can also be found on our Facebook and Instagram Pages!,

We encourage you to call us with any questions at 785-259-5293.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623426431744.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photos" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photos</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedOilers Cheerleading is excited to announce they have opened registration for their third season.At Oilers Cheerleading, they are all about fun and fairness. Their experienced coaches train the team to reach their highest potential and to always have a great time. They have been around since 2018 and are not planning on going anywhere.Since 2018, Oilers Cheerleading has been a youth organization in the Hays area. They welcome all children ranging from first through sixth grade. Your child will get to experience the fun of authentic cheerleading at home football games while enjoying and understanding the true love of the sport. They cheer for the local Oilers Football teams. Smiles, sharpness, and sportsmanship - those are the hallmarks of Oilers Cheerleading.In the Oilers Cheerleading Program, cheerleaders learn cheers, cheer counts, stunts, dances, jumps and performance material. Along with this, they will learn sharpness and motion techniques. The Oilers Cheerleaders are known for their unique pom performances and ripples, sharpness, loudness, and their fullness of high energy and spirit. Cheerleaders do public performances, cheer at games and participate in parades.The cheer squad provides the tools to increase cheerleading skills. It also provides the squad to have the opportunity to build fundamental life skills and relationships that last a lifetime, while having fun.Because our cheer squad is all about fun, they love to have cheer parties and camps.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623426474766.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>What makes our squad unique? They are the only cheerleading organization located in Hays that allows your child to cheer at their own home football games. They cheer for all of the traveling Oilers Football Teams, but they only cheer at their home games in Hays.&nbsp;This will be their third season. This would have been their fourth season, but due to the COVID outbreak last year, their season was canceled. With this being said, they are very excited to start up again this year and get back on track.They&nbsp;provide special halftime performances at our Oilers Football Championship games, which are at the Fort Hays State University Football Stadium.Cheerleaders Safety is the top priority. They pride themselves in being fair coaches. Coach Jenny Linenberger and Holly Linenberger could not be more proud of each squad every year. Each child has a unique and important aspect that they bring to the squad. Cheerleaders are focused, hardworking, determined and their smiles are contagious and bring joy to the community and Oilers Fans. They are grateful to all of the parents who let us coach their children. They are blessed to cross paths with these children. Persistence equals excellence, and they could not be more proud of our cheerleaders and it brings them joy and excitement to see them shine and watch their faces glow as they perform and cheer while having fun.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623426527500.jpeg" alt="Oiler Cheerleaders&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Oiler Cheerleaders&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Jenny and Holly are a mother and daughter coaching team, which makes this even better, due to the fact that they are very compatible. Their top priority is safety, fairness, and providing a fun-loving experience. You will not find any other coaches that work together so well that have such compassion and dedication towards cheerleading.As a part of this experience, they annually participate in homecoming and holiday parades. In fact, a few of our upcoming events include the Bazaar On The Bricks Sidewalk Sale, the Fourth of July Parade, the Hays High Homecoming Parade, the FHSU Homecoming Parade, and a Hays Tree Lighting Performance.Along with this, instead of having one cheerleading camp this year, they will have two cheerleading camps with the Hays High School Cheerleaders coached by MacKenzie James and the Ellis High School Cheerleaders coached by Kristi Bittel. They are so happy to have two awesome camps, with outstanding cheerleaders and excellent coaches.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623426590730.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Feel free to visit our new website <a href="https://hllinenberger.wixsite.com/oilerscheerleading" target="_blank">https://hllinenberger.wixsite.com/oilerscheerleading</a>For more information visit our Facebook Page @OilersCheerleadingHays and our Instagram Page @oilers_cheerleadingHere is our 2021 Registration Link <a href="https://forms.gle/XA5uub6wxHXrdrr49" target="_blank">https://forms.gle/XA5uub6wxHXrdrr49</a> This can also be found on our Facebook and Instagram Pages!,We encourage you to call us with any questions at 785-259-5293.

Oiler Cheerleaders open registration

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Country View Mobile Home Park water supply system, located in Ellis County. The advisory was issued because of a failure in the disinfection equipment, which may lead to bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from Country View Mobile Home Park indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

For consumer questions, contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTEuNDE3OTg1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.TUGvMx9tKHHuwL69vvw6-JSR_Bv99NDSstE0TppDo5U/s/1305913623/br/107785362970-l">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>

KDHETOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Country View Mobile Home Park water supply system, located in Ellis County. The advisory was issued because of a failure in the disinfection equipment, which may lead to bacterial contamination.Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.Laboratory testing samples collected from Country View Mobile Home Park indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;For consumer questions, contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTEuNDE3OTg1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.TUGvMx9tKHHuwL69vvw6-JSR_Bv99NDSstE0TppDo5U/s/1305913623/br/107785362970-l">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>

Boil order rescinded for Ellis County mobile home park

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.

Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Norton County (upgraded from watch 6/10)

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

If you observe scum, a paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments, or the water is an opaque green,&nbsp;avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTAuNDE3NzIzNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9pbmRleC5odG0_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.sCHENHooFUGaISP-1z_N0LMpcGwI6DbYIZBvuazefUY/s/1305914033/br/107762119308-l" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593727789226.jpeg" alt="Blue-green algae&nbsp; (Photo by Pixabay)" />
 <figcaption>Blue-green algae&nbsp; (Photo by Pixabay)</figcaption>
 </figure>KDWPTTOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.Active AdvisoriesWarningMarion Reservoir, Marion CountyKeith Sebelius Reservoir, Norton County (upgraded from watch 6/10)Webster Reservoir, Rooks CountyJerry Ivey Lake, Saline CountyWatchSouth Lake, Johnson County (new)Milford Lake Zone C, Geary County (new)Marion County Lake, Marion CountyWhen a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.</li><li>Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.</li><li>Water contact should be avoided.</li><li>Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.</li><li>Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.</li><li>If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.</li><li>Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.</li>
 </ul>A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage will be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.</li><li>Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.</li><li>Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.</li><li>Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid</li>
 </ul>direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.<ul>
 <li>Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.</li>
 </ul>KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.If you observe scum, a paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments, or the water is an opaque green,&nbsp;avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTAuNDE3NzIzNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9pbmRleC5odG0_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.sCHENHooFUGaISP-1z_N0LMpcGwI6DbYIZBvuazefUY/s/1305914033/br/107762119308-l" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm</a>.

Sebelius, Webster reservoirs under blue-green algae warning

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

After soliciting input from Hays residents, Mayor Sandy Jacobs changed her mind about an <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/250caa53-0f8c-469e-a259-3607ad9d0ffe">increase in the 2022 mill levy devoted to economic development funding</a>.

None of the people she talked with was against funding economic development. according to Jacobs.

"They were very much in favor of it. What they weren't in favor of was funding of 0.75 mills," Jacobs said during Thursday night's city commission meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"They did not want it in the form of a levy. Nor did they want to fund the CARE Council in that form."

Jacobs made her initial recommendation during last week's work session. 

Her proposal for a one-half mill levy increase dedicated to Grow Hays, the economic development arm of Hays and Ellis County, was supported by Vice-Mayor Mason Ruder, who made his own&nbsp;suggestion for a 0.75 mill levy increase for economic development.

Commissioner Michael Berges also proposed a separate 0.75 mill levy increase for social services funding through the CARE Council.

The two suggestions would have meant a combined 1.5 mill levy increase under consideration in the the commissioners' 2022 budget discussion.&nbsp;

"Those offering opinions said this is not a good year to do it," Jacobs added. "I had a lot of conversations about when is a good year to raise the mill levy, but nonetheless, that was their reason."&nbsp;

The city's levy of 25 mills has not increased the past 12 years.

Jacobs still strongly supports funding Grow Hays "the way I believe it's supposed to be funded, as the economic development arm of the city and the county, and not an outside agency."&nbsp;

She then said she would step back from her mill levy proposal and asked the other commissioners to consider funding Grow Hays at the amount equal to 0.75 mills.&nbsp;

"I believe Grow Hays is making real progress in entrepreneurship, housing, workforce development and jobs," the mayor said. "I want a consistent revenue source for them to be able to count on."

Commissioner Shaun Musil agreed that Grow Hays must have stable funding.

"In my opinion, Grow Hays is the best [economic development program] since I've been on the commission." Musil said. "It has to be in the budget. We gotta figure it out. ... We cannot go backwards."

Musil also noted the plan Fort Hays State University has presented to the Board of Regents to <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/475b65bd-792a-4358-90c6-5ddca6325034">extend in-state tuition rates to students from 14 states in the region</a>.&nbsp;

"That's economic development. It's not gonna happen overnight, but that's gonna be huge for Hays."&nbsp;Musil suggested the city commission write a letter of support for the plan to the Board of Regents.

All the commissioners were contacted by residents with reasons not to increase the mill levy in 2022.

"There were very valid reasons," Commissioner Michael Berges said. "There are other opportunities that will probably rely on mills, such as the schools."&nbsp;

(Hays USD 489 school board members voted last month to begin&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fcf9184f-6a49-4a81-b8e3-b0b6efefbba2">forming committees to help plan a bond issue</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;The school district has not passed a bond issue in more than 30 years.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Berges favors the steady source of funding a mill levy provides whether for economic development or social services programs.

"The property valuation has only gone down once in 27 years so it's a way of funding that naturally has some kind of increase every year."&nbsp;

But Berges agreed that "we can look at the budget and find other ways to maximize and get things funded."

Vice-Mayor Mason Ruder also supported withdrawing the mill levy increase proposal. 

Commissioner Ron Mellick said he would withhold his recommendation until he sees the budget draft. Last week Mellick said he opposed any mill levy increase.

Following budget requests from outside agencies in the June 17 work session, the city commission will receive the proposed 2022 budget on July 1.

Budget reviews are scheduled for July 8 and 15 and August 5 and 19 with the public hearing on September 9.

In other business, commissioners approved the city's property/liability insurance coverage renewal with MPR for $262,616, an approximate seven percent increase in 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623378847632.jpeg" alt="Doug Willams, Grow Hays executive director, listens to Hays city commissioners Thursday night during a discussion about increased funding for economic development in the city's 2022 budget." />
 <figcaption>Doug Willams, Grow Hays executive director, listens to Hays city commissioners Thursday night during a discussion about increased funding for economic development in the city's 2022 budget.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostAfter soliciting input from Hays residents, Mayor Sandy Jacobs changed her mind about an <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/250caa53-0f8c-469e-a259-3607ad9d0ffe">increase in the 2022 mill levy devoted to economic development funding</a>.None of the people she talked with was against funding economic development. according to Jacobs."They were very much in favor of it. What they weren't in favor of was funding of 0.75 mills," Jacobs said during Thursday night's city commission meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;"They did not want it in the form of a levy. Nor did they want to fund the CARE Council in that form."Jacobs made her initial recommendation during last week's work session. Her proposal for a one-half mill levy increase dedicated to Grow Hays, the economic development arm of Hays and Ellis County, was supported by Vice-Mayor Mason Ruder, who made his own&nbsp;suggestion for a 0.75 mill levy increase for economic development.Commissioner Michael Berges also proposed a separate 0.75 mill levy increase for social services funding through the CARE Council.The two suggestions would have meant a combined 1.5 mill levy increase under consideration in the the commissioners' 2022 budget discussion.&nbsp;"Those offering opinions said this is not a good year to do it," Jacobs added. "I had a lot of conversations about when is a good year to raise the mill levy, but nonetheless, that was their reason."&nbsp;The city's levy of 25 mills has not increased the past 12 years.Jacobs still strongly supports funding Grow Hays "the way I believe it's supposed to be funded, as the economic development arm of the city and the county, and not an outside agency."&nbsp;She then said she would step back from her mill levy proposal and asked the other commissioners to consider funding Grow Hays at the amount equal to 0.75 mills.&nbsp;"I believe Grow Hays is making real progress in entrepreneurship, housing, workforce development and jobs," the mayor said. "I want a consistent revenue source for them to be able to count on."<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FSN2bqkUFD0"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Commissioner Shaun Musil agreed that Grow Hays must have stable funding."In my opinion, Grow Hays is the best [economic development program] since I've been on the commission." Musil said. "It has to be in the budget. We gotta figure it out. ... We cannot go backwards."Musil also noted the plan Fort Hays State University has presented to the Board of Regents to <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/475b65bd-792a-4358-90c6-5ddca6325034">extend in-state tuition rates to students from 14 states in the region</a>.&nbsp;"That's economic development. It's not gonna happen overnight, but that's gonna be huge for Hays."&nbsp;Musil suggested the city commission write a letter of support for the plan to the Board of Regents.All the commissioners were contacted by residents with reasons not to increase the mill levy in 2022."There were very valid reasons," Commissioner Michael Berges said. "There are other opportunities that will probably rely on mills, such as the schools."&nbsp;

(Hays USD 489 school board members voted last month to begin&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fcf9184f-6a49-4a81-b8e3-b0b6efefbba2">forming committees to help plan a bond issue</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;The school district has not passed a bond issue in more than 30 years.)&nbsp;&nbsp; Berges favors the steady source of funding a mill levy provides whether for economic development or social services programs."The property valuation has only gone down once in 27 years so it's a way of funding that naturally has some kind of increase every year."&nbsp;But Berges agreed that "we can look at the budget and find other ways to maximize and get things funded."Vice-Mayor Mason Ruder also supported withdrawing the mill levy increase proposal. Commissioner Ron Mellick said he would withhold his recommendation until he sees the budget draft. Last week Mellick said he opposed any mill levy increase.Following budget requests from outside agencies in the June 17 work session, the city commission will receive the proposed 2022 budget on July 1.Budget reviews are scheduled for July 8 and 15 and August 5 and 19 with the public hearing on September 9.In other business, commissioners approved the city's property/liability insurance coverage renewal with MPR for $262,616, an approximate seven percent increase in 2022.

🎥 Mayor retracts idea for eco devo mill levy increase; still supports more funding

Ellis County Knights of Columbus Councils participated in the seventh annual First Responders Appreciation Barbecue held Saturday, June 5, at the Frontier Park in Hays.&nbsp; This was the largest participation since the event started in 2015.&nbsp; Lunch was served to First Responders and their families as well as the Knights of Columbus and their families.&nbsp; This barbecue is a very small token of the heart felt appreciation for the Ellis County First Responders.&nbsp; All Ellis County Knights of Columbus and their families join together to say "thank you" for all you do. An extra special event took place at the barbecue.&nbsp; That was the presentation of the Distinguished Police Service Award presented to Ed Harbin by Brian Dawson.&nbsp; Harbin retired from the Hays Police Department in January 2021 after serving as sheriff for 25 years and serving in law enforcement for 43 plus years.&nbsp; It was an honor for the Knights of Columbus to be a part of this great celebration.&nbsp; Thank you to Ed Harbin for your many years of service as a First Responder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623171299295.jpeg" alt="Pictured left to right, back row: Rocky Feltis, Ken Staab, Norbert Kuhn, Ed Harbin, Roger Rife, Dennis Hanes, Brad Stramel, Randy VonFeldt, Ed Prewo, Bill Zimmerman, Nick Leis, Jacob Meis, Karl Meis. Front Row, left to right: Mark Windholz, Bill Ring, Greg Augustine, Irvin Leiker, Paul Meis, Tim Dickman, Dan Leis." />
 <figcaption>Pictured left to right, back row: Rocky Feltis, Ken Staab, Norbert Kuhn, Ed Harbin, Roger Rife, Dennis Hanes, Brad Stramel, Randy VonFeldt, Ed Prewo, Bill Zimmerman, Nick Leis, Jacob Meis, Karl Meis. Front Row, left to right: Mark Windholz, Bill Ring, Greg Augustine, Irvin Leiker, Paul Meis, Tim Dickman, Dan Leis.</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedEllis County Knights of Columbus Councils participated in the seventh annual First Responders Appreciation Barbecue held Saturday, June 5, at the Frontier Park in Hays.&nbsp; This was the largest participation since the event started in 2015.&nbsp; Lunch was served to First Responders and their families as well as the Knights of Columbus and their families.&nbsp; This barbecue is a very small token of the heart felt appreciation for the Ellis County First Responders.&nbsp; All Ellis County Knights of Columbus and their families join together to say "thank you" for all you do. An extra special event took place at the barbecue.&nbsp; That was the presentation of the Distinguished Police Service Award presented to Ed Harbin by Brian Dawson.&nbsp; Harbin retired from the Hays Police Department in January 2021 after serving as sheriff for 25 years and serving in law enforcement for 43 plus years.&nbsp; It was an honor for the Knights of Columbus to be a part of this great celebration.&nbsp; Thank you to Ed Harbin for your many years of service as a First Responder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623171364343.jpeg" alt="Brian Dawson and Ed Harbin" />
 <figcaption>Brian Dawson and Ed Harbin</figcaption>
 </figure>

First responders, Harbin honored at Knights' appreciation barbecue

The Hays High Trap Team has finished the 2020-2021 season with a team win at the Trego Invitational that was held at the Hays City Sportsman Club on May 20.

Only the second year in existence, the Hays High Trap team is off to a great start. 

Senior Monique William succeeded in not only winning the girls competition but also representing Hays High as the high individual overall for the entire shooting event, scoring 97 out of 100 targets for the evening.

Other individuals that placed on the team were sophomores Chase Whitman, second place girls; Taylor Depenbusch, third place girls. Members Rosston Eckroat, junior, and freshman Logan Schmidt placed outside of the top 10 individuals but were still high enough to help secure the win for the team. These individuals, along with five other team members - Madalyn William, Aden Debay, Miles Keller, and Tanner Werth will represent Hays High by shooting at the state competition on June 18-19 in Wichita.

 In addition to this current win, the team was ranked second in the 2A Conference 2 for the 2020-21 spring season. Monique William won the girls varsity division for the 2A Conference 2, placed fourth in the girls competition, and tied for 32nd overall. Madalyn William was third in girls varsity for the 2A conference 2 and also ranked in the girls contest, placing 25th.

 Mike Eckroat, one of the assistant coaches of the team, said “we are so proud of these students. Their passion for the sport is evident. They have spent a lot of time fundraising and practicing so they could all compete, enjoy trap events and represent Hays High. This is the type of sport that any kid can participate in. Students that maybe don’t fit into the more traditional types of athletics can learn how to do this and develop a good sense of leadership and team work. As coaches we feel this is also a great way to teach students safety and how to be responsible with firearms.” 

Trap competition has become very popular among high school students not only in Hays but across the nation.&nbsp;According to the Amateur Trap Shooting Association, trap competition among teens is the fastest growing sport in high school.

The current Hays High team roster includes 28 students. 

The Trap Club members have worked hard over last two years securing sponsors and fundraising to help pay for the ammunition necessary to compete. The team has received support from many local businesses. Organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Pheasants Forever have hired the trap team to work before and during banquets held in Hays. Students have also held raffles for meat bundles to raise funding towards the club. 

The team has hopes of competing at the National High School Clay Target League which will be held in Mason, Michigan July 7-11.

The team is coached by Hays High teachers Chris Dinkel and Alex Ford. Assistant coaches are Grady William, Ben Hunsicker and Mike Eckroat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623163902456.jpeg" alt="Hays High School Trap Team winners in the season's final competition are Logan Schmidt, Rosston Eckroat, Monique William, Taylor Depenbusch and Chase Whitman." />
 <figcaption>Hays High School Trap Team winners in the season's final competition are Logan Schmidt, Rosston Eckroat, Monique William, Taylor Depenbusch and Chase Whitman.</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Hays High Trap Team has finished the 2020-2021 season with a team win at the Trego Invitational that was held at the Hays City Sportsman Club on May 20.Only the second year in existence, the Hays High Trap team is off to a great start. Senior Monique William succeeded in not only winning the girls competition but also representing Hays High as the high individual overall for the entire shooting event, scoring 97 out of 100 targets for the evening.Other individuals that placed on the team were sophomores Chase Whitman, second place girls; Taylor Depenbusch, third place girls. Members Rosston Eckroat, junior, and freshman Logan Schmidt placed outside of the top 10 individuals but were still high enough to help secure the win for the team. These individuals, along with five other team members - Madalyn William, Aden Debay, Miles Keller, and Tanner Werth will represent Hays High by shooting at the state competition on June 18-19 in Wichita. In addition to this current win, the team was ranked second in the 2A Conference 2 for the 2020-21 spring season. Monique William won the girls varsity division for the 2A Conference 2, placed fourth in the girls competition, and tied for 32nd overall. Madalyn William was third in girls varsity for the 2A conference 2 and also ranked in the girls contest, placing 25th. Mike Eckroat, one of the assistant coaches of the team, said “we are so proud of these students. Their passion for the sport is evident. They have spent a lot of time fundraising and practicing so they could all compete, enjoy trap events and represent Hays High. This is the type of sport that any kid can participate in. Students that maybe don’t fit into the more traditional types of athletics can learn how to do this and develop a good sense of leadership and team work. As coaches we feel this is also a great way to teach students safety and how to be responsible with firearms.” Trap competition has become very popular among high school students not only in Hays but across the nation.&nbsp;According to the Amateur Trap Shooting Association, trap competition among teens is the fastest growing sport in high school.The current Hays High team roster includes 28 students. The Trap Club members have worked hard over last two years securing sponsors and fundraising to help pay for the ammunition necessary to compete. The team has received support from many local businesses. Organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Pheasants Forever have hired the trap team to work before and during banquets held in Hays. Students have also held raffles for meat bundles to raise funding towards the club. The team has hopes of competing at the National High School Clay Target League which will be held in Mason, Michigan July 7-11.The team is coached by Hays High teachers Chris Dinkel and Alex Ford. Assistant coaches are Grady William, Ben Hunsicker and Mike Eckroat.

Hays High School trap team finishes season with win

Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center is hosting a free book launch event at 10 a.m. June 19. Join in for a reading by the author, family-friendly activities, refreshments, and more.

“Ava: A Year of Adventure in the Life of an American Avocet” is a 32-page, fully illustrated children's book written by Mandy Kern, program specialist at the KWEC; illustrated by Onalee Nicklin of rural Emporia; and published by Meadowlark Press.

The story follows Ava. the American Avocet, a breed of shorebird, that leaves her home at the Laguna Madre and travels 1,000 miles to stay for a season at the largest wetland complex in the interior of the United States. Cheyenne Bottoms, in the middle of Kansas, is home to millions of birds that stop during their annual migrations in the spring and fall, as well as a diverse population of wildlife that make a home there year-round. As Ava meets her mate and starts a family, readers are introduced to one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.

Thanks to funding by the Dorothy Morrison Foundation, each K-6 classroom in Barton County and every school and public/community library within 70 miles of the center will receive a copy. Every family that attends the book launch event will also receive a free copy.

10:15 – Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs to partake in an outside reading by the author.

10:30 – The Dorothy Morrison Foundation will be recognized for its support.

10:45-11:30 – Families can rotate through hands-on activities themed to the story. Activity stations include drawing Ava the Avocet with the help of the illustrator and writing your own adventure for Ava, engineering your own nest in a STEM challenge, learning more about shorebirds and their calls, running through a migration obstacle course, touching invertebrates, and exploring the importance of wetlands and their functions.

11:30 - The author and illustrator will be available for signing opportunities. Refreshments will also be served, thanks to the Friends of Cheyenne Bottoms.

For more information, or if you cannot attend the free event and would like to purchase a copy of the book, visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtKPX7UpwkE0TQbsNcdGITKW-2FJ3J9hmhr2AA82iSYsKaqm8Qk_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2BLvmsc88t8nnaYQCTreEaWjPaKVz5BRN8NO3klHCDUORPt9Z86M3cEDCkW-2Fip406b9uwweCbKsJuggU8VTJA1NO-2F1lrDAD76n5kuKRl84RBtjHxnzvEHpya03dkaNZmbi9KRyk4CBwoPjTjliUILgEeC-2BZSas9FQ2m8MCVljcTFOnR0bLswk4ygxMjTaPpSGQ24nqRRjK35KfPnIV7-2FvjPkTXAW0WJUzuWynGsj24wKhtvY8E42i1X4e-2BTqF14tW8" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/4n9f8kre</a>.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s&nbsp;Werth College of Science Technology and Mathematics, is located&nbsp;10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622815659383.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Wetlands Education Center is debuting a 32-page fully illustrated children's book about an American Avocet, a species of shorebird. Cheyenne Bottoms and the importance of wetland habitats are featured throughout. Families can receive a free copy at the June book launch event." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Wetlands Education Center is debuting a 32-page fully illustrated children's book about an American Avocet, a species of shorebird. Cheyenne Bottoms and the importance of wetland habitats are featured throughout. Families can receive a free copy at the June book launch event.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsFort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center is hosting a free book launch event at 10 a.m. June 19. Join in for a reading by the author, family-friendly activities, refreshments, and more.“Ava: A Year of Adventure in the Life of an American Avocet” is a 32-page, fully illustrated children's book written by Mandy Kern, program specialist at the KWEC; illustrated by Onalee Nicklin of rural Emporia; and published by Meadowlark Press.The story follows Ava. the American Avocet, a breed of shorebird, that leaves her home at the Laguna Madre and travels 1,000 miles to stay for a season at the largest wetland complex in the interior of the United States. Cheyenne Bottoms, in the middle of Kansas, is home to millions of birds that stop during their annual migrations in the spring and fall, as well as a diverse population of wildlife that make a home there year-round. As Ava meets her mate and starts a family, readers are introduced to one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.Thanks to funding by the Dorothy Morrison Foundation, each K-6 classroom in Barton County and every school and public/community library within 70 miles of the center will receive a copy. Every family that attends the book launch event will also receive a free copy.Following is the schedule of events:10:15 – Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs to partake in an outside reading by the author.10:30 – The Dorothy Morrison Foundation will be recognized for its support.10:45-11:30 – Families can rotate through hands-on activities themed to the story. Activity stations include drawing Ava the Avocet with the help of the illustrator and writing your own adventure for Ava, engineering your own nest in a STEM challenge, learning more about shorebirds and their calls, running through a migration obstacle course, touching invertebrates, and exploring the importance of wetlands and their functions.11:30 - The author and illustrator will be available for signing opportunities. Refreshments will also be served, thanks to the Friends of Cheyenne Bottoms.For more information, or if you cannot attend the free event and would like to purchase a copy of the book, visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtKPX7UpwkE0TQbsNcdGITKW-2FJ3J9hmhr2AA82iSYsKaqm8Qk_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2BLvmsc88t8nnaYQCTreEaWjPaKVz5BRN8NO3klHCDUORPt9Z86M3cEDCkW-2Fip406b9uwweCbKsJuggU8VTJA1NO-2F1lrDAD76n5kuKRl84RBtjHxnzvEHpya03dkaNZmbi9KRyk4CBwoPjTjliUILgEeC-2BZSas9FQ2m8MCVljcTFOnR0bLswk4ygxMjTaPpSGQ24nqRRjK35KfPnIV7-2FvjPkTXAW0WJUzuWynGsj24wKhtvY8E42i1X4e-2BTqF14tW8" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/4n9f8kre</a>.Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s&nbsp;Werth College of Science Technology and Mathematics, is located&nbsp;10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

FHSU’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center to host book launch

On a hot summer day, people often dress in light clothing, drink more water than normal and seek shade to minimize the impacts on the body from heat and humidity. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute experts said cattle need many of those same strategies for maximum performance over the summer. Talking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2021/05/28/feed-efficiency-feet-and-leg-scores-heat-stress/" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, veterinarians Bob Larson, Brian Lubbers and Brad White; and nutritionist Phillip Lancaster agreed that providing plenty of water and shade are two keys to success in keeping cattle comfortable. &nbsp;&nbsp;

But first it is important to recognize the signs of stress, Lubbers said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Cattle that are experiencing heat stress will have decreased production, so it is important to know the signs, which often mimic respiratory disease,” he said. Cattle that are breathing rapidly might be experiencing heat stress.&nbsp;&nbsp;

White said sometimes it is difficult to detect: “If you see one animal breathing hard in the heat often there is another set of calves that are also experiencing heat stress but not showing the signs to the same degree as the one you noticed.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Larson added that oftentimes it is the young calves that are most impacted by the heat.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Very young calves seem to be more sensitive to the heat when compared to their older herd mates,” he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Along with noting the daytime high temperatures, Lubbers said producers need to monitor the nighttime low temperatures as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>On a hot summer day, people often dress in light clothing, drink more water than normal and seek shade to minimize the impacts on the body from heat and humidity. &nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute experts said cattle need many of those same strategies for maximum performance over the summer. Talking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2021/05/28/feed-efficiency-feet-and-leg-scores-heat-stress/" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, veterinarians Bob Larson, Brian Lubbers and Brad White; and nutritionist Phillip Lancaster agreed that providing plenty of water and shade are two keys to success in keeping cattle comfortable. &nbsp;&nbsp;But first it is important to recognize the signs of stress, Lubbers said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Cattle that are experiencing heat stress will have decreased production, so it is important to know the signs, which often mimic respiratory disease,” he said. Cattle that are breathing rapidly might be experiencing heat stress.&nbsp;&nbsp;White said sometimes it is difficult to detect: “If you see one animal breathing hard in the heat often there is another set of calves that are also experiencing heat stress but not showing the signs to the same degree as the one you noticed.” &nbsp;&nbsp;Larson added that oftentimes it is the young calves that are most impacted by the heat.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Very young calves seem to be more sensitive to the heat when compared to their older herd mates,” he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;Along with noting the daytime high temperatures, Lubbers said producers need to monitor the nighttime low temperatures as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;“If it doesn’t cool down overnight, the cattle can’t dissipate the heat like they would otherwise, so those are the days that you need to be extra vigilant in watching for signs of heat stress,” Lubbers said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Relating to cattle performance, Jennifer Bormann, beef cattle geneticist with the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State, said research has shown cattle that readily shed their haircoat in hot temperatures perform better. &nbsp;&nbsp;“One study scored the cattle at the same time each spring and then tracked their performance. Cattle that shed their haircoats early produced calves with higher weaning weights than the cows that took longer to shed their winter haircoats,” Bormann said. “The theory is that those early shedding cows suffered less heat stress and greater performance in the summer months than the others in the study.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Along with a slick haircoat, Lancaster said it is important to offer cattle extra water on the hot days.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Check the watering systems often because on the really hot days they may not be able to keep up with the demands for water that the cattle are placing on them,” Lancaster said. &nbsp;&nbsp;And regarding shade, Lancaster offered this advice: “Whether it is a tree in the pasture or an artificial shade, it is important to confirm it is big enough to allow good airflow moving underneath the shade.”&nbsp;&nbsp;White added: “If there are 30 cows all grouped in close sitting under the shade tree, they will not be that much cooler than if they were all sitting out in the sun because of the lack of air movement.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

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