Hays Post and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>, which covers portions of the Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, are among the newest members of <a href="https://www.lionpublishers.com">LION Publishers</a>.

Local Independent Online News Publishers is an industry organization of more than 300 online news outlets across the country helping to bring vital news to their communities.

Hays Post is one of a handful of digital-only members of the Kansas Press Association, and Eagle Radio is a longtime member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.&nbsp;

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 </figure>Hays Post and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>, which covers portions of the Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, are among the newest members of <a href="https://www.lionpublishers.com">LION Publishers</a>.Local Independent Online News Publishers is an industry organization of more than 300 online news outlets across the country helping to bring vital news to their communities.Hays Post is one of a handful of digital-only members of the Kansas Press Association, and Eagle Radio is a longtime member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.&nbsp;<figure>
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Hays Post a new member of LION Publishers

GOVE COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 9 a.m. Monday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Saige Leann&nbsp;Meier, 18, Grinnell,&nbsp;was westbound on county road CC a mile and a half west of Grainfield.

The vehicle traveled off the roadway. The driver over corrected, traveled back across the roadway into the south ditch, entered the roadway a second time and rolled an unknown numbers of times.&nbsp;

EMS transported Meier to Gove County Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

GOVE COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 9 a.m. Monday in Gove County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Saige Leann&nbsp;Meier, 18, Grinnell,&nbsp;was westbound on county road CC a mile and a half west of Grainfield.The vehicle traveled off the roadway. The driver over corrected, traveled back across the roadway into the south ditch, entered the roadway a second time and rolled an unknown numbers of times.&nbsp;EMS transported Meier to Gove County Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas teen hospitalized after SUV rolls

In the next few weeks, we’re going to see the start of dramatic expansion of access to the Internet from border to border in Kansas.

And surprisingly -- or disappointingly -- it is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and about $1 billion in federal funds from which more than $100 million will be spent by Dec. 30 on connectivity, getting fast and reliable Internet access to everyone in Kansas that should have taken place years ago.

Now, that’s probably not what most of us were thinking about when the pandemic struck the nation this spring. We were drawn first to the hundreds of Kansans who are dying of COVID-19, and the thousands who lost their jobs and their access to food and shelter, and the concern about how children would spend their time away from school and how parents would care for them from home while trying to maintain their&nbsp; paychecks remotely.

The first instinct was to help those Kansans. To make sure that our first-responders would be safely masked- and gloved-up to find those ill citizens, get them to health-care facilities, and to boost the supplies at those hospitals so that care-givers could save more lives.

But we also started to take a unified, statewide look at just what communications, and we’re talking Internet, services would be available to allow parents to work from home, for businesses to expand their reach, for the economy to grow so that we have the facilities to care for ill Kansans.

It quickly became apparent that increased Internet access and speed and volume were going to be keys to not only dealing with the current health problems but the economic crises that they spawned.

With issues ranging from how to educate children at schools where conventional teacher-student contact suddenly became dangerous to providing tele-health services so that rural Kansans don’t have to drive for hours to get simple check-ups or have illnesses defined and treatment started, Internet connectivity quickly became essential to every town and every suburb and even every city where crowded living conditions and tall office buildings stymie the new age of communication.

Look for millions of dollars of contracts to be made in the upcoming weeks, largely through the governor’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) task force which is dispersing that $1 billion-plus in federal pandemic assistance.&nbsp;

The connectivity assistance will range from subsidized Internet connections for the poor and their children to high-speed and high-volume connections that will allow rural Kansas to become part of the international economy and the intellectual marketplace to tap Kansans with technical skills that will provide high-paying and sought-after industries and jobs.

Nope, that’s not what most of us were thinking about back in the spring, when the pandemic opened. But that’s the way for Kansans to not only get health care to those who need it, to track where COVID-19 cases are being detected, but to allow Kansans to keep their jobs when crowding tech-savvy workers in offices isn’t safe anymore.

Expect, of course, that the Legislature is going to be reading those contracts, considering whether the expenditures are actually going to increase Kansas’ ability to respond to catastrophes and make the state less likely to see the spread of health dangers and prepare for whatever arises next.

Strange that a pandemic that has cost hundreds of lives and thousands of illnesses will likely see an expansion of Internet services that for many is just a frill. But it clearly isn’t a frill in this economy, and the health aspects of that communication ability is likely to be also an economic boost for the state.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141234707.png" alt="Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report." />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report.</figcaption>
 </figure>In the next few weeks, we’re going to see the start of dramatic expansion of access to the Internet from border to border in Kansas.And surprisingly -- or disappointingly -- it is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and about $1 billion in federal funds from which more than $100 million will be spent by Dec. 30 on connectivity, getting fast and reliable Internet access to everyone in Kansas that should have taken place years ago.Now, that’s probably not what most of us were thinking about when the pandemic struck the nation this spring. We were drawn first to the hundreds of Kansans who are dying of COVID-19, and the thousands who lost their jobs and their access to food and shelter, and the concern about how children would spend their time away from school and how parents would care for them from home while trying to maintain their&nbsp; paychecks remotely.The first instinct was to help those Kansans. To make sure that our first-responders would be safely masked- and gloved-up to find those ill citizens, get them to health-care facilities, and to boost the supplies at those hospitals so that care-givers could save more lives.But we also started to take a unified, statewide look at just what communications, and we’re talking Internet, services would be available to allow parents to work from home, for businesses to expand their reach, for the economy to grow so that we have the facilities to care for ill Kansans.It quickly became apparent that increased Internet access and speed and volume were going to be keys to not only dealing with the current health problems but the economic crises that they spawned.With issues ranging from how to educate children at schools where conventional teacher-student contact suddenly became dangerous to providing tele-health services so that rural Kansans don’t have to drive for hours to get simple check-ups or have illnesses defined and treatment started, Internet connectivity quickly became essential to every town and every suburb and even every city where crowded living conditions and tall office buildings stymie the new age of communication.Look for millions of dollars of contracts to be made in the upcoming weeks, largely through the governor’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) task force which is dispersing that $1 billion-plus in federal pandemic assistance.&nbsp;The connectivity assistance will range from subsidized Internet connections for the poor and their children to high-speed and high-volume connections that will allow rural Kansas to become part of the international economy and the intellectual marketplace to tap Kansans with technical skills that will provide high-paying and sought-after industries and jobs.Nope, that’s not what most of us were thinking about back in the spring, when the pandemic opened. But that’s the way for Kansans to not only get health care to those who need it, to track where COVID-19 cases are being detected, but to allow Kansans to keep their jobs when crowding tech-savvy workers in offices isn’t safe anymore.Expect, of course, that the Legislature is going to be reading those contracts, considering whether the expenditures are actually going to increase Kansas’ ability to respond to catastrophes and make the state less likely to see the spread of health dangers and prepare for whatever arises next.Strange that a pandemic that has cost hundreds of lives and thousands of illnesses will likely see an expansion of Internet services that for many is just a frill. But it clearly isn’t a frill in this economy, and the health aspects of that communication ability is likely to be also an economic boost for the state.Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

HAWVER: Virus-sparked broadband expansion set to begin

WICHITA — This year, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland recognized the decades of service to the Girl Scout movement by Edie McQuade, Russell,&nbsp; with the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award. Her dedication to living the Girl Scout Promise and Law contributed to her receiving this prestigious award.

Over the years, McQuade has served in a number of roles including Product Program Manager for several troops, planned numerous activities for Girl Scouts in Russell, led five counties as a Service Unit Manager for multiple years, contributed to her service unit’s finance committee, and acted as community coordinator. 

She is a charter member of the Juliette’s Pearls Leadership Society in 2014. Her past contributions have also earned McQuade several other Girl Scout recognitions.

“The more I worked with the girls, the more fun it was to see the look on their faces as they master a skill, or "get" what it is we are trying to learn. 

"I first started out as a leader so that my daughter, Beth, would have a great experience in Girl Scouts. The effort one puts in as a leader is so worth it. You get back as much, or more than you give. It has always been a team effort, and it was the great support on many other leaders that kept me coming back year after year. Then in turn, I tried to mentor new leaders. Girl Scouts is a great organization for girls to explore their world,” said McQuade.

As the highest volunteer award available at Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award honors women who live the Girl Scout mission and embody the principles of the organization’s founder, Juliette Gordon Low. Recipients have contributed in a significant and unique way to Girl Scouting within the council, leaving a continued impact on girls and adults, and exemplifying the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

To learn more about Girl Scout volunteers and the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://click.email.girlscouts.org/?qs=669b2188a7bface10efd03117ba1084a053003099e0fbbdfca6198a8729d66d6b83184d79db6c224ea1f27a5a942234a" target="_blank">www.kansasgirlscouts.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600696368063.jpeg" alt="McQuade" />
 <figcaption>McQuade</figcaption>
 </figure>GSKH WICHITA — This year, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland recognized the decades of service to the Girl Scout movement by Edie McQuade, Russell,&nbsp; with the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award. Her dedication to living the Girl Scout Promise and Law contributed to her receiving this prestigious award.Over the years, McQuade has served in a number of roles including Product Program Manager for several troops, planned numerous activities for Girl Scouts in Russell, led five counties as a Service Unit Manager for multiple years, contributed to her service unit’s finance committee, and acted as community coordinator. She is a charter member of the Juliette’s Pearls Leadership Society in 2014. Her past contributions have also earned McQuade several other Girl Scout recognitions.“The more I worked with the girls, the more fun it was to see the look on their faces as they master a skill, or "get" what it is we are trying to learn. "I first started out as a leader so that my daughter, Beth, would have a great experience in Girl Scouts. The effort one puts in as a leader is so worth it. You get back as much, or more than you give. It has always been a team effort, and it was the great support on many other leaders that kept me coming back year after year. Then in turn, I tried to mentor new leaders. Girl Scouts is a great organization for girls to explore their world,” said McQuade.As the highest volunteer award available at Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award honors women who live the Girl Scout mission and embody the principles of the organization’s founder, Juliette Gordon Low. Recipients have contributed in a significant and unique way to Girl Scouting within the council, leaving a continued impact on girls and adults, and exemplifying the Girl Scout Promise and Law.To learn more about Girl Scout volunteers and the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://click.email.girlscouts.org/?qs=669b2188a7bface10efd03117ba1084a053003099e0fbbdfca6198a8729d66d6b83184d79db6c224ea1f27a5a942234a" target="_blank">www.kansasgirlscouts.org</a>.

Russell woman earns Girl Scouts Lifetime Achievement Award

Thomas More Prep-Marian Homecoming 2020 schedule of events:

All events are subject to social distancing guidelines and masks are 
required according to the City of Hays mandate. Please abide by COVID-19
 precautions when attending any Homecoming events.

As a reminder, Alumni homecoming events – open house, class parties, 
dutch lunch and banquet are not being sponsored by the Alumni 
Association this year due to available space for social distancing and 
forecasted low participation. 

TMP-MThomas More Prep-Marian Homecoming 2020 schedule of events:<h2>Thursday September 24th</h2><ol>
 <li>Bonfire – 7:30 PM – TMP-M Campus</li>
 </ol><h2>Friday, September 25th</h2><ol>
 <li>Parade – 4:30 PM – TMP-M Campus</li><li>Homecoming Football Game, Monarchs vs. Syracuse – 7:00 PM – Lewis Field</li><li>Homecoming Crowning, Point of Light Presentation, Jack Schramm Spirit Award&nbsp; – Halftime – Lewis Field</li>
 </ol><h2>Saturday, September 26th</h2><ol>
 <li>Deceased Alumni Mass – 11:00 AM – Streaming Online, Link will be available here on Saturday morning.</li><li>Student Homecoming Dance – 8:00 PM – TMP-M South Parking Lot</li>
 </ol>All events are subject to social distancing guidelines and masks are 
required according to the City of Hays mandate. Please abide by COVID-19
 precautions when attending any Homecoming events.As a reminder, Alumni homecoming events – open house, class parties, 
dutch lunch and banquet are not being sponsored by the Alumni 
Association this year due to available space for social distancing and 
forecasted low participation.

TMP-M announces Homecoming 2020 activity schedule

Three-day weather outlook

Annual Turkey Bash softball tourney set for November

Seven&nbsp;alumni and friends of Fort Hays State University will be honored at the Alumni Awards and Recognition&nbsp;Celebration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Oct. 1&nbsp;during&nbsp;the&nbsp;week of&nbsp;Homecoming 2020.&nbsp;For details on how you can celebrate&nbsp;these award winners during FHSU Homecoming@Home week, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020%20">www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020</a>.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award, the association's highest honor, was established in 1959 to recognize graduates who have made outstanding contributions in service to their community, state,&nbsp;or nation as public citizens, professionals,&nbsp;or through philanthropic work.&nbsp;

This year's&nbsp;five&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award recipients are&nbsp;Lynda “Lyn” (Beck) Fenwick '66, Macksville;&nbsp;Dr. R Douglas Hurt '69, '71, West Lafayette, Ind.;&nbsp;Charlie Riedel&nbsp;'83, Overland Park;&nbsp;Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;'73, Hays; and&nbsp;Dan&nbsp;Weller ’93, Lenexa.

The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;is presented to graduates in 10-&nbsp;to 15-year reunion classes. The award recognizes&nbsp;alumni,&nbsp;early in their careers after college,&nbsp;who&nbsp;have made an impact&nbsp;in their professions and in their&nbsp;communities&nbsp;through&nbsp;outstanding professional and educational achievements, community&nbsp;service,&nbsp;and by earning significant&nbsp;honors and awards.&nbsp;Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from FHSU&nbsp;and be under age 40 as of Jan. 1 of the year the awards are presented.

The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;recipient&nbsp;for 2020 is&nbsp;Aaron&nbsp;Bernasconi&nbsp;‘10, Washington, D.C.

The&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award&nbsp;recognizes a graduate or friend of the university who has demonstrated a continuing&nbsp;commitment to advancing&nbsp;humanity on a universal, national, state,&nbsp;or community level. Honorees also&nbsp;support spiritual, cultural,&nbsp;and educational&nbsp;initiatives&nbsp;and exemplify&nbsp;the highest standards of character and personal&nbsp;excellence.&nbsp;This&nbsp;award&nbsp;is reserved for alumni or friends of the university.

This year's&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum&nbsp;Award goes&nbsp;to&nbsp;Ashley&nbsp;Adorante&nbsp;'01, Overland Park.

You can join a question-and-answer session&nbsp;for each award winner by registering&nbsp;on the&nbsp;Homecoming@Home&nbsp;link listed above. Registration deadline is listed below each recipient’s profile.&nbsp;Or, to view the session without registration, visit the FHSU Alumni Association Facebook page for a live broadcast of the session at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni%20">https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni</a>.&nbsp;The online celebration for the recipients&nbsp;is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 1 on the FHSU Alumni&nbsp;Association Facebook page.

Profiles of the 2020&nbsp;Honorees:

Since graduating in 1966 with her&nbsp;B.S.&nbsp;in&nbsp;education, Lyn Fenwick’s career has been diverse.&nbsp;She first taught sixth-grade, and while her husband served as an Air Force officer, she taught high school English in New York and Massachusetts. They regard their opportunities to live and travel throughout America, meeting people from across our nation, as a continuation of their FHSU educations. When they moved to Texas, Lyn received her law degree from Baylor University. She was a partner in law firms in Waco and Dallas, an adjunct professor at Baylor, and she appeared before the United States Supreme Court. Like many professional couples, they adapted their careers for one another. When Larry’s career took them to Georgia and North Carolina, Lyn was licensed but chose to begin writing and pursuing her art, starting with art classes at FHSU.

Baylor University Press published “Should the Children Pray?” for which she was selected as Georgia Nonfiction Author of the Year, and Dutton published “Private Choices, Public Consequences.” In Atlanta, she served on the boards of the Pastel Society and the Portrait Society.&nbsp; Wherever they have lived, Lyn has served her community by volunteering in various ways.

She and her husband, Larry, have chosen to retire in Kansas, living in her fourth-generation family home. Her most recent book, published by the University Press of Kansas, is “Prairie Bachelor,” about a Kansas homesteader and the Populist Movement. Returning to Kansas has given them the opportunity to reconnect with FHSU.

Larry and Lyn believe in the importance of giving back to their community. Because of Lyn’s love of books, they contributed to the planned renovation of Forsyth Library, gifted their Oz Collection to FHSU, and supported the biennial College of Education’s Fall Young Readers’ Conference by sponsoring a respected children’s book illustrator.

They also established the community supported Lori Lamb Legacy Grant scholarship program at Macksville High School. When Lyn was asked to deliver the graduation address there, she began by reminding students to thank those who help them throughout their lives. You can read her blog sharing that graduation address at&nbsp;<a href="https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html">https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html</a>.

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.&nbsp;Lyn’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Thursday, Oct. 1.

The author of 22 books and 21 book chapters,&nbsp;three&nbsp;digital publications, and more than 100 articles related to U.S. History, American Agriculture, Rural, West, Midwest,&nbsp;and South, Dr. R. Douglas Hart drew on&nbsp;his B.A. and M.A. in&nbsp;history&nbsp;from Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;his Ph.D. in American&nbsp;history&nbsp;at Kansas State University to&nbsp;record a lifetime of&nbsp;achievements.&nbsp;

Dr. Hurt began his career as a Post-doctoral Fellow in the History of Science and Technology at the National Museum of Science and Technology at the Smithsonian Institution, now known as the Museum of American History. His career then&nbsp;took him to several destinations including Texas Tech University,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Ohio Historical Society, the State Historical Society of Missouri, Iowa State University, and currently the Department of History at Purdue University.

Dr. Hurt served as the head of the Department of History at Purdue University for 15 years. During that time, he worked to increase the department from 27 to 37 faculty. Proudly, he has increased the number of women faculty to more than 50 percent and increased the number of minority faculty&nbsp;in the department.

Besides his career as a professor and writer, Dr. Hurt has&nbsp;served in&nbsp;several&nbsp;other roles, including member of&nbsp;several&nbsp;advisory boards, consultant&nbsp;and&nbsp;advisor,&nbsp;and&nbsp;as&nbsp;the United Way campaign&nbsp;chair in 2005, 2006, and 2012.&nbsp;

In 1979, Dr. Hurt received the Young Alumni Award from Fort Hays State University and has continued to show his support to the University by presenting lectures to the agricultural history class taught by Professor Brittany Howell and public presentations sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Department of History.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Dr. Hurt’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.

Charlie&nbsp;Riedel celebrates&nbsp;his 20th anniversary as a staff photographer for The Associated Press in Kansas City&nbsp;this&nbsp;October. While in this&nbsp;position,&nbsp;he has covered primarily&nbsp;news and sporting events in&nbsp;Kansas and Missouri,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;has also been involved in numerous national stories including Hurricane Katrina recovery&nbsp;efforts, the 2004 Presidential election, wildfires in the western United States, and post 9/11 activities at the World Trade Center in New York.&nbsp;In addition to notable news events, Riedel has also frequently covered major sporting events including: The Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, golf tournaments, MLB playoffs, World Series and six Olympics.

Prior to his current career, Riedel used his B.S. in Communications (journalism) as a photo editor for&nbsp;The Hays Daily News,&nbsp;where he documented life in small-town Kansas&nbsp;for 17 years. While at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hays Daily,&nbsp;he was named&nbsp;the&nbsp;National Press Photographers Association Region 7 Photographer of the year three times&nbsp;and won&nbsp;numerous state and regional photojournalism awards.&nbsp;

Riedel’s photos have&nbsp;appeared in prominent news media across the nation,&nbsp;including&nbsp;Time Magazine for his photo coverage of the Deepwater Horizon spill. His photos have also appeared in&nbsp;multiple “Top Photos of the Year” compilations.

He&nbsp;gives&nbsp;back to the community&nbsp;through speaking engagements&nbsp;on several&nbsp;university campuses and high schools&nbsp;and by serving as a judge at&nbsp;the Five State Photo Competition,&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;regional photo competitions, and&nbsp;a&nbsp;national Photo of the Year Competition. Riedel also&nbsp;donated his collection of the Fort Hays State University photographs to the university archive.

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Charlie’s session is scheduled for noon Monday, Sept. 28.

Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;Staab

A lifelong&nbsp;faculty member and friend&nbsp;of&nbsp;FHSU, Marla&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;earned her B.A. in 1973 and her M.S. in 1974 in&nbsp;speech-language pathology. She&nbsp;began her professional career in 1977 as a part-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;instructor in the FHSU Speech-Language Pathology program.&nbsp;Staab’s&nbsp;goal as an instructor was to help students develop their clinical skills as they worked with children with speech and other language difficulties. This&nbsp;led her to spend hours in Forsyth Library using the research tools available&nbsp;at the time&nbsp;to study&nbsp;a wide variety&nbsp;of syndromes&nbsp;and&nbsp;developmental disorders.

In 1994, Staab was chosen as the first full-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;coordinator for the Herndon Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on campus. She was responsible for administration, clinical teaching, and supporting the clinical instructors in developing&nbsp;supervisory&nbsp;skills. Along with these duties,&nbsp;and in conjunction&nbsp;with other clinical instructors, she designed and&nbsp;compiled&nbsp;supervisor and student clinic handbooks that&nbsp;included resources for clinic instructions, expectations/guidelines for students, as well as performance standards and competencies for both instructors and students. The resources she created are&nbsp;still used today in an online format.&nbsp;

Staab and her peers developed a plan to increase public awareness of communication disorders as well as the services provided at the Herndon Clinic through brochures, presentations to medical communities, and contributions to building a website. In addition,&nbsp;she worked closely with&nbsp;a colleague&nbsp;to complete&nbsp;a literature review and design the Clinical Competency Rating Scale (CCRS), which was presented as a poster session at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Conference in 2006. This&nbsp;presentation helped bring attention to the need for stating student learning outcomes for both academic and clinical skills to a national audience&nbsp;and&nbsp;are now part of the national accreditation standards.

Her&nbsp;professional and personal&nbsp;contributions did not stop at the university level. Staab collaborated with various agencies to support and improve services available to children and families in Ellis and Rush Counties. A few of her community contributions include&nbsp;service as a&nbsp;charter&nbsp;member of the Hays Area Interagency Coordinating Council representing the Herndon Clinic, the State of Kansas Early Intervention Task Force on Newborn Hearing Screening,&nbsp;and the Kansas Early Head Start Outcomes Committee.&nbsp;Staab has&nbsp;earned&nbsp;many achievements throughout her years of service to Fort Hays State and the community, but the highlight of her career came in 2006 when she was designated as a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which is one of the highest honors the Association bestows.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Marla’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.

A multi-instrumentalist,&nbsp;Dan Weller&nbsp;earned his B.A. in&nbsp;music&nbsp;at Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;went&nbsp;on to work as&nbsp;a&nbsp;professional studio and touring&nbsp;musician. Weller lives&nbsp;in Kansas City and Nashville&nbsp;and has&nbsp;shared the stage&nbsp;with&nbsp;some of the top touring artists in America, including&nbsp;Florida Georgia Line, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Back Street Boys, Nelly,&nbsp;and many more.&nbsp;

Weller&nbsp;has&nbsp;toured extensively in&nbsp;North America,&nbsp;Europe,&nbsp;and Australia,&nbsp;appearing in venues that range from small&nbsp;local&nbsp;clubs to sold-out&nbsp;shows in&nbsp;Madison Square Garden,&nbsp;Major League Baseball parks,&nbsp;and NFL stadiums. One Fourth of July show on the National Mall in D.C. was performed in front of an audience&nbsp;of nearly&nbsp;500,000,&nbsp;the largest&nbsp;he has appeared before to date.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;has also been featured on talk shows, television shows, news channels,&nbsp;and special TV events&nbsp;including&nbsp;Ellen, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Voice,&nbsp;and Good Morning America.&nbsp;

Weller continues to mentor musicians and artists in both Kansas City and Nashville.  He also works to pair producers, musicians, and artists to help bright upcoming talent connect with professional opportunities. His betterment extends beyond the music world, as he has partnered with TOMS Shoes and ‘Save The Children.’ He is an active volunteer leader with Troop 181 of the Boy Scouts of America.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Dan’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Aaron&nbsp;Bernasconi

Bernasconi’s&nbsp;service as the&nbsp;Senior Advisor to Deputy United States Trade Representative, Ambassador C.J. Mahoney, for the past two years is&nbsp;but&nbsp;one of the many accomplishments that have&nbsp;made&nbsp;this young alum deserving of this honor. The pinnacle achievement of his career is the successful renegotiation and modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). On Jan. 29 of this year, Bernasconi had the&nbsp;honor&nbsp;of joining the President as he signed the USMCA into law, securing economic benefits and solidifying the future of America’s farmers, ranchers, workers, and entrepreneurs.

In addition to his career endeavors, Bernasconi – who earned his B.A. in political science – has volunteered as a&nbsp;youth leader&nbsp;at Sync Student Ministries and served as a leader, mentor, and counselor to a group of students, helping them&nbsp;navigate the ups and downs of teenage life in a safe and shame-free environment. Bernasconi&nbsp;takes&nbsp;pride&nbsp;in his efforts to&nbsp;help hundreds of students find their passions, realize their&nbsp;potential, repair damaged relationships, overcome immense hardships, and unlock their potential.&nbsp;

Also, serving as a Youth Education Volunteer at Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), Bernasconi had the opportunity to empower high school refugees&nbsp;and immigrant students,&nbsp;connecting them to&nbsp;services&nbsp;that help&nbsp;mitigate the effects of interrupted education, and overcoming cultural and language barriers to learning. Bernasconi assisted in academic tutoring on all subjects, worked to strengthen students’ literacy proficiency, and aided students&nbsp;in&nbsp;the transition&nbsp;to a&nbsp;new life in America.&nbsp;

One of&nbsp;the other notable honors he has received came from the senior leadership at&nbsp;<a></a>RAM Tool Inc., where he was recognized&nbsp;as one of the company’s top personal trainers. He also rose to become&nbsp;one of the top sales representatives&nbsp;when he worked for&nbsp;Techtronic Industries North America Inc. He was&nbsp;even recognized by&nbsp;U.S. Senator&nbsp;Jerry Moran at a national level for outstanding service as a Doorkeeper&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;Senate’s&nbsp;Sergeant at Arms, accompanying&nbsp;the senator&nbsp;as his personal guest to a Joint Session of&nbsp;Congress attended by&nbsp;French President, Emmanuel Macron.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Aaron’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.

NITA M. LANDRUM&nbsp;AWARD

Ashley&nbsp;Adorante

This&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;(Alpha Gamma) alumna&nbsp;is an active volunteer&nbsp;with FHSU,&nbsp;the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Kan.,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and several other community groups and organizations. Her extensive record of&nbsp;leadership and service in so many areas&nbsp;make&nbsp;Ashley Adorante&nbsp;an obvious choice as this year’s&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award winner.&nbsp;

Adorante serves&nbsp;on&nbsp;leadership&nbsp;boards, steering committees, and planning committees all around the Kansas City area. She stands out in so many settings because she is routinely the first to identify ways to pursue better, faster, more economical ways of conducting business. She&nbsp;has amassed a tremendous record of achievement as a planner, a leader,&nbsp;and an organizer of diverse events, large and small.&nbsp;She&nbsp;works tirelessly as&nbsp;an advocate&nbsp;with&nbsp;volunteer groups, inspiring&nbsp;others to attend and participate as well.

Adorante&nbsp;received a B.S.&nbsp;in 2001 in physical education (health and wellness) and often returns to FHSU&nbsp;to&nbsp;volunteer&nbsp;at alumni events and Tri Sigma activities. She eagerly supports and attends FHSU sporting events and other alumni events around the Kansas City&nbsp;area wearing her Tiger&nbsp;Gold&nbsp;and, at times, suiting&nbsp;up&nbsp;as&nbsp;Victor&nbsp;E. Tiger at local&nbsp;events in Kansas City.&nbsp;

When she is not volunteering, she is working as the Outreach Coordinator for the Masonic Cancer Alliance at&nbsp;The University of Kansas Cancer Center, an organization that brings together patient care, research, and support professionals throughout Kansas and western Missouri. Adorante is specifically responsible for helping to develop and implement&nbsp;statewide cancer outreach and education programs with a focus on promoting community awareness of cancer prevention and early detection, sun safety,&nbsp;and she does it all with a focus on&nbsp;assuring the inclusion of&nbsp;people in&nbsp;underserved communities.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Ashley’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.

<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsSeven&nbsp;alumni and friends of Fort Hays State University will be honored at the Alumni Awards and Recognition&nbsp;Celebration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Oct. 1&nbsp;during&nbsp;the&nbsp;week of&nbsp;Homecoming 2020.&nbsp;For details on how you can celebrate&nbsp;these award winners during FHSU Homecoming@Home week, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020%20">www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020</a>.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award, the association's highest honor, was established in 1959 to recognize graduates who have made outstanding contributions in service to their community, state,&nbsp;or nation as public citizens, professionals,&nbsp;or through philanthropic work.&nbsp;This year's&nbsp;five&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award recipients are&nbsp;Lynda “Lyn” (Beck) Fenwick '66, Macksville;&nbsp;Dr. R Douglas Hurt '69, '71, West Lafayette, Ind.;&nbsp;Charlie Riedel&nbsp;'83, Overland Park;&nbsp;Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;'73, Hays; and&nbsp;Dan&nbsp;Weller ’93, Lenexa.The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;is presented to graduates in 10-&nbsp;to 15-year reunion classes. The award recognizes&nbsp;alumni,&nbsp;early in their careers after college,&nbsp;who&nbsp;have made an impact&nbsp;in their professions and in their&nbsp;communities&nbsp;through&nbsp;outstanding professional and educational achievements, community&nbsp;service,&nbsp;and by earning significant&nbsp;honors and awards.&nbsp;Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from FHSU&nbsp;and be under age 40 as of Jan. 1 of the year the awards are presented.The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;recipient&nbsp;for 2020 is&nbsp;Aaron&nbsp;Bernasconi&nbsp;‘10, Washington, D.C.The&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award&nbsp;recognizes a graduate or friend of the university who has demonstrated a continuing&nbsp;commitment to advancing&nbsp;humanity on a universal, national, state,&nbsp;or community level. Honorees also&nbsp;support spiritual, cultural,&nbsp;and educational&nbsp;initiatives&nbsp;and exemplify&nbsp;the highest standards of character and personal&nbsp;excellence.&nbsp;This&nbsp;award&nbsp;is reserved for alumni or friends of the university.This year's&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum&nbsp;Award goes&nbsp;to&nbsp;Ashley&nbsp;Adorante&nbsp;'01, Overland Park.You can join a question-and-answer session&nbsp;for each award winner by registering&nbsp;on the&nbsp;Homecoming@Home&nbsp;link listed above. Registration deadline is listed below each recipient’s profile.&nbsp;Or, to view the session without registration, visit the FHSU Alumni Association Facebook page for a live broadcast of the session at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni%20">https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni</a>.&nbsp;The online celebration for the recipients&nbsp;is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 1 on the FHSU Alumni&nbsp;Association Facebook page.Profiles of the 2020&nbsp;Honorees:ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDSLynda “Lyn” (Beck) FenwickSince graduating in 1966 with her&nbsp;B.S.&nbsp;in&nbsp;education, Lyn Fenwick’s career has been diverse.&nbsp;She first taught sixth-grade, and while her husband served as an Air Force officer, she taught high school English in New York and Massachusetts. They regard their opportunities to live and travel throughout America, meeting people from across our nation, as a continuation of their FHSU educations. When they moved to Texas, Lyn received her law degree from Baylor University. She was a partner in law firms in Waco and Dallas, an adjunct professor at Baylor, and she appeared before the United States Supreme Court. Like many professional couples, they adapted their careers for one another. When Larry’s career took them to Georgia and North Carolina, Lyn was licensed but chose to begin writing and pursuing her art, starting with art classes at FHSU.Baylor University Press published “Should the Children Pray?” for which she was selected as Georgia Nonfiction Author of the Year, and Dutton published “Private Choices, Public Consequences.” In Atlanta, she served on the boards of the Pastel Society and the Portrait Society.&nbsp; Wherever they have lived, Lyn has served her community by volunteering in various ways.She and her husband, Larry, have chosen to retire in Kansas, living in her fourth-generation family home. Her most recent book, published by the University Press of Kansas, is “Prairie Bachelor,” about a Kansas homesteader and the Populist Movement. Returning to Kansas has given them the opportunity to reconnect with FHSU.Larry and Lyn believe in the importance of giving back to their community. Because of Lyn’s love of books, they contributed to the planned renovation of Forsyth Library, gifted their Oz Collection to FHSU, and supported the biennial College of Education’s Fall Young Readers’ Conference by sponsoring a respected children’s book illustrator.They also established the community supported Lori Lamb Legacy Grant scholarship program at Macksville High School. When Lyn was asked to deliver the graduation address there, she began by reminding students to thank those who help them throughout their lives. You can read her blog sharing that graduation address at&nbsp;<a href="https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html">https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html</a>.Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.&nbsp;Lyn’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Thursday, Oct. 1.Dr. R Douglas HurtThe author of 22 books and 21 book chapters,&nbsp;three&nbsp;digital publications, and more than 100 articles related to U.S. History, American Agriculture, Rural, West, Midwest,&nbsp;and South, Dr. R. Douglas Hart drew on&nbsp;his B.A. and M.A. in&nbsp;history&nbsp;from Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;his Ph.D. in American&nbsp;history&nbsp;at Kansas State University to&nbsp;record a lifetime of&nbsp;achievements.&nbsp;Dr. Hurt began his career as a Post-doctoral Fellow in the History of Science and Technology at the National Museum of Science and Technology at the Smithsonian Institution, now known as the Museum of American History. His career then&nbsp;took him to several destinations including Texas Tech University,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Ohio Historical Society, the State Historical Society of Missouri, Iowa State University, and currently the Department of History at Purdue University.Dr. Hurt served as the head of the Department of History at Purdue University for 15 years. During that time, he worked to increase the department from 27 to 37 faculty. Proudly, he has increased the number of women faculty to more than 50 percent and increased the number of minority faculty&nbsp;in the department.Besides his career as a professor and writer, Dr. Hurt has&nbsp;served in&nbsp;several&nbsp;other roles, including member of&nbsp;several&nbsp;advisory boards, consultant&nbsp;and&nbsp;advisor,&nbsp;and&nbsp;as&nbsp;the United Way campaign&nbsp;chair in 2005, 2006, and 2012.&nbsp;In 1979, Dr. Hurt received the Young Alumni Award from Fort Hays State University and has continued to show his support to the University by presenting lectures to the agricultural history class taught by Professor Brittany Howell and public presentations sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Department of History.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Dr. Hurt’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.Charlie RiedelCharlie&nbsp;Riedel celebrates&nbsp;his 20th anniversary as a staff photographer for The Associated Press in Kansas City&nbsp;this&nbsp;October. While in this&nbsp;position,&nbsp;he has covered primarily&nbsp;news and sporting events in&nbsp;Kansas and Missouri,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;has also been involved in numerous national stories including Hurricane Katrina recovery&nbsp;efforts, the 2004 Presidential election, wildfires in the western United States, and post 9/11 activities at the World Trade Center in New York.&nbsp;In addition to notable news events, Riedel has also frequently covered major sporting events including: The Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, golf tournaments, MLB playoffs, World Series and six Olympics.Prior to his current career, Riedel used his B.S. in Communications (journalism) as a photo editor for&nbsp;The Hays Daily News,&nbsp;where he documented life in small-town Kansas&nbsp;for 17 years. While at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hays Daily,&nbsp;he was named&nbsp;the&nbsp;National Press Photographers Association Region 7 Photographer of the year three times&nbsp;and won&nbsp;numerous state and regional photojournalism awards.&nbsp;Riedel’s photos have&nbsp;appeared in prominent news media across the nation,&nbsp;including&nbsp;Time Magazine for his photo coverage of the Deepwater Horizon spill. His photos have also appeared in&nbsp;multiple “Top Photos of the Year” compilations.He&nbsp;gives&nbsp;back to the community&nbsp;through speaking engagements&nbsp;on several&nbsp;university campuses and high schools&nbsp;and by serving as a judge at&nbsp;the Five State Photo Competition,&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;regional photo competitions, and&nbsp;a&nbsp;national Photo of the Year Competition. Riedel also&nbsp;donated his collection of the Fort Hays State University photographs to the university archive.Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Charlie’s session is scheduled for noon Monday, Sept. 28.Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;StaabA lifelong&nbsp;faculty member and friend&nbsp;of&nbsp;FHSU, Marla&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;earned her B.A. in 1973 and her M.S. in 1974 in&nbsp;speech-language pathology. She&nbsp;began her professional career in 1977 as a part-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;instructor in the FHSU Speech-Language Pathology program.&nbsp;Staab’s&nbsp;goal as an instructor was to help students develop their clinical skills as they worked with children with speech and other language difficulties. This&nbsp;led her to spend hours in Forsyth Library using the research tools available&nbsp;at the time&nbsp;to study&nbsp;a wide variety&nbsp;of syndromes&nbsp;and&nbsp;developmental disorders.In 1994, Staab was chosen as the first full-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;coordinator for the Herndon Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on campus. She was responsible for administration, clinical teaching, and supporting the clinical instructors in developing&nbsp;supervisory&nbsp;skills. Along with these duties,&nbsp;and in conjunction&nbsp;with other clinical instructors, she designed and&nbsp;compiled&nbsp;supervisor and student clinic handbooks that&nbsp;included resources for clinic instructions, expectations/guidelines for students, as well as performance standards and competencies for both instructors and students. The resources she created are&nbsp;still used today in an online format.&nbsp;Staab and her peers developed a plan to increase public awareness of communication disorders as well as the services provided at the Herndon Clinic through brochures, presentations to medical communities, and contributions to building a website. In addition,&nbsp;she worked closely with&nbsp;a colleague&nbsp;to complete&nbsp;a literature review and design the Clinical Competency Rating Scale (CCRS), which was presented as a poster session at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Conference in 2006. This&nbsp;presentation helped bring attention to the need for stating student learning outcomes for both academic and clinical skills to a national audience&nbsp;and&nbsp;are now part of the national accreditation standards.Her&nbsp;professional and personal&nbsp;contributions did not stop at the university level. Staab collaborated with various agencies to support and improve services available to children and families in Ellis and Rush Counties. A few of her community contributions include&nbsp;service as a&nbsp;charter&nbsp;member of the Hays Area Interagency Coordinating Council representing the Herndon Clinic, the State of Kansas Early Intervention Task Force on Newborn Hearing Screening,&nbsp;and the Kansas Early Head Start Outcomes Committee.&nbsp;Staab has&nbsp;earned&nbsp;many achievements throughout her years of service to Fort Hays State and the community, but the highlight of her career came in 2006 when she was designated as a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which is one of the highest honors the Association bestows.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Marla’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.Dan&nbsp;WellerA multi-instrumentalist,&nbsp;Dan Weller&nbsp;earned his B.A. in&nbsp;music&nbsp;at Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;went&nbsp;on to work as&nbsp;a&nbsp;professional studio and touring&nbsp;musician. Weller lives&nbsp;in Kansas City and Nashville&nbsp;and has&nbsp;shared the stage&nbsp;with&nbsp;some of the top touring artists in America, including&nbsp;Florida Georgia Line, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Back Street Boys, Nelly,&nbsp;and many more.&nbsp;Weller&nbsp;has&nbsp;toured extensively in&nbsp;North America,&nbsp;Europe,&nbsp;and Australia,&nbsp;appearing in venues that range from small&nbsp;local&nbsp;clubs to sold-out&nbsp;shows in&nbsp;Madison Square Garden,&nbsp;Major League Baseball parks,&nbsp;and NFL stadiums. One Fourth of July show on the National Mall in D.C. was performed in front of an audience&nbsp;of nearly&nbsp;500,000,&nbsp;the largest&nbsp;he has appeared before to date.&nbsp;He&nbsp;has also been featured on talk shows, television shows, news channels,&nbsp;and special TV events&nbsp;including&nbsp;Ellen, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Voice,&nbsp;and Good Morning America.&nbsp;Weller continues to mentor musicians and artists in both Kansas City and Nashville. He also works to pair producers, musicians, and artists to help bright upcoming talent connect with professional opportunities. His betterment extends beyond the music world, as he has partnered with TOMS Shoes and ‘Save The Children.’ He is an active volunteer leader with Troop 181 of the Boy Scouts of America.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Dan’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD &nbsp;Aaron&nbsp;BernasconiBernasconi’s&nbsp;service as the&nbsp;Senior Advisor to Deputy United States Trade Representative, Ambassador C.J. Mahoney, for the past two years is&nbsp;but&nbsp;one of the many accomplishments that have&nbsp;made&nbsp;this young alum deserving of this honor. The pinnacle achievement of his career is the successful renegotiation and modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). On Jan. 29 of this year, Bernasconi had the&nbsp;honor&nbsp;of joining the President as he signed the USMCA into law, securing economic benefits and solidifying the future of America’s farmers, ranchers, workers, and entrepreneurs.In addition to his career endeavors, Bernasconi – who earned his B.A. in political science – has volunteered as a&nbsp;youth leader&nbsp;at Sync Student Ministries and served as a leader, mentor, and counselor to a group of students, helping them&nbsp;navigate the ups and downs of teenage life in a safe and shame-free environment. Bernasconi&nbsp;takes&nbsp;pride&nbsp;in his efforts to&nbsp;help hundreds of students find their passions, realize their&nbsp;potential, repair damaged relationships, overcome immense hardships, and unlock their potential.&nbsp;Also, serving as a Youth Education Volunteer at Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), Bernasconi had the opportunity to empower high school refugees&nbsp;and immigrant students,&nbsp;connecting them to&nbsp;services&nbsp;that help&nbsp;mitigate the effects of interrupted education, and overcoming cultural and language barriers to learning. Bernasconi assisted in academic tutoring on all subjects, worked to strengthen students’ literacy proficiency, and aided students&nbsp;in&nbsp;the transition&nbsp;to a&nbsp;new life in America.&nbsp;One of&nbsp;the other notable honors he has received came from the senior leadership at&nbsp;<a></a>RAM Tool Inc., where he was recognized&nbsp;as one of the company’s top personal trainers. He also rose to become&nbsp;one of the top sales representatives&nbsp;when he worked for&nbsp;Techtronic Industries North America Inc. He was&nbsp;even recognized by&nbsp;U.S. Senator&nbsp;Jerry Moran at a national level for outstanding service as a Doorkeeper&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;Senate’s&nbsp;Sergeant at Arms, accompanying&nbsp;the senator&nbsp;as his personal guest to a Joint Session of&nbsp;Congress attended by&nbsp;French President, Emmanuel Macron.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Aaron’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.NITA M. LANDRUM&nbsp;AWARDAshley&nbsp;AdoranteThis&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;(Alpha Gamma) alumna&nbsp;is an active volunteer&nbsp;with FHSU,&nbsp;the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Kan.,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and several other community groups and organizations. Her extensive record of&nbsp;leadership and service in so many areas&nbsp;make&nbsp;Ashley Adorante&nbsp;an obvious choice as this year’s&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award winner.&nbsp;Adorante serves&nbsp;on&nbsp;leadership&nbsp;boards, steering committees, and planning committees all around the Kansas City area. She stands out in so many settings because she is routinely the first to identify ways to pursue better, faster, more economical ways of conducting business. She&nbsp;has amassed a tremendous record of achievement as a planner, a leader,&nbsp;and an organizer of diverse events, large and small.&nbsp;She&nbsp;works tirelessly as&nbsp;an advocate&nbsp;with&nbsp;volunteer groups, inspiring&nbsp;others to attend and participate as well.Adorante&nbsp;received a B.S.&nbsp;in 2001 in physical education (health and wellness) and often returns to FHSU&nbsp;to&nbsp;volunteer&nbsp;at alumni events and Tri Sigma activities. She eagerly supports and attends FHSU sporting events and other alumni events around the Kansas City&nbsp;area wearing her Tiger&nbsp;Gold&nbsp;and, at times, suiting&nbsp;up&nbsp;as&nbsp;Victor&nbsp;E. Tiger at local&nbsp;events in Kansas City.&nbsp;When she is not volunteering, she is working as the Outreach Coordinator for the Masonic Cancer Alliance at&nbsp;The University of Kansas Cancer Center, an organization that brings together patient care, research, and support professionals throughout Kansas and western Missouri. Adorante is specifically responsible for helping to develop and implement&nbsp;statewide cancer outreach and education programs with a focus on promoting community awareness of cancer prevention and early detection, sun safety,&nbsp;and she does it all with a focus on&nbsp;assuring the inclusion of&nbsp;people in&nbsp;underserved communities.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Ashley’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.

FHSU Alumni Association announces Homecoming honorees

The United Way of Ellis County (UWEC) announces the opening of the 2021 CARE Council application process. Any 501(c)(3) that provides services in Ellis County is eligible to apply. The services must meet one of the three criteria of education, health, and financial stability.

The CARE Council is made up of 12 community volunteers who review the applications to determine funding for the United Way of Ellis County, City of Hays Social Service Funds and Alcohol Tax Funds, and Ellis County Alcohol Tax Funds.

There will be a Zoom meeting for those interested in applying for funding on Wednesday, September 23 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about the online application process. 

If you would like to attend the Zoom meeting please email the United Way at uweced@ruraltel.net to receive an invitation link to the meeting. 

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 23, 2020.

For questions, please contact Erica Berges, executive director, at 785-628-8281.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600724680332.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>UWECThe United Way of Ellis County (UWEC) announces the opening of the 2021 CARE Council application process. Any 501(c)(3) that provides services in Ellis County is eligible to apply. The services must meet one of the three criteria of education, health, and financial stability.The CARE Council is made up of 12 community volunteers who review the applications to determine funding for the United Way of Ellis County, City of Hays Social Service Funds and Alcohol Tax Funds, and Ellis County Alcohol Tax Funds.There will be a Zoom meeting for those interested in applying for funding on Wednesday, September 23 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about the online application process. If you would like to attend the Zoom meeting please email the United Way at uweced@ruraltel.net to receive an invitation link to the meeting. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 23, 2020.For questions, please contact Erica Berges, executive director, at 785-628-8281.

United Way of Ellis County opens funding application process; Zoom meeting Wed.

Beginning Wednesday, General Custer will be closed from Downing to Centennial Blvd. in Hays.

 This is the second phase of a project to reconstruct General Custer from 22nd Street to Centennial. 

Construction is expected to last several weeks. 

&nbsp;The section of General Custer from 22nd Street to Downing should be opened to traffic by Oct. 1.&nbsp; 

For more information, call (785) 628-7350 or J Corp at (785) 628-8101.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564171611598.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Wednesday, General Custer will be closed from Downing to Centennial Blvd. in Hays. This is the second phase of a project to reconstruct General Custer from 22nd Street to Centennial. Construction is expected to last several weeks. &nbsp;The section of General Custer from 22nd Street to Downing should be opened to traffic by Oct. 1.&nbsp; For more information, call (785) 628-7350 or J Corp at (785) 628-8101.

Portion of General Custer closed beginning Wednesday

The Ellis County Health Department on Monday announced it would begin reporting seven-day averages of new COVID-19 cases in an attempt to better show trends of spread or decline in the county.

The department said the change is because of the wide variance in the time it take to return tests, noting some tests are taking three to 10 days to be returned.

"By reporting seven-day
averages, the data will be more consistent with showing trends of case growth or decline.
Ellis County is currently experiencing another increase in both percent of positives and cases per day," the department said in a news release. "This is not the direction we want to be heading into flu season. We must make better choices&nbsp; and continue to follow best practices as we work through this public health emergency."

The ECHD identified three significant cluster of coronavirus cases, including the Fort Hays State University student population and two long-term care facilities.

"We have seen improvements in the FHSU student population, but we must all take
every precaution possible to limit the amount of spread," the release noted.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/48ae5382-a1b2-48e5-82b9-aedec7190600">The department on Monday announced 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Ellis County since Friday, as well as raising the overall case totals to nearly 900.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593005366466.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Monday announced it would begin reporting seven-day averages of new COVID-19 cases in an attempt to better show trends of spread or decline in the county.The department said the change is because of the wide variance in the time it take to return tests, noting some tests are taking three to 10 days to be returned."By reporting seven-day
averages, the data will be more consistent with showing trends of case growth or decline.
Ellis County is currently experiencing another increase in both percent of positives and cases per day," the department said in a news release. "This is not the direction we want to be heading into flu season. We must make better choices&nbsp; and continue to follow best practices as we work through this public health emergency."The ECHD identified three significant cluster of coronavirus cases, including the Fort Hays State University student population and two long-term care facilities."We have seen improvements in the FHSU student population, but we must all take
every precaution possible to limit the amount of spread," the release noted.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/48ae5382-a1b2-48e5-82b9-aedec7190600">The department on Monday announced 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Ellis County since Friday, as well as raising the overall case totals to nearly 900.</a>Read the entire release below:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600711463919.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis Co. Health Department makes change to virus reporting

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Acting Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Kansas Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/fbh3r-ec207d?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Acting Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright.

🎤Forward Ever: Kan. Acting Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright

Kansas crude prices rose 75 cents a barrel Friday to start the week Monday at $31.25 per barrel, nearly $4 higher than a week ago, but $20 cheaper than at the beginning of the year. Kansas prices joined a rally last week in the national markets, but both are reversing course.

By lunchtime Monday, futures contracts were down five percent. Analysts blamed the price collapse on the return to the marketplace of Libyan oil, along with fears of more COVID-19 shutdowns. It's not entirely clear when Libya could actually resume significant production, but Reuters does report a tanker on its way to a Libyan export terminal for what would be that country's first crude exports in nine months.

The Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association (KIOGA) announces another in its series of online seminars. On September 28, KIOGA will host a webinar on the basics of oil and gas leases during this period of shut-in production. The event is scheduled from 10-11 am on Monday September 28. Another Webinar, featuring Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has been rescheduled September 24. For more information and to register for either event, contact Kelly at 316-263-7297 or by E-mail:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kelly@kioga.org">kelly@kioga.org</a>.&nbsp;

U.S. weekly crude-oil production topped ten million barrels per day for the first time in three weeks. The Energy Information Administration reports output for the week ending September 11 increased by more than 900,000 barrels per day over the week before.&nbsp;

EIA says U.S. refineries imported five million barrels of crude last week, down 416,000 barrels from the week before. Average imports over the last four weeks are down more than 20% from the same period a year ago.

The government says U.S. crude stockpiles dropped by more than four million barrels last week. At 496 million barrels, domestic inventories are about 14% above the five-year average for this time of year.

Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports four active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, which is unchanged on the week, while the count west of Wichita was down one at six active drilling rigs. Baker Hughes reported 255 active drilling rigs across the U.S., an increase of two gas rigs, but a decline of one rig drilling for crude oil. The count in New Mexico was down three. Texas was up one.

There were six new drilling permits filed across Kansas last week, four of them east of Wichita, and two wildcat plays in Ellis County. So far this year, Kansas regulators have okayed just 304 permits for drilling at new locations, less than half the total last year at this time.

Operators completed eleven wells last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas says that makes 644 so far this year, down from nearly 1,000 completions at this time last year.

Production is bouncing back in the second biggest crude-producing state. North Dakota regulators this week report July output topped one million barrels per day for the first time since April. Output was up more than 116,000 barrels per day over the June report. The state's operators are also meeting their anti-flaring goals, capturing more than 91% of the natural gas produced at oil wells. That's just within the new, tougher standard which kicks in next month.

The Colorado oil-and-gas industry is ramping up its opposition to proposals that would dramatically increase so-called drilling setbacks. The state is considering raising to 2,000 feet the minimum distance between well sites and homes, schools and other public facilities. The state’s two largest trade groups say the proposal is driven by politics instead of data, science and facts. According to The Denver Post, more than 180 companies sent a letter Friday to the Governor saying the rule would significantly limit where operators can drill and could undermine the industry's economic recovery. The proposal is one of several being considered as the state implements a 2019 law that mandates revamping regulations to prioritize public health, safety and the environment.&nbsp;

Weekly oil-by-rail traffic in the U.S. is up by more than 300 rail cars, but remains more than eleven percent below the totals from a year ago. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,376 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week ending September 12. The running year-to-date total is down more than 12 percent year-over-year.

Gasoline demand last week dropped for the second week in a row, and reached its lowest level since mid-June. Gasoline supply levels were also lower. Triple-A says the national average pump price for a gallon of regular was just over $2.18 Thursday. That's down two cents on the week and more than 40 cents a gallon cheaper than a year ago. With a statewide average at just over $1.98, Kansas is once again among just a dozen states nationwide with average prices below two dollars. Prices were down to $1.99 a gallon in Great Bend, and as low as $1.89 in Hays. filling up a 15-gallon tank will cost you nearly seven dollars less than it did a year ago at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Kansas crude prices rose 75 cents a barrel Friday to start the week Monday at $31.25 per barrel, nearly $4 higher than a week ago, but $20 cheaper than at the beginning of the year. Kansas prices joined a rally last week in the national markets, but both are reversing course.By lunchtime Monday, futures contracts were down five percent. Analysts blamed the price collapse on the return to the marketplace of Libyan oil, along with fears of more COVID-19 shutdowns. It's not entirely clear when Libya could actually resume significant production, but Reuters does report a tanker on its way to a Libyan export terminal for what would be that country's first crude exports in nine months.The Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association (KIOGA) announces another in its series of online seminars. On September 28, KIOGA will host a webinar on the basics of oil and gas leases during this period of shut-in production. The event is scheduled from 10-11 am on Monday September 28. Another Webinar, featuring Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has been rescheduled September 24. For more information and to register for either event, contact Kelly at 316-263-7297 or by E-mail:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kelly@kioga.org">kelly@kioga.org</a>.&nbsp;U.S. weekly crude-oil production topped ten million barrels per day for the first time in three weeks. The Energy Information Administration reports output for the week ending September 11 increased by more than 900,000 barrels per day over the week before.&nbsp;EIA says U.S. refineries imported five million barrels of crude last week, down 416,000 barrels from the week before. Average imports over the last four weeks are down more than 20% from the same period a year ago.The government says U.S. crude stockpiles dropped by more than four million barrels last week. At 496 million barrels, domestic inventories are about 14% above the five-year average for this time of year.Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports four active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, which is unchanged on the week, while the count west of Wichita was down one at six active drilling rigs. Baker Hughes reported 255 active drilling rigs across the U.S., an increase of two gas rigs, but a decline of one rig drilling for crude oil. The count in New Mexico was down three. Texas was up one.There were six new drilling permits filed across Kansas last week, four of them east of Wichita, and two wildcat plays in Ellis County. So far this year, Kansas regulators have okayed just 304 permits for drilling at new locations, less than half the total last year at this time.Operators completed eleven wells last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas says that makes 644 so far this year, down from nearly 1,000 completions at this time last year.Production is bouncing back in the second biggest crude-producing state. North Dakota regulators this week report July output topped one million barrels per day for the first time since April. Output was up more than 116,000 barrels per day over the June report. The state's operators are also meeting their anti-flaring goals, capturing more than 91% of the natural gas produced at oil wells. That's just within the new, tougher standard which kicks in next month.The Colorado oil-and-gas industry is ramping up its opposition to proposals that would dramatically increase so-called drilling setbacks. The state is considering raising to 2,000 feet the minimum distance between well sites and homes, schools and other public facilities. The state’s two largest trade groups say the proposal is driven by politics instead of data, science and facts. According to The Denver Post, more than 180 companies sent a letter Friday to the Governor saying the rule would significantly limit where operators can drill and could undermine the industry's economic recovery. The proposal is one of several being considered as the state implements a 2019 law that mandates revamping regulations to prioritize public health, safety and the environment.&nbsp;Weekly oil-by-rail traffic in the U.S. is up by more than 300 rail cars, but remains more than eleven percent below the totals from a year ago. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,376 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week ending September 12. The running year-to-date total is down more than 12 percent year-over-year.Gasoline demand last week dropped for the second week in a row, and reached its lowest level since mid-June. Gasoline supply levels were also lower. Triple-A says the national average pump price for a gallon of regular was just over $2.18 Thursday. That's down two cents on the week and more than 40 cents a gallon cheaper than a year ago. With a statewide average at just over $1.98, Kansas is once again among just a dozen states nationwide with average prices below two dollars. Prices were down to $1.99 a gallon in Great Bend, and as low as $1.89 in Hays. filling up a 15-gallon tank will cost you nearly seven dollars less than it did a year ago at this time.

News From the Oil Patch: Libya's return puts pressure on prices

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Turning Point Professional Counseling Services is trying to improve access to mental health care by offering a walk-in mental health clinic.

The clinic is offered 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $10 per session. You do not have to have insurance to participate in the program.

The therapy sessions are offered for adults or teens with parents's permission.&nbsp;

Most sessions will be about 30 minutes, said Michelle Fairbank, licensed clinical professional counselor at Turning Point. However, they can be longer if the client needs it.

The walk-in clinic tries to offer solution-based therapy to help clients with coping strategies for specific issues, she said.

"If someone has a really difficult serious issue, they will stay with the client until they feel like the client has reached at least some sense of clarity about their issue or at least has an action plan about what to do about it," Fairbank said.

The walk-in clients will be seen by one of three Fort Hays State University interns who are working at the mental health clinic. Two are from the counseling department, and one is from the social work department.

A licensed therapist is available during the walk-in clinic, if needed.

Turning Point has four licensed therapists on staff, and the interns can refer clients to one of those clinicians for longer-term therapy if needed,&nbsp;Fairbank said. The clinic offers a full slate of psychiatric services.

"Sometimes there is a stigma about mental health help," Fairbank said, "and sometimes it is just getting here realizing that talking to a neutral ear is sometimes all they need to be able to figure out their issue."

Clients can come back to the clinic more than once. However, Turning Point can't guarantee the client will have the same therapist. Turning Point can also offer longer-term therapy for clients who do not have insurance through the interns.

Unlike services at a community mental health center, the walk-in clinic does not require a lengthy intake process. Participants only need to sign a consent to treat form.

"Our goal is, 'How can we help you now?' " Fairbank said. "We call it solution-focused therapy or positive psychology — something that is helping them find a little bit of hope in what they are going through and encouragement."

Fairbank also stressed all visits are confidential.

Turning Point began the clinic last fall, but the program had to be suspended during the shutdown. It rebooted the program on Sept. 3.

Fairbank said she thought the walk-in service is needed now more than ever.

"I have lived in this community 43 years, and I am constantly asking myself, 'What does Hays need? What does my community need?' " Fairbank said.

People who have never had mental health issues before are feeling additional stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety.

A survey by the National Center for Health Statistics shows almost 30 percent of Americans are experiencing symptoms of clinical depression, compared to 6 percent at the same time last year.

The survey also showed 36 percent are feeling more anxious about life now compared to 8 percent last year.

"This is a hard time," Fairbank said. "We are being kept from loved ones and maybe jobs and travel. There are a lot of stresses right now. People are hesitant to plan right now because they don't know if they are going to be able to complete it."

Turning Point also has therapists in Dodge City, Scott City, Colby, Bird City, Quinter, Plainville, Stockton and Russell, but Hays is the only office offering the walk-in clinic. Fairbank said she would like to see that program expand if there are resources and a demand for it.

"There is such a need across the United States," she said. "I would say we need more mental health specialists."

Turning Point is taking precautions to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. Therapists wear masks. Clients are asked to wear masks in the lobby. They can wear a mask in therapy sessions or sign a waiver that they will not hold Turning Point liable if they contract the virus.

The clinic also offers appointments through telehealth if the client's insurance allows it.

Fairbank said the clinic hopes to soon offer groups, including anger management, parenting and restorative yoga.

You can learn more about Turning Point's services by calling 785-628-3575 or visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.turningpointpcs.net/">website</a>. The clinic is located at 1301 Oak, Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600281611037.jpeg" alt="The receptionist at Turning Point Professional Counseling takes a call. The clinic is offering a new walk-in clinic service from 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays." />
 <figcaption>The receptionist at Turning Point Professional Counseling takes a call. The clinic is offering a new walk-in clinic service from 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTurning Point Professional Counseling Services is trying to improve access to mental health care by offering a walk-in mental health clinic.The clinic is offered 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $10 per session. You do not have to have insurance to participate in the program.The therapy sessions are offered for adults or teens with parents's permission.&nbsp;Most sessions will be about 30 minutes, said Michelle Fairbank, licensed clinical professional counselor at Turning Point. However, they can be longer if the client needs it.The walk-in clinic tries to offer solution-based therapy to help clients with coping strategies for specific issues, she said."If someone has a really difficult serious issue, they will stay with the client until they feel like the client has reached at least some sense of clarity about their issue or at least has an action plan about what to do about it," Fairbank said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600281840213.jpeg" alt="The Turning Point Office is at 1301 Oak, Hays." />
 <figcaption>The Turning Point Office is at 1301 Oak, Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>The walk-in clients will be seen by one of three Fort Hays State University interns who are working at the mental health clinic. Two are from the counseling department, and one is from the social work department.A licensed therapist is available during the walk-in clinic, if needed.Turning Point has four licensed therapists on staff, and the interns can refer clients to one of those clinicians for longer-term therapy if needed,&nbsp;Fairbank said. The clinic offers a full slate of psychiatric services."Sometimes there is a stigma about mental health help," Fairbank said, "and sometimes it is just getting here realizing that talking to a neutral ear is sometimes all they need to be able to figure out their issue."Clients can come back to the clinic more than once. However, Turning Point can't guarantee the client will have the same therapist. Turning Point can also offer longer-term therapy for clients who do not have insurance through the interns.Unlike services at a community mental health center, the walk-in clinic does not require a lengthy intake process. Participants only need to sign a consent to treat form."Our goal is, 'How can we help you now?' " Fairbank said. "We call it solution-focused therapy or positive psychology — something that is helping them find a little bit of hope in what they are going through and encouragement."Fairbank also stressed all visits are confidential.Turning Point began the clinic last fall, but the program had to be suspended during the shutdown. It rebooted the program on Sept. 3.Fairbank said she thought the walk-in service is needed now more than ever."I have lived in this community 43 years, and I am constantly asking myself, 'What does Hays need? What does my community need?' " Fairbank said.People who have never had mental health issues before are feeling additional stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety.A survey by the National Center for Health Statistics shows almost 30 percent of Americans are experiencing symptoms of clinical depression, compared to 6 percent at the same time last year.The survey also showed 36 percent are feeling more anxious about life now compared to 8 percent last year."This is a hard time," Fairbank said. "We are being kept from loved ones and maybe jobs and travel. There are a lot of stresses right now. People are hesitant to plan right now because they don't know if they are going to be able to complete it."Turning Point also has therapists in Dodge City, Scott City, Colby, Bird City, Quinter, Plainville, Stockton and Russell, but Hays is the only office offering the walk-in clinic. Fairbank said she would like to see that program expand if there are resources and a demand for it."There is such a need across the United States," she said. "I would say we need more mental health specialists."Turning Point is taking precautions to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. Therapists wear masks. Clients are asked to wear masks in the lobby. They can wear a mask in therapy sessions or sign a waiver that they will not hold Turning Point liable if they contract the virus.The clinic also offers appointments through telehealth if the client's insurance allows it.Fairbank said the clinic hopes to soon offer groups, including anger management, parenting and restorative yoga.You can learn more about Turning Point's services by calling 785-628-3575 or visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.turningpointpcs.net/">website</a>. The clinic is located at 1301 Oak, Hays.

Turning Point Counseling offers mental health walk-in clinic

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said he hopes the Senate will focus on health care as it debates another round of COVID-19 aid when he returns to Washington on Monday.

Moran was in Hays on Friday to tour&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/180a36b4-ae3c-44e5-9d46-f8604f2d5eaa">Fort Hays State University's Kelly Center, which just received a grant to expand mental health services for students.</a>

"I'm not supportive of the huge things that we have done to date," Moran said. "The next package ought to be more precise, more focused, and it ought not cost trillions of dollars. I would focus on the health care side of the circumstance — how do we get people healthy and how do they make certain they know they are healthy."

FHSU President Tisa Mason on Friday requested a test that could provide results in a matter of minutes versus days.&nbsp;

Moran said that corresponds with his focus that a phase four aid package should on be testing, personal protection equipment and a vaccine.

"The only way we can get ourselves back to closer to normal is by people being healthy and knowing they are healthy," he said.&nbsp;

Moran voted for the CARES ACT, from which FHSU received funds.

"The last time we passed the major pieces of legislation ... I was operating under the view that COVID-19 would be with us for two or three months, be behind us and we were just tiding people over during the short period of time we could help them," Moran said.

"If this is a pandemic that is going to continue for the remainder of the year and into next year, our focus has to be bringing that date to an early end and get the virus consequences behind us."

Moran said he thought if Congress does not pass legislation during the next week or two, nothing will be passed until after the election.&nbsp;

"My hope is that something can be negotiated and broadly supported," he said.

Moran said a continuation of federal expanded unemployment benefits as well as another round of $1,200 stimulus payments to individuals will be a part of the debate.&nbsp;

However, Moran said he would prefer to focus on getting the economy going and ensuring Americans have jobs.

Although he said there have been businesses that have fallen through the cracks, he said the Payroll Protection Program has worked well and could be extended.

"We are willing to work with other members of Congress who have slightly different priorities than me to see that we get something done" Moran said.

Moran circled back around to testing.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/653542ba-b4d5-404a-a79c-9b8de80eb110">FHSU announced Thursday it would begin surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals.</a>&nbsp;The testing will be voluntary and based on self-collected saliva specimen kits.

Moran said testing loses its effectiveness when results are delayed.&nbsp;

"If we can test people and know within 15 minutes, we can isolate people who are positive and allow people in a socially distanced way, in a responsible way, to go on with their lives," Moran said.

Mason said she thought FHSU is doing an excellent job in maintaining a safe campus environment, but the college can't control what happens off campus.

"I really want to have a shout out to our faculty," Mason said. "I had some students in my backyard who were really admiring how the faculty was bending over backward. The comment is that the faculty is working with students who are in quarantine side by side to make sure they don't get behind.

"That's intentional. That's difficult, and everybody is working hard to do the right thing."

The Kelly Center provided a record 4,084 personal counseling sessions last year, Gina Smith, director of the Kelly Center, said. This was a 143 percent increase in services over the last five years.

She said the center is on pace to meet or exceed that number this year.

"More students are experiencing stress related to isolation that goes with taking their courses online instead of being able to come to campus," Smith said. "We've had students struggle financially."

Moran said he is concerned about how COVID is affecting the mental health of students as well as residents of rural Kansas.

"We are on a mission to do everything we can to prevent suicides, which are increasing, perhaps as a result of COVID, but perhaps before then in agriculture," Moran said. "We have seen this in northwest Kansas with veterans, and I learned today a significant increase in suicide with students."

Moran said FHSU can play a role in not only&nbsp; helping students, but also training a new workforce of mental health professionals, who he said he hopes will stay in northwest Kansas to provide services.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600461234932.jpeg" alt="Sen. Jerry Moran meets with FHSU President Tisa Mason Friday at the Kelly Center. Photos by&nbsp;Kelsey Stremel/FHSU" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Jerry Moran meets with FHSU President Tisa Mason Friday at the Kelly Center. Photos by&nbsp;Kelsey Stremel/FHSU</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostU.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said he hopes the Senate will focus on health care as it debates another round of COVID-19 aid when he returns to Washington on Monday.Moran was in Hays on Friday to tour&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/180a36b4-ae3c-44e5-9d46-f8604f2d5eaa">Fort Hays State University's Kelly Center, which just received a grant to expand mental health services for students.</a>"I'm not supportive of the huge things that we have done to date," Moran said. "The next package ought to be more precise, more focused, and it ought not cost trillions of dollars. I would focus on the health care side of the circumstance — how do we get people healthy and how do they make certain they know they are healthy."FHSU President Tisa Mason on Friday requested a test that could provide results in a matter of minutes versus days.&nbsp;Moran said that corresponds with his focus that a phase four aid package should on be testing, personal protection equipment and a vaccine."The only way we can get ourselves back to closer to normal is by people being healthy and knowing they are healthy," he said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600461362787.jpeg" alt="Moran speaks to leaders at the Kelly Center on the FHSU campus." />
 <figcaption>Moran speaks to leaders at the Kelly Center on the FHSU campus.</figcaption>
 </figure>Moran voted for the CARES ACT, from which FHSU received funds."The last time we passed the major pieces of legislation ... I was operating under the view that COVID-19 would be with us for two or three months, be behind us and we were just tiding people over during the short period of time we could help them," Moran said."If this is a pandemic that is going to continue for the remainder of the year and into next year, our focus has to be bringing that date to an early end and get the virus consequences behind us."Moran said he thought if Congress does not pass legislation during the next week or two, nothing will be passed until after the election.&nbsp;"My hope is that something can be negotiated and broadly supported," he said.Moran said a continuation of federal expanded unemployment benefits as well as another round of $1,200 stimulus payments to individuals will be a part of the debate.&nbsp;However, Moran said he would prefer to focus on getting the economy going and ensuring Americans have jobs.Although he said there have been businesses that have fallen through the cracks, he said the Payroll Protection Program has worked well and could be extended."We are willing to work with other members of Congress who have slightly different priorities than me to see that we get something done" Moran said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600461656782.jpeg" alt="Gina Smith,&nbsp;director of the Kelly Center, speaks to Sen. Jerry Moran on the FHSU campus Friday." />
 <figcaption>Gina Smith,&nbsp;director of the Kelly Center, speaks to Sen. Jerry Moran on the FHSU campus Friday.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>COVID-19 testing on campus</h2>Moran circled back around to testing.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/653542ba-b4d5-404a-a79c-9b8de80eb110">FHSU announced Thursday it would begin surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals.</a>&nbsp;The testing will be voluntary and based on self-collected saliva specimen kits.Moran said testing loses its effectiveness when results are delayed.&nbsp;"If we can test people and know within 15 minutes, we can isolate people who are positive and allow people in a socially distanced way, in a responsible way, to go on with their lives," Moran said.Mason said she thought FHSU is doing an excellent job in maintaining a safe campus environment, but the college can't control what happens off campus."I really want to have a shout out to our faculty," Mason said. "I had some students in my backyard who were really admiring how the faculty was bending over backward. The comment is that the faculty is working with students who are in quarantine side by side to make sure they don't get behind."That's intentional. That's difficult, and everybody is working hard to do the right thing."<h2>Kelly Center</h2>The Kelly Center provided a record 4,084 personal counseling sessions last year, Gina Smith, director of the Kelly Center, said. This was a 143 percent increase in services over the last five years.She said the center is on pace to meet or exceed that number this year."More students are experiencing stress related to isolation that goes with taking their courses online instead of being able to come to campus," Smith said. "We've had students struggle financially."Moran said he is concerned about how COVID is affecting the mental health of students as well as residents of rural Kansas."We are on a mission to do everything we can to prevent suicides, which are increasing, perhaps as a result of COVID, but perhaps before then in agriculture," Moran said. "We have seen this in northwest Kansas with veterans, and I learned today a significant increase in suicide with students."Moran said FHSU can play a role in not only&nbsp; helping students, but also training a new workforce of mental health professionals, who he said he hopes will stay in northwest Kansas to provide services.

Moran hopes for focus on health care in next relief bill, tours FHSU's Kelly Center

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600455131295.jpeg" alt="Front Row: Sophia Garrison, Alexandra Aldrich, Kassandra Zimmer, Camry Young and Mylah Potter. Back Row: Fernando Zarate, Cooper Young, Skylar Zimmerman, Dawson VonFeldt and Sam Rider." />
 <figcaption>Front Row: Sophia Garrison, Alexandra Aldrich, Kassandra Zimmer, Camry Young and Mylah Potter. Back Row: Fernando Zarate, Cooper Young, Skylar Zimmerman, Dawson VonFeldt and Sam Rider.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600455162143.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Events run Sept. 26 through Oct. 2.

Hays High announces 2020 Homecoming events, court

Thanks to nearly $275,000 in support from donors, 272 scholarships were awarded to Fort Hays State University business students for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The awards were announced at today’s W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship scholarship awards ceremony. The event is traditionally held in FHSU’s Memorial Union but took place in a virtual format this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual awards ceremony can be viewed at&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2ffoundation.fhsu.edu%2frcobe-scholarship-reception&amp;c=E,1,9Ln_UMZTwI95xj8ba3MbzEpZnp5lSM8rGhkKJTaKEcQMVNRKNIHNxDsrKkMLomGSAV-nqrg9jEsGBpsSIponReUqUVPn6LlXvFVE8Q3JyA8,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">https://foundation.fhsu.edu/rcobe-scholarship-reception</a>.

A congratulatory video from FHSU President Dr. Tisa Mason kicked off the event. She praised Robbins College students for their hard work, dedication and resilience that led them to receiving scholarship support. President Mason also provided a thank you to FHSU philanthropists for fueling the dreams of Fort Hays State University’s students.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600373605252.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsThanks to nearly $275,000 in support from donors, 272 scholarships were awarded to Fort Hays State University business students for the 2020-2021 academic year.The awards were announced at today’s W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship scholarship awards ceremony. The event is traditionally held in FHSU’s Memorial Union but took place in a virtual format this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual awards ceremony can be viewed at&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2ffoundation.fhsu.edu%2frcobe-scholarship-reception&amp;c=E,1,9Ln_UMZTwI95xj8ba3MbzEpZnp5lSM8rGhkKJTaKEcQMVNRKNIHNxDsrKkMLomGSAV-nqrg9jEsGBpsSIponReUqUVPn6LlXvFVE8Q3JyA8,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">https://foundation.fhsu.edu/rcobe-scholarship-reception</a>.A congratulatory video from FHSU President Dr. Tisa Mason kicked off the event. She praised Robbins College students for their hard work, dedication and resilience that led them to receiving scholarship support. President Mason also provided a thank you to FHSU philanthropists for fueling the dreams of Fort Hays State University’s students.Dr. Muhammad Chishty, dean of FHSU’s Robbins College, presented a sincere thank you to donors in his congratulatory video as well. “Without your generosity, none of this would have been possible. Your support has benefitted us tremendously,” Dr. Chishty said.As co-chair of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship Scholarship Committee, the annual awards ceremony is something that Cole Engel, associate professor of accounting, looks forward to every year.&nbsp;“Serving as Master of Ceremonies and recognizing a significant number of students achieving excellence is an incredible honor,” Engel said. “While I am sad we could not celebrate the accomplishments of our students in person this year, I am so thankful our alumni and friends are supporting the scholarship program at a distance.”“Now more than ever, the financial assistance and professional support provided by our partners allows our students to focus on academic success and career preparations as they enter their professions during what is likely the most challenging time of their lives,” Engel continued. “My warmest congratulations go out to the students, who are proof that good things come to those who are willing to sacrifice to reach a worthwhile goal.&nbsp;My most sincere gratitude goes to the donors, who continue to pay it forward and make this program an unbelievable success.”John Egan, one of two recipients of the annual Robbins Ambassador Scholarship, said that “none of us would be here today without the generous support of our wonderful donors.”“These individuals have given bountifully to the university to help us flourish in our studies,” said Egan, a senior finance major from Wichita. “We are tremendously grateful for the generosity of our donors and their willingness to help us succeed. Without their support, many of us would not be able to thrive inside and outside of the classroom. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”Learn how to support students within FHSU’s Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship by contacting Jason Ball with the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jrball3@fhsu.edu">jrball3@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/about/#jason">https://foundation.fhsu.edu/about/#jason</a>.