By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ellis County teens said they wanted more activities and attractions in Ellis County during a Teen Talk Strategic Doing event Wednesday.
The event was sponsored by the Heartland Community Foundation and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is considering creating youth councils in its service counties that would be charged with reviewing and awarding grants.
The teens split into two groups and were asked to draw maps of the significant locations in Ellis County.
These included schools, churches, the Ellis County Fairgrounds, Big Creek Crossing, HaysMed, Sternberg Museum of Natural History, First Care Clinic, swimming pools, ball parks, Hays Recreation Center, Ellis Railroad Museum, Chrysler boyhood home, Historic Fort Hays, downtown Hays, police and fire departments, and some local restaurants and businesses.
A group of students from Victoria said they spend a lot of time in Hays, but enjoyed the small-town feel of their hometown.
"Everybody knows everybody," said Levi Huser, Victoria High School student.
The students were asked what types of things they liked about their communities.
Tate Dinkel, Thomas More Prep-Marian student, said Hays is a safe community.
"You know a lot of people in Hays," he said. "No one is a stranger to you."
The students said they thought Ellis County has community pride and traditions.
Nadine Sigle, Hansen foundation community consultant, asked the students if they would settle in Ellis County after they finish school. Most of the students said they would.
The students said they liked that Hays has a lot of restaurants, and some students mentioned involvement in their churches.
They said they enjoyed visiting the Sternberg Museum and local historical landmarks.
The youth said outdoor space and activities were important.
Julia Meitner, TMP student, said she liked all the little stores on Main Street in Hays.
The students said they enjoy the activities and attractions that are available, but they said they would like more variety and more community events.
"Once you go to the same places 50 times, it gets kind of boring," said Aliyah Conner, Hays High School student.
The students said they appreciated their schools, but if they were given funds to dedicate to their schools they would put the money toward fixing facilities.
The TMP students said they would like to see improvements to their parking lot and campus roads.
The Victoria students said the high school's gym needs air conditioning.
The students in Victoria also said they would like to build an activity center for their community similar to the Hays Recreation Commission that had gym and meeting space. Victoria has no public fitness facilities.
They would like to see more restaurants in Victoria, as the city only has a couple of dining options.
Conner said if she had money to give to Hays High, she would use it to offset activity fees for her fellow students.
The students were asked for ideas on how to spend $10,000 in their communities.
Julia Meitner suggested an outdoor stage in Municipal Park. She said she would like to see live music in the park.
Dinkel said he would use the money to improve the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
"I would like more consistent things going on there," he said.
Conner said she would like to have a trampoline park in Hays.