Feb 18, 2024

Natoma American Legion participates in Kansas Day celebration

Posted Feb 18, 2024 9:45 AM
During Kansas Day, American Legion Auxiliary members, Linda Crawford with Sharon MacConnell (far left), gave insight into Kansas Symbols using photographs and charts. A Kansas reptile chart was enhanced with a pet salamander for Natoma USD 399 Pre-K through 5th grade students and staff during a Kansas Day program. (Photo courtesy Amanda Rice)
During Kansas Day, American Legion Auxiliary members, Linda Crawford with Sharon MacConnell (far left), gave insight into Kansas Symbols using photographs and charts. A Kansas reptile chart was enhanced with a pet salamander for Natoma USD 399 Pre-K through 5th grade students and staff during a Kansas Day program. (Photo courtesy Amanda Rice)

By LAAH TUCKER
Natoma American Legion Auxiliary

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 in Natoma launched a new year in planning their annual calendar of projects and events.

With an exhaustive list, the small unit will continue serving veterans, their families, children, youth, and community.

On January 29th, Auxiliary members joined in the 164th Kansas Day Celebration by bringing to life Kansas history for Pre-K through 5th grades in the Natoma USD 399 Elementary School. Using exciting material from the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, students were given unique and educational history of the stateā€™s rich heritage through a Kansas State Symbol theme.

Auxiliary members gave insight into the Kansas State Symbols and the dates signed into law, including: The Great Seal of Kansas ā€œAd Astra per Asperaā€-1861; Native Sunflower-1906; Western Meadowlark-1937; Cottonwood Tree-1937; ā€œHome on the Rangeā€-1947; American Buffalo-1955; Honeybee-1976. Each student tasted local honey butter and sunflower cookies.

Students joined the Auxiliary in singing the state song, ā€œHome on the Rangeā€ and other inspiring songs.

Each symbol representing the unique aspects of Kansas were approved by former state legislature members and governor before being signed into law.

The Kansas Museum of History provided a traveling resource trunk filled with artifacts, reproductions, coloring books, and information for the presentations by Auxiliary members, Shawna Dunlap, Linda Crawford, Sharon MacConnell, and Mary Wise Workman.