PAGE 2 FEATURE STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Eudora News David Oaks

Well written story that grabs you from the start and holds your interest to the very end. SECOND PLACE Basehor Sentinel Nicole Kelley

Great story that is well put together. A lot of information and background packaged in a reader friendly way. THIRD PLACE Baldwin City Signal Jimmy Gillispie

Fun story to read. Well put together. Great use of interesting direct quotes. PAGE 3 By Justin Ashlaw year and we stomped them.” served in the military.” After graduating RHS, Hollinger The Hollingers were a very FEATURE STORY Russell has seen its fair share attended Washburn University Christian-based family. They Nondaily Division 2 of changes over the last 100 in 1921 to study and play music. attended church at Otterbein years. Russell has seen buildings She later left Washburn and Methodist Church, Russell, go up and buildings torn down, returned home to Russell. where Kora played piano and with residents coming and going. In the same year, Kora Linden- organ until she retired at the age FIRST PLACE One resident has seen the change Meyer was asked out by fellow of 90. and has been here in Russell for RHS graduate Lloyd Hollinger. Blaine and LA went on to Russell County News over 100 years. The two would later marry in graduate from RHS and attended Justin Ashlaw Kora Hollinger has lived in 1927. the University of Kansas School Russell for more than 100 years. Lloyd Hollinger owned of Medicine. Blaine went on to She remembers when the lot in Hollinger Drug Store, which was practice medicine in Texas, while Nice story on Kara Hollinger turning 100 by Ashlaw. Features between second and third street located in downtown Russell. LA practiced medicine in the on a well crafted and informative story. had only one house on it. Her “I knew of Lloyd for awhile. We Kansas City area. family’s. graduated high school the same “I remember when they went SECOND PLACE She has seen the chickens and year and he lived right down the on to graduate from KU that I cows on the lot be replaced by street from me,” Hollinger said. apologized for being too strict on Atchison Globe building after building. Kora Hollinger later attended the boys,” Kora Hollinger said. Mary Meyers “I saw when Fossil Street business school in Salina. “I remember LA told me that if was nothing but brick pavement. Hollinger started her secretary it wasn’t for us being strict, they I’ve seen them pull it up and put work with many of the local oil wouldn’t be where they are.” Meyer’s story is well-written and informative. Good detail. cement pavement,” Hollinger companies. She was responsible After the boys left, Kora and said. “Not many people know for recording their oil logs. Lloyd spent more time together. THIRD PLACE that Fossil Street was brick at a She later worked for area law Lloyd closed the Hollinger Drug time. I do. I’ve lived in this same attorneys, keeping track of their Store after being opened for Washington County News house since 1963.” records. more than 40 years. Tom Parker Hollinger was born Feb. 22, The couple had their first son, The two celebrated their 50th 1905 in Dorrance. She is the LA, in 1933, and in 1935, had wedding anniversary in 1977. daughter of the late Minnie and their second son, Blaine. At the Two years later, Lloyd passed Parker used great - touch on Butters story detailing his trails Henry Linden-Meyer. The couple time, the country was in a severe away. over the past 14 years. later moved to Russell in 1908. economic down turn. “He was a good man and not “They were the nicest “I remember the 30s was a minute goes by that I don’t parents I could have asked for,” a difficult time for Russell,” think about him,” Hollinger said. Hollinger said. Kora Hollinger said. “Lloyd Hollinger spent as much time She had two brothers, Fred helped out a lot of the residents, as she could with her remaining and Clarence, and two sisters, giving them loans in the form of family members. Blaine went Cadie and Carolan. cash assistance. We were very on to practice medicine in Texas Hollinger graduated from fortunate.” while LA practiced in the Kansas Russell High School in 1921 The economic uncertainty City area. in only three years. She played later would change when the In 1993, LA passed away at basketball for the Lady Broncos United States entered World War the age of 60. when they placed second in the II. Kora Hollinger still enjoys state. “Lloyd was all set to serve many things in life. She is a huge “The only reason we placed in the war when the following University of Kansas fan. second in state was the fact it day, the United States declared “I love KU, I never miss a was our third game of the day,” victory,” Hollinger remembered. game,” Hollinger said. When Hollinger said. “We faced that “It’s weird but I can’t recall a told a friend was a K-State exact same team the following single family member who has fan, she replied “I’ll kill him. PAGE 4 Just joking, they’re okay in my entitled “Conversations with book. They’re second to the Kora”. Jayhawks.” Kora Hollinger has lived Hollinger commented no an amazing life which is far matter where her son Blaine is, from over. Although Hollinger he will always call her and tell has a tough time remembering her when the games are on. faces and dates, there are some Hollinger still flies at the age of memories she will never forget. 103. She recently flew down to “I’ve been very fortunate all Houston, Texas over the holiday my life (when asked how she season to see her son, Blaine manages to keep herself going). Hollinger, and her grandchildren. I’ve been more than lucky. Hollinger doesn’t mind I’ve had no serious sickness or discussing politics. accidents,” Hollinger said. “The guy I liked the least was Kora Hollinger has seen a lot Clinton. I couldn’t believe the in her 103 years, without even things he did in office and the leaving the block. things he did in his office; it was a disgrace,” Hollinger said. “I think Bush did the best he could with what he had (when asked about President Bush).” Hollinger calls herself a “bridge maniac” and can play the game for hours. She remembers playing bridge with Bina Dole, Senator Bob Dole’s mother. “The last time I spoke to Robert was when he called me on my 100th birthday. My family had a celebration at the Dole- Spector Center. He phoned me and wished me a happy birthday. I told him he should be here, it’s his place,” Hollinger said. Hollinger occasionally participates in her granddaughter’s radio show in the Kansas City area. Her granddaughter, Ann Butenas, hosts a radio show call “KC Metro Woman Live”. The two discuss not only Kora’s life but her opinions of life. Butenas is currently writing a biography of Kora’s life which will be released in April 2009. The two will also be releasing a collection of compact discs PAGE 5 By Brian McCauley Texas. When they prepared to hit Things quickly turned from the road the next day, Alexis had bad to worse when the wind FEATURE STORY With powerful gusts of to make a decision. She called strengthened, pushing her car, Nondaily Division 3 wind howling around them, and talked to her husband, Clay, and rain started pelting down. flashes of lightning illuminating who wanted her to avoid driving Alexis also could see a lot of the sky and heart-pounding north through New Mexico lighting in the distance. She claps of thunder echoing in because of the possibility of called her husband once again, FIRST PLACE the darkness, Alexis Shaw of her running into a snowstorm who quickly brought up the Paola grabbed her 3-year-old in the mountains. The obvious radar. His reaction did not ease Miami County Republic daughter, Annabelle, and 1-year- route, then, was to travel through Alexis’ worries. Brian McCauley old son, Gavin, and scurried Texas, but Alexis couldn’t shake “Oh my God,” he said. into a McDonald’s restroom in the warnings she was sensing. A giant storm front was Marietta, Okla., last week. “I had this bad feeling about moving toward her position Great story telling! I felt like I was there. Good use of At first, Alexis had her going through Texas,” she said. on I-35 from behind and flashback. Also great conclusion. Nice use of quotes. The story children take shelter underneath Still, Alexis decided that it another was directly in front really built as you read. Nice job. a large granite sink, but she was the right decision to head of her. Tornado warnings were quickly changed her mind, back home via the Lone Star everywhere. SECOND PLACE worried about the weight of the state. She first started realizing “I was screaming, ‘I told you counter. Flustered, and with her that she may be facing some I had a bad feeling,’” Alexis said. Johnson County Sun mind racing, she pulled out her unusual weather when she She quickly found a local Mark Dewar cell phone and snapped a picture stopped to get gas in Abilene, radio station with weather reports of her two children. Texas. while she grabbed a small travel Looking back on it now, “I smelled the ocean,” Alexis map of the state. Great, well-rounded story. You got a wide range of she chuckles, but at the time, said. “There was a lot of wind, “All of the towns they perspectives, which really kept the story interesting, and it she figured that if anything and it was warm and moist. I mentioned were right around was touching. happened, somebody might find thought to myself, ‘I shouldn’t me,” Alexis said. the phone and realize where they be smelling the ocean this far She saw a sign that said THIRD PLACE were. Now, the picture, which inland.’” Marietta was 8 miles away and shows Annabelle covering her Alexis called her husband Ardmore was 30 miles away. She Shawnee Dispatch ears because of the deafening again, who looked up the floored the engine, and admitted Caroline Boyer thunderclaps, is a lasting Doppler radar on the Internet. He she was topping 90 miles per reminder of one of the scariest informed her that some tornadoes hour in her rush to get to cover. nights of their life. had hit throughout Oklahoma, There was nowhere along the I was really engrossed in this story, and it’s one that needs to As the storm strengthened, including one near Edmond, highway to take shelter. be told. Very moving. Nice job. someone alerted Alexis that where Clay’s uncle lives, but he “I remember praying to everyone was getting into the was okay. myself, ‘please God take me, but restaurant’s walk-in freezer. So Alexis kept trudging north, let my kids be OK,’” she said. she grabbed her two children, past Fort Worth and toward Finally, she made it to who were barefoot from their car the Oklahoma border. Just Marietta and was shocked to see trip, and packed themselves into before the border, Annabelle the small size of the town. the freezer, hoping for the best. needed to go to the bathroom, “It was basically a Pizza Hut Just a few hours earlier, so Alexis reluctantly stopped in and a McDonald’s,” she said. McDonald’s was the last place Gainesville, Texas, where they “Pick your poison.” on Alexis’ mind. She and her spent about a half hour visiting When she pulled into two children were on their way Wendy’s and Starbucks. Alexis McDonald’s, she started to see home to Paola after visiting now realizes that the stop may debris flying around. family in Tucson, Ariz. The have saved their lives. “It was mainly branches of trio of travelers left on Feb. 9 The delay put her back on trees,” she said. and stayed the night in El Paso, the road at about 8 p.m. Feb.10. PAGE 6 When she tried to open the car to the tornado, all she could door, it quickly slammed shut in do was think, “Thank God I’m the wind. A husband and wife alive.” parked nearby helped Alexis get Her children, on the other her children into the restaurant, hand, stayed somewhat calm where she quickly strapped her throughout the experience. son into a rolling booster seat. “She (Annabelle) calls them It wasn’t until they were big storms and little storms,” packed into the walk-in freezer Alexis said. “I tried to explain to that it all started to hit Alexis. her it was a big storm.” “We were waiting for the When Annabelle walked into tornado, and I started crying,” her Paola home and saw her dad, Alexis said. “It was the longest she said with a smile, “We saw a 10 minutes of my life.” really big storm.” Shortly before 9 p.m., the “That’s the understatement of people assembled in the freezer the century,” Alexis said. could hear from the television, which was left blaring in the next room, that Marietta was in the clear. Alexis also learned that Lone Grove and nearby Ardmore, where Alexis likely would have stopped if she hadn’t taken that 30-minute stop earlier, were devastated by the tornado. After informing her husband that she and the kids were okay, Alexis continued her trip north into the eerie darkness. “All of the power was out,” she said. She estimates she saw about 40 emergency vehicles going south to help victims as she continued north, desperately trying to get to Edmond, north of Oklahoma City. She finally made it, and stayed there that night. The next morning, she didn’t have to go far to see the devastation from the previous day’s tornado. About three miles from Clay’s uncle’s house, homes were destroyed, buildings were gone and insulation was strewn throughout trees. When she finally got home to Paola and read news reports about the nine deaths attributed PAGE 7 By Susan Lynn problem — and perhaps the Brownback said. hellacious hangover, that Melvin His daughter, Naomi, FEATURE STORY Judy Brownback is coming became clear of purpose. grandmother to Brownback, Daily Division 1 around to accepting Iola’s “I was so mad I decided to kill tried to commit suicide and celebration tonight of Charley every jointist in town, or die in was institutionalized twice in Melvin, the Mad Bomber. the attempt.” Wichita, she said. Brownback, of Blue Mound, is By the time of the 1905 Melvin’s son, Tim, suffered FIRST PLACE Melvin’s great-granddaughter. bombings, Melvin had had a from alcoholism and also spent Melvin’s explosive antics of string of stays in asylums. His time at the mental hospital in Iola Register 1905 have had wide-ranging stint as a teacher was short-lived Osawatomie. Susan Lynn repercussions along the Melvin and he and his young family Daughter Penny died of a family lines, including bouts lived meagerly by vegetable botched abortion in Coffeyville, of depression and alcoholism, truck farming. Charles and Etta bleeding to death. Wow! What a story. What a great way to turn a story about Brownback said. had eight children. A daughter, And grandson Walter Earl history into something amazing. The story of a man’s demons The city’s sesquicentennial Athol Marie, starved to death at Walton also suffered from lead him to bomb three saloons is tragic. Then when it carries committee and other age 1 1/2 from a diet of primarily alcoholism. into the next generation is more amazing. It was good to talk organizations are observing green beans, Brownback said, One daughter’s career also to some family members. There’s probably more stories here. tonight the July 10, 1905 another indication of Melvin’s was likely influenced by her Some skills were shown in telling story. bombings of three saloons as a belief “that God will provide,” father. Veva Frances became a landmark occasion in Iola’s 150- though their garden could not. nurse in a psychiatric hospital in SECOND PLACE year history. Another child, Lee Melvin, died California. Veva was born eight Brownback’s visit to the at birth or shortly thereafter. months after the bombings. High Plains Daily Leader Register on Wednesday helped The family moved to Iola around Melvin’s notoriety “was so Jessica Crawford flesh out Melvin’s character. 1900, according to birth records, hard on the family,” Brownback “He was crazy, yes. with the last three of their said, forcing the older children to A religious zealot, yes,” children born here. support the family at early ages. Interesting story of the amazing coincidences of Japanese Brownback said. Melvin was 42 at the time Etta took work taking care of identical twins reunited after 50 years. Nice job of covering a Born in Chicago, Melvin was of the bombings. After the others’ newborns from 1909 to lot of time and presenting interesting details without raised in Bates County, Mo., explosions he fled town and 1938. including too much. across the Linn County line. As was on the lam for more than a Etta Melvin carefully recorded a youth he had a vision that God month. Authorities found him the names of the 183 babies she THIRD PLACE selected him to “strike the rum in Iowa. He was found guilty took care of in a small book. power a blow,” he told his wife, of his crimes and sentenced She also recorded the names El Dorado Times Etta, in a letter. on Sept. 15, 1905 to prison of the doctors who delivered Robin Nixon For many years he nurtured for a maximum of 15 years. them. Baby No. 49 was Iola’s that vision, confident of God’s He languished in the state June Elizabeth Thompson, now purpose for him, which “has penitentiary for nine years until, Toland, born June 19, 1914. Great lead. I’ll be honest, this isn’t much of a story. IT was been given to but few people on at death’s door, he was released. just so skillfully presented, I had to pick it over better stories. this earth … but I am one of that He died two months later of This is a nice job of finding something interesting about an few. I have been led by the spirit “tuberculosis of the bowels,” at ordinary event. There are always stories like this in the of God in the pillar of fire, just as his sister’s in Falls City. Melvin community that don’t always get told. The quotes provide truly as ever Moses was led by was not sent to Iola, Brownback good insight into the man’s personality. God.” said, because of the family’s dire Melvin’s committal to insane financial straits and the possible asylums and purchase of firearms ill feeling the townsfolk held were all part of a divine plan, he toward him. wrote. But it was after a drunken Melvin’s vendetta on Iola spree — “for the purpose of drinking establishments “was learning and studying the drink very traumatic” for the family, PAGE 8 By Nick Scheien said. “And I love you guys.” Swihart was touched years There was a pause, then a few ago after reading an old letter FEATURE STORY The players sat in the locker more words. she found from her parents to her Daily Division 2 room, dripping with sweat fresh The pitter-patter on the grandparents about mission work from victory. ground no longer was outside the in China. Their leader, their head coach, door. “How I got started was I walked back out of his office and It was inside the locker room, read a letter my parents had FIRST PLACE looked at the members of his on the floor in the form of tears sent home, and they were team. Those who had battled so from the players. missionaries in China,” Swihart Hays Daily News courageously and victoriously A town of faith said. “They sent home letters Nick Schwien just minutes before. The lyrics from the Christian to their folks, and in a couple Suddenly, a pitter-patter band Casting Crowns song of them, my father saw over a started to fall outside. Then “Praise You in This Storm” can dozen children frozen to death One of several submittals by same author; well done a more constant, heavy rain find a lot of meaning in Quinter. on his way to town. That’s when examination of the importance of small town school districts. unleashed after holding off for God convicted me to try to help Good photos - solid writing. most of the game. “I’ll praise you in this storm cold children in the world today.” The drops dripped off the top and I will lift my hands Swihart organized Baby SECOND PLACE of Quinter High School onto for you are who you are Bundles to be sent to Romania, the cement landing outside the no matter where I am helping cold children in a time Garden City Telegram football team’s locker room. It and every tear I’ve cried of need. The bundles include Shajia Ahmad was the beginning of a storm, or you hold in your hand a few outfits and undershirts, at least another night of rain in you never left my side six diapers, booties made by northwest Kansas. and though my heart is torn prisoners from Ellsworth, rubber A gem! Great story that looks back on an infamous crime and Greg Woolf, the head coach I will praise you in this storm.” pants, blankets and a baby bottle capturing the memories and story of someone in the know. of the Bulldogs, took a deep - all rolled up in a comforter. These are the stories that can be lost forever and the reporter breath and exhaled. Quinter has been through a There is no heat or air captured a vital voice. The locker room was quiet. lot through the years. The good conditioning in the building. The Bulldogs, one of the top times and bad. The ups and Instead, the money that would THIRD PLACE teams in Eight-Man, Division I downs. be used for that is needed to help in the state, were about to face a There’s always some constant with the bundles, shipping and Dodge City Daily Globe storm - but not outside. battle, perhaps now fighting anything else that comes up. Claire O’Brien None of the players on the population decline like most Swihart herself doesn’t even team knew Mother Nature had towns in western Kansas. stake her claim as owner of the opened her eyes and began But one thing constant in the business. A gem! Great story that looks back on an infamous crime and pouring tears down on their little small Gove County town is faith. “God’s the owner, and I just capturing the memories and story of someone in the know. portion of the world. Neither did And there’s a lot of it. work here,” she said. There are the stories that can be lost forever and the reporter the coaches. “It’s a lovely community,” captured a vital voice. In this case, the story is one of our The storm they were about to said 93-year-old Helen Tilton, a Strength of security veterans. So, important to tell their stories before they are face was different, unexpected. 1932 QHS grad. “Our churches Everyone looks out for gone forever. Woolf, a mountain of a man have no problem getting along everyone in small towns. Quinter and a former football player together, and that’s wonderful.” is no different. himself, opened his mouth You can see the pride in the With that comes a sense of and began to speak as his eyes town’s faith-based way of life at security. reddened and his heart became one of its goodwill stores. Friday morning’s farmers heavy. There, Mary Jane Swihart market on the north end of town “You guys know my priorities continuously is working her proved that. are always God, my relationship nimble fingers for the good of Vendors could set up curbside with Jesus Christ, my family, others - including children in and sell their homemade goods. teaching and you guys,” Woolf Romania. “It’s rural and small, and I PAGE 9 like that,” Jodi Swihart, niece of watch out for your neighbors,” know.” Tebow with Ray’s Pharmacy.” ball game or forensics meet. That Mary Jane Swihart, said as she Bowman said. “We were taught One of those banks was The Tebows recently moved is the entertainment we have here sat in a chair selling goods at to look out for each other.” the brainchild of Scott Bird, a a few storefronts south on Main - the kids.” the farmers market. “Everybody That’s what Bowman said 1978 Quinter graduate. Bird is Street to a larger location. There, But it’s not just entertainment. knows your business, and you makes for a strong tradition of president of the bank and co- they have renovated an old The school is much more than know everybody else’s. But family values in the town. owner of Food Pride, along with theater building that now houses that. there’s some security in that.” As for Gary Kesler, another his wife, Sheryl. Ray’s Pharmacy and Q Value. “It’s the survival of them. Jodi Swihart was home- employee at Food Pride, he “We basically re-established a Both Tebows grew up in It really is,” Kesler said about schooled and graduated in 2004. tells Bowman it “must be our local community bank in town,” Larned and lived in Wyoming schools in small towns. But she wouldn’t have wanted to upbringing,” joking from across Bird said about KansasLand and Indianapolis before QHS Principal Tucker grow up anywhere else. the store. Bank that opened in May 2006. moving to Great Bend. Then Woolsey grew up in Oberlin “It’s a very good place to Kesler and his wife, Laura, “The community goes kind an opportunity for the couple and knows the importance of grow up,” she said. “I work at the who works at KansasLand Bank of how the business leaders on to own their own grocery store school districts in small towns. library, and we have kids come across the street, had two sons Main Street go - as far as the popped up in Quinter. He’s seen changes, too, and and go every day. It’s just safe. go through the school system, tone is set,” Bird said. “When It’s been 16 years since that knows towns nearly dry up when There’s kids on the street at all Grady and Brice. you’re community-minded and opportunity happened. schools close. times of the day by themselves Gary is a QHS grad himself, you have investment in your “If the community - and “It’s the lifeblood. Without it, just because they can be.” earning a diploma in 1973. He’s community, you have to get bank, especially - wouldn’t have I think - like many small schools She lived for a time away seen changes in the school and into the community. By nature, been behind it, it wouldn’t have around - there isn’t a town,” from Quinter and got a taste of town since he grew up there. you’re deeply involved.” worked,” Doris Tebow said. Woolsey said. “More than that, what life outside a small town Agriculture used to have a Bird works alongside Laura The Tebows are working on the way the school system is ran is like. And it wasn’t all that strong base in the community, Kesler, who’s the bank’s vice settling into their new location shows the general quality of the comfortable. and it still does, but not what it president. Kesler and Bird and plan a grand opening in school system in any town, and “I lived in Pennsylvania for used to. Now, Kesler said, the both were in the same 1978 October. That grand opening will vice versa.” a year, and it’s just different,” hospital is a big draw. graduating class that had nearly feature one of the few large soda The enrollment number for she said. “People had to help “Basically agriculture based, 36 students - one of the largest in fountains in Kansas, one that Quinter for the year is 144 for me know what it was safe to but that’s been lost somewhat school history, Bird guesses. when completely refinished will grades seven through 12. But the do because I was used to the now,” he said. “The hospital The two have worked be nearly 30 feet long and more inevitable decline is not new to freedom. You just don’t think right now is probably the biggest alongside each other for many than 12 feet high and dates back northwest Kansas. about going somewhere by drawing card right now.” years and can finish each other’s to 1904. “We’ve had that same yourself at night here because But one thing has stayed the sentences and thoughts. Bird and Role of the school problem,” Woolsey said. who’s going to get you? Your same for Quinter since Kesler Laura’s husband, Gary, also have For Laura Kesler, a high “We’ve had a pretty big drop in neighbor, Frank?” graced the halls of the school. spent time coaching summer school in the town is an essential. enrollment the last several years. Upbringing And that’s the fact that the school basketball together. And it’s a binding force for My first year here, we had 160 Business was brisk at the system has remained strong But Bird knows the town the community. in seven through 12. We were Food Pride grocery store in academically and athletically. always has had a solid work “When you live in a small down as low as 136 at the start Quinter. And that’s exactly what “Athletically, academically,” ethic. town, you don’t have the of last year, and now we’re up a Nancy Bowman was hoping for Kesler said, “we don’t have to “I think Quinter has always entertainment like the larger few students. We’ve had those late Friday morning. take a backseat to anybody - had that spirit,” said Bird, towns have with a movie theater issues before. To get people into “It’s a chance to see my that’s for sure.” whose son, Matt, is a starter or Putt-Putt course,” said Kesler, the community, you need to have neighbors,” Bowman said about Main Street pride on this year’s football team. who is proud to mention her jobs, something in town to draw working at the store. Tilton, who will turn 94 on “You go in cycles a little bit. son, Grady, played on the Class people in. For as far back as Bowman began working at Oct. 1, jokes about Quinter’s When I first started at the bank, 2A undefeated state basketball anyone can remember, those jobs the business during the summer. financial significance in the the people that were on Main title team in 2004. “So your were farming. But the way the She grew up in Quinter and region. Street then, now a lot of that has entertainment really is your economy is and the way farming enjoys the small town. “We think we must be the turned over to a newer, younger school. Your kids provide the has gone, it’s just changed the “The way I was brought up banking center of northwest generation. You’ll continue to see entertainment for the whole face of what farming looks like. in a plain church, we were just Kansas,” Tilton said with a that. A really good story about community, and that’s why the Also, industry has changed.” taught a good work ethic and to laugh. “We have three banks, you improvement is Jack and Doris whole town will turn out for a The bull’s-eye PAGE 10 Quinter has been strong in order to do that, you have to Kerns is a 1976 QHS graduate two to four, and now about 10 surgery mid-week on his lower sports and academics throughout talk about it. You have to be and tries to give back to the people have them,” Nemechek stomach and eventually was its history. The football team has able to dream it, see it and school as much as possible, said. released. He showed up mid- won two state titles, one in 1973 achieve it. You have to believe sponsoring T-shirts for the But he’s the only one Woolf afternoon Friday at the school to in Class A, the other in 1992 in it. Hopefully the kids can step up school’s basketball tournament gives a haircut to. Nemechek talk with his players and coaches the Eight-Man, Division I ranks. and have a successful season in - the Castle Rock Classic - and jokes that’s because Woolf is too and see how things were going. Then there’s been the football, basketball and track and helping with the FFA club’s intimidating, even for himself. He knew nothing of the numerous boys’ and girls’ track everything.” pheasant hunters’ breakfast. That says something, especially team’s goal. titles. While Crist relishes the fact She also has several high since Nemechek is well over 6 Nemechek and fellow senior The state crowns in scholar’s that Quinter has caught the eye school kids working for her. feet tall and weighs about 240 Thatcher Deaton wanted a few bowl and forensics. of several people through the “Anything to do with athletics pounds. minutes to talk to the team before And the 2004 state title in 2A years, he also knows the town and kids,” Kerns said. “I’m not “Even if he was a foot the game. The coaching staff boys’ basketball. still faces some of the same necessarily teaching them book shorter than me, he’d still be granted them their wish. Last year, the football team problems as other regional cities. education, but life skills.” the most intimidating guy,” “We’re going to get the finished with a 10-1 record after “The school is tremendously The Dairy Queen was built Nemechek said. “He’s still got shutout, sign the ball and give it suffering through a rough 11- important,” Crist said. “You can in 1968 and was one of the only that personality about him that to coach,” they reiterated to the man schedule years prior. look around the area, and the eating establishments along when he’s in the room, there’s team before the squad gathered And the 2008-09 boys’ communities where the schools Interstate 70 between Kansas no goofing off around him. for a quick prayer. basketball team finished as state have closed down have seen City and Denver. That’s because You respect that he’s there. On Then the coaching staff came runner-up to Hanover in the the communities kind of dry cities such as Hays, Colby and the other end of the spectrum, in, and Roesch talked to the team 1A ranks. All the trophies of up. I think if you don’t have a Goodland hadn’t built out closer he’s the nicest guy to play for. before Woolf entered the room. success line the hallways outside school, you basically lose your to the main national highway yet. I couldn’t imagine playing for “We’re going to put that the gymnasium and near the community. I think the school is “Everybody knew where another coach. I love the way he goose egg on the ball and sign cafeteria. tremendously important. We’ve Quinter was because of it,” handles the other coaches, and it,” he said, his eyes growing red “We’ve had a lot of success lost numbers just like everyone Kerns said. each one has his own say.” and fighting back tears. “Just do over the years here in basketball else has in western Kansas, but A cut above A storm brews it.” and football recently,” head our grade school numbers are Zach Nemechek said it The pain started Monday Then Woolf entered. boys’ basketball coach John Crist hanging on pretty good now. started as sort of a joke. Now, it’s night and became too unbearable “God gave you the ability said. “And we’ve had success They’ve steadied out a bit. starting to catch on with other for the head coach to stand any to play and to come out and do in football before. We have two Hopefully our numbers will players. longer. what you can do,” Woolf said. state championships, and all the come back eventually, but it’s a The senior center and nose Late that night, he went to the “We are one team. Individuals track championships we’ve won. hard time for every school in the guard began getting a mohawk hospital and missed practices the stay here.” We’ve had tremendous success. state right now. Obviously we from coach Greg Woolf last year. rest of the week. As the players left the locker I feel like as a coach, we always don’t want to lose our school.” Nemechek, whose father, That meant assistant coach room and entered into the night feel like we have a big bull’s-eye ‘Q’ stands for Quinter Victor, is a doctor in town, told Brian Roesch was in charge of air, each placed a hand on a sign on our backs everywhere we go. One of Quinter’s luxuries is Woolf he was going to get a the offense and game plan. The near the doorway that read: “I People love to beat Quinter. Dairy Queen. haircut after lifting weights last defensive assignment went as am only one, but I am one. I “I look at it as a positive, Joni Kerns is in her 10th year. The coach told him he usual to assistant Jeff Ruckman. can’t do everything, but I can do because if they’re getting up year as the owner of the local would do it for free. And one thing became certain something. And what I can do, I for you, then that means you’re establishment, one of basically Now, every week or a week Wednesday. That’s when the ought to do. And what I ought to doing something right. And three eating joints in Quinter, and a half, Nemechek gets a team decide it was going to play do, by the grace of God, I shall we try to feed off of that. The along with the Pizza Station and close shave. for a shutout Friday night against do.” expectations for the boys this the Q-Inn. This year, more players have Palco. The players walked out of year are pretty high, both for “I wanted people to know followed suit. The game ball would be the locker room and began their football and basketball with where Quinter was because of “I’d kind of nudge the kids in labeled with a “goose egg” and walk of faith. what we accomplished last the Dairy Queen,” Kerns said, the ribs and say, “ ‘What about presented to Woolf if he made it Fourth and goal year. I know this senior class noting her pride in her new a mohawk today?’ “ the light- back for the game. Quinter took control in the has talked about winning state sign that now features the large hearted Nemechek said. Woolf, in his seventh year as second quarter, breaking open a championships, and I feel in letters, DQ. “Then one turned into two, Quinter coach, had exploratory 6-0 game at the end of the first PAGE 11 quarter to lead 22-0 at halftime. game ball or not?’ “ Ruckman wonderful God who created team and town in the face, the and Ruckman is a Baptist Another 22 points in the third pipes in jokingly about his the universe and can take care mountain of a man wasn’t about minister in town. quarter put the game well in the thoughts when the head coach of anything. He’s bigger than to waver in his faith. “There’s not a lot of Bulldogs’ hand. started substituting. anything that’s growing inside “You always say we’re never separation between church and But it wasn’t enough, and “And the kid picks it off in of me. bigger than the game,” Roesch state on our team,” Woolf said. just settling for a victory wasn’t the end zone,” Roesch said, “We are not going to let this said. “It’s real, man,” Ruckman going to satisfy the team. laughing. affect us. Our big theme this year “You’re right,” Woolf said. said. “It’s not a job. It’s life. The group wanted a shutout, “I told you guys, God had his is ‘one.’ “There’s going to be a lot of We’re going to serve the Lord the school’s first since shifting hands in it,” Woolf said. “I love you guys to death. teaching moments this year.” and serve the Lord in our back to the eight-man ranks last The storm arrives You guys are just going to have It will be teaching, mingled coaching and everything we do.” year. Inside the steamy locker room to roll with it. This does not with faith - something that’s Nor would they want there to And they wanted it for their following the win, Roesch and change our goal one bit. What is sometimes frowned upon in be separation. coach. the team presented Woolf with it? Our goal is what? To win a today’s age of separation of Not on their team. But Woolf began substituting the game ball, letting him know state championship. Nothing is church and state. But not in Not in their school. when the game got out of hand, about the goal of the shutout. changing off of that.” Quinter. Not with a community Not in Quinter. allowing other players a chance Woolf grabbed the ball and Praise in the storm so strong in its faith. Especially now that a storm is to improve. It was something he held it in the air, then took a few Each player took turns “Nobody has ever said a bearing down on the community. had done in many games. steps into the coach’s office and grabbing a marker and signing word to us,” Woolf said about With Quinter leading 44-0 returned. the game ball for their coach, keeping religion out of the and 8:16 to play, Palco faced a Outside, the rain started to their leader, who just told them school. “As a matter of fact, I’ve fourth-and-goal from the two- fall. Inside, the players listened he was beginning to face a battle. had more people come up and yard line. to their towering coach talk Their words and thoughts talk to me about things their kids The shutout was in jeopardy, about priorities. inscribed on the ball let him have come home with, instead especially with the Roosters’ And they learned their coach know he wouldn’t be facing it of someone saying, ‘You can’t starters still in the game and was facing a whole new game. alone. say that to my kid.’ I’ve had Quinter’s second string on the “I found out today,” Woolf “Look at this,” Woolf told more people come up and thank field. told his team, “that I have cancer Roesch in the office after all the us for how we talk to the kids Palco quarterback Blake in my belly.” players had left. and what we’re talking to them Gehring dropped back to pass, He told the players he didn’t “God bless,” Roesch said, about. And it’s not just parents; and the ball released off his know exactly where it was, how looking at the ball. it’s grandparents coming up fingers in a near-perfect spiral. bad it was. Tests in Hays a few It was the end to a long week. and talking to me about it and It landed right in the hands of days later would provide more It was the realization that life thanking me for having the Quinter senior Skyler Wittman, answers. was changing. convictions for not going with who returned the interception The rain pitter-pattered “It was brutal,” Woolf said what the world says but doing two yards deep out of the end outside. The tears pitter-pattered about the week. “I’d put it up what’s right. zone to the five-yard line. inside. there as one of tougher ones. “And I always know that if it Later in the game, senior “Last year, we came through The toughest thing for me right came time where someone said Jordon Hargitt broke loose for a lot,” Woolf told his team. “And now is the emotional end of it you can’t do it anymore, then, a long touchdown run, giving we knew we were going to have and having to tell people. That’s whatever. It’s not going to stop. the Bulldogs a 50-0 win thanks to go through some things this what’s tough. It tore me up The kids like it. The thing is, the to the 45-point rule in the eight- year. I didn’t realize it was going when I had to tell my son and kids like hearing the truth - and man ranks. to be this. It’s kind of a kick in my daughter because I have my they don’t want it watered down. “He starts subbing younger the gut to me and my family also. two older ones. When I say these They want their football straight kids in, and Ruck and I are like “My life is going to change guys are my family, they are. up, and we tell them straight up ...” Roesch said, throwing his here for the next 10 to 12 weeks, They’re over at my house all what’s going on. And it’s the hands up in the air, describing and I’m going to be relying on the time. They’re in my youth same way in our youth groups. the sideline scene from the couch you big time,” Woolf continued. group.” And they appreciate that.” in the coaches’ office. “You guys know I have victory Yet, despite what’s staring Woolf and Roesch both are “I’m thinking, ‘You want the in Christ, and my God is a Woolf, the coaching staff, youth leaders at their churches, PAGE 12 FEATURE STORY Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Lawrence Journal-World Christine Metz

This is such a sensitive subject - reporter did a great job of pulling together a compelling story, resources for victims, and awarding - winning quotes. SECOND PLACE Wichita Eagle Fred Mann, Jeannie Koranda, Suzanne Tobias

Best of several stories that dealt with uninsured. This one did best job of pulling together statistics and painting the picture of the affected THIRD PLACE Salina Journal Gary Demuth

A good story about dying “alone” and the importance of pre- planning. Reporter did a great job of pulling a personal story into a piece that will help spur readers to take action. PAGE 13 NEWS STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Nicole Kelley

Nicole brought readers into the fire from the very beginning. An excellent choice for a lead. Story contained lots of details and answered readers likely questions. Quotes were used wisely. SECOND PLACE Basehor Sentinel Kaitlyn Syring

Difficult material handled professionally. Kaitlyn is a strong writer who includes a lot of details. One of her other submissions was also near the top three. THIRD PLACE Wyandotte West Mary Rupert

A detailed read, the story seemed fair to both sides of a controversial topic. I thought I understood the situation and arguments. PAGE 14 NEWS STORY Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Ellsworth County Linda Mowery-Denning

This is how you write news and tell a story by getting the reader involved through description and good first hand account of what the writer observed while craftily piecing the elements of what those involved saw, felt and experienced. SECOND PLACE Ellsworth County Alan Rusch

Good storytelling. It always helps to have a good source who opens up to the writer explaining things colorfully and emotionally. Still, you pieced it all together and it turned out to be a great story. THIRD PLACE Louisburg Herald Aaron Cedeno

Story is well told. Writer certainly has a gift of storytelling in an artful, colorful and descriptive way. But need to incorporate more quotes/comments from sources who will spice up your work even more, making your story even better. PAGE 15 By Brian McCauley earlier. Wileford was cremated, Rita Stanchfield, who works with the ashes going to his with Knewtson and has handled NEWS STORY It was the last place Brian mother, but Grittando said his that paperwork for several years, Nondaily Division 3 Grittando wanted to go. recent discovery turned all of said the death investigators have After sitting next to his that closure upside down. really helped the process become brother’s covered body on the “My brother is not in that urn, more smooth. Still, she admits shoulder of U.S. Highway 169 he’s still out on that highway,” there are some accident scenes FIRST PLACE just south of Paola following a Grittando said. “He shouldn’t be in which it is almost impossible, fatal accident Jan. 28, Grittando treated like road kill.” with the manpower available, to Miami County Republic would rather have never returned Looking for answers, ensure that everything is cleaned Brian McCauley to that stretch of highway near Grittando said he called several up. the 311th Street overpass. officials who responded to the Paola Police Chief Dave But another family member accident. Smail said it appears the vehicle Great job hooking me in, when turned the page to the jump wanted to place a cross and see When the call went out hit the guard rail going about and found out the discovery, my jaw dropped. Nice job talking the location of the accident. shortly before 4:30 p.m. Jan. 70 miles per hour, causing it to to a variety of sources. Nicely written. According to a Kansas Highway 28, crews from Paola Volunteer overturn several times and spray Patrol report, Anthony Wileford, Fire Department, Paola Police debris over an estimated 300-foot SECOND PLACE 43, who was living with Department, Miami County stretch along the highway. Grittando in Osawatomie, drove Emergency Medical Services Jenkins said a death Johnson County Sun off the road and hit a guard rail, and others responded to the investigator was on the scene Chuck Kurtz causing the vehicle to overturn scene. The Kansas Highway shortly after the accident, but and eject him at 4:24 p.m. Jan. Patrol eventually took over the officials had to wait and see if 28. He was pronounced dead at scene and handled the accident KHP planned to send equipment Very interesting subject - it’s something the public worries the scene. investigation. and personnel to create a forensic about. Nicely written - good background info. Grittando and his fellow Miami County EMS director map of the scene. family member slowly walked Jason Jenkins said there currently KHP Lt. Tom Catania said THIRD PLACE along the battered guard rail Feb. are four death investigators on the diagrams are part of the 4, exactly one week after the the EMS staff. When a fatality thorough investigation process Olathe News incident took place. Pieces of is reported, a death investigator the department does for most Kevin Wright twisted metal were still strewn will go to the site and process fatal accidents, but since this throughout the ditch, remnants the scene, which includes taking particular accident only involved of the horrific accident that took photographs and sometimes one vehicle with a sole occupant, Nice piece. I like the details about the day-to-day, behind the Wileford’s life. putting the body into a body bag. and several witnesses saw the scenes of the spelling bee and the work she did to get there. But for Grittando, the incident Typically, then a call is made event, the decision was made to Nicely written. was about to become even to a local funeral home, which paint the scene and clear it as more horrifying. As he glanced sends a vehicle out to pick up the soon as possible because of the up at the rocks that line the body and take it for an autopsy, impending rush hour. Painting embankment underneath the which often takes place at KU the scene means much of the bridge, he saw something that Medical Center. evidence was marked using paint immediately made him hop the Trent Knewtson is the district for a future investigation. guardrail and scurry up the slope. coroner for Miami, Linn and Jenkins said by the time the His fears became reality when he Bourbon counties, but unlike death investigator got the go- realized that what he was looking more than a decade ago, when ahead to process the body, it was at was portions of his brother’s death investigators weren’t on already getting dark. remains. staff, Knewtson rarely needs Joe Moreland of Eddy-Birchard The gruesome realization to go out to a scene. Instead, Funeral Home in Osawatomie came on the heels of a funeral the death investigators handle was called to the scene to collect service for his brother that the investigation and send the the body for transport to KU Grittando attended four days paperwork to Knewtson’s office. Medical Center. He said he PAGE 16 helped the investigator get what next day, but somebody should,” they could into a body bag, and he said. he remembers several officials That somebody could be with flashlights walking up and an independent cleanup crew down the road, in a nearby field company, which Moreland said and along the rocks underneath he’s heard are sometimes called the bridge looking for anything to accident scenes, although that needed to be collected. it’s not the funeral home’s Grittando has been searching responsibility to do so. for the one agency responsible Jenkins said the companies for cleanup, but he’s discovered are commonly called to clean up that all of the agencies typically crime scenes inside a building, work together. but he is not familiar with them “The people on the scene being used for roadside fatalities. basically take it on as their After bouncing from responsibility,” Stanchfield said. organization to organization, “I understand their concern, and Grittando finally decided to take them being upset, but everybody matters into his own hands. He out there did their best.” went back to the scene Feb. 4 Police, fire, EMS and KHP and collected as much of his officials all said they don’t brother’s remains as he could have the needed equipment or and stored them in two bags in a training to completely clean a freezer. messy fatality scene. Police and He said he contacted officials fire officials did say they have at the funeral home in Kansas equipment to handle biohazards. City, Kan., where his brother Paola Fire Chief Andy Martin was cremated, and they agreed to also said firefighters will cremate any other remains free sometimes use their hose to clear of charge if they are delivered. blood from a highway accident, Grittando said he videotaped but that wasn’t needed for this everything he did for future fatality. record. Undersheriff Mark Schmidt “It’s the most embarrassing said most of the sheriff’s office and disgusting thing I’ve ever dealings with cleaning up fatality seen or heard of in my life,” he scenes have been through the said. “It’s inhumane.” funeral homes. Jenkins, Smail, Moreland and Chad Wilson of Penwell- other officials all agreed that, Gabel Funeral Home said he considering the extent of the has retrieved fatality victims in accident and the location of Miami County for several years. the rocks piled underneath the He said his main role is to go and bridge, it would have been pick up the body, but he would almost impossible to not leave always help out to ensure that something small behind. everything was accounted for. “They were all looking with He too, though, said it can be flashlights,” Moreland said. “If difficult if the accident occurred something has been found out at night. there, it was just missed.” “We don’t go back out the PAGE 17 By Meagan Patton got there,” Harris said. what they want, but I’m just a An ambulance took the child dad who happened to be at the NEWS STORY Who says superheroes only to Ransom Memorial Hospital, right place at the right time. I Daily Division 1 are in comic books? A young girl Ottawa, and then by air am- hope any parent who would have and her family are calling a local bulance to Children’s Mercy seen what I seen would have man their “Superman” after he Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. reacted the same way.” lifted a car off of her in an ac- However, she suffered only mi- He wasn’t hoping for any FIRST PLACE cident early Friday morning. nor injuries, including a concus- recognition, he said. He was just Nick Harris, 32, was drop- sion and some road rash, Harris grateful the girl was OK. Ottawa Herald ping off his daughter, 8-year- said, and was able to go home “Everything happens for a Meagan Patton old Cheyenne, at Eugene Field the same day. reason,” Harris said. “To me, it Elementary school shortly before Harris said he visited her later was payment enough when she 8 a.m. when he saw the incident that day. gave me that huge hug and said, Nice coverage of a very unusual event. Give credit to quick unfolding on Tremont Avenue - a When he got there, he was ‘Thanks, Superman.’” action by witness of a car backing over a little girl. driver backing her vehicle out of greeted by an alert, happy and a driveway who was about to hit grateful girl, who ran up to him SECOND PLACE a student. and gave him a hug, Harris said. “I was getting ready to pull “I was shocked,” Harris said. Iola Register the emergency brake when I “I really didn’t expect for her to Ann Kazmierczak looked up and saw the vehicle be running up to me and squeez- backing over her,” Harris said. “I ing me. From what I seen with didn’t even think. I ran over there my own two eyes, she should not Great humor, interest when 10 year old gets a petition to save as fast as I could, grabbed the be walking right now.” a drive-in. Good story on how it was done. rear end of the car and lifted and And that wasn’t the only thing pushed as hard as I could to get that amazed Harris that day. He THIRD PLACE the tire off the child.” still doesn’t know how he found That’s when he said he no- the strength to lift the vehicle off High Plains Daily Leader ticed the girl, a 6-year-old first- of her, he said. Earl Watt grader, was one of his daughter’s “I know later on that day I tried closest friends from school. a couple different times to lift He told the driver of the car, a car like I did, and I couldn’t Nice coverage of a very unusual meter hit. Good detail in the 26-year-old Sarah Osladil, to put do it,” Harris said. “But some- story. I’m sure the meter strike was the talk of the town. it in neutral to get the pressure how, adrenaline, hand of God, off the girl, he said. He then car- whatever you want to call it, I ried the girl, who was scream- don’t know how I did it. It just ing in pain, he said, over to the happened.” sidewalk. The next day, the girl attended “I got her backpack unstuck Harris’ daughter’s roller skating underneath the car,” Harris said. birthday party, where she told “I didn’t want to jerk her, but I everyone he was her Superman. had to move her, so I put her on But Harris said he was simply the side of the road next to the a parent doing the right thing. driveway.” “I seen a situation, and I He said he was going to go handled the situation the way I get his phone to call 911, but the thought it needed handled,” Har- girl said she wanted him to stay ris said. “The car had to get off with her. of her. I reacted without thinking. “I was the only one she knew, “I don’t consider myself a so I stayed there until her mother hero at all. People can call it PAGE 18 NEWS STORY Daily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Dodge City Daily Globe Claire O’Brien

Excellent story in large part by a hard to get jail interview. Nice balance, thorough reporting that isn’t always there in criminal stories. I’m sure this was a great interest to the community. SECOND PLACE Hays Daily News Gayle Weber

Well-written story about small towns efforts to keep competing and stay alive. Daily News had many well written stories. It was amazing because all of these stories were “produced” by good, old-fashioned reporting without having major events fall into newspapers lap. THIRD PLACE Manhattan Mercury Bill Felber

Well-researched story on power and expenditures. Article raises serious questions about KSU policies on a range of issues. I’m scratching my head why this hasn’t been more widely reported? It would seem there could be financial questions about everything from Bill Snyders pay to the ability to pay for future athletic scholarships. I’m curious as to what happened. PAGE 19 NEWS STORY Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Topeka Capital-Journal Jan Biles

Story takes readers inside the life of the first gay person discharged under “don’t ask” policy. Extremely well-written and complete SECOND PLACE Kansas City Star Judy Thomas

Slain doctor was more than an abortionist with devil horns and tail, as we discover with colorful and complete profile THIRD PLACE Hutchinson News Edie Ross

After 2 years, we know with precise details how Greensburg is rebuilding after 2007 tornado. Story has every detail I could imagine. PAGE 20 INVESTIGATIVE STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Melissa Treolo

Great lead. The story contains all the numbers, but Melissa starts with the human aspect. It got me interested and would keep readers hanging around for the details. Clearly the category leader. Stories in series complemented each other. SECOND PLACE Eudora News David Oakes

Strong lead. Story laid out the situation, and it also gave us a view of what businesses that left the area were thinking. This kind of information is productive for a city. THIRD PLACE De Soto Explorer Elvyn Jones

Solid detailed writing. This topic would be of great interest to the community’s readers, and I think the rest of their questions were answered. PAGE 21 By Tom Parker Readings are assessed through second test several months later, picocuries (pCi), which measure the results were worse: 22.9 INVESTIGATIVE STORY It was a hacking, chronic cough radon’s rate of radioactive picocuries. Nondaily Division 2 that drove Leigh DeVol to the decay. One picocurie equals one The air in DeVol’s basement was doctor. Coupled with the cough trillionth of a Curie, or 0.037 potentially lethal. was an increasing shortness of disintegrations per second. When Radon is everywhere. It breath, most noticeable when calculated at four picocuries per seeps through the soil and vents FIRST PLACE climbing stairs, something liter, the EPA’s threshold figure, into the atmosphere where we she often did at work. She there would be about 12,672 breath it in along with pollen, Washington County News figured it had something to do radioactive disintegrations in pollutants, dust and a host of Tom Parker with allergies or her sinuses, one liter of air during a 24-hour microorganisms. Because of air something normal. Something period. movement and dispersal, radon treatable. According to the EPA, every poses little threat outdoors. Nice intro - it really pulled me in. The personal story of Devol It was none of the above. home in America has some level Indoors, it’s another matter. makes the issue hit home. Good job getting all the facts and Instead, DeVol was diagnosed of radon. Nationally, the average Most homes have little air explaining it fully. with lung cancer, and it had radon level in indoor air is 1.3 movement, so radon tends to metastasized and spread to her picocuries. Some houses have concentrate. It seeps into houses SECOND PLACE brain. more, some less, depending on a through cracks in the walls, sump “It was a shock,” she said. “I number of factors, but mostly the pumps, or joints and pipes that Atchison Globe haven’t smoked for 15 years.” amount of radon contamination penetrate foundations. As if that Patty Moore DeVol told her physician that her is attributed to the real estate weren’t enough, buildings create family had no history of cancer. mantra of “location, location, a slight negative air pressure or Heart disease was another matter, location.” Radon concentrations suction to the underlying soil Very interesting. Good job following through with additional though her grandparents lived to are very much a matter of where known as the stack effect. The coverage as it unfolded. Good job explaining the facts. be in their nineties. “We thought you live or, to put it another way, stack effect actually pulls radon our hearts would get us first,” she of what lies beneath your house. into the structure. THIRD PLACE said. A risk assessment chart was Radon’s entry isn’t confined Her radiologist asked if she’d established by the EPA to only to homes with porous The Mirror had her home tested for radon. educate homeowners about the foundations or dirt crawl spaces, Estuardo Garcia Like a great number of people, potential hazards associated though. Newer homes with DeVol had never heard of radon. with escalating levels of radon airtight windows and walls can She bought an inexpensive concentration. Anything under exacerbate radon, and furnaces Nice job talking to various sources and following from test kit and, after following the two picocuries is about average and air conditioners can circulate beginning to end. directions, tested the air in the and almost impossible to reduce. the gas throughout the house. basement of her Washington Between two and four picocuries Though radon is chemically and home. She then placed the kit in is a sort of no man’s land where electrically inert, radioactive a self-addressed envelope and the amount of radon poses risks decay spawns radon progeny, mailed it to the lab. tantamount to dying of poison or atoms that are electrically Radon is a naturally occurring in a car crash—risks that increase charged. They attach themselves gas produced from decaying exponentially for smokers. In to particles of dust floating in uranium found in nearly all types fact, the odds are so stacked the air, which are then inhaled. of soils. It can’t be seen, smelled against smokers that they have Once imbedded in the lung, or tasted. But it can be measured their own chart. Per the EPA, they emit alpha particles that though the use of various types anything over four picocuries for pierce through the internal cells of equipment ranging from smokers or non-smokers alike is of the respiratory tract causing simple charcoal canisters or cause for immediate action. mutations in the cellular DNA. liquid scintillation devices to DeVol’s test returned an analysis And thus begins the process of elaborate electronic ion chamber of over 21 picocuries. carcinogenesis. detectors. When she followed up with a According to the EPA, radon PAGE 22 is a class A carcinogen and the homes with elevated levels of to determine your own personal people sleep down there? If so, she said. “Make sure you test.” second-leading cause of lung radon is one in four according to acceptable level of risk. they’re at risk.” cancer in the U.S.. It’s blamed EPA estimates, it’s more like one “There are so many things to Testing should be done under for the deaths of 21,000 people in three in the state of Kansas, be afraid of,” he said. “We have winter conditions, he said, with annually. Only smoking is worse. Hanson said. And in many places to decide how we’re going to windows and doors closed. The Combine the two and you have a it’s one in two. live.” initial test should be a short-term recipe for disaster. “You’re in Washington?” Hanson Mosteller’s concession was test, followed by a long-term Though DeVol considered asks. “You’re one in two.” to move his children’s playroom test if the figures show elevated herself a casual or social Radon testing kits easy to use from the basement to the first measurements in the lower smoker—a pack would last her and inexpensive. Most hardware floor. numbers. For higher levels such several weeks, she said—she was stores sell them—Zabokrtsky’s “It’s a lifestyle modification,” as what DeVol found, another often around people who smoked Ace Hardware in Washington he said. “We spend a little less short-term test should be used as heavily. And while nobody in has them in stock, as does time in the basement, but it a follow-up. the medical establishment was Andy’s Hardware in Hanover— doesn’t stop us from going down “If the number is that high, willing to blame radon for her and they’re available at any there.” the tests don’t lie,” Hanson said. cancer, statistics show that extension office. “Protecting “It’s one of the things we Mitigation usually involves people with a history of smoking Your Home From Radon,” an fight all the time,” Hanson said. venting the basement through are ten times more likely to educational guide including “People can’t see radon, they means of a vent pipe and fan. develop lung cancer in homes do-it-yourself information for can’t smell it, they can’t taste The average cost for a radon with elevated radon levels than mitigation, is available for loan it, so it’s not that big of a deal. contractor in Kansas to vent a nonsmokers. at the River Valley Extension Here’s the long and the short of house is between $1,200 and The figures calculated by the District office in the Washington it: there’s no safe level of radon.” $1,400, Hanson said. EPA on their risk assessment County Courthouse. Additional Some latitude can be allowed That might be a hard sell in charts are telling. For example, information published by the in homes reading less than four today’s economy, he admitted, if 1,000 people who have never Kansas Radon program is picocuries, Hanson said, but the but the consequences of not smoked were exposed to four available free of charge. state strenuously recommends venting might cost a whole lot picocuries over a lifetime, about To Ross Mosteller, extension mitigation for homes with more. seven people could develop lung agent for the district, the fact levels between four and eight “Lung cancer is a very bad cancer. Increase the radon level that DeVol’s house had elevated picocuries. “Within those cancer,” he said. “It’s one of the to ten picocuries and the cancer radon readings was anything but measurements,” he said, “you most painful as well as the least toll rises to 18 people. It doubles a surprise. should try to reduce the levels treatable cancers. It’s also one of at 20 picocuries. “If you live here, your levels within the next six months. the last to be diagnosed, which For 1,000 smokers exposed will be high,” he said. At the least, you should move means it’s usually terminal.” to four picocuries, the figure When Mosteller tested his people out of the basement if DeVol’s wonders what effect rockets to 62 possible cases of home, the results indicated high they’re living there.” radon might pose to her children, lung cancer. At 20 picocuries the levels of radon in the basement. While 22 picocuries sounds all of whom who had bedrooms number is 260 people. Others who have purchased test high, it’s not the state record— in the basement. “Lung cancer is a behavioral kits from the extension office that would be 260 picocuries “They lived down there for disease,” said Brian Hanson, reported similar results, he said. found in one home, with a world 15 years, but they say there’s a radon expert at the Kansas That’s when they return to the record cresting at 2,000. As for no testing that can be done for Radon Program at Kansas State extension office and ask, “What the EPA’s risk assessment charts, them,” DeVol said. “I worry University. “People have a do I do now?” Hanson said the figures are based about my kids.” large amount of control over it. It is, as they say, the million- on a person’s exposure to radon She recently learned that Smokers can stop smoking and dollar question. for nine to 10 hours per day. cancer has spread to her bones. reduce their risk of lung cancer. Mosteller’s advice is to decide “We recognize the fact that She’s currently being treated Everyone else can check for whether to invest in mitigation people aren’t in their homes all with radiation and chemotherapy radon in their homes, and then construction, a process that the time,” he said. “But when and, she said, takes it one day at take steps to mitigate it.” could reach into the thousands of they’re home, do the children a time. While the average number of dollars, or, on a less costly note, play in the basement, or do Her advice is simple: “Test,” PAGE 23 By Loren Stanton action and had the board reject board, said he does not want the petitions. She has heard to get into a public debate with INVESTIGATIVE STORY rumors, investigated rumors and Ridings, especially because she Nondaily Division 3 been the subject of rumors. It has has sued in the past and because Nila Ridings says she never not been pretty. the dispute is a civil matter. wanted to be a rabble rouser, but Not that Ridings is alone Nevertheless, Vernon said it is a role she has taken on and among Quivira Falls residents Ridings should be asked if FIRST PLACE plans to keep until her house who have actively fought and she properly followed the feels like a home. criticized the community’s community’s procedures for Johnson County Sun When Ridings purchased governing board and getting repair work done and Loren Stanton a unit in the Quivira Falls management. But other frustrated having it reimbursed. subdivision about four years neighbors agree she has been She acknowledges that she ago, she was ready to scale back involved in the dispute longer did not entirely adhere to the Excellent lead takes reader on first steps into a well-reported work hours, devote more time to and far more vigorously than process, but she says she has her and written investigation of an Overland Park subdivisions volunteer efforts and just relax in most others. reasons. financial issues. the comfort of the maintenance- The unit Ridings owns is Quivira Falls, in coordination provided community. appraised at $138,000, but she with Overland Park codes SECOND PLACE She knew when she bought says she ultimately spent more officials, established a schedule the place that it needed some than $20,000 of her own money for making the siding repairs Johnson County Sun repair work on the siding, but she for repairs needed to stop the needed in the community. About Chuck Kurtz said she was assured the problem water seepage and to fix water eight houses among the hundreds soon would be fixed. damage. are fixed each month. Time went by and no one She is locked in a dispute with If people want to pay for Out of site to most residents, the homeless do exist, and they came to do the work. management for reimbursement their own repairs they can do so, are increasing in number. Good job of uncovering a pressing Eventually, Ridings found of those costs and also to get Vernon explained, and the board community issue. out that there were widespread other problems fixed that she will reimburse them as money maintenance needs among said still cause water to get into becomes available. Those who THIRD PLACE Quivira Falls homes, and that her furnished basement. get work done independently are there was not enough money to Her dreams of maintenance- to get three bids and have them Shawnee Dispatch fix it all soon. She would have to free ownership, she said, have reviewed by the board. Caroline Boyer wait her turn. turned into a nightmare. Ridings said she got three Ridings began to press for “When I bought this place I bids, but she did not go before action, she said, because water planned to spend the rest of my the board for its review and Good job of outlining the issues and reporting what taxpayers was leaking into her house and life here. If I have to live here the blessing. Her attorney told her, got with justice center. causing damage. She was not rest of my life now, I’d rather be she said, that the board’s failure pleased with the responses she dead,” Ridings said. to authorize repairs on her home received from the Community As frustrated as she is, before damages occurred put Association board. Ridings said she will not the board in breach of contract. Suffice it to say that in the consider selling or moving until Therefore, she said, she no months that followed – and it the structural and monetary longer is obligated to follow the has been almost three years of issues are resolved. board’s guidelines. months now – relations became “I will fight as I have the last Settling that point could take highly strained between Ridings, two years to fix this. I will not awhile, but Ridings is adamant the board and the current pass my mistake on to someone that she is on solid ground. professional management team else and make it their mistake,” Ridings has ceased paying for the community. Ridings said. her monthly association dues She has filed lawsuits and Walt Vernon, who is serving until the issue is resolved to her been threatened with lawsuits. his first one-year term as satisfaction. She has submitted petitions for president of the Quivira Falls “I don’t pay people who owe PAGE 24 me money,” Ridings said. firm being hired, no professional Several other disputes, management company was legal and otherwise, have involved in overseeing Quivira raged between Ridings, board Falls operations. members and the community’s In some cases, Tiehen said, professional management temporary patches are put in company, The Tiehen Group. place until a full repair can be An attorney for the latter sent made. a letter of warning to Ridings There have been other battles because of written complaints waged by Ridings in her quest. and accusations she was making She worked on a petition to her neighbors about how calling for election of new board the repair program was being members, and she filed suit when conducted. petitions were rejected by the One sensitive allegation was sitting board. that new stucco siding on some She filed suit for access to the of the homes was being applied association’s financial records over rotted wood framework and won. What she found was rather than having the wood skimpy. replaced. Vernon concurs that a CPA Jim Tiehen, president of has since determined that past Tiehen Group, said he is aware accounting was “sloppy.” that one former employee of Much more detailed financial the repair crews has alleged record keeping and review that such methods were used on methods now are in place, several homes. Vernon said. Recently city codes officials were asked by one resident to be present while she peeled off new stucco. The resident told city officials she had suspicious that wood rot might lurk beneath, and sure enough, when the siding came up wood rot problems were found. Tiehen said that was an unfortunate mistake and does not reflect what crews are instructed to do. “We’re not trying to cover anything up,” Tiehen said. He added that the top priority in repair efforts is to fix problems so homes do not incur further damage. Tiehen’s company was hired well after many of the problems and complaints in the community surfaced. Prior to his PAGE 25 INVESTIGATIVE STORY Daily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Junction City Daily Union Eric Brown

Excellent job of presenting lots of information - complicated information - making it understandable. Stories of politicians and bribes are best handled by newspapers and this story does a nice job highlighting what obviously was hours of reporting and fact checking. These stories are of vital community importance. SECOND PLACE High Plains Daily Leader Jessica Crawford

Great job of going through expense vouchers and asking about high meal charges and high-priced hotels. Nice job of presenting both sides. More newspapers should do stories like this from time to time to keep common sense alive and make government officials accountable. THIRD PLACE Junction City Daily Union Eric Brown

Good job of research by the newspaper to check into city manager salaries. This has a little different twist in that it shows Junction City’s salary to be low. Good job of educating citizens on matters and showing how low pay could cost more in long run. PAGE 26 INVESTIGATIVE STORY Daily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Manhattan Mercury Carrie Miller

A great investigative piece on a controversial topic. Miller sought out a variety of sources and found ways of getting critical information when sources have been less than forthcoming. SECOND PLACE Newton Kansan Cristina Janney

This is in-depth reporting at it’s finest. Janney makes use of a wide variety of sources and provides a sidebar story with informative statistics. This piece was one of two standouts in this category, and it only separated from first place in that the first place entry dealt with a more controversial topic that would have been harder to get information on. GREAT JOB!! THIRD PLACE Dodge City Daily Globe Claire O’Brien

A well-balanced piece that sought viewpoints on each side. PAGE 27 INVESTIGATIVE STORY Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Topeka Capital-Journal Tim Carpenter

Very thorough reporting with impressive balance of facts, quotes and sources. SECOND PLACE Kansas City Star Mike McGraw, Laura Bauer, and Mark Morris

Impressive educational series with notable sidebars detailing human angle. Good, tight writing. THIRD PLACE Lawrence Journal-World Christine Metz

Incisive story that went beyond the basic facts and government data. A community serve and public awareness to boot. Well written and researched. PAGE 28 SERIES Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Melissa Treolo

Comprehensive coverage of a subject that is obviously near and dear to the community. Solid reporting, far and away the best in the category. SECOND PLACE De Soto Explorer Elvyn Jones

Reporter did a fine job of putting a face on those affected by the recession. It really helps personalize an issue many people still don’t understand. THIRD PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Melissa Treolo

Helps readers/parents know just a little more about those who will be teaching their children. PAGE 29 SERIES Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Atchison Globe Katy Blair

Difficult story subject, but handled extremely well. Good use of sources and thorough examination of issues. Great lede paragraphs puts this one on top. SECOND PLACE Atchison Globe Patty Moore

Each story on its own is great, together as a series this was an outstanding entry. Good use of multiple sources and in-depth coverage in each story. THIRD PLACE The Mirror Shawn Linenburger, Estuardo Garcia

Well written series of stories. Well balanced coverage of issue. PAGE 30 By Rob Roberts plan, originally offered through key advantages over a public a government-run exchange to plan, including brand recogni- SERIES The architect of “the public individuals and the smallest of tion, deep pockets for marketing, Nondaily Division 3 option” - a focal point in the na- employers, eventually will be the caché of being private and tional health care reform debate opened to all employers. Because experience covering 171 million - said a robust government-run of its lower price, the plan soon members, many of whom are insurance plan for non-elderly will drive private insurers out of happy with their coverage. FIRST PLACE Americans is more than a bar- business. Then, the federal gov- But about 48 million Americans gaining chip. ernment will heap on coverage have no coverage, he said, and Kansas City Business Journal “It’s a crucial part of what will mandates, increasing costs and without public competition, the Rob Roberts make the reform plan work,” said reducing employers’ ability to interconnected problems of soar- Jacob Hacker, a Yale University control them. ing costs, an uninsured popula- professor whose public-plan “There can be dire scenarios tion that accesses care through A clear-cut winner in a very competitive category. A very concept was picked up by the painted with just about any situ- emergency rooms and cost- good read on a subject most people are sick of - health care John Edwards, Hillary Clinton ation,” said McCaskill, who has shifting to the privately insured reform. Your play on words was creative, but the content and and Barack Obama campaigns in voiced support for a public plan. will worsen. personal face you put on the issue put you at the head of pack. 2007. “It’s a pretty dire situation if we Part of the problem stems from Now, toward the end of the do nothing.” the fact that most cities are domi- SECOND PLACE August recess, members of Con- McCaskill added that public-plan nated by one or two private plans gress are poised for a standoff on opponents “can’t say the govern- and a similar number of hospital Wichita Business Journal the issue. Based on the latest tal- ment is incompetent ... and then systems, Hacker said. lies, it appears reform legislation say, ‘You can’t compete with “These two problems - insurer without a strong public option them,’ especially if it’s a con- and provider consolidation - are won’t fly in the House, and any strained public option. And that’s related,” he wrote in an Aug. 20 A comprehensive look at the impact a sagging economy has bill that contains such an option what we’re talking about here - a report on public-plan legislation. on businesses and communities. Very well written with great will be sunk in the Senate. constrained public option that is “They have driven up premiums layout and graphic elements. U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, not going to drive private insur- for employers and workers, and D-Mo., said at an Aug. 24 town ers out of the market.” they have encouraged insurers to THIRD PLACE hall meeting at the University control costs by shifting ex- of Missouri-Kansas City that THE CASE FOR MORE COM- penses onto patients or weeding Miami County Republic reform legislation containing a PETITION out high-cost patients, rather than Brian McCauley and Ashlee Mejia consumer-run cooperative rather Hacker said even a robust public bargaining for lower provider than a public option stands the plan will “absolutely not” lead to payments.” best chance of passage this year. a single-payer system. Very informational series on how we can impact our That elicited loud boos from an “I’ve repeatedly said that even COMPARING COMMITTEE environment. Well written with nice use of graphics audience of nearly 1,500, whom if all employers are allowed in, PROPOSALS McCaskill called “the most the system will evolve toward a Reform bills that passed out of vociferous (supporters) I’ve seen fairly stable equilibrium in which three House committees and the for attempts to reform health large employers that self-insure Senate Health, Education, Labor care.” continue to provide private and Pensions committee all call But the support she heard for a coverage and the smallest of em- for competition from a public strong public plan clearly was ployers and self-employed find plan to help rein in costs and not coming from Kansas City’s it more attractive to go into the improve quality, Hacker said. large-employer or insurance- exchange,” Hacker said. “And, He said two House bills were carrier communities. of those in the exchange, I would “good” because they would Here is the domino theory say only about half will choose allow the public plan to create local employers and insurers the public plan.” a provider network (Medicare’s frequently spell out in oppos- Hacker said private plans in the network, minus doctors who opt ing a public option: The public exchange would enjoy some out) on its first day of operation, PAGE 31 pay providers Medicare-plus-5 maybe that was a well-chosen population, he said. percent rates and negotiate drug phrase” - meaning the public Discenza said arguments for discounts. option is “an” essential element, maintaining the current system The plans passed by the House just not “the” essential element. for covering the non-Medicare Energy & Commerce Committee population are “short-sighted” and the Senate HELP committee, EXAMINING THE CO-OP because “more and more people which was led by the late Sen. ALTERNATIVE are falling off those rolls.” Ted Kennedy, are “not so good,” Discenza said she thinks a public The Henry J. Kaiser Family Hacker said. They would require plan is essential and could coex- Foundation reported that the per- the public plan to create a pro- ist with and drive improvements centage of U.S. employers pro- vider network from scratch and in the private insurance industry. viding health insurance declined negotiate rates with providers Terry Norwood, CEO of Mid- from 69 percent in 2000 to 60 throughout the country, making west Public Risk in Kansas City, percent in 2007. The percentage the plan difficult or impossible to isn’t so sure. Norwood, who climbed to 63 percent last year. establish. shares the concern that a public “But (increased coverage) He called the co-op model in plan could wipe out all payers certainly won’t be the case this the Senate Finance Committee’s but Uncle Sam, said his organi- year,” said Marci Nielsen, vice yet-to-be passed bill downright zation is, essentially, a consumer- chancellor of public policy and “ugly.” It would entail the same run co-op like those proposed by planning for the University of challenges of building provider the Senate Finance Committee. Kansas Medical Center. networks and negotiating rates It provides self-insurance for 99 Nielsen said KU supports afford- and would result in regional or local governments and school able health insurance for all, not statewide plans lacking the size districts in Kansas and Missouri. a public plan per se. and provider choice necessary By joining together, Norwood “But if we are to have a public to compete with private plans, said, those entities have been plan,” Nielsen said, “it needs to Hacker said. able to achieve premium savings be structured in a way that en- Only a robust public plan will be of 2 percent to 3 percent and sures we are getting cost savings, able to reduce medical inflation build reserves that allow mem- paying providers fairly and doing through innovations in financ- bers to avoid big cost swings. a better job of reimbursing for ing and delivery of care, Hacker But the organization’s ability to primary care and prevention.” said. Therefore, he was dismayed cut out middlemen is limited: It Hacker said a robust public plan by Health and Human Services must buy stop-loss insurance in offers the best means for replac- Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ the event of catastrophic claims, ing the costly fee-for-service recent comment that the public and it rents its provider network payment model. But devising an plan was “not the essential ele- from Blue Cross and Blue Shield alternative that providers, payers ment” of health reform. of Kansas City. Therefore, its and consumers can live with may Suzanne Discenza, an associate administrative costs are run- be as tricky as getting a public professor of health care manage- ning between 12 percent and 14 plan through the Senate. ment at Rockhurst University, percent, about the same as Blue said she was surprised by the Cross’, Norwood said. comment, which seemed to sug- Hacker said Medicare’s admin- gest the Obama administration istrative costs are less than 2 was willing to use the plan as a percent, compared with about 11 bargaining chip to achieve other percent for private plans under reforms. Medicare Advantage. That is a “I don’t think that’s what (Sebe- near-perfect “apples to apples” lius) really thinks,” Discenza comparison because both types said. “I think she was trying to of plans are operating with simi- strike a conciliatory note. So lar rules and treating the same PAGE 32 By Courtney Servaes him.” OF IT For the Auberts — and other It’s tough living month to SERIES Debbie Aubert had a vision for families — retirement might be a month. Daily Division 1 retirement. thing of the past, Aubert says. But Aubert said they have no Less work. More time with After her husband lost his choice. family and friends. job, she’s starting to wonder “I, like other state employees, But Aubert, who taught mid- whether it’s possible to save have my KPERS,” Aubert said FIRST PLACE dle school in the West Franklin enough money to retire. about the Kansas Public Employ- School District for 29 years, said “Various other jobs that my ees Retirement System. “But as Ottawa Herald retirement didn’t work out the husband has had, had misman- I’m below the age of 55, I will way she had planned. aged [employee stock ownership not be able to access it without The economy tanked. Her plans] where he lost a great deal penalty until I’m 59 1/2.” husband lost his job at American of money, so that drastically For families like the Auberts, Great job covering the biggest story in 2009 - and localizing Eagle Distribution Center, 1529 changed our retirement plans,” Henningsen said sitting down it! Tight writing and good research by reporters - community N. Davis Ave. Aubert said. and crunching numbers really should be proud and better educated. Good job by all!! “It definitely didn’t pan out as WHEN TO RETIRE can help. I had thought it would go because Henningsen says the market “In some cases, people are SECOND PLACE of financial reasons,” Aubert said. has gone through a serious down- right on track. They are fright- Aubert and her husband aren’t turn — the worst in 50 years. ened and a little bit nervous Iola Register alone. But it’s also gone through a about it, but when we run the Susan Lynn Other area families are show- serious recovery, he says. numbers, they are right on track,” ing concerns about their retire- “The issue for them is, if you Henningsen said. “Running the ment plans, Bill Henningsen, are going to continue to invest numbers and running the figures Good to see this covered so thoroughly. with Edward Jones, 502 S. Cedar in markets, you have to become takes the mystery out of it.” St., Ottawa, said. aware and comfortable with fluc- Aubert said it helps that she THIRD PLACE “They are naturally concerned tuation,” he said. “You can’t say, receives a small monthly check about whether or not they can I want high returns and no risks. from KPERS from a portion of Arkansas City Traveler retire when they planned on it,” That formula just doesn’t work.” its fund. Andrew Lawson Henningsen said. Henningsen said typically he That check, coupled with her THING OF THE PAST works with families to help them job, hopefully will be enough Aubert said it was getting to plan for the future, not just make to help Aubert survive until her Well-written and interesting. Good subject to cover. Loved be too much. expectations about what retire- husband finds a job, she said. the story of the subject as a young boy. She couldn’t work two jobs. ment will look like. “Faith in God helps,” she She couldn’t substitute teach and “I think prior to this period, said. “And knowing that you work 34 hours at Ferrellgas, 103 people based retirement deci- can only do what you can do, S. Main St., Ottawa. sions on, ‘Hey, I’m this old, I but it’s tough worrying about Not at her age. should be able to retire,” he said. how you’re going to have the “I work evenings and week- “I want to retire, therefore I will money to make it from month to ends at Ferrellgas now,” she retire.” month.” said. “And I was subbing at West Those people — usually aged Franklin during the week days.” 55 and older — are the ones most Aubert said she took on the impacted by the recent economy, two jobs to help compensate for Henningsen said. her husband’s salary. “They’ve already begun to “My husband is currently envision retirement,” Hennings- unemployed and hasn’t had much en said. “That’s the normal place luck finding work,” she said. where people start to visualize “Being a 59-year-old male in this retirement.” economy hasn’t been easy for TAKING MYSTERY OUT PAGE 33 By Nick Scheien said. “And I love you guys.” Swihart was touched years There was a pause, then a few ago after reading an old letter SERIES The players sat in the locker more words. she found from her parents to her Daily Division 2 room, dripping with sweat fresh The pitter-patter on the grandparents about mission work from victory. ground no longer was outside the in China. Their leader, their head coach, door. “How I got started was I walked back out of his office and It was inside the locker room, read a letter my parents had FIRST PLACE looked at the members of his on the floor in the form of tears sent home, and they were team. Those who had battled so from the players. missionaries in China,” Swihart Hays Daily News courageously and victoriously A town of faith said. “They sent home letters just minutes before. The lyrics from the Christian to their folks, and in a couple Suddenly, a pitter-patter band Casting Crowns song of them, my father saw over a started to fall outside. Then “Praise You in This Storm” can dozen children frozen to death This is a good series that has an in-depth look at not only the a more constant, heavy rain find a lot of meaning in Quinter. on his way to town. That’s when teams it covers, but the schools and the larger community. It unleashed after holding off for God convicted me to try to help addresses many important issues and is well-planned. most of the game. “I’ll praise you in this storm cold children in the world today.” The drops dripped off the top and I will lift my hands Swihart organized Baby SECOND PLACE of Quinter High School onto for you are who you are Bundles to be sent to Romania, the cement landing outside the no matter where I am helping cold children in a time Manhattan Mercury football team’s locker room. It and every tear I’ve cried of need. The bundles include Paula Glover was the beginning of a storm, or you hold in your hand a few outfits and undershirts, at least another night of rain in you never left my side six diapers, booties made by northwest Kansas. and though my heart is torn prisoners from Ellsworth, rubber This is an innovative series that takes a look at the life and Greg Woolf, the head coach I will praise you in this storm.” pants, blankets and a baby bottle times of small town churches. It addresses not only the of the Bulldogs, took a deep - all rolled up in a comforter. churches’ past but also their future, it discusses the challanges breath and exhaled. Quinter has been through a There is no heat or air facing small rural churches. The locker room was quiet. lot through the years. The good conditioning in the building. The Bulldogs, one of the top times and bad. The ups and Instead, the money that would THIRD PLACE teams in Eight-Man, Division I downs. be used for that is needed to help in the state, were about to face a There’s always some constant with the bundles, shipping and Garden City Telegram storm - but not outside. battle, perhaps now fighting anything else that comes up. Shajia Ahmad and Rachael Gray None of the players on the population decline like most Swihart herself doesn’t even team knew Mother Nature had towns in western Kansas. stake her claim as owner of the opened her eyes and began But one thing constant in the business. This is a good series that takes a look at the historical event pouring tears down on their little small Gove County town is faith. “God’s the owner, and I just that captured national attention. The series capitalizes well on portion of the world. Neither did And there’s a lot of it. work here,” she said. the memory of local sources and look at a number of aspects the coaches. “It’s a lovely community,” of the case. The storm they were about to said 93-year-old Helen Tilton, a Strength of security face was different, unexpected. 1932 QHS grad. “Our churches Everyone looks out for Woolf, a mountain of a man have no problem getting along everyone in small towns. Quinter and a former football player together, and that’s wonderful.” is no different. himself, opened his mouth You can see the pride in the With that comes a sense of and began to speak as his eyes town’s faith-based way of life at security. reddened and his heart became one of its goodwill stores. Friday morning’s farmers heavy. There, Mary Jane Swihart market on the north end of town “You guys know my priorities continuously is working her proved that. are always God, my relationship nimble fingers for the good of Vendors could set up curbside with Jesus Christ, my family, others - including children in and sell their homemade goods. teaching and you guys,” Woolf Romania. “It’s rural and small, and I PAGE 34 like that,” Jodi Swihart, niece of watch out for your neighbors,” know.” Tebow with Ray’s Pharmacy.” ball game or forensics meet. That Mary Jane Swihart, said as she Bowman said. “We were taught One of those banks was The Tebows recently moved is the entertainment we have here sat in a chair selling goods at to look out for each other.” the brainchild of Scott Bird, a a few storefronts south on Main - the kids.” the farmers market. “Everybody That’s what Bowman said 1978 Quinter graduate. Bird is Street to a larger location. There, But it’s not just entertainment. knows your business, and you makes for a strong tradition of president of the bank and co- they have renovated an old The school is much more than know everybody else’s. But family values in the town. owner of Food Pride, along with theater building that now houses that. there’s some security in that.” As for Gary Kesler, another his wife, Sheryl. Ray’s Pharmacy and Q Value. “It’s the survival of them. Jodi Swihart was home- employee at Food Pride, he “We basically re-established a Both Tebows grew up in It really is,” Kesler said about schooled and graduated in 2004. tells Bowman it “must be our local community bank in town,” Larned and lived in Wyoming schools in small towns. But she wouldn’t have wanted to upbringing,” joking from across Bird said about KansasLand and Indianapolis before QHS Principal Tucker grow up anywhere else. the store. Bank that opened in May 2006. moving to Great Bend. Then Woolsey grew up in Oberlin “It’s a very good place to Kesler and his wife, Laura, “The community goes kind an opportunity for the couple and knows the importance of grow up,” she said. “I work at the who works at KansasLand Bank of how the business leaders on to own their own grocery store school districts in small towns. library, and we have kids come across the street, had two sons Main Street go - as far as the popped up in Quinter. He’s seen changes, too, and and go every day. It’s just safe. go through the school system, tone is set,” Bird said. “When It’s been 16 years since that knows towns nearly dry up when There’s kids on the street at all Grady and Brice. you’re community-minded and opportunity happened. schools close. times of the day by themselves Gary is a QHS grad himself, you have investment in your “If the community - and “It’s the lifeblood. Without it, just because they can be.” earning a diploma in 1973. He’s community, you have to get bank, especially - wouldn’t have I think - like many small schools She lived for a time away seen changes in the school and into the community. By nature, been behind it, it wouldn’t have around - there isn’t a town,” from Quinter and got a taste of town since he grew up there. you’re deeply involved.” worked,” Doris Tebow said. Woolsey said. “More than that, what life outside a small town Agriculture used to have a Bird works alongside Laura The Tebows are working on the way the school system is ran is like. And it wasn’t all that strong base in the community, Kesler, who’s the bank’s vice settling into their new location shows the general quality of the comfortable. and it still does, but not what it president. Kesler and Bird and plan a grand opening in school system in any town, and “I lived in Pennsylvania for used to. Now, Kesler said, the both were in the same 1978 October. That grand opening will vice versa.” a year, and it’s just different,” hospital is a big draw. graduating class that had nearly feature one of the few large soda The enrollment number for she said. “People had to help “Basically agriculture based, 36 students - one of the largest in fountains in Kansas, one that Quinter for the year is 144 for me know what it was safe to but that’s been lost somewhat school history, Bird guesses. when completely refinished will grades seven through 12. But the do because I was used to the now,” he said. “The hospital The two have worked be nearly 30 feet long and more inevitable decline is not new to freedom. You just don’t think right now is probably the biggest alongside each other for many than 12 feet high and dates back northwest Kansas. about going somewhere by drawing card right now.” years and can finish each other’s to 1904. “We’ve had that same yourself at night here because But one thing has stayed the sentences and thoughts. Bird and Role of the school problem,” Woolsey said. who’s going to get you? Your same for Quinter since Kesler Laura’s husband, Gary, also have For Laura Kesler, a high “We’ve had a pretty big drop in neighbor, Frank?” graced the halls of the school. spent time coaching summer school in the town is an essential. enrollment the last several years. Upbringing And that’s the fact that the school basketball together. And it’s a binding force for My first year here, we had 160 Business was brisk at the system has remained strong But Bird knows the town the community. in seven through 12. We were Food Pride grocery store in academically and athletically. always has had a solid work “When you live in a small down as low as 136 at the start Quinter. And that’s exactly what “Athletically, academically,” ethic. town, you don’t have the of last year, and now we’re up a Nancy Bowman was hoping for Kesler said, “we don’t have to “I think Quinter has always entertainment like the larger few students. We’ve had those late Friday morning. take a backseat to anybody - had that spirit,” said Bird, towns have with a movie theater issues before. To get people into “It’s a chance to see my that’s for sure.” whose son, Matt, is a starter or Putt-Putt course,” said Kesler, the community, you need to have neighbors,” Bowman said about Main Street pride on this year’s football team. who is proud to mention her jobs, something in town to draw working at the store. Tilton, who will turn 94 on “You go in cycles a little bit. son, Grady, played on the Class people in. For as far back as Bowman began working at Oct. 1, jokes about Quinter’s When I first started at the bank, 2A undefeated state basketball anyone can remember, those jobs the business during the summer. financial significance in the the people that were on Main title team in 2004. “So your were farming. But the way the She grew up in Quinter and region. Street then, now a lot of that has entertainment really is your economy is and the way farming enjoys the small town. “We think we must be the turned over to a newer, younger school. Your kids provide the has gone, it’s just changed the “The way I was brought up banking center of northwest generation. You’ll continue to see entertainment for the whole face of what farming looks like. in a plain church, we were just Kansas,” Tilton said with a that. A really good story about community, and that’s why the Also, industry has changed.” taught a good work ethic and to laugh. “We have three banks, you improvement is Jack and Doris whole town will turn out for a The bull’s-eye PAGE 35 Quinter has been strong in order to do that, you have to Kerns is a 1976 QHS graduate two to four, and now about 10 surgery mid-week on his lower sports and academics throughout talk about it. You have to be and tries to give back to the people have them,” Nemechek stomach and eventually was its history. The football team has able to dream it, see it and school as much as possible, said. released. He showed up mid- won two state titles, one in 1973 achieve it. You have to believe sponsoring T-shirts for the But he’s the only one Woolf afternoon Friday at the school to in Class A, the other in 1992 in it. Hopefully the kids can step up school’s basketball tournament gives a haircut to. Nemechek talk with his players and coaches the Eight-Man, Division I ranks. and have a successful season in - the Castle Rock Classic - and jokes that’s because Woolf is too and see how things were going. Then there’s been the football, basketball and track and helping with the FFA club’s intimidating, even for himself. He knew nothing of the numerous boys’ and girls’ track everything.” pheasant hunters’ breakfast. That says something, especially team’s goal. titles. While Crist relishes the fact She also has several high since Nemechek is well over 6 Nemechek and fellow senior The state crowns in scholar’s that Quinter has caught the eye school kids working for her. feet tall and weighs about 240 Thatcher Deaton wanted a few bowl and forensics. of several people through the “Anything to do with athletics pounds. minutes to talk to the team before And the 2004 state title in 2A years, he also knows the town and kids,” Kerns said. “I’m not “Even if he was a foot the game. The coaching staff boys’ basketball. still faces some of the same necessarily teaching them book shorter than me, he’d still be granted them their wish. Last year, the football team problems as other regional cities. education, but life skills.” the most intimidating guy,” “We’re going to get the finished with a 10-1 record after “The school is tremendously The Dairy Queen was built Nemechek said. “He’s still got shutout, sign the ball and give it suffering through a rough 11- important,” Crist said. “You can in 1968 and was one of the only that personality about him that to coach,” they reiterated to the man schedule years prior. look around the area, and the eating establishments along when he’s in the room, there’s team before the squad gathered And the 2008-09 boys’ communities where the schools Interstate 70 between Kansas no goofing off around him. for a quick prayer. basketball team finished as state have closed down have seen City and Denver. That’s because You respect that he’s there. On Then the coaching staff came runner-up to Hanover in the the communities kind of dry cities such as Hays, Colby and the other end of the spectrum, in, and Roesch talked to the team 1A ranks. All the trophies of up. I think if you don’t have a Goodland hadn’t built out closer he’s the nicest guy to play for. before Woolf entered the room. success line the hallways outside school, you basically lose your to the main national highway yet. I couldn’t imagine playing for “We’re going to put that the gymnasium and near the community. I think the school is “Everybody knew where another coach. I love the way he goose egg on the ball and sign cafeteria. tremendously important. We’ve Quinter was because of it,” handles the other coaches, and it,” he said, his eyes growing red “We’ve had a lot of success lost numbers just like everyone Kerns said. each one has his own say.” and fighting back tears. “Just do over the years here in basketball else has in western Kansas, but A cut above A storm brews it.” and football recently,” head our grade school numbers are Zach Nemechek said it The pain started Monday Then Woolf entered. boys’ basketball coach John Crist hanging on pretty good now. started as sort of a joke. Now, it’s night and became too unbearable “God gave you the ability said. “And we’ve had success They’ve steadied out a bit. starting to catch on with other for the head coach to stand any to play and to come out and do in football before. We have two Hopefully our numbers will players. longer. what you can do,” Woolf said. state championships, and all the come back eventually, but it’s a The senior center and nose Late that night, he went to the “We are one team. Individuals track championships we’ve won. hard time for every school in the guard began getting a mohawk hospital and missed practices the stay here.” We’ve had tremendous success. state right now. Obviously we from coach Greg Woolf last year. rest of the week. As the players left the locker I feel like as a coach, we always don’t want to lose our school.” Nemechek, whose father, That meant assistant coach room and entered into the night feel like we have a big bull’s-eye ‘Q’ stands for Quinter Victor, is a doctor in town, told Brian Roesch was in charge of air, each placed a hand on a sign on our backs everywhere we go. One of Quinter’s luxuries is Woolf he was going to get a the offense and game plan. The near the doorway that read: “I People love to beat Quinter. Dairy Queen. haircut after lifting weights last defensive assignment went as am only one, but I am one. I “I look at it as a positive, Joni Kerns is in her 10th year. The coach told him he usual to assistant Jeff Ruckman. can’t do everything, but I can do because if they’re getting up year as the owner of the local would do it for free. And one thing became certain something. And what I can do, I for you, then that means you’re establishment, one of basically Now, every week or a week Wednesday. That’s when the ought to do. And what I ought to doing something right. And three eating joints in Quinter, and a half, Nemechek gets a team decide it was going to play do, by the grace of God, I shall we try to feed off of that. The along with the Pizza Station and close shave. for a shutout Friday night against do.” expectations for the boys this the Q-Inn. This year, more players have Palco. The players walked out of year are pretty high, both for “I wanted people to know followed suit. The game ball would be the locker room and began their football and basketball with where Quinter was because of “I’d kind of nudge the kids in labeled with a “goose egg” and walk of faith. what we accomplished last the Dairy Queen,” Kerns said, the ribs and say, “ ‘What about presented to Woolf if he made it Fourth and goal year. I know this senior class noting her pride in her new a mohawk today?’ “ the light- back for the game. Quinter took control in the has talked about winning state sign that now features the large hearted Nemechek said. Woolf, in his seventh year as second quarter, breaking open a championships, and I feel in letters, DQ. “Then one turned into two, Quinter coach, had exploratory 6-0 game at the end of the first PAGE 36 quarter to lead 22-0 at halftime. game ball or not?’ “ Ruckman wonderful God who created team and town in the face, the and Ruckman is a Baptist Another 22 points in the third pipes in jokingly about his the universe and can take care mountain of a man wasn’t about minister in town. quarter put the game well in the thoughts when the head coach of anything. He’s bigger than to waver in his faith. “There’s not a lot of Bulldogs’ hand. started substituting. anything that’s growing inside “You always say we’re never separation between church and But it wasn’t enough, and “And the kid picks it off in of me. bigger than the game,” Roesch state on our team,” Woolf said. just settling for a victory wasn’t the end zone,” Roesch said, “We are not going to let this said. “It’s real, man,” Ruckman going to satisfy the team. laughing. affect us. Our big theme this year “You’re right,” Woolf said. said. “It’s not a job. It’s life. The group wanted a shutout, “I told you guys, God had his is ‘one.’ “There’s going to be a lot of We’re going to serve the Lord the school’s first since shifting hands in it,” Woolf said. “I love you guys to death. teaching moments this year.” and serve the Lord in our back to the eight-man ranks last The storm arrives You guys are just going to have It will be teaching, mingled coaching and everything we do.” year. Inside the steamy locker room to roll with it. This does not with faith - something that’s Nor would they want there to And they wanted it for their following the win, Roesch and change our goal one bit. What is sometimes frowned upon in be separation. coach. the team presented Woolf with it? Our goal is what? To win a today’s age of separation of Not on their team. But Woolf began substituting the game ball, letting him know state championship. Nothing is church and state. But not in Not in their school. when the game got out of hand, about the goal of the shutout. changing off of that.” Quinter. Not with a community Not in Quinter. allowing other players a chance Woolf grabbed the ball and Praise in the storm so strong in its faith. Especially now that a storm is to improve. It was something he held it in the air, then took a few Each player took turns “Nobody has ever said a bearing down on the community. had done in many games. steps into the coach’s office and grabbing a marker and signing word to us,” Woolf said about With Quinter leading 44-0 returned. the game ball for their coach, keeping religion out of the and 8:16 to play, Palco faced a Outside, the rain started to their leader, who just told them school. “As a matter of fact, I’ve fourth-and-goal from the two- fall. Inside, the players listened he was beginning to face a battle. had more people come up and yard line. to their towering coach talk Their words and thoughts talk to me about things their kids The shutout was in jeopardy, about priorities. inscribed on the ball let him have come home with, instead especially with the Roosters’ And they learned their coach know he wouldn’t be facing it of someone saying, ‘You can’t starters still in the game and was facing a whole new game. alone. say that to my kid.’ I’ve had Quinter’s second string on the “I found out today,” Woolf “Look at this,” Woolf told more people come up and thank field. told his team, “that I have cancer Roesch in the office after all the us for how we talk to the kids Palco quarterback Blake in my belly.” players had left. and what we’re talking to them Gehring dropped back to pass, He told the players he didn’t “God bless,” Roesch said, about. And it’s not just parents; and the ball released off his know exactly where it was, how looking at the ball. it’s grandparents coming up fingers in a near-perfect spiral. bad it was. Tests in Hays a few It was the end to a long week. and talking to me about it and It landed right in the hands of days later would provide more It was the realization that life thanking me for having the Quinter senior Skyler Wittman, answers. was changing. convictions for not going with who returned the interception The rain pitter-pattered “It was brutal,” Woolf said what the world says but doing two yards deep out of the end outside. The tears pitter-pattered about the week. “I’d put it up what’s right. zone to the five-yard line. inside. there as one of tougher ones. “And I always know that if it Later in the game, senior “Last year, we came through The toughest thing for me right came time where someone said Jordon Hargitt broke loose for a lot,” Woolf told his team. “And now is the emotional end of it you can’t do it anymore, then, a long touchdown run, giving we knew we were going to have and having to tell people. That’s whatever. It’s not going to stop. the Bulldogs a 50-0 win thanks to go through some things this what’s tough. It tore me up The kids like it. The thing is, the to the 45-point rule in the eight- year. I didn’t realize it was going when I had to tell my son and kids like hearing the truth - and man ranks. to be this. It’s kind of a kick in my daughter because I have my they don’t want it watered down. “He starts subbing younger the gut to me and my family also. two older ones. When I say these They want their football straight kids in, and Ruck and I are like “My life is going to change guys are my family, they are. up, and we tell them straight up ...” Roesch said, throwing his here for the next 10 to 12 weeks, They’re over at my house all what’s going on. And it’s the hands up in the air, describing and I’m going to be relying on the time. They’re in my youth same way in our youth groups. the sideline scene from the couch you big time,” Woolf continued. group.” And they appreciate that.” in the coaches’ office. “You guys know I have victory Yet, despite what’s staring Woolf and Roesch both are “I’m thinking, ‘You want the in Christ, and my God is a Woolf, the coaching staff, youth leaders at their churches, PAGE 37 SERIES Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Kansas City Star Tony Rizzo

This is an excellent series concept, addressing the theory - environmental impact on behavior. Obviously, a huge amount of interview and analysis time went into the series - but they were resources well spent. SECOND PLACE Topeka Capital-Journal Jan Biles

We know about the recession in general and national towns. This series brings it home to Kansas. How is it here? That’s the important question - excellent concept that includes communities and businesses of all types and sizes. THIRD PLACE Hutchinson News Ken Stephens, Edie Ross, Amy Bickel, and Jason Green Health care reform - a ponderous, complex topic. The writers did a good job of breaking down reform to a more local perspective. I felt the series got better as it progressed. PAGE 38 smart. who’s in charge. By Jeff Myrick We understand the monetary The taxpayers are in charge and EDITORIAL WRITING constraints that caused the move. we need to demand that we have Nondaily Division 1 We were thrilled when we heard The district was facing a possible an SRO in place. Baldwin City Police Cpl. Kim shortfall of $1 million. Budgets Springer had been chosen by the are tight everywhere. The city Douglas County Crime Stoppers is tightening its belt, too. We all FIRST PLACE as its first-ever winner of the are. We all have to. Distinguished Service Award. But do we cut insurance out of Baldwin City Signal Springer is certainly worthy of the budget to save money? Of Jeff Myrick the honor. Her tireless efforts course not. We can’t afford to as the School Resource Officer do that. In essence, that’s one are well documented. One only of the many facets that the SRO Great job explaining vote importance. Answered question on has to think about the lack of provides. if the vote was swayed. headlines on the front page of In this day and age, we can’t the Signal over the last few years skimp on protecting our children. SECOND PLACE about trouble at Baldwin High No, we never have thought the School. Those used to be the Baldwin School District was De Soto Explorer norm instead of the exception. somewhere that the horrific trag- Elvyn Jones But she may be best known for edy of Columbine, where numer- instituting the SRO Hotline in ous students were gunned down the Baldwin School District that by fellow students, could occur. Nice job pointing out importance of Pastor that served gave students and parents an But we didn’t think that could community for 50 years. These types of people need opportunity to call and leave a happen at an Amish school, ei- recognition. voice mail, anonymously or not, ther – but it did. The list of these about possible criminal activities types of tragedies has occurred is THIRD PLACE that are going on. The program unfortunately long. was a huge success, garnering 40 No, that can’t happen here. Or Eudora News calls on average a month and 500 can it? Have we all forgotten between the hours of 10 p.m. and about the student who made 3 a.m., when students felt most online threats against the Maple safe to call. Leaf Festival several years ago, Variety of topics keeps readers coming back to each issue of The Crime Stoppers specifically threatening the use of guns and newspaper. Nice job of pointing out issues that need lauded Springer for the hotline, pipe bombs? We hope not. attention. which they called an extension of That didn’t happen, thanks in their own anonymous efforts, at large part to a student alerting an the Baldwin City Council meet- SRO about the posting on a Web ing Monday when they presented site. The situation was quickly her the award. Again, we were defused. That’s how this works. thrilled. We were also encouraged Mon- But it was tarnished. Unfortu- day night to hear Mayor Ken nately at this point, Springer is Wagner pledge to examine bud- the former SRO. The Baldwin gets and see what could happen School Board eliminated its half to restore the position. We hope of the funding for the position that happens and we hope the recently because of budget cuts school district will think again. necessary to make up for reduced The SRO position here has state funding. unfortunately had a roller coaster We find that sad – and not a bit history in regards to funding and PAGE 39 EDITORIAL WRITING Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Ellsworth County Linda Mowery - Denning

Open, no nonsense attitude on issues of local interest. Issue is clear and points readers should think about are made strongly SECOND PLACE Oberlin Herald Steve Haynes

Strong writing, clear reasoning. Opinion is clear. Local importance. THIRD PLACE Sabetha Herald Amber Deters

Clear, strong opinions followed by strong reasoning. PAGE 40 By Brian Kaberline to listen to people with differing views. EDITORIAL WRITING Kansas City recently notched Listening with the same Nondaily Division 3 an achievement in the national intensity with which we speak health care debate as the our minds will not guarantee site of two sizable forums in consensus or even preclude which information, rather than sharp disagreements. But it can FIRST PLACE acrimony, was the main event. illuminate points of agreement U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and temper opinions with Kansas City Business Journal attracted an estimated 1,500 consideration of others, leading Brian Kaberline to a town hall meeting at the to wiser, more workable policies University of Missouri-Kansas and actions. City. Although there were Let’s hope that the constructive Well-written. Concise. Justified. Everything a good smatterings of boos and catcalls dialogue about health care editorialist should be. Oh, and witty, too. at times, McCaskill helped keep reform that has taken place in things orderly and civil as she Kansas City spreads to other SECOND PLACE explained elements of proposed locations and to other divisive reform legislation and how topics. Osage County Herald-Chronicle the debate might play out in We might be amazed at the Wayne White Washington. difference that healthy debate The following day, the Greater can make. Kansas City Chamber of Of the top three in this category, Wayne was the most in- Commerce drew a crowd maybe depth - particularly in making readers know where his a tenth as large to a half-day conclusions came from. But I never lost interest. Good forum aimed at small business writing here. owners. Experts and panelists offered frank opinions and didn’t THIRD PLACE shy from pointing out how their views differed from those of Olathe News others sharing the stage. Yet Rick Babson panelists and audience members alike listened to and showed respect for others. Great one-liners throughout. Very quick-hitting style that I’m It may seem odd, even sad, to sure draws a regular readership. applaud things such as common courtesy and respect for others. But it is notable at a time when political debate is becoming ever more divisive and coarse and for an issue that touches upon personal security, political and economic philosophy, and a long list of what-ifs. Civil debate is even more valuable when it comes to complex, controversial issues. It’s certainly easier to listen to someone whose views we agree with, but it’s often more valuable PAGE 41 By Susan Lynn That’s what LaHarpe has done and is doing for USD 257. EDITORIAL WRITING LaHarpe is being treated like a LaHarpe’s gift of building lots, Daily Division 1 second-class citizen. with utilities included, was not All of a sudden, it’s not good only a supportive gesture to area enough. students showing confidence in Not good enough to be a their expertise to build market- FIRST PLACE site for the county’s emergency able homes but also was a sav- services — though it sits dead ings to the district of thousands Iola Register center in the county. Not good of dollars in land and labor. Susan Lynn enough to have a school, which Both houses sold, keeping the was more a matter of efficiences building trades program afloat, of scale: It takes less money to adding value to LaHarpe, per- These were great editorials, dealing with issues that are of operate fewer buildings. haps adding students to USD importance to the community. Lynn backs up her opinions So in an effort to make lem- 257’s enrollment. with a great framework of factual information. The hint of onade out of a certainly sour situ- irony catches readers’ attention and holds it. ation, LaHarpe citizens asked for STRAPPED FOR CASH, the the abandoned school building district wants to sell the LaHarpe SECOND PLACE for use as a community center. In building. But buyers have stayed a letter signed by LaHarpe May- away in droves. Ottawa Herald or Lloyd Turner, possible uses The board should think again. Jeanny Sharp for the 30-year-old building were However much the district might detailed, including use as a city get for the building would disap- hall, public library, recreation pear in a single budget year. These were well-written editorials, relating to issues of center, public meeting space and Giving it to LaHarpe would cre- importance to the local community. They take ongoing news space for a museum, arts and ate goodwill that would last and items a step further and include a call to attention. crafts activities and public spaces last. As for bottomline benefits, that could be rented for private helping LaHarpe make itself a THIRD PLACE parties and other functions such better place to live could attract as wedding receptions. These are new residents with school-age Arkansas City Traveler all activities that are either oper- children. A single family could David A. Seaton ated in dilapidated buildings or bring in more additional money have no venue in LaHarpe. to USD 257 than the interest Board members turned up the district could hope to earn These were well-written editorials, dealing with a wide range their noses at LaHarpe’s plea. on whatever the building would of local and national topics, Seaton provides a call to action in One board member reportedly bring in this deflated real estate each of his pieces and puts himself out there with a call to retorted “What has LaHarpe ever market. action in his piece “Grow Up Mr. Mayor.” done for us?” Besides, LaHarpe did dem- For two years, 2007 and 2008, onstrate its community spirit, LaHarpe gave the school district its generosity and its sense of a two neighboring plots of land good investment when it donated free of charge to be used by USD those lots to the IHS building building trade students to build class. Now it’s the district’s turn. houses. The city also, free of charge, hooked up utilities to the two houses. LaHarpe also is part of the district and sends children to USD schools who might oth- erwise be attending elsewhere. PAGE 42 By Patrick Lowry could have been hit with a cen- sure or reprimand. Either would EDITORIAL WRITING Even in England’s House of have been appropriate. Daily Division 2 Commons, where prime What proves incredulous to ministers regularly sound like us is that 167 Republicans and those grumpy old men in the 12 Democrats did not believe balcony on “The Muppet Show,” Wilson’s outburst deserved even FIRST PLACE it is not considered polite to call the milder rebuke he received. A somebody a liar. In fact, it’s con- full 179 elected national leaders Hays Daily News sidered unparliamentary - including Reps. Jerry Moran, Patrick Lowry and results in discipline if Todd Tiahrt and Lynn Jenkins, all not immediately withdrawn. R-Kan. - sent the message with In the U.S. House of Repre- their “nay” vote that it’s appar- Powerful, local editorials that take a clear and strong position sentatives, where heckling and ently OK to yell at the president on issues within the community that likely provoke comments from the peanut gal- when he’s got the floor. community conversation. Nothing wrong with that! lery are not part and parcel of the It should not be OK. Dis- daily proceedings, such a com- agreement is fine; it’s a hallmark SECOND PLACE ment should be considered of our representative democracy. grounds for removal from But so is civility. Garden City Telegram office. This is Congress, after all. This isn’t tennis’ U.S. Open or Dena Sattler The U.S. Congress. Debate is the MTV Awards. We’ve already welcome; uncivil and learned to teach our children not rude behavior is not. Decorum is to follow the examples of profes- Editorial writer takes on a tough or sticky issue, writes a upheld even during moments of sional spoiled brats who star in strong opinion piece and attempts to engage readers to join extreme disagreement. athletics or the music industry. the conversation. So when Rep. Joe Wilson, These are the hallowed halls R-S.C., could not refrain from of the U.S. Capitol. And those THIRD PLACE yelling “You lie!” during who serve in either chamber President Barack Obama’s ad- should likewise act as role Emporia Gazette dress to Congress last week, it models. Rep. Wilson was out of Ashley Kent Walker was only a matter of time before line with his behavior. So were he received his punishment. It the other 178 (yes, Wilson voted came Tuesday in the form of a against the measure) elected offi Good creative style of opinion writing in the “writing is resolution of disapproval from cials who didn’t see a problem. important” piece. Other two editorials also well done. the House. By a vote of 240-179, Trust us, the children of this the House of Representatives country follow said Wilson’s conduct was a by example. That’s no lie. “breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House.” It was the first time in the chamber’s 220- year history a member has been admonished for speaking out while the presi- dent was giving an address. The disapproval certainly was less than Wilson could have received. The rude lawmaker PAGE 43 EDITORIAL WRITING Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Kansas City Star Matt Schofield

Nice job of taking on subjects that will improve the city. Good to see editorials that go toward improving western Kansas as well as metro areas. SECOND PLACE Hutchinson News Mary Rintoul

Nice job of taking on the State Legislature. Pointing out local needs was well done. THIRD PLACE Lawrence Journal-World Ann Gardner

A subject that is a local problem that needs covering - telling both sides of the issue. PAGE 44 LOCAL BUSINESS STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Nicole Kelley

Not the average business story here. Writer gets readers to connect to Amy Thomas’ story and to her giving nature. I was also glad to see Nicole not dwell on the negative but capture the positive. SECOND PLACE De Soto Explorer Elvyn Jones

Lots of detail! Reporter did a great job getting subject to open up about his business. Readers gain perspective on impact of a down economy. Very interesting to read. THIRD PLACE Basehor Sentinel Kaitlyn Syring

Story captured impact of this venture for the community. Also captured the adrenaline of an important first day. PAGE 45 By JoAnn Shum “Quite a few are destroyed or to 10 years and would be a really dismantled immediately,” Smith nice vehicle for the age of the LOCAL BUSINESS STORY Smitty’s Salvage is under said. “To meet the government’s vehicles,” said Nate Engelken of Nondaily Division 2 the hood, rather than under the requirements, they can no longer Smitty’s. “There are some cars in proverbial gun, to get the Cash be a vehicle.” the clunker group with relatively for Clunkers cars parted out, The influx of 100 extra low miles.” dismantled and disposed of. vehicles coming through the “Iron is selling for $100 a FIRST PLACE Smitty’s Salvage, Axtell, is program adds to the 60 that ton right now,” Smith said. “The a participant in the Cash for normally come in every month at market is under pressure to go Marysville Advocate Clunkers program as a recycling Smitty’s. down slightly. Highest price JoAnn Shum yard for the traded-in vehicles. “There are still a few in recent years was $150, and Smitty’s was the only authorized stragglers coming in from some I don’t believe we’ll see that buyer of Cash for Clunker dealers,” Smith said. “It’s been a again. The lowest price was last A nice angle - we saw lots of stories about the auto dealers, vehicles in this part of Kansas. real challenge for the car dealers, year when it hit $30. A couple of but this is the first I’ve seen that looked at the other end of the Smitty’s purchased about 100 who made a lot of effort to make years ago, we were taking it in process! Good localized story on a national issue. vehicles through the program. a little bit of money. I can’t for free.” Vehicles came from Honeyman imagine how many hundreds of “We get in about 1,000 ton SECOND PLACE Ford, Seneca; Nordhus Motors, hours the dealers spent to get a month and that includes cars, Marysville; Melton Motors, through the paperwork. They scrap iron and farm machinery,” Atchison Globe Belleville; and dealerships from earned every nickel they made. Smith said. “There are usually 60 Patty Moore Manhattan. “I am very pleased that we to 70 cars that come in during a “Some are in great shape, and had a chance to get all these month.” others weren’t,” said Rick Smith late-model cars. Now there is a The clunkers program has Nice job covering how a proposed tax will alter local of Smitty’s Salvage. huge amount of late-model parts been good for Smitty’s and for businesses - before it is implemented. The first vehicles began available. Boy, that was fantastic. the people who buy parts, Smith coming in about a month ago, We have access to lots of late said. THIRD PLACE trickling in at first, and then all model parts.” “It’s good for the automakers, of a sudden, dealerships started Smith said the value of some but really tough on the auto Washington County News bringing them in at a fast pace. A vehicles that were traded was dealers,” he said. “For the public Cynthia Scheer towing service was hired to bring clearly more than what the owner who took advantage of it, it in most of the vehicles, and some got in the Cash for Clunkers was a wonderful deal. From the were brought in by dealers. program. The program allowed taxpayers’ point of view, I don’t A lovely, entertaining story about a unique business - and an One stipulation of the clunkers $3,500 to $4,500, depending on know.” even more entertaining “business man” - thoroughly enjoyed program is that vehicles have gas mileage. this! only a limited lifespan at But, he said, most of the recycling yards. The vehicle vehicles “needed to go.” must be destroyed in some “In the hundred cars we got, fashion or another. It cannot exist there were a dozen cars that as a complete vehicle after 120 it was a shame that they were days, Smith said. destroyed,” he said. “Each of the clunkers has The program is good for to be shredded within a certain salvage yards because they get time span of entering the yard some good salvage vehicles, and then sold for scrap metal,” Smith said. So much so that he said. some of the clunkers obviously The vehicles have to be met acidic ends well before their disposed of or dismantled within time, he said. 120 days of when they were “Some of the vehicles could bought. have been driven for the next five PAGE 46 By Brian McCauley retention bonus to do so, but now end of July, but she already has many have joined the millions begun her new job as a loan LOCAL BUSINESS STORY When Chrisanne Badders of Americans who currently are processor at Citizen’s State Bank. Nondaily Division 3 drives past the parking lot near unemployed. “I knew I was going to stay in the intersection of Pearl and Badders knows all about Paola,” Bryant said, although she Piankishaw streets, she can’t help the struggles. Her husband was admitted she was lucky to find but think back on the more than also laid off from his job earlier a job so quickly and added that FIRST PLACE nine years she spent working as a this year. But she still considers most of her former coworkers are data input clerk for TeamBank. herself lucky. She recently got a still looking for work. Miami County Republic It was her first full-time job, job as a receptionist at Lakemary At least three longtime Brian McCauley and she quickly made friends Center, allowing her to continue TeamBank employees already with her coworkers. to work in Paola. have found other banking Many of the employees Rhonda Cordle wasn’t so positions in Paola thanks to First The personal stories of former employees give this story a would park in that lot, behind lucky. Option Bank, which announced haunting quality. The subject - along with interviews - TeamBank’s former financial After working as an earlier this year that it had captures the turbulent and uncertain spirit of local business headquarters. accounting clerk for TeamBank absorbed the trust services from in 2009. “We used to have to fight for for 12 years, Cordle also was the former TeamBank. Former a parking spot,” Badders said. told her position was being TeamBank trust officers Carolyn SECOND PLACE Now, most of the lot is empty eliminated. It was a big hit, Jacobs, Kathy Lovig and Betty during working days. It’s an especially since her retirement Hewitt have moved to First Kansas City Business Journal everyday reminder to the Paola package of TeamBank stock Option. Rob Roberts community of how the country’s disappeared when the bank But some former TeamBank economic struggles have hit went under. Paola-based employees, like Cordle, are home in Miami County. Team Financial Inc., the expanding their job search into This story is a great blend of human interest and local The Office of the Comptroller holding company for the failed other fields. business. It’s interesting and informative - the scope of this of the Currency closed TeamBank institution, also filed “I’m a little discouraged with family’s success is handled objectively while keeping it TeamBank in late March and for bankruptcy earlier this year. the banking industry right now,” readable. appointed the Federal Deposit The retirement package was Cordle said. Insurance Corp. as receiver. one of the main reasons Cordle THIRD PLACE The FDIC then entered into took the job to begin with, a purchase and assumption because her husband is self Wichita Business Journal agreement with Great Southern employed. Now she’s struggling Chris Moon Bank, based in Springfield, Mo., to find work, and she’s worried to assume all the deposits of that there won’t be near enough TeamBank. jobs in a town the size of Paola Excellent overview of economic situation and retailers’ During the transition, several to accommodate all the former plights. Easy to follow, makes good use of relevant TeamBank employees were TeamBank employees. information told their positions were being “I’m afraid about the eliminated. Great Southern economy of Paola,” Cordle said. spokesperson Kelly Polonus The job field may push some confirmed Monday that the total of the unemployed residents number who lost their jobs from to look for work in other the Paola headquarters was 67. communities, but for Tracy Polonus said the number has Bryant, there was never any evolved as some associates have question — she was going to stay taken other opportunities within in Paola. Great Southern. Most stayed After working as a data input until the end of July because clerk at TeamBank for 11 years, Great Southern offered them a Bryant said her goodbyes at the PAGE 47 By Bob Johnson B&W workers were prepping years ago building custom truck and painting the exterior of beds. LOCAL BUSINESS STORY Joe Works figures its better to keep Poplar Grove Church, the last ìThat is a our flagship product, Daily Division 1 his employees at B&W Trailer of Humboldtís churches to be so high-quality truck beds, and we Hitches working, even when touched. still produce a few, but most sales business is slow. An ongoing project is construction are of hitches,î Works said. When sales dipped a year ago of a third ball field in the George Works, who admits to eschewing FIRST PLACE when forecasts of recession Sweatt complex at the southeast publicity, shrugs off praise for became stark reality, Works looked edge of Humboldt. Work on two diverting company resources to Iola Register to the community to find tasks for existing fields preceded that. community projects at a time when his employees to perform. A feature of the new field work is a many owners are furloughing Bob Johnson ìIt was too late for a big push for fund-raising project. employees. some new product,î Works said ìThere was quite a bit of timber Dan Julich, one of B&Wís first Friday morning, not long before that had to be removed and instead hires, observed: ìIt was much A great story on how a business puts workers on a project to he was interviewed by Kevin of just dozing the trees and hauling better to keep people than risk improve the community. Project attracted national attention. Tibbles for NBCís Nightly News. them off, we decided to cut them losing themî and, when sales pick ìWe remodeled the plant office and up for firewood,î Works said. up, have to train new employees. SECOND PLACE during a staff meeting someone ìThatís what the wood lot outside ìJoe has done the best he can mentioned that (storm sewer) the plant is. The wood is being to keep us working, and we High Plains Daily Leader grates downtown were in pretty sold, with money going to the ball appreciate it.î Jessica Crawford bad shape. We found some scrap program.î Julich said he and others also around the plant, made new ones The most expansive part of B&W enjoyed a ìbreakî from production and installed them.î community assistance is its line work by going into the Unusual business that has brought to community attention That led to discussions about other Employee Appreciation Program. community to help friends and because of the story. Great human interest story. ìrandom acts of kindness that we ìAll of our employees were asked neighbors. could do,î Works said. to submit projects at their homes,î Poplar Grove, one of the oldest THIRD PLACE The first visible effort was Works said. ìThree employees congregations in town, doesnít installation of bleachers at the join the owner and together they have resources or members Arkansas City Traveler Allen County Fairgrounds in spend a full day doing whatever is enough to do repairs and cosmetic Riverside Park. Workers then put needed. They put on siding, build touchups that Julich and three Sydney L. Bland a new roof on the shelter house in fences, clear brush, trim trees others, Bill Chapman Jr., Charlie Humboldtís Camp Hunter Park, and even do inside work, such as Heiman and Chris Jones, toiled at refurbished tennis courts and Sheetrock.î Friday. The story gave the community a review of the area business constructed horseshoe-pitching Through this week ó two projects ìIím glad to be able to help them and their growth. Keeps industry in all of the readers’ minds. pits. were done Friday ó 68 employeesí out,î Julich said. All the while, Works avoided homes have been tweaked. In some cases, community projects layoffs with work-share, which B&W has 180 employees. have involved repairs long needed. had many employees on duty When the roof of a shelter house three days a week and their wages THE COMMUNITY projects was replaced at Camp Hunter Park, supplemented by unemployment prompted NBC News to send a Julich said the names of Works compensation. Work-share started crew of three to film workers in the Progress Administration workers in November and ran through plant and at Poplar Grove Church, were found inscribed on a piece of January. the ball park and employeesí sheeting underneath shingles. Orders have picked up recently. homes. The segment is scheduled ìWe put our names on a new sheet ìSpring is our busiest time,î Works for Monday nightís 5:30 news of plywood, and called ourselves said, ìbut itís hard to predict very show, said Laura McCabe, a the Slow-Time Division,î he said. far ahead.î producer from Kansas City, who With several community projects cautioned the story may get done, Matt Aikins, production bumped to another night. supervisor, suggested work on B&W mainly manufactures trailer the townís churches. Friday four hitches, although it got its start 15 PAGE 48 By Mike Corn working. to be replaced by the entities, The inmates get a regular should they decide to continue LOCAL BUSINESS STORY When the minimum security wage, Wilkens said. The money what inmates have been doing. Daily Division 2 prison here is mothballed on goes toward transportation to To be sure, Stockton isn’t the April 1, communities and and from work, room and board, only prison with work crews. businesses in northwest Kansas the state’s victim’s fund and Norton, for example, also won’t see it as a laughing matter. individual savings accounts. has work crews. In fact, they do FIRST PLACE Instead, it very well could be The largest share of the earnings more work. a costly matter for them, perhaps are set aside to pay court costs, In fiscal year 2008, Norton Hays Daily News topping the $1 million mark. And alimony and child support if inmates performed 61,275 Mike Corn that’s if they even try to replace those responsibilities exist. hours of work, worth $354,322. the benefit that has fallen to “We give them raises,” From July 1 through the end them, thanks to a series of prison Wilkens said, “the good ones.” of December, Norton prisoners Excellent in-depth piece analyzing impact on local labor work crews that fan out nearly While Wilkens uses the performed 25,833 of work, worth market with the closing of a nearby prison. every day of the year. prison labor to fill holes in his $165,911. Those crews perform a workforce, communities and In that 18-month period, SECOND PLACE multitude of tasks for cities, nonprofit groups take advantage inmates worked more than counties, non-profits and even of the prison labor to do a 115,000 hours. That work was Newton Kansan state and federal agencies that laundry list of tasks. valued at just shy of $1 million. Cristina Janney simply couldn’t - or wouldn’t - The Kansas Department of Statewide, inmates from afford to hire the manpower to Transportation, for example, Stockton, Norton and other accomplish what the prisoners do uses prison labor to trim grass facilities have put in about a Good, enterprising piece with particular emphasis on for a pittance. around signs on state highways, million hours of work community importance and relevance. In addition, local businesses including Interstate 70. All of the Stockton work - specifically A-1 Plank in Hays County fairs, including those crews will be disbanded once THIRD PLACE and Wilkens Manufacturing in Ellis and Rooks counties, the minimum security facility south of Stockton - use prisoners get free labor to spruce up is mothballed. The number of Dodge City Daily Globe to fill otherwise unfilled fairgrounds. The Phillipsburg Norton’s work crews will be Claire O’Brien positions. Rodeo, in fact, virtually relies sharply reduced, if they remain In return for jobs, prisoners on labor from the prison to get at all. pay their room and board and everything ready. “We are not doing away Great local business story tied to “National Doughnut Day” create savings accounts for The list is lengthy, and with them completely,” said but also taking a closer look at the baking process, the bakers when they return to life outside includes a who’s who of Department of Corrections and the customers. the prison. They also contribute northwest Kansas communities. spokesman Bill Miskell, “but to the state’s victim’s fund, Inmates from Stockton, for they are going to be scaled even if the working inmate was example, in fiscal year 2008, back.” convicted of what would be performed 48,606 man hours Part of the logic is that a considered a victimless crime. of work. That would be worth single guard must be paid to “It’s bad news,” said Art $280,384 at minimum-wage oversee a seven-man work crew. Wilkens, owner and manager of levels prevailing at the time. Inside the prison, that same Wilkens Manufacturing. From July 1 through the end guard could watch over a much Wilkens has six inmates from of December, Stockton inmates larger number. the Stockton prison, and for performed 19,644 hours of work, Work crews from Toronto and the most part he said he’s been worth $125,889. Osawatomie, also being closed, happy with their performance. Closing the Stockton will be lost as well. A-1 Plank has 12 inmates facility is expected to save the Prison labor isn’t totally free, working at its Hays facility. Department of Corrections $1.65 but it’s close. Inmates taking part Before it closed, Schult Homes million annually. in the work crews get paid, but in Plainville had nine prisoners That’s labor that would have that pay scale only ranges from PAGE 49 65 cents up to $1.05 a day. “That will throw us in a For Craig Mowry, manager bind if they should shut down,” of the Kirwin National Wildlife Wilkens said the workers who Refuge northeast of Stockton, the come from the prison. value of the work crew he gets And that leads to frustration is high. with state government. Each year, he reports to Money is being waste on supervisors in Denver on the unneeded highway projects, contributions the crew gives. Wilkens said, pointing to While the crew’s labors work north of Hays and in the might only be worth $75,000 Marysville area. at minimum wage, if they “They just need to get rid of were federal employees the some money and they got rid of wages would be double that at it,” he said. “Anybody would $180,000. go broke operating the way they “That doesn’t include the do.” crew boss,” Mowry said. While Denver has been supportive of the refuge and is even allowing a fourth staff member there, Mowry won’t be asking for supplemental funding. “They do a lot of work for us,” Mowry said of the work crews. Work includes fixing things around the lake, cleaning restrooms, mowing and picking up trash. But they also help pour concrete for boat ramps. “Just a number of things,” he said. “We always keep them busy.” Mowry said he’s had a crew from the Stockton facility ever since it first opened. “It will impact the Kirwin refuge pretty hard,” he said, “very negatively.” The same is true over at Webster Reservoir, where another crew regularly helps with mowing, concrete work and keeping the park virtually spotless. At Wilkens, it’s uncertain how those positions will be filled. PAGE 50 By Molly McMillin increased competition, particu- weather it, she said. larly from business jet manufac- “It’s an industry with great LOCAL BUSINESS STORY Nobody saw this coming. turer Embraer in Brazil. bones,” Blakey said. “We are in a Daily Division 3 Thousands of jobs lost. Pro- “They’re going to continue strong position.” duction cuts. Furloughs. The can- to be a real thorn in our side,” Reassessing cellation of a major new aircraft Pelton said. As the market changes, com- program. Before the fall panies are taking time to assess FIRST PLACE The global financial crisis hit This past year couldn’t have their business. the business jet market hard and been more different from the “The market has given us a Wichita Eagle fast and put Wichita’s lifeblood previous one. respite here,” Boisture said. Molly McMillin industry in an agonizing free fall. Before the downturn, Wichita Hawker Beechcraft is working A year later, there is evidence planemakers were in their third to improve its business so it will that the global economy is in the year of record deliveries. be ready to compete when the Excellent business analysis of the market for the product, the early stages of recovery. But for Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft market improves, he said. regional labor market and an educational and calculated business aviation and Wichita and Bombardier Learjet were Ultimately, the company’s projection of the future of the jet industry. planemakers, the climb back will boosting production and hiring as footprint likely will be smaller. be long and slow. order books bulged. It’s assessing outsourcing SECOND PLACE “We’re going to win, but it’s Cessna was about to break “non-core tasks,” Boisture said. going to be a long fight,” said ground on a new production Where it’s practical, it’s seeking Lawrence Journal-World Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill plant for its largest business jet, “lower labor-cost markets,” he Chad Lawhorn Boisture. the Citation Columbus. The Co- added. Deliveries are expected to lumbus program has since been At the same time, it’s consid- drop further next year from al- canceled. ering closing and consolidat- Wonderful first person draw into a quirky business, the man ready depressed 2009 levels. An Cessna had planned deliveries ing facilities to cut overhead. no one likes, and what he encounters. An overall business upturn in deliveries is expected of 535 jets this year. That’s been Specifically, it likely will close angle as well. in 2011 or 2012. cut nearly in half. its Salina plant and move work to But it may be several years Any downturn, economists Wichita. THIRD PLACE before demand for business jets once thought, would be cush- “We are intending to do more returns to record highs. ioned by a strong international work with fewer people,” Bois- Hutchinson News “We’re in the bottom . . . of market and big backlogs. A year ture said. “Our early assessments John Green a long cycle,” Cessna Aircraft ago, the U.S. stock market was of our processes tell me we can chairman, president and CEO piling on losses and the financial get a lot leaner than we are.” Jack Pelton said in an interview crisis spread around the world. Bombardier Learjet is con- Good, incisive and in-depth business story. ahead of this year’s National The industry has never before centrating on efficient opera- Business Aviation Association faced a downturn this severe, tions, customer satisfaction and show. The show opens Tuesday said Teal Group analyst Richard its product lineup, Bombardier in Orlando, Fla. Aboulafia. Learjet vice president and gen- As demand for jets eventually Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft eral manager David Coleal said. increases - and it will, aviation and Bombardier Learjet have It also is developing a new busi- experts say - Wichita jobs will shed almost 13,000 jobs in the ness jet, the Learjet 85. return. past year. That doesn’t include That, and an eventual im- But whether aviation employ- lost jobs from local suppliers and provement in the market, will ment returns to previous levels is others who support the industry. create a need for more jobs at uncertain. Some say it’s unlikely. The industry has taken a tough some point, Coleal said. Wichita business jetmakers are blow, Aerospace Industries At Cessna, Pelton said there’s under pressure to lower costs as Association president and CEO no fundamental changes in the they deal with the new reality of Marion Blakey said during a works. lower demand. visit to Wichita this week. But “We have a lot of capacity that They’re also grappling with the fundamentals are in place to is still underutilized,” he said. PAGE 51 The downturn forced Cessna momentum.” competition for business jets to Mexico as a lower-cost area to A Cessna-owned facility in to close its Bend, Ore., plant Teal Group’s Aboulafia said will have intensified for Wichita place work. Chihuahua builds the compos- and move work on its Corvalis he expects recovery to begin in planemakers. “The pressures to do that are ite fuselage for the company’s models to Independence and to 2012. Gulfstream, for example, going to increase,” von Rumohr Corvalis aircraft. It also does Chihuahua, Mexico. Cessna isn’t projecting when is developing the new super- said. some sheet metal work and wire In all, Cessna is consolidating 2008 levels might return, Pelton midsize G250. The first plane About 190 aviation companies harness assembly work. 10 facilities with about 540,000 said. rolled out of the factory earlier do business in Mexico and em- Labor officials are concerned square feet of space to meet “It’s fair to say it’s going to be this month. ploy about 27,000 people. about the work being shipped to lower production needs, its par- a ways down the road,” he said. An even larger threat is Em- For the first time last year, other countries. ent company, Textron, said last “We’re not planning for it in the braer, which is developing three Mexico was the fastest-growing Machinists union District 70 month. next five years.” business jets to add to the three aerospace supplier in the world, president Steve Rooney said Cessna must improve its Order cancellations have jets it already has in the market. outpacing China by a wide mar- Mexico is a threat to U.S. jobs. margins and increase profitabil- slowed to more manageable lev- “(Embraer is) gunning for the gin, Aboulafia said. He said the government must ity, officials said. It’s striving to els but haven’t stopped entirely, Wichita part of the business,” “Mexico represents a compel- rethink the North American Free lower the cost of fabrications, Pelton said. Cessna is taking Aboulafia said. “They’re going ling value proposition for a lot of Trade Agreement. production and engineering and new orders but not at the rate of for the lower end of the business companies that want to out- “It’s a race to the bottom,” he to improve productivity, they previous years. jet market, and that’s where the source, whether that’s partnering said. said. “The good news is we’re start- Wichita companies play.” or building (their own) facto- Still, Rooney is optimis- Pelton said it’s difficult to tell ing to see the economy starting The company builds good ries,” Aboulafia said. tic about the future of jobs in what will happen with jobs in the to recover,” he said. products and is aggressive on Hawker Beechcraft employs Wichita. The key will be train- future. Worldwide, planemakers price, he said. about 280 people there, up from ing, he said. “It’s all based on when de- delivered 1,315 business jets in “If you look at each Embraer 180 a year ago. Because of the age of the cur- mand comes back and what kind 2008. It may take six to eight product, they’re going after the Hawker Beechcraft is evaluat- rent work force, many workers of production rates you might years for those levels to return, Cessna or Hawker or Learjet ing what work its Mexico facility will retire over the next five to see,” he said. Aboulafia said. product for a couple of hundred will perform in the future, Bois- eight years, Rooney said. While not all the city’s Regardless, the long-term thousand dollars less,” Aboulafia ture said. “As long as we have people aviation jobs came back after fundamental global need for said. The hourly labor costs there trained, most of those jobs will the downturn following Sept. travel using corporat e aircraft The advantage for a company are attractive. They total about come back,” he said. “I believe 11, 2001, Cessna’s employment will be there when the economy like Cessna, however, is cus- $4 an hour, including wages and people want planes built by before this downturn exceeded recovers, experts say. Emerging tomer loyalty and superb service, benefits, sources say. The Mexi- highly skilled people right here.” its previous levels. international markets also will he said. can government also encourages Wichita’s aviation industry A ‘nasty cycle’ evolve and stimulate demand. Because Embraer has built U.S. companies to place work might look a little different in the Business jet demand depends “Time is important, and safety airliners for so long, it brings there. coming years. on an economic recovery, the re- and security and the ability to do an eye toward ruggedness and The decision to move work, “I think there’s a synergy here turn of corporat e profits and how business are important,” Boisture reliability to the market, Hawker however, isn’t as simple as that no other region has,” Bom- quickly customers feel confident said. Beechcraft’s Boisture said. wage rates. There are a number bardier Learjet’s Coleal said. about buying. Wichita planemakers are still “I’m very concerned about of issues and risks to consider, “That’s hard to replicate.” While the numbers are im- developing new products to be them,” he said. “They’re a good including quality and political Other parts of the world proving, the quantity of used ready to compete when the mar- engineering company.” uncertainties, experts say. are trying to be the next Air jets on the market remains high, ket improves. “They have a product develop- “The long-term economic sta- Capital with its concentration of prices remain down and usage One must take a long-term ment plan that is, in my view, bility of the country is something manufacturers and great work continues to be lower. The lack view, Coleal said. well-developed to enter the mar- to worry about,” said Malcolm force, Coleal said. Wichita must of financing available for aircraft “New products will improve ket where we and Cessna have Harris, a finance professor at understand the competition and purchases also is still a problem. safety, reliability and be more been for many, many years,” he Friends University and former be prepared. “It’s a pretty nasty cycle,” said sensitive to the environment,” said. chief economist for the U.S. “As long as we’re aware and Cowen and Co. managing direc- he said. “All these things will be Eyes turn to Mexico Postal Service. able to execute . . . I think we tor and senior research analyst good for aviation.” As they look to lower costs, Pelton said Cessna has no have a strong future,” Coleal Cai von Rumohr. “The comeback New competition Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and plans to expand beyond what it’s said. usually takes a while to generate When the market returns, the Bombardier Learjet have turned currently doing in Mexico. PAGE 52 GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE De Soto Explorer Elvyn J. Jones

Great subject and excellent writing. Good job explaining the background and comparing the towns. SECOND PLACE Eudora News David Oakes

Good job. I like how you made the effort to find out what exactly happened - but it would be nice to know what the policy was and how it was violated. THIRD PLACE Oxford Register Janice Kneisley

Good intro paragraph, lots of good information. It was missing some good quotes - would have added a lot to the story. PAGE 53 GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL STORY Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Ellsworth County Linda Denning

Mowery-Denning outlined, in excellent detail, what Wilson Lake means to the economy of communities in the area. It’s detailed and the state plus federal laws apply to Lake usage. The author sorts through the details to give the public a better understanding. SECOND PLACE Washington County News Tom Parker

Parker outlines how a rumor on the internet led to a shortage scare of an antiviral used to treat the flu. THIRD PLACE Atchison Globe Patty Moore

Moore deftly explains to readers how the city finance director was forced out of office by the commissioners after less than six months in office. PAGE 54 GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL STORY Nondaily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Shawnee Dispatch Caroline Boyer

Good article! Nice to hear both sides! SECOND PLACE Fort Leavenworth Lamp Tisha Johnson

Kept my attention! Good article THIRD PLACE Wichita Business Journal Chris Moon

Good article, but left me wanting to know more! PAGE 55 of the house from “unsafe or now he’s returned to Ark City to dangerous” to acceptable under live and he is planning to start GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL STORY city code. the business back up. Daily Division 1 It’s one of a half dozen NELSON AWARD recent house renovations that Rowland drove west to 600 By Foss Farrar Rowland pointed out Tuesday. N. First St. to show another One possible reason for the renovated house that had a FIRST PLACE One house renovator calls improvement boom is the city’s “Nelson Award” sign in its front them “diamonds in the rough.” Neighborhood Revitalization yard. The award honors property Arkansas City Traveler They are Arkansas City’s Program, offered for several owners for neighborhood Foss Farrar forgotten old houses — once years. beautification. beautiful and sturdy — but Rowland is promoting the Pablo Fuentes, a city-licensed left vacant and without needed incentive to property owners. construction contractor, did the This was a terrific government story disguised as a great read. maintenance years ago. Within the last year, the city work, Rowland said. He has In other words, it was interesting and fun to read. Well done. Many of these structures date increased the tax rebate from 75 lived in Ark City the past nine back to the early 1900s or even to 90 percent. That means that years and has renovated several SECOND PLACE back further, to the late 1800s. you get most of the tax increase houses. Now some of them are back if you renovate your home. “I’d like to say it was my Iola Register coming alive again, thanks to “In the last couple of years doing,” Rowland said. “But Richard Luken people like Ernie Snow, a retired I think we’ve seen a lot of it’s the people who fix up these construction worker, and his son, improvements on the way people houses and neighborhoods Jeff. They have saved what had are taking care of their yards and and make our way of life a lot Nice job spotlighting an issue of importance to taxpayers. been a dilapidated house at 521 houses,” Rowland said. better.” N. C St. from the wrecker’s ball Jeff Snow took a break from He showed another house THIRD PLACE by diligent work over the past working on the house on North Fuentes had rebuilt from the three months. C to comment on the work he foundation up, at 625 N. Fourth Junction City Daily Union Ark City’s building, planning and his father have done. When St. A painter, Vicente Hernandez, Eric Brown and codes director Matt Rowland they first purchased it, weeds and was at work on the outside upper pointed to it on a tour of fixed-up vines hid it from sight. story. houses in various neighborhoods They built a new front porch “The house that was there Thoughtful objective look at a controversial issue. throughout town on Tuesday. It’s to replace one that had rotted before was unsalvageable,” a good n example of what’s been away and also renovated a back Rowland said. happening more often here, he porch that was falling apart, he Reached by phone, said. said. Fuentes said he has worked in Snow purchased the house Inside, they took out a construction the past 20 years at a tax sale and then came to dilapidated bathroom at the and started his own company Rowland’s office and asked for rear of the house and extended after moving to Ark City. a permit to renovate it, Rowland the structure to the north for a “I like to do this work and to said. kitchen. They also renovated a help make the town look better,” “I had taken it to the closet for a washer and dryer and he said. City Commission to get it made room for a breakfast area. GINGERBREAD HOUSE condemned,” Rowland said. “But “He’s planning to sell it,” Rowland showed another since he came in, they have made Snow said of his father’s plans house at 403 S. C St. that he quite a bit of progress.” for the house. “A couple of refers to as the “gingerbread Their work proved so people are interested.” house.” The renovation work fruitful that, on Rowland’s Years ago, Ernie and Jeff was done by Keeli Montgomery, recommendation, city Snow had a local construction owner, and her mother, Arnetta commissioners at a recent company, but since then Ernie Curless. They bought the three- meeting changed the status retired and Jeff moved away. But bedroom house as an investment. PAGE 56 Montgomery said she roof, installed gutters on the acquired the house after it had eaves, replaced windows and been repossessed by a bank. “It renovated the front and side wasn’t livable when we first porch. They still have more bought it. It was an eyesore of scraping and painting to do. the neighborhood but we thought The house dates back to 1876 it had potential.” and the couple is applying to put She and her mother did it on the National Register of a major overhaul including Historic Places. installing new wiring and a new It is the second house they gas line. have renovated, she said. The “There was no electricity first was in Oklahoma, where her when we bought it,” she said. husband is from. “This one is a “It still had the gas lines for gas lot harder and bigger.” lighting.” Shultz said she believes the Those were corroded and had older houses are better quality to be done away with, she added. than the new ones. “If people Montgomery and Curless would put a little money in it the worked day and night for nearly older ones are built better.” a year to renovate it, she said. They started in May 2008 and finished in February 2009. They will show it at an open house from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, she said. Rowland showed a few other houses including a small one on South Seventh Street purchased by Mateo Martinez. “This is an example of something you can do on a limited income and a little paint,” Rowland said. Martinez fixed up that house, which was headed for condemnation, and another dilapidated house next door, Rowland said. Another house being renovated on North A Street was not on Rowland’s tour Tuesday, but he noted that the owners have done good work on it. Loren and Randi Shultz, owners of a three-story wood frame house at 411 N. A have been working on it for two years. They live in the house, Randi Shultz said. She said they replaced the PAGE 57 GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL STORY Daily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Newton Kansan Christina Janney

Budget cuts were a big topic in this category, but the Newton Kansan was the only paper that effectively put a face on the consequences. Profiling how one state client would be affected made the story real. SECOND PLACE Dodge City Daily Globe Eric Swanson

Good job showing how forced unpaid leave will make like difficult for low-paid court staff. THIRD PLACE Great Bend Tribune Susan Thacker

Detail strong on this issue based report. PAGE 58 “It slows people down and Wichita spent $1,822 per mile there are a lot of kids around. It that year. GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL STORY acts like a speed bump,” she said. ‘Going backwards’ Daily Division 3 By Brent D. Wistrom She also would rather see Moved by some compelling her tax dollars improve the figures that show how quickly Along one of the nicest paved park she lives next to. Her view streets go from bad to worse, trails in Wichita is a crumbling exemplifies part of the dilemma the council voted last year to FIRST PLACE street called North Oak Park council members face when they add another $2.5 million to the Drive. It slices through a heavily prioritize spending - fix roads or street maintenance fund - short Wichita Eagle used disc golf course near the fund other projects that are often of the $4.1 million public works Brent D. Wistrom Little Arkansas River in North sexier and call for ribbon-cutting officials said they needed just to Riverside Park. ceremonies. hold conditions steady. But it floods frequently. It would take another $10 There is just not a community that does not complain about Standing water seeps into the It’s those battles of priority million a year over the next it’s streets, but Wichita’s must be the worst in Kansas. Story pavement and erodes it on a and rising repair costs that have decade to fix the city’s most detailed sorry state of streets and told readers how to take microscopic scale that has grown led streets to a critical point that critical streets, according to a action. into deep cracks and softball- affect almost everyone in some public works report. sized chunks of broken-out way. But even the additional $2.5 SECOND PLACE asphalt. Rough roads eat away tires, million is on hold as the city North Oak Park Drive is jostle alignment and jiggle wires examines how it can withstand Hutchinson News among the worst paved roads in and bolts loose under the hood, grim budget projections. Mary Clarkin Wichita, which has more than sometimes forcing vehicles into Wichita’s overall road 500 miles of street in “critical” the shop earlier than expected, conditions will decline this year condition and, like many cities, auto repair experts say. And - with or without the approved Good reporters, “put a face” on the story, but this report isn’t spending enough to keep up when cracks grow and potholes cash. traced government earmarks to the face of office holders who with the deterioration. proliferate, the city is forced to “We’re already going secured them, even though they voted against them. Dozens of other streets are reconstruct the roads instead of backwards,” said Tony DeCicco, in similar shape - drivable, repaving them, costing tens of the city’s maintenance engineer. THIRD PLACE but bumpy. They are steadily thousands more per block. “To be realistic, we’re never worsening, forcing the city to People notice. going to have enough money to Lawrence Journal-World spend more to fix them. Miles of About 1,000 residents just fix all the streets.” Scott Rothschild newly annexed roads put more responding to a city survey in For years, the city has focused strain on an inadequate budget. 2006 gave the city a 32 out of on its most traveled roads, he It will be up to City Council 100 on “street repair,” the lowest said, and residential streets Sourcing for this story have to be a challenge, but report members - including whoever marks for any transportation have fallen far behind. Most of offered personal interviews to illustrate the problem and need wins three contested races this issue. They ranked street the money is spent on keeping for solutions. spring - to decide how to address maintenance highest when asked streets safe - not on preventive the problem. (See the District 1 what more city money should be maintenance that engineers and and 6 candidates’ ideas on Page spent on. some council candidates would 8A.) Wichita already trails cities prefer. Courtney Darrah, a 28-year- such as Tulsa and Colorado Rating the roads old who lives at the corner of Springs in maintenance The city tracks road quality North Oak Park Drive and North spending. with a pavement condition index Forest Avenue, would like to see On average, cities with (PCI) that runs from 1, a dirt the roads fixed. She, her husband more than 100,000 people road, to 100, a road in perfect and two kids ride their bicycles spent $2,759 per paved lane condition. The rating includes on the sidewalk instead of on the mile in 2006, according to cracks, potholes and overall street. But she sees benefits in a the International City/County bumpiness. bumpy road. Management Association. The city’s overall PCI has PAGE 59 fallen from 73 in 2003 to 70 this The contract cash is split “It’s really as much about pitch in on roads. year, an Eagle analysis shows. evenly among the six City economic development as “If they’d fix it up like That might sound high or low Council districts. anything,” Tulsa Metro Chamber they did at 13th Street (and depending on where you drive. The problems are not. President and chief executive Broadway), that’d be great,” he Many of the best roads are District 2 in northeast Wichita Mike Neal told the Tulsa World said. either tucked away in new is often seen as one of the newspaper after the vote. “It’s How to get your road fixed subdivisions or are heavily most prospero us, but it also going to be so nice not to have The city strives to fill potholes traveled arterials. Many of has the most miles and highest to figure out which two or three within about 24 hours, and it the worst roads are in densely percentage of road with PCIs of streets we can drive prospects on routinely seals cracks in roads. packed neighborhoods in the less than 60. District 1 in central when they come to town.” Much of it is complaint- city’s aging core. northeast Wichita and District 6 Topeka, prompted by its driven. Even if the city doesn’t About 100 miles of dirt in north-central Wichita follow. chamber of commerce, will fix your road immediately, it streets are spread across the city, The worst of the worst - dirt vote in April on whether to start records complaints and considers including a stretch of Wichita roads and those with PCIs under a half-cent sales tax to fund them when planning what to Street just a few blocks from 30 - are most concentrated in maintenance projects. pave next. You can also call your City Hall. southeast and north-central Wichitans already pay a 1 council member at 316-268-4331 Residents have to get signed Wichita. percent sales tax approved by to request maintenance. petitions from their neighbors Many streets with the poorest voters in 1985 - half was to keep To report a pothole, request to get dirt roads paved and then ratings are not on the city’s fix- property taxes down, and most street maintenance or ask other pay for it over 15 or 20 years. it list - sometimes because of of the remainder has funded questions about the upkeep of The city paves about 1.5 miles of lack of complaints, other times construction of Kellogg. your road, call 316-268-4060. dirt road a year, according to city because they are schedule d for No one in Wichita is documents. reconstruction in the city’s 10- suggesting a new sales tax. That How to get a dirt road paved Residents on asphalt or year plan. likely would be a tough political Property owners in the area concrete streets have to wait their “We’ve got plenty of bad sell as the aircraft industry on or near a dirt road typically turn. streets to go around,” DiCicco jettisons thousands of jobs have to petition their neighbors The city has a crack-sealing said. and other sectors of the city’s and get 50 percent of them - or crew that can fill in cracks and Fixing it economy sag. owners of 50 percent of the land pothole filling crews that prolong Last fall, Public Works One recent afternoon, Tony - to agree to pay for it. the life of the street. Resurfacing Director Chris Carrier said it Lamb sat at a picnic table at the The payments are usually and reconstr uction come out of would take $100 million to edge of Zimmerly listening to spread over 15 or 20 years, and the city’s maintenance budget. reconstruct the 158 miles of city a crackly radio mounted to his the city allows people who meet The streets that have a lot of street with a PCI less than 50 - bicycle. low-income guidelines to defer complaints, a poor PCI rating or those viewed as failing. He said he has been coming their payments. requests from council members But he knew that was a long down the street - now one of the get paved first, DeCicco said. shot, if a shot at all. Many of his worst in the city with a PCI of 26 The process is open to political peers in other cities are in similar - for about 30 years. pressure, but council members circumstances. It used to be for work. Now have not abused that, he said. Cities and states are trying to he’s unemployed and homeless. The city has about $15.5 deal with aging roads, bridges, He said he hasn’t been too million in its pavement sewers and sidewalks, but since bothered by the potholes, but he maintenance budget this year the economy tanked, most have knows to ride slow in the area. - more than half goes to in- fewer dollars coming in. He’s watched thousands of trucks house crews responsible for Some are finding solutions. roll over the crumbling concrete roads, bridges and many other Last November, Tulsa and says it’s time for the city to things. The remainder - about residents approved a one-cent repave it. $5.9 million - is for contract sales tax and a general obligation But he said he doesn’t have maintenance that mends entire bond issue that is expected to pay the money for a reasonable roads at a time. for $451 million in projects. apartment, let alone tax dollars to PAGE 60 By Linda Stinnett linois. In March that pastor, Fred defibrillator to aid with heart Winters, was killed by a gunman patients and there is a sense of RELIGION STORY The shooting of Dr. George who opened fire inside the First security among the team, know- Nondaily Division 1 Tiller in Wichita on Sunday sent Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill. ing it has the ability to help other home the message that church “It was a shocking disbelief to all members in need. buildings are not always a place of us,” Mayberry said. Mayberry said the methods of sanctuary. That incident shook Mayberry which his church is utilizing FIRST PLACE The need for a security plan and since that time the church mirror many already in place in is not new in the mindset of has begun working on its own schools. Derby Informer several local churches – even security procedures. A member “Schools are the front-runners Linda Stinnett though Derby Police Lt. Jimmy of the church who is also a career on this,” he said. Queen said he doesn’t believe the law enforcement member is Churches, though, work to department has worked a distur- helping organize the effort which balance the need for security Immediately gets the reader’s attention, identifies a problem bance case which occurred in a involves utilizing ushers to be with their own desire to be open and traces it to the local area. Well worded. Probably opened local church in recent memory. aware of who is entering the to the community. the eyes of many readers. The scenario has been close to building and keeping auxiliary If side entrances must be home, though, for Don May- entrances locked during services. locked at Pleasantview, greeters SECOND PLACE berry, senior pastor at Pleasant- Ric Alspaw, family and coun- are utilized to open locked doors view Baptist Church in Derby. seling minister at Derby’s First for people who arrive at the De Soto Explorer Mayberry was fresh out of the Christian Church, heads the se- wrong entrance. Elvyn J. Jones seminary in the mid-1980s when curity team for that congregation. “Those greeters are a first buf- he noted a man entering from the They, too, have a plan in place fer for being aware, but they also back of the building who was to help minimize threats during double as a warm, friendly smile Easy to read, well-chosen quotes. Talks about new twists to obviously inebriated. main times of worship. to welcome people in,” May- an old subject. “I knew who he was ... With the help of nearly 20 berry said. “I’m not interested in he was a very familiar face in members who also work in law a closed community and a closed THIRD PLACE town,” said Mayberry, who did enforcement and training from congregation.” not live in Derby at the time. groups which work solely with Queen said the police depart- De Soto Explorer The man came forward dur- churches, First Christian has ment has also worked to be Elvyn J. Jones ing the usual “commitment time” been “intentional” in its efforts to aware of the layout of local near the end of the service and protect its members. churches. Normally, officers are Mayberry reached out to take “They were just an unbeliev- only in the buildings when a door Interesting lead and an interesting subject. The story of their the man’s hand. The man pulled able resource for us,” Alspaw is inadvertently left unlocked af- lives is interesting and what they have done is even more a knife and without thinking said. ter services, he said, but they do interesting. twice, Mayberry reached out and Some of the procedures likely search the premises at that time grabbed it and pitched it out of go unnoticed by most members. to make sure the site is secure. the man’s reach and near the feet About a year ago a more visible Officers do know they must of nearby choir members. check-in process was developed be as aware of security in that The incident shook many in so parents and guardians of chil- building as in any other. the congregation, even though dren left for their programs could “Use all precaution wherever they later found the man in- not be picked up by anyone else. you go,” Queen said. tended to turn the knife over to “We feel like that has been a real “We just need to be wise,” Mayberry. He thought by giving positive move for us,” Alspaw Mayberry said. “I know you it to Mayberry he would avoid said. can’t eliminate (violence) but harming himself. At both Pleasantview and you can minimize it.” Then, earlier this year May- First Christian, the procedures berry was notified of the death also include medical emergen- of a colleague he had worked cies. Alspaw said the church has closely with when he lived in Il- purchased an automatic external PAGE 61 By JoAnn Shum Some of the rules include father, Eli Schrock, bought land not using electricity, limiting from Lyle Ladner and will soon RELIGION STORY In the summer of 2007, an use of telephones, prohibiting be moving to the area as well. Nondaily Division 2 Amish family arrived at their ownership and operation of a car Another family from Wisconsin new home on a farm south of and specifying the style of dress. hopes to buy land in the area and Axtell. Soon three more families Families moving to the area are plans to build a greenhouse on followed. Two more families have considered Old Order Amish, the the site. FIRST PLACE purchased land in the area since most general and traditional of the The families speak German as then and others are seeking out communities in Kansas. their first language, and English Marysville Advocate land for purchase. To run errands, the families as a second language. A bishop JoAnn Shum Part of the rapid population rely on horse and buggy. officiates over major events in growth within Reno County’s “Traveling is more of a their church. A minister or deacon Amish communities, these young challenge here because of the leads church services and the Writer did a nice job of explaining “why” and how the Amish adults and their children sought hilly and narrow roads. It’s okay local minister is Toby Yoder. live the way they do. Nice package of pictures and story. to establish a new settlement with as long as there is a shoulder on However, there is no central sufficient farmland. the road. Our horses can easily authority in the community. SECOND PLACE The new residents from the do 10 miles an hour on a straight The majority of Old Order Amish Yoder, Hutchinson and Haven level run.” congregations do not have church Atchison Globe areas have made their home at a Before moving here, the buildings, but hold worship Patty Moore place they call Harmony Hills, Schrocks lived a mile from Yoder services in private homes, a rolling stretch of land along on a farm that was in the family Schrock said. Kansas Highway 87 a few miles for five generations. In addition to church Great piece that tied together a church’s long history in this south of U.S Highway 36. They looked at property in services, conducted in German, community and how it continues as a viable, visible presence. Known for their plain dress Washington County, but tended on Sundays, they meet some and resistance to the adoption of toward this area. weekday evenings for singing in THIRD PLACE many modern conveniences, the “When we started looking German and English. A potluck is Amish are dedicated to a simple for a new location, we wanted a held before the singing begins. Atchison Globe lifestyle, said Nathan Schrock, cooler climate with more rains,” Their hymns are sung without Faye Miller who moved to Marshall County Schrock said. accompaniment although with his family in August 2007. “We have long admired most Amish would allow the “It is better to stay close to God Marysville’s fine historical past,” harmonica, Schrock said. Their Well written, concise, descriptive - writer did an especially and rely on help from Him for he added. hymnals date to the early 1900s good job of bringing the spiritual element into this. our daily needs,” he said. “We Nathan and his wife, Ellen, and are filled with songs passed don’t adopt anything new for fear have four sons, ranging in ages down for 300 to 400 years. of losing our identity and faith. from 10 to 8 weeks. Other Part of a resourceful If we change, then the plain and families include the Toby Yoders, community, the Schrocks have simple lifestyle is lost. We live who have six children, the moved a mobile home onto their our lives in the Amish lifestyle, Dale Bontragers, who have five farm and entirely remodeled and we don’t feel we have a right children, and the Jerry Schrocks, it, installing new flooring to condemn anyone.” who have five. Dale Bontrager’s and windows. Living without The community emphasizes mother, Ida Bontrager, and her electricity, they heat with a church and family relationships, son, Milton Bontrager, live in wood stove and use Coleman Schrock said. a house on the Bontrager farm. gas and propane for the lights. “We value a rural life, Milton works at Twin Valley in Appliances run off propane. where a large family provides Beattie. Only New Order Amish would an abundance of manual labor. The Daniel Miller family have electricity, Schrock said. The rules of the church must be purchased the Brooks farm north The Old Order are known for observed by every member and of U.S. 36 and is planning to their avoidance of certain modern cover most parts of daily living.” move here soon. Jerry Schrock’s technologies. Amish do not PAGE 62 view technology as evil, he said, Using his grandfather’s tools, organic.” Like other Amish usually in white or black, and but there is a place for modern he made a china cabinet for their “We use the corn for sileage communities, they have a are always worn when attending technology. home. He also built one of the here,” he said. “All our crops go one-room schoolhouse called church. A cape, which consists Friends from neighboring buggies, which he rode in to through the cows.” Harmony Hills School, located of a triangular piece of cloth, communities and the Marshall propose to his wife, Ellen. There has been a westward in a building on the Toby Yoder is usually worn. In the colder County Agency on Aging take “By farming and operating a movement for the Amish farm. There are 10 students in months, a long woolen cloak may them to Marysville and other dairy, I am home during the day communities. More communities kindergarten through grade six. be worn. Heavy black bonnets are places if they have a long distance unlike my former jobs,” Schrock are appearing in Nebraska, A young woman, Dinah Miller, worn over the prayer coverings to travel. Occasionally they hire said. Colorado and Montana. Amish from Kalona, Iowa, is the teacher. in cold weather. Girls may wear people to take them places. In Both the Schrocks grew up on communities in Kansas are in The school provides education black or dark blue bonnets. The larger Amish communities, a van dairy farms in the Haven area. Garnett, Hutchinson, Fort Scott, in many crafts and in general women don’t cut their hair. service is contracted to take the Schrock said the dairy business Chetopa, Galesburg and, most education such as spelling, The men wear broadfall pants Amish to town or appointments. has been good, with milk topping recently, the Axtell area. geography, history, English and with suspenders for work. Their “We get a lot of our groceries in out at $20 a hundred weight last “The Amish are always German. Sunday attire includes dark Axtell, and we bank at Axtell,” winter. The price is currently looking for cheaper land and After completing school, trousers, white shirts, vests and he said. “We butcher meat from about $12.50, but is forecast to looking for grassland,” he said. the boys join their families in black coats. The men have a bowl the farm, and we rent lockers for climb by May when there is a Since they don’t have electricity, farming, woodworking and shaped haircut. Married men and storage of our frozen meat at the planned buyout on some dairy they keep up with the news furniture making. The girls do those over 40 grow a beard, but Beattie Locker.” farms, Schrock said. through the newspaper and Time the sewing, gardening, baking, no moustaches. Schrock built a shed for their The family has two buggy magazine. canning and help with the chores The men wear broad-rimmed horses, buggies, machinery and horses, one pony and four draft “The newspaper is the best on the farm. straw hats in the warmer months, feed and has a workshop on one horses. The draft horses are used source of news,” he said. “The goal in clothing is and black felt hats in the colder side. for light farm work. He uses a Entertainment includes reading plainness, sober and modest dress months, he said. He also built a dairy barn for tractor to plow, chisel and disc. books and playing games. The style,” said Nathan. “Clothing A large Amish wedding, milking about 25 head of cows. His father and brothers all use boys enjoy softball, shooting BB should not call attention to the attended by 300 guests, is being Dairy Farmers of America, a dairy John Deere equipment, as does guns and bows and arrows. wearer.” planned at the Toby Yoder farm marketing cooperative, picks up Nathan. “Our beliefs are no alcohol and no Hook and eye closures or for their daughter, Linda Yoder the milk every other day. “All our equipment is on steel smoking.” straight pins are used as fasteners, and fiancé, Lynn Yoder. A new Yoder milks about 40 cows and wheels with rubber casings over The Shrocks share a phone rather than using buttons on shed was built for the event, Bontrager, around 25. Most have the wheels,” he said. “It’s not a with the Yoders. The phone is dress clothing. Snaps are used which begins at 9 a.m. with a Holsteins with a sprinkling of very smooth ride. Not too many located in a phone booth on the on jackets, and plain buttons for three-hour service, followed by Jersey. of the Old World Amish use Yoder farm. In the town of Yoder, work shirts and trousers. The a large dinner, opening of gifts, “We keep the dairy small, tractors, but around the 1930’s there was one pay phone, and historic restriction on buttons on children playing volleyball and an so we can do it by ourselves,” they started using them, mainly people had to wait in line to use it. women’s clothing is attributed to evening meal. Schrock said. “Before the new because the heavy field work was “The reason we don’t have tradition and rules of the church. The move to a new community baby was born, Ellen helped in in the heat of the summer and was phones in our houses is because Men can have buttons on some of has been a big change for the the morning, and the children also hard on the horses.” we don’t want to become a slave their clothing. children, noted Toby Yoder, help in the morning and evening.’ “Most farms are going to to the phone,” he said. “By having Ellen sews all the family’s whose family lives across the road “This is a very friendly intensive grazing, so they don’t the phone in a phone booth at clothes, as is the tradition of the from the Schrocks. community,” he said. “People have to use tractors,” he said. our neighbors’, people can get a Old Order Amish. The women “This is a different climate here help each other out.” “Investment costs are less and hold of us by leaving a message. wear dark colors. and different landscape from our Before moving to this area, therefore profits are higher.” We check messages regularly and “You wouldn’t see an Amish former home in Yoder. There have Schrock worked in construction In Yoder, the soil is sandy loam, return the calls.” woman wearing a pink dress,” been some adjustments.” for 17 years and taught at an according to Nathan. Fields are The Amish do not educate Schrock said. “Dark blue denim “We like living in this area,” Amish school for six years. He level and square. their children past the eighth work clothing is worn by the he said. “People are friendly also does roofing, siding and other “We are still trying to adjust to grade, believing that the basic men.” here.” construction work and is checking the hills and terrain here,” he said. knowledge provided at that point Women wear calf-length, into options of making storage “We stay away from chemicals is sufficient to prepare one for the plain-cut dresses in a solid color. barns. and sprays, but we are not strictly Amish lifestyle, Schrock said. Aprons are often worn at home, PAGE 63 By Brian McCauley he hoped would give him desperation to Salvation fulfillment. But when he was Thinking he would only get RELIGION STORY For nearly a decade between expelled from school three another slap on the wrist, Slater Nondaily Division 3 1996 and 2005, Philip Slater months into his junior year for was caught off guard by his weaved an elaborate web of missing too many days, he began sentencing. All he could think drugs and stolen property to — seeking fulfillment in other ways. about was how he was going to in his mind — rule the Miami Breaking into cars and robbing get his next fix. FIRST PLACE County streets. houses, Slater took his pain out It was that line of thinking “I was a good drug dealer, on those around him. that lead him to commit the Miami County Republic I’m not afraid to say it,” Slater “I didn’t get attention at desperate act of fleeing the Brian McCauley told a group of about 25 youths home, so I found it on the courtroom to escape his fate. Sunday night in the basement of streets,” Slater said. “Looking He managed to get away from Lighthouse Presbyterian Church back on that, I’m so ashamed law enforcement officials, and Well written, engaging story that does a great job of pastor Kirk Johnston’s house. “I of who I was. I was a selfish, the entire county was blanketed demonstrating the Christian principles of forgiveness and ran the streets of Osawatomie pathetic, young punk.” with information about Slater redemption in the person who was a former drug dealer. and Paola like I owned the place. His acts soon had him facing in an attempt to track down his I thought I was unstoppable.” a handful of misdemeanor and whereabouts. SECOND PLACE Slater’s world crashed in felony charges, which he avoided Slater said he enjoyed all around him on Jan. 13, 2005, by heading to boot camp after the media attention, and it just Fort Leavenworth Lamp when Gordon McDowell, who spending three months in the further fed his ego. It may have Melissa Bower was a friend of Slater’s and an Miami County Jail. also made him overconfident, associate in his illegal dealings, When he got back, he was as he was later taken back into worked with the Paola Police able to turn things around for custody at his house. Reporter did a nice job of developing VBS into a full feature Department to set up a sting a short time. He got a job, a “Caught in my own home, story. You had a great lead paragraph and super comments operation that would send Slater girlfriend and even became a how silly can you be?” Slater from small children (which can be tough to get) - you turned a to prison for almost four years. father to a baby girl. But he soon said. “But that’s what drugs will staple summer activity (VBS) into something readers will McDowell’s betrayal infuriated learned that dealing drugs was a do to you.” enjoy. Slater, and his first instinct was quick way to make money, and While Slater was serving his to blame his friend and plan his his life once again began to spiral term in prison, he didn’t know THIRD PLACE vengeance. out of control. that McDowell was thinking “I hated this man,” Slater “Slowly, over time, my about him every day. But Kansas City Nursing News said. “I hated him with every bit family came second,” said McDowell wasn’t harboring Arley Hoskin of my soul.” Slater, who became addicted to emotions of hate, instead, he Little did Slater know that a drug called “ice,” a type of was putting his newfound faith McDowell’s biggest impact on methamphetamine. to work by praying for Slater’s My only complaint was that I had to read quite a ways before his life was still yet to come. Even when his family left salvation. getting to the vital information about why the churches united Filling a need him because of his condition, The prayers may have been and how big a problem it was. Otherwise, it was well done. Slater remembers his Slater was still focused on answered by a young man Slater childhood as a cry for attention getting his next fix. It’s an would frequently run into in and a desperate search to fill a addiction that wouldn’t let go, prison. The man would bombard void in his life. He described his even after he was given a break Slater with messages about the father as an alcoholic and his upon his capture and offered a salvation that only Jesus Christ mother as caring, but often only chance at probation. could offer. While the meetings to the point of providing money “I wasn’t out an hour, and I were awkward and unwelcome as she slowly phased herself out was high again,” Slater said of at first, Slater admitted that the of his life. bonding out of jail for $50,000. words sparked a change in him. During high school he This time, the court wasn’t as Soon, he began using the man to focused intently on sports, lenient, and Slater was ordered to learn about scripture. One verse dedicating himself to something serve 40 months in prison. in particular from Psalm 107 put PAGE 64 things into perspective for Slater. possible,” Slater said. “When I “Let them give thanks to the feel like I’m down to nothing, Lord for his unfailing love and I know that God is up to his wonderful deeds for men, for something.” he breaks down gates of bronze In order to help Slater with and cuts through bars of iron,” his new life, McDowell passed Slater read to the youths Sunday out a journal to the youths while fighting off tears. Sunday asking them to write “I bawled and bawled off this down messages for Slater. verse,” he said. “Our lives as Christians are an Upon Slater’s recent release epic story,” McDowell told the from prison, he knew one of youths as he opened the journal his first stops would be to see and read the message written McDowell. inside the front cover. “May this Hope for a new life journal be the beginning of your Sitting across from each other epic story.” with only a small table and a Although he’s ready to Bible separating them, Slater, begin his new Christian life, the former drug dealer, and Slater hasn’t forgotten his past, McDowell, the former associate and he’s not afraid to use it to who turned him in, were together guide others. He told the youths again Sunday evening. Sunday that he plans on going But instead of acting out his back to prison, but this time it vengeance, Slater embraced his will be as a free man sharing his friend and shared their story message to inmates struggling together in the hopes that it will behind bars. prevent the current youth of “I thank God for taking my Miami County from making the mess and making it a message,” same mistakes. Slater said. “I know that the rest “Drugs can kill you spiritually of my life is the best of my life and physically,” said McDowell, now.” whose own methamphetamine use nearly cost him his life and his family. McDowell quoted 1st Corinthians 6, verse 19-20, which says your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and you must “honor God with your body.” “Putting drugs in your body is dishonorable,” McDowell said. Slater knows he still has a long way to go to fully correct his life, especially with his now 10-year- old daughter. But he is confident in his new life with Christ in control. “Through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, anything is PAGE 65 RELIGION STORY Daily Division 1

FIRST PLACE High Plains Daily Leader Jessica Crawford

This went above and beyond the usual “mission” story that is a staple of more religious features. Particularly well done story, great quotes, nicely packaged. Far and away one of the best submitted in all divisions. SECOND PLACE Ottawa Herald Courtney Servaes

I like this concise story that spotlighted several towns and how they were living their faith through service. Short, sweet and nice graphics. THIRD PLACE Ottawa Herald Courtney Servaes

Was this the “deepest” story no, but I loved the fact that someone you usually don’t think about was highlighted and those that simply put up the sign can have a profound commitment to their “simple” job. PAGE 66 By Shajia Ahmad Chrysostom. priest of the Eastern Christian “Much of what we do, we tradition, comparable to the RELIGION STORY Inside the building of the do through song,” he said. chasuble worn by priests of Daily Division 2 Orthodox Christian church, “The only change has been the Western Christian traditions, he members of the congregation elaboration of the music and the said. raise their voices in antiphonal codification of the chants.” The former pastor of the chants between the priest, a few The Three Hierarchs St. George Orthodox Church FIRST PLACE leaders and the rest of the crowd, Antiochian Orthodox Christian in Kearney, Neb., divides his weaving together melody and Church is only one of 15 time between his and his wife’s Garden City Telegram text to create a union of music Orthodox Christian communities home in Kearney and the newly Shajia Ahmad and prayer. in the state, and the only established church in Garden The light inside is dimmed Orthodox church west of Salina. City, where they have extended before the start of the Saturday Families from the area who had family. They spend the second Intriguing story about a small congregation and great night service, and the smell of wished to participate in church and third weekends of each description of service. You did a great job of painting a picture incense fills the air as the Rev. activities in previous years month in town to lead services with words. Nicely done especially explaining the Philip Vreeland swings about a sometimes would drive four at the church , where they live development of this particular branch of orthodox church. metal censer. A few members of hours to visit a local house of during the week, as well. During the congregation, some of them worship, Vreeland said. the other weekends, when SECOND PLACE women quickly wrapping scarves The small congregation in Vreeland and his wife are away, around their heads, trickle in Garden City that began meeting the worship is led by Brian Leavenworth Times as they kneel in front of the about four years ago when McCallum, an area artist and Tim Linn standing icons at the front of the two families came together to instructor at GCCC. Vreeland room, crossing themselves and worship has grown into a small said he does not know how long lighting candles as the service but strong group of about 20, he will continue making the trek Great mixing past and present - loved the historical continues. with members of the McCallum between states, but does not background, it also puts emphasis on the old church that is From inside the sanctuary, and Lobmeyer families and mind the journey either way. still growing today. Vreeland asks the small few other individuals. After “If the Lord wants me here, congregation to pray in peace purchasing a new building last I have a nice place to stay,” he THIRD PLACE for the armed forces, for the April at the corner of Fair and said. “Of course, we do have city and country people, for the Main streets -- before they had our home in Nebraska. I have to Garden City Telegram seasons and fruits of the earth, a place of their own, they met depend on what God wants me Rachael Gray for the travelers by sea and by in a rented space at Garden to do.” air and for the sick and captive, City Community College -- the In the year 1054, known and the small group recites back church is opening its doors, as the “Great” or “East-West Good job explaining the significance of this celebration. in unison. Two long pews line hoping that others might join Schism,” medieval Christendom the room’s walls, but no one them. The group will host an divided into Eastern and is sitting; the church members open house Thursday night. Western, or Latin, branches, and remain on their feet for the Many people they meet, later came to be known as the length of the hour-long service. several said, are surprised Eastern Orthodox Church and the The ancient liturgy has to learn there is a Christian Roman Catholic Church . Five- come to them from the first few Orthodox church in this corner of hundred years later, Protestant centuries, developed by the the state. churches began breaking away patron saints of the church and Orthodox Christianity from Rome. dating clear back to the apostles, During the service, Vreeland Today, Orthodoxy is the Vreeland said. The chants were wears a long, heavy-looking, prevalent form of Christianity developed and practiced by the black robe and an outer golden in Greece, Russia, Romania and church ‘s patron saints: Saint garment, called a “phelonion” many Arab countries, and with Basil the Great, Saint Gregory in Greek. The phelonion is a more than 300 million adherents. the Theologian and Saint John liturgical vestment worn by a PAGE 67 While the Orthodox Church of bright, colorful crimson, the priest and altar boys are is variously called the Eastern gold and emerald-colored allowed. A signature part of the Orthodox Church , the Orthodox portraits line one corner of the Orthodox Church , known as Catholic or Christian Church room. The images of saints are the iconostasis, is the screen or , all Orthodox churches share stylized in two-dimensional partition, usually with doors and an identical faith, common perspective; the flat essence of tiers of icons, that separates the traditions and same basic forms the artwork helps to symbolize two parts of the room and shields of worship that have remained the patrons’ holiness rather much of the altar from view. unchanged through almost 20 than their humanity, maintain Congregation members hope centuries. uniformity and discourage a permanent iconostasis will be Individual Orthodox personal expression by the artist installed in June. The structure communities may use their who created it, said Garden City is being completed by members own language or mixture of resident Debra Franklin, a local of St. Mary’s parish in Wichita, languages in services and member of the church . Vreeland said, who are offering may have their own particular Before Franklin became an it as a gift. customs. Both the St. George Orthodox Christian a few years Inside the church , other Orthodox Christian Church and ago, she admits the eccentricity small signs of reconstruction the Three Hierarchs are part of the portraits were startling are also visible: A few doors of the Antiochian Orthodox at first, until she came to and walls are still under repair, Christian Archdiocese of North understand the artwork and use it and the parish hall has just America, with more than 200 to enhance her spirituality. been completed. In spite of the congregations throughout the “When you stand before pending repairs, the church nation. The archdiocese is a part them, you understand that these members plan to tour the facility of the ancient Patriarchate of are the people who brought the and invite guests for the open Antioch, an ancient Syrian city church to the point where we can house. where, according to biblical be a part of it today, practicing “We hope and pray that texts, “the disciples were first the faith in its present-day form,” people will come,” Vreeland called Christian,” Vreeland said. she said. “For me, it’s also a said. While he himself is not reminder of those who came of Arab origin, many of the before me.” parishioners and founding The icons are not considered members of the Kearney church to be idols or objects of worship, were Syrian and Lebanese Franklin said, but to venerate Christian immigrants who settled the person depicted. Among the in Nebraska in the late 19th luminous images, the faces of the and early 20th centuries. They three patrons of the church , the migrated to the area, Vreeland three hierarchs, also look back. said, because the farmland was They were chosen by Vreeland similar to that of the lands they and his grandchildren because left behind in their original they were great educators, they countries. The settlers became said. farmers and peddlers and Near the front of the room, established the Orthodox Church tall icon stands made from in Kearney in 1904, the first podiums and draped with Orthodox Church west of the golden fabric also display the Mississippi River in its time. vivid images of saints, and New beginnings small, temporary room dividers Along the walls behind the separate the nave of the church standing congregation, dozens from the sanctuary, where only PAGE 68 RELIGION STORY Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Kansas City Star Donald Bradley

Fabulous story that looks at a broad range of a local churches impact - on its followers locally and across the world; well- rounded, rich details, great photos - a super package. SECOND PLACE Lawrence Journal-World Sarah Henning and Nick Krug

Intriguing story. I especially appreciated the research into “how” this individual - or any individual - can be elected as pope. Good quotes from those who oppose him too. THIRD PLACE Topeka Capital-Journal James Carlson

This was a good news story with ties to religion. What sold me on this was how reporters were able to show how this individual’s actions destroyed and then rebuilt congregations and directly affected those who worshipped at the churches. PAGE 69 By Linda Kenyon braces. He traded in his minivan with hand controls for a used AGRICULTURAL STORY Kirk Wells has struggled pickup and started work around Nondaily Division 1 through the most trying year the farm with the help of friends. of his life, but he believes he “You don’t realize how many still has plenty of reasons to be people will put aside their own grateful. Wells, in his early 50s, stuff to help you,” he said. FIRST PLACE underwent spinal surgery in He has continued to improve September 2008, and was told slowly, becoming able to walk Rush County News by doctors he would never walk for short distances. He traveled Linda Kenyon again. He has a narrower than to La Crosse last week without usual opening in the vertebrae his wheelchair and was able to that was pinching nerves in L1 get a haircut, visit his insurance Kenyon wrote a moving story about an Alexander farmer after and L2 vertebrae, and also had a agent and stop at the bank. having back surgery. Kenyon’s account details how Mr. Well’s ruptured disk in the same area. “I’m a long ways from getting family also copes. It’s a story of hope. “It’s not the doctors’ job to paint around the way I want to, but a rosy picture, but they just made the last month or so my legs are SECOND PLACE me determined to prove them beginning to wake up and get wrong,” he said on Monday. some feeling,” he said. Bonner Springs Chieftain Wells went to Madonna Wells said his left leg has Melissa Treolo Rehabilitation Hospital in been slower to respond, but now Lincoln, Nebraska, where he had it is starting to respond. He has approximately three weeks of planted some of his winter wheat The Natural Ag Hall at Bonner Springs is on the downturn intensive therapy. this fall and drove a combine to financially. Treolo outlines in great detail reasons for the “The first 10 days I thought ‘I help harvest his milo. downturn. Excellent detail. can’t do this,’ but then one day it He hasn’t been impressed was like I flipped a light switch with most of his doctors, but said THIRD PLACE and I decided I was going to every single therapist, either in prove the doctors wrong,” Wells Nebraska or Hays, have been Derby Informer said. “I’d be lying if I didn’t “absolutely wonderful.” Linda Stinnett admit that a lot of times I was He also credits his wife, ready to give up and throw in the Nada, for her constant support. towel, but I had so much support “She’s been a trooper. I’ve never Reporter Stinnett details the work needed to grow Christmas from my family and friends.” heard her complain,” he said. trees in eastern Kansas. Well written and detailed. Wells started having success Wells lost his father this year, with the therapy in Nebraska, but became a grandfather for the especially with water therapy in first time with the birth of two a swimming pool. His muscles grandsons. People praise him for were very week, but he began his refusal to give up, but he said regaining sensation in his legs, he’s “literally too stubborn to sit especially the right leg. He her and take it.” passed the test for a hand control He is grateful as he looks drivers license, and family and back over the past year, but is friends helped make his home unable to count all of them. handicapped accessible. “I wouldn’t know where to He returned home the middle start and where to stop,” he said. of November and began therapy in Hays. He started learning to crawl and was fitted for leg PAGE 70 By Cynthia Scheer He is 80 years old. his hands and back, he is in good He can tear down large barns in a physical shape. He said he pulls AGRICULTURAL STORY Charlie Rolan makes his month. A chicken coop or small muscles in his sides on occassion Nondaily Division 2 way up the barn roof, his black, building can be dismantled in a while tearing down buildings, worn high tops finding their way week or two. but those usually don’t stop him between the roof boards. Narka’s This is the 39th barn he has from working. water tower looms in the back- torn down. Or maybe the 40th. Wind and weather don’t seem FIRST PLACE ground as Rolan ascends to the Or the 41st. He has lost track to stop him either. He recalled top of the barn despite 30-mile- since he stopped keeping written tearing down a large barn in the Washington County News an-hour wind gusts. records a few years ago. But winter of 1992. Cynthia Scheer He carries a long, double- pencil-written scribbles in a “I had to wear coveralls that clawed prybar in one hand and small, green notebook confirm day because it was 10 degrees a shorter, nine-inch one - which that it is at least the 39th. out,” he said. “It started snowing Great subject, great story, great writing. Those 3 elements, he said he could hardly get along He maneuvers and works atop while I was up there, but I kept coupled with quality photos, make this an easy choice for first without - in the deep, back pock- the barn as if the roof were sit- working. When I finally quit to place. It was a great read from start to finish. et of his blue overalls. His ham- ting on the ground and there was go home, the snow was a foot mer rides in the hammer loop of no danger of falling off. deep.” SECOND PLACE his carpenter-style overalls. Haddam resident Jay Frye He also recalled a day in The man’s small, bent frame said he saw Rolan working on his early years of tearing down Washington County News dots the large barn’s immense the top of a barn a few years ago. buildings that the wind blew his Cynthia Scheer roof. “I couldn’t believe that he ladder over. A gust of wind blows, and pieces went up on that ladder so high “It was 20-foot to the eve, of wooden shingles sail off the on the big barn all by himself,” and I hadn’t tied the ladder to the Different twist to the routine harvest event that made for a roof as the long, aluminum lad- Frye said. “It was a one-man barn,” he said. “A big wind came good read. Great quotes. der, which is tied at the top to show. He was walking around up and knocked my ladder down. I the roof and staked at the bottom there with no straps or anything, put up two ladders, one on each THIRD PLACE into the ground with electric and that just caught my attention. side of the roof, so I had to go up fence posts, clatters against the And he worked fast, too. I went and over the roof and go down Ellsworth County barn. Rolan keeps climbing. back about two weeks later and the other side to the ladder. You Linda Mowery-Denning Once at the top, he kneels onto that thing was basically gone.” gotta tie the ladders down so they his red and white knee pads Rolan has never fallen off a don’t blow around on you.” and begins to pry the wooden building. He has taught himself every- An all around good read putting dual faces on the subjects - shingles from the barn’s roof. But he fell through the ceiling thing he knows about the art of their professional sides shed for their farmer side. Well He wears knee pads, he said, so of one once. barn deconstruction. He can now written. that he doesn’t get blisters on his He was tearing down the old dismantle an entire barn, house knees. Mahaska grade school when he or other outbuilding without Rolan estimates he has torn stepped on a piece of plywood breaking more than two boards. down more than 100 buildings - and fell 10 feet. But he didn’t get “The thing that amazes me all of them since 1992 when he hurt. about Charlie is how he tears retired from his job at CE Com- “I do worry about falling off,” down entire buildings and breaks bustion Engineers in Concordia he said. “I really try to make sure very few boards,” said Marvin where he worked for more than I’m not gonna fall off, and I hope Parrack, who lives across the 17 years. I don’t.” road from Rolan. Tearing down buildings has Wind and weather Parrack said Rolan has torn been his retirement project. don’t slow rolan down down several buildings for him It is not uncommon for him to Rolan’s memory is sharp, and his wife, Elaine, including work 13-hour days. In the sum- although he is now hard of hear- four houses, the old Hopewell mer, when days are longer, he ing. He said he still feels alright, School house, six barns and sev- sometimes works 16 hour days. and except for some arthritis in eral hog sheds and outbuildings. PAGE 71 “Very little is left when Char- asking if he could buy some of Salvaged lumber, building He said his current barn also nail. lie gets done with it,” Parrack the lumber from it. materials are all sold has many 1x12 boards, which are Rolan works five days a week, said. “Everything is in a neat, “They took the lumber and He tears down the buildings for often sold months before he even but may be nearing retirement orderly fashion when he goes put it in a shed somewhere and free. His incentive is the wood, starts on a barn. He has custom- Rolan said he often works from away.” wouldn’t sell any of it,” he said. doors, windows, tin and other ers who call him frequently and 1 p.m. until just before dark Parrack said he has lived near “It probably just sat there and recovered building materials. ask when he will have more. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Rolan most of his life and found rotted.” He keeps it all. “A lot of people would rather Fridays. He takes mornings off out about Rolan tearing down Rolan, who was the oldest It all sells. have old lumber than new,” he so that he can pick up his meals buildings simply by talking with child in his family, dropped out His yard is filled with per- said. “I know by experience that from Mahaska Propane and do the man. of school in the seventh grade fectly stacked rows of lumber, all old lumber is a lot stronger and other business and chores. “Once he started tearing down to help with the farm work. His sorted based on size and length. better than the new stuff you can He starts on the barns about 9 buildings, the word spread fast,” grandmother watched him and Dozens of rusted hinges and buy. And people like to use these a.m. and works until just before Parrack said. his siblings while his parents other building parts are displayed old boards to fix up their old dark most Tuesdays, Thursdays Rolan used to hire high school went to work at a packing house throughout the property. The buildings.” and weekends. He leaves hand- kids to help him tear down build- in Oklahoma City. walkways between the stacks of Rolan said he doesn’t adver- written notes on the back of ings but had to stop when the He later went to work for a lumber are so well-manicured tise his lumber for sale anymore, scraps of paper on his door with help broke too many boards. pipeline crew for three years, that it looks as if the lumber was although most of his local busi- his anticipated arrival time in “On long boards, if you split which lead him to his wife, placed on the greens of a golf ness has been through word of case customers come looking to one, you’ve lost a lot of money,” Florence June, who lived in course. mouth. buy some wood. Rolan said. “So I mostly just had Mahaska. Rolan says Sundays are used Word of mouth is also how He takes his lunch with him kids pulling nails.” The couple met in Beatrice, to mow his property and work in people wanting buildings torn to the buildings, which often Rolan said one man helped Neb., where she worked. Rolan his garden. down knew to contact Rolan. includes home-cooked meals him tear down a building in moved to Mahaska in 1959 to “And I have a lot of mowing Most of his more than 100 including tomato and chicken return for some of the lumber. be closer to his future wife, and to do,” he said. buildings have been located near noodle soup. “He worked really fast, began working for a local farmer. He estimates he has sold Mahaska. Narka has been the ad- Rolan hauls a load of wood though, and tore up a lot of The couple married in 1960. She wood and other building materi- dress for a few. Haddam has also home with him most every night boards,” Rolan said. “You have died in 1996. als to nearly 200 people over had a barn or two. The farthest when he finishes working. He to go slow and take your time.” After retiring in 1992 at age the past 17 years. He has sold he has traveled to tear down a said he doesn’t have problems Rolan tore down his first 63, Rolan said he decided to tear lumber to people in Kansas City, barn is Washington. hauling large boards around. A building when he was 12 down old outbuildings. It had Jewell, Marysville, Norton, He- Rolan’s years of tearing down big board requires dragging to Rolan, who was born in 1929, been decades since he tore down bron, Neb., Hastings, Neb., and barns have provided him with a the pickup’s tailgate before going tore down his first building at the the big house in Oklahoma. the list goes on. few comical tales, including the to the other end and pushing it up age of 12 in the southeast Okla- “I liked tearing down that “Everything that is any good one about the bees. into the pickup, but it’s nothing homa town of Redlands. The house and wanted to tear down people want to buy,” he said. “The first building I tore he can’t handle on his own. house belonged to a neighbor. some more,” he said. “People come here to buy lumber down here at Mahaska had bees Once he gets a building torn “The government wanted He put an ad in the Penny to replace boards in barns and in it,” he said. “I had a hard time down, he spends about a month buildings tore down,” Rolan Press asking for old buildings to houses that have rotted out. A getting those bees outta there. pulling nails and stacking lumber said. “The government took a lot tear down. He later advertised guy from Jewell comes pretty Now I take wasp spray with me at his farm. of buildings from people in the lumber for sale, which all came often to buy floor boards and all the time.” “I wire-brush most of the late ‘20s and ‘30s because they from these dismantled buildings. base boards.” “Recently a wasp stung me,” lumber if it has dirt on it,” he couldn’t pay their taxes.” The first building Rolan tore Rolan said a man from he continued matter-of-factly. “I said. “I wear out a lot of wire Rolan worked on the house down was located near his house. Marysville buys old barn boards don’t get to fighting them. I let brushes.” after school and on the week- On some properties, he tore to make picture frames with. them sting me if they want to. I But after nearly two decades ends. Nobody told him how to down six or seven buildings in Several pieces of the barn Rolan carry alcohol to clean the area of working full-time tearing tear down a house; he just did it one location. is tearing down now are already and continue working on the down old buildings, Rolan said one board at a time. “People wanted these build- sold. barn.” he is considering a new retire- He doesn’t remember what ings tore down on old farmsteads “I have a guy who will buy Rolan said that first building ment hobby. he was paid to tear down the so they didn’t have to pay taxes all the floor boards I’ve got,” he with the bees was also where he “I have alway enjoyed tearing house, but he does remember on them anymore,” he said. said. stepped on his first - and only - down buildings” he said. “But PAGE 72 I’m going to start slowing down, for sure next year. It’s time to start doing something else. Prob- ably some hunting and fishing.” But he doesn’t plan to quit the profession altogether. He can’t quit. Yet. He still has standing orders from those in the community to tear down a few more buildings. “I’ve still got a waiting list of upcoming buildings to do,” he said. “There are two houses in town, a grain bin in the country, and this barn,” he said motioning toward the large barn he is now working on at the east edge of Narka. “And there may be a few more.” As long as there are buildings to tear down, Rolan may be on one, methodically moving his pry-bar this way and that until he jimmies yet another board loose to haul home to his lumber piles just south of Mahaska. PAGE 73 By Suzanna Stagemeyer thing to do for a lot of different I think down the road, and once reasons,î Ballís CEO David Ball customers get used to us having AGRICULTURAL STORY Good Natured Family Farms this said. those (local) products during the Nondaily Division 3 month will sow seeds that could Endicott described the season, I think it will just grow yield a national springboard. conundrum of whether to invest in from there, quite honestly.î The cooperative, which includes infrastructure or wait for scale as a Cool weather chilled produce more than 150 family farms chicken-or-the-egg question. sales this season, but Endicott FIRST PLACE mostly within 200 miles of Kansas But she said, ìaggregation is said current estimates are that City, steadily has gained larger everything. ... It is what itís going AWG could bring $1.5 million in Kansas City Business Journal clients and renown. At a Sept. 17 to take to get it to the next level.î additional sales, as well as branch Suzanna Stagemeyer investment conference in New The cooperative has good out beyond produce to dairy, meat, York, founder Diana Endicott will packinghouses and docks, but honey, breads and other items. present a plan to replicate the Good refrigeration capacity is limited. Good Natured Family Farms Story has local relevance, strong on facts and flows nicely. Natured Family Farms local brand A loan program through the U.S. is the only local produce supplier program nationwide and seek an Department of Agriculture also Sysco works with ó the alliance SECOND PLACE investment to further develop the could help set up refrigeration had all the proper agreements program regionally. That could systems, Endicott said. readily available, along with food Fort Leavenworth Lamp include millions of dollars worth Good Natured Family Farms safety and other certifications, said Will King of warehouses and infrastructure was asked to present at Agriculture Pat Cipolla, director of produce to aggregate products and let the 2.0, a sustainable ag investment operations. Sysco, which has alliance supply big-box retailers, conference, because of its success helped the cooperative with food I’ve got a soft spot for stories involving members of the armed such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., that in distribution, said Janine Yorio, safety financing, collects products services, but this one is also well-written and adds a neat have been too large to serve. managing director of investment from Ballís central warehouse. angle for an ag story. ìMaybe we can take this program firm NewSeed Advisors, the Demand for local produce to a national level,î said Endicott, conference co-host. increases each year. Although it THIRD PLACE who works from a beef and The cooperative has created typically costs more, itís safer, produce farm in Bronson, Kan. consistency for local farmers and higher quality and supports Olathe News Good Natured Family Farms had stores, and focused on profitability local farmers. An expanded Jim Sullinger gross wholesale sales of about $4 instead of relying on grants, she infrastructure would make it easier million last year of products such said. to collect the products and decrease as beef and pork raised near Goff, ìIíve seen business plans like the amount of handling, he said. This story is proof ag goes beyond livestock and grain. It was Kan.; sweet onions, cucumbers and hers, but I havenít seen anybody ìOur main issue is to try and get well-written change of pace. Photos and layout completed the melons grown in Rich Hill, Mo.; else thatís been able to pull it off enough volume in here,î Cipolla attractive piece. milk and cheese from a dairy farm like she has,î Yorio said. ìItís the said. ìWeíre learning as we go. in Firth, Neb.; and jellies from wild only successful one that Iíve seen fruits picked in northern Kansas. so far.î During the past two years, it started Conference attendees, she said, supplying Sysco Food Services of will range from individuals who Kansas City Inc. and Associated can invest as much as $2 million to Wholesale Grocers Inc., which hedge funds that manage billions. is about as big a customer as the The 29 area Ballís stores account all-natural food cooperative can for 90 percent of Good Natured handle right now, Endicott said. In Family Farms sales, with Sysco addition, the alliance and longtime at roughly 6 percent and AWG partner Ballís Food Stores ó the around 4 percent. first company to stock its products ìWeíll use them as much as we ó are laying out a way to share best can,î Sysco CEO Hank Jolly said. practices with others. ìItís obviously market-driven as far ìWe think that this is the right as customers that want the product. PAGE 74 AGRICULTURAL STORY Daily Division 1

FIRST PLACE High Plains Daily Leader Jessica Crawford

Complete package - wonderful profile of veteran of wheat harvesting along with attractive design package. Well written insight on what keeps the man going. SECOND PLACE Ottawa Herald Sharon Stauffer

Comprehensive look at the impact the economy has on multiple phases of agriculture. Impressive use of multiple sources. THIRD PLACE High Plains Daily Leader Robert Pierce

Nice profile on the KFB masters program but it also served to educate the public that there’s more out there than corn and wheat in an ag-based state. PAGE 75 By Shajia Ahmad are spending on average between Nationally, dairy cow $1.40 to $1.50 to produce milk slaughter is up 30 percent while AGRICULTURAL STORY When Plymell dairy owner but receiving only about a $1 beef cow slaughter is down 14 Daily Division 2 Boyd Sigafoose looks down his per gallon for the commodity, percent, the Associated Press line of munching cows, he knows Kansas Dairy Association Board reported last week. Unless their content behavior means member Mike Bodenhausen said. the supply and demand align, they’re stress free-and happy, he Bodenhausen, who’s worked industry officials project that said. in the milk and dairy industries more than 1.5 million of the FIRST PLACE Though the cows may be for several decades, said the nation’s 9 million milking cows content, most dairy farmers are economic climate for the could be slaughtered this year as Garden City Telegram not. The national dairy industry industry today is the worst he’s dairy operators look to cut costs. Shajia Ahmad is taking a hard hit in a tight and ever seen. “Milk is a fluid product -- we stagnant economy, especially in “I can tell you that in most can’t shut it off or turn it on,” western Kansas, where 22 large cases, every dairy farmer is Sigafoose said. “A 1 percent Original lead that draws you into the meat of the story - a dairies produce about 70 percent producing at least a 30-some increase in supply, and our prices well-balanced look at the struggles facing the dairy industry. of the state’s milk. percent loss,” he said. “That plummet.” Great ending! At least one area dairy farm will vary from farm to farm One way to store milk -- turn that has been hit hard by rising -- but it’s going to be hard to it into cheese -- is also not a cattle-feed prices and decreasing find an industry dairyman who’s viable option for dairy farmers SECOND PLACE consumer demand is closing its breaking even right now.” because cheese supply is at all doors: The West Kansas Dairy At Plymell Dairy LLC, where time high. Hays Daily News in Coolidge is in the midst of about 1,300 “happy” head of The Plymell dairy farmer said Mike Corn shutting down, putting a few dairy cattle are milked three he hopes the dairy industry will dozen out of work in Hamilton times per day by high-tech be quick to respond by reducing County. sensory machines, Sigafoose said herds and, subsequently, its milk Great story that shows the connection between an ag-based Dairy manager Clint he’s selling milk for about 90 production in order to bolster enterprise and urban residents. Very well written, beginning Anderson declined to comment cents a gallon right now. A year demand and prices. in detail about the closure but ago, the small-scale dairy farmer “Your parents always said to end, and interesting info on use of technology. confirmed that the business is received about $1.80 per gallon there’d be days like this and that no longer viable because of high of milk production. you’d get through it,” he said. THIRD PLACE milk production costs. Job losses Heavy losses due to high “We wouldn’t be milking today will total 40, he said, and at corn prices -- about 65 percent if we didn’t believe this thing Hays Daily News least seven people already have of the average Plymell milking will turn around.” Mike Corn been fired. The dairy cows may cow’s production is used to cover be sold to farms in other states, its feed costs -- coupled with a Anderson added. cash-strapped consumers and Very attractive package and a nice read. Vreba-Hoff Dairy global decreases for demand Development LLC, the global of American butter and cheese dairy development business means increased cull rates: More based in Ohio that owns the and more dairy cows are headed Coolidge farm , declined to to the slaughterhouse. comment to The Telegram. An Dairy farms typically have a 30 official said a closing date still is percent cull rate; that is, about 30 uncertain. percent of the cows that die or do That closing business isn’t not produce profitable amounts alone in its woes. Prices for of milk are replaced each year. milk are just above two-thirds Right now, that turnover rate is of what it costs Kansas farmers 40 to 55 percent at the Plymell to produce the staple, and dairy farm , Sigafoose said, reflecting farmers face corn costs that have a national trend of dairy farmers doubled in the last five years who must sell parts of their herds due to competition from ethanol for slaughter. That hurts the producers. beef industry, as well, Sigafoose Large-operation dairy farms admits. PAGE 76 By Amy Bickel operation on a small acreage of across the United States, many AGRICULTURAL STORY land. are looking at ways to cut costs The night before his 52nd Instead of the 9-to-5 work of amid one of the worst dairy situ- Daily Division 3 birthday, Calvin Nisly lamented an office job with weekends off, ations in recent history. to his wife that he didn’t know he elected the hard-working life- Some have culled cows. Oth- how long his small Reno County style of a dairy farm - getting up ers have gone out of business, dairy could stay in business. For at 3:30 a.m. every morning of the said Chris Galen, spokesman FIRST PLACE 13 years, the 65 cows he milks week to start the day’s milking. for the National Milk Producers each day have provided him His work typically ends well Federation. Hutchinson News enough money to take care of his after dark. Vacations are rare. “I think there is a real concern Amy Bickel family of six. But on this early The last milking he missed was - depending on how leveraged March day, reality had set in when Juliet was born. She turns they are and how much debt they when his most recent paycheck 5 this spring. have - that they won’t be able to This story on the struggles of small dairy farmers stands out came in the mail. But on a recent evening, after hang on,” he said. “The bottom in a category full of great entries. It puts a human face on the His cows are losing money. finishing his evening milking, line is, with the prices we are industry. Well written, combined with great photos. His youngest child, 4-year-old Nisly admitted he has reserva- seeing this early spring, no one is Juliet, overheard her father’s tions about the business. going to make money and we’re SECOND PLACE woes. The next day, she wrapped His check from his marketer for going to lose some.” him a gift - all the money from the first two weeks of February A voluntary herd buyout Hutchinson News her piggy bank, 75 cents’ worth. was $5 a hundredweight less program run by the federation Amy Bickel She told him it was to help buy than what he received in January. could help some with oversup- the cows hay. Falling prices ply, Brouk said. According to “She thought it would be sad Mirrored by a faltering U.S. the federation’s Web site, 51,000 Compelling read! A great personal touch to a routine event if the cows left, and she thought economy and a now struggling cows went to slaughter during like a wheat harvest. Photos are exceptional and writing she’d do her part,” he said with a export market, milk prices have the most recent program last fall quality outstanding. So close to being #1 entry. laugh, but added in a more seri- dipped 50 percent since summer - taking 976 million pounds of ous manner, “My first thought after reaching record levels in milk off the market. THIRD PLACE was we shouldn’t have talked 2007 and early 2008. “Basically, we have 9.2 mil- about it in front of her, but it was A year ago, milk averaged lion dairy cows in the United Kansas City Star very touching, all the same.” around $20 a hundredweight, States,” Brouk said. “There are Scott Canon Chosen profession which equals about 12 1/2 gal- some estimates that we might Thirteen years ago, Partridge- lons, according to the U.S. Agri- reduce that herd size by 500,000 area dairyman Calvin Nisly had culture Department. Last month, or more. I think in January, there Unique look at a surprising trend toward “small” farming and a choice to make: be a dairy prices averaged around $12 per were 40,000 more dairy cows the niche they fill. Writing style makes it easy to visualize life farmer or be a school social hundredweight (per 100 pounds), culled than we had the month in these small enterprises. worker. and economists expect it to fall before.” As he watched part of his to just above $10 in March. Other help comes in the form Brown Swiss cow herd file into With inputs like feed still high, of a government subsidy. The his milking parlor one afternoon, that means milk costs more to Agriculture Department’s Milk he said he never questioned produce than what the farmer Income Lost Contract program whether he made the right needs to break even, said Mike now is in effect, providing a choice. Brouk, with Kansas State Uni- buffer for milk producers against Nisly and his wife, Andrea, versity. their losses. MILC is paid on a were living in Switzerland, “We have more milk than we monthly basis whenever fluid where Andrea was born. They need, it’s that simple,” Brouk milk prices fall below $16.94 per wanted to come back to Kansas. said of the prices. hundredweight. With family already taking over Poor prices, however, can There is talk of some im- his father’s dairy farm down the only be weathered so long. mediate stimulus funding coming road, Nisly built his own milking With 70,000 dairy farms to the nation’s dairies, said Ron PAGE 77 Grusenmeyer, with the Midwest others in the area can hold on Dairy Association. For now, pro- that long. ducers just have to hold on. “Some people would be able “Things are going to be pretty to keep going, but we’d have to dire,” Grusenmeyer said. look at selling out,” he said. “ “They’re digging into capital That isn’t our intent, but it seems reserves; they are looking for the a lot more possible.” banks to say they can have an Not that Nisly regrets any of operating loan to get through the it. next six to eight months. They “It’s in my blood,” he said are looking at every option they simply of dairying. He noted his can - feed rations, trying to make grandfather, Sam Beachy, was a sure they are using the most ef- dairyman, his father was a dairy- fective feed.” man and many of Reno County’s How long will it last? dairy farmers are some sort of The situation could speed relative. the demise of the state’s already He said the time he gets to dwindling small family dairy spend with his family on the farms, Brouk said. farm is irreplaceable. While the number of large “I felt like it was important dairies has increased, thus more that we do something together cows being milked, the number than go our separate ways,” he of small dairies has diminished. said of his choice of professions. Brouk said today there are 400 “For what dairying means to me, dairy farms in Kansas with a per- it is important that I connect that mit to sell milk, compared with with my family. I had a good more than 1,150 a decade ago. idea that we wouldn’t get rich, In Reno County, which has the but we want to continue dairy- most dairy farms in the state, ing.” numbers continue to remain somewhat steady, at 43 dairies - much of it due to the area’s large Amish and Mennonite popula- tion, he said. Nisly said he’s watched a few of his fellow dairymen call it quits, mostly because they’ve reached retirement age and their children aren’t coming back to the farm. He’s also read the current situation might just last three months. That wouldn’t be as tough to withstand. “Other places I’ve read say not to expect it to turn around until the middle of 2010,” he said. He doesn’t know if he and PAGE 78 YOUTH STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Eudora News David Oakes

Nicely written. Good job talking to teens involved. SECOND PLACE Derby Informer Jeni Burrows

Very informative and a topic youth will be interested in reading. Good job talking to youth and administrators to see both sides. Well written. THIRD PLACE De Soto Explorer Elvyn J Jones

Nice job. I like the details and can see young girls wanting to read this. PAGE 79 By Rowena Platt The young explorers traveled The expedition included a by bus around steep mountains, visit to the Sacred Valley, an old YOUTH STORY Nellie Kassebaum of Burdick then walked up a series of steps Incan city surrounded by terraces Nondaily Division 2 recently spent 10 days in Peru on to get to the ancient city. on which crops such as barley a National Geographic expedi- “Machu Picchu is the most and corn were growing and a few tion. beautiful thing I have ever seen,” cattle were grazing. The 12-year-old daughter of Nellie said. “I couldn’t imagine Plots were small, and every- FIRST PLACE Bill and Jennifer Kassebaum was all of the work that went into thing was done by hand. among 15 young people from building this sacred city.” It was late fall in Peru, so Marion County Record across the nation who won the Another highlight was a three- harvest was underway. Nellie Rowena Platt trip. Her father accompanied her. day stay in a tropical rain forest. enjoyed huge kernels of corn Now in its fourth year, the Kids The group flew into an adjacent served with cheese sauce. Hands-on Explorer Challenge is town and traveled by bus and The group went on a treasure Enjoyed the article very much. offered to youngsters ages 10 to boat to an isolated lodge. hunt to learn about the Incan 14 as a way to inspire them to a “Boats were my favorite culture. Nellie participated in SECOND PLACE lifetime of exploration and dis- part,” Nellie said. “You could see the ancient custom of braiding covery. Nellie is the first person a lot of wildlife along the river.” women’s hair. She also saw clay Atchison Globe from Kansas to be selected. At a botanical garden, the and straw being mixed together Faye Miller She won by submitting an essay group learned about natural med- in large pits to make bricks. about her experience in get- icines made from plants. They The rock working skills of the ting a close-up photograph of a also visited a farm where yucca, Incas intrigued her. I liked the song interjection. grasshopper. oranges, lemons, limes, and other “Every rock would fit togeth- “My little lime green friend tropical fruit were grown, and er, like the pieces of a puzzle,” THIRD PLACE that I met that day imprinted fished for piranha at a lake. she said. “Looking at all of the on my mind and made me re- The lodge was open to the out- tiny angles was amazing. Later, Marion County Record ally think about the treasures in side, allowing birds and insects we slid down some natural rock Susan Berg nature and how they are every- free access to the interior. Guests slides. That was a very fun day!” where in all shapes and sizes,” slept under mosquito nets. They Nellie enjoyed the colorful she wrote. learned about termites and fire clothes worn by the mountain It’s interesting to hear about an unusual age and hobbyist. In Peru, the days were ants. Electricity was provided people. A band and dancers crammed with activities. two hours a day. entertained the Americans at a “People were very nice and “The guides, cooks, and other school. They, in turn, gave gifts welcomed us,” Nellie said. workers had a pride of owner- to the students. “They wanted us to be there.” ship,” Nellie said. At a weaving school, the stu- One of her favorite stops was In the capital city of Lima, dents watched as intricately de- at the lost city of Machu Picchu, Nellie experienced streets lined signed clothing and other items an ancient city built between with vendors persistently hawk- were made from alpaca wool. mountains by 60,000 people. The ing wares. The climate was dry After two days of travel to get town was so secluded that Span- and foggy. from the rain forest to Wichita, ish Conquistadors never found it. The team visited a farm that Nellie and her dad were ready for Hiram Bingham, a National raises Peruvian horses. One a rest. Geographic explorer, discovered evening, the camp was divided “It was good the days were the city in 1911. into two teams, each with a Na- full,” Nellie said. “I saw a lot.” Machu Picchu is listed as tional Geographic photographer. Nellie is the granddaughter of one of the seven wonders of the Each member had a camera and former Senator Nancy Kasse- world. It draws about 2,000 visi- received instruction in photog- baum Baker and the great- tors a day. raphy. granddaughter of former Gov. Intact adobe buildings sit on “We experimented,” Nellie Alf Landon. terraces hewn out of mountains. said. PAGE 80 YOUTH STORY Nondaily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Shawnee Dispatch Ashlee Kieler

Well-written article! Kept me reading and inspired! SECOND PLACE Kansas City Nursing News Arley Hoskin

Well written, very inspiring story! THIRD PLACE Shawnee Dispatch Caroline Boyer

Good story! Important topic that should be discussed! PAGE 81 By Courtney Servas know God. “If you don’t have that good of The Ahrens regularly attend a relationship with God, you won’t YOUTH STORY Jesus ate with sinners. He didn’t Faith Lutheran Church, 1320 W. go to heaven,” Roth said. Daily Division 1 judge them, didn’t criticize them. 15th St., Ottawa, which Amanda He said recently his youth Instead, Erica Layton said, Ahrens, 16, said has helped her group participated in a vision Jesus tried to help them, tried to deal with the stresses and pressures quest, where they visited a cem- save them. of high school, with friends, with etery. FIRST PLACE And that’s what she says she relationships, with life. “It teaches you how to embrace wants to do. “We have a pretty good pro- Christian faith more,” Roth said. Ottawa Herald “That has been on my heart gram,” Ahrens said of the youth In addition to the vision quest, lately,” Layton, who will be a program at her church. “A lot of us he said the youth group often plays Courtney Servaes senior at Wellsville High School, have grown up together.” trust games that teach the partici- said. Ahrens’ youth group meets pants to work together and rely on Layton said it’s not enough to weekly, but Christal Chapman, di- each other. The complete package - great design elements and powerful go to church regularly, not enough rector of youth at the church, said CHRISTIAN BY DEFAULT story about a topic you don’t normally see covered. Sure to to pray, not enough to worship. the children participate in other Prayer helps Layton cope with draw the attention of youth. Rather, she says you have to activities and events - lock-ins, life, with peer pressure, with rela- help others, have to get involved concerts and canoe trips - through- tionships. SECOND PLACE and try to save others. out the year. Layton said when she faces a “It’s realizing that God is wor- “I’m a firm believer that if kids difficult choice or decision, she’s Ottawa Herald thy of everything,” she said. are involved in a youth program not alone - the most important per- Courtney Servaes THE WORD somewhere where they are really son in her life is always listening. Layton wants to spread her faith learning about God, that’s really “The biggest thing for me has to others. important,” Chapman, Ottawa, been prayer,” Layton said. Once again, a combined package of design and well written She tries to do that through said. “It makes you understand the And it’s not just praying for an- story that will draw youth to the newspaper and educate both her church, through youth group, world.” swers that is important to Layton. youth and adults. through fellowship. Chapman said all of the youth She said prayer is very much about Recently Layton, who is a group events help students to helping and praying for others. THIRD PLACE member of Life Church in Olathe, understand the role of God in their “I feel a strong calling,” she attended a church camp that she lives, in their worlds. said. “I spend a lot of time with it. Ottawa Herald said reinforced her beliefs and “Kids have so much to deal I love it, and I wouldn’t have it any initiative. with these days - divorce, peer other way.” Jenalea Myers “I’m a lot more outgoing,” pressure,” Chapman said. “If kids On average, Layton said she Layton said about how she has have a solid understanding that spends more than 10 hours a week changed since joining the youth God is where our strength comes participating in church activities, A feel good political story that shows its not necessarily about group. “I’ve met some people who from, not only are they doing bet- but it hasn’t always been that way. the “party” and more about being informed and active in have changed my life.” ter themselves, but they are able “I used to be one of them - politics. She said she goes to church in to tell their friends, ‘God has my Christian by default,” she said. Olathe - with more than 200 other back.’” “Most people believe there is some youths - because she likes the style EMBRACING FAITH sort of God.” and the church’s outreach. She Weston Roth, 13, uses his youth likes the church’s message. group to meet people, to make “God created the world all out friends. of love,” she said. “He sent his son Roth, Ottawa, is a member of to die out of love. He died out of Grace Community Fellowship, love.” which worships at Washburn Tow- RAISED IN CHURCH ers, 526 S. Main St., and said his Amanda Ahrens has been raised youth group organizes events to in a church. help keep them involved and ac- Her mother, Susan, wanted it tive in the community and in their that way, wanted her children to church. PAGE 82 By Monica Springer activities. rocketry projects.

YOUTH STORY Wool needs to be sheared and ‘One people-loving pig’ Jensen, 12, is entering projects Daily Division 2 hair needs to be cut. Then there’s in buymanship, educational the feeding, watering, walking When her daughters first started displays, rockets and arts and and standing. There’s no room in 4-H, they wanted to show pigs crafts. Ryan, 16, is entering for mud or stains, so baths are at the county fair . But Sheri rockets, small engines and FIRST PLACE necessary several days or weeks Scott, who lives in Scott City electricity. The family are in advance. with daughters Kiersten, 13, and members of the Beacon Boosters Garden City Telegram Kiesha, 19, and her husband 4-H Club. Monica Springer There’s a lot of prep work that Don, wasn’t thrilled with their goes into county fairs . request. Jensen is still working on her sewing projects, including a Comprehensive and fun look at the behind the scenes Spectators at livestock shows Then Natasha entered their lives. hot green zebra print shirt and preparations for a county fair. Well written and presented in or sales at county fairs often see an aqua and purple tote bag. an attractive layout. the result of behind- the -scenes Natasha was one of the first pigs But there’s more work than just work. the family showed at the Scott preparing entries. SECOND PLACE County Fair about eight years They see cleanly-shaved, mostly ago. Kiersten said Natasha liked She also will serve as a junior Manhattan Mercury well-behaved animals. They see cereal bars and other human superintendent for the arts and Josh Kinder sheep that automatically stretch treats. The pig also came to the crafts projects at the fair . That out their front and hind legs gate when she saw the family involves setting up and cleaning in front of a judge. They see and liked her belly scratched. the shelves beforehand and Great lead that draws readers into “feel good” story. Nice weights and classes filled out helping judges when the exhibits photo package, but the story could stand out all on its own. on entry cards, and cages at the “Natasha was one people-loving are being evaluated. Well written with multiple sources. fairgrounds with sawdust and pig,” Sheri said. supplies in them. Jana Strasser said she enjoys THIRD PLACE After that, Kiersten and Sheri watching her kids and other kids Most people who aren’t in were hooked on pigs, and in the club grow. She said she Garden City Telegram 4-H will not see kids declining Kiersten has been entering them likes watching their confidence Shajia Ahmad sleepover invitations because in the fair ever since. level rise as they speak more and they have to feed animals early get more involved in the club. in the morning. They don’t see The Scott family keeps busy Well written story on what could be termed a controversial that half-finished sewing project with their livestock and other fair Kiersten Scott and Jensen subject. Handled nicely to educate youth and adults alike. that’s sprawled out on a dining projects during the summer. Pigs Strasser said they’ve gained room table, or recipe books have to be washed and their hair leadership skills, life skills and strewn across the house trying cut, sheep have to be walked and are more confident speaking in to find that one recipe that will sheered, and all the animals have front of people. be award-winning and mouth- to be fed and watered daily. watering. Responsibility comes when Preparation for the county fair kids are expected to track the July means one thing to 4-Hers: takes all summer, the Scott expenses of their fair projects. The county fair is approaching. family said. The Gerber family said many of the judges at the fair will ask County fairs mean carnival rides Responsibility 4-H kids how much their projects and funnel cakes, livestock and cost, whether it be livestock or art projects, photography and Near Garden City, the Strasser arts and crafts or photography. rocketry, cooking and sewing, family is working on finishing up and many other projects and fair entries, including sewing and Many kids track their own PAGE 83 By Kathy Hanks hospital. The law makes a ruling “I noticed the girls weren’t On Jan. 22, Jennifer faced YOUTH STORY Jennifer Longfellow wishes with me,” she said. “I didn’t care another nightmare, with an Daily Division 3 she could go back to the moment about me. I wanted to know if emotional crowd of her four just before everything went bad. my girls were OK.” girlfriends’ families gathered in Back before Julia Alcala, Tori After being told they hadn’t a Grant County courtroom for a Dowell, Myranda Mason and survived, she didn’t care if she trial against her. FIRST PLACE Veronika McDaniel got into her lived. She felt she deserved to Magistrate Judge Margaret 1991 Ford Taurus. If she could, suffer. Alford convicted her of four Hutchinson News the 17-year-old would change But counseling helped. After counts of vehicular homicide Kathy Hanks the course of events of March the accident, she stayed home and failure to yield to oncoming 27, 2008, when the five friends from school a month. traffic. went cruising off to Frazier Park Others might have moved to That same day, Jennifer’s One of the most heart-wrenching stories I’ve ever read. The during school lunch break. another town. That wasn’t an attorney, Wayne Tate of Hugoton, writer let the story unfold from the subject’s mouth in a But life doesn’t work that way. option, though last fall Jennifer’s filed an appeal. compelling way. Great lead, great ending - all around great Instead, Jennifer has been parents, John and Delynn District Judge Clint Peterson writing. struggling with the harsh reality Longfellow, considered moving reviewed the evidence. that in one second everything in to Junction City, where John According to the court record, SECOND PLACE life can change forever. Longfellow was stationed in the prosecution argued Jennifer The high school junior has the military. The job they were ignored warnings from her Kansas City Star spent the past year replaying hoping for, however, didn’t open four passengers before driving Rick Montgomery the events in her mind. She up at the time. into the intersection. However, goes over it as she lays her head After that first month after the Peterson said, they could not on the pillow each night, still accident, Jennifer knew she had prove whether that occurred What an eye-opener and compassionate read. So well written hearing the horrific sound of to return to school. with time for her to avoid the and so uplifting to witness success where there could so easily crushing metal, the screams and “I didn’t want to flunk. I collision or after she was already have been failure. A compelling read for youth and adults. the semi-truck driver honking his couldn’t put it off,” Jennifer said. on U.S. 160 and the collision was horn. Taking that first step back into unavoidable. THIRD PLACE She wakes in the morning to a the school building was the “The Court is unable to find collage of her best friends - Tori, hardest. Someone from the Area beyond a reasonable doubt the Salina Journal Myranda, Julia and Veronika - all Mental Health Center went warnings were voiced with Gary Demuth smiling in photos taped to the with her, and stayed with her sufficient time for the respondent bedroom door. throughout each school day for to avoid the collision,” Peterson Jennifer was the driver and the first week. ruled. Complete package - great writing on a controversial subject only survivor of the accident There were a lot of stares, Other than inattentiveness, along with attractive layout. Good entry in a very competitive that killed her four girlfriends even from people she considered the court believes there was one category! that day. Jennifer’s car collided friends. other contributing factor to the with a semi at the intersection of “Most didn’t know how collision. Stubbs Road and U.S. 160. to act around her,” said The angle of the intersection They never made it to Frazier Delynn Longfellow, who of Stubbs Road and U.S. 160 Park. works at the high school as a is not the typical right angle. The lone survivor paraprofessional. Drivers traveling south on Stubbs A year later, Jennifer still Jennifer still struggles with a Road, as Jennifer was, approach wrestles with the physical and traumatic brain injury and short- U.S. 160 at an acute/obtuse angle mental injuries from the crash. term memory loss. In January, and are required to turn their There is the haunting memory of she was placed in special heads more than 90 degrees to waking in a hospital in Amarillo, education, so that her course load check for oncoming traffic from Texas, where she had been flown could be modified and she would the west, which was the direction after being stabilized at the local have additional help. the semi was traveling. PAGE 84 From her position, Jennifer walks into the high school “Helping to create life is a would have had to crane her commons area, she sees all the wonderful thing,” she said. “The neck to a greater degree than clusters of cliques, the insular happiness on the parents’ faces.” ordinarily required to properly units that outsiders cannot Meanwhile, not a day goes check for oncoming traffic, the penetrate. She walks past them, by that Jennifer doesn’t think of court found. reminded of what she once had. “my girls,” as she calls them. In February, Peterson Going to school is painfully Or wish back that moment just overturned the conviction and lonely. before everything went bad. found Jennifer innocent of “Those girls were my life,” the four counts of vehicular she said. “I feel lost. Out of homicide but guilty of failure place.” to yield to oncoming traffic. Delynn knows her daughter She was sentenced to pay a $94 is not the same person she was fine and had her driver’s license before the accident. The short- suspended for a year. term memory loss has been Going on with life difficult, even for her family to Now, a little more than a year handle. There are mood swings. after the accident, life goes on. She can’t handle teasing or But nothing is the same. joking. Nothing is funny like it These days, there are no text once was. messages from her girlfriends Other than the courtroom, filling the mailbox of Jennifer’s there has been no contact with cell phone. The house phone her girlfriends’ families. seldom rings with calls for her. Sometimes, Delynn wishes And there is no laughter coming they could all sit down together, from a cluster of girls hanging “Even if it was to yell at out in her bedroom. us,” she said. That would be Instead, it’s eerily quiet for better than the silence and the the home of a teenager. uncomfortable feeling they all “I lost my support system,” live with. “It would clear the air.” she said of her four girlfriends. The problem goes back to “We were always together.” people just not knowing what She could really use her girls to say to each other, Delynn now that she’s pregnant. The believes. baby is due in early September, But she notes the wonderful which will be her senior year. support they have had from the She plans to continue in school, community, the medical staff, while an older sister cares for counselors, and teachers and staff the baby. And no matter how at school. difficult the moment will be, she John Longfellow said his plans to walk across the stage at daughter is someone who will the 2010 graduation and receive hold up. her diploma. “Before the accident, I wanted For now, she comes directly to be a cosmetologist,” Jennifer home from school every said. afternoon, driven by her mother. Now, when she thinks of her She plans to start a part-time job future, she wants to help people. sometime soon. She likes the idea of becoming During the week when she an obstetric nurse. PAGE 85 EDUCATION STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Nicole Kelley

Nice “featurish” lead that draws readers into a strong news story. Well written and inspirational for other school districts. Great use of quotes. SECOND PLACE Oxford Register Janice Kneisley

Nice use of contrasting elements pulled together through technology. Very well written. THIRD PLACE Eudora News David Oakes

You made a story full of numbers very readable by adding human emotions in the form of quotes from the superintendent. Nice job. PAGE 86 By Kristin Babcock ing. I hope so too, but we’ll see... up, said Lowell Ghosey, execu- I just thought there would be a tive director of personnel and EDUCATION STORY Janice Sparks entered a pro- lot more jobs out there.” services. This year, the district Nondaily Division 3 gram to get a degree in education Usually there are, said Mary has only eight, and they were two years ago, never worrying Ann Benner, director of teacher made before the hiring freeze, about the job market after gradu- education for Ottawa University he said. The district has made ation. of Greater Kansas City. She it a priority to hire internally as FIRST PLACE “There’s always new schools works extensively with students much as possible, he said. opening and I was told there for placement in schools in the “ It’s just the position scrutiny Johnson County Sun shouldn’t ever be a problem, Kansas City area. has been turned way up because Kristin Babcock especially in Johnson County,” “I don’t know that I’ve talked of the whole funding situation Sparks said. “I didn’t really to a district that doesn’t have a across the state,” Ghosey said. factor that in. I never really had freeze right at the moment,” she Benner said she encourages The article takes a look at an unusual and frustrating time for afear about finding a job until I said. “This is a marked differ- graduates to continue applying, new grads. The cause for the freeze is explained well in the started student teaching and the ence for May. Usually many of and to look at substitute teaching story and readers can put a face with the issue. economy changed.” our students from December or paraprofessional work. Sparks began student teach- have already signed a contract or “We’re encouraging students SECOND PLACE ing in January, near the time are close to signing a contract. to make sure they show prospec- Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley That really isn’t occurring this tive employers why they should Kansas City Business Journal and Olathe, along with numerous year.” be chosen,” Benner said. Steve Vockrodt school districts across the coun- Last year, Blue Valley hired Benner said prospective try, implemented a hiring freeze. about 70 new teachers, Shaw- students are asking whether they Sparks, Olathe, graduated on nee Mission hired about 65 and should work toward an education This is an issue that most school districts will eventually face Saturday with a degree in el- Olathe hired about 115, officials degree. and the writer gives it fair and honest treatment. ementary education from Ottawa said. “Even though there’s still a University of Greater Kansas The hiring process is not com- tightening of positions, there’s THIRD PLACE City. She is looking to break into pletely frozen for districts. They still the graying of teachers in a job market that is unusually are just hiring later in the year, school districts,” Benner said. Miami County Republic slow to hire. and likely for fewer positions, of- “We know the field always has a Brian McCauley “That’s the hardest part is ficials said. need for quality educators.” you’re just waiting,” Sparks said. The Blue Valley School Dis- Sparks said one district told “I’d like to have had a job by trict is still evaluating how many her they will not start hiring until It might be a small issue but the “daily dilemma” is a now. It’s not unheard of for stu- positions will be filled internally two weeks before school begins. microcosm of the challenges in public school systems. It’s dent teachers to get hired before following retirements and resig- Until then she will keep working objective, no fingers were pointed but the points were made they stop student teaching. This nations, said Jim Payne, execu- to find a job, she said. that something is not quite right. year is just different. All of my tive director of human resources “I am optimistic,” she said. friends who went to college with services. “I’m probably going to get a me are the same way.” This year the district expects little bit less optimistic come Au- Taylor Kober recently moved to hire about 60 or fewer certified gust. I’m hoping when the door to Gardner after graduating from employees, he said. The number opens they’ll say, ‘Oh! Come on Pittsburg State University with of new teachers could be lower in.’” a bachelor’s degree in elemen- than that, he said. tary education. She said she has Shawnee Mission is also still applied to five or six districts in evaluating how many positions Johnson County. will be open, Leigh Anne Neal, “I honestly have had no district spokeswoman, said. luck,” Taylor said. “My dad says By February, the Olathe School you just keep working at it and District usually has about 20 to something will end up happen- 25 candidates for early hire lined PAGE 87 By Courtney Servaes “That’s a lower number than times.” typically,” Katt said. “It’s a CENTRAL HEIGHTS EDUCATION STORY Natasha Jenkins knows prob- drastic dropoff, but last year was It’s not just the budget; it’s Daily Division 1 lems often don’t stay at home. kind of an exceptional year in the everything. Jenkins, social studies teacher at other way.” But Central Heights Superin- Ottawa High School, sees those Katt said the elementary art tendent Jim Reece says his staff problems every day. position was reduced from two has done well to adapt to any FIRST PLACE She sees disputes, divorces positions to one, and the English challenges it recently has faced. and money problems. classes might be more crowded Reece said Central Heights Ottawa Herald And those problems only am- at the high school. - unlike many of the other area Courtney Servaes plify when the economy worsens, “We don’t know how all of schools - is not on a hiring she said. these cuts are going to affect us,” freeze, but is being cautious “Everything our students ex- he said. “Things aren’t going about spending. Creative graphics package will surely draw readers into a very perience at home - the good and to be done the way they were One of the most obvious educational, eye-opening story about the impact the economy the bad - gets brought to school,” before.” changes to the school district will is having on education. Nicely done! Jenkins said. “With the current WEST FRANKLIN be to middle school math classes, state of the economy, I foresee Dotson Bradbury knows it’s which now will be taught by a SECOND PLACE the struggles and hardships fami- going to be challenging. different teacher, Reece said. lies face being an extra burden Bradbury, West Franklin “Central Heights’ staff have High Plains Daily Leader that will impact students’ lives.” superintendent, said meeting done a great job of dealing with Jessica Crawford To help students, Jenkins what’s known as Annual Yearly any challenges, not just the re- said teachers have to anticipate Progress, a requirement of fed- cent budget challenges,” he said. these problems and find ways to eral education laws, every year is WELLSVILLE Very creative lead and warm profile in a teaching veteran. combat them - on top of an al- becoming more difficult - espe- The bottom line is: a lack Well written. ready stressful and ever-changing cially with fewer resources and of funding is hurting students, workload. larger class sizes. Wellsville Superintendent Denise THIRD PLACE OTTAWA “Making AYP is still in place, O’Dea says. Ottawa Superintendent Dean and the number of students who “We are being asked, and in Iola Register Katt said the first day of school must score proficient continues essence being required, by the Bob Johnson might be a little different this to increase each year,” he said. state and federal government to year. Bradbury said to combat continue to do what we have al- Teachers usually have help the economy, some additional ways done, but with less teachers Fun lead and well written story in a unique educational from librarians and counselors positions were cut last spring and less resources,” she said. opportunity for middle school students. before starting school, he said, and others - like the school’s O’Dea said students need but many of those positions have information technology direc- extra teaching staff, more classes been cut or reduced. tor - were combined to form new and fewer students in those “Teachers are accustomed to positions. classes to continue to be success- having everything ready the first In addition, he said the district ful - something school districts day with kids,” Katt said. “There cut 1.5 custodial positions, are being forced to cut. are going to be things that were reduced one bus driver position, “The public continues to ready before school started that cut one language arts position demand the results that have aren’t going to be now.” and the school resource officer. been seen in recent years, and Not only that, but Katt said “We’re continuing to provide that might not be a possibility,” the district has significantly a quality education with larger she said. “While our district will slashed the number of new hires classes and shrinking resources,” continue to put the needs of all this year. Last school year, he he said. “Our staff is committed students first, the funding chal- said the district hired about 35 to continuing to provide a qual- lenge will be a detriment to our teachers. This year, it only wel- ity education for every student kids.” comes seven new teachers. in these challenging economic PAGE 88 MORE WITH LESS When it comes down to it, Katt says teachers are going to have to be more resourceful. “They are going to have to do more with less resources, obvi- ously,” he said. “We’ve made so many cuts.” Some of those cuts will impact students, Katt said, but almost all of the cuts will impact teachers. “I wouldn’t consider it pres- sure,” Jenkins said. “But I’ve taken into consideration that not all families will be able to afford school supplies within the first couple of weeks of the school year.” Jenkins said she tried to stock up on school supplies this sum- mer to help those students who might not be able to afford them right now. “Personally, I know that try- ing to scrape by with finances can be quite a burden,” she said. “Younger students might not seem directly impacted by the struggles, but if a family is having financial difficulty it can sometimes cause emotional stress for everyone, children included.” But at the end of the day, Jenkins just wants her students to take something away from this experience, to learn something. “I think it’s important for stu- dents to realize, especially with the state of the economy, that education is their ticket outward and upward,” she said. “As they read about job cuts, home foreclosures and our na- tional debt, they should consider social and economic implica- tions.” PAGE 89 By Diane Gasper-O’Brien he actually was making his way supportive when the store is down the stairs again to make a open; they can bring snacks to EDUCATION STORY They use writing and purchase for an older student. class, which is a big ‘wow’ with Daily Division 2 math skills. They learn about Different board members are the students,” Piatt said. leadership and economics and appointed every nine weeks. The administration also responsibility, and even a little They purchase the supplies and approves of the venture. philanthropy. keep track of their inventory for “This has been great for FIRST PLACE No, this isn’t a 101 class list restocking purposes. the kids,” said Linda Kenne, for a college freshman. The idea of a store started principal of Victoria Middle Hays Daily News It could be, except these four years ago when Nancy Piatt, School. “They’re in charge of Diane Gasper-O’Brien students are only 13 or 14 years a long-time English and reading it. They get to make decisions, old. teacher at the school, applied and it’s been a great learning Eighth-graders at Victoria for a grant from the McDonald’s experience for them.” Great story on students doing the management and sales at Middle School in charge of Classroom Grants Program in The teachers said the school store for 13 or 14 year olds. Good plan for “hands on” the Squire Zone, four years Hays. hands-on experience has been sales experience. running, get a taste of the various “Our store really didn’t fit the invaluable. responsibilities of managing criteria for one of those grants,” “Part of our goal was to teach SECOND PLACE a store when they sign on as a Piatt said. “But (McDonald’s our kids to make change,” Piatt board member. owner) Gail Kuehl said she’d said. “They just don’t do that Garden City Telegram The store, located in the loan us $500.” anymore.” Monica Springer basement of their school, is open Piatt and colleague Beth “We learn responsibility, for a 15-minute period after Schmidt, who teaches social how to take money,” Audrey lunch two days a week when studies, English and reading Crawford added, “how to stock Good story and pictures of teacher demonstrating sign they sell drinks and snacks to at the school, opened a bank shelves.” language. A subject not taught by many schools. fellow students. account for the store that Following its nine-week stint, Board members show up summer. And that fall, one of the the board takes a portion of its THIRD PLACE before the store opens to make first tasks for the charter board profits and chooses a charity to sure everything is in order. By of directors was figuring out a donate money. Manhattan Mercury the time they take their places schedule to repay the loan. They also leave enough seed Sarah Nightingale behind the counter and at the Pam Scheck, the school money for the next group’s start- cash box, it’s a mad rush. custodian, painted a former up fees. “Some of the people, we storage room in maroon and gold The teachers also learned a Fine story on how a school is dealing with Spanish speaking know right away what they school colors, transforming it lot along the way, including what students. want,” said Dalton Dreiling, one into a pleasant customer-friendly would sell and what wouldn’t. of the board members for this atmosphere. “I think through the years,” year’s final nine-week period. Naming the store after the Schmidt admitted, “we probably There’s enough for everyone school mascot, the Squires, learned as much as the students who wants to make a purchase. seemed appropriate. did.” But that doesn’t stop sixth-, The idea of a student-run “You definitely learn seventh- and eighth-graders from store caught on so well that patience,” Piatt said. wanting to be the first in line. by the end of the first year, the In the early days, they tried to Some even come back more Squire Zone commissioned the sell pencils and notebooks and than once. high school shop class to build a paper. “I had to get something for counter. “We thought when they ran somebody else,” sixth-grader The board also was able to out (of supplies), they’d buy Brian Dome said as he made his purchase a refrigerator, and the them from us; it didn’t happen,” second trip to the store one day Parent Teacher Organization she said, laughing. “That was a earlier this spring. donated another one. bust, wasn’t it.” Dome grinned as he admitted “The teachers are pretty PAGE 90 “Bottom line, they like food and Gatorade,” Schmidt added. The two teachers had fun reminiscing during store hours last month, talking about reducing prices as the semester wears down. Piatt retired from teaching last year, and Schmidt will do the same at the end of this month. So they’re out recruiting their replacements as chair of the Squire Zone’s board. “It will be open,” Schmidt said. “We’re still finalizing sponsors for it, but it will be open.” And Schmidt said she plans to be there at the first day of the Squire Zone next fall. “Oh, yes,” Schmidt said, “we’ll come back and get them started.” PAGE 91 By Clara Kilbourn Lewis and Clark fought their way upstream. That would be EDUCATION STORY Along the Arkansas River on much worse, James Jared said. Daily Division 3 Friday, 48 Lyons eighth-graders Overall, though, he thought the launched a voyage that gave trip was fun. life to the story of the Lewis “But I didn’t imagine it would and Clark Expedition they had be that hard,” he said. FIRST PLACE studied in their history books. Marshall Schottler recalled Accompanied by 19 sponsors, that Lewis and Clark traveled Hutchinson News they put 22 canoes into the in birch bark canoes rather than Clara Kilbourn water near Alden and rode four- today’s fiberglass versions. And miles eastward toward Sterling, the original explorers carried all imagining the route that stretched their supplies. Good article! Interesting way to present history so that you from St. Louis to Fort Clatsop in The trip had been planned live it! Oregon. for earlier in the week, with a Along the way, the young cookout of venison burgers. SECOND PLACE explorers faced water currents When it was rained out, the that overturned their canoes, sand group ate the burgers at school Wichita Eagle bars that slowed their progress, and carried sack lunches on the Suzanne Tobias and, finally, the hardship of a buses for the Friday voyage. carrying their canoes. Among the calamities the “I don’t know how they (Lewis students’ will most remember are Great story! Good job! and Clark) did it,” Cassidy shoes filled with sand, a lost pair Dellinger said. “There were of glasses retrieved from under THIRD PLACE intense moments along the way.” the water, and canoes filled with When they planned their water. They struggled to upright Wichita Eagle excursion, Angel Holguin the boats and get back in while Lori Yount thought it would be easy, but they kept them from tipping. he, and other students, learned More pleasant to remember will otherwise. be the “pretty stuff” - birds and Good story! Got me thinking. “It was hard, really hard,” flowers that they hadn’t seen Ariel Gomez said. before. History teacher Sharon And even if most of them fell Quinn and language arts teacher into the river and were soaked Lita Zimmerman joined forces to the skin, getting out of school before the trip to teach the was a plus, they agreed. students about Lewis and Clark’s exploration of then uncharted territory. The students studied the Louisiana Purchase, drew maps, wrote journals as if they were on the journey and learned about American Indian tribes and animals. They also watched a video of the expedition. A contrast in the two adventures was that the students paddled downstream while PAGE 92 By Jeff Cott degree for small hometown pa- pers like this one. The news and COLUMN WRITING One thing you can count on events that are covered specific Nondaily Division 1 in life is change. Very little ever to the immediate community remains the same and if it does it cannot be found as easily all over is probably stagnant and unin- the Internet. spired. Subscription numbers for FIRST PLACE The newspaper business is community papers have not currently going through some of seen the decline because of their Derby Informer the largest changes in the history ability to offer a unique type of Jeff Cott of the industry. Daily newspa- extremely focused local news pers are experiencing shrinking that no one else covers. There is subscription numbers, layoffs some degree of built in resiliency Clear smooth flowing. Explains the situation and how it and reduced paper sizes. In some because of that. relates to the reader. The writing has a personality to it that instances newspapers are even It won’t be enough in the long draws in the reader. closing their doors, which is run though to sustain even com- something that Derby has just munity papers if they don’t make SECOND PLACE experienced. changes, too. From an inside-out view There is still a hunger for Norton Telegram of the industry, much of what news and information, but how Liza Deines newspapers are experiencing has it is acquired by the reader has been self inflicted and a lot of evolved. It is time that the indus- it centers around an inability to try take hold of that change and A unique approach - writing in 1st person from the times in change enough. take advantage of the opportunity your youth. Very enticing to a reader - like reading someone The Internet and the access of it presents. diary. electronic news has been around Over the next several months for many years now, which made and years you will see this paper THIRD PLACE it evident that eventually there making changes to adapt to the would be a shift in the tide. situation at hand. The printed pa- Riley Countian At some point large numbers of per as you see it will not go away Gloria Freeland readers will prefer to get news but the delivery of news and electronically as to reading it in a information will change, present- printed publication. We are now ing new and effective opportuni- Personal and flows well. Reminds the readers of events in beginning to approach that point ties for readers and advertisers their own lives and creates a bond. The reader wants to read and the numbers are growing to the end. dramatically. The industry has adapted to the change in the sense that most papers have an online version of the paper and with that, more people than ever are reading newspapers in some way. The problem is, as a business news- papers haven’t developed enough revenue streams to be recaptur- ing the lost subscription revenue. This is especially true with the large daily papers. The story is different to some PAGE 93 COLUMN WRITING Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Hiawatha World Ike Larson

Mr. Larson’s life and relationship w/ his wife is an open book. Column is fun and enjoyable to read. I like his style. SECOND PLACE Louisburg Herald Aaron Cedeno

Writer’s like Mr. Cedeno shouldn’t have to sweat getting and keeping jobs in newspapers. THIRD PLACE Atchison Globe Katy Blair

Writing is fun and most readers can probably relate to it. PAGE 94 By Fred Logan in ways that at once amazed me and filled me with pride. COLUMN WRITING My sons, Sam and Jack, turn I wouldn’t have been able to pre- Nondaily Division 3 18 years old today. dict any of it. That’s OK: Those I remember their first day serial astonishments of parent- of kindergarten. Children lined hood defy prediction. up in the school’s front hallway And soon, too soon, kinder- FIRST PLACE before marching into the class- garteners graduate from high room. Sam and Jack trembled in school. But funny things hap- Kansas City Business Journal abject terror. pen that comfort parents. They Fred Logan As the line of students began overhear their children speaking to move, my boys instinctively in the next room as young adults. reached out their hands to each They see them respond to chal- I appreciated this writer’s frank and candid tone, as well as other. I watched, teary-eyed and lenges with insight and maturity. the wide range of topics covered. dumbstruck, as the two guys who They’re reassured that every- argued over Barney and Dumbo thing will be fine. SECOND PLACE videotapes found the courage to That reassurance is one of the enter kindergarten by holding serial miracles of parenthood. Southwest Times hands. So with the memory of them Rachel Coleman I guess you could say that the hand-in-hand on that first day of experience was one of the serial school, I celebrate as Sam and astonishments of parenthood. Jack turn 18 and prepare to leave Thoughtful insights on parenting. It’s easy to relate to the How well I remember the wake- for college. writer’s life - enjoyed the personal anecdotes. up calls Sam and Jack launched And on this day I pray that from their cribs. They discovered they will know this: My hand is THIRD PLACE how to turn them into jungle always, across time and place, gyms. They climbed from one stretched out to hold yours. Miami County Republic crib into the other to enhance Brandon Steinert early-morning play opportuni- ties. That was noisy fun. So Funny, down-to-earth. reading the column feels like a was the special language they conversation with a friend. invented to alert each other that playtime was to begin. Long before they could speak, the first to awaken would start a low, sing-song chant that sounded roughly like “eye-ee-yi, ee-yi, ee-yi.” Then the other would join in, and we’d have “eye-ee-yi, ee- yi, ee-yi” in stereo. Usually, their pre-dawn primal communication was an annoying wake-up call for mom and dad. I would give anything to hear it again now. Little boys get older, of course, and develop their own interests. Sam and Jack did that PAGE 95 By Susan Lynn quickly evaporated once I read the police report. COLUMN WRITING Monday morning I received a What’s truly frightening is the Daily Division 1 request to not print an item from mother’s attitude to her daughter the police report. This happens calling for help and possibly frequently. interrupting what could have es- “It’s nobody’s business,” the calated into an even more tragic FIRST PLACE woman said in a not too friendly circumstance. manner, of news of their arrest Publishing the news item Iola Register for domestic violence. probably won’t have any effect Susan Lynn Airing one’s dirty laundry other than to make the people probably doesn’t get rid of the mad at The Register. It’s too stench. bad they can’t be shamed into Story brought out the fact that police reports must not show And while I could sympathize becoming better behaved. Into favorites in reporting the news. with the caller’s plight, I couldn’t becoming better people. Better make an exception. role models for their children. SECOND PLACE If we are to publish the police Yes, people don’t always see report we have to treat every- eye to eye. They disagree. Colby Free Press one the same — except for two But to take it to the level of Marian Ballard instances. fighting — of physicality — is The first is when publishing criminal behavior, nothing less. the report would somehow put a It’s not OK to hit, to shove, to Humorous story on transition from old methods to new person in danger. Perhaps they throw things at people. It’s not methods. are being stalked and news of OK to yell obscenities at some- their whereabouts would lead a one. THIRD PLACE perpetrator to their doorstep. It’s sick to cover up for an The other instance is when abuser — especially when chil- Ottawa Herald a public official, say the mayor, dren are put in danger. Tommy Felts is arrested for drunken driving. As for the altercation being Because of his responsibility to “nobody’s business,” the caller Iola, his crime would warrant its is wrong. Domestic violence Great story. own headline and a full story. takes a toll on society. It causes Publishing the police report is dysfunctional families. Children more than fodder for gossip. who live in violent homes with- If people are made aware of draw from their friends and do thieves, scammers, those with poorly in school. Teens who suf- violent natures, and other mal- fer abuse turn to drugs and sex to contents, they have been given anesthetize themselves from the fair warning. pain. Abused adults repeat the Monday’s caller said her cycle with their children. 7-year-old daughter had “over- Somewhere in our town is a little reacted” to a harmless situation girl who called for help. If only when she called 911. we could answer her call. “People fight,” the mom said in a matter-of-fact manner. She neglected to tell me her daughter had been hit during the disturbance. If I had held a shred a sympathy for the woman, it PAGE 96 By Bill Felber the scene. original source of the erroneous Here’s the truth. The RCPD report. They reported being told COLUMN WRITING I am from Chicago, which did pay a quick visit to Dick of ‘‘some confusion’’ during the Daily Division 2 spawned the City News Bureau. Edwards based on a tip from a original report, suggesting the Its famous motto was ‘‘If your caller regarding a shooting. The shooting may have been ‘‘across mother says she loves you, check shooting actually occurred in the street’’ from Dick Edwards it out.’’ another county at a site that had instead of at it. (In fact it was FIRST PLACE That may explain why I occa- nothing to do with the car dealer- about 40 miles away.) This, too, sionally have a hard time coping ship; in other words, the original was offered anonymously. Manhattan Mercury with aspects of the Internet that tipster was addled. But of course This column will be red meat Bill Felber tend to follow more of a back- the tip had to be checked out. for the message boards. Boarders fence philosophy: I heard that We did check it out, and found will reject the notion that ama- Jack told Julie that somebody it to be baseless. We didn’t run teur reporters ought to follow the These were great columns that dealt with a wide range of told him that ... anything on the Dick Edwards same principles as professionals. topics. They held local interest and are well written. Case in point: the “shooting” a shooting for the same reason we They will revel in the greater week or so ago at Dick Edwards didn’t run anything on my DUI freedom they enjoy, and bristle SECOND PLACE Ford. arrest last week: There wasn’t at the suggestion of a need for There wasn’t one. Which one. constraint. They will assert that Manhattan Mercury should explain why we failed to The message board, however, the editor of The Mercury is in Ned Seaton report that there was. was not constrained by such no position to lecture since The Let me repeat: no shots were details. By Sunday, another Mercury makes errors as well. fired at Dick Edwards Ford. Not anonymous expert felt comfort- That last is true; that’s why we Another great column for the Mercury. These columns were a even one. Not even by accident. able reporting why The Mercury run corrections. very interesting read. The defining difference between these I can say that with certainty had not reported the shooting: So far, for the record, nobody and the first place entry was the stronger call to action in the because we checked it out before we don’t have news reporters has run a correction on the Dick first place entry. Still, these columns are great. It was tough to we reported it...which we didn’t working on Saturday. Nobody Edwards shooting story. We choose between the two Mercury columnists. do. Because it didn’t happen. checked that out, either. We have haven’t run one because, having All of the above probably a reporter on regular Saturday checked it out first, we didn’t err. THIRD PLACE comes as a great surprise to some duty. Always have. The reporter I’m not sure why no message users of our Web site’s public- on duty was the one who deter- boarders have run a correction — Pittsburg Morning Sun driven message boards. Many mined there was no basis to the unless it’s because they haven’t JT Knoll message board regulars got their story. checked it out yet, so they don’t journalism training at the back Having condemned The Mer- know they’re wrong. fence instead of the City News cury for not reporting the shoot- These were wonderful columns to read. The writer’s voice Bureau. Which explains why ing that did not happen, another comes through in the pieces. The columns also create a strong a pseudononymous individual writer condemned journalism sense of place, and have a great local flavor. felt comfortable writing that an generally. ‘‘You have a shooting offshoot of a CNN Web page in Manhattan at a major dealer- linking to ‘‘KRNT in Topeka’’ ship in NE Kansas and NO ONE (presumably that person meant reports on it. Wasn’t even in Sun- KSNT) was reporting ‘‘a shoot- day’s Mercury. No news reports ing at a car dealership in Manhat- on TV. What a joke the media tan.’’ has become!’’ Somebody ran with that into Not much irony there, huh? a Google search reporting the Finally, two days after the RCPD at the scene of a shooting initial posting, a poster decided at Dick Edwards. A few minutes to actually contact somebody. later somebody else reported He or she got hold of the TV hearing that KMAN was also at station that apparently was the PAGE 97 COLUMN WRITING Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Lawrence Journal-World Cathy Hamilton

So very funny. I laughed out loud. Reading the column, it’s clear the writer is a natural storyteller and a good judge of her audience. SECOND PLACE Kansas City Star Matt Schofield

This personal look at life in Baghdad is unique and fresh. The small details peppering each column are vibrant and make the reader aware of the ongoing conflict in Baghdad. THIRD PLACE Topeka Capital-Journal Ric Anderson

Anderson is honest and witty, without trying to be funny. The column topics are unique and creative, ranging from personal to worldwide events. PAGE 98 SPORTS STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Chris Wristen

This was a great story. Rather than a typical “doubles pair earns trip to state” story, the writer instead frames the story in terms of the trials faced early on in the season and how this doubles team used its chemistry to make it to state. Nor the same old state qualifier story. SECOND PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Nick Bates

Another great, non-traditional sports piece. This story isn’t about the kid who wins. Rather, it is about a kid who, in spite of doing well all season, runs into problems in this race. It is compassionate while being unflinching. Another great piece from Bonner Springs. THIRD PLACE Bonner Springs Chieftain Chris Wristen

I just realized that all three of my top picks came from the Bonner Springs Chieftain. Wristen again does a fine job. As a general note, the Chieftain seems, at least in this small sampling, to do a good job of telling their sports stories in a way that is unique, interesting, and effective. Good job! PAGE 99 By Joey May states. rector in Hiawatha for 10 years, Troy and Wathena have a said he was surprised to learn SPORTS STORY A young man from Hiawatha cooperative for just their baseball that only three schools currently Nondaily Division 2 has a dream that he might have program, started only three years do not offer baseball in Class 4A. the opportunity to play baseball ago. In the current Big Seven League, in high school. Leupold said offering baseball Hiawatha is joined by Sabetha In a year of a state budget cri- would give young athletes the (Class 3A) and Seneca (2A) as FIRST PLACE sis, the idea of adding even one opportunity to pursue this sport schools who don’t offer baseball. more program to a district that in college. Fitz said he didn’t know whether Hiawatha World has already tightened its belt to “If there wasn’t even a opposition from track coaches Joey May the tune of about $400,000 seems baseball program this would in 1994 was also instrumental in farfetched. eliminate the chances of talented putting a stop to implementing Or is it? ball players to become noticed baseball. This was a great read. Very well-written article telling the According to a persuasive and given a scholarship for sport “But anytime you have a lot dream of baseball for the young boys. Overall neat story. essay “The Fight for Baseball,” opportunities and education,” of sports in one season, you don’t written by eighth-grader Bradley Leupold’s essay states “Students have a lot to draw from,” he said. SECOND PLACE Leupold, USD 415 is one of only should be able to participate “There would be fewer athletes three schools out of the 64 Class and excel in the sports that they and existing programs would The Mirror 4A districts that doesn’t offer really enjoy. If one of these is suffer.” Benton Smith baseball. baseball, it’s completely unfair to ‘A major disadvantage’ To Leupold, 13, who has the kids who don’t even get the Hiawatha American Legion played baseball since teeball chance to play the sport.” Baseball Manager Paul Rockey Great story telling how the relay team overcame and ran to days, the prospect of high school He said that anything can happen was the Legion coach who state title. Very good article that made me want to turn the baseball is an attainable dream. if enough people support the brought the matter to the school page and see how it ended. He decided to turn this dream effort. board in 1994. into a persuasive essay for Eng- “Supporting the idea with “We thought we had the votes THIRD PLACE lish class last spring. positive reinforcements from in at the school board until that “When I first started this es- fundraisers to petitions, will evening,” he said. “Somebody Louisburg Herald say, I didn’t know where it was dramatically help the cause and changed their minds.” Andy Brown headed,” Leupold said. “But I’d anything can happen when you Rockey said he felt intense really like to get the word out fight for your dreams!” the essay opposition from track coaches there. I think we could really concludes. at the time. The second time Great story of triumph. Well-written and full of great quotes. benefit. We could have athletes Baseball the matter was broached with That completes the story. who could compete.” Considered in ‘94, ‘99 the school board was in the late For his essay, Leupold Hiawatha considered adding 1990s by two fathers of Legion searched the Kansas State High baseball in 1994 and again five players. School Activities Association years later. Both times the school “At that time, I think the rea- Web site and found that Hia- board decided against it. son it wasn’t voted through was watha, Cheney and Hesston In 2000, the girls softball pro- more economic reasons,” Rockey — all Class 4A schools for the gram was added to Hiawatha’s said. “Plus they said they didn’t 2008-09 school year — were line-up of spring athletic activi- have enough options for girls. the only ones who did not offer ties. Softball went in, but baseball baseball. “When softball was brought didn’t.” “Along with these high up, probably what pushed it over Rockey said that as area schools surprisingly even smaller the edge is we were behind in schools have added baseball to districts near Hiawatha possess offering female programs,” said their high school line-up, Hia- baseball, including Wathena, HHS Athletic Director David watha’s competitiveness in that Troy, Effingham and Maur Fitz. sport has lagged. Hill-Mount Academy,” his essay Fitz, who has been athletic di- “We are behind all the high PAGE 100 school teams, who have already for a few months while school this issue.” Fellow Legion player Jereme said. “It gives them the oppor- had 30 practices and 20 to 25 board members deliberated bud- Ellfner and her husband, Jones, who plays tennis in the tunity to look forward to some- games,” Rockey said. “It’s a get issues in the face of state aid Del, have actively supported spring, agreed with Noll. He thing in high school that they like major disadvantage to us.” reduction. many sporting activities, includ- would prefer baseball and said as little kids.” Rockey said he also felt adding a He said that while many ing coaching their son Alec’s competing with other towns on high school sport could rekindle school districts may cry budget baseball team for the past several Legion has become increasingly participation in baseball, start- issues when faced with adding a years. difficult. ing down the ranks at the Little new program, he doesn’t think Ellfner said she would like for “These teams have already League age. that baseball will incur a lot of the opportunity for her children played 20 to 30 games when they “High school sports are at- expense. to play in their favorite sports at start off their Legion season,” tended a little better than summer “It’s not like basketball a competitive high school level. Jones said. programs,” he said. “It would where you would play back- “Concerning a cooperative team, While school officials cite give them something more to to-back days,” he said. “You there would have to be a great sport equality, Jones disagrees, work for.” could probably get by with one deal of homework done before saying girls also have the option Rockey said with enough uniform.” that type of situation could oc- to play golf, wrestle or even play community support high school Herl came up with an exten- cur,” Ellfner said. “There are so football if they want to. baseball could succeed in these sive list of cost projections for many factors to consider when Senior Tanner Smith runs drastic economical times. the Sabetha school district to you start involving another track, but has played baseball “When we took it to the school consider. school district. However with since he was old enough to catch board, we had so much commu- Estimated start-up costs for school funding and budgets a ball and swing a bat. nity support and enough dona- baseball were about $4,700 and becoming so difficult, I can see “I like baseball a lot better than tions and volunteers to complete- $4,000 for softball. where this might become a vi- track,” he said. ly fund the first year,” he said. “There is a way it could be able option for many districts.” Senior Jordan Marable is Rockey said he also thinks Hia- done if people want it badly What do the players think? also in favor of dual sports watha would have player partici- enough,” Herl said. “The first Several of the current Hia- participation. He loves to run and pation, not just from Hiawatha thing we would have to do is go watha American Legion ball is a state track qualifier, but said boys, but from Horton as well. out and raise start-up costs.” players had a definite opinion on baseball is his all-time favorite Already 10 Horton boys play But would it help his Legion what they would choose if given sport. on the Hiawatha Legion teams. team? the option. “We wouldn’t have to spend Rockey said this could possibly “Yes, it would, but the real Out of four players asked, the first month just trying to play lead to a viable school co-opera- reason is to make kids better three were track participants and catch up with all these other tive, such as the one in existence baseball players,” he said. “Let one played tennis. All four said teams,” Marable said at a recent between Doniphan County high the kids decide.” they would rather play baseball Legion game where Hiawatha schools. A school board in the spring. came up against Doniphan “That’s another way to insti- member speaks Senior Gabe Noll, who has County. “We also have one of tute a program where you could Hiawatha school board been a state track qualifier for the nicest facilities in the state. I have the costs split between two member Denise Ellfner said the the past two years, said he would think the school support would districts,” he said. subject of a baseball program like the option of dual sports par- also get more interest in the Baseball coming to Sabetha has not been broached during her ticipation. He referred to fellow Little League teams.” High? time on the board. Big Seven Leaguer Holton, who Marable felt that baseball Sabetha American Legion “I support providing our allows students to participate in could be supported through fund- Baseball Coach Paul Herl has students with many opportuni- more than one sport at a time. raising efforts or private dona- recently approached the school ties,” Ellfner said. “Assuming the “They just have to make a tions, which is how the tennis district there with surveys and funding and the numbers were commitment to one sport if they program at Hiawatha came into cost projections for starting up in place and after studying the fall on the same day,” he said. existence. baseball and softball programs at many sides to this issue and hav- “But if I had to choose, it would “If we don’t do something the high school level. ing an open discussion with the be baseball. I love baseball more. we’re going to lose our baseball While he wasn’t met with re- other board members, I would I also think it would make us [the programs for the little kids, who jection, Herl said he was put off like to think that I would support Legion team] lots better.” are struggling to find players,” he PAGE 101 SPORTS STORY Nondaily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Shawnee Dispatch Chris Wristen

Wonderful heartwarming story. Well-written and very inspirational story that had a need to be told. Keep up the good work. SECOND PLACE Johnson County Sun Mark Dewar

Terrific story that even told the coach’s story and tells us about his heart transplant. Inspiring story. THIRD PLACE Miami County Republic Andy Brown

Great lead that kept me reading this. Very well put together story. Nice story to share with the readers. PAGE 102 SPORTS STORY Daily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Arkansas City Traveler Joey Sprinkle

Great article! Made me feel the heart and soul of sports. SECOND PLACE Augusta Daily Gazette Jeremy Costello

Showed dedication and what it takes to be a coach. THIRD PLACE Iola Register Jocelyn Sheets

Great article - headline hooked me. PAGE 103 SPORTS STORY Daily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Emporia Gazette C.J. Moore

Good job telling big moment of big game. SECOND PLACE Hays Daily News Conor Nicholl

Good detail and comments in describing what must have been a heartbreaking loss. THIRD PLACE Manhattan Mercury Joshua Kinder

Good questioning. Good writing. Solid reporting. PAGE 104 SPORTS STORY Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Kansas City Star Kent Babb

Great writing. Made the subject exciting/fun to read. Nice work! SECOND PLACE Lawrence Journal-World Dugan Arnett

Good investigating - well researched - interesting look at big- time college sports. THIRD PLACE Hutchinson News Brad Hallier

Good story, good writing about a good team, interesting about the bird! PAGE 105 SPORTS FEATURE STORY Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Eudora News Jeff Deters

Touching story that held my interest throughout. Great job of talking to multiple sources for quotes and information. Very nice piece. SECOND PLACE Basehor Sentinel Chris Wristen

Nice story about a behind-the-scenes topic and individual who doesn’t often receive the praise that is desired. Way to think outside the box of normal sports features. THIRD PLACE Derby Informer Jeremy Shapiro

Well done. Took an interesting story and looked even deeper into it than most writers might. PAGE 106 SPORTS FEATURE STORY Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE The Mirror Benton Smith

This was really interesting to read. It had a good mix of sports and human interest elements. The story has a nice flow to it and a good intro and conclusion. Great job! SECOND PLACE The Mirror Benton Smith

This was a moving story. Very easy to read. The subheads are good and give a nice flow to it. Nice use of quotes. THIRD PLACE Kingman Leader-Courier Nancy D. Boost

This was a nice change of pace from the other feature stories. Fun to read. Good intro. A lot of interesting quotes. Well done! PAGE 107 It was then York found out the Wildcats’ dream of a state he had something special on his tournament appearance, was just SPORTS FEATURE STORY hands. Messmer had no problems that — a dream. Nondaily Division 3 showing up the older players and Messmer wound up being ev- By Andy Brown York realized all the potential he erything York could have asked had. for in a player. He was athletic, As the Louisburg soccer team “When I saw him out there he was talented, and he had the FIRST PLACE walked onto the Piper High schooling all those older players, awards to prove it. School field Monday, the weather I knew he was going to be good,” The 2008 LHS grad racked up Miami County Republic was nearly perfect. York said. “He was just so confi- all-league and all-state awards Andy Brown The sun was shining, the dent. Not everyone can say that by the handfuls, and he had the temperature was just right, and about themselves.” respect of everyone on the field. it made for a beautiful night of Messmer was one of four “He was the best overall Well written story, made me feel the emotion! soccer — almost. players who York considers the player to ever come through this The weather might have been cornerstone of the Louisburg program,” York said. “I really SECOND PLACE nice outside, but the Wildcats High School soccer program. don’t think there is anyone close. players were going through a Messmer, along with Zac Brown, He was a great player and he Miami County Republic whirlwind of emotions on the Anthony Vallacqua and Dustin could do it all.” Gene Morris inside. A flood of thoughts and DeLand, brought a young Wild- Messmer is still the one cur- memories came rushing back. cat program to heights not even rent players look up to today. Thoughts of a former teammate, York could have imagined early “Zac was definitely the best Good article - kept me reading from start to finish! friend and teacher. Memories of on. player to ever play at Louisburg,” all those game-winning goals, The program, which started in senior Stephen McTeer said. “He THIRD PLACE fancy moves and amazing passes. 2003, had a rough time compet- was so good. He played the game Zac Messmer was on the ing, like any young program with a lot of heart and he had Osage County Herald-Chronicle mind of nearly every Wildcat would. Then came the “Wildcat some crazy moves.” Jeremy Gaston player that day. Reality still quartet.” One of those moves is one which hadn’t sunk in. “Those guys were so much will forever live in Wildcat lore. Early Sunday morning, fun to coach because they loved During a match against Ot- Awesome article! Unique story! Messmer, 19, was killed by a the game so much and they really tawa in the postseason, the Wild- train near Drexel, Mo. The news gelled well together,” York said. cats met the Cyclones for the sent shockwaves through the “They were great friends and third time. With the season on Louisburg community and left the chemistry was really great. the line, a Wildcat sent a corner hundreds, if not thousands, sad- Nothing against any of the play- kick and the ball sailed toward dened by his death. ers on this team or that I have the goal. In Messmer’s honor, the coached in the past, because Messmer leapt in the air and Wildcats played for him Monday they are good too, but those guys spun backwards. With his back and did so with a heavy heart. were great.” toward the goal, Messmer kicked The players walked onto the field In their final three years, the the ball off his heel and found the stone-faced. Smiles were few four players made deep runs corner of the net for the game- and far between, but they knew into the soccer playoffs and all winning goal. what they had to do. they wanted was to make a state In other words, it was They needed to win for Zac. tournament to represent their Messmer-izing An LHS soccer legend town. But every season, there “That was one of the craziest As a seventh-grader, Zac Mess- was always one team standing in goals I have ever seen,” McTeer mer attended a soccer camp con- their way — Piper. said. “I have never seen anything ducted by coach Ben York which The Pirates bounced Louis- like that before, especially in featured several high school age burg each of those three years high school. We got it on film athletes. and Messmer and the rest of too. It was amazing.” PAGE 108 After high school, Messmer cared for his former teammates, you were doing wrong and tell went right into our prayer. We lights beaming down, York saw played a year of college soccer at it was York he looked up to the you, you had to fix it. He was a didn’t talk about it much before that seventh-grade kid, many Iowa Wesleyan, and this summer most. After Messmer graduated, great teacher.” the game, but everyone knew years ago. He saw that senior in he transferred to Johnson County he went to work for York over Wilson had a little differ- who we were playing for.” high school and his many amaz- Community College in hopes of the summer and the two became ent view of Messmer. He found Less than a minute into ing shots. making the Cavalier soccer team. friends. himself standing on the sidelines the match, it was apparent the And, he saw that friend — a Those hopes and dreams were York watched Messmer grow during certain games and watch- Wildcats weren’t going to let this friend that changed York’s life never realized. from an ornery seventh-grader at ing Messmer do his thing in one slip away. Wilson scored on for the better. Shocking news camp to one of his best players, amazement. a breakaway 12 seconds in and “Everyone knew who Zac Stephen McTeer was sitting in and in the end, to one of his best “He wanted to break your Louisburg eventually took a 3-0 Messmer was,” York said. “Ev- church, as was Anthony Juarez. friends. ankles with a great move, and halftime lead. eryone knew him on the field and Woody Watson woke up to “The emotions really come then right after that he wanted It only got worse for Piper. what he was about. He competed what he thought was a night- and go for me,” York said. “I was to break your ankles again,” Wilson scored his second goal hard and he never gave up. It re- mare. so shocked when I found out, just Wilson said. “He never let up early in the second half and se- ally hasn’t sunk in for me yet.” That is what some of Mess- like everyone else was. When and worked really hard to be the nior Ray Crosswhite finished the To honor Messmer, the Wild- mer’s former teammates, and people you love are taken away best.” Pirates off. cats will wear an armband for current Wildcats, were doing from you like that, it just comes Messmer wanted to prove he Crosswhite, who wears Mess- the rest of the season and have when they heard of his death. in waves. There will always be and his teammates were the best mer’s old No. 1, got the game’s dedicated the rest of the season “Someone came up to me in that void in my life now that Zac team in Class 4A. During his final goal in the 5-0 victory, as if in his memory. church and asked me if I had isn’t here anymore. I might see senior season, the Wildcats made Messmer himself wanted to rub “We had high goals for heard about Zac and I hadn’t,” something, smell something or it all the way to the state quar- it in. The Wildcats had finally ourselves this year and we want McTeer said. “When they told hear something that reminds me terfinals when they traveled to done it. to make the state tournament, but me ... at first I thought it was just of him and it is tough. It is defi- Kansas City, Kan., to play Piper “We definitely wanted to win now we want to do it for Zac,” a sick joke. Then I realized it was nitely going to be a rough next for the third-straight season. this one for him,” Watson said. McTeer said. “He was never able true and I just lost it. I couldn’t few weeks.” Louisburg eventually lost the “He was never able to beat Piper, to get there and we want to get believe it.” After the players had a few game in a close 3-2 battle, which and we wanted to be able to do there for him. I know that is what The news hit all of the Wild- days to take it all in, they started left a void in Messmer’s playing that for him.” he would have wanted us to do.” cats hard and the players spent to reminisce about all the good career – a void many of the play- After the game was over, the Game on. most of Sunday calling back times they had with Messmer. ers felt Monday. traditional high-fives and smiles and forth between one another “When I was a sophomore Winning for Zac weren’t there. In fact, they were to inform them of the news. The goalie, a lot of those guys, espe- nowhere to be seen. players tried to gather all the in- cially Zac really made me better It was as if Messmer was on the Many of the players broke formation about what happened by challenging me every day in field with the Wildcats on Mon- down in tears after the emotional that fateful morning. practice and they made sure I day evening at Piper. victory. They sat on the sidelines Junior Daniel Wilson received got better,” Juarez said. “They Louisburg faced off with and just stared onto the field as a phone call from Messmer an pushed me really hard and that is Piper for the first time since that they wished their buddy was still hour before his death. something I will always remem- 2007 contest and the Wildcats, with them. “He just wanted to call and ber about him.” without question, wanted to beat Instead of his normal post- talk, which I thought was kind Messmer didn’t stop his the Pirates. It wasn’t for them- game talk, York turned away of weird because he really didn’t teaching with Juarez. selves; they wanted Messmer to from the players, squatted down do that a whole lot,” Wilson “There were definitely quite a have his revenge. on the field and wept. He cried said. “He just wanted to know few times where he pushed me in There was no big speech be- the tears he had wanted to all how our game went (Saturday) practice and made me look pretty fore the game. The players knew day. and how we did. I know he was bad,” junior Tanner O’Hara what they had to do. York had tried to hold them happy we won, and he always recalled. “Zac was definitely a “We knew it was different, back and put on a brave face for called at least just to check on confident player, and he wanted because usually before the game his team, but he couldn’t any how we were doing. He really to just dominate at everything. we get in a circle and Ben talks longer. He let it all go. cared about the team.” But on the other hand, he would to us to get us fired up,” Juarez As he looked onto the field at Although Messmer really always stop and show you what said. “There was no talk. We just Piper High School, with bright PAGE 109 SPORTS FEATURE STORY Daily Division 1

FIRST PLACE High Plains Daily Leader Earl Watt

Very sensitive, well-written story. Lots of emotion, great quotes and layout make it a clear #1 entry. SECOND PLACE Chanute Tribune Jason Peake

Nice profile on a sport that doesn’t garner much publicity - you can almost feel their pain. THIRD PLACE Iola Register Richard Luken

For all those fans and perennial “losers” this is a story to which they can relate. Well written, fun read. PAGE 110 SPORTS FEATURE STORY Daily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Manhattan Mercury Joshua Kinder

Great story about a special player who provided a lot of memories for her fans. SECOND PLACE Hays Daily News Conor Nicholl

Good feature about a basketball player who had a special career and a special relationship with his grandfather, playing the game they both loved. THIRD PLACE Manhattan Mercury Cole Manbeck

Good in-depth story about a coach of a major college basketball program whose name recognition alone made a story of strong interest to readers. PAGE 111 SPORTS FEATURE STORY Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Kansas City Star Kent Babb

Great story about a great athlete and even better man. Nice, conversational writing style. Impressive amount of research that was organized well. This was one of the most touching sports stories that I’ve read. SECOND PLACE Wichita Eagle Paul Suellentrop

Great lead into story carried all the way through. It’s great to read about the academics of athletes, especially those who are so talented and original. Reporter has a talent for storytelling which works well with this story. THIRD PLACE Lawrence Journal-World Dugan Arnett

Nice bit of research traveling to Buffalo to find out about new football coach Turner Gill. Reader gets good feel for how Gill is as a human and not just a coach. While stories like this are better told in casual tone, this goes too far in my opinion. Sometimes it is better to report and go less with story telling. It loses a little bit of authentic feel of a newspaper story. PAGE 112 28. man at state and second as a “They’ve been such a cor- sophomore and junior. I sat qui- SPORTS COLUMN WRITING nerstone of our program for five etly during his final match, just Nondaily Division 1 years,” Harris said. “I’m mostly taking pictures, but on the inside By Jimmy Gillespie sad, because I don’t get to coach I was cheering for him. them anymore. They are great He was always and still is one kids. They are hardworkers and of the nicest athletes I’ve talked FIRST PLACE Each year, high school seniors leave the world of prep definitely raised the bar in our to and gotten to know over the Baldwin City Signal sports and move on to bigger and practice room. They worked for years. He always gave an inter- better things. every bit of success they had. view and had the right things to Jimmy Gillespie A few of those seniors usually They were definitely blue-collar say every time. The image of him leave a mark on their specific wrestlers.” jumping into Harris’ arms after sport that is remembered for a It’s hard to put into word what winning his state title will be Gillespie injects humor and his own unique outlook and long time. Heather Garcia left the Callahan’s have done during etched in my memory, forever. experiences to make his columns a fun read. Baldwin High School last May their years as Bulldogs. Well for Then this wrestling season with nine state gold medals and starters, they hold seven school rolled around and all of the talk SECOND PLACE numerous records. records. Alan set two this season was about how it was Alan’s Derby Informer In the world of small-town — takedowns (120) and team time to follow in his brother’s high school sports, it’s often points (299). footsteps. His career as a domi- Jeremy Shapiro families that impact their school. Kevin set one, nearfalls-2 nant grappler didn’t begin quite One child will come and go (46) as a junior. During his as young as Kevin’s did. How- while another is just entering the sophomore campaign, he set four ever, Alan burst on the scene Shapiro knows his audience and understands his topic. These high school. Once the final one others. Those were technical as a freshman by placing sixth columns were fun to read and informative. graduates, the program misses falls (15), nearfalls-3 (57), total at state, after injury defaulting them more than words can say. nearfalls (100) and match points because of a broken leg. THIRD PLACE My best example — excuse my (452). He followed that up with a running bias, it’s in my blood Oh there are also a couple of third-place finish as a sopho- — is Matt and Megan Noonan. state records, too. Alan set the more. His junior campaign ended They brought home handfuls of state team points record this sea- early when he failed to medal gold medals for BHS, including son with 1055.5. The one record at state. Combine that with his six state titles for the boys’ cross they might be best known for is brother’s state title and Alan country and track teams. the state career wins record. had plenty of determination this Although coach Mike Spielman Older brother Kevin, a 2008 winter. seems to reload on talent every BHS graduate, capped off his Each tournament, it was easy to year, those two left a legacy incredible career a year ago with see his goal was a state champi- at Baldwin High. I was lucky a state championship, which was onship. Alan didn’t care that he enough to be a part of that for a the only state title between the was closing in on Kevin’s wins few years. brothers, and state record. He set record. He wanted to be the top During my four-plus years the career wins mark at 171 with of his weight class when it count- as the Signal sports writer, I’ve his title. ed the most. been lucky enough to follow an- Watching Kevin win that title Alan came so close to that other pair of siblings. Their name was one of the happiest moments goal. He advanced to the state is well known around the mat. in my short career as a sports finals for the first time in his For five seasons, the Callahan journalist. I started here during career. That was the first step. brothers have cemented their the beginning of his freshman Then came the final match. place in Bulldog wrestling lore. season, but I watched him every Unfortunately, he ran into Saint BHS coach Kit Harris was a little season. It was an honor to be a James’ Taylor Moeder and lost emotional after Alan Callahan’s part of his (and Alan’s career). the title. It was tough to watch final match at the state meet Feb. Kevin placed fourth as a fresh- the match as I wanted Alan to PAGE 113 repeat Kevin’s senior year. His the years of success Callahans. brother did, too. You’re part of the reason I enjoy “I was proud of Al after it this job as much as I do. was all done,” K. Callahan said. “It hurt me more than anything. I wanted him to know what it feels like to win a state title and stand on top. I know how hard he worked. I’ve been there for a good majority of what he’s put into it. If anything, he’s worked harder and been more dedicated than I was. If I could I’d give him mine, just because I know he wanted it that bad and deserves it. He’s still the best in my book and always will be.” It was also a honor to watch Alan’s career unfold before me. Like his brother, he was always happy to talk to me and usually had a smile on his face. He even spoke to me shortly after his final match. After it was all said and done, the Callahans combined for 342 victories during their time at BHS. Yep, each brother won 171 matches. They are tied for the state career wins record. If Alan, would have beat Moeder, he would sit atop alone. That’s how Kevin dreamed of it happening. “I hate it that he tied my record, because I know he could have beat it,” K. Callahan said. “I wanted him to win it and beat my record. I wanted that for him. It’s nice to share it and it means a lot to me, but the way I pictured it was him breaking my record. Now it’s our record and I couldn’t be more proud of my little brother.” While it’s uncertain how long the Callahans will hold the state record, one thing is certain — the BHS wrestling program won’t be the same next year. Thanks for PAGE 114 and finally the head coach in you.” Wildcat country. A lot of things probably led SPORTS COLUMN WRITING Maybe he just wanted a break up to Dillon’s decision, and Nondaily Division 2 from the sport (like he said in the maybe it is time for a fresh start By Andy Brown story) to spend more time with to the Wildcat program. his family. That could have been Louisburg has loads of young I wish I could say this an- part of it, but I don’t think that talent that can do some special FIRST PLACE nouncement caught me by was the main reason. things in the coming years, and Louisburg Herald surprise. But for me, it became It would be easy for me to say sometimes a new coach can give a matter of “when” rather than he got a raw deal in the process, the program a newfound energy. Andy Brown “if.” but I am not at many of the Let’s hope the Wildcats can Louisburg boys’ basketball practices, nor am I in the locker find that chemistry to make a run coach Jim Dillon announced his rooms after the games, so I don’t in the Frontier League over the Great mix of topics, and all topics were local. Nice job of resignation last week as many of know exactly what went on. Nor next couple of seasons and that offering your opinion, even when it was negative towards fans you probably already know. Even do I care to, actually, but all I Dillon can find a way to get back or administrators of schools you cover. The column about at the beginning of the season, I can look at is Dillon’s history at into the sport he loves so much. coach Kueser was very nicely done. could just tell something wasn’t Louisburg. He deserves at least that much. right with this team. His first season he won the SECOND PLACE Sure, they were young and league title with a group of The Mirror sometimes it takes awhile to get players he didn’t know and the chemistry together, but as the later earned a berth in the state Benton Smith season wore on, it became evi- tournament in 2005. Dillon has dent this wasn’t going to be a fun led the Wildcats to three substate year for Dillon or his players. final games in the last five years, Very impressed with the column about Austin Stone. Very Heads butted, verbal fights which is not an easy thing to do. moving and inspiring. Good writing overall in all columns. ensued and some players never Looks pretty good here. bought into what the Wildcat Dillon also saw the writing on THIRD PLACE coach was trying to instill in the the wall for the state of the pro- team. I am sure many of you gram after the Kansas State High Atchison Globe don’t need me to tell you this as School Activities Association Hank Layton you probably saw or heard most allowed athletes to work with of it yourself. their coaches during the summer Although this wasn’t the full months. Writer showed ability to cover a variety of topics although all reason, I have to believe this was “I wasn’t sure if I had the were local. Diverse stories, all well written. Not afraid to make a big reason Dillon decided to energy or the want-to to work,” an opinion. hang it up. The coach couldn’t Dillon said. “I don’t want to take it anymore. use this as an excuse, but if we Dillon didn’t tell me this was have more exposure to our kids, the reason on or off the record, I am going to be battling Gary but it doesn’t take a scientist to Griffin (football) and Jeff Lohse figure this one out. The chemis- (baseball) for our own kids, and try just wasn’t there. I know where basketball is going He has been around basketball to be on that end. Football is king his entire life and loves the sport, here and baseball is big as well. from when he was a manager for I don’t think guys will be willing the Kansas basketball team under to do things in the summer. There then-coach Roy Williams, to be- is no more frustrating thing as ing a head coach in Herington, a a coach than being there in the middle school coach in Andover summer and nobody is there with PAGE 115 SPORTS COLUMN WRITING Nondaily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Shawnee Dispatch Chris Wristen

This judge enjoyed your nice easy to read style that was enjoyable to read. Your stories were well-written concise and very thought out and covering a wide subject range. SECOND PLACE Olathe News Tod Palmer

Great story ideas that are well written and enjoyable to read. All your stories make an impact on your community and get to see a different side to sports. THIRD PLACE Miami County Republic Gene Morris

All your articles were very interesting and easy to read. You tackled difficult subject matters and spun them in a positive light. PAGE 116 spaceship look to it and I was who left the stadium from the in the perfect spot, looking west front gates that I actually had SPORTS COLUMN WRITING as the storm headed northeast. I cards to sign. Well, not exactly; Daily Division 1 By Joey Sprinkle was standing in front of a friend‚ several other players left the house out in the country, eagerly same way, including outfielders Here is a prime example of awaiting the rotating monster to Jose Guillen and Coco Crisp, my bad luck with storm chas- produce a funnel cloud and in pitcher Brian Bannister and des- FIRST PLACE ing: Tuesday night, when funnel turn, a tornado. ignated hitter Mike Jacobs. clouds seemed to be popping up Alas, no tornado was pro- Bannister had his baby girl in his Arkansas City Traveler all over Cowley County, I was duced ‚not even a funnel cloud. arms, so I left him alone. I have a Joey Sprinkle at the Royals baseball game in A few days later, when dis- lot of respect for athletes‚ family Kansas City. cussing the storm with the friend time and want to be respectful of While local weather enthu- who lived there, and telling of that. Jacobs left with his family Especially enjoyed the column about the state cutting money siasts and storm spotters were my disappointment in not seeing as well, pushing a double stroller, from the education budget. Really put things in perspective chasing the supercell thunder- an elusive twister, she kindly but I was told he wasn’t real af- and took coverage to write as a sports fan. Clever columns storm that seemed to be camping mentioned that I must have not fectionate with signing his name and good writing overall. over Strother Field, I was chas- been looking in the right place, on anything but contracts, so I ing down a Zack Greinke shirt on because ‚You didn‚ see the tor- didn‚ bother. SECOND PLACE T-shirt Tuesday. nado just beyond those trees over Guillen and Crisp, unfortunately, And my wife? Oh, she was there?‚ she said, pointing to the couldn‚ have been more rude Parsons Sun just hunkered down in the ladies‚ northwest. without actually committing Anthony Cook restroom inside Cowley 8 theater Fortunately, I had better assault. Both players went out of just a stone throw from Strother luck Tuesday night at Kauff- their way to ignore the fans who Field. Yep, my wife is getting man Stadium than I do chasing pay their exorbitant salaries, re- Enjoyed the fact that your topics had local interest. The story more tornado action than I am. tornadoes. fusing even to make eye contact. about Thanksgiving basketball made me smile because a lot of Ironically, my wife‚ big- Not only did the Royals With major league sports becom- families can relate to similar events! gest complaint was not that the defeat the Arizona Diamond- ing more and more a business, sheriff‚ office wouldn’t let them backs behind Gil Meche‚Äôs and with the majority, it seems, THIRD PLACE leave until the danger passed. masterful four-hit shutout, but of professional athletes that re- She was miffed that she didn‚Äôt I hung around after the game fuse to have anything to do with High Plains Daily Leader get to see the end of the movie. long enough to snag not one, those who ultimately pay their Earl Watt A certified storm spotter with but three autographs from one salaries and worship the ground the National Weather Service, of my favorite players, Royals in which they walk, it‚ becom- the first thing I check when I turn third baseman-right fielder Mark ing more difficult to get behind Really liked how you tackled a local issue in the column abut on the computer every morning Teahen. any of them. As soon as I endear stadium renovations. Would have liked to have seen all three is the convective outlook for the The last time I made the these players to my heart, they entries local in nature. day ‚Äî the chance that severe nearly four-hour trek to Kansas either get traded or play out their weather could be coming into our City, I stood outside the main contracts and sign as free agents, neck of the woods. As I headed gates while my friend went most notably for large-market up to Kansas City, I really didn’t autograph-hunting and I watched teams such as the New York Yan- expect much from the 20-percent Teahen sign autographs for at kees and Los Angeles Dodgers. risk of severe weather. least 20 minutes. Another one Teahen‚ and Butler‚ seem like Shows what I know. of my favorites, first baseman such nice, everyday guys, guys It reminds me of the day a Billy Butler, also signed for what who if they were not larger-than- few years ago when I was chas- seemed like forever. So this time life heroes, could just as likely be ing a supercell thunderstorm I grabbed a few cards of as many your next-door neighbors. between Garden City and Scott players as I could think of and Teahen, who incidentally, was City in southwest Kansas. The set up shop. born in 1981 in Redlands, Calif., storm I was tailing had a perfect Teahen was the only player about 15 minutes from where, PAGE 117 as a junior, I was a manager on my high-school baseball team, signed all three of his cards that I brought to the game. That‚Äôs a hero I can get behind, no matter what team he plays for. PAGE 118 SPORTS COLUMN WRITING Daily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Emporia Gazette C.J. Moore

These columns were a lot of fun to read and reflect a passion for the subject matter. They show Moore to be a versatile writer who can express himself well on a variety of subjects. Gazette columnists were my top two picks! Way to go Gazette! SECOND PLACE Emporia Gazette Joey Berlin

These columns were also a lot of fun to read and were knowledgeable. This was a tough category to judge in that there were many great entries. The only difference between this and the first place pick was in variety of subject matter. Both were great entries! Good job Emporia Gazette! THIRD PLACE Great Bend Tribune Mike Courson

Great entries. Well thought out columns. I appreciate the call to action in your sportsmanship piece. The Lady Panthers piece was wonderful and the Pitino piece is well-expressed. PAGE 119 around the West Texas A&M times, the Lone Star has won program where his dad was the four times and Drury, no longer SPORTS COLUMN WRITING coach. in the region, won once. Out Daily Division 3 Maybe Schneider understood of the 22 teams to play in the By C.J. Moore why his team’s ranking seemed regional championship game, 15 low. have been from the MIAA. I set off this week on what I “I obviously don’t understand “It’s obvious to me that the FIRST PLACE thought would be a pretty easy them; I don’t agree with them,” MIAA has done a pretty good Kansas City Star task. I wanted to understand the Schneider said. “So me trying to job in this region for a long time, Division II Regional rankings, have any control and our team and we’re not probably getting Joe Posnanski and come up with an explana- having any control over what six the respect that our conference tion for why the Emporia State people do and think would just deserves,” Schneider said. women, ranked eighth nationally, be a waste of our time.” Well, I thought, maybe it’s a The narrative on baseball scout Art Stewart was an were only ranked fourth in the Since I had a little time to new era, and maybe the national astounding piece of journalism. And Posnanski’s Zack South Central Region. waste this week, I tried to figure rankings are also just a reflection Greinke feature was thorough and compelling as well. After watching Emporia State out why Emporia State was of the past and they don’t reflect blow out two of the best teams in only ranked fourth in the region; the regional rankings in all the SECOND PLACE its conference the past week — why the MIAA has only three other regions as well. Missouri Southern and Pittsburg teams in the top 10; and what Wrong again. Kansas City Star State — it was hard for me to Einsteinien formula they used to Out of the top 14 teams Jason Whitlock fathom that there are three teams figure these rankings. nationally, only three were not better in the region, and I was not But first I took a history les- ranked first or second in their alone. son. region: No. 8 ESU at four, No. 9 Whitlock’s style is somewhat unique but always provocative. “They’re the No. 1 team in I looked back over the last 12 Washburn at six and No. 12 Tus- He takes on the subjects that other sports columnists do, but the region, period,” Pitt State years to see how the teams and culum at three in the Southeast always with an interesting angle. coach Lane Lord said. “They can conferences fared in the regional region. The No. 15 and 16 teams, score. They play good defense. tournament. After all, the reason Quincy and Michigan Tech, are THIRD PLACE The best thing they do though is the regional rankings are so third and fourth in their region; they hit big shots, and anytime important is because they decide however, the top two teams are Wichita Eagle you start to make a run, they get which five teams get an at-large ranked fourth and fifth nationally. Bob Lutz a hustle play or a loose ball and bid into the regional. The South So what was the South turn it into a 3-point play or a Central Region has three confer- Central Region looking at? I 3-point shot. They’ve got a great ences — the MIAA, the Lone called committee chairman Sally Lutz’s explanation of a clock issue was objective and it did inside game, and Ida Edwards is Star and the Heartland — and the Brooks to find out. much to allay any concerns by WSU fans that they had arguably the best player in the conference tournament winner in Brooks is the coach at Angelo received a raw deal. Also, a nice discussion of the K-State league.” each conference gets an automat- State, ranked eighth in the region controversy. Well, Lord is only in his sec- ic bid, and then the final regional with a 14-9 record. Brooks told ond year in the MIAA, and this is ranking decides the seeds. me the regional rankings were my first year covering the league, In the most recent regional completely objective, whereas so I thought maybe we had the rankings, the MIAA has three the National rankings are com- regional rankings all wrong, teams (Nos. 4, 6 and 7); the Lone pletely subjective. and the Lady Hornets were right Star has six teams (Nos. 1, 3, 5, where they should be. 8, 9 and 10); and the Heartland “It’s not supposed to be subjec- ESU coach Brandon Sch- has one team, ranked second. tive; it’s not supposed to be, neider has been at Emporia State That led me to believe that ‘well, I think this team is better.’ for 13 years — 11 as head coach traditionally the Lone Star per- I know why you’re asking that and two as an assistant — and formed the best. I was mistaken. question, but it’s not supposed to he’s spent many more years In the last 12 years, an MIAA be about what we think,” Brooks around the region, growing up team has won the region seven said. “It’s supposed to be about PAGE 120 the numbers we’re looking at. and lost at Kingsville. Lady Hornets scheduled four against Drury, ranked fifth in Even if we saw other teams play, Team X is Central Oklahoma, NAIA teams, but that was not be- the Midwest Region. The Lady we’re not on the call saying this ranked third in the region, and cause they wanted to avoid Lone Blues were not even ranked in team is better based on some- team Y is Emporia State. Star and other D-2 teams. the first regional rankings this body’s personal feelings on it.” So maybe I’m missing When Schneider was assem- season. Brooks kept emphasizing something inside the numbers, or bling the field for the Candle- Looking at the numbers, objective, not subjective, and maybe subjectivity (say it ain’t wood Suites Classic last year, he it’s tough to explain how Saint the fact that it’s all about the so) is creeping its way into the could not get any D-2 schools to Mary’s, 17-3 in region, is second numbers. If that’s the case, I’m rankings. accept an offer. Emporia State when it plays in the Heartland, confused why there even is a Emporia State associate has also struggled to find D-2 considered the weakest confer- committee. athletic director Carmen Leeds schools to agree to play a home- ence in the region. Plug the numbers into a was the chairman of the South and-home series. West Texas A&M, ranked computer, see what it spits out Central Committee for women’s “We wanted to try to cre- first, does make sense, because and leave the human element out basketball from 2000 to 2004 and ate a regional tournament, and its record against the top 10 is of it. she is currently on the softball we were able to do that back 5-1, and its in-region record is The criteria the committee is committee. Leeds said subjectiv- when my dad was coming to 20-3. supposed to use includes overall ity does enter the equation, and the tournament and Cameron As for the rest of the rankings record against D-2 teams, in-re- sometimes they’re even asked to was coming to the tournament,” that have the Lady Hornets at gion record, strength of schedule, set their objectivity aside. Schneider said. “... It’s been fourth, Washburn at six and only results versus ranked teams and “I was told we were following increasingly difficult to get any three MIAA teams in the top 10, significant wins and losses. the numbers too much is what I Lone Star teams to come because I must side with Schneider and So I tried to train myself to was told when we were on, and they’ve got people that are on the subjectively object. forget about my subjectivity and to make sure that we didn’t, and committee within their confer- think like a committee member. on my softball committee same ence telling them that as the chair To make sure we all don’t let thing,” she said. “The national of the committee, it’s dumb for our feelings get in the way, let’s rep would come back and ask you to play any MIAA schools, look at two teams without giving why and you would say because so it’s been really, really hard.” away which school is which. of the numbers, and they would So with no choice but to show Team X is 18-4 overall ask, what’s your other reasoning? its prowess in conference, the against D-2 opponents, 18-4 So you have to kind of talk the Lady Hornets have done just in-region, in second place in its numbers out and be able to ex- that. They are one of only two conference and 3-2 against the plain it away from the numbers.” teams in the top 10 with a perfect top 10 teams in the region. Is this committee different? record against the rest of the top Team Y is 18-3 overall against Brooks would have you be- 10. Saint Mary’s, ranked second D-2 opponents, 18-3 in-region, in lieve so, but committee member in the region, is the other. But first place in its conference and Maryann Mitts, the Missouri Saint Mary’s has only played 3-0 against the top 10 teams in Southern coach, painted a differ- one game against the top 10, a the region. ent picture. win against No. 5 Southeastern Team X and Y share three “Is there some subjectivity? I Oklahoma, ranked fifth. common opponents: Pittsburg think as we get closer to the end Emporia State has three wins State, Texas A&M-Kingsville there will be, but just like any- over top 10 teams. Its best win and Texas A&M International. thing else, everybody can look at comes against the Lady Blues, Team X beat Pitt State at a the columns and the numbers any who are ranked a spot below neutral site in its state, also beat way they choose,” Mitts said. Southeastern but could also make International at a neutral site, Mitts said the column that is a case to be ranked higher. and lost to Kingsville at a neutral hurting the MIAA is strength of Washburn has wins against site. Team Y beat Pitt State twice schedule. Most MIAA schools California (Pa.) and Indiana (home and away), beat Interna- did not play Lone Star schools (Pa.), the top two ranked teams tional in Texas on a neutral court, in the nonconferece. Instead, the in the Atlantic Region, and a win PAGE 121 HEADLINE WRITING Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Belle Plaine News

I really like the creative play on words with the beer blast headline, really caught my attention. Good Collection. SECOND PLACE De Soto Explorer Elvyn Jones

The ‘orff’ headline was fun and made me want to read what the heck ‘orff’ was. Stitching together was also very good, nice use of color. THIRD PLACE Baldwin City Signal Jeff Myrick

“Flory has flair” good job making like the rhyme - very creative. “Shedding light” good play on words. PAGE 122 HEADLINE WRITING Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Atchison Globe Joe Warren

For the record, I didn’t realize my top 2 were from the same newspaper until the very end. Both were clever, but the “Horten is a who?” headline regarding the impersonation crime broke the virtual tie. Nice job! SECOND PLACE Atchison Globe Mary Meyers

“Disguised failed to Mask Crimes” was my favorite. You were just one Dr. Seuss reference away from beating your colleague. THIRD PLACE The Mirror Shaun Linenberger

“Smoothie Operators.” My high school had no such option. Good job using common pop culture to lure your readers in. PAGE 123 HEADLINE WRITING Nondaily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Johnson County Sun Jessica Marshall

All three entries submitted grabbed my attention and meshed well with the stories. Great job of being creative without being “cute” SECOND PLACE Kansas City Business Journal Michelle Renner

Very creative use of headlines. Liked how the story leads and headlines meshed together. THIRD PLACE Olathe News Rick Babson

Fun and creative headlines, grabbed my interest. PAGE 124 HEADLINE WRITING Daily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Arkansas City Traveler Joey Sprinkle

Some good variations on old intentions. Looking past stories to get to the real words. SECOND PLACE Ottawa Herald Tommy Felts

Yes, they are easy to spot but fun and to the point without pointing. THIRD PLACE Junction City Daily Union Jason Roberts

Keep the words going so the stories can keep flowing. PAGE 125 HEADLINE WRITING Daily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Newton Kansan Christine Wyrick

Good work making attention gathering headlines fun and to the point in a round about way. SECOND PLACE Hays Daily News Ron Fields

Nice use of modern student language. They will enjoy it more. THIRD PLACE Emporia Gazette Joey Berlin

Good fun, attention getters. Keep em’ going. PAGE 126 HEADLINE WRITING Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Kansas City Star Don Munday

All three were great eye catching headline puns. Well timed use of verbage to convey the story. SECOND PLACE Salina Journal Gordon Fielder

All three entries were giving readers a chance to catch the topic and, I think, make them want to read on. THIRD PLACE Wichita Eagle Kirk Seminoff

Give me the story that goes with this headline or not if its good. Well times phrases to capture the readers. PAGE 127 NEWS AND WRITING EXCELLENCE Nondaily Division 1

FIRST PLACE De Soto Explorer

Writing and headlines seem crisp and accurate. Many stories have second windows for readers to enter. SECOND PLACE Baldwin City Signal

Reporters work very hard for clarity and detail. Nice job on writing and headlines. THIRD PLACE Basehor Sentinel

Nice job highlighting issues with solid writing and headlines. PAGE 128 NEWS AND WRITING EXCELLENCE Nondaily Division 2

FIRST PLACE Marion County Record

Overall writing was very good - and each issue has an opinion page with local opinion. Very close between the top three in this category, and each one had attributes that set it apart. SECOND PLACE Louisburg Herald

Leads mostly brief and to the point. Good effort to localize statewide and even national issues. Front page feature especially good. THIRD PLACE The Mirror

Good presentation. Writing that (in most cases) is tight, entertaining and a handy tab format. Good use of color on pages and in writing. PAGE 129 NEWS AND WRITING EXCELLENCE Daily Division 1

FIRST PLACE Arkansas City Traveler

From eye catching headlines to comprehensive hard hitting writing, the Traveler places great emphasis on telling the story well. Extensive and well-written murder-trial coverage. SECOND PLACE Junction City Daily Union

I really liked the “what’s at stake” approach to most ledes. Writers told readers why stories ought to interest them. THIRD PLACE High Plains Daily Leader

Precision is the strength of the leader’s writing. Writers work hard to present an authoritative look at the news. PAGE 130 NEWS AND WRITING EXCELLENCE Daily Division 2

▼ Larned lady golfers headed to state, Page 10A WEDNESDAY GREAT October 14, 2009 FIRST PLACE Vol. 133 Issue 43 BEND 16 pages in 2 sections Great Bend Tribune Tribune www.gbtribune.com 75 cents USD First H1N1 doses arrive 428 not I really appreciate the Tribune’s “feel” as a community Health-care providers first in line for vaccine ready BY DALE HOGG newspaper. Coverage well-balanced with writers capturing [email protected] to lead The first shipment of the much-anticipated H1N1 vac- what is important. Feature writing is especially strong. cine to arrive in Barton County is only a drop in the buck- et, but at least local health officials can begin what could be a long battle with the infamous new flu virus. funding The Barton County Health Department TO LEARN MORE received 114 doses of the For more information charge SECOND PLACE live-virus intranasal vac- about H1N1 vaccine cine Tuesday. “We have availability, contact the BY SUSAN THACKER begun administering them Barton County Health [email protected] to health-care providers Department at 620-793- and emergency medical 1902. Ten years ago, Great Garden City Telegram personnel,” said Lily For information on the Bend Unified School Akings, department direc- virus in general, call 877- District 428 helped lead tor. 427-7317, or e-mail the charge for more edu- The influenza vaccina- [email protected]. cation funds from the tions many folks have been Information is also avail- state. But now members getting is strictly for the able from KDHE at of the Schools for Fair seasonal flu and does not www.kdheks.gov. Funding group say the combat H1N1. Legislature is ignoring State health officials the historic Kansas dole out the new vaccine based on the percentage of a Supreme county’s population between the ages of 0-24 years. This Court rul- determines the order in which counties are served and the ing of number of doses they receive. 2006. “They are a high risk group,” Akings said of health pro- Schools Telegram writers elevate even small topics into something fessionals. “We have to keep them on the job.” for Fair But, even with another shipment of about 300 due next Funding, week, “that’s hardly enough to make a dent,” she said. a group of worth reading. Nice work. Even for these folks, getting the vaccine is voluntary. larger Nonetheless, “I encourage all health-care workers to get school it,” Akings said. The department will plan a special vac- districts, Vernon cination clinic to reach out to those in health fields. found “We want to protect their patients and we want to pro- success tect them,” the director said. through litigation. THIRD PLACE The doses come in a syringe with a small, soft tip. Half Montoy v. State was filed is administered as a mist into each nostril, said Karen in 1999 and, after a favor- See H1N1, 12A able ruling in 2006, dis- tricts received more fund- ing for teaching at-risk Newton Kansan students – including poor students and English lan- guage learners. Great Bend Superintendent Tom Vernon said USD 428 has received about $5 million more in funding since 2006. Last year, Great Bend DALE HOGG/Great Bend Tribune saw about $15 million cut Above, Barton County Health Department nurse Karen Winkelman displays one of the from its budget. “Our intranasal H1N1 vaccines the department received Tuesday. The first shipments will base funding this year be used to inoculate health care providers. At left, Winkelman discusses the vaccine goes back to base funding with Dru Garrett, a nurse with Great Bend Children’s Clinic. prior to 2006,” Vernon Kansan features high-interest stories predominately and gives said. The lawsuit argued that the Kansas constitution them strong, concise writing. I like the “issues” pieces and calls for schools to be fairly and adequately Vehicle crashes into side of building funded. how reporters developed them. Schools for Fair Funding members are BY KAREN LA PIERRE field house at full force. Witnesses said the will be easier to estimate the internal damage weighing their options in [email protected] engine just continued to accelerate as the to the building. light of recent budget vehicle slammed into the wall. The car traveled into a small storage area, cuts, and the threat of ELLINWOOD — A stuck accelerator sent “The ambulance came out to treat him ini- an ice machine was demolished, and an deeper cuts to come. a red, 1965 Ford Mustang crashing into the tially,” said Monte Doll, EHS activities internal door was damaged. There was also Vernon attended an SFF south side of the Ellinwood High School director. “He’s fine, at least as of yesterday.” extensive damage to the external wall. meeting on Oct. 2. Field House Monday evening, but the stu- Williams was not transported to the hospi- The crash happened at 6:42 p.m., after “I told them Great Bend dent driver escaped without serious injury. tal, and Doll estimated the front of the football practice, and the coaches had just is not interested in step- The 15 year-old driver, EHS student Mustang was pushed back 18 inches. left. ping out in front again,” Cameron Williams, was wearing his seat The field house, which is used by the foot- “He’s a very, very lucky young man,” said he said. “There is no belt. ball team, was boarded up Monday night, Doll. The car had to be towed away, and Doll doubt the Constitution is The Mustang traveled 365 feet, hitting the Doll said. Once the building is cleaned up, it said he thought the car was totaled. not being followed; the decision in the Montoy case is not being fol- lowed.” However, Vernon Claflin board makes budget adjustments said, a handful of school districts shouldn’t be alone in holding the BY KAREN LA PIERRE straits,” said Oeser. The planning for the reduction Claflin school district has ing this school year Legislature accountable. [email protected] school district has already in the general fund due to made the necessary adjust- because we continue to This time, more districts, cut $181,727 prior to the declining enrollment, as ments for the 2009-10 hear the state may take representing a majority of CLAFLIN – Claflin beginning of this school well as loss of state aid,” school year. During the away additional dollars, the 450,000 kids in Superintendent Jane Oeser year, she said. she stated. October 2009 BOE meet- but at this time we do not Kansas public schools, said that the Claflin “The Claflin BOE made “The Claflin BOE and ing we received our annu- know what that amount is. need to get involved, he School Board has already these reductions in the administrators continue to al audit with no budgetary “The board has been so said. made budget adjustments budget prior to the 2009- be proactive and to plan violations and affirmation proactive,” said Oeser. “If we could get enough for the 2009-10 school 10 school year. During the for the future of the stu- that the district is in good “We’ll spend month and districts that would join ... year. 2008-09 school year the dents who attend the shape fiscally. months planning for next that would send a good “The Claflin school dis- BOE members spent many Claflin schools. “We know we will prob- year.” message to the trict is not in dire financial hours and many meetings “As stated above, the ably lose additional fund- Legislature,” Vernon said.

Frieda Community Bank Index Deaths Morgenstern, of the Midwest Breakfast Briefing, 2A Gary Dicks, 70, Hoisington Conservative Values, Obits, 5A Longmont, Colo. working with you for your future. County news, 6A Jane Cassell, 95, Ruth Irene Fischer, Great Bend - Otis - Ellinwood Showers Sports, 10A Wichita 83, St. John 47/44 Save up to $1,500 with an Amana heating & cooling system from Stueder Contractors 620-792-6044 PAGE 131 NEWS AND WRITING EXCELLENCE Daily Division 3

FIRST PLACE Kansas City Star

Great overall package!! SECOND PLACE Lawrence Journal-World

Edgy, unpredictable story selection and presentation make Journal-World staff winners. They produce great headlines and compelling copy throughout - although there are a few too many ledes of the lullaby variety. THIRD PLACE Wichita Eagle

Excellent local focus on story selection and treatment. Some might prefer punchier ledes, but you are surely keeping your readers happy with your newsy variety and outstanding content package.