By RANDY GONZALES Special to Hays Post

On a warm summertime evening, hundreds of baseball fans flock to Larks Park. Some are of a certain age, remembering days—and games—gone by. Others are youngsters who are just discovering the joy of summer baseball in Hays, America.

Young or old, there is something special about Larks baseball. When the home team rallies for a victory, people say it’s “Larks Magic.” But the magic goes far beyond what one can find between the white lines.

Fans look forward to fun in the sun every summer.

They wear their Larks T-shirts and caps; they chow down on Larks burgers; they catch up with other fans they might not have seen since the summer before. Their kids play catch behind the visitor’s dugout and fight for foul balls.&nbsp;

Frank Leo is in his 43rd season as the Larks’ manager.

When the original Jayhawk League disbanded after the 2018 season, Hays played in another league for a year before joining the Rocky Mountain Baseball League, where the Larks won their fifth title in six years this summer.

Hays has an automatic berth at the 91st National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita. The Larks, who have made the season finale almost every year under Leo, open defense of their title on Thursday with a 6 p.m. game against the Seattle Blackfins at Eck Stadium. Like every year, a big Larks crowd is expected to cheer on their favorite team.

Leo, now 75, remembered the years when perhaps 50 fans would show up for a game, on a good night. However, with the help of community support, the program has slowly evolved into what it is today.

“It is a special story,” Leo said, “what it was and what it has become.”

The Larks program was in danger of folding, not that long ago. After recruiting a team for the 2007 season, the organization faced financial difficulties and was at risk of not being able to field a team that summer. Leo understood that could not be allowed to happen.

“I knew if you canceled something (for a season), you’re not going to get it back,” Leo said. “(College) coaches are going to be hesitant to send somebody out here. When you’re done for a couple of years, people may not support you as much as they did.”

“After 2007, I think we found out people wanted Larks baseball in the summertime,” he added. “That’s when it started getting bigger and bigger.”

Once word got out around town about the Larks’ financial woes in 2007, businesses rushed to sponsor games, allowing free admission to continue. The Larks also formed the Diamond Club, where individuals could contribute financially at different monetary levels.

Having game sponsors provides the organization with the necessary boost in income needed every year to field a team.

“The sponsorships are one of our big fundraisers,” Leo said. “It’s very key to our program.”

Winning helps, too. The Larks, year in and year out, rarely lose at home.

“There’s no substitute for winning,” Leo said. “Fortunately, we’ve been successful.”

Keith Harper was Leo’s pitching coach for all 39 years they were together coaching the Hays High School baseball team. Harper is now in his 20th summer as the pitching coach for the Larks.

Harper still throws batting practice even at 72 years old. You can find him on the mound day in, day out, tossing 300 or 400 pitches in 90-degree heat in the afternoon sun.

“I love it,” Harper said. “I’ve been doing it for 43 years.”

Leo and Harper have been together since their days at Fort Hays.

After playing for the Tigers, Leo was in his first year as an assistant coach when Harper joined the program.

A Colby native, Harper also played basketball for the Tigers and played everything but first base and catcher in the spring. A pitcher for the Colby American Legion team when he was in high school, Harper never pitched in college, but he studied pitching.

“It’s about understanding the game, and dedicating yourself to understanding the elements of pitching,” Leo said. “You don’t necessarily have to be a pitcher to teach people how to pitch. Keith has the knack of understanding the mechanics and being able to relate them to his players.”

During games, Harper studies the deliveries of his pitchers from his rocking chair next to the dugout.

You see, Harper likes to rock. He really likes to rock. About six years ago, he brought a portable folding rocking chair to the park.

“I said, ‘If I’m going to sit here and chart, I’d rather rock and chart,’ ” Harper said. “I love to rock.”

“It just relaxes me,” he added. “ I can’t explain it.”

Harper thinks of his pitchers like family. The players, the fans, the community–it’s a family atmosphere.

“That’s exactly what we wanted,” Harper said. “The community has bought in. They want to be a part of this.”

The community stepped up financially, and community members stepped up by volunteering to become host families.

“It’s a community event, the cheapest place to entertain yourself in Hays, Kansas,” Harper said. “We do entertain.”

Harper said he is asked by opposing coaches how the Larks draw so well, how they create such a good atmosphere. It’s a lot of hard work through the years, is his standard reply.

“Because of the passion, the money that’s been donated, the families who take care of these kids,” Harper said, “we’ve built a little monster at Larks Park.”

After a Larks’ home win, Frank Sinatra’s song “New York, New York,” can be heard blaring over the loudspeakers. That’s not by happenstance. It's a tribute to Leo, a New York City native and Yankee fan who came to Hays to play baseball at Fort Hays.

Ken Windholz–public address announcer for Fort Hays State University football and basketball games for the past 25 years–also has been the PA guy for Larks’ home games since 2013.

When Windholz took over announcing duties, he wanted the atmosphere at Larks Park to feel like a baseball game.

That’s where his treasure trove of recorded music comes into play. Windholz typically plays only about one-fourth of the songs he has on his laptop on any given night. What is happening on the field helps determine what songs to play.

“It has to fit the occasion, pick the crowd up,” Windholz said. “We play songs that are contemporary and some throwback stuff, nostalgic baseball songs.”

“I do have a game plan,” he added. “I do have songs that I use at exact intervals.”

Indeed, there are some songs that have become staples. In addition to “New York, New York,” before the home half of the eighth inning, fans can sing along to one of their favorites, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”

Don’t be surprised to hear “Cotton-Eyed Joe,” and if one fan who usually shows up wearing a chicken mask is in attendance, you can count on the “Chicken Dance,” with the fan dancing for the crowd. Then there is “The Old Ball Park,” an original theme song just for the Larks.

The passion Windholz has for the Larks began when he attended games at Larks Park as a child. That passion for the team continues to this day.

Back in the day, as a youngster, Windholz had a job running the manual scoreboard beyond the fence in left field and would often ask to be the bat boy, too.

Larks Park became Windholz’s own field of dreams one summer night when the barnstorming Kansas City Monarchs came to town for an exhibition game with the Larks. Satchel Paige, a star pitcher in the Negro Leagues, was billed to pitch for the Monarchs.

Windholz was the bat boy for the Monarchs that evening, and along about the third inning, guess who slowly came ambling into the dugout? None other than Satchel Paige.

A few innings later, Paige motioned to Windholz to play catch with him so he could warm up before pitching.

Not even a teenager yet, Windholz had trouble catching Paige’s deliveries; he was known for his hesitation pitch, which befuddled batters.

“He threw about eight or 10 pitches, which I dropped,” Windholz said. “One thing I remember about his motion was how tall and lanky he was, and he threw the ball kind of like a slingshot. It would take off halfway to my mitt. That’s why I dropped it.”

After Paige made short work of the Larks, the star-struck boy from Hays had him autograph a baseball, which Windholz still has to this day.

Larks players these days will stick around and sign autographs for young fans. After all, they’re part of the family.

“We really encourage the family concept,” Windholz said. “The host families feel a part of it, too. Almost everything has a family-related theme to it.”

Players, coaches and fans all agree having players stay the summer with a family helps encourage that family feeling.

Deb Weatherbee’s family has played host to a Larks player for many a summer. She and her husband, Gary, and their three children have shared their home with a Lark since 1992. Often, a player will spend more than one summer with the same family.

The Weatherbees’ kids enjoyed having a player live with them.

“It was fun,” Weatherbee said. “They were like brothers. It was such a family thing.”

“They ate dinner with us,” she added. “They went to church with us.”

When their time in Hays was done, that did not mean the relationship was over.

“As our Larks move on, we keep in contact with almost all of them,” Weatherbee said.

Jessica and Kalor Moore, along with their 8-year-old son, Darrick, are hosting their first summer with a Larks player. They learned a Lark needed a home, and they offered theirs to pitcher Brooks Jones.

“We just reached out and said we would do it,” Jessica said. “It’s nice to know a player out there.”

The Moores feel that family atmosphere at the old ball park.

“Just the environment, the community coming together,” Jessica said, “that really makes a difference.”

As for Darrick, who likes having an older “brother” around the house, he just enjoys coming out to a game.

“I like being able to watch the players and hang out with my family,” he said.

Kalor said it’s nice to have Jones around, having an only child.

“We have a young son at home. We thought it would be good to give him someone to look up to,” Kalor said. “Brooks has essentially become part of our family.”

Jones has an older sister. Darrick has become his “little brother” this summer.

“I play video games and have Nerf gun battles with him,” Jones said. “It’s been a great time with him.”

Darrick said he wants to be a baseball player and play in the outfield. Look out, Larks, in about 10 years, you just might have him on your roster.

Dylan LaRue is in his first summer playing for the Larks. He was supposed to be with the team last year, but was injured playing college ball in the spring. He stays with the Windholz family, just like his older brother, Tyler, who stayed with them for two summers.

Dylan appreciates the fans, who come out in droves. For a weekend game, there might be more than a thousand in attendance, munching on Larks burgers and rooting for the beverage batter to get a hit.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “The atmosphere, you can’t beat it as far as summer ball goes. It’s a blast being able to play in front of all the fans.”

LaRue also appreciates having a host family.

“Just having people welcoming us into their homes, taking care of us for the summer, it’s really a blessing,” he said. “They don’t have to do it, but they do it out of the goodness of their hearts.”

Outfielder Kaleb Duncan is playing in his second summer in Hays, and is staying with Daryl Gregg. Having host families helps the players, Duncan said.

“It’s definitely beneficial,” he said. “Anytime you’ve got a place to call home, just knowing they’re a second family, support you every game, is extremely beneficial.”

Jones appreciates having his very own cheering section when he is pitching.

“Every single time I’m on the mound, I hear my name being called on, which I think is a pretty cool thing,” he said. “After the game, everybody is talking to you, like a family.”

The Larks don’t have to worry about playing before a near-empty grandstand for home games.

Several hundred to more than a thousand fans come to cheer on their favorite team. Some sit in the stands. Others line up their lawn chairs along the fence.

On a recent hot, summer evening, Richard Lamb and his daughter, Jessica, were sitting in the top row of seats at a game, under the shade provided by the press box. Richard has been going to Larks games since he moved back to Kansas from Vermont 15 years ago.&nbsp;

“It’s really not (just) a ball game. It’s a social gathering,” Richard said. “The people just have a great time.”

“It’s a small town, a family atmosphere, all the players have host families they stay with all summer,” he added. “It’s a family thing.”

Jessica, who lived in Vermont, would go to Larks games as a kid when she visited Hays.

NWester: Larks ‘family’ creates magical summer in Hays

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

The Eagle Media Center in Hays will be hosting marketing workshops on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. 

 The workshops will be at the Eagle Media Center at 2300 Hall Street in Hays. 

 To book a time to attend or for more information, please call Scarlett at 785-301-2211.

Eagle Media marketing workshops set for Aug. 27

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council (MSAC) invites the public to join them this weekend as they continue their production schedule of the annual Main Street Summer Theater Festival with performances in Colby.

“Local youth from across northwest Kansas have been hard at work rehearsing for their performances of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., and we invite you to join us in celebrating their incredible talent!” said MSAC Executive Director Karl Pratt.

This year’s festival features the same production, Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., performed by young actors from six different communities, each bringing its own interpretation to the musical revue. The show, which includes songs from Encanto, Coco, Frozen, and more, celebrates dreams, teamwork, and creativity.

Colby: Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 19 at 3 p.m., Heartland Christian School, 1995 W 4th St., Colby.

Quinter: Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 26 at 3 p.m., Quinter Elementary School, 601 Gove St., Quinter.

Oakley: Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m., Oakley High School Auditorium, 118 W 7th St., Oakley.

“Each performance is an opportunity to support our talented youth performers who have poured their hearts into bringing this magical show to life. We invite everyone to attend and help us celebrate the creativity and passion that defines our community,” noted Pratt.

For more information about the festival, including additional performance details, tickets, and ways to support the event, visit <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025</a> or contact mainstreetartscouncil@gmail.com.

Learn more at <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com</a>.

Main Street Summer Theater Festival continues with performances in Colby, Quinter, Oakley

The Hays Public Library will host a program about the creation of eight Catholic parishes in Ellis and Rush Counties in the late 1800s. Father Reggie Urban will give the presentation on Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m.

In 1876, Father Valentine Sommereisen, a German-speaking priest from France, arrived in Hays just as waves of Volga-German immigrants were settling in the region. In only 19 months, he founded eight Catholic parishes within a half-hour of Hays, spanning Ellis and Rush counties. Join us as we explore his remarkable legacy, the growth of these early faith communities, and the enduring cultural impact of the Volga-German settlers in western Kansas.

Father Urban is a semi-retired priest of the Dodge City Diocese living in Hays. Both sides of his Volga-German ancestry settled in the Pfeifer area. Since living in Hays, he has learned some interesting things about the Catholic priest from France who founded parishes in Hays, Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Liebenthal, Rush Center, Munjor, and Schoenchen.

You can find out more about this and other library programs at <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">https://hayslibrary.org/&nbsp;</a>or by calling 785-625-9014.

Father Valentine, Eight Parishes presentation at Hays Public Library

The Women Who Lead still has raffle tickets left for its 31 Days of Cash drawing in August.&nbsp;

Tickets are $25 each. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold.

A drawing will be conducted each day in August. 

Prizes will be $75 each day Aug. 1-15 $125 each day Aug. 16-28 $250 on Aug. 29 $500 on Aug. 30 $1,000 on Aug 31

All proceeds from the raffle will support scholarships for women in Ellis County pursuing post-secondary education.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/eb1eab34-3efe-439b-b038-a0dc1afb6465">This spring, Women Who Lead awarded eight $1,000 scholarships.</a> Help us continue to support women's education in 2026 with your generous donation and maybe win some cash in the process.

Tickets can be purchased from Renee Moritz at the Bank of Hays, by calling Moritz at 785-650-1095 or emailing rmoritz@bankofhays.com.

You can also purchase tickets at the Eagle Radio Media Center, 2300 Hall St., Hays. Ask for Scarlett Deutscher or Cristina Janney. You may also contact Janney at crisksu@gmail.com or 785-301-2077.

Tickets on sale for Women Who Lead raffle; funds support scholarships

Volunteer needed for final cleanup at Grinnell

The Hays Youth Advisory Leadership Board is sponsoring a Cruise Main Street event Friday, June 18, beginning at 9 p.m. in the Chestnut Street District of downtown Hays.

There is no charge to participate or attend.

It's a nostalgic celebration of car culture for all ages!

For more information contact Mario Hernandez, board member, at 785-365-9216.

Cruise downtown Hays Main Street Friday with the Youth Leadership Advisory Board

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

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City of Hays The city of Hays will begin asphalt sealcoating work on select streets starting this month, weather permitting.

Sealcoating protects and extends the life of pavement while improving safety and appearance.

During the project, affected areas will be temporarily closed or reduced to one lane. All vehicles must be moved by the dates noted on contractor notices to avoid towing.

Residents are encouraged to follow all posted signage and use caution while the sealcoat cures. The full project map and details are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/155/Project-Management">HaysUSA.com</a>.

Please note that weather conditions could delay the schedule.

This important preventative maintenance is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain road quality.

The city appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation.

Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

Sealcoating project set to begin as early as today

The Heartland Community Foundation invites all interested residents, leaders, and community stakeholders to two upcoming Strategic Doing meetings in Trego and Rooks counties. These collaborative gatherings are designed to bring people together to address local opportunities and challenges through a practical, action-oriented approach. 

Plainville Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Plainville Senior Center Topic: The Future of Redbud Village and Estates

 Redbud Village and Estates has served as a vital provider of long-term care and employment since 1963. As the facility undergoes a cultural and operational renewal, the time is right for the community to consider its future direction. This session will focus on sustaining and strengthening Redbud for future generations.

 “For decades, Redbud has provided essential services in our area,” said Deanna Hammerschmidt, Heartland’s Rooks County director. “We’re asking our neighbors to join us, share their ideas, and help shape a strong path forward.” 

WaKeeney Wednesday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Western Kansas Electric Cooperative Community Room Topic: Exploring Opportunities for WaKeeney and Trego County

 This broader session will highlight current projects in the area and invite residents to contribute ideas and feedback.&nbsp;Participants will help identify actionable next steps to ensure continued community vitality.

&nbsp;“Strategic Doing goes beyond just sharing ideas—it’s focused on taking action,” said Savannah Downing, Heartland’s Trego County director. “We’re inviting our community members in WaKeeney to come together and be part of creating real solutions.”

Both meetings use the Strategic Doing model, a guided process that helps communities form collaborative groups, develop practical solutions, and build momentum through measurable steps. 

Participation is also part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, which encourages long-term, collaborative thinking by offering additional grant opportunities to communities that actively engage in this process. 

No RSVP is required. Refreshments will be provided at both events. All are welcome. 

For more information: Plainville meeting: Contact Deanna Hammerschmidt at 785-621-4090 or visit www.heartlandcf.org. WaKeeney meeting: Contact Savannah Downing at 785-743-3270 or email savannah@gscf.org.&nbsp;

Strategic Doings in Plainville, WaKeeney hosted by Heartland Community Foundation 

The unemployment rate in Ellis County jumped .7% from 2.7% in May to 3.4% in June, according to the Kansas Department of Labor.

The rates in Gove and Trego counties were up .6% to 4%. And Russell County's unemployment rate was up to 4.1%

Although many northwest counties saw increases in thier unemployment rates in June, most counties remained at or below 4%.

The Ellis County rate is up slightly compared to the 3.1% rate reported in June 2024.

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate statewide of 3.8% in June. 

This is unchanged from 3.8% in May and an increase from 3.6% in June 2024. The labor force participation rate for Kansas stayed the same at 67% in June.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 3,800 from May. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 3,200 over the month, while government jobs increased by 600. The largest job gains in the private sector were in private education and health services (+1,900 jobs). The largest decrease was in&nbsp;construction&nbsp;(-800 jobs).

Since June 2024, Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 10,300. This change is due to an increase of 6,700 private sector jobs and an increase of 3,600 government jobs.

Technical Note: This release includes nonfarm jobs and labor force estimates for June 2025, which are produced using data from two monthly surveys. Data for nonfarm job estimates is collected through a survey of employers, while the main input for labor force estimates is a survey of households. Data collected for this report references the week including June 12.

Ellis County unemployment rate jumps in June

Congratulations to Doug Kutina from Ellis and Bernita Augustine from WaKeeney&nbsp; on becoming finalists in the Yuengling Flight Golf Cart Giveaway on Saturday at American Shooters.

They join other finalists: 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lance Armbruster – Wild West Festival – 7-2-2025 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Curtis Wellbrock – Wild West Festival – 7-2-2025 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ryan Cellmer – Mr. K’s Foodtown – 7-5-2025 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Barry Gilliland – Mr. K’s Foodtown – 7-5-2025 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Debbie Windholz – Malay’s Market – 7-12-2025 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Darren Dunn – Malay’s Market – 7-12-2025

Special thanks to our sponsor A &amp; A Coors Yuengling.

Keep listening to Eagle Radio and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist.

The $10,000 golf cart will be given away at this year’s Oktoberfest on Friday, Sept. 26.

Yuengling Flight Golf Cart finalists named from American Shooters

Congratulations to&nbsp; Danny Wasinger and&nbsp; Brett Davidson&nbsp;from Hays on being selected as finalists in the Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway on Friday at the Ellis County Fair.

Congratulations to Erin Storer from Hays and Landon Paul from Hays&nbsp;on being selected as finalists in the Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway on Saturday at Doghouse Liquor.

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Garrett Bland – Relay for Life Golf Tournament – 6-13-2025 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Earl Brungardt – Relay for Life Golf Tournament – 6-13-2025 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tara Graham – LoKal Country Bar – 6-27-2025 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brad Leitner – LoKal Country Bar – 6-27-2025 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Becky Wachs – Wild West Festival – 7-3-2025 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kirby Garrison – Wild West Festival – 7-3-2025 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marlin Sherfick – Trego County Fair – 7-11-2025 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dale Pfannenstiel – Trego County Fair – 7-11-2025

The Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway is courtesy of A &amp; A Coors and Miller, Briney Motorsports, Advantage Glass Plus, Commercial Sign Company, Hull Broadcasting and the Eagle Media Center of Hays.

The UTV will be given away at a Fort Hays Football Game on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Ellis County Fair, Doghouse Liquor finalists named for Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: July 13-19, 2025

Ellis County Jail bookings: July 13-19, 2025

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Raised on Country Sweepstakes Powered by Hayden Outdoors Real Estate - Agent Cody VonLintel 

The 37th Annual Education Appreciation sponsored by Heartland Credit Union is fast approaching on August 26. The event will be held at Rose Garden Banquet Hall &amp; Catering, 2350 E. 8th from 5 to 7 p.m.

All Ellis County educators are invited to attend this impactful evening that celebrates their intentional contribution to cultivate Ellis County’s next generation of workforce and leaders. The evening includes dinner and dessert, a cash bar, lots of fun prizes, and swag bags full of great items from local sponsors.

Area administrators will introduce new faculty for this school year and share items of impact for their schools. This event is free to all Ellis County certified staff. Staff are encouraged to reach out to their building’s administrators to RSVP to attend ASAP.

Sponsorships for this event will be accepted through Monday, August 4. 

Sponsors at $100 foundation level will be included in marketing materials and be able to place branded items in the swag bags. Those contributing $250 at the core level will also receive two tickets to attend the event and have the option to have a table at the event and interact with educators. Premier sponsors at $700 will receive three tickets to attend, be included in a 30-second commercial featured event night, and also have a $25 Chamber Cheque given away on their behalf.

For more information about this event, contact Event and Program Coordinator Dinah Newman at dinah@hayschamber.com or call the Chamber in Hays at 785-628-8201.

Education Appreciation in Ellis County set for Aug. 26; sponsorships open

LAWRENCE — Nearly 8,700 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2025 semester.&nbsp;

The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts &amp; Sciences and in the schools of Architecture &amp; Design, Business, Education &amp; Human Sciences, Engineering, Health Professions, Journalism &amp; Mass Communications, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Professional Studies and Social Welfare.

Honor roll criteria vary among the university’s academic units. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.

<a target="_blank" href="https://news.ku.edu/university-kansas-spring-2025-honor-roll-kansas-students">Students from Kansas are listed online, sorted by county, then city</a>.

A list of all KU students on the spring 2025 honor roll&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://news.ku.edu/news/article/university-of-kansas-announces-spring-2025-honor-roll">is also available</a>.&nbsp;

Ellis County students earn honor roll distinction at University of Kansas

TOPEKA&nbsp;– After winning performances at regional and state KidWind Challenge events, 13 Kansas teams packed up their wind turbines and traveled to Phoenix, AZ to take on the world. The World KidWind Challenge, held May 19-21, drew 131 teams from 26 states, Taiwan, and Mexico. 

Four Kansas teams, including those from Logan and Oakley schools, won five of the 38 awards handed out during the event.

The turbines, designed and built by students, were put to the test in low speed and high-speed wind tunnels. In addition to turbine performance, scoring was based on a knowledge quiz, a presentation to judges where the team explains its design process and an instant challenge. Students compete by age categories.&nbsp;

The list of winning Kansas teams and links to their photos appear below:

Energy Efficiency &amp; Sustainability Award: <a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fimages%2FPress_Links%2FKidWind_World%2FWINders%2520-%2520Nemaha%2520Central%2520MS.jpg%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010101980f7009e0-5d2a9706-a56d-4662-8ffe-5d12b5aeb4b6-000000/ndsjD_9nThYjVoT4tBfCj5iFzjBXggDry3n4YMRH6b4=414">The WINders, Nemaha Central Middle School&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;(6th–8th Grade Division) <a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fimages%2FPress_Links%2FKidWind_World%2FThe%2520Mavericks%2520-%2520Oakley%2520HS.jpg%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010101980f7009e0-5d2a9706-a56d-4662-8ffe-5d12b5aeb4b6-000000/gavTDB6r0I6ztR70-hYEvFTspGtNjpX4NTsYgHbBdoM=414">The Mavericks, Oakley High School&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;(9th–12th Grade Division)

Innovation Award: <a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fimages%2FPress_Links%2FKidWind_World%2FThe%2520Mavericks%2520-%2520Oakley%2520HS.jpg%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/2/010101980f7009e0-5d2a9706-a56d-4662-8ffe-5d12b5aeb4b6-000000/72IcaL3DEcuH-AhZTbjBgfs9pSaXni0lUSkEnm-Myyo=414">The Mavericks, Oakley High School&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;(9th–12th Grade Division)

Rookie of the Year Award: <a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fimages%2FPress_Links%2FKidWind_World%2FWInd-Whisperers-Oakley%2520MS.jpg%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010101980f7009e0-5d2a9706-a56d-4662-8ffe-5d12b5aeb4b6-000000/6E58BTCHIFJw4Cwlm1IF_fIwNdvUKa3Y-BXFZUjcM2U=414">The Wind Whisperers, Oakley Middle School</a>&nbsp;(6th–8th&nbsp;Grade Division)

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fimages%2FPress_Links%2FKidWind_World%2FThe-Twisty-Tornadoes%2520-%2520Logan%2520Middle%2520School.jpg%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010101980f7009e0-5d2a9706-a56d-4662-8ffe-5d12b5aeb4b6-000000/PZUZiEtN6bKKk57THJA1cCFJtwKFfNElHnmGieEc6J8=414">Judge’s Award: The Twisty Tornados, Logan Middle School</a>&nbsp;(6th–8th Grade Division)

Other Kansas teams participating in World KidWind include: RCHC Oak Leaf Engineers, Reno County Homeschool Connections Wind Breakers, Sunflower Elementary Girl Energy, Beloit Jr/Sr High School Wind Warriors, Kepley Middle Schoo lCru Winds, Buhler High School The Ginger and the Normies, Beloit High School Sea Breeze, Oakley High School Wind Wizards, Burlington High School Wind Monkeys, Burlington High School

In 2025, five regional KidWind Challenges were held throughout the state, with winners qualifying for the Statewide Challenge and ultimately, the World KidWind Challenge. The program registered 80 teams and 314 students from 41 schools in the Kansas competition and sent a record 35 teams to the Statewide Challenge.

Kansas KidWind is an energy-related STEM education event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

More information about KidWind, including 2026 events can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://kidwind.org/">here</a>.

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