By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Karen Thomason didn’t just care for children. She helped build confidence that stayed with them long after they left her classroom.

Thomason of Hays Area Children’s Center began as a stay-at-home mom raising three children before going on to care for multiple generations.

"I have had children of children. I had their parents as children, and years later, they brought their own children back," Thomason said.

Thomason is set to retire Jan. 9, marking 37 years as a child care provider. She said she began her career under an organization that later merged with another to form what is now the children’s center.

Thomason had prior experience through involvement in school activities, a parent-teacher association and church-based work with children.&nbsp;Her skills were recognized when an employer noticed her during an interview break.

"I wanted to go back to work, and they had some interviews. There were children out on the playground," she said. "I went over there and helped the kids with sharing and taking turns. I guess the lady who was hiring saw me and said, 'I think you'll be great.'"

Thomason's classroom is licensed to care for up to 15 children ages 2 and a half through kindergarten. In her classroom, children focus on motor skills, positive guidance, outdoor play, work on having family-style meals and occasionally have dance parties.

Thomason said she has built close relationships with students’ parents and has been invited to birthday parties and later to graduation celebrations at the end of their K–12 education.

"I want them to take confidence with them and to believe in themselves," she said. "I know they're only little, but I feel like if we're building that inside of them, they'll be ready to learn something new."

Thomason celebrated her retirement with a party at the center, sharing memories to close out her career. She said the months leading up to her announcement, including when she wrote her retirement letter, were very emotional.

"What I'm gonna miss the most in my classroom is the children. You try to provide the best environment and come up with new ideas and lesson plans. You work a lot of nights... just their little smiling faces and their loving faces," she said.

Thomason said she will also miss her coworkers, but plans to stay connected to the center through fundraisers, event participation or possibly an advisory role.

Thomason enjoys fishing, hunting and gardening, and looks forward to spending more time on those hobbies in retirement. She also plans to travel more and attend more of her four grandchildren’s activities, such as sports and school events.

"This was my passion, and I was fortunate to be able to do what I wanted to do," she said.

Thomason was named December’s Child Care Champion after receiving multiple nominations from parents and coworkers. The Hays Area Children’s Center has served the Hays community for 60 years, providing care for infants through school-age children.

You can learn more about the program on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hacc.info/" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;and follow it on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysAreaChildrensCenter/">Facebook</a>.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0f64ddb1-ba92-40fa-a22f-94a557aaf629">Nominate a provider for the Child Care Champion Award here.</a>

Child Care Champion to retire after almost four decades

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks with the new executive assistant at the Hays Arts Council, Kiernan McCarty, along with Chandler Reich, executive director, and Brittney Squire, board president.

🎙 Post Podcast: Meet the new executive assistant of the Hays Arts Council 

By STACY CAMPBELL and ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

The Cottonwood Extension District will be hosting two meetings over Farmland Leasing Arrangements on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Stacy Campbell and Alicia Boor will go over the ends and outs of good arrangements. Kay Prather from Kansas Agriculture Mediation will also be in attendance to answer any legal questions you may have over leasing.

The first Farmland Leasing Arrangements meeting on Jan. 8, will be held at the Cottonwood Extension Office, 3007 10th St. in Great Bend, at 9:00 a.m. Coffee and Doughnuts will be provided. The second one will be at the Cottonwood Extension Office in Hays, 601 Main Street, at 1:00 p.m., and light refreshments will be provided.

An RSVP is appreciated if planning to attend the Farmland Leasing Arrangements program on Jan. 8th in Great Bend call 620-793-1910, and at Hays 785-628-9430 by Jan. 7. We hope to see you there!

Farmland leasing program meeting set for Jan. 8

I’m a professor and biomedical researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). I grew up in rural Kansas (Plainville), where my parents and community instilled values like honesty, hard work, and helping others. I rely on these values to guide my career, and I’m proud to contribute to my home state. However, it’s a challenging time for medical research and health care in Kansas.

KU Medical Center Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions are all dedicated to training new health care providers for Kansans. Although affiliated with The University of Kansas Health System, these educational programs are mainly funded by your state tax dollars and student tuition.

Faculty in these schools not only teach but also conduct research, ranging from basic science discoveries to practical methods for preventing and treating diseases, both clinically and in the communities throughout Kansas. Taxpayer dollars primarily fund our research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and this investment in the NIH has enabled U.S. biomedical research to become the world's best.

More importantly, this research is used to develop and advance medical care for us and our loved ones. NIH funding and the research environment it provides also play a vital role in training future health care providers and helping them adapt to the changing landscape they will encounter throughout their careers serving Kansans.

KU Medical Center, as a medical research university, provides the necessary infrastructure to educate and train high-quality health professionals across the state. However, NIH and state funding for KUMC currently face significant challenges.

If health care for you and your loved ones matters to you, please consider talking to your state and federal elected officials to maintain or enhance funding for education and research. This funding has a direct impact on the number of health care providers and the quality of scientifically advanced health care in our state.

LETTER: Health care in Kansas relies on well-trained doctors, scientific progress

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

As the holiday season winds down, many households face the question: what to do with the Christmas tree and holiday greenery? Instead of sending them to the landfill, consider recycling them! Repurposing your tree and greenery is an eco-friendly way to give them a second life while benefiting your garden, wildlife, or community.

Here are some practical and creative ways to recycle your Christmas tree and greenery:

1. Turn It in to Mulch Most natural Christmas trees can be chipped into mulch, which is excellent for garden beds and pathways. If you have access to a chipper, you can do this yourself. Otherwise, check with your local recycling center or municipal services—many communities offer free tree chipping programs.

2. Create Habitat for Wildlife Place your tree in your yard or garden to create shelter for birds and small animals during the winter months. You can even decorate it with birdseed ornaments, suet, or peanut butter-coated pinecones to provide food for wildlife.

3. Compost the Greenery Cut branches and greenery can be added to your compost pile or used as a base layer. The needles are rich in carbon and can help balance the compost's nitrogen content. Keep in mind that large branches should be trimmed down for easier decomposition.

4. Protect Your Plants Lay trimmed branches over perennial beds to help insulate them during the cold months. The branches can act as a natural mulch, protecting plants from harsh winter temperatures.

5. Check Local Recycling Programs Many communities have specific programs for tree and greenery recycling. Some cities collect trees curbside for recycling into mulch or erosion control products. Contact your local solid waste department or extension office for details.

6. Use It for Erosion Control In some areas, recycled Christmas trees are used for erosion control in wetlands or along riverbanks. These trees help stabilize soil and provide a natural barrier against erosion.

Avoid These Mistakes · Don’t Burn It Indoors: Dry trees are highly flammable and can create a fire hazard. They also produce creosote, which can build up in your chimney.

· Remove All Decorations: Before recycling, ensure all ornaments, tinsel, and lights are removed to prevent contamination.

· Avoid Artificial Trees: Artificial trees cannot be recycled and should be reused or donated if in good condition.

Recycling your tree or greenery is a simple step that can have a big impact on the environment. By giving your holiday decorations a sustainable farewell, you can enjoy the spirit of the season while also taking care of our planet.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910

K-State Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.

BOOR: How to recycle your Christmas tree and holiday greenery

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Folks that are not involved in farming may think that farmers own the bulk of the land they use to produce their crops and livestock. The truth is over 50% of Kansas farmland is rented, with many farmers operating a mix of owned and rented land. Very few farms operate exclusively on rented land (less than 10%). These averages reflect the common practice for Kansas farmers to rent land from multiple, often non-farming, landowners to form a complete farming operation.

Why is that you ask? Simply put, land is expensive and to purchase most or all of the land an agricultural producer would need is cost prohibitive. Therefore, many producers lease agricultural land from typically a number of landowners or landlords.

Each year we get a number of questions from landowners and tenants on agricultural land leasing—from average cash rental rates to written lease forms, etc.

The Cottonwood Extension District in Barton and Ellis county which is part of K-State Extension will be hosting two meetings over Farmland Leasing Arrangements on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Stacy Campbell and Alicia Boor will go over the ends and outs of good arrangements. Kay Prather from Kansas Agriculture Mediation will also be in attendance to answer any legal questions you may have over leasing.

The first one will be held at the Cottonwood Extension Office, 3007 10th St. in Great Bend, at 9:00 a.m. Coffee and Doughnuts will be provided. The second one will be at the Cottonwood Extension Office in Hays, 601 Main, at 1:00 p.m., and light refreshments will be provided. These are possible with a generous sponsorship from First Kansas Bank.

An RSVP is appreciated--if attending in Great Bend at 620-793-1910, and in Hays at 785-628-9430 by January 7th. We hope to see you there!

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Agricultural land leasing program; Jan. 8

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks to&nbsp;Kris Munsch about setting goals for the coming year, both personally and professionally.

🎙 Forward Ever: Kris Munsch on setting goals for 2026

FHSU daily crime log: Dec. 19-26, 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>

How to submit an obituary to the Hays Post

Please email obituaries to haysobits@eaglemedia.com.

Please allow up to 24 hours from the submission of the obituary for it to be posted on the Hays Post.&nbsp;

If you have questions, please contact Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.&nbsp;

If you have an issue outside of business hours or your obit has not been published within 24 hours, please email <a href="mailto:hayspost@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">hayspost@eaglemedia.com</a> or call Cristina Janney, Hays Post editor, at 785-301-2077.&nbsp;

Recent obituaries, how to submit an obituary

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners unanimously approved six items for two development projects during their meeting on Tuesday.

Jesse Rohr, public works director, presented recommended bid awards related to the new Tallgrass 4th Addition housing development in east Hays, a joint venture between Heart of America Development Corporation and the city.&nbsp;

The low bidder for street, storm sewer, water and sanitary sewer improvements was Hess Services, Hays, at slightly more than $4 million.&nbsp;

Shaun Musil, commissioner, expressed concern about some poor work on a&nbsp;previous city project by Hess Services, even though he said he knew it was an "outstanding company."&nbsp;

Rohr and Toby Dougherty, city manager, said they had discussions with Hess about the work done when it was just starting in the construction business and now felt comfortable about improved quality moving forward.

Rohr also recommended a construction inspection agreement with Sloan Engineering and Inspection, Hays, for $196,000. 

Platting and zoning of the proposed 101-lot development were completed early this year. The project is planned to be built in one phase, beginning in March.

A rezoning request from agriculture to commercial general district, and annexation of the city-owned 90 acres on both sides of Interstate 70, Exit 161, were presented by Rohr. The south side acreage is the site of the city's tree farm, which Rohr said would be relocated as development gets underway.

A $3.9 million contract for the installation of water, sewer and street infrastructure has already been approved with Smoky Hill, Salina.&nbsp;

Funding for construction services will be paid from&nbsp;general&nbsp;obligation bonds.&nbsp;A&nbsp;portion&nbsp;of the project will be funded with a $2 million state grant&nbsp;acquired&nbsp;by Grow Hays.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;initial&nbsp;new infrastructure would serve about 11 lots, ranging in size from 2 to&nbsp;8 acres, for commercial and residential development.

In one vote, commissioners also approved an update to the city's boundary map to include the annexation of two properties, Berexco and Covenant Estates 1st Addition, reappointed Hali Bielser, Hays resident, to the CARE Council, and approved a lease and option-to-purchase to Agiliti for its upcoming expansion.

Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, gave a short review of the economic incentives available to the city and their local impact.

"These are tools that are used to produce a desired outcome, typically an economic outcome," Williams said. 

"Almost all the incentives that are offered are conditional, meaning that the recipient has to achieve some outcome or they're not going to get them."&nbsp;

Williams used tax increment financing (TIF) as an example. 

"It allows them to recapture some of the property tax that they, in fact, create. If they don't create it, they don't get the benefit," he said.

Most economic development incentives capture only the dollars that they have created.

"Before that TIF or RHID (reinvestment housing incentive district) goes into place, that piece of property is generating basically zero in terms of property tax revenue," he said.

"If the developer goes out there and creates the asset that is then taxed at a higher rate with the incentives that are put in place, they are able to capture a portion of that to try and recover some of their investment in the infrastructure and things they put into a project," Williams said.

Williams said he would call the tools investments, rather than incentives.&nbsp;

"When a dollar is spent, it ripples through the community and generates other dollars. ... Typically, in new construction, it's about 60%. ...

This was the final meeting for outgoing commissioner Reese Barrick, who reviewed the city's major accomplishments during his time in office. He also thanked the department heads, administrators and other commissioners for their work.&nbsp;

David Vilaysing was <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1f1932b8-516a-420d-841e-df378c20a8f2">elected to a two-year term in November</a> and will be sworn in as a new commissioner in January.

A 15-minute executive session was called at the end of the regular meeting to discuss matters pertaining to the acquisition of real property.

No action was taken following the executive session.

Hays City Commission approves next steps for housing, business developments

&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 Hays Eagle Media office will close at noon today for the Christmas holiday. The office will also be closed on Thursday for Christmas Day and reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday.

From all of us at Eagle Media, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Hays Eagle Media office to close at noon Christmas Eve

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy: new strength training program for older adults

The Heartland Catholic Parishes have announced the following times for services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (services are listed in chronological order):

Dec. 24 (Wednesday) - Christmas Eve

Immaculate Heart of Mary - 1805 Vine, 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. (Bilingual).

St. Joseph, 215 W. 13th&nbsp;- 5 p.m., 11:30 p.m. choir music, Mass at midnight.

St. Nicholas of Myra, 2901 E. 13th&nbsp;- 5 p.m.

Comeau Catholic Campus Center, 506 W. Sixth – 9 a.m.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, 9 a.m., English; noon, Spanish. No 6 p.m. Mass or confessions.

Hays Medical Center Chapel, 2220 Canterbury Dr. - 11:15 a.m.

The following Protestant churches in Hays have announced their Christmas Eve services. (This is not a comprehensive list. It represents those churches who provided their service times. Services are listed in chronological order):

Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th&nbsp;Ave. - 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2422 Hyacinth Ave. - 2 p.m.

North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak St. - 5:30 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort St. - 5:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall St. - 6 p.m.

First Baptist Church, 1111 Fort St. - 6:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh - 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The 5:30 p.m. service will be in both Spanish and English.

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Canal Blvd. - 11 p.m.

UPDATED: Hays churches announce Christmas Eve, Christmas Day service times

Community members typically provide desserts for the Hays Community Christmas and we are in need of more.&nbsp;

Anyone wanting to provide dessert can contact 785-675-1344 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com">communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com</a>.

Desserts still needed for Hays Community Christmas 

City of Hays offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, in celebration of the Christmas Eve holiday and on Thursday, December 25, 2025, in celebration of the Christmas Day holiday.

Ciity of Hays offices closed for Christmas holiday

Due to the observance of the Christmas holiday, the refuse/recycling collection schedules will be altered as follows: &nbsp;Monday and Tuesday routes will both be collected on Monday, December 22, Wednesday and Thursday routes will both be collected on Tuesday, December 23. 

There are no anticipated changes to Friday's route.

It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclables will be encountered around the holidays. Please be sure to set your bags out by 7:00 a.m. on the collection day and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.

City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

Refuse/recycling collections change in Hays for Christmas holiday

Westview Church, 3000 W. 41st, Hays, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is Wed., December 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Candle light Christmas Eve service at Westview Church in Hays 

First United Methodist Church &nbsp;Wednesday, December 24 services on Christmas Eve will be at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at&nbsp;First United Methodist Church, 305. W. 7th, Hays.

First service is more family oriented; second service is traditional.&nbsp; The 5:30 p.m. service is in English and Spanish.&nbsp;

Christmas Eve services at Hays First United Methodist Church announced

MANHATTAN — The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/">American Legion Boys State of Kansas</a>&nbsp;is accepting applications for its 2026 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, May 31, through Saturday, June 6, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 34th consecutive session at KSU and 88th overall.

Traditionally, Kansas&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;has been for individuals who will complete their junior year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. However, the ALBSK program will again expand the pool of applicants for this year’s session to also include those who will complete their sophomore year of high school this spring.

The American Legion&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community,&nbsp;state&nbsp;and nation.&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the&nbsp;state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.

The cost to attend the&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;of Kansas&nbsp;program is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or his family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2026 session should visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/">ksbstate.org</a>&nbsp;to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2026 program is Thursday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis. In addition, those who register by Saturday, Jan. 31, will receive a KBS sweatshirt or polo. Furthermore, delegates who are returning for a second year have the opportunity to attend the 2026 session for just $50 total, provided they get at least three people from their school (or another school) to attend.

Kansas Boys State attendees are eligible to receive a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/collegecredit/">three-hour course credit</a>&nbsp;(Introduction to Political Science [POLSC 110-C]) through Kansas State University at a 72% discount, as well as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/scouts/">earn merit badges</a>&nbsp;to attain the Eagle Scout rank through Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, attendees can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/our-program/samsung-scholarship/">apply to win a Samsung American Legion Scholarship</a>. The American Legion Department of Kansas finalist is guaranteed a $1,250 scholarship, with the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 as a national scholar.

Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ksbstate.org/sponsor">ksbstate.org/sponsor</a>. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@ksbstate.org">info@ksbstate.org</a>&nbsp;or (785) 550-6492.&nbsp; For complete information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas program, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/">ksbstate.org</a>.

For information about the 2026 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, May 31, through Friday, June 5, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksgirlsstate.org/">ksgirlsstate.org</a>.

Applications open for 2026 Kansas Boys State in Manhattan

Luke Karg is the only Missouri student to qualify for the high school national bass fishing championship five times, including as an incoming freshman

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"></a>The water on Truman Lake was colder and muddier than normal this April, making for some tough fishing conditions.&nbsp;

Luke Karg, of House Springs, had one last shot before graduating to win the Missouri TBF High School Trail Super Tournament for bass fishing – which he and his then 16-year-old fishing partner, A.J. Massa, had won the year before.

It’s the last tournament of the season for the Missouri student program of The Bass Federation, and it’s also the final opportunity to earn enough points to be named Team of the Year — the top-scoring duo in the state.

“The tournament itself meant a lot to us, with it being our last state tournament together,” Karg said. “It was very tough. There was, at most, two inches of visibility in the water, but a lot of fishing is just adapting to the changes.”

Karg and Massa headed out on the water for two days for eight hours each. At the end of each day, they weighed their top five fish.&nbsp;

“The first day, they caught almost enough bass to win the tournament,” said Gary Foree, Karg’s mentor and family friend, who is a former professional fisherman. “They had almost 19 pounds, which is insane. There hasn’t been a tournament in three years over 17 pounds on Truman Lake.”

They brought in 16 pounds on the second day, which would have brought their total up to nearly 35 pounds. But unfortunately it didn’t count. Their boat malfunctioned, making them miss the weigh in.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It was pretty heart-wrenching,” Karg said. “It was one of our best bags as a team on one of the most difficult days.”

Karg and Massa ended up taking second place at Truman Lake with one day’s worth of fish, and they still had enough points to be named Team of the Year, just as they were last year.

Karg has been part of the Team of the Year five years in a row, including as an incoming high-school freshman.&nbsp;

That title also sent the team to the TBF Student Angler Federation High School National Championship, which was held at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in June.&nbsp;

Only the top two high-school teams from each state can compete, and Karg is the only person in Missouri to have qualified for that opportunity five years in a row, according to officials for the national championship.

“To be one of the top two teams in Missouri for five consecutive years is pretty freaking amazing,” said Karl Buck, who previously led the federation’s high school program in Missouri and was also Karg’s team leader. “I’m just so proud it’s unbelievable. I mean, I can’t believe that I was involved in his upcoming as a fisherman.”

Karg began competitive fishing when he was 12 and participated in dozens of individual and team tournaments as a teen. Through it all, he struggled with an autoimmune illness that made him miss numerous days from school, he said, but he’s proud he still managed to graduate on time in May and continue fishing.

While it was grueling standing on a boat for hours under the hot sun, Karg said the national championship was exhilarating because some of the world’s top fishermen were watching.&nbsp;

“It’s the biggest tourn of the year, and a lot of people only get to go to it once, if even,” Karg said. “It really could be the biggest tournament of your life.”

Karg has loved to fish ever since he could hold a rod, said his father Rick Karg. Even as early as 5, he said Karg could catch fish when the adults around him were coming up empty.&nbsp;

“There’s a magic,” Rick said. “My scientific brain says, ‘Is there like a vibration from his heartbeat that travels down the line because he’s got his finger touching it, that the fish like?’”&nbsp;

Foree met Karg because of a life-changing promise he made to Karg’s mother, Becky Rumley.

Rumley was the nurse administering Foree’s chemotherapy treatment at St. Claire Hospital, and one day, she told him how much her nine-year-old son loved to fish. At the time, Foree thought he only had a few months to live.

“I ended up telling her that if I survive this, I’ll take him to Lake of the Ozarks and get him a five pounder because I used to be a [fishing] guide on the lake,” he said.

Foree did pull through, and when they went out fishing, Karg didn’t just catch one five-pound bass.&nbsp;

“I caught three five-pound bass and two six pounders, and like a bunch of big fish,” Karg said. “It is probably the best day of fishing in my life. And ever since then, he’s just dedicated a huge part of his life to help teach me and my partner.”

Foree was equally amazed after Karg pulled out nearly 40 pounds of fish that day.&nbsp;

“He just had the best day of fishing anybody could have,” Foree said. “That’s how I got him hooked on fishing.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Over the years, Foree taught him about tracking fish through the different seasons and how to read the water and the banks. He also helped him get his first boat.

Now, Foree said, Karg’s instincts are his fishing superpower.&nbsp;

“So many times they won a tournament when the fishing was really tough, and Luke said, ‘Let’s try over here. That bank looks good,’” Foree said. “And they’ll go over, and they’ll catch enough fish on that bank to win the tournament.”

Karg believes his instincts have developed with the dozens of tournaments and countless hours of fishing.&nbsp;

“Over time, it’s become more of an instinct, than having to think about, ‘Oh, I should make a change,’” he said. “It just naturally comes.”

For instance, at both the Truman Lake and national championship, Karg said he was painting his own custom lures while he was on the boat.

At Truman, he made the decision to color a half-inch chartreuse line on his spinner bait, he said, and he ended up catching much bigger fish, but less fish. If his lure had a straight tail, the catch was better as well, he said.

“It’s all about how the bait works in the water,” he said. “The smallest little detail that can just trigger the fish to eat. That’s where a lot of the fun comes into it for me, is all the difficulties and fun little changes you can make. You can go from catching no fish for hours on end to catching your limit in a minute.”

Karl Buck remembers meeting Karg when he was about 12 on a dock at the Peaceful Valley Lake in Owensville, where Karg’s grandparents have a lake house. Buck used to run a student program called the Owensville Anglers, and they were finishing up a tournament that day.

“When we were doing our weigh-in down at the dam, they came down to the boat ramp to inquire,” Buck said. “He’ll probably hate this, but he was the most bashful young man, super quiet and reserved.”&nbsp;

The Owensville Anglers is how Karg got his start with tournament fishing, which Buck says is much different than regular fishing.&nbsp;

In a tournament, Buck said the first rule is “find five.”&nbsp;

“You’re fishing for five fish,” Buck said. “Doesn’t matter what they weigh, they just got to be keepers,” meaning they are big enough to keep.

The fish go in the box where they’re kept alive and healthy, which is a standard conservation practice in the high-school tournaments.&nbsp;

“After you have five, then you’re going to change your game,” he said. “It’s now no longer about just catching fish. You’re looking to upgrade the fish that you already have. Big fish get big for a reason. They’re hard to catch.”

Big fish know how to hide, and that’s where casting skills come into play, Foree said. He called Karg’s casting skills “insane.”&nbsp;

“He can skip jigs and lures and put them in places nobody else can,” Foree said. “That’s why he’s so good.”

But he wasn’t always that good, Buck remembers, which is why Karg earned the nickname “Oops” after fishing with Buck and his son one day.

“Luke throws this cast — I believe it was a spinner bait — and it winds up on the roof of this dock, stuck,” Buck said. “So we go up and we get it. A little while later, he makes another cast and it gets stuck on somebody’s dock.”

After each time, Karg would just say, “Oops” and the nickname was born. Buck said when they fished together this past summer, he was blown away at his talent.&nbsp;

Karg and Massa ended up placing 56th out of more than 200 teams in the national championship in Oklahoma.&nbsp;

“We lost three three-pounders that came off the boat,” Karg said after the tournament finished. “That would have gotten us up to nine or 10 pounds. We would have been around 12th place probably.”

Karg said he’s proud of his accomplishment over this high school career, and he couldn’t have done it without his fishing partners Massa and previously Kyle Kannawurf, along with their boat captains.

“No one gives credit enough to our boat captains, which were both of our dads,” he said, “just giving the time to drive all the way out there and standing with us out the boat for eight hours straight a day.”

As boat captain, Rick said he was in “constant amazement” at his son’s skill.

“I’d just sit there and watch and think, ‘How in the world are you doing this?’” Rick said. “You’re like a super sharp shooter.”

Rick said he’s watched Karg fish for seven hours without catching anything, but he’d still have the focus and creativity change his strategy and get a big catch at the last minute. Karg’s humility and attitude are among the most impressive things about him, said Foree and Buck, particularly his ability to bounce back from setbacks.

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