ABOVE: Welcoming one of many faculty members to TCHS on inservice day, KAY members Morgan Dietz and Kirsten Locke present sweets and a poem to Nora Schoenthaler. The poem read as follows: "We're proud to have a terrific school/ And you're part of our winning team!/ The seeds of knowledge we plant each day/Help students to learn and to dream."  

ABOVE: Karen Flax, KAY sponsor, provides officers Stacy Littlechild and Annabelle Oss with information reminders as the organization's leaders get ready to present at "Meet the Eagles" on August 17. KAYs, along with T-Club, also hosted the swim party for students that evening at the WaKeeney Aquatic Center.

 KAY meets during activity period

KAY members met during activity period on September 5 to make plans for upcoming events.

To start the business meeting, members each received a bag of skittles before they made plans for participation in Homecoming events.  The organization will sponsor Tuesday’s “Blue and Gold Day,” to foster awareness of KAY’s role at TCHS.  On Tuesday of Homecoming Week, KAYs will also fill plastic bottles with rocks, beads, etc., to make spirit shakers for the Homecoming game.

Next, Sponsor Karen Flax announced the 2007-2008 board members before members signed up for concessions sales to raise money for organizational expenses.  Finally, officers reminded members of the importance of earning points, especially if they want to participate in the year-end trip.

LEFT: Pam Brown and Rebecca Aaron discard plastic bottles that will be used to make spirit shakers for the Homecoming game.  The shakers are a KAY project. BOTTOM LEFT:Prior to the KAY meeting, held on September 5, Co-President Annabelle Oss meets with Sponsor Karen Flax to finalize the agenda.  At the meeting, KAY’s prepared for their participation in Homecoming Week. BELOW: Officers Casey Flax and Stacy Littlechild distribute skittles to KAY members at the start of a meeting on September 5.

KAY students give 2^nd and 3^rd graders a good time

By Jake Schlegel
KAY students accompanied the TGS second and third graders to Subway for lunch, and then traveled with them to Ellis to enjoy pre-Halloween festivities, on October 22- 23.

On Monday, Sammy Augustine, Stacy Littlechild, Whitney Riedell and Christine Schreiner took Colleen Wedermyer’s second grade class out of school for a day of fun.  The group hit the Pumpkin Patch in Ellis, had a jubilant time in the hay tunnel, and tasted some home-town Ellis apple cider.  Each student even got to pick a pumpkin off the vine and take it home to his/her family.

The following day, Kirstin Locke, Casey Sedbrook and Brooke Scheib repeated the festive activities with Jason Samson’s third grade class.

RIGHT: Senior Co-president Stacy Littlechild stands in preparation to catch a grade school student from the zip line at the pumpkin patch in Ellis. KAY volunteers traveled to the pumpkin patch in late October with second and third grade classes so that they could experience seasonal activites.

Ten attend KAY conference

Ten high school members of the Trego Community KAY Club attended the Area IV Regional Conference on October 31 at Norton High School.

The local club received the Gold Award, which recognized student leadership and service to school, community, nation and world for the 2006-2007 school year.

The theme for the 2007 Regional Conference was “Got Service?”  This conference provided opportunities for student leaders and sponsors from neighboring clubs to share successes and challenges, as well as exchange ideas.  Sessions in leadership training and organizational skills were also offered. 

The Kansas Association of Youth is a character-building, leadership-training program directed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.  This nationally acclaimed organization provides students an opportunity to learn to assume their citizenship responsibilities and to enrich their personalities through well-organized programs, which emphasize four areas of service:  school, community, nation and world.

Local KAY members attending the Regional Conference included the following high school students:  Annabelle Oss, Stacy Littlechild, Sierra Fabrizius, Brooke Scheib, Lauren Billinger, Casey Flax, Casey Sedbrook, Morgan Dietz, Kirsten Locke and Christine Schreiner.

KAY provides community fun

By Stephanie Griffith
Ghosts and goblins had some company on Halloween—KAY members were on the prowl that night for Trick or Trunk.

To celebrate Halloween, KAY members decorated the trunks of their cars, and dressed up in costumes, and handed out candy to the little “spooks” that canvassed the town for goodies.

Youth in the community were invited to visit these trunks, to gather candy, and to interact with KAY members. 

The car trunks where parked in front of the district office on October 31, Halloween night, from 5:00pm-6:00 pm, and were enjoyed by many. (Photos by Michele Ummel)

KAY demonstrates citizenship values

To celebrate Citizenship Week, local KAY members are participating in daily activities from December 3-7.

On Monday, KAY members  showed appreciation to teachers and staff by  providing candy and drinks in the teachers’ workroom.

Tuesday was designated for a day to bring canned food for a food drive.

During activity period on Wednesday, members held a drawing for Pizza Hut gift certificates before decorating their lockers.  Locker decorating winners were Whitney Riedell, Christine Schreiner and Rachael Newcomer, who won first, second, and third place, respectively.

Sierra Fabrizius commented about the week's activities.

"I think it is good for everyone to get involved and help the community. It was also a fun experience."

RIGHT: Cassie Dietz, Christine Schreiner and Sara Cunningham decorate their lockers with festive materials to celebrate the holiday spirit. The activity took place during KAY Citizenship Week.

KAY members attend unit conference

By Stephanie Griffith
Kicking off the KAY Unit Conference, hosted by Western Plains High School on February 11, area members indulged in donuts and juice for the beginning registration and student activities.

The opening general session was full with entertainment by local talent, recitation of the KAY pledge and privileges, an introduction of visiting presidents and a short explanation of service and words of motivation, provided by KAY state director Cheryl Gleason.

Students then separated into groups, and a time of stepping out of comfort zones and interaction with others took place.

Speakers for the day were Ron Cole, folk singer, who encouraged members to lead others; and a local veterinary, who explained how to properly care for pets.

The final project of the day was members’ making bags filled with toys, treats, food and other pet items, to be sent the local shelters to hand out as animals find new homes.

As a part of the closing general session, a KAY camp promo was viewed, and the dates were announced to inspire members to attend the summer activity.

To plan their movements for the day, KAY members Sierra Fabrizius and Aubrey Riedel look over the 2008 KAY Unit Conference program. Approximately 20 TCHS students and Sponsor Karen Flax attended the event, along with some junior high members. (Photo by Karen Flax)