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	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:23 AM

O'DEA: School year full of accomplishments

By DENISE O'DEA, From The Desk Of The Superintendent

A school district always goes through many highlights and accomplishments during a school year. Following are some of the 2007-08 highlights of the students and staff of USD 289 Wellsville schools:

• School opened Aug. 14, 2007, with 870 students. This is 34 more students than the previous year’s enrollment. Kindergarten started the year with 73 students.

• Total enrollment in our 6-12 band program has grown to 62 students. The high school band participated in the state large group contest for the first time in several years and received a II and two IIIs with very positive overall comments. Four band students participated in the Baker University Honor Band (Kyle Harris, Brittany Lowe, Lacy Jordan and Jordan Buckley).

• Once again, the Wellsville Middle School football program finished on a positive note. Head coach Darrell Burgoon said he was proud of the improvement the seventh grade team had made throughout the year. The eighth grade team played in the league third place game, and the seventh grade team played in the league championship game.

• Six middle school students were chosen to attend a middle school student leadership series conference that lasted throughout the school year. Students learned a variety of leadership skills. This series is sponsored across the state by Greenbush.

• Congratulations to the eighth grade volleyball team. They won the Frontier League small school tournament. The seventh grade team finished third in this tournament and posted a 17-1 record for the season.

• The newly-formed Middle School Student Council is off to a great start. They had the opportunity to be involved in many different activities this year, including the MS Food Drive, adopting a family for Christmas, sponsoring a spirit week, organizing assemblies and visiting the nursing home weekly.

• Seven high school seniors were honored by the University of Kansas at its annual KU Honors Program. The top 10 percent of each senior class is honored each year. This year’s class consisted of Carrie Shirk, Meghan Rush, Alex Bachman, Colin Wright, Audrey McTaggart, Joey Scalet and Eva Hedtke.

• The high school volleyball team, under the direction of newly-appointed head coach Eric Evans, finished as substate runner-up. All-league first team selections were Carrie Shirk and Madison Chambers; second team selections were Ashley Bolen; all-league honorable mention was Kayla Patton.

• Wellsville music and drama departments presented the fifth musical in as many years, “Nunsense.” The actors performed to a packed house each night.

• On Oct. 23, 2007, the elementary school had its second annual literacy night. More than 400 people enjoyed dinner followed by reading sessions in their pod, library and computer lab. Suggestions for improving reading was the main emphasis of the event.

• Embarq was named the KASEP Friend of Education at its annual meeting. Our friends at Embarq have worked with our students, cleaned and maintained some of our flower beds and donated at least five Dell laptop computers. In addition, we are working closely with Embarq to receive an additional 60 or more computers for our students’ use.

• High school cross country runners Derek Poor and Erica Layton both finished and medaled in third place at state.

• The high school math team placed two individuals in the top four at the Emporia State University math relays Oct. 24. In addition, our algebra team placed second in team and second in the small school divisions out of 19 schools at the Washburn math competition.

• The annual Veterans Day program was at the high school Nov. 12. The Rev. Curtis Wright gave an inspirational and funny message to the attendees.

• The Wellsville High School dance team did it again, placing with a I rating at the Baldwin High School Invitational Dance and Cheer Competition and at the first Wellsville Cheer and Dance Classic. In addition, six individual dancers entered competition and also received I ratings.

• Tracy Calhoon, sophomore, auditioned for and was chosen as a member of the KMEA (Kansas Music Educators Association) district choir.

• In January, the following seventh grade students were recognized at the Franklin County Conservation District banquet: Katelynn Kehl, Rebecka Ohlmeier and Julie Enegren. These students placed first, second and third, respectively, in the annual Franklin County Conservation Limerick contest.

• Linda Robinson, fifth grade teacher, won a $1,000 grant from Wolf Creek Nuclear Operation Corporation. This money will be used to purchase science kits to enhance the fifth grade science curriculum.

• For the first time since 1971, the Eagles wrestling team placed second at regional wrestling and advanced five young men to state wrestling in Hays. Freshman Zach Hoehn placed third at state. Hoehn also made the All-Area Lawrence Journal World Wrestling team.

• Once again, it was a rebuilding year for the high school boys’ basketball team. Colin Wright and Zach Wright are named as members of the all-league team. They are also chosen as members of the Ottawa Herald All-Area team.

• Ashley Bolen and Madison Chambers were named as all-team members of the Pioneer League for girls’ basketball.

• Kermit Deterding, longtime successful basketball coach, was inducted into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame during sub-state basketball hosted by Wellsville. Congratulations.

• Ashley Ebeck and Justin Prough, middle school students, got first place at the Hutchinson LEGO Robotics tournament in the Maze competition. They also got first place at the Burlington LEGO Robotics competition in the Maze Runner competition and third place overall.

• The middle school music and drama departments presented “Music Man” to many parents and community members in March. There were so many interested middle school students that two different casts performed the musical on two nights.

• Wellsville Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) had its annual carnival for all kids, big and small, April 12. Despite the cooler weather, it was a great turnout and another grand fundraiser for the elementary school.

• The middle school OWLS project site became certified by the Kansas State Department of Wildlife and Parks. This qualified our project for another $1,000 grant which was used to buy trees, shrubbery and flowering plants.

• April 23 was a special day for five of our middle/high school students as they competed in and placed in the Top 10 in various categories of the Job Olympics. One student placed first in two categories. Congratulations.

• The high school student council sponsored the second annual Breast Cancer Awareness walk April 27. This group raised around $2,800 with about 230 walkers and 21 business sponsors.

• Two small ensembles, seven vocal soloists and two instrumental soloists received I ratings at the regional music festival April 5 and qualified for state competition at SE of Saline High School at the end of April.

• Riley Cole, third grade student, placed runner-up in the third grade division of the Royals’ Best Father contest.

• Ashley Ebeck, seventh grade student, placed third in Research Papers in the State History Day contest at Washburn University April 26. Her paper was titled “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.” She is the alternate for the National History Day in Maryland in June.

• The high school forensics squad finished second in the Pioneer League and had league champions in prose (Lacy Jordan), poetry (Lacy Jordan) and oration (Jamie Michael). Eight students qualified for state competition May 3. At the state festival, Amanda Lee received a I in poetry and Jordan Beckley received a I in serious solo acting. At state, two kids score in the Top 20: Lacy Jordan (15th) and Marcy Rodenmayer (17th), both in prose.

Check back next week for more highlights from the Wellsville school district’s year.

Denise O’Dea is superintendent for Wellsville schools.

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O'DEA: School year full of accomplishments

By DENISE O'DEA, From The Desk Of The Superintendent

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.