Kansas State University recently announced a number of scholarships earned by Wyandotte County natives.

From a press release:

Bonner Springs: Kristen Cecelia Beeves, KSU Marching Band Scholarship, Marion H. Pelton Keyboard Scholarship and Rose Garzio Scholarship for Horn Performance, offered by Angelo C. Garzio in honor of his mother; Heather Carmitchel, Henry J. Putnam Memorial Scholarship; Kara Michelle Douglas, Dean's Choice Scholarship and Leadership Scholarship; Jaci Nicole Livers, Fairchild Scholarship; Cassity Taylor Mitchell, Marion H. Pelton Scholarship; Kyle Cameron Parker, Dean's Choice Scholarship; Alex Liam Slater, Opportunity Scholarship; Joseph Robert Sullivan, G.E. Johnson Engineering Scholarship; Olivia Lea Walterman, Achievement Award; Kali Ann Yates, Fairchild Scholarship

Kansas City: Courtney Nicole Albracht, Fairchild Scholarship; Jaime Arreola, Transfer Academic Scholarship; Marcus Andrew Bragg, Capitol Federal Scholarship, Cargill Project IMPACT Scholarship, Dean's Choice Scholarship, Gasaway Family Scholarship, Housing Leadership Award, Koch Impact Scholarships, Leadership Scholarship and Nancy Landon Kassebaum Scholarship; Lonell Cokise Brown, Cargill Project IMPACT Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship; Shahna Alyssa Campbell, Activity Scholarship; Stephanie Christine Despain, Edgerley-Franklin Urban Leadership Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship; Blake Spencer Franklin, Housing Leadership Award and Opportunity Scholarship; Morgan Andrew Franklin, Memorial Scholarship; Kara Danielle Godsil, Kenneth and Iralee Barnard Aviation Scholarship and The Marian W. 'Dolly' Hardman Endowment; Marcela Gonzalez, Martha S. Pittman Scholarship, Maud Gardiner Obrecht Memorial Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship; Choua Her, Memorial Scholarship and Transfer Academic Scholarship; Samantha Jo Hodge, Dean's Choice Scholarship and Medallion Scholarship; Jose Antonio Leal, NACME Scholarship; Sparkle Rashun Lucky, Memorial Scholarship; Ivette Martinez, Cargill Project IMPACT Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship; James E Millsap, Cargill Project IMPACT Scholarship; Olivia Dyan Moore, Cargill Project IMPACT Scholarship, Housing Leadership Award and Leadership Scholarship; Manuel Adiel Munoz, Cargill Project IMPACT Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship; Justin Philip Peterson, Alumni Wabash CannonBall Scholarship, Engineering Scholarship and Henry J. Putnam Memorial Scholarship; Lauren C Pitts, Cargill Project IMPACT Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship; Jazmin Monique Richmond, Achievement Award and Memorial Scholarship; Tanya Marie Sherman, Koch Impact Scholarships and Martin Luther King Memorial Fund; David Smith, Memorial Scholarship; Angelica Soto, Memorial Scholarship; Jon Paul Sprung, Donna Kottwitz & Mark Larson Engineering Scholarship and Frank W. Kaul Mechanical Engineering Leadership; Allison Stimach, Hucke-Wavering Scholarship; Carissa Jean Sulzen, Fairchild Scholarship; Kelli Treff, Medallion Scholarship; Jeremy Walker, NACME Scholarship; David Earl Willis, Memorial Scholarship and NACME Scholarship
 

The Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Band and Jazz Combo were accompanied by two of the world’s best, bass player Christoph Luty and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Both members of the Jeff Hamilton Trio which is the backup on Barbra Streisand’s latest album, the two musicians gave hour-long clinics to both the Jazz Band and Jazz Clinic. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Members of Kansas City Kansas Community College multi-award winning Jazz Band and Jazz Combo got even better this week.

Jeff Hamilton, considered by some to be the world’s greatest drummer, and bassist Christoph Luty spent an hour working with each of the two groups in the KCKCC Band Room Wednesday.

Both are members of the Jeff Hamilton trio which performed Wednesday and Thursday at Jardine’s.

“The pianist was not able to get here in time from Los Angeles,” said KCKCC Jazz Director Jim Mair. Ten members of the Turner High School band also sat in on the clinics.

Following the clinics, 16 students and music department members attended the trio’s performance at Jardine’s.

“It was one of those performances that can be a life-changing moment,” said Mair. “The level of musicianship is just so high. One of the things we try to teach is the details, focus and concentration required to perform at the highest level and to see that kind of precision and musicality can be a light bulb moment.”

Mair frequently has top musicians in for clinics, especially those appearing with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra which he directs and are under contract to conduct clinics.

“Our students need to see the best and to get someone the caliber of Jeff Hamilton is a great opportunity that we don’t want to pass up,” said Mair.

The drummer for Lionel Hampton at age 20 and later a member of the Woody Herman Band, Hamilton currently tours with Diana Krall, has his own big band and his trio is featured as the backup on Barbra Streisand’s latest album. “Not many can play with a big band and a trio with such artistry and finesse.”

Mair said the timing if Hamilton and Luty’s clinic was exceptional because both the Jazz Band and Jazz Combo will be featured in the annual Fall Jazz Concert in the Performing Arts Center Tuesday.

“The things I wanted to get across were playing in the pocket and the groove and length between the bass player, drummer and band,” said Mair. “We program music with a high concentration on swing, which is the hardest part of the jazz language and something a lot of bands shy away from because it is difficult. The answers are not in the books. It’s a feeling and intuitiveness. What we want is the same spirit and freedom that Count Basie had, not the kind of sound associated with academic groups.”

Mair said improvement in the performances of the band and combo was immediate.

“Jeff was impressed with the group and especially the drummer, Rex Hancock (a freshman from Tonganoxie) and how he was able to adjust to Jeff’s suggestions, which is so critical as a musician,” said Mair.

The recipient of the Phil Witt Endowment Scholarship at KCKCC for 2009, Eva Ledesma (left) was joined (from left) by daughters Eliyzabth, 9; Karynn, 6: Eunicee, 11; and Nohemy, 13, and her husband, Efrain Morales, at the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame induction ceremonies where she delivered an emotional thank you for her scholarship. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Growing up in a small town in Mexico, Eva Ledesma not only was the first of a family of 10 to attend college but the first in her town. Attending college also meant sleeping on top of empty fruit boxes and walking four miles a day to attend classes.

Today, the 2009 recipient of the Phil Witt Endowment Scholarship is on pace to earn an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

“I always thought that everything is possible if you believe. Receiving this scholarship only proves that,” Ledesma told a crowd of nearly 230 at the 14th annual Mid-America Education Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at KCKCC Nov. 7. “My dream is to be an art therapist for young children and this scholarship will help me pursue my dreams. I plan on buying my first lap top computer to help me get a bachelor’s degree.”

Ledesma, who will receive her AA in May, currently does her research and other computer work in the College Library.

“But I get only 60 minutes and then have to wait so it’s hard,” said Ledesma, who plans to seek a bachelor’s degree in the Kansas City area.

The mother of four daughters, Ledesma already holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Morelia in Mexico earned after overcoming countless odds.

“We had no middle school in my town so I had to go to another town and then another town for high school,” she said.     “When I went to the university I had to walk two miles each way because I had no money to ride the bus and I slept on top of empty fruit boxes.”

Graduating in 1988, she taught science in high school for six months before coming to the United States. “My older brother was a citizen and I started going to school for English in Santa Ana, Calif.,” said Ledesma, who worked first as a housekeeper before getting more lucrative jobs in a camera factory and Child Care centers in Monterey County. She earned her U.S. citizenship in 1996.

Four years ago, Ledesma, her husband, Efrain Morales, and four daughters, Nohemy, 13; Eunicee, 11; Eliyzabeth, 9; and Karynn, 6, left California and came to Kansas City. “It was a much better place to raise our daughters,” she said.”The houses were cheaper here. We could not afford a house in California, also there was too much violence there.”

Ledesma, who had started taking Early Childhood classes in California, resumed her pursuit of a degree at KCKCC in 2007 and has one class to go for graduation in May.

“She just jumped right in. She shines in every class and is a real inspiration to her instructors and fellow students,” said Kris Hearn, the Coordinator of KCKCC’s Early Childhood program. “One of the assignments for her child nutrition class was to learn everything she could about a food and create a curriculum for children to learn about that food. She chose eggs and her research was so extensive that she filled a 3-inch binder and a 5 by 10-foot poster with facts about eggs, way above and beyond what was expected.”

Ledesma, who works in a Child Care Learning Center operated by Open Door Bible Church, has yet to decide where she’ll pursue a BA in Art Therapy for Children. “I love kids and like to do things in art with them. It is good therapy to do art.”

Last month, Ledesma lost her mother.

“She was a very strong person who encouraged me in so many ways,” says Ledesma, who returned to Mexico for the funeral. “It was very hard to go to school in Mexico but my mother was always encouraging. One time we had no money and I thought maybe I would stop college but my mother said she would sell popcorn on the street if she had to so that I would finish the university. She gave me energy.”

Despite cold and a hint of snow, Kansas City Kansas Community College put up the first of several “Buckle Up – It’s the Law” signs to be located throughout the campus Monday, Nov. 16. Looking on as Tony Sambol attached the first sign are (from left) Richard Lee, Dean of Student Services; Linda Sutton, Director of Student Activities; Larry Seal, Director of Buildings and Grounds; and Jason Sievers, Supervisor of Campus Police. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

An award-winning percussionist will join Kansas City Kansas Community College’s award-winning Jazz Band and Jazz Combo for the annual KCKCC Fall Jazz Concert Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Scott Prebys, who won the North Dakota Governor’s Award, will be featured on the Zen Drum, vibraphone and steel drum in the 7 p.m. concert in the Performing Arts Center on the KCKCC campus at 7250 State Avenue. Tickets are $5.

Multi-award winners at the Pittsburg Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals and directed by Jim Mair, the Jazz Band and the 11 a.m. Jazz Combo will be joined by the 3 p.m. Jazz Band, the Latin Band under the direction of Jurgen Welge and the college’s community Blue Devils Big Band directed by David Chael in the performance of jazz classics by such legends as Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Bobby Shew, Les Hooper, Thad Jones, Joe Williams, Gordon Goodwin, Fats Navarro, Sammy Nestico, Grover Washington Jr. and Carlos Santana.

Students in the jazz groups are not only alumni of the Kansas City Kansas public schools but also Basehor-Linwood, Turner, Tonganoxie, Shawnee Mission, Lansing, Olathe, McLouth, DeSoto, Blue Valley and Lee’s Summit and Warrensburg, Mo., school districts along with the countries of Turkey and Korea.
 

Wyandotte County woke up to its first accumulated snowfall this morning.

A quick drive around the area indicates that streets are mostly fine.

No closings were made, as school buses are all over the county.

University of Kansas junior and Sumner Academy alum Anthony Johnson will be honored Tuesday for his involvement with the Dean's Scholars Program.

Johnson is one of just a few students involved in the program.

More information, courtesy of a press release:

Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, director of the honors program, will welcome returning and newly selected Dean’s Scholars. Greg Simpson, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will offer remarks on the importance of the program in building diversity within the talent pool available for liberal arts and science faculties.

Established in 1992, the Dean’s Scholars Program is part of the University Honors Program and is geared for academically talented students in the liberal arts and sciences who are interested in pursuing graduate study and who represent groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education.

Dean’s Scholars receive annual $1,000 scholarships, are matched with distinguished faculty mentors and are required to complete special seminars designed to build skills necessary for graduate study. Students are selected as sophomores and juniors and must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Six new plaques were added to the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame at Kansas City Kansas Community College with the induction Nov. 7 of  (from left) Rich Rasdall, Dr. Jim Gill, Lincoln High School represented by Alumni President Marceline Cooley, the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center directed by Alan Murray, R. Crosby Kemper III and Ken Bingman. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

They came to be praised – but ended up handing out their own plaudits.

Recognized for their contributions to education by their induction into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame at Kansas City Kansas Community College Nov. 7, the Hall’s newest members dwelt not on themselves but on the contributions to education by so many others – which, in part, is why they’re Education Hall of Famers.

The ceremonies were highlighted by the surprise induction of a shocked Rich Rasdall, whose induction was kept secret until the closing minutes.

A former class president at KCKCC who campaigned vigorously for construction of a new campus in the late 1960’s, Rasdall has served on the board of the KCKCC Endowment Association since 1991 and been board president the last eight years. Recently retired as CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, Rasdall started his career as a teacher at Wyandotte High School.

A crowd of nearly 230 guests was on hand to welcome the new inductees – longtime educators Dr. Jim Gill and Ken Bingman, Kansas City (Mo.) Library Director R. Crosby Kemper III, the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center and Lincoln High School, now Lincoln College Preparatory Academy.

Also recognized were coaches and past members of the KCKCC Debate team, which has won six straight national championships under the direction of Coach Darren Elliott.

“People have suggested we move this event to a larger place but this gives us a chance to show off this wonderful campus, which is one of Wyandotte County and KCK’s greatest assets,” said Rasdall, who called his surprise induction one of the highlights of his life.   

Crosby Kemper also focused on KCKCC.

“Community colleges are the unsung heroes of American education,” he said. “What Kansas City Kansas and other community colleges do is so important in education but often unrecognized. Often you take the failures of K-12 programs and fight the distance relationship with four-year colleges. The role of community colleges is so important, more important than ever with what is done in the skill department and remedial part with such skill, intensity and care.”

Pointing out the success of the KCKCC debate team as well as debate teams at Kansas and Kansas City (Mo.) Central High School, Kemper noted: “If we have expectations and high standards, kids will meet those high expectations and standards. The only way we can fail is if we don’t have those high expectations and standards for ourselves.”

“I want to share this honor with hundreds of other people,” said Dr. Jim Gill, recently retired after 45 years as a middle school principal in Leawood. Thanks to his staff and attentive students with pride and citizenship, Gill’s Leawood Middle School scored a 96 composite on the Iowa Test for Basic Skills and had the highest score of any secondary school in the U.S. in the Organizational Health Inventory developed by the University of Arkansas.

A 1963 graduate of Wyandotte, Gill said one of his proudest moments came in a letter from his daughter, Becky.

“I want to tell you how proud I am. Everywhere I go when people find out you’re my dad they tell me what a great person you are and what a great job you’ve done with the schools and the kids in them. You have inspired kids and teachers and taught by example for them to have confidence in themselves and respect for others. Very few have accomplished so much. You are my hero.”

As president of the Lincoln High School-R.W. Coles Alumni Association (now Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, Marceline Cooley accepted on behalf of the school that was founded in 1865 to educate children of newly free slaves at the end of the Civil War.

“This has been a long-awaited moment for us and I can not be prouder than right now,” said Cooley. “This moment only helps me appreciate the past and understand our ancestors’ struggle for excellence in education and keeping the dream alive. We’ve seen war, depression, recession, segregation and integration and through it all we have made tremendous progress. In retrospect, we have gone from the kitchen to the White House.”

One of the largest alumni associations in the U.S., the Lincoln Association has provided more than $200,000 in scholarships to graduates and next July will hold a national alumni reunion at Crown Center.

Calling the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center (CTLC) a “Place where miracles happen,” Director Alan Murray said it was because of the efforts of many.

“Since 1947, it has served as a place of hope for countless families faced with unique challenges of a child born with disabilities,” said Murray, “It is a place where families have found hope, where can’t becomes can, where won’t becomes will and never doesn’t exist because of the devotion of hundreds of professionals all committed to insure each child fulfill their full potential.

“They are the true heroes, the ones who make the miracles happen every year, they and the hundreds of volunteers and supporters – partners in the miracle making. My promise to you will be that we will continue to provide high quality early education and therapeutic services in the manner of this recognition.”

A member of the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Blue Valley West biology instructor Ken Bingman credited his students for his success.

“This honor is dedicated to my students,” said Bingman. “Their achievements are my inspiration and I thank them for their hard work and accomplishments. I am so proud. All the nice and neat things I’ve learned in 46 years of teaching I’ve learned from my students and I thank them. If I had to do it over, I would be a teacher. I am proud to be a teacher.”

Bingman also singled out the KCKCC Endowment Association.

“All of us want to leave a legacy that will improve the future and what this organization does is make a better place for all,” said Bingman, who called his induction into the Mid-America Hall of Fame one of the highlights of his career. “To be elected to this group, you have to be totally humbled and I am. This is an absolutely wonderful honor and a fabulous and fantastic evening.”

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

The Department of Veterans Affairs has made funds available for veteran students who are still awaiting their education benefit claim to be processed.

Will Reed, the Veterans Certifying Official for Kansas City Kansas Community College, said eligible veterans can receive an advance of up to $3,000 which will be recouped from future benefit payments.

“If you are a KCKCC student who applied for one of the VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term, you can request a one-time advance payment at your local VA Regional Office or through the VA’s website, www.va.gov,” said Reed.

Reed said advance payments will be issued by the U.S. Treasury within three work days following submission of the request and that payments will be in the form of checks sent through the U.S. mail.

“You should therefore anticipate an additional three days (excluding Sunday)s for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your checks,” said Reed.

Further information on the educational benefits and how they might apply to KCKCC can be obtained by calling Will Reed at the KCKCC Leavenworth Center (913-651-2111). 

A graduate of the University of Kansas with a BA in Psychology, Reed served 7½ years as a non-commissioned officer in JAG.

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

A course in Adult CPR/AED and First Aid will be offered by Kansas City Kansas Community College Saturday, Dec. 5.

Offered in partnership with the American Red Cross, the course will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.  in the Conference Room of the Community Education Building located on the east side of the KCKCC campus at 7250 State Avenue.

In addition to providing hands-on practice and real-life scenarios in adult CPR, the course will include training in the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Students area also trained to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults as well as how to apply basic precautions to reduce the risk of disease transmission during and after providing care.

In addition, first aid skills and useful take-home materials will be provided to help in the retention of skills and as reference tools in an emergency.

The cost of the course is $59. Persons can enroll by phone with credit card payment at 913-288-7660 or in person at the Community Education Building (CED) on the east side of the campus.
 

The Second Friday Art Walk will be held tonight in downtown Kansas City, Kan., in several locations.

In this month's art walk, students from Washington High School willh ave their art included in a display at 750 Armstrong Avenue. It's part of the "Who am I" series, which involves local artist Steve Curtis.

More locations on tonight's walk, courtesy of a press release:

Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store
805 Minnesota Avenue, KCK
Drawings and Paintings by Charles Smith
(Commandeer of Disabled American Veterans - KC)
Various Other Art Displayed
913-321-4389
davthriftstore@aol.com
 
El Camino Real - 903 N. 7th Street, KCK
Always open for Art Walk Visitors
913-342-4333
 
Imago Dei Arts Center
Granada Theatre, 10th & Minnesota Ave., KCK
Imago Dei Juried Art Show Selected Artists 2009
www.imagodeiarts.org
913-233-0266
 
Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities
The Art and Soul of the Community Holiday Art Sale
The sale will feature up to 30 artists with holiday priced fine arts and crafts.
One night only, November 13, 4 – 8 p.m.

REARDON CIVIC CENTER
kariotisc@kvarts.org
913-371-0024
 
Kansas City, Kan., Public Library - 625 Minnesota Avenue, KCK
On display until 5:00 are Fiber Mosaics by Lori Miller
KCK Public Library will not participate in the 2nd Friday Art Walk but will have exhibits during regular library hours during the winter.
Its first spring exhibit will be part of  KCK Public Schools "Beyond the Classroom" in March 2010
www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/FINEARTS
913-551-3280

Lizzy's Loft
(above Fat Matt 's Vortex)
Anne DeWalt, a KCK firefighter
Photography Collages
&
Lizzie's Loft Unique Boutique
November 13 evening and November 14
Hand-made or Unique Items for Sale. 
A tarot card reader will also be on hand for the event
 
Pressroom Studios - 750 Armstrong, KCK
Studios open for public observation.
Studios of Darrell Trubey, George Morris, Michael Brantley, Jose Faus, 
Kim Eichler-Messmer & Carol Kariotis.
Kim Eichler-Messmer will be on hand to discuss her fiber work.
www.pressroomstudios.com
 
Red Door Studios - 738 Armstrong, Suite 200
Paintings by New Studio Artist Antonette Nicotera
Reception for the artist November 13th, 5 - 8pm
http://www.antonettenicotera.com/
Performance by Braintree Forest Fire
http://www.myspace.com/braintreeforestfire

S2 Studios - 750 Armstrong, KCK
"My School - My Life" 
Large exhibit of student photography/art from Washington High School 
www.stevecurtiskc.com
 
Tomasic & Rehorn - 419 N. 6th Street, KCK
Tomasic & Rehorn will not exhibit throughout the winter
but will reopen next spring.
www.tomasicrehorn.com
913-371-5750
 
Town House Gallery - 1021 N 7th St., KCK
Reflections of Wyandot Art Association
Opening Night:  5 to 8 pm, Friday, Oct. 9 through Wednesday, Nov. 18
Call Jonnie McMillian at 913.514.0423 for private showings
 
Wheat State Pizza - 612 N. 5th Street, KCK
New art every month
Special Discounts
strawberryhillpizza@yahoo.com
913-281-9000
 
YWCA 6th Street Gallery - 1017 N. 6th Street, KCK
Aaron Sutton - As Above So Below
Paintings and Drawings from 2007-2009
November 13 - December 9
Artist reception Friday, Nov. 13, 5 - 8pm
www.ywca.org/kansascity
913-371-1105
 
Fat Matt 's Vortex - 411 N 6th Street
After Art Walk Party
913-219-4858

Story and photo by SUSAN ENLOE, KCKPS

The November 10 meeting of the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education was held at Grant Elementary School. 

At the meeting, members of the Board of Education recognized (l-r) Eugene Rodriguez, head custodian at Douglass Elementary School; Marli Brandt, teacher at Stony Point South Elementary School; and Stephen Brandt, math instructor at Washington High School as November 2009 Employees of the Month. 

Eugene Rodriguez was nominated for Employee of the Month by Douglass principal Marguerite Martinez. 

Recognizing the task of getting a new building ready for the opening of school, Martinez said of Rodriguez, “Mr. Rodriguez worked many days from six in the morning until 11 or 12 at night getting our building ready for occupancy … He was seen many evenings way after the end of his scheduled work time, making sure that staff had what they needed . . .”  Martinez spoke of his commitment to the students and staff at the school, and of the many ways that Rodriguez has been a help to her as the new principal for the school.

“He knows many families and truly considers the whole child. Students look up to him, and for many, he is a positive male role model.”

Washington teacher Joe Graham and instructional coach Scarlett Sherretts-Risley nominated Stephen Brandt.   “ … Master Sergeant Stephen Brandt recently returned from serving a year in Iraq as a medic. He has been employed by the district since 1999, serving as a math teacher, SLC coordinator, cross country and track and field coach. While in Iraq, Stephen served on the Sustainment Brigade, which worked on fostering relationships and communications … Even in Iraq, Stephen continued to demonstrate his commitment to education by reading to the Iraqi children.”

When a soldier serves his country, away from his family and home, the spouse must assume all of the parenting and household duties.  MSgt. Brandt’s wife, Marli, was nominated for her efforts on the “home front”. 

Introducing Mrs. Brandt, David Smith, Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications said, “Marli is a 4th grade teacher at Stony Point South Elementary.

This is her 11th year with KCKPS. She is being recognized for maintaining a positive attitude in her position during the stressful time of having her husband serve in Iraq for the past year. She is commended for maintaining high quality work and managing her household in the absence of her husband.”

The Piper School District was not part of the effort the last time "Schools for Fair Funding" sued the state in an effort to increase funding for public education.

However, if a lawsuit is introduced this time, the Piper Board of Education may be a part of it this go around.

Board members discussed the possibility of joining the non-profit organization, which sued the state back in 1999. However, there is a catch in a budget crunch school year – it costs the district $2 a student to join.

That part of the equation divided some board members on whether or not Piper should be apart of a potential lawsuit, which Superintendent Steve Adams said is likely.

"It's a message we need to send to Topeka and our own legislators," said Ron Kaminski, board president. "We just have to send a message to Topeka."

Meanwhile, board member Neal Palmer questions the investment of the district during a tough economic time, along with the fact that it might be an on-going situation for a few years.

"Nobody will change what's going on in Topeka," he said. "We have a lame duck governor who has no insensitive to do much right now."

Board member Abe Glaser said the district should join the effort out of principal.

With more expected budget cuts coming, the issue of school funding has unified larger and smaller districts, Adams said.

"This year (a potential lawsuit) is going to be inadequacy across the board," Adams said.

The item was an action item on Monday's agenda, but was tabled by board members until at least next month.

The F.L. Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake will celebrate "America Recycles Day" on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The event begins at noon at the lake, which is located at 4051 West Drive.

Participants will create their own landfill and other activities related to recycling. The "Gooey Garbage" demonstration will be held.

Those interested are also asked to bring a recycled glass jar, such as one used for baby food, olives, pimentos and other smaller items. With the glasses, a holiday snow globe will be made.

For more information about the event, contact the library at (913) 299-2384.