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FBLA News

Congratulations to the 2021-2022 FBLA Officers

President -Carissa Dalquest 

Vice President - Myles Gant 

Secretary - Alison Bachura 

Treasurer - Allison Hower 

Public Relations – Elizabeth Mascote & Calla Unruh 

Class Representative Senior - Alex Timm 

Class Representative Junior - Jessica Filkin

 

 

Jordyn Picolet and Ally Hower participated in the LifeSmarts competition for the
National FBLA competition today

 

 

 

Photos by Ms. Miller

Graduation

Ella Kirk, Trinadee Fetters

Abi Shearer

Joey Andres

Mandy Wainwright

David Seymour, Trinadee Fetters, Zach Andres

Photos by Carissa Dalquest and MHouse

A Joyous Celebration

 

All Unedited Photos - Download

 

Mr. Doornbos, Kylee Zuege, Carly Wells, Jasmine Walker

Mr. Doornbos, Tom Van Valkenburg

Mr. Doornbos, Kyra Smith-Blosser

Carly Wells

Michelle Patry

Tom Van Valkenburg

Owen Vars

Ben Bolen, Senior Class President

Kyra Smith-Blosser, Valedictorian and Senior Class Vice-President

Deidre Knight (BOE), Scott Bankes (BOE), Kyra Smith-Blosser, Mr. McDiffett, Mary Myers (BOE)

Gabe Reichart singing Somewhere Only We Know

Mary Myers, who taught this class in Junior High, speaks about how the Seniors are Influencers

Jesus Solis

Mr. McDiffett recognizes and thanks the mentors of the senior class

Ayden Unruh

Jaycie Swisher

Gavin Spittles, Autumn Spittles, Jesus Solis

Christian Roman

Javier Pool

Mike Philo

Corbyn Miller

Dustin Lindley

Ashley Irwin

Ethan Craige

Claire Bankes

 

Photos by Carissa Dalquest and MHouse

Braves Qualify for State

Friday, the Braves track team competed at the 3A Regional meet hosted by Osage City.

State Qualifiers:

Hadyn Bieling: 
•Triple Jump - 2nd place, 40' 11"
•High Jump -  1st place, 6' 7" (breaking his own CGHS record of 6' 6")

4 X 100m Relay:
•Hadyn Bieling, Ethan Burton, Jace Goodman, Ahmed Mansaray (Kahle Jones, alt) - 4th place, 44.98

Lakoddah Downes:
•1600m Run - 1st place, 4:44.10
•3200m Run - 1st place, 10:18.13

Jordyn Picolet:
•1600m Run - 1st place, 5:46.65
•3200m Run - 1st place, 12:43.56
•800m Run - 2nd place, 2:35.20

The 3A State Track meet will happen Friday at Cessna Stadium in Wichita.
*10 am Boys Triple Jump
*11:30 am Girls 3200m Final
*11:30 am Boys 3200mFinal
*2 pm Boys High Jump
*3:30 pm Girls 1600m Final
*3:46 pm Boys 1600m Final
Full Schedule

The Council Grove FFA Chapter held their annual banquet on Tuesday, May 18th. Carissa Dalquest gave her state finalist speech, “Beef Options and Alternatives” for the program. Additionally, many members were recognized for their accomplishments. Twenty-four members received their Greenhand Degree, and 13 received Chapter Degrees. Michelle Patry was awarded Star Farmer, and Lakoddah Downes received the Star Greenhand award. Michelle Patry was awarded the Gordon Morrison Scholarship. New officers were also installed into their positions. 

2021-2022 Council Grove FFA Officer Team

President- Carissa Dalquest

Vice President- Natalie French

Secretary- Brylea Burnett

Treasurer- Lakoddah Downes

Reporter- Jordyn Picolet

Sentinel- LaiCee Scott

Jr. Advisor- Jesse Rodgers

Historian- Jayden Patry

Chaplain- Karl Zimmerman

Parliamentarian- Cory Crowl

 

Left to Right: Karl Zimmerman, Cory Cowl, Jayden Patry, Jesse Rodgers, Jordyn Picolet, Natalie French, Carissa Dalquest, Brylea Burnett, Lakoddah Downes, LaiCee Scott

Photo by Marlene Patry; Story by Carissa Dalquest

One of Top Four in the KS FFA Prepared Public Speaking Event

Carissa Dalquest made finals for the Kansas FFA Prepared Public Speaking Event.  Tuesday she gave her speech via Zoom to a panel of judges who then selected her as one of the top four speakers in the state out of 30 who made it to the state event.  Statewide, there were roughly 200-220 speakers, with only 30 making it to state.

 

Carissa presented to the same panel again on Tuesday afternoon in the finale to determine if she will be the one KS speaker who makes it to nationals in Indianapolis this fall. Results will be announced in June.

 

Carissa's speech topic is about the benefits of eating beef vs. synthetic beef. Take a look at the CGHS FFA Facebook page for highlights from the FFA Banquet, including a video of Carissa's speech.

Curious about the topic, we asked Carissa about her speech. "My interest in this issue really began when the Governor of Colorado announced a 'Meat-Out' day and encouraged citizens to work towards a plant based diet. Much of the agricultural community spoke out against this blatant attack on our industry, and I felt obligated to do the same. I started doing research, and found that the three main arguments against beef -- ethics, the environment, and nutrition -- were all inaccurate. I wrote this speech to share this information with others. I have given it to almost a dozen audiences, culminating with this event, and I am hoping to give it again at the national contest in the fall."

Awards Day

Adrianna Nichols, Christina Lewers

Autumn Spittles, Alexis Bacon

Chloe Berner, Claire Bankes

Tom Van Valkenburg, Jesus Solis, Dustin Lindley

The 2021 Dale Dennis Excellence in Education Award was presented to Ben Bolen

Michelle Patry

Carly Wells received the 2021 Barb Harkness Community Mentoring Award

Keeley Honas

Tom Van Valkenburg, John Goff Inspirational Athlete Award

Tom Van Valkenburg

Carly Wells, Salutatorian and Kyra Smith-Blosser, Valedictorian

 

 

•KSHSAA Citizenship Award: Kyra Smith-Blosser, Ben Bolen

•American Legion Award: Jesus Solis, Kyra Smith-Blosser

*Top 10% Honor Graduates: Ben Bolen, Sanaia Palmquist, Gabe Reichart, Kyra Smith-Blosser, Carly Wells

•Topeka Capital-Journal Academic All-State Team: Kyra Smith-Blosser

•Kansas Governors' Scholar: Kyra Smith-Blosser

•Presidential Scholars given to seniors with a 3.5 GPA and 26 or higher on their Math or Reading ACT: Ben Bolen, Sanaia Palmquist, Gabe Reichart, Kyra Smith-Blosser, Carly Wells

•Flint Hills Technical College certificate: Charlie Kidd

•Completion of 15 or more college credit hours: Claire Bankes, Ben Bolen, Isaac Buchman, Hailey Hewitt, Keeley Honas, Charlie Kidd, Daleyna King, Sanaia Palmquist, Michelle Patry, Dulce Salas, Kyra Smith-Blosser, Carly Wells

•Outstanding Graduating Artist Award: Kylee Zuege

•Band Director Award: Mike Philo

Scholarships

Alexis Bacon: Washburn University academic scholarship, $500 per year

Chase Bacon: 4-H Award

Claire Bankes: TCT Scholarship, $1000
Kansas Masonic Scholarship, $1000
Betty Dutton Memorial Scholarship, $2500
Sand Springs Rustler 4-H Alumni Scholarship, $350
Council Grove Kiwanis Scholarship, $725
Betty Yadon Price Memorial Scholarship, $500
TPM Scholarship, $450
Morris County Youth Rodeo Association, $500
T3 New Rural Beginnings Scholarship, $500
Paul Bosch Scholarship, $500
Community Blood Center Scholarship, $250
Alta Vista Masonic Lodge Scholarship, $1000

Hadyn Bieling: Ottawa University Football Scholarship, $14,000 per year
Ottawa University Track Scholarship, $2000 per year
Ottawa University Academic Scholarship, $9000 per year
Ottawa University Special Event Scholarship, $450 per year
Kraus Family Memorial Scholarship, $250

Ben Bolen: Emporia State University Presidential Scholarship, $2300 per year

Hailey Hewitt: Council Grove Kiwanis Scholarship, $725
Lexinet Scholarship, $1000, renewable

Keeley Honas: Kansas State University Academic Scholarship, $4000

Ashley Irwin: Emporia State University GPA Scholarship, $850
Brave Souls Scholarship, $225

Daleyna King: Butler Community College Presidential Academic Scholarship, $750 per year
BCC Student Athletic Training Scholarship covering books and tuition
4-H Award

Dustin Lindley: US Air Force, 3D032 Cyber Systems Operations Apprentice with full tuition

Carver Meierhoff: Flint Hills Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation Scholarship: $500

Sanaia Palmquist: Butler Community College Presidential Academic Scholarship, $750 per year
Betty Dutton Memorial, $2500
Council Grove Kiwanis Scholarship, $725
Council Grove City Lake Association Morris County Scholarship, $500
Brave Souls Scholarship, $225
McNeal Kiwanis Scholarship, $1000
Lakeside Properties Scholarship, $1000
Katie Buchanan Gant Scholarship, $1500
Craig McNeal Swim Club Scholarship, $250

Michelle Patry: County Weed Director's Scholarship, $1500
Unifrax/Rex Materials of Kansas Scholarship, $500
Betty Yadon Price Memorial Scholarship, $500
Morris County Youth Rodeo Association Scholarship, $500
4-H Award
USD 417 Vo-Ag Laue Scholarship, $1000
Gordon Morrison FFA Scholarship, $500

Mike Philo: ESU GPA Scholarship, $850

Gabe Reichart: Washburn University Academic Scholarship, $4500 per year
Garvey Exam Winner Scholarship from Washburn University, $2000
Washburn History Scholarship, $1000
Robert Caywood Music Scholarship $200

Dulce Salas: Brave Souls Scholarship, $225
Don and Lucille McNeal Wildcat Scholarship, $1000
Una Funk Memorial Scholarship, $1000

Kyra Smith-Blosser: Heisman High School Scholarship, $500
TCT Scholarship, $1000
KU Chancellor Scholarship, $5000 per year
Council Grove Kiwanis Scholarship, $725
Unifrax/Rex Materials Scholarship, $500
Cheryl Scripter Memorial Scholarship, $1000
Brave Souls Scholarship, $225
PEO Award and Katrina B. Cross Scholarship (Chapter H), $700
PEO Chapter JN Scholarship, $500
Eula Corey Metzger Scholarship, $800

Jesus Solis: Erichsen Agrimotive Scholarship, $1000

Autumn Spittles: Washburn University Academic Scholarship, $1250 per year

Gavin Spittles: Emporia State University GPA Scholarship, $850

Gavin Swalley: Emporia State University GPA Scholarship, $1200
Una Funk Memorial Scholarship, $1000

Jaycie Swisher: Fort Scott Community College Cheer Scholarship covering books, tuition and fees
Morris County Youth Rodeo Association Scholarship, $500

Tom Van Valkenburg: Fort Hays State University Wrestling Scholarship, $5000 per year
Sorenson Family Scholarship, $500
Jim and Betty Robidou Scholarship, $500

Carly Wells: Kansas Wesleyan University Presidential Scholarship, $12,000
Academic Power Award, $4000
Council Grove Kiwanis Scholarship, $725
Ethan Carroll Memorial Scholarship, $500
Betty Yadon Price Memorial Scholarship, $500
4-H Award
Council Grove United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship, $1000
Amy Sigle Scholarship, $500
Katie Buchanan Gant Scholarship, $1500
Santa Fe Trail Parish Scholarship, $500
Flint Hills Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation Scholarship, $1000

Photos by Carissa Dalquest

Sad Goodbye

Mr. Horvat

 

What are your plans once you leave Council Grove?

 

I will be moving to Boston to get my Masters in Muisc Theory. I'm hoping to keep going and eventually get my Doctorate. 

 

What will you miss the most?

 

I will miss the students. They are full of passion for music, and I'm going to miss seeing the looks on their faces when they finally achieve something they've been working on for months. They are kind and caring and were one of the main reasons I was excited to come to work every day. I'm also going to miss Redden and Vroman. They helped me to survive some of the toughest days, and I hope to stay in touch after I leave. 

 

What are you most looking forward to?

 

I am most looking forward to all the people that I'm going to meet when I get my masters. I'm also excited for all the things I am going to learn over the next couple of years. I've always wanted to be a teacher, and I'm excited to learn more things so that I can continue to grow as an educator. 

 

Anything else you want to say?

 

Council Grove will always have a place in my heart. It will always be my first teaching job, you will always be my first students, and you will always be my first band. I've learned so much over the past three years, and I'm so grateful for the kindness that everyone here showed me. 

 

Photo by Brenden Adams; Editing by Kylee Zuege

Sad Goodbye

Mr. Shelangouski

 

What are your plans once you leave Council Grove?

 

I have accepted a teaching position closer to my current home in Manhattan, KS.

 

What will you miss the most?

 

I will miss the students the most, along with the staff that I worked so closely with over the last several years.  

 

What are you most looking forward to?

 

I look forward to new challenges and being around my kids more.  

 

Anything else you want to say?

 

Yes, to the kids who read this:

Remember that culture matters. Remember that the way we treat each other matters. Sometimes, we have to endure tough conversations and even tougher situations in order to know that we can overcome things we doubted in ourselves. It's okay to want to win. It's okay to want to be the best. But you have to be willing to put in work that others are not willing to do. Keep reading, and keep being great humans.

Creative Writing Zine Part I