Paperback dictionaries still relevant (VIDEO)

hms line — Hays Optimist Club members Duane Steffen, John Sjoholm and Gary Wentling hand out free dictionaries to Hays Middle School sixth-grade students.

It’s been 29 years, and Ellis County school officials are still asking for the paperback dictionaries donated annually by the Hays Optimist Club.

It’s a book many students have kept into their adult lives.

The 196 Hays Middle School sixth-graders were first on the distribution list this morning. At 8a.m. sharp in the HMS gymnasium, principal Craig Pallister began the introduction of Optimists members Gary Wentling, John Sjoholm and Duane Steffen.

Wentling, the project chairman and an Optimist Club member since 1978, said the Optimists have given out nearly 11,000 dictionaries.

“You are the future,” he told the students:

Philip Ramirez admits he’s not the world’s best speller. “I think it (dictionary) will really help me,” he said after accepting his book from Steffen.

A total of 313 Merriam Webster dictionaries were given to sixth-graders at HMS, Holy Family and Maranatha in Hays, Washington and St. Mary’s in Ellis, and Victoria Grade School.

hms pallister — HMS principal Craig Pallister talks to the sixth-grade about the importance of having a dictionary.

The dictionary project is funded by the annual sales of natural Christmas trees by the Optimist Club. The lot will open the day after Thanksgiving, November 29, in the Hays Wal-Mart parking lot.

See more of the event tonight on Hays Post, Eagle Community TV Channel 14.