The Hays USD 489 school board will discuss infrastructure improvements at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Center.
At its meeting April 8, the board rejected bids for replacement of a clock system at Hays High School. The clock system controls part of the HVAC system. A failure in the system recently resulted in the HVAC shutting down.
The $129,337 project also included pulling cable for a new phone system and security cameras that would be purchased at a later date.
Board members said they did not think the project was the most important need for the district at this time and asked the director of building and grounds to bring back cost estimates for replacing the phone system at HHS as well as a list of facility needs throughout the district.
The five-year cost of replacement of the HHS phone system was estimated at between $150,000 and $214,000.
Rusty Lindsay, director of building and grounds, also submitted a facility needs list in the board’s packet that graded each building.
Lincoln Elementary School and Rockwell received D’s. Wilson and O’Loughlin elementary schools received C’s. HHS, HMS and Roosevelt Elementary School received B’s.
Lindsay rated the special systems project, which included the clocks at HHS on a list of critical needs because it has already failed. The Roosevelt roof repair, which has already been approved by the board, was on the list. Tuck point and caulking at Rockwell also was listed as critical.
Twenty-one projects listed infrastructure that is in poor shape and an addition 51 infrastructure areas were ranked in fair shape, but had potential for failure. Lindsay hopes to fix about 10 of the critical to fair projects by the end of this summer and additional six in the next school year. However, that still leaves 59 projects or 79 percent unfinished.
The district will have a first look at two more infrastructure project at its meeting tonight, including work on the HHS parking lot and door lock replacements throughout the district.
In other business, the board will:
Consider board policy revisions
Review administrative and classified handbook revision
Review curriculum updates
Review student fees
Review the Kansas Association of School Board membership renewal
It is often said that Kansas railroads would either make or break a town.One might wonder, what were the factors that contributed to both?
In western Kansas during the mid 1880’s, several railroad companies were seeking to provide rail service to the newly populated area along and north of the south fork of the Solomon River.One such company was the Missouri Pacific.
They had plans lay track from Salina all the way to Colorado, via the Plainville Branch. This branch was to continue west of Plainville and end at Colby, connecting via a short line to Oakley, then on west to Colorado. It was along this Plainville Branch, that Nicodemus would have been targeted to receive the railroad and a depot.
This year’s theme for the third-annual “Nicodemus Spring Chautauqua” is all about the railroads and why they by-passed Nicodemus. The event will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday May 25 in Nicodemus. You’ll be entertained during the day with characters from this historically pivotal past.You’ll hear from characters like the railroad surveyor and engineer, business owners, politicians, attorney, newspaper editor, frustrated homesteaders and cowboys, toJ.P. Pomeroy – Kansas railroad tycoon,philanthropist, and Hill City founder.
The annual Chautauqua was conceived with the idea to bring life to the history of Nicodemus, through various historical periods, events, and people.Last year’s Chautauqua featured various characters and their individual stories.This year’s theme is all about the railroads and to shed light on why they by-passed Nicodemus, so the characters that are presented will be sharing their part in this dynamic story.
We often wonder what Nicodemus would have been like if the Union Pacific had laid track through the town.Would it have thrived and even surpassed the county seat of Hill City?We wonder why the decision was to lay tracks four miles south of the Solomon River?What was the role of Kansas railroad tycoon and philanthropist, J.P. Pomeroy and how was his influence used?
Why were businesses lured away, and the banker did not support the decision to secure the railroad at Nicodemus?What was the role of the newspapers and why was W.R. Hill the owner of both Nicodemus and Hill City papers? These are only a few questions that beg answers as we look at the dynamic of the railroads and their interest in laying track through Nicodemus.We hope to address these and other interesting issues during the May 25 Chautauqua.
Other related railroad stories and history will be shared, such as the killing at the Bogue Depot and the Nicodemus men who worked on the railroad as mail sorters, chefs and porters.
An exhibit of oil paintings of railroad depots along the ‘Plainville Branch’ through Rooks and Graham counties by artist Mike Boss will be on display before and during the event.Free food and refreshments in the theme of the railroads will be provided by Walmart of Hays.
Period music will entertain you by the Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus, and throughout the performances the New Nicodemus Old Timers will tickle your ears and maybe even motivate you to get up and dance during intermissions.
For more information, call785-839-4233 or 785-839-8200.
Sponsored by the Nicodemus Historical Society, Nicodemus National Historic Site and Walmart of Hays.
The Hays Public Library invited the public in for its second-annual Herb Festival Saturday.
Event-goers could attend lectures on cooking and baking with herbs as well as cultivation and botany of herbs.
Morford Lavender Farm gave a presentation on growing lavender and Jensen Farms’ Mike Jensen spoke on honey and mushrooms. Vendors also offered plants, honey, herb breads and lavender bath products for sale.
Linda Beech, retired extension agent, prepares an herb bread at the HPL Herb Festival on Saturday.
Linda Beech, retired extension agent, started her talk by explaining the difference between herbs and spices. Herbs come form the leafy part of a plant. Spices can come from products of the plant, such as roots or seeds.
Beech recommended using the mindset “less is more” when using herbs in baking.
Although fresh herbs are great for any dish, if you only have dried, use about half the amount of dried herb compared to a fresh herb in a recipe.
Some herbs pair nicely together in baking, such as rosemary and citrus.
The long-time 4-H judge also shared some general baking tips with the Herb Festival guests.
Baking tips
Uses a stand mixer for kneading
Spray your hands and your cutting board with cooking spray instead of using flour
If you are making a braided bread, start the braid from the center and braid to the ends. This will keep the dough from stretching.
Bread will proof faster in the summer than in the winter due to the temperature differences.
Bread can be frozen. Let cool completely to cut down on moisture, wrap tightly in plastic wrap. You can reduce the air exposure to the bread by sealing it in a plastic bag or an air tight container after it is wrapped. Keep the bread wrapped while it thaws.
Use margarine instead of butter. The margarine should have 100 calories per 1 T. The higher fat content means your bread will spread less.
Air-cushioned baking sheets work well to reduce problems with over-browning.
Lemon, lime or orange zest can be frozen.
Cherry Rosemary Muffins
3/4 cup dried tart cherries
2 C. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 C. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 C. butter or margarine melted
1 egg
3/4 C. milk
1/4 C. orange juice
1 T. grated lemon zest
Course sugar for topping
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease or line muffin tins with paper liners. Lightly chop dried cherries and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, sugar and rosemary. In a medium bowl, combine butter, egg, milk, orange juice and orange zest. Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Fold in cherries. Spoon batter into prepared pan, filling cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Makes about 12 medium muffins to 36 mini muffins.
Recipe courtesy of Linda Beech
Cooking with herbs
John Fitzthum of HaysMed makes a chimichurri at the HPL Herb Festival on Saturday.
John Fitzthum of HaysMed made a chimichurri. He noted using herbs is a way to reduce salt in your diet.
Fitzthum has an herb garden at the hospital and sources his greens and beef from Kansas producers.
He offered the audience samples of the chimichurri both as a marinade baked with chicken and raw over cooked chicken.
He said the dressing can also be used over a salad. For a vinaigrette, double the oil and vinegar.
The chimichurri will last about three days in the refrigerator.
Fitzthum and Herb Study leader Pam Herl noted fresh herbs can be frozen. Wash and let the herbs dry and then place them in a plastic bag with as much of the air removed as possible. You can also combine fresh herbs with oil or broth and freeze them in ice cube tray.
The Hays Public Library Herb Club meets at 5 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The next Herb Club meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. The meeting will be an herb potluck. Bring your favorite dished that contains herbs. The meetings are free and open to the public.
Chimichurri
Fresh chimichurri with cooked chicken.
1-1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped cilantro
2 cups red onion (minced)
4 jalapenos (seeded and minced)
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup basil (chopped)
1/2 cup parsley (chopped)
12 cloves garlic (minced)
4 tsp thyme (chopped)
4 tsp red pepper flake
1/2 tsp cayenne
several pinched of salt and pepper
Recipe courtesy of John Fitzthum and the Rock Garden Cafe
Katie Pelton, a FHSU graduate in ag business, shared chicks with students.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The FHSU Ag Day on Thursday was not just an event for farmers, but had information about how everyone can relate to their environment and their food.
Alpha Gamma Rho, the FHSU ag fraternity, offered information about beef. The group offered pamphlets with beef recipes, a display identifying the cuts of beef and a poster listing an A-to-Z of beef products. It is not just steaks.
Casey Jensen, senior in ag business, said visitors seemed to be the most surprised that a beef product is used in making toilet paper.
Jensen, who is from Courtland, hopes to rejoin the family cattle ranching business after graduation.
A popular stop in the quad was the chicken table, which was hosting chicks.
Students could learn about row crops, such as wheat, at FHSU’s annual ag day on Thursday.
Katie Pelton, a FHSU graduate in ag business, grew up raising chickens, ducks, pigs, cattle, horses and other livestock on her parents’ farm in Colorado.
“I love agriculture, and I love advocating for agriculture,” she said.
Pelton was handing out candy — popular with the students. She noted items such as York Peppermint Patties or Three Musketeers contain eggs. Eggs are contained in may foods and eggs by themselves are a good source of protein.
Elissa Jensen, who is majoring in conservation ecology and natural resources, represented the FHSU Bee Club Thursday and was advocating for pollinators. The club gave away salvia plants, a nectar producing flower. The club has two hives on campus, which produced more than 60 pounds of honey last year.
Although bees sometimes are elusive, Jensen said the trees around campus are likely loaded with the insects at this time of year.
“Humans are the major factor behind the destruction of the bee population, sadly,” Jensen said.
Andrew Tucker, agronomy professor, exhibited ag technology, including a drone and sensor equipment that helps farmers better use their resources.
She encouraged people to plant bee-friendly flowers and if you spray your lawn or garden, try to do it in the early morning or evening when bees are less active. Also be mindful of the wind that can cause chemicals to drift.
Birds, bees and butterflies will also benefit from a water source, which can be as simply as a dog bowl set outside with a little bit of water in it.
Andrew Tucker, agronomy professor, was helping exhibit ag technology, including a drone and sensor equipment that helps farmers better use their resources.
A sensor attached to a drone can measure the photosynthetic capacity of crops. The drone is flown in a grid and creates a map with GPS coordinates. Areas that show up dark green are producing well, whereas light green, yellow or red areas are not producing as well. This allows farmers to adjust the amount of water or fertilizer they apply to certain portions of their crop.
“You use it where you need it. That way you are not concerned about getting nutrients in our groundwater supply that we don’t want there or have problems with runoff,” Tucker said. “It makes farmers more efficient and environmentally friendly.”
Companies flying surveys charge about $4 to $5 per acre, but a farmer can save an average of 25 pounds of nitrogen per acre. If the price of nitrogen is 40 cents per pound, that is a $10 savings per acre. That still amounts to a $5 to $6 per acre net savings for the producers.
Sigma Alpha, FHSU ag sorority, manned a display on farm safety.
Sigma Alpha, FHSU ag sorority, manned a display on farm safety. Common accidents on the farm are the result of grain bin entrapment and equipment rollovers.
“We are trying to talk about accidents and how to prevent them and overall safety on the farm,” said Jenna Berkgren of the sorority.
Between 2012 and 2017, 11 percent of all U.S. farms experienced an accident.
The Block and Bridle Club had a display that included cows and horse stomachs.
The Block and Bridle Club had a display illustrating cow and horse digestion. This included preserved specimens of the livestocks’ multi-chamber stomachs. The students used yeast, sugar water and hay on a hot plate to exhibit the process in ruminant system.
Shaina Prough is celebrating her 25th year teaching in the Hays USD 489 school district. During her 21-year tenure as the DECA sponsor, students have raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity and completed dozens of community service projects.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
Shaina Prough, business teacher at Hays High School, is one of four generations of Hays teachers in her family.
Her grandmother taught in Hays and was present for the opening of the Felten Middle School. Her mother was a teacher. Her oldest daughter, Madison, a FHSU senior, is working in the USD 489 after-school program while she finishes her teaching degree.
“It is that whole lineage,”she said. “My grandma would be so proud,”
Shaina, 49, was nominated for the Hays Post Teacher of the Month Award by Madison.
Madison acknowledged her bias, but said she felt her mother deserved the award.
“She always goes above and beyond for her students and always puts them first,” Madison said. “She spends so much time in and outside of the classroom making sure she is prepared and can be the best teacher she can be for her students.
“I first-hand have seen all the hard work, sweat and maybe even tears that she puts in without ever thinking twice. She truly does touch the lives and hearts of so many people daily.”
Shaina Prough said she loved school as a child.
“I was that kid at the last day of school every year who would be sad because I wouldn’t be near my friends and near my teachers,” she said. “I loved coming to school, and I think I always knew that I would be a teacher somehow.”
She said she likes being able to start fresh with new students every year.
“That is the one thing about teaching,” she said. “We get do-overs. If we don’t like the way something turned out the last time we did it, we get to reinvent it for next year. Young people create an energy like none other.”
Prough is in her 25th year as a teacher in the Hays school district. She would have received her 25-year pin from the district on Friday, but she is in Orlando with 15 students for the DECA international competition.
Prough said she gets excited about watching her students compete on an international stage.
“Getting to watch those kids — their faces light up,” she said. “When we go to an arena that holds 20,000 people and that is the size of their whole community, it is a little overwhelming. They get to shine on that international level.”
Prough has been the adviser for HHS DECA for 21 years. During her time as a mentor, DECA has been active with Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat, raised money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and organized public awareness campaigns about sexually transmitted diseases, mental health, relationship violence in cooperation with Jana’s Campaign, and school finance, among many other projects.
She said the project on school finance was challenging.
“That one was really interesting. We tried to educate a school population on how school funding and finance works, so they could hopefully not only be a voice by voting, but be aware and be able to communicate with people who make decisions about school finance on a local level,” Prough said.
This year, juniors Allison Hillebrand and Paige Polifka Denson chaired the Happiness Project. The focus was on helping students and faculty find ways to be happier.
“We were trying to create mental health awareness, as well — that it is OK to ask for help and where can you go to get help if you are feeling stressed, if your are feeling anxious, if you are feeling overwhelmed,” she said. “So we were really trying to bring to light that you are not alone if you have those feelings.”
The community service branch of HHS DECA , lead by two HHS students who are graduating in May, raised $65,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities last year.
“Those skills to be able to network, interact, organize, manage, lead — those are going to be able to serve them well in whatever career field they choose to go into,” Prough said.
Prough said she works with amazing students.
“Being able to see a little glimpse of where their future is going, that’s awesome,” she said. “Being a part of that is fun and exciting.”
Teaching in the business department, Prough said she is getting students ready for their futures.
“I feel those are skills that transfer on to adulthood,” she said. “Whether the student goes directly to the workforce or they chose to attend post-secondary training of some sort, whether it be a two-year program or a four-year program, I feel the skills that they gain in our business classes are those that are going to serve them for the rest of their lives.”
Prough said her biggest challenge is getting students to see the bigger picture — that what they are doing now will have effects on their future. She said she also struggles with keeping the kids motivated. She doesn’t want them to settle for the status quo.
“Mediocrity drives me crazy,” she said. “Don’t settle for what everybody else is doing. Don’t be normal, go above. I have this ‘Live with gazelle intensity and chase the cheetah,’ sign. I teach that in my personal finance class. Dave Ramsey talks about that. Don’t be the one being chased.”
Heather Werner with Jeremy Werner, Kylee Shae and Brandon Werner at Craig Hospital. Courtesy photo
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The Plainville community has rallied around a local family who experience two tragedies in the matter of three months.
Plainville native Brandon Werner, the son of Rick and Karen Werner, was in a car accident near his home in Colorado. He was thrown about 90 feet from the vehicle and received a severe head injury, said family friend Rhonda Wolf. Brandon suffered two strokes, which left him partially paralyzed on his left side. He has also experienced difficulty with his speech.
Brandon, who is in his 30s, had no insurance, so his mother and father moved to Colorado to care for him.
Friends conducted a series of fundraisers for the family, including a soup supper that raised more than $7,700 in two hours.
“The Plainville community has been totally amazing,” Wolf said. “They sure come out like crazy to help their people.”
On March 23, Jeremy — Brandon’s younger brother — was in involved in a multiple motorcycle crash in Atlanta at the American Flat Track Races. He was paralyzed from the chest down. Jeremy is currently in rehab at Craig Hospital in Colorado, about an hour and a half from his brother.
The doctors are unsure of what Jeremy’s final prognosis will be.
He has a bruised spinal cord that has been labeled a “complete” injury. Spinal cord injuries take six months to a year to heal.
“He has regained stable sensation in his right ankle, so time will tell, but the family and community are hopeful,” said Kylee Shae, Jeremy’s girlfriend.
Jeremy works for Stahl Products in Plainville, and Wolf said the company has gone out of its way to help the family during this crisis.
Karen, a nurse, has had to take leave from her job to help care for her sons, Wolf said. Rick Werner works in the oilfield and has someone temporarily filling in for him.
Friends of the Werners are selling T-shirts and other items, proceeds of which are going to help the family. More information on these items can be found on the WernerStrong Facebook page.
On Saturday, the Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club is sponsoring the Friends of the Werner Family Benefit Run. The poker run will begin at Westins in Stockton. Registration will be from noon to 1 p.m. Start time will be 1 p.m.
The first hand will cost $15. Additional hands will cost $5 each. The run will go from Westins in Stockton to Lucky Lady in Osborne to Roadside Park in Luray to Fossil Station in Russell and will end at the Burgers and Beer in Plainville. The special at the Burgers and Beer Saturday night will be prime rib.
All vehicles are welcome. Last vehicles need to be in by 5 p.m.
To make monetary donations, send them to Jeff Miller, 800 S. Broadway, Plainville, KS 67663. Make checks payable to Rick Werner.
For more information, contact Rusty at 785-302-0070 or Gary at 785-543-1874.
Heather Werner with Jeremy Werner, Kylee Shae and Brandon Werner at Craig Hospital. Courtesy photo
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The Plainville community has rallied around a local family who experience two tragedies in the matter of three months.
Plainville native Brandon Werner, the son of Rick and Karen Werner, was in a car accident near his home in Colorado. He was thrown about 90 feet from the vehicle and received a severe head injury, said family friend Rhonda Wolf. Brandon suffered two strokes, which left him partially paralyzed on his left side. He has also experienced difficulty with his speech.
Brandon, who is in his 30s, had no insurance, so his mother and father moved to Colorado to care for him.
Friends conducted a series of fundraisers for the family, including a soup supper that raised more than $7,700 in two hours.
“The Plainville community has been totally amazing,” Wolf said. “They sure come out like crazy to help their people.”
On March 23, Jeremy — Brandon’s younger brother — was in involved in a multiple motorcycle crash in Atlanta at the American Flat Track Races. He was paralyzed from the chest down. Jeremy is currently in rehab at Craig Hospital in Colorado, about an hour and a half from his brother.
The doctors are unsure of what Jeremy’s final prognosis will be.
He has a bruised spinal cord that has been labeled a “complete” injury. Spinal cord injuries take six months to a year to heal.
“He has regained stable sensation in his right ankle, so time will tell, but the family and community are hopeful,” said Kylee Shae, Jeremy’s girlfriend.
Jeremy works for Stahl Products in Plainville, and Wolf said the company has gone out of its way to help the family during this crisis.
Karen, a nurse, has had to take leave from her job to help care for her sons, Wolf said. Rick Werner works in the oilfield and has someone temporarily filling in for him.
Friends of the Werners are selling T-shirts and other items, proceeds of which are going to help the family. More information on these items can be found on the WernerStrong Facebook page.
On Saturday, the Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club is sponsoring the Friends of the Werner Family Benefit Run. The poker run will begin at Westins in Stockton. Registration will be from noon to 1 p.m. Start time will be 1 p.m.
The first hand will cost $15. Additional hands will cost $5 each. The run will go from Westins in Stockton to Lucky Lady in Osborne to Roadside Park in Luray to Fossil Station in Russell and will end at the Burgers and Beer in Plainville. The special at the Burgers and Beer Saturday night will be prime rib.
All vehicles are welcome. Last vehicles need to be in by 5 p.m.
To make monetary donations, send them to Jeff Miller, 800 S. Broadway, Plainville, KS 67663. Make checks payable to Rick Werner.
For more information, contact Rusty at 785-302-0070 or Gary at 785-543-1874.
Student finds method to control aphids without pesticides; study finds harassing Hispanic students about language affects self-esteem
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
April’s FHSU Science Cafe focused on undergraduate research, including a study of water conservation by FHSU college students, non-pesticide management of aphids and the effects of language micro-aggressions on Hispanic students’ self-esteem.
The number of FHSU students performing undergraduate research has jumped dramatically in the last seven years, going from 200 in 2011 to 3,300 students in FY18, said Leslie Paige, director, office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects.
Engaging students in undergraduate research increases student retention as well as helps the students prepare for graduate school or careers, Paige said.
The research has conducted pre and post studies of students as well as their mentors on communication, creativity, ethics, content knowledge, as well as other factors, and found increases in both students and and their teachers.
Water Conservation Among FHSU Students
Gini Weisar, 17, second-year KAMS student, conducted a study on water conservation values among FHSU college students.
Gini Weisar, 17, second-year KAMS student, conducted a study and found parental education was a significant factor that affected water conservation values among college students.
This was an expansion of a water conservation survey of Hays residents. Both off-campus and on-campus students were included in Weisar’s study.
“Parents put their input into their students’ water conservation education, such as saying, ‘Why are you brushing your teeth with the water on? You always take so much water. Why are you in the shower for two hours? Why do you need to use that much water?’ ”
School or community education efforts were also found to be significant factors for pro-conservation values. However, parental education showed more influence than school or community education.
“A lot of students did use some things as turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth, but most students, as you can probably expect, did not want to take shorter showers,” Weisar said.
Students also indicated they only washed full loads of laundry, but those who did not pay for water indicated they were less inclined to take water conservation efforts compared to off-campus students who paid their own water bills.
Democrats had higher water conservation values than Republicans.
The number of years the students had lived in Hays was also a factor that showed higher water conservation values.
“People coming into Hays might not know the water needs of Hays,” Weisar said. “They might not know that we are not on the Ogallala Aquifer or that we might not have as many resources as other parts of Kansas. They also might not be as financially or emotionally invested in the city.”
Weisar advocated for incentive programs that targeted landlords and encouraged parents to talk more to their children about water conservation.
Aphid Management Without Pesticides
Jacob Lutgen, FHSU senior, conducted a study of non-pesticide management of pea aphids.
Jacob Lutgen is a graduate of the KAMS program, which allowed him early entry to FHSU. He is applying to medical school this summer and will graduate FHSU in December. He investigated RNA interference of the xbox binding protein in aphids.
Pea aphids caused $14 billion in damage to crops in 2018 in the United States.
The aphids are managed primarily through insecticides and the introduction of predators, such as lady bugs.
“Insecticides obviously cause more harm than just the pea aphid, so we are looking at wether we can manage pea aphids without affecting other organisms to the extent they are currently affected,” he said.
The research looked at proteins that could result in the death of the aphids. The research hypothesis was that if you could inhibit a protein that affect the aphids response to stress that it could result in the death of the aphids.
In practice, a crop would be engineered that would express the double-stranded RNA needed to inhibit the protein in the aphids. The crop itself would be resistant to the pea aphid without having to spray it. The treatment should not have affects on the aphids’ predators, such as lady bugs, or to humans, Lutgen said.
Lutgen fed the double-stranded RNA to the aphids. At the highest concentration, the off spring were reduced by half. The treatment reduced the original aphid population by 30 percent.
“This to me confirmed that we are seeing a change in survival and we are affecting physiology in some way,” he said.
Lutgen recently received funding to continue research combining his treatment with that of a FSHU grad student’s to try to further reduce aphid survival.
Non-Spanish Speaking Hispanic Self-Esteem
Ginger Garcia, FHSU senior, presented “No Hablo Español: Do Language-related Micro-aggressions Negatively Influence Self-esteem Among Non-Spanish Speaking Hispanics and Latinos Individuals?”
Ginger Garcia presented “No Hablo Español: Do Language-related Micro-aggressions Negatively Influence Self-esteem Among Non-Spanish Speaking Hispanics and Latinos Individuals?”
Garcia, 20, also was in the KAMS program and is currently in the accelerated school psychologist program at FHSU. She will graduate with her B.S. in psychology in May.
When she was a child, Garcia was often asked if she spoke Spanish. She does not. She also was accused of not being Hispanic because she did not speak Spanish. She met a fellow Hispanic student at a conference and learned he had similar experiences.
In second- and third-generation Hispanic households, there is often less knowledge of the Spanish language.
Garcia initiated a nationwide online survey that looked at language micro-aggressions, self-esteem as well as the strength of ethnic identity.
The study found the more language micro-aggressions the survey respondents experienced, the lower their self esteem. They did not find stronger ethnic identities meant stronger self-esteem, which was contrary to prior studies.
The non-speaking Hispanics reported three micro-aggression within the last six months. This was consistent regardless of region of the United States.
Garcia said she hoped future research will address why these micro-aggressions are happening and search for ways to help the non-Spanish speaking Hispanic population.
The next Science Cafe will be at 7 p.m. July 22 at the Venue at Thirsty’s. The lecture is titled “Footprints on the Moon: A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11” presented by Dr. Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education.
Tammy Wellbrock, outgoing president/CEO of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, filed Thursday to run for the Hays USD 489 school board.
Wellbrock, 48, is leaving the Chamber this summer after eight years to start her own consulting business, Twin Girls Solutions LLC, in which she will serve as a professional trainer and presenter, targeting chambers, associations and the nonprofit sector.
Wellbrock said her position at the chamber prohibited her from holding public office, but she felt now she could take on an elected leadership role in the community.
“My son is a freshman, and this is a time I can impact his experience,” she said. “I want to be a role model, a good civic servant and I hope to make a positive impact on tomorrow’s students.”
Wellbrock served on the facilities committee for the school district prior to its first of two failed bond issues in 2016.
“Our purpose was to determine the difference between needs and wants,” she said. “I was able to visit every school and every boiler and got to see definite needs. … I realized our recommendations were going to impact the lives of many people.”
The school district had another bond fail in 2017, and the board has since debated a third try for bond to address facility needs.
Wellbrock said she personally supported both of the failed bond attempts. However, she acknowledged the facility needs of the district have changed since she was a part of the facilities committee and she would need to get herself up to date on current needs.
Wellbrock also said she would like to see a change in culture on the board.
“I would like less micromanaging by the board and to build a culture of positivity that would trickle down to the administration and staff so they enjoy their jobs and are proud of their jobs,” she said. “In turn, students and families can be proud of the work being accomplished and the education achieved through USD 489.”
Prior to her work at the chamber, Wellbrock served a variety of roles at Nex-Tech, was the assistant alumni director at FHSU, and sold advertising for the Hays Daily News and Wichita Eagle.
She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from FHSU, has her Institute of Organization Management certification, and is a Certified Association Executive.
Four positions on the USD 489 school board will be up for election in November. They include the seats held by Luke Oborny, Mandy Fox, Paul Adams and Greg Schwartz. Luke Oborny has filed for re-election.
DISCLOSURE: Tammy Wellbrock is married to Gerard Wellbrock, Eagle Radio sports director. He is employed by Eagle Communications, which owns and operates Hays Post.
The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on April 25, 2019 in the area of Elm St. to Walnut St. between 1st and 6th St., Vine St. to Canterbury between 13th St. and 8th St., Countryside Mobile Home Park and KSU Ag Research Station.This is part of a coordinated effort by the City of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency.Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.
Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer.All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public.Drivers are asked to avoid driving through water discharging from a fire hydrant during the short flushing period.
For more information, please contact the Hays Fire Department at 628-7330.
The Ellis County Farm Bureau will team up the Fort Hays State University Collegiate Farm Bureau on Thursday, April 25 to promote agriculture in Kansas.
The groups will feature several commodity presentations highlighting the different agriculture products grown in Kansas.
The Ag Day event will be held on the Quad Patio from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. The event is open to the community.
