The Ellis County 4-H Scholarship & Development Fund has awarded this year’s Rosemary Smith 4-H scholarship to Quentin Rupp of Hays.

Rupp is a senior at Hays High. He has been an active member of the Big Creek Astros 4-H Club for the past twelve years. He has been actively involved in Livestock, Photography, Woodworking, Leadership and Community Service projects.

Rupp has served as an officer in his 4-H club and has held several county leadership positions as well. He has been actively involved in planning and carrying out the Photo Adventure Day Camp for community youth each summer.

Rupp plans to attend NCK-Tech in the fall, majoring in welding. He is the son of Julie Miller of Hays.

The Rosemary Smith 4-H scholarship is presented in memory of a long time Ellis Co. 4-H volunteer by her family. The $250 scholarships are awarded to high school students who are taking concurrent credits or to current college students with a 4-H background.

4-H Scholarship & Development is a subcommittee of the 4-H Program Development Committee representing the Cottonwood Extension program. Their primary focus is fund development to support the 4-H Youth programs and scholarships in Ellis County. To give support to this fund, contact the Cottonwood Extension Office at (785) 628-9430.

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FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University recently reported that student voting on its campus was up in last year’s election, increasing to 40.2 percent in 2018 from a rate of 26.3 percent in 2014.

“Education for democratic engagement is more crucial than it ever has been, given the current partisan divide and polarized political environment,” said Dr. Larry Gould, chair of the Department of Political Science at Fort Hays State and current faculty adviser and long-time participant in the American Democracy Project.

“Recent student ADP leadership and FHSU’s Student Government Association have made a spectacular difference in getting students to understand the importance of voting as a responsibility of citizenship,” he said. “The excellent improvement in all voter categories is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

The report is part of the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, or NSLVE, conducted by the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education at Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life.

The full campus report can be viewed HERE.

The study shows that, nationwide, the voting rates at participating college campuses doubled on average compared to the previous midterm election, in 2014. In 2018, the Average Institutional Voting Rate among campuses in the study was 39.1 percent, nearly 20 percentage points higher than 2014’s average turnout rate of 19.7 percent. Turnout increases were widespread, with virtually all campuses seeing an increase over 2014.

“Voting and registration rates at Fort Hays State University are up in every category – age, race/ethnicity, gender, and enrollment status,” said Dr. Donnette Noble, Voss Distinguished Professor of Leadership Studies and director of civic learning and engagement at FHSU.

“The increases are significant and demonstrate that Fort Hays State is living up to its commitment to promote civic engagement and foster a generation of forward thinking and world ready global citizens,” she said. “It is incredibly exciting that our community of students is outpacing the national averages.”

The NSLVE is the only national study of college-student voting. It is based on the voting records of more than 10 million students at more than 1,000 colleges and universities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The IDHE does not receive any information that could individually identify students or how they voted.

The study provides reports to participating colleges and universities, like Fort Hays State, which use them to support political learning and civic engagement as well as to identify and address gaps in political and civic participation.

On Nov. 12, more than 100 empty shoeboxes will be transformed into gifts of hope as part of Breathe Coffee House’s packing party aimed to help children in need around the world.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, will deliver the shoeboxes — filled with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items — to children in need.

“It is amazing to be a part of a community that understands the power of giving. We are so excited to host a party to prepare shoebox gifts that will send a message of hope and love to children around the world. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received,” said Rachel Albin, Operation Christmas Child NW KS Area Coordinator.

SEE RELATED: Cambodian woman finds Christ’s love through Operation Christmas Child

SEE RELATED: Shoebox packing parties in full swing for Operation Christmas Child

The party, held at Breathe Coffee House, 703 B Main St., Hays, November 12 at 7 p.m., is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to experience the joy of giving.

Donations of items and monetary would be accepted and appreciated.

Breathe Coffee House hopes to pack 100 gifts to contribute to the expected 3,000 shoebox gifts collected this year in Hays.

To RSVP or donate to the event, email [email protected].

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FHSU University Relations

The Kansas Small Business Development Center at Fort Hays State University, along with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Wichita District, will host the Lender Rodeo, an event geared towards connecting individuals with various lenders.

The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Robbins Center at Fort Hays State.

The W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship of Fort Hays State wants to provide pre-existing or start-up business opportunities to pitch their financial needs. One-on-one, ten-minute sessions will be available.

Cost of attendance is $20 with lunch included. You can register at: https://ksbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/25244. You can also call the office at 785-628-5615 for more information.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,850 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide, including Wilson Lake, in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage.

USACE began the Veterans Day fee waiver in 2006 as a way to honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces.

USACE is one of the nation’s federal leaders in providing outdoor and water-based recreation, hosting millions of visits annually to its more than 400 lake and river projects. It’s estimated that 90 percent of the USACE-operated recreation areas are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, offering diverse outdoor activities for all ages close to home.

To discover a USACE recreation site nearest you, please visit www.corpslakes.us, or www.recreation.gov

— U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

STAFFORD COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Friday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Durango driven by Donald L. Elliott, 58, Otis, was westbound on NE 70th Street four miles north of St John.

The driver disobeyed the stop sign at U.S. 281. The vehicle left the road, entered the ditch, struck a fence and rolled onto the driver’s side.

EMS transported a passenger Amber L. Rightmyer, 22, Otis, to the Stafford County Hospital. Elliott was not injured. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.