COLBY — Colby Community College conferred 288 degrees and certificates on May 10 at the Colby Community Building during the 54^th annual commencement ceremony.

Names are published alphabetically by home location as indicated by the student. Kansas students are arranged by city, out-of-state students are listed by city and state, and international students by country.

Associate of Applied Science

Aberdeen, S.D.: Adrianne Schaunaman. Abilene: Kathleen Hand. Aurora, Colo.: Edwin Situmorang. Benkelman, Neb.: Tammy Collins. Burlington, Colo.: Jimena Schlichenmayer-Garcia. Colby: Jacqueline Bartlett, James Bomba, Hannah Shop, Abigail Tarango.Garden City: Kaitlyn Kreutzer. Gem: Madisyn Haggard. Goodland: Tawnya Ramirez, Kelsey Monnett. Great Falls, Mont: Sarah Mizener. Hays: Shay Hoekman, Kiley Mallon. Hill City: Hannah McCollum. Hope: Nichole Taylor. Hoxie: Amber Erwin. Jennings: Keri Vanover. Kensington: Kendra Billings. Leavenworth: Damien Day. Logan: Nova Bates. Louisville, Ky.: Lori Brownstein.Marienthal: Alexandra Castillo. Norton: Nicholas Peterson. Oakley: Kelsey Wilson. Oberlin: Renee Jones, Taylor Macfee. Osage City: Tracy Wilk. Paola: Alexandra Hamm. Paxton, Neb.: Michael Weber. Phillipsburg: Thelma Boydston, Marissa Davis. Pittsboro, N.C.: Brittany Raynor. Potwin: Meghan Nipper. Quinter: Caden Glick. Rea, Mo.: Elexis McLaughlin. Republican City, Neb.: Kai Wolfe. Saint Francis: Molly Bertram. Selden: Colten Wachendorfer. Smith Center: Kandis Attwood. Springfield, Neb.: Samantha Scholting. Sterling: Elise Kelley. Stockton: Macey Strutt. Topeka: Alisha Gibson. Trenton, Neb.: Pacanda Carfield. WaKeeney: Shawnee Phillips. Whitewater: Katrina Regehr.

Associate of Arts

Bahamas: Tino Thompson. Basehor: Savannah Shiner. Beloit: Karissa Winkel. Brazil: Gabriel Oliveira. Broken Arrow, Okla.:Michaela Bethel. Burlington, Colo.: Renee Richards. Burundi: Estella Akimana. Canada: Andrew Asselin, Jacob Bouzide, Logan Hofmann, Sophia Nduwayo, Alexander Orenczuk, Jesse Simpson, Nathan Stark. Castle Rock, Colo.: Peyton Ingalls. Chappell, Neb.:Jo Hummermeier. Chicago, Ill.: Craig Beaudion. Colby: Brittany Alexander, Mauro Arancibia Campos, Madison Bartlett, Brooklyn Bice, LaVonna Carmen, Danielle Chacon, Tayber Haremza, Olivia Heydt, Taylen Hubbell, August Hutfles, Anica Jestratijevic, Brandon Johnson, Elizabeth Koel, Makenna Mettlen, Brynan Sherwood, Bubacarr Sisay, Kenzie Spreier, Joseph Unruh. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Toby Welty. Colwich: Julie Archer. District Heights, Md.: Edward Oliver-Hampton. Ellsworth: Emma Klein. Englewood, Colo.: Alexis Kagan. Goodland: Ariadne Hernandez-Soto. Gunnison, Utah: Emily Brackett. Hays: Lakin Ditter, Cameron Jensen, Lanie Schmidt. Healy: Rebecca Rebarchek. Hickory Corners, Mich.: Mahealani Haegele. Hoxie: Brynn Niblock. Idalia, Colo.: Paulina Trevizo Tena. Irving, Texas: Jordan Dixon. Jennings: Taylor Wahlmeier. Johnson: Caleb Carrasco. Jonesboro, La: Jason Evans. Keller, Texas: Kaitlyn Guillory. Kenya: Emmanuel Kipngetich. Larned: Casey Danler. Lauderhill, Fla.: Sia Williams. Leavenworth: Blake Gallagher. Longton: Dalton Moody. Lyndon: Allison Taylor. McAlester, Okla: Meona Leonard. Meeker, Colo.:Austin Russell. Oakley: Richelle Kitchel, Claire Wegele. Ogden, Utah: Katelyn Medina. Phoenix, Ariz.: Samantha Spellman. Rochester, NY: Rian Carter. Roy, Utah: Whisper Doliwa. Russell: Jessica Nichols. Saint Francis: Katie Schmid. Salina: Asher Crandell. Sedgwick, Colo.: Landon Enninga. Stratton, Colo.: Yazmin Herrera, Natalie Miltenberger. Sudan: Moses Bol. Syracuse:Emily Westeman. Thornton, Colo.: Allison Hiatt. Tornillo, Texas: Erika Alvarado. Ulysses: Estefani Acosta-Delgado. WaKeeney:Allen Goff. Wallace: Kevin Martinek. Walsh, Colo.: Morgan Turner. Wichita: Carrie Thomas. Winona: Hudson Stramel. Yuma, Colo.: Julian Blanco.

Associate of Science

 Aberdeen, S.D.: Adrianne Schaunaman. Beloit: Karissa Winkel. Benkelman, Neb.: Cole Lutz. Boone, Colo.: Ashlee Marsh.Burlington, Colo.: Renee Richards. Burundi: Aline Munezero. Canada: Jacob Bouzide, Matthew Coutney, Logan Hofmann, Jesse Simpson, Nathan Stark. Chappell, Neb.: Jo Hummermeier. Colby: Brittany Alexander, Mauro Arancibia Campos, Danielle Chacon, Jose Davila, Tayber Haremza, Anica Jestratijevic, Brandon Johnson, Hunter Kasdorf, Makenna Mettlen, Grace Oard, Isabel Rosales, Brynan Sherwood, Lara Stephens. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Haley Fox, Toby Welty. Colwich: Julie Archer. Croatia: Marija Kristina Mamic. Denton, Texas: Kylee Arie. Ellsworth: Emma Klein. Englewood, Colo.: Alexis Kagan. Fremont, Neb.: Amilcar Gonzalez. Gem: Madisyn Haggard. Goodland: Dalton Arntt, Ariadne Hernandez-Soto. Grainfield: Bailey Bixenman. Grinnell: Weston Lewis.Hays: Lakin Ditter, Lanie Schmidt. Healy: Rebecca Rebarchek. Hickory Corners, Mich.: Mahealani Haegele. Hoxie: Brynn Niblock.Idalia, Colo.: Paulina Trevizo Tena. Ingalls: Michaela Loewen. Irving, Texas: Jordan Dixon. Jennings: Taylor Wahlmeier. Johnson: Caleb Carrasco. Jonesboro, La.: Jason Evans. Lauderhill, Fla.: Sia Williams. Leavenworth: Blake Gallagher. Lyndon: Allison Taylor. McAlester, Okla.: Meona Leonard. Monument: Maddie Lamb. Natoma: Dylan Pruter. Ogden, Utah: Katelyn Medina. Osborne: Alyssa Carswell. Pawnee Rock: Cassandra Wolff. Roy, Utah: Whisper Doliwa. Salina: Asher Crandell. Scott City: Karlee Logan. Springfield, Neb.: Samantha Scholting. Stratton, Colo.: Natalie Miltenberger. Syracuse: Emily Westeman. Walsh, Colo.: Morgan Turner. Winona: Hudson Stramel.

Certificates

 Abilene: Raycelon Kuntz. Atwood: Kassandra Collins, Sara Rutten, Alexandria Samson. Benkelman, Neb.: Emilee Swigert. Burlington, Colo.: Tessika Davis. Clearwater: Madison Lange. Colby: Jason Ackerman, Heath Bolyard, James Bomba, Mikayla Boyce, Brandon Brier, Trace Evans, Kayla Faus, Megan Lees, Kainin O’Malley, Patyn Pfeifer, Tatym Rundel, Hannah Shope, Stephanie Velasquez, Baylee Weinmann, Shane Westcott, Thane Wildeman. Emporia: Barbara Haynes. Eureka: Alixandria Boulanger. Garden City: Kaitlyn Kreutzer. Goodland: Cienna Brannick. Grinnell: Bailee Fritts. Hays: Kristen Klitzke. Hill City: Amanda McDermott, Shelby Thomas. Hope: Nichole Taylor. Hugoton: Amanda Mangels. Jennings: Keri Vanover. Idalia, Colo.: Kyle Prather. Kearney, Neb.: Mariah Dillon. Kensington: Kendra Billings. Lakin: Jocelyn Crum. Logan: Kristy Bainter. Long Island: Kailey Hammond.Ludell: Miranda Sisay. McCook, Neb.: Monica Macfee. McLouth: Emma Jolley. Menlo: Alicia Baalman. Meriden: Amber Graber. Ness City: Angelena Copeland. Norton: Jessica Porter. Oakley: Rebecca Farrow, Shannon Kincaid. Osborne: Regina Hall. Paola: Alexandra Hamm. Paxton, Neb.: Michael Weber. Potwin: Meghan Nipper. Raymore, Mo.: Brenna Zuniga. Saint Francis: Samantha Acosta. Scott City: Gracy Chambless. Selden: Dulce Soto. Sharon Springs: Sydni Allen. Spearville: Hailey Weber. Sterling: Elise Kelley. Stockton: Macey Strutt. Stratton, Colo.: JaKayla Torson. Topeka: Elyssia Young. Ulysses: Jordan Stein, Jesus Zermeno.WaKeeney: Shawnee Phillips.

GARDEN CITY — Garden City Community College Director of Bands Casey Hands has been named the 2019 Outstanding Young Bandmaster by the Kansas Bandmaster’s Association.

The award will be presented to Hands at the KBA Convention in Wichita on July 19. The Outstanding Young Bandmaster award is presented annually by the KBA and the International Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. The award is distinguished by its presentation to a bandmaster who has taught for fewer than seven years.

Hands began his teaching career at Garden City Community College in the fall of 2013, as the Athletic Band Director. He moved into the Director of Bands position in July of 2015, and since that time, has made some major improvements to the band and music programs at GCCC, not the least of which was Casey’s instrumental role in proposing and developing the only marching band at the community college level in Kansas. GCCC’s marching band made its debut, under Casey’s direction, in the fall of 2016, and has grown exponentially since that time. Casey recently completed his Master’s degree in Music at Fort Hays State University, and holds a graduate certificate in Teaching and Learning in Music from Kansas State University.

Casey will deliver a speech at the KBA Convention to accept his award. He plans to send a message that includes some advice for success in any undertaking.

“When you try to do everything by yourself, you almost always fail,” Casey said. “For me, it is not an award that just I have won, because I have always had people backing me up and helping me, and I think that what makes you successful and able to accomplish things like this and do things like this is if you are always willing to take help when it is offered and always willing to work with people.”

Casey was nominated for the KBA award by his former high school band instructor and active KBA member, Paul White.

About the KBA and the Outstanding Young Bandmaster’s Award
The Kansas Bandmaster’s Association is a state-wide organization for anyone interested in band, and its members represent educators and band enthusiasts from both the K-12 and collegiate levels. Each year, the organization partners with Phi Beta Mu, an international bandmasters’ fraternity, to honor an Outstanding Young Bandmaster in Kansas, through a nomination process. For the past three years, a bandmaster from western Kansas has been named as a recipient for the award.

For more information about KBA, visit www.kansasbandmasters.com

OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly appointed three members to the Lottery Commission.

“This team will play an integral role in enhancing the Kansas Lottery,” Kelly said. “I look forward to seeing what they can do to improve our lottery system.”

Catherine Moyer (D), Ulysses, retained as Chair; she is CEO and General Manager of Pioneer Communications and CEO of High Plains Telecommunications, Inc., and chair of the Telcom Insurance Group. She sits on the board of the Rural Trust Insurance Company and on the advisory council of the Washburn University School of Law Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Kala Spigarelli (D), Pittsburg, succeeds Tom Roberts. Spigarelli is an attorney at the Spigarelli Law Firm.

Ed Trimmer (D), Winfield, succeeds Alan Roethle. Trimmer is a retired teacher and former legislator.

These appointments are pending confirmation by the Senate and were submitted prior to Sine Die.

The Lottery Commission administers the lottery in the state of Kansas. The commission consults with and advises the executive director on the operation of the lottery, in the establishment of policies governing the lottery, and reviews and approves its annual budget. No more than three of the five members of the commission may be of the same political party.

HAYSMED

Dr. Byungsoo Ko, Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiovascular Cathertization Laboratory at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently presented at the C3 (Complex Cardiovascular Catheter Therapeutics: Advanced Endovascular and Coronary Intervention Global Summit) international conference. The conference was held in Orlando, Florida.

The C3 Conference is specifically designed for physicians who specialize in interventional cardiology, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology, as well as fellows, residents, and other healthcare professionals interested in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Their mission is to deliver educational innovation through a global exchange of scientific research, new techniques, and technologies to improve patient care and utilize best practices to improve lives of countless individuals across the world.

Dr. Ko presented on Impella Supported Left Main Intervention in a Patient with STEMI Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock.

He also was on a panel for the International Joint Session with Korean Complex Cardiovascular Invention (CCI) Group Complex Endovascular and Structural Heart Disease Intervention.

Residents and pets should not enter these waterways

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a stream advisory for Big Creek in Hays downstream of the intersection of 27th Street and U.S. 183 Bypass on the west side of town. The stream advisory is a result of a sewer line break earlier in the week. The City of Hays is working to replace the sewer line and no sewage is currently being discharged into Big Creek.

RELATED: Sewer line & lift station still shut down; new replacement pipe to arrive Monday

Elevated bacteria levels were recorded at downstream locations of Big Creek and other contaminants may be present in the stream from the sewage spill. Residents and pets should not enter Big Creek at this time.

KDHE is determining if any sources upstream of Hays are contributing to the elevated bacteria levels. KDHE will rescind the advisory once water samples show no health risk and water contact in the creek has been deemed safe.

— KDHE

By RANDY GONZALES
University Relations and Marketing

Alex Landwehr loves science. He attended science camps as a high school student. He is now an instructor at science camps. He finished his freshman year at Fort Hays State University this spring dreaming of a scientific career in paleontology.

FHSU’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History helps nourish that passion for science. Its scholarship program provided financial assistance in 2017 and 2018 for Landwehr to attend – and flourish – at summer science camps, which led to a position on camp staff.

“Without the financial aid, I wouldn’t have been able to go,” Landwehr said recently, taking a break from the six daily camps he is involved in this summer as an instructor.

The Sternberg summer science camps, now in their sixth year, have grown both in numbers and income generated. The first summer in 2014 had an enrollment of four students, all from Kansas. The net income generated was $1,200. This summer, there are 51 participants from 22 states enrolled in Sternberg’s camps for elementary, middle school and high school students. The net income for 2019 is $35,000. In addition to the scholarship program, income generated goes toward purchase of new equipment for the camps and marketing.

Camps Director David Levering wants Sternberg’s programs to be both affordable and accessible. They fill a need for youth science camps in Kansas and the surrounding area. He knew of expensive science camps on both coasts, and he wanted just the opposite when he was hired in 2013.

“It seemed to me that a lot of the students benefiting the most from these opportunities were students who already had a leg up, economically,” Levering said. “It occurred to me that if we could get those kinds of opportunities readily available in rural communities, it would be hugely beneficial.

“Having it here, in the middle of the country, is crucial,” he added. “Lower income students don’t have the resources to participate in camps that are across the country.”

That’s where the scholarships come in. Landwehr is thankful for Sternberg’s financial assistance.

“I think it’s really good that they do that,” he said. “They’re providing opportunities for people who aren’t financially able. I know I have friends from other (Sternberg) camps who wouldn’t have been able to go without financial aid.”

Landwehr was able to attend paleontology field camps in 2017 and 2018 with Sternberg’s help.

“I wanted to know if paleontology was something I wanted to do,” he said. “I went to those camps to see if that was what I wanted to major in.”

Landwehr now knows what he wants. He is a double major at FHSU, in biology and geology with a paleontology emphasis.

“I’ve always been interested in the natural sciences,” said Landwehr, a 2018 graduate of Topeka High School. “I really liked geology and biology. Paleontology is a really good mix of those two.”

Levering was originally hired as Sternberg’s museum educator. Dr. Reese Barrick, Sternberg’s museum director, soon realized the camps, as envisioned by himself and Levering, was a full-time job. Levering, who had previous experience with youth science camps, quickly showed that was an area of expertise. Barrick shifted job responsibilities and named Levering as camp director.

“I had wanted to have more connection with high school kids in general,” Barrick said. “That was one of the reasons I hired him as education director. He was at his best when he interacted with high school and middle school kids.”

Levering had a vision of what he wanted to accomplish. Barrick lent his support.

“It’s a big credit to Dr. Barrick,” Levering said. “I told him and the rest of the museum staff when I was interviewing what I wanted to do. I think it is a lot of credit to Dr. Barrick to agreeing with that idea as something that would be hugely beneficial to students in rural western Kansas.”

Barrick said many of the students attend camps in multiple summers. That helps boost attendance, as does word-of-mouth testimonials from students. Sternberg also capitalizes on serving an area previously under-utilized by science camps. And, one summer’s camper can become next year’s Fort Hays State student, like Landwehr.

“Because there are not a ton of camps in the country that do what we do, some of it is just in marketing,” Barrick said. “We’ve had some kids come to Fort Hays State through the camps. That’s pretty exciting.”

As the camps have grown in both the number offered and in participants, the need for additional camp instructors was filled in part by students such as Landwehr, in his first summer on staff.

“I wanted to keep doing camps, and being an instructor is a good way to stay on with the program,” said Landwehr, who is compensated for serving as an instructor. “It helps a lot. If I didn’t get paid I don’t know if I would get to be on summer staff.”

Being able to go to Sternberg’s science camps, and later serving as instructors, can put students on the path to success.

“The long-term benefits can be huge for students participating in these kinds of opportunities,” Levering said.

The Ellis County Public Works Road and Bridge Division announced an asphalt overlay project will take place beginning at the intersection of 230th Avenue and Golf Course Road and will commence North on 230th Avenue for three-quarters of a mile.

On Tuesday, weather permitting, that stretch of 230th Avenue will be closed to through traffic beginning at 7 a.m. and will remain closed until the project is completed. The project is expected to be completed on the same day. Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use alternate routes of travel until the project is complete.