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Released: September 25, 2007 PRIDE Program to Honor Kansas Students for Community Service JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Thirteen students are being honored for community service during Kansas PRIDE Day 2007 in Junction City, Kan., Sept. 29. The students’ willingness to contribute to their communities suggests that attitude, and not just age and experience, can foster community improvements – and engagement, said Connie Hoch, Kansas State University Research and Extension representative speaking for the Kansas PRIDE Program. The PRIDE Program is a statewide community development effort that is co-administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Three students – Yance Farney, from Stafford; Travis Stoneburgh, Lucas, and Cody Zabel, Onaga – have earned the 2007 PRIDE Youth Leadership Award recognizing leadership in community and citizenship, Hoch said. Award recipients were each nominated by their local PRIDE committee. Their projects vary, she said. As an example, Yance Farney, president of the Stafford High School FFA chapter, pitched the idea for a Healthy Lifestyles Vending Machine to school administrators, and, with a go-ahead, followed up by asking the county’s Farm Bureau to fund start-up costs. Once the machine was in place, Farney also worked with chapter members to research healthy choices and develop a plan to keep the machine stocked. Travis Stoneburgh’s nomination highlighted leadership for the Lucas Youth Group and youth summer recreation program. As president of the group, Stoneburgh led twice-monthly meetings to survey community interests and organize activities to promote healthy recreation. He also coached the Midget Baseball Team, and helped coach the K-18 baseball team and a Coach Pitch Baseball team. Stoneburgh often volunteers for school and community activities, ranging from the Red Cross Blood Drive to the High School Scholars’ Bowl. Cody Zabel, who is known locally for building support and leading by example, earned his award for the time and energy he invested in helping to build a new playground in Onaga. Zabel also is known for his creativity and vision – he is able to envision a mechanical home coming float and build one that works. Zabel’s nominator also noted that he is someone always ready to help others such as a stranded motorist or neighbor who needs help mending fence. Each of the award recipients will receive a commemorative plaque, Hoch said. Runners-up for the awards – Emily Reichenberger, Mount Hope; Kelsey Kinderknecht, Almena; and Jaime Albers, Grinnell – will receive a certificate of accomplishment. A second award category – the PRIDE Youth Community Service Awards – recognizes a community service project or projects, Hoch said. Earning the award this year are, in alphabetical order, Michael Callaway, from Almena; Allison Dohm, Grinnell; Nathan Ellis, Lucas, Alexandra Minnis, Stafford; and Christian Sellers, Fort Scott. In his nomination, Michael Callaway was praised for his efforts in helping to build a Frisbee golf course at the City Park and willingness to volunteer when help is needed – he bakes and delivers cookies, scoops snow, and has helped clean up after an ice-storm. Nominators credited Allison Dohm with leading by example, such as mowing and maintaining a local cemetery, delivering May baskets and arranging care packages for military personnel, to build support for community programs. Nathan Ellis earned a nomination – and an award – for his involvement in his church youth group and Wolf Creek Valley 4-H Club, and community service with Heartland SHARE and the Lucas Area Community Theatre. Though also busy with school activities, Alexandra Minnis dedicates time to organize, stock, and staff the Stafford Food Bank, mentor a fourth grade class, and help with the community’s summer lunch program and other community initiatives throughout the year. As a third-year participant in the PRIDE Program at Fort Scott Middle School, Christian Sellers participated in 30 of 35 projects during a single school year. Her contributions range from providing child care for groups and working with younger children in school and community activities to working with the elderly and participating in fundraisers for community needs. Each PRIDE Youth Community Service Award recipient will receive an award plaque. Runners-up for the awards – Audrey Laughlin, Mount Hope, and the 4-H members of Overbrook – will receive certificates. The Kansas Pride Program engages Kansas’ cities and towns – and residents of all ages – in a community development and improvement process to help residents enhance the quality of life in their community, Hoch said. The program has a 37-year history of serving Kansas communities. It is administered via a partnership between K- State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Commerce. More information on the Kansas PRIDE Program is available at county and district Extension offices, on the PRIDE Web site, www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu , and by calling PRIDE representatives at K-State Research and Extension (785-532-5840) and the Kansas Department of Commerce (785-296-3487). -30- K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan. Story by: 785-532-5840 |