“SAE grants try to provide financial assistance to young people that are trying to get a career in agriculture,” Darien Klahr, 10, said.

How do you go about getting an SAE grant? Well, there’s a whole world of opportunity. It could be from crops, animals, forestry, you name it! Klahr found out about the SAE grant around the middle of October. To be eligible for the competition, all of the paperwork had to be turned in before November 15^th.

“I put a row of crop on Frank Morris’ property. With permission of course,” Klahr said with a smile, “He said I could do whatever I wanted as long as he gets a third of the profit.”

Along with Darien, two others were a part of this experience. Dean Klahr, 9, and Emma Clark, 9, also participated.

Dean had a small cow/calf operation. He spent everyday after school doing chores and taking care of his cattle.

Why not kill two birds with one stone? That’s exactly what Emma Clark did for her SAE. She made money, while at the same time helping the environment. She started a recycling business. For a fee, twice a month, she picks up recyclables and sorts them, then takes them to the recycling center.

The three students worked hard for their grant. Spending many days, doing tons of paperwork, and using hard earned money. They soon found out that their hard work had paid off. They all got a little extra present on Christmas day, finding out they had all won. Their winnings were $1,000 each. But don’t think with all that money they’ll be going on a shopping spree. They each plan to do something more with their money.

“With my $1,000 I received I will use it to help pay for bean seed. It will pay around a fourth of the bean seed,” Darien said.

So there you have it. Now you know what an SAE is, and how it can be beneficial. If you’re dedicated, and stick to it, there can be a major outcome. Just ask the three students; again, they’ll be happy to explain.

Austin Marriott, 12, has taken College Government and College Algebra in the past and is taking College Psychology and College Public Speaking this semester. “I think it’s easier to take these classes in high school when there’s still kind of a support group around to help you figure out the answers if you have questions. I also like the fact that I get to take these classes with people that I mostly already know instead of a group of complete strangers,” Marriott said.

These classes vary from being taught at the high school, at the Highland Center, or even online. Shannon Maxwell, 12, is one student who has used all three of these methods. She has taken College Psychology and Public Speaking, which are taught at the Highland Center and College Government, Algebra, and English I-II, which are taught at the high school. Maxwell has taken Music History and Appreciation, College Sociology, and macroeconomics all online.

“Highland is a good way to get general-ed classes out of the way.  I want to focus on my major when I go to school next year so this is a way that I can get general classes out of the way,” Maxwell, who will attend K – State, said.

The most popular reason among students for taking Highland classes is the cost. According to these students, Highland classes cost about half of what they would at a large university.

Carol Braum, supervisor of the students enrolled in online classes, sees how students benefit in the long run.

“Depending on the number of credits acquired while in high school, there may be fewer semesters, and thus less tuition and room and board down the road. Getting some of the required core classes out of the way also allows students the opportunity to enroll sooner in classes for their major areas,” she said.

Teachers and students, who have experience teaching and taking Highland classes, respectively, offer similar advice to students planning to enroll in them.

“Get ready to work. There is much less time in class to do homework. Students have to step up their commitment to homework and becoming more independently motivated,” Brooks Barta, College Algebra instructor said.

“Highland classes get you prepared for what it’s going to be like in your real college,” Lauren Bagby, 12, said of the courses.

Garrett Holaday recommends taking “all the college classes you can because it is better to get them done now than at college.”

Students interested in taking Highland courses must pass the ASSET test before being accepted into the college class. Only juniors and seniors are able to take classes through Highland.

Around 50 kids went to Worlds of Fun this year for FCA. “We wanted kids to know that just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you can’t have a lot of fun,” said Carolynn McKee, FCA advisor. “You can have worlds of fun by being a Jesus Freak!”

Every year around Halloween time WOF puts together haunted houses. Some of the haunted houses were blood shed, asylum island, the doll house, and carn-evil. “We went through the carn-evil haunted house, and then we stood in line for an hour and a half for the mamba. I call that dedication,” said Emily Nevil, sophomore.

Jennifer Hamlin, sophomore, got to ride some roller coasters, go through haunted houses, and meet new people from other states. FCA also has meetings, and has experiences with testing their faith with God. “My dad fell off of the ladder at work a long time ago. The doctors said he would never be able to walk again but my family all prayed for him, and a year later he recovered and goes on a jog everyday,” said Hamlin.

FCA always has a purpose for McKee. “FCA helps keep me focused on Christ and his purpose for us in our everyday walk, not just on Sunday. Jesus is a great friend and it is a joy to see teenagers get excited about having Jesus in their everyday lives!” said McKee, “The Christians of FCA might be the only Jesus some people see in their everyday lives.”

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” Hebrews 11:1

Webb spoke to the schools about his life in Korea and how he adjusted to the changes once he got adopted into the United States. Webb started speaking to schools because, he likes to see responses of the people and the differences he makes on the lives of people. He has gone to speak at schools, the military, universities, corporations, and multiple conferences for 14-15 years.

“You can’t pull people into the mud without getting muddy yourself,” Webb said as he tries to show kids that every person has value and is special. After next year, Webb’s goal is to continue speaking but traveling around the world. He wants to influence people by having connection between self and person, also telling stories that people can relate to.

“The problem was with Westar,” Corey Schuetz, crewman for the Distribution Center said, “There was a opossum that got into a breaker and burnt it up.”

“The breaker at the power plant was burned up and kept kicking Westar off,” Schuetz said.

Power went off at about 5:40 AM, and it took about an hour for most of the city to regain power.

“The one bad circuit had to be bypassed and power was restored to the rest of the city around 7:00 AM,” Schuetz said.

Some students woke up,  found out that there was no power, and went back to bed. Others may just not have gotten up, simply because their alarm clock didn’t go off. Everyone else got ready in the dark.

“I had to get ready by candle light,” said Nicole Darveaux, 10, “It was hard but I managed.”

For many, power was needed to make breakfast but they found other things to eat. Others just simply went without. Even without power, community members got ready for work and school, just in the dark.

According to FFA Advisor Jason Larison, “ They all did an amazing job.”

Holton swept the top 9 gold medals in the information test and had another student tie for the tenth-place medal, out of 350 students tested.

The following competed and medaled in the event:  First – Derek Haverkamp 50 (PERFECT SCORE); second-place tie Dean Klahr and Emaleigh Clark 49 (even on tie breakers); fourth place Karl Wilhelm 49;  fifth place Braden Sides 49; sixth place Nicole Kathrens; seventh place Tori Bontrager 48; eighth place Nathan Shields 48; ninth place Taryn Weilert 48; tenth place tie Shannon Sides 47.

Holton had six or seven more students in the 40′s.  Last year the top score at district was a 46.

“This is the best we have EVER had a group of freshmen do at Greenhand Conference,” Larison said.  “I challenged them in class that they have the brain power and ability to sweep the top 10!  They rose to the challenge. I am not sure if this has ever been done before. I am very proud of these kids!”

By: Danica Haverkamp and Kailtin Peterson