Month: January 2015

Spelling bee planned Jan. 30

The Wyandotte County Spelling Bee is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, according to coordinator Elly Morris.

The bee will take place at the Turner High School Performing Arts Center, 2211 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kan., according to Morris, who is with the Turner School District. Registration is required by 12:45 p.m.

The spelling bee is open to any student in Wyandotte County who has not passed beyond the eighth grade on or before Feb. 1 and has not turned 15 years old by Sept. 1, 2014.

It is open to the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville, Piper, Turner, and Kansas City, Kan., school districts, along with private schools located in Wyandotte County.

Each participating elementary and middle school selects a building champion who will advance to the county competition.

The county winner will advance to the regional Sunflower Spelling Bee in Fort Hays, Kan., sponsored by the Hays Daily News.

The Wyandotte County winner will receive a trophy and a first-place medal. Second- and third-place winners also will receive medals. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Long-time KCKCC student resource director retires

by Kelly Rogge

Although the name of her department has changed over the years, Andrea Chastain has spent the last 29 years at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the same position within the counseling program.

Chastain retired in December from her position as director of the Student and Community Resource Center at KCKCC. Her first “professional job” came from an internship with the Rehabilitation Institute in Kansas City – a job she received prior to her graduation from Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services.

“A month into my internship, I was offered a position as job placement specialist where I placed individuals with varying disabilities in training, education, employment or a sheltered workshop setting,” she said. “While working on my master’s in counseling and guidance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, I moved into the position of vocational specialist, providing career counseling and job placement.”

After Chastain completed her master’s degree, she was hired as a counselor and assistant clinic director for the Greater Kansas City Drug Abuse Program. She remained with the organization until she came to KCKCC almost 30 years ago.

“I felt like it was the right time to retire,” she said about her decision to leave KCKCC. “I think what I will miss most is seeing students who are really trying hard to progress and coping courageously with the numerous obstacles in front of them.”

Chastain said her proudest moments have been about how she has worked to meet the changing needs of students over the years. This includes starting and maintaining both the KCKCC Student Food Pantry and the Clothing Bank. While she is not sure what she will do in retirement, she said she is looking forward to the change.

“I am proudest that I have always had the flexibility to tailor programs and services toward the current needs of the students and community members,” she said. “Although 90 percent of my close friends have already retired, I am blessed that I have made friendships I will maintain for the rest of my life.”

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at KCKCC.

Cowley scores 14-0 straight points to turn back KCKCC, 77-72

by Alan Hoskins

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Blue Devils put together one big comeback Saturday but couldn’t muster a second and dropped a 77-72 decision to Cowley College.

The Blue Devils, who had wiped out double digit deficits in come-from-behind wins over Brown Mackie and Penn Valley in their last two starts, erased a 13-point Cowley lead early in the second half to take a 52-50 lead with 12:25 remaining.

But the Tigers reeled off the next 14 points over the next four minutes for a 64-52 lead and Blue Devils could never get closer than the final 5-point deficit.

The loss dropped the Blue Devils to 11-5 heading into road contests at Hesston today at 8 p.m. and Coffeyville Wednesday before returning home for a doubleheader against Highland Saturday afternoon.

Lansing freshman Joe Lendway had a career high 31 points including 12 of 15 field goals and 7 of 9 free throws to lead the Blue Devils while Austin Hall had a double double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. LaShawn Lewis added nine points and five rebounds; Ray Ridley six points and five assists; and Babajide Aina seven assists and seven rebounds.

KCKCC took an early 14-6 lead in a first half that had 17 lead changes and three ties. Both teams were virtually even in rebounding and turnovers (15 each) but the Tigers were 10 of 26 from three-point to just 2 of 16 for the Blue Devils, who were outshot .435-.377.

Alan Hoskins is the sports information director for KCKCC.