Month: October 2016

My Shelf to Yours Book Sale returns to KCKCC this fall

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

The annual book sale that offers great deals on books and supports student scholarships is returning to Kansas City Kansas Community College this month.

The My Shelf to Yours Book Sale is from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 and 20 in Room 2325 on the lower level of the Jewell Building on the KCKCC campus, 7250 State Ave. It will also be open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 19. The sale is open to the public as well as students, staff and faculty.

All books will be $1 or seven books for $5, and proceeds benefit the student scholarship fund. The Intercultural Center uses the fund to distribute scholarships for textbooks and tuition to students who have a financial need.

In addition, there will also be beverages and snacks for sale as well as fashion jewelry and other local vendors. Those who attend the book sale and purchase at least $5 worth of items are automatically entered into a raffle for a KCKCC Bookstore Certificate.

“The instructors of the KCKCC Adult Education ESL program have been very excited to bring their classes to MSTY book sale,” said Shelley Cetin, ESL transitions instructor at KCKCC. “It’s not only great to see students buying different types of books, but seeing them with multiple books for their children is especially rewarding as the books give parents who are learning English a way to interact with their bi-lingual children at home.”

Created in 2010, the goal of My Shelf To Yours is to promote scholarship, leadership, entrepreneurship and sustainability by selling donated used books both on-line and on-ground. The student-operated store has gained national recognition from eBay’s Green Team for recycling books to help fellow students who need assistance with purchasing textbooks and with college tuition. Since the event started almost eight years ago, more than 67,500 books have been donated from 355 individuals. This has helped 366 students with 944 textbooks and has awarded more than $22,800 in scholarships.

My Shelf to Yours donates any unsold book donations from the sale to local charities and organizations.

“It’s a great to know that a book purchase brings someone one step closer to reaching that dream of more education, better jobs and better lives,” Cetin said. “The instructors are all looking forward to bringing our classes to the next MSTY Book Sale.”

For more information, contact Brian Patrick at 913-288-7362 or by email at [email protected] or Barbara Clark-Evans at 913-288-7504 or by email at [email protected].

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at KCKCC.

Injury crash reported on K-32

An injury crash was reported on Wednesday on K-32 after a semi made a U-turn, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper’s report.

The crash happened at 8:50 p.m. Oct. 5 on K-32, a tenth of a mile west of 51st Street, according to the trooper’s report.

A semi was westbound making a U-turn at Kansas Avenue, the trooper’s report stated. A motorcycle was eastbound and struck the semi, the report stated.

The motorcyclist, a 33-year-old man from Smithville, Mo., was injured and was taken to a hospital in Kansas City, Kan., according to the trooper’s report. He was wearing a helmet and eye protection.

The driver of the semi, a 44-year-old man from Grapevine, Texas, was not injured, the report stated.

Bishop Ward student art to be on display at Alcott Arts Center this weekend


by Josh Sukraw

Many Bishop Ward students will be sharing their creative spirit and energy with the local Kansas City, Kan., community for a month-long celebration at the Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., beginning this weekend.

The opening celebration is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, where a variety of works and talents will be performed by different departments from math and Spanish to music, theater, and art.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. followed by short performances from the Bishop Ward theater and music departments. Refreshments will be served and admittance is complimentary. The public is invited.

Nick Tomasic, Bishop Ward class of 1990, has been leading the art department at Bishop Ward for the last 10 years and was instrumental in organizing this first show.

“We have so many talented students and really look forward to showcasing them,” Tomasic said. “And we thank the Alcott Arts Center for hosting the students of Bishop Ward.”

In May three seniors graduated and are now attending the Kansas City Art Institute. They earned $76,000 in scholarships and are pursuing their artistic dreams.

“Mr. Tomasic has been an inspiration to me and encouraged me to attend KCAI. He would bring alumni to speak to our classes and I learned about the many opportunities to pursue,” said Evan Barclay, of the Bishop Ward class of 2016.

A variety of media will be in the gallery including A Day of the Dead Altar, 2D works as well as paintings, sculptures, drawing, and poetry. There will be a drum solo by junior Jaden Hutchingson and an acting segment by Adrian Cisneros and Natalie Bragdon who will be performing the duo entitled “13 Ways to Screw Up a College Interview” by Ian McWethy.

There will be current Bishop Ward students showcasing their art and talents as well as a young alumni section with pieces from Stephanie Duenas, class of 2010, Evan Barclay, class of 2016, Makynzie Sanchez, class of 2016, and Camille Conner, class of 2016.

Bishop Ward president, Father Thomas Schrader, said he is proud of this art showcase.

“I am so proud of our students and their achievements,” he said. “They deserve to be recognized and this art show is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Mr. Tomasic and our artistic students. Please come out and join us.”

The Alcott Arts Center is not handicapped accessible at this time.


Josh Sukraw is the marketing and social media manager at Bishop Ward High School.