Month: May 2017

Civitan Club to meet Wednesday

Civitan, an International Community Service Organization, is building a new Civitan Club in Kansas City, Kansas. The new club’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at The Dotte Spot, 8123 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas.

The Lancaster-Melton Peace Keepers Civitan Club is sponsored by the Lawrence ACTION Civitan Club of Lawrence, Kansas. A spokesman said the club’s main objective is to keep the two officers’ memory alive by working together on projects that improve the community. It also hopes to increase the support of law enforcement officers in the community, as well as supporting efforts to help make the community a better place to live, work, and play.

“We are looking for community members to come out to our next meeting to discover more about Civitan,” said Frank Kelley, Civitan International Heartland District Governor and lead club builder. “We ask community members to come out in support of the two slain officers as well as those who continue to serve.”

Civitan International was founded in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1917 and is celebrating its 100th year this year. Civitan Club membership is open to anyone who is at least 18 years old and of good character.

All community members interested in serving and making a difference are encouraged to come out to the May 24 meeting.

KCKCC prepares for 2017 commencement exercises

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Graduation at Kansas City Kansas Community College is quickly approaching, and plans are already underway for the annual celebration.

There will be two commencement ceremonies, both on Wednesday, May 24, at the KCKCC Field House, 7250 State Ave.

Commencement participants must attend the ceremony that corresponds with the certificate or degree that they have earned. Seating at both ceremonies is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved seating is available for those who require accommodations due to a medical disability.

The Honorable Courtney Mikesic, District Court Judge for Wyandotte County, is the commencement speaker for both ceremonies. Mikesic was born and raised in Wyandotte County.

She has worked for the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office and as a law clerk in the Office of Judicial Administration for the Kansas Supreme Court. She is also a managing attorney with Kramer and Frank, PC. She attended Long Island University where she earned a bachelor of science in political science and graduated from the Washburn University School of Law.

The ceremony for those students who have earned an associate of applied science and certificates will be at 2 p.m. Check-in begins at 1 p.m. Programs include: Accounting (AAS), Addiction Counselor (Certificate, AAS), Administrative Office Professionals (Certificate, AAS), Audio Engineering (AAS), Auto Collision Repair (Certificate – TEC), Automotive Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (Certificate-TEC), Automotive Technology (Certificate – TEC), Building and Property Maintenance (Certificate – TEC), Computer Repair (Certificate – TEC), Business Administration (AAS), Computer Engineering Technology (Certificate, AAS), Computer Software Technology/Technician (Certificate, AAS), Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Certificate, AAS), Construction Technology (Certificate – TEC), Corrections (Certificate, AAS), Cosmetology (Certificate – TEC), Culinary Arts(Certificate – TEC), Digital Imaging (AAS), Drafting Technology (AAS), Early Childhood Education (Certificate, AAS), Early Childhood Education – CDA Preparation Credential (Certificate), Electrical Technology (Certificate – TEC), Exercise Leader (Certificate), Firefighter (Certificate) Fire Science/Firefighting(AAS), Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology (AAS), Heating and Refrigeration (Certificate – TEC), Homeland Security (Certificate), LPN to RN Articulation Program (AAS), Machine Technology (Certificate – TEC), Major Appliance Technology (Certificate – TEC), Marketing and Mid-Management (AAS), Medical Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Mortuary Science (AAS), Multimedia/Video Production (Certificate – TEC), Nail Technology (Certificate – TEC), Networking Technology (Certificate – TEC), Allied Health and Nursing/Practical Nurse (Certificate), Allied Health and Nursing/Registered Nurse (AAS), Office Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Paralegal (AAS), Paramedic/Mobile Intensive Care Technician (AAS), Paramedic/RRT to RN Bridge Program (AAS), Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS), Police Science (Certificate, AAS), Respiratory Therapist/Respiratory Care Therapy (AAS), Technical Studies (AAS), Victim/Survivor Services (Certificate, AAS), Web Application and Design (Certificate) and Welding Technology (Certificate – TEC).

The ceremony for those students who earned an associate of science, associate of arts or associate of general studies will be at 7 p.m. Check-in begins at 6 p.m. Programs include Biology (AGS, AS), Business (AS), Chemistry (AA, AGS), Computer Engineering Technology (AS), Economics (AA), Education, Elementary (AA), Education, Secondary (AA), Environmental Studies (AGS, AS), Exercise Science (AGS), Fine Arts (AA), Forensic Chemistry (AA, AGS, AS), History (AA), Journalism (AA), Music (AA), Music Technology (AGS), Philosophy (AA), Physics/Physical Science (AGS, AS), Political Science (AA), Sociology (AA), Theatre (AA), Theatre Technology (AGS), Victim/Survivor Services (AA), Pre-Agriculture (AGS, AS), Pre-Chiropractic (AGS, AS), Pre-Dental (AGS, AS), Pre-Engineering (AGS, AS), Pre-Exercise Science (AS), Pre-Law (AA), Pre-Medical (AGS, AS), Pre-Medical Technology (AGS, AS), Pre-Allied Health and Nursing (AS), Pre-Nutrition (AGS, AS), Pre-Occupational Therapy (AS), Pre-Optometry (AGS, AS), Pre-Pharmacy (AGS, AS), Pre-Physical Therapy (AS), Pre-Public Administration (AA), Pre-Radiologic Technology (AS), Pre-Respiratory Therapy (AS), Pre-Social Work (AA), Pre-Sports Mgmt. (AA) and Pre-Veterinary (AGS, AS).

A new addition the graduation ceremonies will be the KCKCC ceremonial mace. The mace was made by Ben Hayes, a retired KCKCC staff member and the KCKCC Machine Technology Class of 2017 – Liam Riggs, machine technology instructor; students Drake Murphy, Michael Finley, Colton Harvey, Miguel Arreola, Matthew Henry; Don Balluch, construction technology instructor and Rob Crane, director of wellness and fitness. The ceremonial mace is a symbol of academic excellence and is used to lead the academic procession at commencement and other special occasions signifying the importance of the conformation of the academic process.

The KCKCC Jazz Band, directed by Jim Mair, will provide music prior to both ceremonies, and the National Anthem will be sung by Trevor Thoeke, a KCKCC freshman. The Leavenworth Junior ROTC Color Guard will present the colors during the National Anthem.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the graduation rehearsal at 10 a.m. on May 24, as they will receive important information on the ceremony. Ottawa University will hold a free lunch following the rehearsal in the picnic area next to the fieldhouse.

Students who have completed all degree requirements for the spring 2017 semester as well as fall 2016 and summer 2016 are eligible to participate in commencement. Students who are within nine hours of completing degree requirements in summer 2017 are also eligible to participate.

In addition, those students with at least a 3.4 grade point average qualify to graduate with honors and can wear an honors cord during commencement. Honors are awarded to students for completed coursework. Red, white and blue cords are available to active-duty service members, military veterans and spouses or dependent family members of active duty service members and veterans. These cords will be available at graduation check-in.

Graduation DVDs for both ceremonies are on sale now for $7. Contact the Office of Student Activities at 913-288-7553 or stop by room 2313 for an order form. Graduates will also have one final chance to take graduation photos. Photos will be from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 24 at the Fieldhouse. Graduation gown, sash, and honor cords will be provided. Please bring medals and pins for the picture. Photo packages are available.

For more information on 2017 commencement exercises including graduation fees, visit http://kckcc.edu/admission/returning-students/graduation-information. Information is also available by contacting a graduation specialist at 913-288-7519 or by email at [email protected].

T-Bones beat the weather, but drop the series opener

Rain, mud, and even hail threatened the start of the Kansas City T-Bones’ series with the Gary SouthShore Railcats on Monday — and it really didn’t do them any good in the long run. The T-Bones couldn’t find their way out of a disastrous seventh inning and fell to the Railcats, 7-4.

After starting the game an hour late, it was Kansas City’s turn to get the early lead. Omar Garcia helped his team do just that.

Following a single to left field, he moved to second off of a single from Marcus Lemon, stole third base, and scored off of a RBI single from right fielder Kevin Keyes, giving the T-Bones a 1-0 lead.

In the second, the Railcats gave the T-Bones a run for their money, scoring two runs; one off a Wilfredo Gimenez RBI and off an error from Kansas City’s shortstop Eddie Newton, making the score 2-1.

As they did the day before, the T-Bones answered with a double from Patrick Brady and a two-run home run from Leo Rojas, making the score 3-2.

After a scoreless third and fourth inning, Kansas City added to its lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Chase McDonald scoring Marcus Lemon to make it 4-2. Jeff Walters worked five strong innings for the T-Bones, surrendering only one earned run on three hits with four strikeouts.

Rich Mascheri relieved T-Bones’ Walters and retired his three batters, while Ryan Fritze relieved Railcats’ starting pitcher Charle Rosario and also retired the side in order.

The game turned to Gary’s favor in the seventh inning. Rich Mascheri retired the first batter he faced then gave up a single to John Holland, who went to second on a wild pitch.

Aaron Brooks (1-1, 13.50) took over for Mascheri and gave up a bunt single to Chris Goodman to put runners at the corners. Chase Harris doubled to score one run and Reggie Wilson delivered a bases clearing triple to score two more and give Gary a 5-4 lead. Colin Willis and Frank Martinez added an RBI single each to make it 7-4, Gary.

There was a glimmer of hope for a late comeback in the ninth when Kansas City saw the first two men reach on an error and a hit, but Gary’s Drasen Johnson would settle down and get the save.

The T-Bones will continue their second series of the season against Gary SouthShore Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Magnet schedules will be available for the first 1,500 fans.

Tickets are available online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.

– Story from T-Bones