Kansas City Kansas Community College stayed alive in the NJCAA Division II national tournament today with a decisive 3-0 win over Genesee, N.Y.
The win sends the 7th seeded Lady Blue Devils (30-10) into the semifinals of the loser’s bracket against either No. 11 Sauk Valley (36-7) or No. 14 Northern Virginia (23-9) today at 5:30 p.m. (Kansas City time). The Blue Devils made quick work of 15th seeded Genesee, winning 25-12, 25-9, 25-11.
A win in the semifinals would send the Blue Devils into the 9th place championship game Saturday at 11 a.m. All games can be seen on-line on the NJCAA website and clicking on Division II and NJCAA TV.
No. 10 Glendale, Ariz., dealt KCKCC a 3-0 setback in Thursday’s opening round, jumping to a 25-12 first set win. Glendale had 19 kills in a 25-23 second set win before coming from behind in the third set. KCKCC led 21-19 only to have Glendale score the next five points on the way to a 25-22 win.
Glendale followed its win over KCKCC with a 3-2 upset of No. 2 seeded Central Nebraska while No. 6 Cowley knocked off No. 3 Illinois Central 3-1. Those two teams will collide in the championship semifinals tonight with No. 1 Parkland and No. 5 Columbus State clashing in other semifinal. Alan Hoskins is the public information supervisor for KCKCC.
Volunteers read to children who attend KCKCC’s Campus Child Care Center during the center’s annual Thanksgiving Lunch. (KCKCC photo) by Kelly Rogge
Staff and faculty at Kansas City Kansas Community College have been spending the last few days sharing their love of reading with the children at the KCKCC Campus Childcare Center.
Nov. 17 to 21 is Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Week, a week that focuses on reading to all children from birth to 12 years old who are enrolled in Center Learning Programs and for Family Day Care Homes.
“The Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Week offers young children in the state of Kansas a chance to be read to by teachers, parents, neighbors, professors, college students and local libraries within the child’s local community,” said Doris Holleman, director of the KCKCC Campus Child Care Center. “The benefits of reading to children will offer babies, young children and youth the opportunity to look at books together with the reader, pointing to pictures in books and talk about what they see.”
More than 120 KCKCC faculty, staff and students signed up to read to children at the Campus Child Care Center this week. Holleman said reading benefits young children, youth and even babies by giving them the chance to learn new words and learn to enjoy books. She said infants and young children also have the opportunity to move and play along with the reader and other children.
“Basically, children can play make-believe, and explore new objects, places and people. Reading to older children allows them to talk about their day and ask questions that begin with who, what and why,” Holleman said. “Older children can use complete sentences to describe what is happening in the story, and they can make predictions and perform high critical thinking skills to retell stories in their own words.”
Holleman said she thinks the volunteers enjoy getting to share their love of literacy and literature for all age groups of infants, young children and youth. She said these individuals can think back to some of their favorite books such as Dr. Seuss or book collections and other favorite authors they had during their childhood.
“For some, Kansas Reads to Preschooler Week gives them the opportunity to step out of their formal role and enjoy being with people who will not judge them for using a funny voice or sitting on the floor. For others, it affords them a chance to be children again and/or relive their childhood or their children’s childhoods through connecting with a child or group of children,” she said. “Many say that they enjoy seeing the looks on the faces of the children as they begin to understand the story and be able to read along with it. Lastly, it opens doors for relationships with other departments and/or agencies that may have never been explored or developed otherwise.”
For more information on Kansas Read to Preschoolers Week, contact Doris Holleman at 913-288-7615 or by email at dholleman@kckcc.edu.
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Volunteers read to children who attend KCKCC’s Campus Child Care Center during the center’s annual Thanksgiving Lunch. (KCKCC photo)
The Turkey Games were held Wednesday at KCKCC. (KCKCC photo) by Kelly Rogge
Despite colder than normal temperatures, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s second annual Turkey Games was an even bigger success than its inaugural event.
Joseph Mundt, wellness specialist at KCKCC’s Health and Wellness Center, said the goal of the Turkey Games, which were Wednesday at the Wellness Center, was to encourage KCKCC to become more active. Participants competed in several events including Pilgrim Broom Pushin,’ the Turkey Obstacle Course, Turkey Tossin’, Turkey Rollin’ Bowlin’, Pilgrim Sprintin’, Turkey Tailin’ and Turkey Shootin’. No actual turkeys were used in the competition. Medicine balls represented the turkeys. There were 40 participants this year, compared to about 20 in 2013.
“The Turkey Games show that fitness doesn’t have to be the same old exercises,” he said. “You can change it up with different, fun activities.”
Mundt said he thought the turnout was great, involving quite a few students as well as community members.
“I think the Turkey Games are such a fun event because all of the events are challenging and things that people usually don’t get to do,” he said. “Our staff has a blast putting them on and coming up with events that will challenge everyone.”
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at KCKCC.
1st Place: Dustin Eby (14.5 lb. Turkey)
2nd Place: Tish Thomas (Pumpkin Pie)
3rd Place: Michael McGrath (Potato and Gravy)
4th Place: Hoa Dong (Stuffing and Gravy)
5th Place: Shaun Pate (Butternut Squash)
6th Place: Avery Fliger (Acorn Squash)
7th Place: Brandon Reid (Mac and Cheese)
8th Place: Billy Harrah (Dinner Rolls)
9th Place: Brendan Lyons (Sweet Potatoes)
10th Place: Kim Mason (Cranberry Sauce)
11th Place: Ben Hayes (Corn)
12th Place: Michael Jaume (Green Beans)
The Turkey Games were held Wednesday at KCKCC. (KCKCC photo)
