Annual Reasons to Believe celebration is Nov. 20

Twelve distinguished graduates of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools will be celebrated for their career achievements and community involvement as they are inducted into the 12th Alumni Honor Roll of the Reasons to Believe program.

The induction ceremony and celebration will take place Thursday, Nov. 20, on the first floor of the KCKPS Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St. The event begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.

Board of Education President Evelyn Hill will welcome guests, and honorees will be introduced by the current principals of their alma maters. The Sumner Academy Chorale Seniors will perform under the direction of Becky Thomas, director. Superintendent Cynthia Lane will address the members of the Alumni Honor Roll. Deryl Wynn, with McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips, will present the 2014 Reasons to Believe Scholarships.

The Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll annually showcases the high caliber of graduates that the district produces and brings a select group of them together with staff, students, community members, colleagues and key leaders for a night of honors.

Members of the 2014 Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll:
• Nedra Bonds, artist-social activist, Wyandotte High School Class of 1966
• Norman Brown, jazz guitarist, Wyandotte High School Class of 1982
• Wesley Guy Burt, artist-illustrator, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science Class of 1999
• Phil Dixon, author-historian-speaker, Wyandotte High School Class of 1974
• Dr. Simone Ariana Ellis, dentist, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science Class of 2001
• Lloyd Freeman, attorney, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science Class of 2000
• Drue Jennings, retired CEO of KCP&L, Argentine Junior-Senior High Class of 1964
• Marcus Newsom, assistant athletic director-coach at Wartburg College, Schlagle High School Class of 1988
• LeeRoy Pitts, retired educator, Sumner High School Class of 1951
• Harold Simmons, retired police detective, Wyandotte High School Class of 1965
• Jayson Strickland, KCKPS administrator, Washington High School Class of 1989
• Christi Walter, health systems scientist and professor who holds a doctorate degree, Harmon High School Class of 1976.

Reasons to Believe was established in 2002 to generate pride and celebrate the progress being made throughout the district. As part of the program, nominations are sought for the Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll, which spotlights successful alumni to encourage and inspire today’s students.

To review past honor roll classes or to learn more about the program, go to www.kckps.org/recognition/alumni.
– Story from Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools

Democrats to meet Saturday

The Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast will meet Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Eisenhower Room at the Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

The speaker will be former state Rep. Bill Reardon. He was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives for 30 years.

The breakfast buffet is available at 8:15 a.m. and the forum begins at 9:15.

The cost for the breakfast buffet, which includes tax, service and tip, is $10; or $7 for students and those on limited income. All Democrats are invited to attend.

Reservations are requested by Friday, Nov. 14. Reservations are encouraged but not required. To make a reservation, email scottmackey08@yahoo.com.

T-Bones sign relief pitcher and infielder-outfielder

The Kansas City T-Bones announced they have signed Garrett Granitz and Joe Rapp to contracts for the 2015 season.

Granitz, 28, is a 6-foot-2 and 195-pound right-handed relief pitcher out of Sun Prairie, Wis. He’s played four professional seasons, all in independent leagues, most recently with Rio Grande Valley of United League Baseball.

In 34 appearances in 2014 with Rio Grande, Granitz went 1-0 with a 1.45 ERA. In 31 innings he struck out 22 and walked 15. Granitz has a 7-5 record and 2.89 ERA in 100 professional games.

“Garrett is a submarine pitcher who will scrape his knuckles on the CommunityAmerica Ballpark turf,” said T-Bones manager John Massarelli. “He’ll come out of the bullpen and hopefully make it tough for right-handed hitters to elevate the ball.”

Rapp, 24, is a 6-foot-2 and 225-pound first baseman-outfielder from Sarasota, Fla. He spent the first two seasons of his professional career in the San Francisco Giants organization after the club selected him in the 28th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft out of the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

He played last season for the Greys of the Frontier League, where he batted .256 with 95 hits, including 19 home runs and 55 RBIs. In three professional seasons, Rapp is a .264 hitter with 36 homers, 151 RBIs and 134 runs scored.

“Joe was on our radar last spring when he left the Giants organization, but we didn’t have a roster spot at the time,” Massarelli said. “So he spent last season in the Frontier League and put up solid numbers.”

The T-Bones open the 2015 regular season at home on May 22 against Lincoln.

– Story from T-Bones