Inside: Your 2015 Allen County Fair results
The Weekender Saturday, August 8, 2015
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Pageant paves way for Pringle’s platform By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Yates Center native Ashley Pringle never thought she’d compete in a pageant. It actually never once crossed her mind, that is until local pageant director Lance Davis encouraged Pringle to become involved. With a “nothing to lose” attitude the 16, soon to be 17-yearold, decided to give it a go and she’s glad she did. On June 6 she competed in the Miss Kansas’ Outstanding Teen competition, the sister program to Miss Kansas, and won the title. With her title she earned around $1,300 in scholarships. During the last week of July, Pringle jetted to Orlando, Fla., to represent Kansas in the teen competition. “Nationals was overwhelming but it was truly a once-ina-lifetime opportunity,” Pringle said. “It is very humbling to represent Kansas.” The days leading up to the competition are what Pringle considers the hardest part. “A lot of people don’t realize the preparations behind the scenes,” she said. “It’s very difficult to get ready for.” Competitors must go through a private interview, model evening wear, answer an on-stage question, model fitness instead of swimwear, and perform their talent. Pringle’s talent? Singing
Ashley Pringle was crowned Miss Kansas’ Outstanding Teen. She competed in late July in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET Italian opera. She sang “O Mio Babbino Caro” by Puccini. “I never had vocal training before but my mother is an amazing singer and I picked up on it from her,” she said. Pringle is the daughter of
John and Haley Pringle. Fifty-two contestants represented the U.S. (including the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands). Pringle said meeting the young women was very inspiring.
“Meeting everyone was so much fun and surprisingly a lot of us were alike,” she said. “It was great hearing their stories and why they were doing this.” Each contestant chooses a platform to promote at the competition. Pringle chose a topic that hit home for her, “Protect the Skin You’re In — Skin Cancer Prevention.” “My grandmother passed away from melanoma,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to suffer from it — that’s why I’m an advocate.” Pringle wanted to break the stereotype that people have to tan to keep up with beauty standards. “It was hard going into the pageant with this platform because many women do tan, but I wanted people to know they don’t have to harm their skin to be beautiful,” she said. Pringle said one in five Americans will develop skin cancer sometime in their lives. She advises people to wear sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and adequate clothing when out in the sun. The soon to be Yates Center senior fills her time with various extra curricular activities. She plays volleyball, runs track, will See PRINGLE | Page A4
Quite a ride
Gretchen Boyers was among numerous youngsters who partook in the opening of the new zip line at the LaHarpe City Park. Additional pictures of the opening are on A4. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
New places for familiar faces Lewis seeks smooth transition
McWhirter takes reins at 256
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Kay Lewis is getting better about identifying herself on the phone. “When I call somebody, I’ll occasionally say, ‘It’s Kay Bolt from Humboldt,’ and then I’ll catch myself,” she said with a laugh. “I got married. It’s Lewis now.” Lewis’ marriage to Tim Lewis was the first step in a whirlwind summer for USD 258’s new superintendent of schools. Bolt, who served as Humboldt Elementary School principal the previous 13 years, took office July 1. As with other educators across the state, Lewis is in the midst of gearing up for the start of the 2015-16 school year. With enrollment behind her — it was Wednesday and Thursday — Lewis has her sights set on getting USD 258’s budget approved for the upcoming year, and prepping buildings for the start of classes on Aug. 20.
MORAN — For the past 31 summers, Kenneth McWhirter has known exactly what was needed to get Marmaton Valley Elementary ready for the start of school. He still does, but now McWhirter has a host of additional responsibilities as USD 256’s new superintendent of schools. McWhirter was appointed this summer to replace the retiring David Hardage. McWhirter will remain as principal at MVES. “I’m always thinking, ‘OK, is there something I’m missing, something I’m not seeing?’” McWhirter said. “Is there a deadline from the state I need to be worried about? Before, I just worried about my school building. Now, I have to worry about a lot of state stuff. “Am I excited?” he asked. “Anxious? Yeah. Like any new job, there are a lot of hurdles, a lot of new things you learn along the way, things you don’t always
Humboldt-USD 258 Superintendent of Schools Kay Lewis is settling into her new position after serving the previous 13 years as a principal in the school district. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN “Being a new person, it probably takes me longer than a regular person, until I get used to the way things roll,” she jokes. It shouldn’t take her long to get the hang of things. Lewis is entering her
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 192
31st year as an educator; the first 15 as a teacher and administrator at Altoona-Midway, before she moved to USD 257 to teach at McKinley and LaHarpe elementary See LEWIS | Page A6
“Fear is the mother of foresight.” — Thomas Hardy, English novelist 75 Cents
Marmaton Valley Elementary School Principal Kenneth McWhirter’s duties have expanded after he was named USD 256 Superintendent of Schools. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
get out of a book. “In part, it was due to the financial situation of the district,” he said. “With the declining funds from the state, it was a good fit to combine the two positions. It’s been done at quite a few smaller
schools throughout the state, and it was discussed last time before they hired Mr. Hardage.” McWhirter understands there will be an adjustment, for him See 256 | Page A6
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