Sports: Iola’s Works ready for state competition See B1
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Thursday, May 14, 2015
Little Oscars brings 50 years of glitz to Bowlus
LaHarpe considers electrical upgrades By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
LAHARPE — LaHarpe City Council members said they must wait before determining how to tackle ongoing upgrades to the city’s electrical system. Wednesday’s discussion focused on a bid from CDL Electric Co., Pittsburg, that would complete the upgrades in one swoop — LaHarpe employees have been upgrading the system themselves in piece-meal fashion for years — at a cost of about $160,000. While the city has budgeted about $157,000 for the upgrades, it only has about $18,000 cash on hand. Council members are eager to complete a grant application that would fund 80 percent of the upgrades. The application deadline is in June. New City Superintendent Shaun Atwood said the electrical upgrades, geared to make the city less susceptible to partial disruptions, outages and brown-outs, are at the top of his priorities list. How urgent? “I’d like to have it done yesterday,” he told the Council. “We just have too many unanswered questions,” responded Councilman David Lee, who was sworn in prior to Wednesday’s meeting, See UPGRADES | Page A5
From left, Matt Stuckey, youth group leader at Wesley United Methodist, sings with Iola High School seniors Trilby Bannister and Tyler Holloway during IHS baccalaureate services Wednesday at St. John’s Catholic Church. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Grads take time to celebrate God By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Dubbed as part of a “spirit-inspired counter culture,” a group of about 25 Iola High School seniors were recognized at baccalaureate services Wednesday at St. John’s Catholic Church. Father John Miller congratulated the seniors for accepting His word into their lives, noting as they enter adulthood, they’ll become leaders: “Maybe not as president of the United States, or president of the city council,” Miller said, but as spiritual leaders. Dana Daugharthy, chemistry teacher at IHS, told the seniors he was there to relieve some stress by answering two questions he’s certain the students have had to answer repeatedly
“A lot of people have these ideas about becoming pharmacists, doctors ... but that’s not really what matters. What matters is we’re serving the will of God.” Dana Daugharthy, Iola High School instructor
in recent days: where each of the graduates is headed after high school, and what they planned to do. “You don’t have to worry about all those things, because the will of God is already established for you,” he said, and will direct their
lives. “A lot of people have these ideas about becoming pharmacists, doctors, things like that, but that’s not really what matters,” Daugharthy continued. “What matters See SERVICE | Page A5
The Bowlus Fine Arts Center’s 50th anniversary has brought about the golden anniversary of other local events. The Iola Community Theatre’s 50th season, for example, will kick off later this year. And on Saturday, Iola High School’s drama students will celebrate the 50th rendition of the Little Oscars Celebration. The celebrants are opening this year’s celebration to the public, in which students are recognized for their contributions to the local dramatic arts scene in 2014-15. The evening also will be accentuated with a number of song and dance numbers to keep the guests entertained. In keeping with the celebration of Little Oscars history, a few familiar faces will lead the way. Former IHS drama instructors Jerry Snider, Shirley (Upshaw) Antes, Susan Raines and Jennifer Jones will help serve as hosts. A number of presentations giving a keen look back at Little Oscars history is planned, “as well as a few surprises,” said Regina Chriestenson, current drama instructor. The only former IHS drama instructor not in attendance — David Dutton — has sent correspondence, Chriestenson said. That, too, will be shared with the audience. The awards ceremony will start at 7 p.m. in the Bowlus auditorium. Tickets are $5 apiece, and will be available at the door. The awards ceremony will follow a private dinner for students, their families and guests at 6 o’clock in the Creitz Recital Hall.
FFA stepping stone to success IHS offers stage for achievement By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
A high school experience is elevated when a student has a special bond with a high school teacher. For Colton Heffern, Iola High School valedictorian, he quickly found a mentor in agriculture teacher Charles Kerr. “He always helped me get better at what I was working on and knows what we’re going through,” Heffern said. Throughout high school Heffern took several classes from Kerr and was very active in FFA and 4-H. He serves as president for both organizations. “I really liked going to all the FFA contests and events,” he said. “It taught me leadership skills, public speaking
It’s second nature for Emma Piazza to be on stage and have hundreds of eyes blinking back at her. On Sunday she will give her last performance but this time the setting will be a tad bit different. Her costume, a cap and mortar board. Her prop will be a podium. Her audience, her fellow classmates and loved ones. Piazza will represent her classmates as the class speaker at Iola H i g h S c h o o l ’s 2015 commencement. She is one of 10, yes 10, valedictorians. “I’m in great compa-
Colton Heffern skills and I always met new people.” Earlier this year Heffern was part of the Southwind 4-H Livestock teams that won national honors in Denver. In April he and his classmates took first in the Southeast District livestock judging competition. This month the team took second at the state competition. When Heffern wasn’t
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 135
busy in the respective organizations he suited up for the Iola M u s t a n g s football team. “I will definitely miss seeing all my friends See FFA| Page A5
Emma Piazza ny,” she said. “It’s nice to see a bunch of us succeed and take a breath and say ‘OK, we did it.’” In her speech she plans give a few words of wisdom that she has collected over the years and will reminisce. What will she miss the most? “Overall, the unity,” she said. “Since we are such a small school everyone knows everyone and I’ll miss being able to participate in so
“One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.” — Euripides, Greek poet 75 Cents
much.” Her senior year is one for the books. She was part of the Fillies volleyball team that earned a fourth place trophy at state; the Fillies basketball team made a substate finals appearance; and most recently she won first place in state Forensics in duet acting with classmate Garrett Prall. See PIAZZA | Page A5
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