Sports: Rain washes out sporting events See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Classroom acumen pays off for IHS seniors By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Like countless other high school seniors, Iola High’s Taylor Heslop has big dreams for college. Unlike most of her contemporaries, Heslop already has one potential obstacle — paying for college — cleared. Among her bevy of scholarship awards is the Hagan Scholarship, an award designed so that worthy students can attend college without accruing student debt. If she meets all of the benchmarks stipulated by the scholarship, Heslop will have reaped $40,000 alone from the Hagan Foundation. Heslop, who will join the rest of Iola High School’s Class of 2016 for senior commencement ceremonies Sunday, is one of eight IHS students to graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. “I thought (the Hagan scholarship) would be a good fit for me, because of the
About this series Iola High School’s Class of 2016 features eight students who have maintained a 4.0 grade-point average through high school. Through this week, the Register will profile each of the students as they reflect on their high school careers and prepare for college. The IHS seniors will be honored during commencement ceremonies at 2 p.m. Sunday in the school gymnasium Today’s profiles feature Yohon Sinclair and Taylor Heslop. work and GPA requirement, and because it’s designed for rural kids.” HESLOP, daughter of Troy and Adisa Heslop, has had an ambitious academic schedule for more than a decade. As a second-grader Heslop See HESLOP | Page A3
Taylor Heslop
Sinclair ready for next step By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Sure, some teachers have made it difficult for Yohon Sinclair to maintain his sterling academic record. “Mr. Hermstein gave me a run for my money in history class,” Sinclair said. “Mr. Daugharthy (chemistry) has made me work pretty hard.” Were there any classes that gave Sinclair reason to fret that he might lose his 4.0 grade-point average? “Right now, that’s how I’m feeling about calculus and Mrs. Kauth,” he replied with a chuckle. “I have one more little push this week to make sure I get an A. I think I can do it.” Sinclair will walk across the stage with 89 of his classmates at 2 p.m. Sunday for the IHS senior commencement. He’s one of eight graduating seniors to maintain all A’s throughout high school.
Yohon Sinclair
“It’s been kind of a goal,” he said. “I got through sixth and seventh grade, and then eighth grade, with all A’s. I thought, OK, let’s go for it.” HIS HIGH school studies have prepared Sinclair for what promises to be a rigorous college schedule. He is moving on to Wichita State University to major in aerospace engineering. Sinclair loaded up on classes such as calculus, physics and chemistry. “We took an aptitude test in seventh or eighth grade, where they tell you what fields you should consider,” he recalled. “I had two: architecture and aerospace engineering. I thought, engineering sounds kinda neat, and airplanes are cool. Let’s go with that.” Sinclair’s easy-going demeanor belies a steely deterSee SINCLAIR | Page A3
New restrictions revive welfare assistance debate By MEGAN HART KHI News Service
The legislative battle may be over, but the war of words continues about a bill that imposes new restrictions on Kansas welfare recipients. Gov. Sam Brownback signed Senate Bill 402 on Monday at the Statehouse flanked by legislative supporters of the measure. The new law lowers the lifetime limit for those receiving cash assistance under the Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) program from three years to two years, with the possibility of
a one-year hardship extension. It also tightens work requirements and penalties for not cooperating with fraud investigations. The Kansas Department for Children and Families projects about 420 of the approximately 4,900 families on TANF will hit the 24-month limit in January. Brownback said the measure, which supporters refer to as the HOPE Act 2.0, and restrictions imposed in a similarly titled bill passed last year will help motivate Kansans to get off welfare See WELFARE | Page A3
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 142
Senator visits Sonic Equipment Company officials Lonnie Larson, right, and Ron Hageman, left, give a tour of the Sonic facilities in Iola for U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, who stopped by Iola Monday while traveling back to Washington, D.C. Also a part of the tour were, David Toland, second from left, of Thrive Allen County and Mary Kay Heard, Iola Industries chairman. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
“In order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd.” — Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish novelist 75 Cents
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