Victor School Video

    Here is a video made by Sister Mary Kratina which includes many photos of Victor School and students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ffIt4yo9g&sns=em

    For more info about Victor School and its 125th birthday,  go to:
http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2016/12/victor-school-125th-birthday.html

AYA Exchange Students On FB Team

Making History: 3 AYA Students Enjoy Championship Season

Good things come in threes! When the Rossville Bulldogs football team won a state championship a few weeks ago, they not only achieved a three-peat (three straight championships), but they did so with the help of three AYA students! Kelly Brown, their Local Coordinator, wrote us about these exchange students that had the time of their lives and made a big contribution to their high school winning the Kansas 3A Championship in overtime.

·             #1 Freddy from Germany was the Rossville Bulldogs Varsity kicker and played an exciting part in the Championship victory! He placed number one in the state for Special Teams – PAT, as well as in the top five for kickoff yardage.

           

·             #62 Tomass from Latvia was a member of the practice team helping the Rossville team prepare for another championship season.

·             #63 Max from Germany played double duty as a member of the Varsity Offensive and Defensive Lines for the Bulldogs.

Kelly happily speaks of what a third-straight championship season means to the school and greater community. She has been impressed with the way these AYA students have embraced the whole experience. It’s a lot to be an exchange student immersed in a new culture as a new kid in school. Add the hard work and focus it takes to be a student athlete and that’s an incredible challenge.

Freddy, Tomass and Max each displayed tremendous character and maturity. They also had a lot of fun! The whole community has much to celebrate, as Kelly shares, “We are pretty proud of our boys!”

Kudos to these wonderful students for their great accomplishments and congratulations to Rossville High School!

If you are interested in opportunities to host great international students like Freddy, Tomass and Max, visit www.academicyear.org, call 800-322-4678 or email aya.info@aifs.org to learn more.

Bradshaw Makes USA Today All-State

    USA Today has announced their 2016 Kansas All-State team.  Jacob Bradshaw was named to the
First Team Offense,  as a QB, and the First Team Defense, as a DB.  For the complete list,  go to:
http://usatodayhss.com/2016/2016-all-usa-kansas-football-team#sthash.zHyYavAd.gbpl

Cottern O'Neill Alma Patients To Rossville

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- Two of Stormont Vail's regional clinics will be closing in the coming weeks.

The first, Cotton O'Neil Lyndon, closes at the end of the year, while the Cotton O'Neil Alma will shut down on January 31st.

"Stormont Vail Health and Cotton O'Neil have been proud members of these communities for many years," Vice-President and Clinical Operations Officer Deb Yocum said. "And while we may not have a physical presence in those towns, the care of our patients there remains our priority."

Clinic staff will work with patients in both locations to transfer their care to other clinic locations. Lyndon patients will be sent to clinics in Osage, Carbondale, and Lebo; while patients at the Alma facility will be transferred to ones in Wamego, Rossville, and Manhattan.

Stormont Vail Health President and CEO Randy Peterson said "this decision was not made lightly. However, the current 4% Medicaid cuts... along with the impact of the state's failure to expand Medicaid makes it difficult to continue to fund these facilities."

Sotmont Vail Health says it hopes to move everyone who works at the two clinics to new positions within the company.

Accidents In Top Ten Stories

The Topeka Capital-Journal listed their top ten news stories for 2016.  Among the ten were the two accidents that claimed the lives of Thad Hess and Lance Lenard of Rossville.   You can find info about those accidents by doing a SEARCH for the names.
http://cjonline.com/news/crime-courts/2016-12-29/secretary-state-kris-kobach-tops-most-read-news-stories-2016

Victor School 125th Birthday

VICTOR SCHOOL 125^TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

News Article

    On December 15, 2016, more than 70, 3^rd and 4^th grade students from Rossville Elementary School helped celebrate the 125^th birthday of the Victor 101 Schoolhouse at “Old Prairie Town”, Ward-Meade Historical site and Botanical Garden in Topeka, Kansas. The students, after touring the Historic Ward-Meade Site performed by singing “Home on the Range” (the State Song), saying the Pledge of Allegiance and reciting the Poem “Our Little Country School”. Everyone then sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO VICTOR SCHOOL.

    The program followed with John Bell, the Director of Ward-Meade Park introducing Mr. Kevin Cook, Shawnee County Commissioner who spoke about the importance of knowing the educational history of the one-room schoolhouses. He then introduced Corky Woon, the chairman of the “Friends of Ward-Meade” Board, who spoke of the importance of having the school preserved in Ward-Meade Historical Park.

    Corky then introduced Doug Martinek who proceeded with the program. He stated that at one time there were over 4,000 one room schools in Kansas. Now just a few are being preserved. He felt that there were none that has more original material than Victor 101 School has. The school is almost like it was when it closed in 1954. It has the same pupils’ desks, teacher’s desk, and the library with the books, maps, musical instruments, potbellied stove, the recitation bench, and other mementos on display. Also, on display are the teacher ledger books, all the pupil’s names who attended Victor 101 and all the teachers who taught there. It is like a museum being preserved at Ward-Meade Park.

In Doug’s opinion, he truly believes this one-room school atmosphere was the best environment for him to learn from. He is glad that he had the opportunity to attend Victor, this one-room school.

    Next on the program was a video made by Sister Mary Kratina (age 92). The video describes why she appreciated going to Victor 101 and to get her education in a one-room school. The video was produced by J D Benning, Atchison, KS.

    Shelly Braden and Edith McClain then told a couple of stories, about their mother and grandmother, Mrs. Halcia Cerny when she taught at Victor 101.

    The Moravan Lodge 128 officers were then introduced as the Lodge and Victor were sister establishments across the road from each other in rural Shawnee County. The officers are Maxine Carver, Sec.; Dr. Ernest Kratina, Treasurer, who had many relatives attend Victor; Bob Dolezilek, Vice President, whose both Mother and Father attended Victor; and Doug Martinek, President, who attended Victor and his Dad, Bennie who attended and taught at Victor.

    Next on the program was J D Parr, originally from Rossville and now a retired Music Professor from Baker University brought some lively entertainment to the program by playing some Polkas on his accordion.

    Mr. Bob Dolezilek then read the History of Victor 101 School.

    Mrs. Anita Kendall (age 90) gave the History of Victor 101 School coming to Ward-Meade Park in 1981.

    Jane Zickefoose Davis gave the story of her Great, Great, Grandfather Mr. P.H Zickefoose, who was elected Chairman of the Original Victor 101 School Board in 1891. She also had a picture of him.

    Virginia Stach Meyer, a daughter of Winfred Decker Stach was shown a piece of cloth that her mother had embroidered in 1932. It will remain on display at Victor 101.

Other former students on the program that had a story to tell about their days at Victor 101, were Pauline Timmons Conley, Joan Dolezilek Anderson, Leona Badura Faulk, and Carol Tuller.

    After thanking everyone for coming, especially the Rossville Elementary School under the direction of Mrs. Ann McCullough their principal, former students, Mr. Kevin Cook and the Ward-Meade personnel, the birthday cake was then cut.
    A Capital Journal article on the celebration and more photos can be seen at:
http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2016/12/alumni-talk-about-victor-school.html

Following photos were furnished by Doug Martinek (59)

RGS 3rd & 4th grade students, teachers and special guests outside Victor School

Shawnee Co. Comm. Kevin Cook speaking to RGS students outside Victor School.

Inside Victor School

Bob Dolezilek giving the history of the school.

Virginia Stach Meyer, the daughter of Winfred Decker Stach discusses a piece of cloth 

that her mother embroidered in 1932 as a student at Victor. Doug Martinek listens 

Doug Martinek and Virginia Stach Meyer looking at the cloth.

J. D. Parr played some polkas with his accordian.

Jane Zickefoose Davis (RHS 1961) spoke about her great great grandfather

being elected chairman of the first Victor School Board in 1891.

Mrs Juanita Kendall (age 90) reading the history of Victor school 

coming to Ward-Meade park in 1981

Sister Mary Katrina who spoke at the celebration.

Victor Students ca 1953

Willard Bridge Photos Dec. 27

    Here are photos of the Willard Bridge Construction taken by George Brown on 12/27/16.
https://www.facebook.com/george.n.brown/videos/10211943495690728/

Evelyn Carr Passes Away

    Evelyn B. Taylor Carr, age 91, passed away on December 22, 2016 at Rossville Healthcare, Rossville, Kansas.
    She was born on March 1, 1925 in Keats, Kansas, the daughter of Loyde and Margaret Whitacre Taylor. She attended Olsburg schools. On December 4, 1941, she was married to Lewis M. Carr in Marysville, Kansas. To this union were born 2 sons: Dale Carr and Darrel Carr (Janice) and 1 daughter: Loretta Drabek. In 1962, she returned to school and earned a degree in Cosmetology. She operated her own beauty shop in Westmoreland, Kansas and Emmett, Kansas until her retirement.            She was preceded in death by her husband Lewis in 1989; her parents, both brothers: Leo & Glen and a grandson: Aaron Diehl.
    Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday December 29, 2016 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas with Rev. Kevin Larson officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Memorial Gardens Cemetery, east of Manhattan. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, Topeka, Kansas in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at: www.ymlfuneralhome.com. 

Mazie Gooderl (44) Passes Away

Mazie O. Gooderl, 91, passed away Monday, December 26, 2016 at a Topeka hospital.

She was born July 27, 1925 at Rossville, the daughter of Ray and Eva Trimble McClain.

Mazie was raised in the Rossville community and graduated from Rossville High School in 1944.

Mazie was a farm wife, and was well known for her baking, especially her pies and cinnamon rolls.  She and her husband Delman managed the Downtown Farmers Market in Topeka for several years.  They were inducted into the Master Farmers/Home Makers Association Class of 1981.  Mazie was a member of the Holton Baptist Church; she was a Sunday School teacher and had sung in the choir.  She was a member of the Killkare HDU at Hoyt and was a past 4-H Leader.

On July 27, 1946 she was united in marriage to Delman Gooderl.  He preceded her in death on February 9, 2014.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Stephen, four brothers, Thornton, Ora, Vencille and Luther McClain, three sisters, Letha Reser, Barbara Grubaugh and Nancy Preble.

Survivors include her son, Leslie (Lee Ann) Gooderl, Holton; her daughter Nancy (Randal) Little, Rossville, seven grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the Rossville United Methodist Church.  Interment will follow in the Hoyt Cemetery.  Mrs. Gooderl will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Jackson County 4-H Fairgrounds Building Fund and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Rossville Three-Peat Top C-J Sports Story

Winning a first state football championship was hard enough for Rossville, which endured years of semifinal heartbreak at the hands of archrival Silver Lake before finally breaking through for the program’s first state crown in 2014 with a come-from-behind win over Scott City in the Class 3A title game.

A second was even tougher as the Bulldawgs not only had to overcome miserable conditions but also another fourth-quarter deficit against an undefeated Wichita Collegiate team in the 2015 title game.

But three straight? With Class 3A arguably as deep as it has ever been, especially on the east side, the odds certainly didn’t seem in the Bulldawgs’ favor.

So after Rossville once again delivered, rallying past Hesston 48-42 in overtime in the 2016 title game, Bulldawg coach Derick Hammes wasn’t about to do anything other than relish in the moment of what his team had just accomplished — the three-peat earning the No. 3 spot on The Topeka Capital-Journal’s year-in-review countdown, as voted on by the sports staff.

“Let’s enjoy this one,” Hammes said. “They all feel really good, but this one had a different feel to it. (The title game) was so up and down and the dramatic finish — we’ve had three of them, I guess — it just makes it so special.”

How special is Rossville’s three-peat? It’s the first time a Shawnee County school has ever accomplished the feat. Washburn Rural won two straight state titles in 1985-86 and Silver Lake (eight) and Hayden (three) each have multiple crowns, but Rossville is the first to win three in a row.

For many, the expectations of pulling off the three-peat would be too much. Graduation had claimed two straight standout senior classes, including two-time All-Stater Tucker Horak — a seemingly once-in-a-lifetime type of player whose void would simply be too great to fill.

But inside the Rossville program, expectations remained the same.

“The players at the school, when we get up here we expect to win,” said quarterback Jacob Bradshaw. “That’s huge for us. We knew we were capable enough to be in this position, but to win it three years in a row, that just continues our dynasty.”

Perhaps no player had more to prove than Bradshaw, who had the unenviable task of replacing Horak as Rossville’s quarterback. But the senior responded in a big way, following up Horak’s epic season with one that was nearly as herculean.

Bradshaw amassed 4,508 yards of total offense, including 2,734 yards on the ground — eighth-best in a single season in state history. He punctuated his breakthrough season in the title game, rallying Rossville from a 15-point deficit and finishing with 423 yards of total offense, throwing for 148 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 275 yards and two TDs, including the game-winner in overtime.

“We really had a belief on our team that if we worked hard and did everything the right way, we could get back to the state championship game,” Bradshaw said. “We did that.”

“The bar’s been set pretty high, but our expectations are always high,” Hammes said. “That’s how you build these things. We will do the same things it takes in the offseason and prepare for the games the same way next year.”

While Rossville’s run headlined the 2016 prep season, it was far the only big-time feat accomplished in the area. Here’s a look at some of the other top area prep stories from the year.

Alex Cavaaugh (16) at Pratt CC

    Alex Cavanaugh is a freshman at Pratt Community College and is on their wrestling roster.  His bio is at:
http://gobeaversports.com/sports/wrest/2016-17/bios/cavanaugh_alex_0gkl

Derek Gentry (16) At Barton CC

    Derek Gentry is a freshman at Barton Community College and is on their wrestling team.  His bio and wrestling results are at:
http://bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2016-17/bios/gentry_derek_sbra?view=news
    In his most recent tournament,  Derek competed in the Bob Smith Open on Dec. 2.  His results are below:
College 157 - Derek Gentry's place is unknown and has scored 3.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Samuel Kreimier (Air Force) won by fall over Derek Gentry (Barton CC) (Fall 6:44)
Cons. Round 1 - Derek Gentry (Barton CC) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Derek Gentry (Barton CC) won by fall over Johnathon Woods (Ouachita Baptist University) (Fall 4:50)
Cons. Round 3 - Seth Harrington (Nebraska-Kearney) won by decision over Derek Gentry (Barton CC) (Dec 5-2)

Howard McMahan (48) Passes Away

Howard Dane McMahan, age 86, passed away on December 19, 2016.

Memorial Service Thursday, December 29^th 3 pm at First Jefferson Unitarian Church,1959 Sandy Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76112.

Howard, the youngest son of Irl and Anna McMahan, grew up on a dairy farm in Rossville, Kansas. After receiving a Bachelors Degree from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA in 1952, he received his Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas in 1954.

While doing an Administrative Internship in University City, Missouri, he met his wife, Myrtle Shucart. He did his thesis on the history of University City, working for Elder Gunter, a pioneer in City Management. Howard was drafted into the Army in the fall of 1954. On December 8, 1954, Howard and Myrtle were married.. Howard served two years, stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where daughter Deborah was born.

In 1956, Howard went to work for the City of Kansas City, Missouri in the Research and Budget Department, where he worked with Jerry Brownlie for the first time. The McMahan's second daughter, Brenda, was born there.

In 1959, the McMahans moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Howard served for 2 ½ years as Director of Finance and Record and son Michael was born.

In 1962, the McMahans moved to Littleton, Colorado where Howard served as City Manager until 1966. Howard spent many months rebuilding the city that had experienced a devastating flood.

In 1969, Jerry Brownlie, City Manager of Fort Worth, Texas enticed the McMahans to move to Fort Worth. It was an exciting time in the history of Fort Worth, as Dallas and Fort Worth had just signed the documents to build the DFW Airport. Howard became Fiance Director and helped purchase much of the land that the airport sits on. In May 1967, Mr. Brownlie resigned, and Howard, age 37, was appointed City Manager, where he served until March, 1971.

In March of 1971 the US Government offered him a position as Regional Director, Region VI, Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He was appointed by President Nixon in February 1972 as Chairman, Southwest Federal Regional Council.

In January 1974, the McMahans moved to Oklahoma City where Howard served as City Manager for 2 ½ years.

In the Spring of 1976, Jerry Brownlie, then CEO of Justin Industries, offered Howard a job and the McMahans returned to Fort Worth. Howard served first as Vice President of Justin Industries and then as President of Justin Boot Company.

Howard spent the last 14 years of his working career as a Senior Vice President of Harris Methodist Hospital System overseeing their hospitals in rural areas. He retired in 1996.

Howard was active in the Unitarian Universalist Faith. He served twice as President of First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church, was one of the founding members of Westside Unitarian Church where he served twice as their president. He served on the North Texas Association of Unitarian Universalist Societies as their treasurer, and as treasurer of their Endowment Fund.

After a fire in the McMahan's home in 1983, prior to 911, Howard helped the Girl Scouts and the League of Women Voters, Howard being one of their first male members, get the issue put on a ballot. Upon formation, he chaired the 911 Board.

Howard was instrumental in uniting Harris Methodist, St. Josephs, Hugley, and Arlington Memorial hospitals and forming Community Hospice of Texas. He chaired their board for almost 10 years. In addition, Howard served on many other boards and chaired the Fort Worth Ambulance Authority Board. In May of 2000, Howard was named 1999 Volunteer of the Year, City of Fort Worth.

Howard was a Rotarian for many years, and was a member of the Ten Spokes Investment Club. In more recent years, the McMahans became active members of the Friendship Force of Fort Worth, traveling to many interesting countries and hosting members from other countries.

Howard's greatest achievements, pride and joy, however, were his marriage of 62 years to his wife Myrtle, and his family: 3 children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and their spouses and 9 greatgrandchildren.

The family would like to thank James L. West Alzheimer Center for caring for Howard the past three years and Community Hospice of Texas for assisting in his care these past few months.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials go to Westside UU Church, Community Hospice of Texas, James L. West Alzheimer Center or the charity of your choice. As he believed he could continue to make a difference after his death, Howard donated his body to University of North Texas Medical School.

Howard McMahan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Myrtle, daughter Deborah Dawson, husband Mark, daughter Brenda McKeon, husband Gene, son, Michael McMahan, wife Robin, grandchildren: David Dawson and wife Jill, Nicole Langdon and husband Mark, Daniel Dawson and wife Laurel, Natalie Gonzales and husband Tony, Will McMahan and wife Amanda, Wendy Davis and husband Brandon, Dane Dawson and wife Krista, Waverly Krystaponis and husband James, Whitney McMahan, 9 greatgrandchildren and sister-in-law Merilyn Moonshine.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dfw/obituary.aspx?n=howard-dane-mcmahan&pid=183214592

Dawgs Win Kaw Valley Duals

    Rossville won the weather-delayed Struemph ( Kaw Valley) Duals Tournament at home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, going 5-0. Alex Archer (113), Phoenix Thomas (132), Bryce Gfeller (138), Holden Hurla (145) and Isaiah Luellen (160) all won their weight classes. Chase County was runner-up at 4-1 with a champion in Joseph Stout (220) while Mission Valley had four champions — Christopher Gleason (106), Trenton Parks (120), Caleb Hinck (170) and Blake Roberts (182).