RHS Senior Awads

ROSSVILLE HIGH AWARDS

During the annual Spring Awards Night at Rossville Jr./Sr. High School held on May 10, 2017, the following awards were presented:

 AMERICAN LEGION AWARDS (presented by Major Penny Jamvold) = Ryan Ehrlich & Taylor Bittner. The American Legion Jimmy Lillard Post 31 awards two students each year with a certificate and medal.  The students are chosen by the faculty based on the criteria of courage, honor, leadership,patriotism, scholarship, and service. 

TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ALL STATE ACADEMIC AWARD = Ashley Rietcheck.  This award is sponsored by the Topeka Capital-Journal. Every Kansas high school selects one individual to represent their school based on academic and extracurricular performances. (Topeka Capital-Journal Honorable Mention All-State Academic Team)

KSHSAA CITIZENSHIP AWARDS = Jared Ebert & Morgan Foster

The Kansas State High School Activities Association each year awards one male and one female student from each high school with a citizenship award.  Individuals receiving this award must demonstrate respect for fellow students, the citizens of the community, adults, and their country.  They must also show respect and tolerance for others, good sportsmanship, and good citizenship.

DALE DENNIS AWARD = Ashley Rietcheck

The Dale Dennis Excellence in Education Award was established in 1996 by Kansas administrators to honor the long and valuable service that Dale Dennis gave to Kansas education.  It is based on Citizenship, Service, Scholarship, and Common Sense. 

U.S. ARMY SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS = Andrew Hudson & Amanda Hill

Recipients of this award are determined by faculty nominations and must demonstrate commitment to both academics and athletics.

U.S. MARINES OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS

Sgt. Robert Sigars of the U.S. Marine Corps presented awards in three different categories.  The Scholastic Excellence Awards were presented to Andrew Hudson & Amanda Hill for their academic achievements. The Semper Fidelis Award was given to Paul Borcherding for excellence and commitment to the band program.  The Distinguished Athlete Awards were presented to Trey Anderson and Taylor Bittner for their accomplishments in sports throughout the school year.

JOHN JOHNSON LEADERSHIP AWARD = Emily Woodcock

The John Johnson Leadership Award was created to honor Mr. Johnson for his years of dedication to the students of Rossville High School.  The award began in 2007 and is presented annually to the student who demonstrates quiet leadership and service.

SENIOR INSPIRATION AWARD = Paul Borcherding & Liam Grant.

Liam has supported his classmates in all areas throughout the year by working behind the scenes. He shows genuine concern for others and is always ready to volunteer. He completed his Phlebotomy certification at Washburn Tech.

Paul has the courage to walk his own path. He is always ready to tackle new things and dedicates many hours to improving on his efforts. He volunteers throughout the school year and also during the summer.

MICHAEL KELLER AWARD = Fred Schuler

The Michael Keller Award is presented to honor the long and dedicated service provided to RHS by Mr. Michael Keller. Mr. Keller began his teaching career in 1978 and dispensed his wisdom, sense of humor, and discipline to countless students over this 35-year period. The recipient of this award must display strong citizenship, respect for others, attention to details, and have excellent attendance and punctuality.

TOBY MCCULLOUGH AWARD=Laura Gillum

This award is presented to honor the leadership and service to RHS by Mr. Toby McCullough. Mr. McCullough has been an educator in USD 321 for 34 years and in education for 37 years. The recipient of this award must be punctual; have excellent attendance; enjoy and/or participate in sports; be intelligent, have a strong work ethic, sense of humor, and leadership qualities; and be dedicated to volunteering and in giving back to the community.

RONALD REAGAN STUDENT LEADER AWARDS = Taylor Bittner, Laura Gillum, Paul Borcherding, and Ashley Rietcheck (receiving a certificate and silver coin)

Students selected must exemplify the meaning of student leadership to honor Pres. Reagan’s legacy of leadership and service. Students were chosen for their participation in extracurricular activities and pursuit of leadership roles that make a positive difference in their school and community. Recipients must value education, have an affinity for discovery and lifelong learning, and display drive, integrity, and good citizenship.

KANSAS GOVERNOR’S SCHOLAR=Fred Schuler

Each high school in Kansas nominates one student as their top scholar to receive this award. The criteria includes GPA, ACT, class rank, and strength of schedule.

ACT SCHOLARS=Bryce Gfeller, Ashley Rietcheck, Fred Schuler & Ryan Ehrlich

Awarded to students at Rossville High School that receive a score of 30 or higher on their ACT.

KANSAS ACT SCHOLARS=Fred Schuler & Ryan Ehrlich

Given to students that score a 32 or above on their ACT. Fred and Ryan both scored a 33 out of a possible 36 on their ACTs.

All-MEL Academic Team

RHS MID-EAST LEAGUE ALL ACADEMIC TEAM

The Mid-East League each year awards a medal to all students who have participated in at least 3 activities sponsored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association and have maintained a 3.5 Grade Point Average in the first 3 quarters of the school year.  Rossville High School had 47 students that met the requirements for the 2016-2017 school year:

Freshmen                     Sophomores                     Juniors                        Seniors   

Avery Anderson           Jordan Bittner                 Kylee Badura               Taylor Bittner

Kaleb Badura               MaKenzie Decklar          Breaira Bergstresser    Paul Borcherding

Dani Bittner                  Kaytlin Dohrman            Maura Buhler                Ryan Ehrlich

Kody Davoren              Caila Hill                        Perry Foster                  Bryce Gfeller

Erika Hatina                 Phoenix Thomas            Moritz Happerger         Laura Gillum

Meagan Huston                                                  Holden Hurla                Amanda Hill

Danielle Moore                                                   Meg Kirk                       Andrew Hudson

Randy Morelli                                                     Abigail McCrory            Danielle Mason

Taylor Morelli                                                      Hannah Miller               Mitchell Porter

Michaela Paulsen                                                Jalyn Porter                  Ashley Rietcheck

Jenna Rodehorst                                                 Sweta Sadhu                Fred Schuler

Colten Stallbaumer                                              Kathleen Schuler          Lora Shinn

Emma Streit                                                         Ella Terliesner              Sara Shinn

Sydney Wonnell                                                                                        Sam Thederahn

                                                                                                                  Emily Woodcock

RHS Valedictorians, Salutatorians

Rossville High School announced their top scholars at graduation on May 21, 2017.  Pictured from left are Valedictorians Fred Schuler, Ashley Rietcheck, and Emily Woodcock and Salutatorian Mitchell Porter

Top Ten Scholars For 2017

RHS ANNOUNCES TOP 10

Rossville High School announced the Top 10 Seniors of the Class of 2017 at graduation exercises on Sunday, May 21, 2017. The following seniors were recognized for their academic accomplishments: Taylor Bittner, Ryan Ehrlich, Morgan Foster, Bryce Gfeller, Andrew Hudson, Sidney Murray, Mitchell Porter, Ashley Rietcheck, Fred Schuler, and Emily Woodcock.

National Honor Society Inducts 7

RHS ANNOUNCES NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS

Rossville Jr./Sr. High School inducted 7 new members into the National Honor Society at the Spring Awards Night on May 10, 2017.  Senior Jared Ebert; Junior Holden Hurla; and sophomores Jordan Bittner, MaKenzie Decklar, Kaytlin Dohrman, Cheyenne Reese, and Ava Stipp lit the candle of honor and recited the pledge as new members.

RHS existing members are Taylor Bittner, Paul Borcherding, Ryan Ehrlich, Morgan Foster, Laura Gillum, Amanda Hill, Andrew Hudson,  Ashley Rietcheck, Lora Shinn, Sara Shinn, Sierra Streit, Alyssa Thompson, and Emily Woodcock and Juniors Kylee Badura, Breaira Bergstresser, Maura Buhler, Tronnie Blair, Perry Foster, Cory Hadsall, Abigail McCrory, Hannah Miller, Jalyn Porter, and Ashley Zemek.

NHS officers for the 2017-2018 school year were recently elected and are as follows: President Maura Buhler, Vice-President Hannah Miller, Secretary Jalyn Porter, and Treasurer Kylee Badura.

Membership in the National Honor Society is based on a student’s performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.  In order to be eligible, students must first have a grade point average of at least 3.2 and have made significant contributions to their school and community, as well as maintain strong moral character.

 

RHS Curriculum Completers

ROSSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES CURRICULUM COMPLETERS

 Rossville Jr./Sr. High School had 12 seniors this year who completed the required curriculum as set forth by the Kansas Board of Regents and earned the designation of State of Kansas Curriculum Completer.  In order to earn this distinction, students must have completed 4 years of English, 4 years of Math, 3 years of Science, 3 years of Social Studies, and 2 years of Foreign Language. The students who met these criteria were Taylor Bittner, Paul Borcherding, Ryan Ehrlich, Bryce Gfeller, Laura Gillum, Andrew Hudson, Samantha Murray, Mitchell Porter, Ashley Rietcheck, Fred Schuler, Matthew Stillion, and Emily Woodcock.

All Curriculum Completers are then eligible to be considered for an additional award.  The Kansas Board of Regents on behalf of the Kansas Legislature ranks these Curriculum Completers based on their GPA and ACT scores. Ryan Ehrlich, Bryce Gfeller, Ashley Rietcheck, Fred Schuler, and Emily Woodcock were designated as 2017 Kansas State Scholars.

Aaron Biehler Passes Away.

Aaron Wesley Biehler was born on May 28, 1993 and passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

Aaron was a resident of Kansas.

He was graduated from Herington High School with the class of 2011.

He was currently serving in the Kansas National Guard and presently employed at Pyrodex Corporation.

Funeral Service will be 11:00AM Wednesday May 31st 2017 at the Herington Community Building with Rev. Sue Talbot and Rev. Mark Lovett officiating. Military committal will follow at the Burdick Methodist Cemetery. A visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00PM Tuesday May 30th 2017 at the Zeiner Funeral Home-Herington.

The family requests memorials to Aaron Biehler Memorial Fund; and they may be sent in care of the Zeiner Funeral Home Herington.


His mother and stepfather are Kent & Betsy Miller of Rossville who are members of the Rossville Methodist church

Rossville Rattler's Schedule

ROSSVILLE RATTLERS BASEBALL SCHEDULE

Home games are at Joe Campbell Stadium in Rossville

June

1 Junction City Brigade, 7 p.m.
2 Junction City Brigade, 7 p.m.
3 at Junction City Brigade, 7 p.m.
5 Midwest Veterans, 7 p.m.
7 at Midwest Veterans, TBA
8 Topeka Golden Giants, 7 p.m.
9 Topeka Golden Giants, 7 p.m.
10 Topeka Golden Giants, 7 p.m.
12 Liberty Monarchs, 7 p.m.
13 at Liberty Monarch, TBA
14 at Sabetha Lobos, 7 p.m.
15 Sabetha Lobos, 7 p.m.
17 at Sabetha Lobos, 7 p.m.
19 Midwest Athletics, 7 p.m.
20 at Midwest Athletics, TBA
22 at Junction City Brigade, 7 p.m.
23 at Junction City Brigade, 7 p.m.
24 Junction City Brigade, 7 p.m.
26 Baldwin City Blues, 7 p.m.
27 at Baldwin City Blues, 7 p.m.
29 Sabetha Lobos, 7 p.m.
30 at Sabetha Lobos, 7 p.m.

July

1 Sabetha Lobos, 7 p.m.
2 Mid-Plains League All-Star Game, at Sabetha, 7 p.m.
5 at Topeka Golden Giants, 6 p.m.
6 at Topeka Golden Giants, 6 p.m.
7 at Topeka Golden Giants, 6 p.m.
10 Midwest Veterans, 7 p.m.
11 at Liberty Monarchs, TBA
12 Midwest Athletics, 7 p.m.
13 at Baldwin City Blues, 7 p.m.
15-16-17 Mid-Plains League Playoffs
20-21-22 Mid-Plains League Cowdin Cup Championship.

Mid-Plains League To Begin Play

From the Capital-Journal:

The Mid-Plains League begins its fourth year with eight teams split into two divisions. The West Division is Topeka, Rossville Rattlers, Sabetha Lobos and Junction City Brigade and the East Division is Baldwin City Blues, Liberty (Mo.) Monarchs, Midwest Athletics (Belton, Mo.) and Midwest Veterans (Eudora).

“We’re really happy with the product on the field and feel like the league has room to grow, but guys are getting the opportunity to play and that’s the most important thing,” said David Streeter, MPL commissioner and general manager of the Rossville Rattlers.

The Rattlers open their sixth season at home Thursday against Junction City, the defending Cowdin Cup league playoff champion. The Rattlers are coming off a 14-20 season under Tobi Cowdin, the 2015 and 2016 MPL manager of the year.

“We have the most pitching we’ve had since we started in Rossville,” Streeter said. “We have some good talent with K-State and KU guys and we’re pretty well-rounded in the infield and outfield. We have some good juco players, and those guys really benefit in the summer as far as being scouted by Division I and Division II college teams.”

Donna Boatwright Passes Away

      Donna Boatwright, 90, recently of Chanute, KS, died on May 20th, 2017. 
      Born in 1927 near Bennington, KS, Donna and her late husband, Dr. Virgil Boatwright, Superintendent of Schools for USD 321 for several years and also Basehor, lived in the Delia, St. Marys, Basehor, Wamego and Kansas City areas for almost 60 years. Donna remained in the area for another 30 after Virgil's death. They had 4 children, 15 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. 
      A Celebration of Life for Donna's family and friends is planned from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 4, at the pavilion in City Park in Rossville, Kansas. A lite lunch will be served. Casual dress. Children welcome.

Rossville 3A State Runner-Up

From The Capital-Journal:

MANHATTAN — Bat met ball, a thunderous ping followed, and Rossville softball coach Adam Roorbach knew several good things had come to an abrupt end. 

His first season at the helm. The Bulldawgs’ perfect record. The team’s shot at a state title. 

By the time Riverton freshman Camryn Compton’s walkoff three-run home run cleared the fences in center field, everyone in attendance Friday afternoon at Twin Oaks Softball Complex came to that same realization. 

“It hasn’t landed yet,” Roorbach later deadpanned. 

Rossville’s Sara Shinn was perhaps the last to know. The center fielder tracked the jolt until the very last moment, then turned and collapsed to her hands and knees as the ball sailed over her head. 

Riverton had earned a 4-1 victory in the Class 3A championship game, its second straight state crown by way of its second straight title game walkoff home run. 

“We’ve seen a lot of those fly out for us,” Roorbach continued. “She’s a great hitter, and it was gone. Honestly, I didn’t see if it landed. I was headed out to shake their hands.” 

With the score tied at 1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Rams rallied on a leadoff, line-drive single from second baseman Jaylee Hopkins, a walk from starting pitcher Taylor Compton, and the walkoff blast with one out by her younger sister Camryn. 

“Hats off to Riverton,” Roorbach said. “That is an amazing ball club. That team knows how to win.” 

The Bulldawgs (22-1) led the matchup of the unbeatens 1-0 after a defensive miscue in the top of the sixth inning. Taylor Compton — last season’s walkoff hero — fielded a chopper but airmailed the throw to first base, allowing Rossville’s Shinn to score the go-ahead run. 

But the lead wouldn’t last for long as the Rams (26-0) took advantage of a Bulldawg mistake in the bottom of the sixth. Rossville third baseman Giorgia Miliorini threw wild to first on a chopper that would’ve ended the inning, and designated player Zoey Mitchell followed with a two-out, game-tying infield single she capped with a head-first slide into first base. 

The Bulldawgs finished the contest with two hits, both singles, as Taylor Compton hurled a complete game. 

“We had a ground ball, but one single player error doesn’t win or lose a game,” Roorbach said. “We had multiple chances to make some things happen this game. … In softball in 2017, if you score one run in seven innings you’re not going to win.” 

Star starting pitcher Amanda Hill walked a tightrope in the title tilt, surrendering three hits and four walks, but the senior worked around the damage to throw four scoreless innings. All told, Hill struck out 19 in 11 innings between two starts Friday, including a 6-3 victory in the semifinals over Marysville. 

After the game, Roorbach and Hill embraced and the two shared a seemingly out-of-place chuckle when the coach asked his ace if she wanted him to re-attach her arm. Entering the tournament, Roorbach said the Bulldawgs would go as far as Hill took them, and that ultimately represented a nearly flawless record, a Mid-East League title and a second-place finish in their first state title game since 2000. 

“I can’t say enough about what Amanda Hill has done for us all year,” Roorbach said. “She left her arm out there in the circle. I think it’s still sitting out there.” 

On the other end of Rossville’s despair was Riverton’s jubilation. The Ram players huddled and sang a bit of “Hotel California” by The Eagles, then, during a team picture, got doused in a Salvy splash-inspired Gatorade shower.  

Watching his beaming players, Riverton coach Brian Mitchell couldn’t help but remark how surreal the Rams’ dramatic path to back-to-back title victories feels.  

“They always say, ‘Hard work pays off in the end,’” Mitchell said. “We like to think that, and that’s all I can really attribute this to.”  

Across the diamond, the  

Rossville players fought back tears spurred by the most painful of sports defeats. By the end of the team’s five-plus-minute postgame huddle, though, Roorbach had many smiling — and even a few laughing. 

“I don’t feel like it’s really a loss when you get to this point,” Roorbach said. “It’s going to hurt. We told the girls, ‘If it doesn’t hurt you, it doesn’t mean anything,’ and I know it means a lot by the look on their faces. But they’re going to be hungry to get back, and we’re going to be back.” 

MARYSVILLE 3, PERRY-LECOMPTON 1 — The Bulldogs’ third-place finish represents what coach Bert Lord described as the next step in the program’s steady ascent. 

“I’m thrilled to death for the girls,” Lord said. “They’ve worked so hard all year and it’s just great to see them be successful. They haven’t had a lot of success through high school, and these seniors went out winners. I couldn’t be happier.” 

The Bulldogs (20-5) got three runs in the second inning, limited the Kaws (22-4) to a single run in the next inning, and held on thanks to a solid effort from sophomore starter Shelby Downard, one of five returning starters for Marysville.

Championship
RIVERTON 4, ROSSVILLE 1
Rossville … 000 … 001 … 0 … — … 1 … 2 … 1
Riverton … 000 … 001 … 3 … — … 4 … 7 … 2
A. Hill, Kippes (5) and L. Shinn. T. Compton and Greniger. W — T. Compton. L — Kippes. 2B — Riverton: Higinbotham. HR — Riverton: C. Compton.
Records — Rossville 22-1, Riverton 26-0.

Riverton Takes 3A Softball Championship

The Dawgs lost the 3A state championship game to Riverton (25-0) by a score of 4-1.

Rossville to 3A Final Softball Game

Rossville won the 3A state semi-final against Marysville 6-3 on May 26.  They next play Riverton (25-0) for the 3A state championship beginning at 2:00 PM on May 26.  Riverton beat Perry-Lecompton 4-1 in their semi-final.

Rossville-TMP-Marian Game Details

From the Capital Journal:

 MANHATTAN — For a program making its first state tournament appearance in four seasons, the Rossville softball team sure made the first inning of its opener look like old hat.    The breezy victory kept Rossville (21-0) perfect on the season and advanced the Bulldawgs to an 11 a.m. Friday semifinal matchup with No. 5 seed Perry-Lecompton.The No. 2-seeded Bulldawgs recorded three swinging strikeouts in the top of the first, plated four runs in the bottom of the frame and rolled to an emphatic 12-0 victory in five innings over No. 7-seeded TMP-Marian on Thursday afternoon at Twin Oaks Softball Complex.    “I challenged them to come out and send a message here in the first inning of the first game, and they did. I’m very proud of them,” Rossville coach Adam Roorbach said. “It doesn’t mean anything tomorrow, so we’re going to come out and get ready to play. But yeah, it couldn’t have gone any better for us.”    Junior Giorgia Miliorini and senior Lora Shinn each clubbed two-run home runs in the first inning for Rossville, Nos. 36 and 37 for the power-hitting Bulldawgs on the season. The two shots were almost identical, each clearing the complex’s long path to the left field fences with relative ease.    “They were no-doubters off the bat, in my mind,” Roorbach said. “We’ve hit a lot this year and we can usually tell right away, and they put good swings on those pitches and really did well.”    All told, the Bulldawg lineup notched 10 hits in four innings and knocked TMP-Marian starter Alison Helget out after just 1/3 of an inning.    The four-run cushion was more than enough for Rossville starter Amanda Hill, who entered the game with an 11-0 record, two no-hitters and 110 strikeouts this season.    Staked to a 9-0 lead after two innings, she was pulled from the contest before the top of the third. She struck out five in her two frames, leaving the door open for the dominant senior to play a key role in Friday’s two contests.    “It was very important,” Roorbach said. “She’s a great pitcher, and we’re going to go as far as she takes us. She knows that. She’s a senior, she’s ready for this and she wants it really bad. To be able to get her to just get a few innings and get out, she’ll come back fresh tomorrow. It was a really big deal for us.”    Roorbach said a doubleheader earlier this season against Manhattan helped get the team used to this turf-surfaced facility. It also appeared to ease any potential nerves in the victory over the Monarchs (17-7).    “We came out and played like we could,” Roorbach said. “It was one of our goals at the beginning of the year, to win a state title. Some teams run away from that, and we ran toward it. We talk about it every day.    “It was good to get the butterflies out.”

PERRY-LECOMPTON 3, SOUTHEAST-SALINE 1 — The Kaws (22-2) advanced thanks to the arm of starting pitcher Megan Fast — and, in no small part, the arm of her battery mate Graci Folks.
    Fast limited runners and damage for the complete game effort, while the catcher Graci gunned down a Southeast-Saline would-be base stealer at second in a pivotal moment that ended the sixth inning, and the No. 5-seeded Kaws scored the minor upset over the No. 4-seeded Trojans (20-2).
    Kaw second baseman Abbi Folks ran in to receive Graci Folks’ throw, then lunged backward for the inning-ending tag.
    “Well, they hadn’t tested Graci’s arm yet, and Abbi (Folks) is such a smart player — got in front of her and got her,” said Perry-Lecompton coach Jill Bradney. “I’m not surprised by it. She’s done it quite a bit this year. But that girl was pretty fast, too.”
    The Kaws took advantage of a pair of Trojan errors for a three-run second inning, and Fast maneuvered through the Trojan lineup the rest of the way. With the potential tying run at the plate, Fast induced a game-ending flyout to right field that put the Kaws in the semifinals.
    MARYSVILLE 9, CHENEY 3 — A two-run home run off the bat of Kali Chrome essentially put the game out of reach in the sixth inning, and the No. 6-seeded Bulldogs (19-4) scored the upset over the No. 3-seeded Cardinals (20-2).
    Marysville stuffed the bases constantly, notching 13 hits en route to scoring at least two runs in every other inning. Bulldog starting pitcher Shelby Downard, meanwhile, allowed only three hits in a complete-game effort, helping Marysville earn an 11 a.m. Friday semifinal against top-seeded Riverton.

ROSSVILLE 12, TMP-MARIAN 0 (5 innings)

TMP-Marian 000 00 —  0   3 2
Rossville      451 2x — 12 10 1

Helget, Lacy (1) and Rupp and L. Gottschalk. Hill, Kippes (3) and L. Shinn and Kirk. W — Hill. L — Helget. 2B — Rossville: Miliorini, Lundin. HR — Rossville: Miliorini, L. Shinn. Records — Rossville 21-0, TMP-Marian 17-7.

MARYSVILLE 9, CHENEY 3

Marysville 202 302 0 — 9 13 0
Cheney     030 000 0 — 3  3  3

Downard and Crome. Monson and Campbell. W — Downard. L — Monson. 2B — Marysville: Downard; Cheney: Higgins, Jones. 3B — Marysville: Pacha. HR — Marysville: Crome. Records — Marysville 19-4, Cheney 20-2.