Annual Burning of Pastures

From CJ Online in an article about the annual burning of pasture:

    One farmer who hasn’t had any problem with his burns this year is Rossville’s Derek Brunin.
    A rancher who has several acres of crops, as well as around 250 acres of pasture for his calf-cow operation, Brunin has been around farming his whole life, including the institution of prescribed burning.
The 27-year-old, with several friends and family, burned  around 200 acres of pasture two weekends ago on March 29 not far from Rossville with no troubles of wildfires.
    While burning serves several purposes, including helping with wildlife habitats and prairie preservation, Brunin and his fellow ranchers use it to help make grazing better for their cattle. They need the fire to bulk up the calves to make more money to provide for their families.
    As shown through studies at Kansas State University Research and Extension, cattle who graze on grass that was burned previously as opposed to the alternative are healthier and gain several more pounds.
“My biggest concern is, you know, a lot of people not involved in agriculture, they don’t understand,” Brunin said. “They probably think, ‘Oh yeah, they just don’t want to mow  (the grass).’ There’s a lot more that burning accomplishes than just cleaning it up.”
    Brunin said the key to a successful, safe burn is prep work and back burning, which creates a buffer around the desired burn area so it doesn’t escape into other areas.
    While Brunin said he has never seen an out-of-control fire in person, Kansas Forest Service representative Hartman said the Sunflower State doesn’t lack for wildfires.
    “We don’t make CNN like Montana or Colorado or California, but there are a lot of years actually where we’ll have more acres burned than those states will,” Hartman said. “But our fires, they’re over in four, five, six hours and then they’re done. That’s why we don’t really make national media news.
    "We do get a few structures each year,” Hartman added, “and that’s unfortunate, but we don’t get dozens of houses lost all in one event like some of those western states do, fortunately.”

Students Have Artwork On Display

RHS currently has 3 students with artwork on display in the Swogger Art Gallery (located in the Columbian Theater) in Wamego! 

Emily Woodcock, Dakota McGlumphry, and Ashley Broxterman have artwork that received 2nd place in the various categories they have competed in.

The gallery currently has a large display of student artwork from high schools in the surrounding area. It's a great exhibit, and a great honor to have our students' artwork publicly displayed.  The artwork will be up until April 10. Go see it if you can!  

RHS Booster Club Newsletter

The booster club has lots of achievements to celebrate as the 2013-2014 school year nears the end.  We would like to congratulate some groups on their recent successes and wish them well as they get ready to compete in state level competition.  Wrestling team qualified 5 wrestlers for state in Hays – 106lb Freshman Bryce Gfeller, 132lb Senior Jacob Gentry, 138lb Sophomore Derek Gentry, 152lb Senior Tagen Lambotte and 170lb Sophomore Isaac Luellen. The team finished with the best ever finish in school history placing 2nd. Bryce, Tagen and Isaac all made it to the championship round - Bryce and Tagen walked away with gold and Isaac the Silver medal. Tagen achieved something only 30 other wrestlers in the state of Kansas has done – 4 time 3-2-1A State Champion! Congratulations Tagen!  Tagen Lambotte will be wrestling this weekend in Cedar Falls IA at the Cliff Keen USAW Folkstyle Nationals.  You can follow results on http://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/Login.jsp  2014 USAW/CK Kids/Vets Folkstyle Ntls. Tagen will be wrestling for Team Kansas. Best of luck Tagen.  Congratulations to our first ever Power Lifting team. The team qualified 15 lifters for the state power lifting meet that was held March 29th. Qualifiers were Freshman - Matt Stillion and Dawson Hammes, Sophomores - Tucker Horak, Zach Jensen and Christian Roduner, Juniors - Corbin Horak, Thatcher Horak, Nick Reesor and Jack Steckle and Seniors - Ashlynn Biehler, Macy Gillum, Darian Grimmett, Skylar Olson and Davis Warton.  The team finished 9th in the men’s division and 15th in the women’s division.  Great job!  For complete results, watch the St. Marys Star.  FCCLA is in the final stages of preparing for State this coming weekend. 16 students qualified for state this year and we would like to wish them well as they represent RHS in Wichita April 7-9th.  Forensics team competed yesterday at Mid-East League in Silver Lake. Here are the results - Derek and Jacob Gentry are IDA league champs. Miranda Martin is league prose champ. Kole Davoren took 5th in prose, Andrew Day and Dominick Reynolds took 5th in IDA, Nick VanderPutten took 4th in humorous, Tori Dubois and Davis Warton took third in Duet, and Sydney Purney took 6th in poetry.   FBLA had Mitchell Porter place 3rd in Introduction to Business test at State FBLA and will attend National Leadership Conference this summer in Nashville, TN.  Spring sports are underway and that’s keeping everyone busy. For daily announcements, please watch the school’s website http://www.kawvalley.k12.ks.us/schools/rjshs/announcements.html   RHS Graduation will be Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 PM.   Please keep our students and facility safe as they travel to various events and competition.   If you have a group or individual achievement that you would like to share, please send it to us.

Aqua Craze 5K Run

I wanted to let you know about a wonderful event that will be coming to the Topeka Area May 24th .  My work, Advisors Excel, is partnering with several other businesses in Topeka to put on a wonderful event called “AQUA CRAZE”  .  It will be a fun  5k run or walk along the Shunga trail ending at Quintin Heights.   During the walk/run the participants will be able to take part in many different obstacles of water and foam.  At the finish line there will be the largest water balloon fight .     The core purpose of the event is to promote Fitness and fun and the money raised will help support the schools. 

 How does the money help the schools???  Well, each person that registers for the AQUA Craze will be able to designate where they would like their support to go. So if we have Rossville parents, kids, friends all list that they would like to have their money go back to  Rossville , Rossville will then get a check from the committee after the race is over. 

 I have attached a copy of the flier that we are handing out.  Click on it above to enlarge and then print it.  I think we could have a lot of fun with this event.  AND some the money would help support the school.  Can’t go wrong with family fun and helping out the schools. 

Early registration is due April 15.  Registration will include a shirt, lunch, goodie bag and water balloons. 

Alyssa Miller

Hailey Dick (14) Honored By YWCA

    The Topeka YWCA  honored 40 women and girls at its annual leadership luncheon on Wednesday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m. at the Kansas Expocentre’s Maner Conference Centre.
    The nominees include 29 women who have been successful and made an impact in education, government, nonprofits and business.
    The YWCA also will honor 11 high school seniors including Hailey Dick of  Rossville High School.
    The luncheon will be held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Kansas Expocentre’s Maner Conference Centre. For more information, call the YWCA, (785) 435-8119.

Rattlers Add Four More Players

 The Rossville Rattlers are proud to announce the signing of three players from Kansas State University.

 

Coach Brad Hill has worked with the Rattlers program since our inception, sending us freshman talent each summer. Currently, there are nine players on the current Wildcat roster who have ties to the Rattlers program.

We welcome in this new group of Wildcats to the Rattlers and look forward to continuing our relationship with the "BatCats".

 

Tyler Stover (1B - Kansas State University) Stover is a 6'4, 205-lb freshman from Vacaville, California. The power hitting first baseman was drafted by the Colorado Rockies last June, but did not sign, opting to go to Kansas State. He played for the Rockies and Red Sox Scout Teams in the MLB Scout All-Star Game in 2012 and 2013.

 

Bryce Ward (RHP - Kansas State University) Bryce is a 6'1, 175-lb right handed pitcher that's committed to Kansas State this fall. A native of Jenks, Oklahoma; Ward received an invitation to USA Baseball's 2014 18-and-under National Team Trials this spring. For Jenks High School last spring, Ward went 7-2 with a 3.43 ERA, helping lead the Trojans to the Class 6A state tournament. He had 54 strikeouts in 47 innings.

 

Mitch Plassmeyer (LHP - Kansas State University) Plassmeyer is a 6'3, 180-lb left handed pitcher from St. Louis, Missouri. As a Junior at DeSmet Jesuit High School, he went 11-0, with 5 complete games, a 1.38 ERA, 3 shut outs, 5 saves in 73 innings. Mitch is committed to Kansas State University for the fall of 2014. Plassmeyer was also named the 2012 St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association Player of the Year.

 

The Rattlers also want to welcome in our first player from Central Methodist University.

 

Harrison Hill (OF - Central Methodist University) Harrison is the son of Kansas State head baseball coach Brad Hill. Harrison is a 6'0,175-lb infielder/outfield from Manhattan, Kansas. He's currently playing for Central Methodist University in the NAIA Heart of America Conference.

RHS Alumni To Give 2 Scholarships

     The Rossville High Alumni Foundation will be awarding two $1,000. scholarships to graduating RHS seniors this year.  Deadline for submitting the application is Thursday, April 17th.  The application form is available at the school.

Rossville Pre-School

   Here is an article about the Rossville Pre-School program which is taught by Diana Gulley who is shown in the photo above working in her classroom.
http://cjonline.com/news/education/2014-03-29/educators-set-sights-expanding-preschool-opportunities

Baseball Outlook for 2014

    The Dawgs begin the year with a new coach--Kenny Swart replaces the late Brett Cowdin who led the team to successful seasons for several years.
    Last year,  the Bulldogs were regional and Mid-East League runners-up and finished with a 14-4 record.
    This year,  the team must replace all-leaguers Cole Brecheisen and Scott Shinn, but he team does return senior Zach Nitsch and junior Nick Reesor who were honorable mention all league selections.   Other top returners include senior Marcus Catron,  senior Devin Morris, and junior Thatcher Horak.

Softball Outlook for 2014

    Last year,  the  Bulldogs who had a 12-10 record,  qualified for the  3A state tournament but fell  6-3 in first round to eventual state champion Silver Lake. 

    Junior Taylor Kirk, senior Cheyenne Daniels and junior Taylor Brecheisen were first-team All-Mid-East League picks with Brecheisen and Kirk earning All-3A honors as well.    Other top returners are senior Therese Vanderputten, junior Lauryn Catron, junior Breanna Hill, junior Britnee Zemek and sophomore Heidi Nitsch.

     Curt Brecheisen is in first year as softball coach after serving as an assistant for Dawgs baseball.

Boys Golf Roster for 2014

    The RHS boys golf roster is at:
http://www.kawvalley.k12.ks.us/schools/rjshs/athletics/boys_golf/14/14_boysgolf-roster.pdf

RHS Baseball Schedule for 2014

Saturday, March 22

 Alumni Baseball

Monday, March 31

4:30pm

 JV Baseball v. Chapman

Tuesday, April 1

4:00pm

 JV Baseball v. Topeka West

Friday, April 4

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Wabaunsee

Monday, April 7

4:30pm

 JV Baseball v. Rock Creek

Tuesday, April 8

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Riley County

Thursday, April 10

4:30pm

 JV Baseball v. Topeka West

Thursday, April 17

4:30pm

 Baseball v. St. Marys

Monday, April 21

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Wamego

Friday, April 25

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Perry-Lecompton

Tuesday, April 29

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Kansas City Christian

Thursday, May 1

4:30pm

 JV Baseball v. Silver Lake

Friday, May 2

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Silver Lake

Monday, May 5

4:30pm

 JV Baseball v. Riley County

Tuesday, May 6

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Osage City

Friday, May 9

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Nemaha Valley

Monday, May 12

4:30pm

 JV Baseball v. St. Marys

Tuesday, May 13

4:30pm

 Baseball v. Rock Creek

Thursday, May 15

4:30pm

 JV Baseball v. Perry-Lecompton

Monday, May 19

 3A Baseball Regional

Tuesday, May 20

 3A Baseball Regional

Wednesday, May 21

 3A Baseball Regional

Friday, May 30

 3A State Baseball @ Falley Field, Washburn U., Topeka

Saturday, May 31

 3A State Baseball @ Falley Field, Washburn U., Topeka

 

RHS Softball Schedule for 2014

Monday, March 31

4:00pm

 JV Softball v. Shawnee Heights

Tuesday, April 1

4:00pm

 JV/V Softball v. Atchison

Monday, April 7

4:30pm

 JV Softball v. Rock Creek

Tuesday, April 8

4:30pm

 Softball v. Riley County

Friday, April 11

4:30pm

 Softball v. Wabaunsee

Tuesday, April 15

4:30pm

 JV/V Softball v. Manhattan

Thursday, April 17

4:30pm

 Softball v. St. Marys

Monday, April 21

4:30pm

 Softball v. Wamego

Tuesday, April 29

4:00pm

 JV/V Softball v. Marysville

Thursday, May 1

4:30pm

 JV Softball v. Silver Lake

Friday, May 2

4:30pm

 Softball v. Silver Lake

Monday, May 5

4:30pm

 JV Softball v. Riley County

Tuesday, May 6

4:30pm

 Softball v. Osage City

Wednesday, May 7

» 1:30am

 Softball v. Osage City

Saturday, May 10

10:00am

 JV Softball @ Holton Tournament

Monday, May 12

4:30pm

 JV Softball v. St. Marys

Tuesday, May 13

4:30pm

 Softball v. Rock Creek

Monday, May 19

 3A Softball Regional

Tuesday, May 20

 3A Softball Regional

Wednesday, May 21

 3A Softball Regional

Friday, May 30

 3A State Softball @ Hummer Sports Complex, Topeka
Saturday, May 31

 3A State Softball  @ Hummer Spors Complex, Topeka

Track and Field Schedule for 2014

Thursday, April 3

3:00pm

 Track @ Silver Lake Invitational

Friday, April 11

3:00pm

 Track @ Wabaunsee Invitational

Tuesday, April 15

4:00pm

 Track @ Royal Valley Invitational

Friday, April 18

3:30pm

 Track @ Rock Creek Invitational

Friday, April 25

2:00pm

 Track @ Rossville Invitational

Friday, May 2

3:30pm

 Track @ St. Marys Invitational

Friday, May 9

3:00pm

 Track @ Riley County Invitational

Thursday, May 15

3:30pm

 Mid-East League Track

Friday, May 23

 3A Regional Track

Friday, May 30

 3A State Track & Field

Saturday, May 31

 3A State Track & Field