Janice (Colson) (61) Spiker Passes Away

Janice Marie (Colson) Spiker, 76, of Topeka, passed Saturday, June 15, 2019, peacefully at home surrounded by family, after brave battles with breast and liver cancer. Janice was born May 1, 1943, in Beloit, Kansas, to Alvin and Rose (Simmons) Colson. She grew up in the Iona Kansas area and attended Rossville High School where she graduated in 1961. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Lonnie and her son, Timothy “Scott” and daughter-in-law June Spiker of Silver Lake. Janice leaves behind a brother, Dennis (wife Kathy) Colson of Ponder, TX and her grandchildren Codi Spiker of Kansas City, MO, Chelsey (husband Tyler) Boxberger of Olathe and Corey of Silver Lake, sister in-laws, Judy Seitz, Topeka, KS Jackie Colson, Idaho, Traci Parkin of Nevada. Other survivors include numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Janice was proceeded in death by her parents Alvin and Rose Colson and siblings, Bill Colson and Dean Colson.

Janice was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, she very seldom missed her grandchildren’s school functions and sporting events. Janice was employed at Goodyear for 37 years. She was a Creative Memories consultant for several years, she always loved crafting. She also belonged to the Red Hat society. She and Lonnie were very active in the Arab Shrine community. 

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions in her memory may be made to: KMF, Cancer Research, 5835 SW 29th St.,Topeka, KS 66614.

To leave condolences,  go to:  https://www.parkerpricefh.com/Obituary/172983/Janice-Spiker/Topeka-KS

Carver, Kipps, Hill Honored

    The Topeka/Shawnee Co. Sports Awards committee announced its nominees for high school awards  for 2019.    Garrett Carver was nominated for Male Fall Sports.  Kelcie Kipps was nominated for Female Spring Sports.  Caila Hill was nominated for Female Winter Sports.

All Mid-East League Baseball Team

First team

Toby Becker, Rock Creek; Logan Brown, Wabaunsee; Karter Carlson, Rock Creek; Garrett Harmison, Riley County; Avery Holle, Riley County; Connor Holle, Riley County; Will Homan, St. Marys; Tristan Kulp, Riley County; McGwyre Leathers, Rossville; Aidan Lee, Rock Creek; Jake Lindstrom, Silver Lake; Bo Reeves, Rossville; Mason Sturdy, Rock Creek; Brooks Whaley, Rock Creek; Nate Williams, Rock Creek.

Honorable mention

Nic Allen, Riley County; Dillon Byrne, Silver Lake; Chad Chambers, Wabaunsee; Jackson Frank, Wabaunsee; Aiden Garcia, Rossville; Trey Harmison, Riley County; Isiah Holz, St. Marys; Cameron Minihan, Rock Creek; Connor Pruyser, Silver Lake; Trent Reamer, Silver Lake; Reid Walker, Silver Lake.

All Mid-East League Softball Team

First team

Rachel Allen, Riley County; Lexi Cobb, Silver Lake; Alexis Hafenstine, Wabaunsee; Josie Harrison, St. Marys; Sophia Haverkamp, Rock Creek; Ellie Hogle, Silver Lake; Kelcie Kippes, Rossville; Daryn Lamprecht, Silver Lake; Alyssa Lohmeyer, Wabaunsee; Kinlyn Lundin, Rossville; McKenna Mayhew, St. Marys; Brenna Mulligan, St. Marys; Abby Pressgrove, Silver Lake; Autymn Schreiner, Wabaunsee; Laney Scott, Rock Creek.

Honorable mention

Emma Bohnenblust, Riley County; Taylor Burkhardt, Silver Lake; Layne Cole, St. Marys; Hallie Hay, Silver Lake; Caila Hill, Rossville; Reagan Hurla, St. Marys; McKenzie Kruse, Riley County; Jaydn McClellan, Riley County; Kierra Mosby, Rock Creek; Abby Oliver, Wabaunsee.

Bergstresser & Gentry Attend HSLA

From the Capital Journal:
Rossville High was among eight Shawnee County schools that participated this week in the third annual High School Leadership Academy (HSLA) at Washburn University.

HSLA is hosted by the Washburn University Leadership Institute, and is created and implemented by current Washburn University students. A three-year grant from the Topeka Community Foundation provided funding to launch this program.

The mission of HSLA is to develop leadership skills in high school students and create a greater awareness about ways they, personally, can influence positive change in their communities. Student participants lived on campus for the week and were guided through a comprehensive program introducing concepts from the Kansas Leadership Center, including awareness and application of the four competencies of Diagnosing the Situation, Managing Self, Energizing Others and Intervening Skillfully.

The students from Rossville that participated were Destiny Bergstresser and Tatum Gentry

To read the rest of the article,  go to:  https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190616/area-students-participate-in-wu-leadership-academy

Rossville Legion Team Loses To Hays

From the Hays Dailey News:

    The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion baseball team picked up a 12-3 win on Saturday in Rossville. 

Capital Likes Buhler Choice

    CJonline.com has an editorial applauding the governor's choice of Shelley Buhler as a new regent fore Washburn University.
    You can read the editorial at:
https://www.cjonline.com/opinion/20190614/editorial-buhler-strong-pick-for-washburn-regents
 

Class Of 59 60th Reunion

    The RHS Class of 1959 will have a 60th reunion during the weekend of the Tall Corn Festival.  They will participate in the parade and then meet after the parade for lunch and socializing at the American Legion.  Plans for a Saturday night dinner are in the works.    If you have not been contacted and wish to attend,  send an e-mail to frank.ruff@juno.com., or contact Linda, Geri, Jerry or Sue.   

All-State Softball Team

CLASS 2-1A All-State Softball Team

First team

Pitcher — Kaitlin Crossland, Colgan; Jordan Galiher, Hutchinson Trinity; Ellie Stember, Oskaloosa. Catcher — Alyssa Lohmeyer, Wabaunsee; Sophia Rockhold, Oskaloosa. Infield — Natalie Bevan, Bluestem; Regan Curry, Oskaloosa; Alexis Hafenstine, Wabaunsee; Emilie Nations, Jayhawk-Linn; Autymn Schreiner, Wabaunsee. Outfield — Kelcie Kippes, Rossville; Madison Loos, Udall; Ashley Marietta, Colgan; Brylee Potter, Chase County. Utility/DP — Kimi Patterson, McLouth.

Second team

Pitcher — Delaney Blakesley, Bluestem; Madelynn Collins, Yates Center; Emma Enderud, Udall. Catcher — Olivia Mitchell, Lebo-Waverly; Laken Vandegrift, Chase County. Infield — Reece Curry, Oskaloosa; Makenzie Higgs, Chase County; Paige Lowe, Oskaloosa; Erica Naccarato, Hutchinson Trinity; Sophia Piccini, Colgan. Outfield — Allison Marietta, Colgan; Morgan Mauk, Humboldt; Lanie Patterson, Lebo-Waverly; Jaycee Patton, Medicine Lodge. Utility/DP — Kinlyn Lundin, Rossville.

Margie Teeter Passes Away

Rossville:    Margie Ellen Teeter, 84, passed away Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Oakley Place at Rossville.
She was born March 3, 1935 at Benkelman, NE. the daughter of Marvin M. and Velma Miller Hansen. Ellen graduated from Parks High School, Parks, NE.
Ellen worked for Hallmark Cards in Topeka for 29 years. She was a member of the Rossville Christian Church.

She was united in Marriage to Delbert Eugene “Gene” Teeter on June 25, 1955 in Colorado Springs, CO. They shared over 55 years of marriage until his death on April 8, 2011. Ellen was also preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Wilford and Lyle Hansen.
Those left to cherish her memory are, three daughters, Peggy (Rick) Gentry, Rossville, Sheryl Nix, Belvue, and Janet (Randy) Leffel, Rossville; a brother, Duane Hansen, Wichita; a sister, Elaine Damrow, Lincoln: NE; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the Rossville Christian Church. Inurnment will be in the Rossville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville Christian Church or Midland Hospice and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

"Meg" Kirk (18) Receives Awards

Melinda Kirk (“Meg”) is in her freshman year at Allen Community College.  She received The KJCCC All Conference Honorable Mention as a catcher and designated hitter. She was also inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in March. She is a member of the President’s Honor Roll and was just designated an NFCA All American Scholar Athlete.  Melinda desires to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse. She will continue her final year at Allen in the Fall of 2019. 

 

 

Taylor Kirk (15) Receives Awards

Taylor Kirk  received 2019 MIAA conference 1^st team selection at Shortstop for Washburn University. She celebrated her senior day in April at Washburn capping off by being crowned the 2019 MIAA Conference Homerun leader. She was also selected as the 2019 Washburn University Softball Team MVP (at the annual Golden Bod Awards) and 2 time Clutch hitter award winner.  She is a 2 time NFCA All American Scholar Athlete for Washburn. She is a 2 time Dean’s List honoree and recently received recognition for the induction into Lambda Pi Eta (National Communication Association’s undergraduate honor society). Taylor will also be joining the 2019-2020 Washburn University Softball program coaching staff while she concludes her work towards her dual Bachelor degrees in Communications and Science this year. 

Unbeknownst to most, Taylor has been employed with State Farm (2 years) as a State of Kansas licensed insurance agent in the Topeka area while attending classes, playing softball and coaching summer programs.

Dr. Rusty Monhollon (77) Named Commission Pres.

Dr. Rusty L. Monhollon has been named president and executive director of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE). Monhollon’s appointment was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the commissioners at a called meeting on May 31. Monhollon, who serves as assistant commissioner for academic affairs at the Missouri Department of Higher Education, is expected to begin work in mid-July.

On behalf of the Search Committee, Committee Chair Charles Dalton (Greenville) recommended Monhollon’s appointment from an excellent pool of candidates “only after careful study and deliberation including the consideration of comments from public colleges and universities, CHE staff and the general public.”

Commission chair and former State Senator Wes Hayes (Rock Hill) said that “Rusty Monhollon has the academic and management experience and a post-secondary vision that will serve South Carolina’s colleges and universities, student and families, and business and industry through the challenging years ahead.”

Monhollon earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history from the University of Kansas while working as a full-time welder and machinist to support his family. He has taught at the University of Kansas, Washburn University (Kansas), Rockhurst University (Missouri), the University of Missouri-Columbia, and Hood College (Maryland).

The extensive experience that Monhollon gained in the classroom prepared him for a move into higher education administration with the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE), the state’s coordinating body for 13 public universities and 14 community and technical colleges. As the Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs at MDHE, Monhollon is a key member of the Missouri Commissioner’s senior staff and is involved in all department functions, including budgeting, performance funding, personnel policies and decisions, financial aid, and government relations. He also provides leadership for statewide policymaking, strategic planning, and institutional mission review.

The author of "This is America?: The Sixties in Lawrence, Kan." Monhollon is a frequent contributor to professional journals, book chapters and book reviews. He is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the State Higher Education Executive Officers organization.

Mike LeFever, former president and CEO of South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities until his retirement in 2018, has served as CHE’s interim president and executive director since January.

Chairman Hayes observed that “Mike stepped in at a crucial time to steer the transition to new Commission leadership and improved relations with lawmakers and the higher education community. His dedication to higher education and the citizens of South Carolina is an inspiration as the Commission moves forward. We are grateful that Mike helped pave the way for Monhollon’s appointment, and therefore, the Commission’s future success.”

Buhler To WU Board Of Regents

    Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday appointed Hayden High School president Shelly Buhler to the Washburn University Board of Regents.Gov.   Buhler is a former Rossville mayor and served 12 years as a Shawnee County commissioner