Aug. 25, 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

I’m writing tonight as a concerned taxpayer and parent. I’m also writing in my capacity as former editor of the Holton High School newspaper. I can assure you it’s been a long time since I’ve used that title.

My high school journalism class saved my life. Ok, it’s not as though I was actually going to die. But when I moved to Holton in the tenth grade, I knew no one and felt as though I didn’t quite fit in. My journalism class was the one place I really felt like I clicked. I made some friends and found my way.

When it was time to go to college, I seriously considered following in my mother’s footsteps and studying computer science. My mom correctly pointed out that my ACT scores in math were so-so, while English and reading were sky high. The guidance counselor suggested I stick with computers because there wasn’t any money in journalism. He was pretty much right. But so was my mother. So, once again, my high school journalism class rescued me and set me on my path.

The lessons I learned in my journalism class stuck with me for life. I learned the importance of deadlines. I learned basic business skills when it was time to sell ads. I learned to interview adults without feeling intimidated. I learned the two most important questions are always “how” and “why.” I learned the importance of accuracy. I learned to check the spelling of every name. Twice.

I went to college at Drake University, where I majored in journalism and served as executive editor of the student newspaper. I worked as a newspaper reporter in Kansas most of my career, including stints as the statehouse bureau chief at the Topeka Capital-Journal and as a Topeka correspondent for Harris News Service. But after working as a reporter for nearly a decade, I decided to return to school at the University of Kansas School of Law. I graduated last May, took the bar exam in July and soon will start work as a lawyer at an international law firm based in Missouri.

But make no mistake: I succeeded in law school because of my experience as a journalist.  Bottom line, a career spent in journalism provided me the key to succeeding in law school: ask a lot of questions and write fast.

I’ve covered politics and public policy in Kansas. I know what you’re up against. I’m told the Kansas State Department of Education views journalism courses as an attractive target because they “do not meet new standards of preparing students for ‘high demand,’ ‘high skill,’ and ‘high wage’ careers.” (I learned that, by the way, in a terrific column—in a newspaper! You can read it online here: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/something-done-right/2010/aug/23/ding-dong-the-yearbook-is/.)

I get that. I left journalism because the future of traditional print journalism is in an uncertain state of transition. Delivery methods will change. Newspapers will have to discover new business models that can sustain operating expenses.

But there will always be a need for gathering and disseminating the news.

High school journalism courses are already embracing new technologies and preparing students for the newsrooms of tomorrow. Sure, not every kid who participates will go on to a career in journalism. But many, in fact, will go on to jobs in which they will employ the lessons learned in high school journalism classrooms and laboratories. Beyond teaching the news gatherers and journalists of tomorrow, journalism provides a foundational core that serves students all of their lives. It would be shortsighted to cut a program that can play such an important role in shaping the futures of so many young Kansans.

In closing, I would simply add that my wife and I met in college, where we both studied journalism. She ended up at Drake because she was the editor of her high school paper, and her high school journalism teacher was a Drake grad. It would be a real shame if our son never had the opportunity to sit in a high school journalism course as well.

Sincerely,

Chris Grenz

Lenexa, KS

UPDATE: The girls defeated Hesston and now will advance to play Cheney at 3:00 on Friday.

Students may be eligible for up to $1000 in tuition savings!  To qualify, students must graduate from a high school that is a member of the Washburn Tech consortium during the year in which they request the tuition discount.  Eligible individuals may continue a program started while enrolled in high school, or enroll in a program at Washburn Tech within 18 months of high school graduation.  All students who meet the eligibility guidelines will receive this tuition discount; there is no limit to the number of individuals who will be approved.

For details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Connection to Washburn University to Earn the Associate Degree

Students who complete a Career Program approved by Kansas Board of Regents are eligible to receive a reduced tuition rate at Washburn University while working toward the associate degree.  Students who enroll at Washburn University after taking coursework in an approved program at Washburn Tech will pay $75 per credit hour rather than the typical undergraduate rate of $201 per credit hour.

For details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Technical training is in High Demand

Approximately 50% of jobs in the workforce require from 1-2 years of specialized training beyond high school.  The most recent follow up of Washburn Tech graduates was conducted in January 2010.

Do you know the average starting salary for Industrial Technology graduates?  ($23.42)

Do you know the average starting salary for Practical Nursing graduates?  ($17.49)

Both of these skill sets are in high demand, in Kansas and throughout the United States.

For admission details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Open House

The public is invited to Washburn Tech’s Open House on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from noon to 4 p.m.  Career training programs will be open throughout campus.  Visitors will be able to meet our staff, ask instructors about career opportunities, and see some of the activities students actually do in various career training programs.  A financial aid seminar will share information about applying for federal financial aid including grants and low-cost student loans.  Details of the enrollment process will be provided at another seminar.  In addition, Washburn University advisors will be available to talk about the connection between Washburn Tech certificate programs and the possibility to earn an associate degree at Washburn University.  For Open House details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Consortium Newsletter Topics, Apprd by Jonathan, January 2010

Holton was then set up for a fifth place match up against 6-4 Park Hill.  Trent Tanking hit a buzzer beater three pointer to send Holton into halftime with a three point lead.  Holton couldn’t keep up with Park Hill’s pace, scoring more points in the first quarter than they did the whole second half.  Park Hill came out one top, 49-64.  Holton was handed their fifth loss of the season, putting their record at 7-5, with a 5-2 record in Big 7 League play.

The Holton girls entered the tournament with an undefeated record and the number 3 ranking in class 4A, according to The Topeka Capital-J0urnal.  They breezed past their first round opponent, St. Teresa’s Academy, in a 44-24 route.  The second round game provided an interesting match up.  Number three Holton would be playing number four Ottawa.  Holton jumped out to a 14-3 first quarter lead, and never looked back.  They forced St. Teresa’s Academy to commit 22 turnovers.  The final score was 52-35 in favor of the Wildcats.

Coach Holliday and his undefeated girls would be tested in the championship game against St. Joe Benton.  This championship featured a rematch of last years championship game, and the result would be the same.  Benton entered with an undefeated record, and was ranked sixth in Missouri Division 5.  After a pretty even half of play, the wildcats had edged Benton 20-15.  Holton continued their work in the second half, doubling the lead they had acquired at half time, and finishing with a 42-32 victory.  Holton girls now have a 12-0 record, with a 7-0 record in league play.

Brooks Barta, Weights and Geometry teacher, participated in a triathlon in the summer of 2008 at the end of July. The triathlon was called the Midwest Mayhem Triathlon and was located at Lone Star Lake south of Lawrence.

“I practiced swimming between 50-100 laps at the swimming pool about once a week, ran 4-8 miles about four times a week, and biked 10-20 miles about 3 times a week the month before the triathlon,” Barta said.

Barta said the hardest thing was to find the time to train. Because it was hard for him to swim straight lines in the lake, Barta said he probably swam an extra 300 meters out of the way in the swimming part. At first, he trained about six hours a week for two months and then about 10 hours a week for the last 3 weeks before the race.

“I needed a goal to help keep me in shape and I felt like I needed to achieve something challenging and physical in my life,” Barta said.

In the triathlon, there were 300 people competing in the long course which consists of swimming 0.92 miles, bicycling 25.2 miles, running 6.2 miles, and Barta finished in three hours and six minutes. The short course had 800 people competing. Barta completed the short course triathlon in Holton the summer before the Midwest Mayhem triathlon.

“I have had many huge challenges and experiences in my life and the accomplishment of each seems to make my life better,” Barta said. “I think all people need to find new challenges. It was very rewarding and a great sense of accomplishment for me to take on a very challenging event. I am considering another triathlon or something similar this summer.”

]]> http://wildcatworld.org/hhs/2009/12/03/dedication-is-the-key-to-success/feed/ 0 http://wildcatworld.org/hhs/2009/10/12/118/ http://wildcatworld.org/hhs/2009/10/12/118/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:32:09 +0000 adviser http://wildcatworld.org/?p=118 Last month, many Holton High School students learned the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol. The Sheriffs Department delivered 98 cones shaping a course in the west parking lot that got the attention of all students freshmen through seniors.

“This seemed to be a perfect opportunity to explain to students the huge impact drinking and driving could have on their lives. It is a fact that you do not operate with all your senses, while drinking. A controlled environment using fatal vision goggles rather than alcohol let the students experience their inability to operate the dune buggy on an obstacle course set up by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, officer, Brandon Shaw,” said Ginny Robinson, SADD sponsor.

The last time SADD sponsored this event was in 2007.

“I’m really glad we decided to do it this year, it opens students eyes to how hard and dangerous it is to drink and drive. When you make that decision there are more lives on the line then just yours,” SADD President Richard Iverson, said.

The Sheriff’s Department also made the presentation at Jackson Heights and Royal Valley.