TOPEKA — The students of Western Plains High School Journalism were honored Jan. 27 by the Kansas Senate.
Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, of Gove County, presented a resolution highlighting the accomplishments of the program, such as last year’s Kansas Scholastic Press Association contest wins last May in Lawrence.
The audio from Friday’s session of the Kansas Senate in Topeka can be listened to here.
Sen. Ostmeyer had the resolution read because he new the students were listening to the live feed of the proceedings via www.kslegislature.org.
He then proceeded to discuss the accomplishments further, and the students were given a round of applause.
Sen. Ostmeyer’s office said the students and instructor Todd Vogts would receive copies of the resolution and individualized certificates for the students and himself.
“I am beyond stoked about this. It was a great honor, and I am absolutely beaming with pride and joy,” Vogts said. “My students work so hard, and it is wonderful to have them recognized in such a way. On behalf of my class, I want to thank Sen. Ostmeyer for doing this. It means the world to us all.”
Below is the resolution, Senate Resolution No. 1807, as published in the Senate Journal for Jan. 27, 2012, on www.kslegislature.org:
A RESOLUTION congratulating and commending the Western Plains High School journalism team on winning the 2011 class 1A Kansas Scholastic Press Association state competition.
WHEREAS, On May 7, 2011, the annual Kansas scholastic press association state journalism write-off and carry-in contest was held on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence; and
WHEREAS, Five students from Western Plains High School competed in the competition, including: Beth Lutters, Dakota Foos, Bryanda Martinez, Kate Hagans and Ashley Stull. The students were guided to victory by journalism adviser, Todd Vogts; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Foos took first place in feature writing and Ms. Hagans took second in newspaper design and honorable mention in the editorial cartoon category; and
WHEREAS, In addition to winning the state competition, the Western Plains High School newspaper, Cat Tracks was named the best student newspaper in class 1A and was awarded the KSPA All-Kansas News Publication plaque; and
WHEREAS, This was the first year for Western Plains High School to have a journalism program and given its tremendous success, the future is bright for not only the journalism program, but its students as well: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas: That we congratulate and commend the Western Plains High School journalism team on winning the 2011 class 1A Kansas Scholastic Press Association state competition.
Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of the Senate shall send an enrolled copy of this resolution to Todd Vogts, 100 School Street, Ransom, KS 67572.
On emergency motion of Senator Ostmeyer SR 1807 was adopted unanimously.
