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College 101 Success

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On Wednesday, August 17th, the Syracuse High School lecture hall was packed with standing room only for College 101. 
School counselor Elizabeth Thomeczek  said, “A couple years ago I was a math teacher with little career counseling experience. Lora Horton pushed to bring this back. That we needed to keep this. And I am thrilled. I feel like I have found my calling here.”
K-State Research and Extension agent Lora Horton said, “Parents and students were educated on the importance of being a well rounded individual to broaden the opportunity for an advanced education.  Post secondary education is not just a four year college degree.”
They learned the importance of resumes, letters of recommendations, ACT and available scholarships. 
This was Thomeczek’s second year. And it is evolving rapidly. 
Last year it was just seniors. This year it was engaging juniors and seniors  and their parents. And they ran out of seats. People sat on the floor just to learn about the different pathways available to them.
“Our goal is to increase parent communication. We offer access to google classroom and I put up scholarships and deadlines and get information in their hands.”
The state of Kansas wants every kid career ready. They start in junior high. They do batteries of tests and checks their aptitude for things like - are they tactile, visual, or auditory learners. Does their personality gear them towards introverted careers or maybe more public ones. Do they work better outside or indoors? They match them with a learning cluster. 
Every eighth grader heads into high school with classes with intention. They have 16 clusters to choose from. A few include Agriculture, Health Science, Architecture and Construction. 
Thomeczek said, “Last year’s seniors had 98% of them pursue jobs in the cluster they were matched with.”
She was clear that they are not to be pigeon holed. They are welcome to switch clusters or to change their mind. It’s very flexible. The goal is to have every kid graduate with an employable skill. 
Experiences are important too. They are getting more students out in internships. 
And schools like Garden City Community College are offering certification programs for those not interested in a college degree. Perhaps they want to open a day care. Or get their CNA license. They can graduate and enter the workforce with employable skills. 
Thomeczek’s one regret is not reaching today’s juniors and seniors earlier. 
Her passion is evident and the results speak for themselves.

NEWS

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McAllister Retires

After 41 years, Steve McAllister saw his last group of students leave his classroom at Syracuse High School on Thursday, May 18. Instead of a big sendoff, McAllister chose to test himself in a 60 mile race.  An avid bicyclist, Steve loaded up his bicycle and headed for Hico,... [More]

Alumni Success - Cecil O'Brate

“I have found no substitute for an honest day’s work, an inquisitive mind, and a desire to always do more.” –  Cecil O’Brate. What happens when a 1940s Syracuse High School alumni crosses paths with a Syracuse Bulldog activity bus? Well,... [More]

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Hamilton County Memorial Day Tribute

This Hamilton County Memorial Day Tribute is brought to you by Scoular. Thank you to the brave and selfless men and women who have gone before us. Thank you for their service and sacrifice. ARTHUR AESCHLIMAN CECIL ADKISSON JIMMY AKERS JERRY ALEXANDER THOMAS AMERINE VERNON ANDERSON... [More]

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FINLAY - NEW BRANCH MANAGER AND LOAN OFFICER FOR VALLEY STATE BANK

The Valley State Bank in Syracuse is pleased to announce Casey Finlay has been hired as the new branch manager and loan officer. His primary duties will be managing employees in the Syracuse office but more importantly, helping customers with their financial needs.  Finlay... [More]

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LEVENS GRADUATES PEPPERDINE MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Ali Levens, 2019 SHS graduate and daughter of Rhonda Levens and Randy Levens recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in journalism and double minors in sustainability and multimedia design.  While her degrees... [More]

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Yonkey Book Signing This Saturday in Coolidge

Best-selling Kansas author to speak in Coolidge May 13 Roxie Yonkey, former Syracuse Journal editor and best-selling author, will discuss her newest book Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, from 5 to 7 PM, Saturday, May 13, at the Coolidge City Hall,... [More]

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WEEKEND IN SYRACUSE BUSY WITH GOLF, COLOR RUN, AND CAR SHOW

Mother Nature delivered a beautiful day Saturday for the many happenings in Syracuse with the Hamilton County Hospital Golf Tournament, Crusin’ Into Summer Car Show and SHS cheerleader color run.  The first golf tournament had 27 teams enter from Syracuse, Denver,... [More]

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BUSY WEEKEND EXPECTED IN SYRACUSE

It’s an eventful busy weekend coming up! Beginning Friday evening at 4:00 PM, the Syracuse Youth Activities Association is sponsoring the third annual track meet for first through sixth grade.  Grades first through sixth can compete in the 50 to 1600 meter, relays,... [More]

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OPINIONS

Quiet

It’s quiet in town. It’s as if the world left to go on vacation. I can hear birds chirping, a gentle rain shower, and peace is rushing through me.  Last week my daughter had basketball camp and sheep shows. For the past couple months It was go, go, go, the paper... [More]

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Time, Precious Time

I am writing this from a hotel room out of town. Summer is me traveling which sounds exciting but really it is getting my daughter from this camp to that camp to livestock shows, and rarely catching up on chores at home.  Even when I am home I am busy with work or getting... [More]

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It's Dark Sometimes

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” - Martin Luther King Jr Have you ever met the person who lives a long beautiful life and dies surrounded by their loved ones?  I think that is awesome.  In truth most of the people I know who died were younger. ... [More]

Thank God for Biting Flies

I am writing this on Wednesday morning. Tomorrow is the last day of school here in Syracuse.  Summer break is here.  We have had a little bit of rain fall, some chances on the radar. Have you seen the Miller moths around here? Wow they are crazy.   But, they... [More]

To You or For You

I went to bed Tuesday night happy about life and the peace that comes from checking things off your list, helping someone, and having a plan for the next day.   I  had a dream that night, I was in a hotel room and it caught fire. Wednesday morning I woke up to... [More]

Practice, Practice, Practice

  Last weekend was our first sheep show of the season. Our lambs had never been in the show ring before. They were nervous with all the different noises, animals, people. And it is to be expected.  After a long couple of days getting ready, we got there and had forgotten... [More]

Changed

I watched a piano recital Saturday afternoon. After the children played, two extremely dedicated and talented pianists performed.  The first played impeccably. She was a virtuoso who became the piece and her fingers flowed almost effortlessly. For what felt like 20 minutes,... [More]

My Plans?

Here we are again. I am sitting writing this on a Wednesday morning bracing for another round of high winds, dirt, dust, no rain in sight, crops failing or failed. Will it rain again? It has to right?  When I drove through Oklahoma the dirt looked like powder and the ditches... [More]

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SPORTS

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STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

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JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

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LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

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Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

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HS Track

Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]

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SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]

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Spring Sports Start

One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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Mickey Watson

Mass of Christian Burial for Mickey Watson will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado.  Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery.  Rosary will be held prior to the Mass, at 9:30 a.m. Mickey David... [More]

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Anthony Contreras

Mass of Christian Burial for Anthony Contreras will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Anthony John Contreras was born on November 26, 1976 in Lamar, Colorado to... [More]

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Juliana Zwaantina Houtsma

Juliana Zwaantina Houtsma, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on May 22nd, 2023 at home in Syracuse, Kansas.  The eldest daughter of Algene Jay Houtsma and Johnna Harvill, she was born on September 21st, 1991 in Redlands, California. Juliana spent her early years in Syracuse,... [More]

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Shilo Christine Van Tatenhove

With the heaviest of hearts, we let our friends and family know that Shilo, my wife of almost 30 years and mother to our amazing daughters, passed away suddenly on the evening of Friday, May 12th, 2023, due to complications with a long-term medical condition. She passed on to... [More]

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Eva Wauneta Holdren

Eva Wauneta Holdren, 98, of Faulkton, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Faulkton Senior Living. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023, at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Shawn Stoll presiding. Burial will follow in the Faulkton Cemetery.... [More]

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Joyce Ann (Reynolds) Horning

A Memorial Service for Syracuse, Kansas resident, Joyce Horning will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the Syracuse Wesleyan Church with Pastor Ray Frankofficiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Kendall Cemetery in Kendall, Kansas. Joyce Ann (Reynolds)... [More]

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Winston L. Sears

A graveside memorial service for Winston Sears will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kurtis Klinghammer officiating.  Military committal rites will be provided by V.F.W. Post #4281. Winston L. Sears was born... [More]

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Marjorie L. Nairn

Marjorie L. Nairn, age 90 of Johnson, Kansas, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Stanton County Hospital, Johnson, Kansas. She was born August 10, 1932, in Dighton, Kansas, the daughter of Royce O. and Ida M. (Long) Wells.   Marge grew up and graduated high school in Syracuse,... [More]

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