Yet again, it’s time to take a look back at the past year and remember what makes this community so amazing. A walk down the local “Memory Lane” is the perfect way to start 2015!
The Hugoton Middle School eighth grade Lady Eagles started the year with another perfect season, going undefeated for the second year in a row. Team members are Trinity McPhillips, Laney Hoskinson, Ady Gooch, Dallie Hoskinson, Claire Lewis, Brooklynn Harper, Britta Beesley, Jaysa Featherston, JoHanna Rawlins, Caitlin Lewis and Felicia Beard. Coaches are Nick Rodriguez and Jill Skinner.
Tom and Patty Lahey showed off The Hermes in the Caribbean, where they reunited – somewhat unexpectedly – with a couple of acquaintances from Germany who were also visiting Cozumel the very same day: Joachim and Ellen Wagner. The Wagners served as sponsors for the student exchange between Moscow and Rotenburg, Germany for 15 years.
Toby Kehn and RoGlenda Coulter were welcomed as new members to the Hugoton Chamber Board in January, and Ray Hoggatt and Teresa Colantonio took over two vacant seats on the Stevens County Economic Development Board. John Girodat was announced as the selection for Hugoton High School principal by the Board of Education in a special meeting January 27.
In February, local spelling wizards took to the stage for the county spelling bee. Winners for the junior division were Gillian Heger, first place; Chay Burnett, second place; and Jessie James, third place. In the senior division, Hallie Wettstein won first; Haziel Rojo took second; and Axel Granillo claimed third place. Ann and Tony Stegman were named 2014 Sweethearts after winning the big prize at Janet’s Bridal and Boutique.
In The Hermes’ conservation issue, Ron and Pat DeGarmo were named winners of the 2013 Conservation Award, while Lewis and Grace Wheeler won the Windbreak Conservation Award. Karen and Ronnie Rich were named 2014 Senior Center Valentine King and Queen. Maverick Mills and Bailey Haynes claimed the titles of HHS 2014 Winter Homecoming King and Queen.
January 31, Diego and Katie Araiza were surprised by the arrival of their daughter Adyliegh Beth when she decided to be born at the family home in Moscow. Mother and baby – and “assisting physician/midwife” Dad – came through the ordeal just fine and were very happy to be healthy! EMS Director Rodney Kelling presented Diego with a pink stork pin in recognition of his cool head and his accomplishment of delivering a healthy baby girl!
Hugoton High School wrestler Bradley Campbell competed at State wrestling in Salina, where he placed fifth. The Stevens County Conservation District’s “Distinguished Service Award” was given to Sharon Concannon at the District’s sixty-fourth annual banquet February 22.
In March, Sheriff Ted Heaton announced charges had been filed in the 2013 Moscow fire case. Hugoton Masonic Lodge celebrated their centennial, complete with a visit from Grand Master of Kansas Masons Rick Reichert. Takoda Eckert represented Hugoton at the KMEA All-State Choir at the end of February. Local talented youngsters brought home plenty of wins from Liberal’s Pancake Day Talent Show. Hugoton residents Mariah Rome, Jetta Giudicy, Montana Beesley, Sydney Beesley and Faith Beesley, as well as their cousin Collin McClendon, claimed awards. Mariah Rome was also announced as the People’s Choice Award winner.
In March, the Hugoton High School Lady Eagles won Sub-State basketball at Goodland! HHS powerlifters competed at Abilene in the 4A State Powerlifting Championships. Hugoton’s lifters placed fourteenth out of 27 schools. Salvador Valles placed second and Pedro Ordonez claimed fifth in their respective weight classes.
March 22, a tragic fire took the lives of two local residents, Kenneth and Shirley McCurry. The cause of the conflagration was investigated by the KBI. Morton County was further saddened when Lee Hull, a lifelong resident, passed away after a traffic accident March 26.
In March, 12 Hugoton Federation wrestlers headed to State competition in Topeka. Coaches are Brad Slemp and Jesus Mendoza. The Kiwanis hosted their forty-seventh annual auction March 28 and 29.
Hugoton High School Future Business Leaders of America, Kelsey Quillen and Ian Pomeroy, placed at State competition in April. Five HHS seniors were awarded a State FFA Degree at the sixty-ninth annual FFA Banquet April 5. Those honored were Micah Baehler, Megan Bryan, Brady Heger, Brady Marshall and Kole Kahl.
At the April 7 meeting of the city council, councilmembers approved the annexation of the north side of Eleventh Street. A controversial school funding bill passed the Kansas Senate April 6. The front page of the April 17 Hermes is dominated by Hermes employees, after they won 13 awards at the annual Kansas Press Association convention in Manhattan.
At the 2014 Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, Lee Isaac was announced as the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Billy Woodworth was also recognized as the 2013 Citizen of the Year at the banquet. The Southwest Kansas Royalty Owners Association hosted its sixty-sixth annual meeting and elected W.C. “Bill” Light as its president.
Two well-known Hugoton residents passed from this life in the spring. Former teacher and coach Philip Robert Hower passed away April 19. Former school teacher, counselor and city councilman Bob Mason passed away May 4 at Hays.
Kelly Reza was announced as 2014 Super Mom after she won the prize at Showplace Video. Rolla High School senior Kaleigh Barrett and Hugoton High School senior David Kurt were honored by Governor Sam Brownback for being in the top academic one percent of Kansas high school seniors. Mike Cullen, of
A to Z Livestock, was recognized as the Friend of 4-H at the annual Businessmen’s Appreciation Dinner April 27.
Sixty seniors graduated from Hugoton High School in May, and the HHS baseball team was the 2014 league champions. Rolla High School’s golf team earned a trip to State competition by placing third at Regionals. Chandler Huddleston won third place at State.
Several area high school track and field athletes headed to State track at the end of May, including HHS students Edgar Don Juan, Ulises Armendariz, Luis Castro, Pedro Ordonez and Issac Castro, Rolla students Katie Murray and Kyler Telford and Moscow students Briannah Davidson, Maria Cecenas, Kaitlyn Dobie and Kelsi Mueller.
At the beginning of June, Bike Across Kansas began their trek across the state with a stop in Hugoton. Over 900 riders came through town June 7. Marc Eckert won the title of 2014 Super Dad at White’s Foodliner. Hugoton’s Brian Lamberson Memorial Motorcycle Rally hosted 100 bikes Saturday, June 14.
Stevens County commissioners heard from a room full of citizens asking to resume ATV-riding privileges at Lake Russell at their June 20 meeting. Commissioners listened carefully and opted to grant riding privileges at their next meeting, provided riders followed the rules set out.
The Stevens County Library celebrated 100 years in July with an entire week full of fun activities, and Ghumm’s Auto Center hosted their fourth annual Block Party. Takoda Eckert, Chance Ghumm and Trace Peterson participated in Masonic All-State Band camp during July.
Everett Burrows and Pauline Murray were selected as the Pioneer King and Queen, and they presided over the 2014 Stevens County Fair July 28 through August 1. Thirty candidates signed up for Sorghum Queen contest, and Magee Gifford was crowned Friday, July 25. Her court included First Princess Abby Crawford, Second Princess Hailey White and Miss Congeniality Maria Cecenas.
In August, the primary election results determined Republican and Democratic nominees for office. The tank in front of the Hugoton VFW Hall was moved to a new location in Rosebud, Mo. after Hugoton’s VFW Post merged with Liberal’s.
Hugoton’s first High Plains Music Fest out at Dirtona Raceway entertained over 500 people, with a solid mix of red dirt country, classic country and southern rock music. Moscow native Easton Hamlin lent his voice amidst the other performers.
At the twenty-third annual Gas Capital Car Show, J.W. Barry won the “Best of Show” trophy with his 1929 Ford pickup. In September, the ALS ice bucket challenge was all the rage. Several area groups accepted the challenge, including the Sheriff’s Department, Stevens County Hospital, the Hugoton Police Department and, of course, The Hugoton Hermes!
Hugoton resident David Eckert was elected Grand Lap of the Masonic Lapland organization August 23. Grand Lap is the same as president in other organizations. Mr. Eckert will serve as Grand Lap for a year.
The Hugoton High School marching band received a Superior I rating from the State Fair marching competition in September. They are directed by Amy Freeman. Commissioners met the new Cimarron National Grasslands District Ranger Lance Brown at their September 15 meeting.
Pioneer Manor celebrated National Centenarian Day Saturday, September 22. Residents recognized included Clemmie Schmidt, Ruby Smith, Fanny Kagarice and Velda Sandusky. Hugoton High School’s fall 2014 Homecoming King and Queen were Michael Baeza and Mariah Archuleta.
Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole visited Hugoton September 24. Countless Hugoton residents attended the meeting at Memorial Hall to speak with Mr. Dole during his 105-county Gratitude Tour.
Gladys Renfro, longtime curator of the Stevens County Gas and Historical Museum, passed away September 24. Gladys was also an accomplished piano player, and played for numerous gatherings in the community.
October 4, the Hugoton community was rocked when young Montana Beesley lost her life in a tragic vehicle accident. She was a beautiful and talented young woman who had been selected as one of only 40 acts to perform in the National FFA Talent Competition at the FFA Convention in late October. Montana
was the daughter of Don and Renee Beesley.
Hugoton High School graduates Nicholas Goode and Karessa Nordyke won the distinction of an American FFA Degree at the eighty-seventh annual National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. in October. HMS students Vivian Titus, Jacquelynn Grewell, Claire Clark, Rebecca Johnson, Bergen Ohling, Austin Dale, Jaxon Teeter and Cody Mills were chosen as members of the SWKMEA Middle Level Honor Band and Choir. Little Emily Willis completed her second “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge at the Stevens County Library in October.
October 17, Abengoa Bioenergy hosted their grand opening event at their facility west of Hugoton. Speakers included U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Abengoa CEO Manuel Sanchez Ortega.
Hugoton mourned the loss of a familiar face when Joel Nieto Jr. passed away as the result of a car accident October 14. Joel’s happy demeanor and perpetual smile will be missed by all.
Hugoton High School’s cross country boys’ team claimed the title of League Champs at Holcomb October 16. They are coached by Nick Rodriguez. Both the HHS girls’ and boys’ teams qualified for State competition at Regionals. Hugoton Middle School’s eighth grade girls also won their League Championship. They are coached by Bobbi Ferguson.
HHS runner Issac Castro won second place during State competition Saturday, November 1. Moscow Veteran Lowell Stanley participated in an Honor Flight in late October. Mr. Stanley served in the Korean War.
Three Hugoton clubs of Beta Sigma Phi selected Hedy Lairmore as Woman of the Year for 2014. HHS grad Karessa Nordyke claimed the first American FFA Degree in Hugoton FFA history at the Convention in November.
Mariah Rome was selected to dance in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City after winning the All-American Award at dance camp during the summer. Moscow’s Zachary Pierson became an Eagle Scout November 16.
Ron Brewer was the victim of a series of unfortunate events in November. He was bit by a rattlesnake and opted to drive to the hospital. While traveling, he became disoriented and ended up in a backyard, where his pickup destroyed a wooden fence and a backyard gazebo. Ron also struck an electric pole guy strand, causing a temporary power outage on the west side of Hugoton. Fortunately, Ron came out of the incident without much lasting damage.
In December, Jim Bell was recognized by commissioners for his service to the community. Hugoton band director Amy Freeman took 13 Hugoton Middle and High School students to the Five State Honor Band competition.
Prominent Rolla resident, teacher and coach Neill Hays passed away December 12. He will be remembered by the community for many years to come.
The Hugoton High School boys’ basketball team won the 2014 Blue and Red Classic. HHS graduate Zane Hershey was honored as a United States Air Force Weapons Officer after being chosen as Outstanding Graduate at the prestigious USAF Weapons School. Zane also won the Flying Award for his
squadron. Rolla senior Chandler Huddleston was picked as the first alternate in the United States Senate Youth Program. Only two students are selected per state.
Sesthleng Garcia’s poster was selected as the State winner in the Conservation District’s annual poster contest. Her poster will be displayed at the National Contest in February in New Orleans, La.
So there you have it – 2014 in a nutshell. Hopefully 2015 will bring even more, hopefully good, local news!
