The Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet is Saturday, April 5, 2025. you definitely don’t want to miss it! Theme for the banquet is “Derby Days in Hugoton”. You do not have to be a Chamber member to attend this event. Meet and Greet, dinner and entertainment are at the Vets hall. Don’t forget your hats ladies and grab your bowties gents. There will be a contest, games and prizes and a cash bar. At the Banquet the winners of the five categories will be recognized (Citizen of the year, Lifetime achievement, Business of the year, new Business of the Year and Charitable Non-Profit Organization). Also the winners of the 2024 Distinguished Service Award will be announced.
Hugoton Elementary School sixth grade girls enjoying a trip to Emporia State University in March. The 24 students attended a math and science conference at the University. The goal is to increase young women’s interest and confidence in science and mathematics. Photo courtesy of Susan Ellsasser.
EYF; Enhancing Your Future with Mathematics and Science was the topic of the week in sixth grade on the first day of March.
Twenty -four sixth grade girls attended a math and science conference at Emporia State University March 1. The participants spent the day fostering awareness of career opportunities in mathematics and science-related fields. The goal is to increase young women’s interest and confidence in science and mathematics.
This is the twentieth year the conference has been attended by Hugoton students. Every year the girls report with enthusiasm, that they had a great time and that the workshops were fun and interesting. In these tight economic times the participants want to express a huge thank you to the Hugoton Board of Education for funding the trip.
Those attending were: Emma Demers, Kalaxy Mendoza, Kenia Maciel, Mia Fabella, Sofia Ortiz, Emma Rich, Sophia Araiza, Clara Morris, Haylea Beltz, Adelina Flores, Lorelei Mendoza, Brissa Evans, Elizabeth Jones, Zoe Serrano, Sophia Heston, Emma Marquez, Destinee Wasson, Averie Amerine, Jimena Salgado, Alayna Black, Vannia Diaz, Jazlyn Escalera, Analise Price and Hannah Marquez.
Sponsoring the trip were Emily Lott, Susan Ellsaesser, Laura Jones, Jayme Rich and Rebecca Marquez.
Members of the Hugoton Assembly of God traveled to Honduras last week for a mission trip. They worked in conjunction with King’s Castle going out into the streets and schools to connect with the children and their families. King’s Castle uses music, dance, puppets, and prayer to reach the children of Honduras and then connect them with their local churches.
HAOG participated in these programs, reaching out across the capital of Honduras in the city of Tegucigalpa. Missionary Jessie Harshbarger, originally from Missouri, brought the two groups together to make this amazing mission trip possible. During the week, they participated in 13 street/school programs reaching 1691 individuals. During those programs, they had prayer requests of 404 for health concerns, 332 for problems in the home, and 466 for salvation. The HAOG crew was also able to assist in the building of the foundation for King’s Castle’s new campground dorm and an area for a washer and dryer which will be a major blessing for the kitchen crew who currently hand wash all the laundry for that area.
HAOG missionaries included Tim, Kristi, and Mia Singer, Omar, Janett, Valeria, and Omar Jr Peinado, Jamyn and Kirstin Wolters, Angel and Cyson Hunt, Todd, Jennifer, and Austin Hewitt, Amanda and Thomas Willis, and Jeffrey Sternberg.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Stevens County Health Department have reported a positive case of measles in a resident of Stevens County. It is currently unknown whether this case is linked to any ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States. KDHE, along with the Stevens County Health Department, are notifying individuals who may have been exposed to this case of measles. This incident marks the first measles case in Kansas since 2018.
Early symptoms of measles are a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes.
Usually, one to four days after these early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles symptoms typically develop 10-14 days after exposure. Symptoms can develop as soon as seven days and as long as 21 days after exposure.
Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. Measles is spread through the air by breathing,
coughing or sneezing. Measles can be spread from an infected person to others from four days before, to four days after the rash appears.
Because measles is a highly infectious disease, it is very important for anyone exposed and experiencing symptoms to
isolate from others with the exception of visiting a health care provider.
The best way to prevent measles is to get the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get their first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and a second dose at age 4 to 6 years. Infants ages 6 through 11 months old should get the MMR vaccination if traveling outside the United States. Adults are protected from measles if they have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have evidence of immunity from a blood test.
If an individual has known exposure to someone with measles and they are not immune through vaccination or prior infection, they are recommended to:
Consult with a health care provider to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended.
Exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days from the last time they were exposed unless symptoms develop.
If symptoms develop, individuals should notify their local health department and stay away from public areas until four days after the rash appeared.
Individuals seeking health care are advised to call ahead to their health care provider and let them know their symptoms and exposure concerns. This will help limit exposure within the healthcare setting.
Per K.A.R. 28-1-2, measles is a four-hour reportable disease. If a health care provider, laboratory or hospital suspects, tests, or diagnoses an individual with measles, KDHE should be notified immediately. KDHE will work with the health care provider on testing recommendations. Teachers and school administrators are also required by law to report suspected cases to KDHE.
Measles cases rarely occur in Kansas and are usually associated with international travel.
For questions, call the Stevens County Health Department at 620-544-7177 or KDHE Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317 (option 5).
Hugoton Barbenders’ State qualifiers pictured in the front row left to right are Brandon Lopez, Diego Novelo, Genesis Landa, Emily Saucedo, Aleah Farnum, Valerie Valerio and Adriel Camacho. In back are Jorge Hernandez, Soe Lin Heger, Josephe Hernandez, Robert Williams, Xavier Santoyo, Kevin Mendez and Aquiles Aguilera. Not pictured are Josue Monroy and Bryan Loya. Picture courtesy of Nancy Hernandez.
The 2025 version of the Hugoton Barbenders that qualified for State are 16 strong. Bringing back a good core of lifters from last year’s showing at the 3A State meet gives great expectations for this year. Lifters headed to State are Brandon Lopez, Diego Novelo, Genesis Landa, Emily Saucedo, Aleah Farnum, Valerie Valerio, Adriel Camacho, Josue Monroy, Bryan Loya, Jorge Hernandez, Soe Lin Heger, Josephe Hernandez, Robert Williams, Xavier Santoyo, Kevin Mendez and Aquiles Aguilera.
Last year the girls placed third as a team and the boys placed fourth. With a larger boy’s group and from their performance at their meets this year, they have a good chance of being in the top two teams in the state. Josephe and Adriel are back to defend their first place finishes in their respective weight classes.
The State meet will be March 29 in Iola.
Good luck to all these competitors!!
The Hugoton High School and Middle School Robotics team pictured with their trophies from the left to right in back are Coach Kalinda Wight, Raymond Lamatsch, Asst. Captain Sophie Tower, Captain Brendan Gill, Micah Johnson, Aiden McDaniels, Ciara Anton, Captain Matisyn Newmon and Coach Mariette Gerber. In front are Paitan Schobert, Caitlyn Johnson, Asst. Captain Skylar Mason and Kreedyn Milhon. Not pictured is Wyatt Hudgins. Photo courtesy of Kalinda Wight.Saturday, March 1, the Hugotrons Middle School and High School Robotics Teams competed against 21 other teams in the FIRST LEGO League Competition in Liberal. FIRST LEGO League evaluates teams in four areas: Core Values, Innovation Project, Robot Design, and Robot Game. This year’s theme was Submerged, which focused on ocean conservation.
Over the past year, both teams put in many hours preparing for the competition. They did very well and their coaches and families are very proud of them. Coaches for both teams were Kalinda Wight and Mariette Gerber.
The middle school team received second place Core Values and second place Innovation Project! Team members included Captain Matisyn Newmon, Asst. Captain Skyler Mason, Ciara Anton, Aiden McDaniels, Micah Johnson and Kreedyn Milhon.
The high school team won first place Core Values, first place Robot Design, and first place Overall Team! As the top team, the high school team received a ticket to compete in Florida at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this summer.
Team members include Captain Brendan Gill, Asst. Captain Sophie Tower, Caitlyn Johnson, Paitan Schobert, Raymond Lamatsch and Wyatt Hudgins.
U.S. Representative Tracey Mann was in Hugoton at the Senior Citizens Center Wednesday, February 19 on his fourth annual 60 county Mann Listening Tour.
He informed the audience that there are 435 congressional districts and this area is called the big first district. The big first district is the eleventh largest and fifth largest that is not its own state. This district is in the top three in ag production every year, number one in beef production, number one for wheat production, number one for soybean production, number seven for corn and number 11 for dairy. Rep. Mann said in the District there are 60 counties, fifty-five hospitals and fifty-three critical access hospitals.
He talked about the country’s debt. The country is currently 36 trillion in debt. In 2010 the US was 13 trillion in debt and last year the country spent over one trillion just in interest payments.
Rep. Mann talked about President Trump and some of his plans which included securing the border and US energy production. He said it takes 12 to 15 years to secure permits to expand or build a power plant. He would like to work on speeding that process up. Rep. Mann said if Congress doesn’t act, taxes will go up at the end of this year. The Tax Cut Jobs Act President Trump implemented in 2017 will expire December 31, 2025.
To finish off the meeting, Rep. Mann answered questions from the audience.
Tom and Karen Schechter receive their winnings from Hugoton Drug and the Chamber. From left to right, Kaley Slocum, Tasha Medina, Tom and Karen, Chamber Director Tina Fernandez, Leigh Angell and LaDonna Perry.
Tom and Karen Schechter are the Sweetheart Couple of 2025! Tom and Karen’s original lucky entry in the Twenty-Fifth Annual Sweetheart Sweepstakes was entered and drawn out of the Hugoton Drug’s entry container. This entitles the couple to the $25. Gift Certificate that they can use to pick from Hugoton Drug’s huge selection of gift items or if need be – medical supplies.
After being drawn as Hugoton Drug’s lucky winning couple – their entry joined all the other business entries in a final drawing at The Hermes. As the winning couple drawn, Tom and Karen are also being awarded a $50 gift certificate from the Hugoton Chamber of Commerce to be used wherever the couple may choose.
Tom and Karen have made their home in Hugoton their whole lives. They grew up together actually and have been married for fifty-three years. They have two children, Scott and wife Tina and Stacy Dillinger and husband Derek; four grandchildren, Carson, Ashlyn, Grace and Channing; and two great grandchildren, James and Miriam. Karen expressed her appreciation to all the area businesses that keep our town running and made this a wonderful possibility.
Congratulations Sweet Sweethearts – Tom and Karen!!
Other lucky sweetheart winners that will be enjoying their winnings are as follows: Carla and Tacho Amador will be able to put a $25 gift certificate to good use picking out something beautiful from Janet’s Bridal and Boutique.
Yardmaster Garden and Gifts is the place for Walter and Estella Beesley to pick up their $25 Gift Certificate and shop till they drop in the Crawford’s goodie filled shop.
Lynnie’s Nest Floral & Art Studio was the lucky place for Chris and Chelsea Harper. The couple will enjoy the beautiful Rose Bud Vase created especially for them.
Dream First Bank’s lucky winning couple is Sophia and Roberto Martinez. They can take their $25 Visa Gift Card and splurge where ever their little hearts desire.
Bultman Tire Center’s sweetheart couple drawn is – Jessee Rae and Luke Kallenbach. Jessee and Luke will surely find a good use for their generous $50 Gift Certificate awarded from Matt and the crew.
The Wake Me Up @ The Gathering Place is The Place for Tim and Kristy Singer to go as they were the lucky couple to be drawn to win the $25 Gift Certificate by Michelle and her crew.
Los Agaves drew out Ferny and Justice Vera as their special couple. They can come in anytime and get their $25 Gift Certificate. They are guaranteed to be filled with some of Los Agaves’ wonderfully delicious meals cooked and served by some of the friendliest people in town. Dorian Enrique- Serrano and her other half are the Equity Bank sweethearts. They can pick up their $25 Visa Card and put it to some good use anywhere they like.
Twenty dollars in Gas Capital Dollars will be the prize awarded to Doug and Rita Mills from Citizens State Bank. Good at any Stevens County business.
Lynne and Jim Fink are sure to have a good time spending their $25 Gift Card as Flatlanders Farm and Home’s sweethearts and picking from Flatlanders’ gigantic selections.
Main Revelation drew out Maddie and Matt Rome’s names as their lucky sweethearts. The lucky couple can browse through the large selection MR has to pick from and put that $25 Gift Certificate to good use.
Connie Kerbow is sure to be fed well at Bonnie and Clyde’s Grill and Sports Bar. Connie’s name was drawn out as B&C’s lucky winner to receive a $20 Gift Certificate.
Thea and Will Schnittker will be sporting some beautiful new jewelry as the lucky winners at the Little Gift Shop in the Corner of Stevens County Hospital.
High Plains Theatre will be hosting Kenny and Melissa Sullivan for their Date Night. Kenny and Melissa will be able to pick a movie with their two tickets and be treated to the Date Night Bundle fixed especially for them as the Theatre’s drawing winners.
Lana and crew at the Jet Drive-In drew out Butch and Jackie Lewis’ names for their special Sweetheart couple. Butch and Jackie will be treated to Two Free Dinners and drinks whenever they decide to go out on the town.
Matt Johnson and fiancee Angelina McDonald are the lucky sweetheart couple at Twisted H Liquor. They will receive the $25 Gift Card they can put to good use to pick from all Twisted H has to offer.
Millie drew out Chris and Kelly Stanfield as Peddling Petals’ lucky couple. Chris and Kelly will receive that $25 Gift Certificate and be able to pick from some of Millie’s wonderful creations.
Congratulations to all our sweethearts you are all the sweetest! Thank you to our businesses that help support The Hermes’ projects. Please be sure to visit, shop and support all these area businesses. They are really the Greatest!!! They keep our community alive.
The eighth grade Grand Champion of the HMS Science Fair is Gerson Chulim pictured with Mrs. Mecklenburg. Photo courtesy of Morey Mecklenburg.
The Grand Champion for seventh grade is John Cossman pictured with Mrs. Esarey. Photo courtesy of Morey Mecklenburg.
The Hugoton Middle School Science Fair was Wednesday, February 5. There were a total of 99 projects in seventh and eighth grade. Every student produced an experiment with a testable hypothesis.
Grand prize winner for the seventh grade was John Cossman and eighth grade was Gerson Chulim.
Seventh grade science teacher is Mrs. Esarey Ferguson and eighth grade science teacher is Morey Mecklenburg.
Seventh grade winners for the Biological category were first place Emmy Haar with her title “Is it Time to Ditch the Microwave?”. Two teams tied for second place. They were Harper Riddlesperger “Microbloom” and Conlee Eisenhour and Dusti Harris “Vivid Vines”. Third place went to Fynn Reinerio and Carter Trujillo “Communicating with Plants”. The Human Bio category had two tie for first place in the seventh grade. Jose Coreno and Iker Auilera placed first with “Fueling to the Finish Line” and Victoria Kiley with “Warming Up or Not”. Second place went to Joselynn Betance and Amy Jimenez with “Reaction Time”.
First place in the seventh grade in the Consumer category went to John Cossman for “Dam Protection”. Second place was awarded to Peyton Bevan and Aiden McDaniels with “Spot the Bot” and third went to Aalan Valdez with “From Fragile to Bouncy”. In the Food category seventh grade first place went to Josias Hernandez and Kyle Lamatsch with “Athlete Fuel: Electrolytes”. Alivia Grubbs and Yazlin Gonzalez placed second with “Un-boba-lievable!” Third place was awarded to Vivian Steers and Bailey Gerrond for “Artificial vs. Natural”. In the seventh grade Physical category first place went to Angel Franco and Saul Talavera for “Magneto Car”. Second place was awarded to Caiden Perez and Angel Perez with “The Great Surface Tension”. Sebastian Amador and Jaden Ribera placed third for “Community Fan”.
Eighth grade first place winner in the Biological category was Blake Salmans with the idea Compression Trials and title “Oh So Swell”. Second place went to Randy Kiley with Body Transfer Illusions “Hammer Time”. Third place had a tie Ciara Anton and Matisyn Newmon with Reaction time “Are You Fast?” and Ethan Acosta and Isaai Betance with Different view points “Investigating Cyberbullying”.
Eighth grade winners in Consumer category were first place Estrella Calleja and (Braylee Kraisinger absent) with Heat protectant-hair “Hair Can’t Handle The Heat”. The second place winner was Payson Nix with Wipes- clean bacteria “Bye Bye Bacteria”. Third place was awarded to Axcel Padron with Whiten teeth “Brush The Yellow Away”.
First place in Earth/Space category for eighth grade were Jaycee Burrows and Kinley Howie with Tornadoes “TWISTERS”. Second place had a tie. Winners were Jaylen Mendoza and Javier Mendez with Water testing “What’s In Your Water” and Julian Lee with Center of gravity “Cup of Gravitea”. Third place winners were Omar Rodriguez and Julian Avila with Water filtration “Testing Waters”. Eighth grade winners in the Food category were first Ivan Tinoco and Cecil Williams with Artificial food testing “Natural or Not”. Second place was Kyra Klassen with Spicy food relief “Too Hot to Go”. Third place winners were Aaliyah Munoz and Kaylee Shelman for Milk in ice-cream “Scream For Ice-Cream”.
First place winner in the eighth grade Physical category was Gerson Chulim for Light experiment “Stealthy Shapes”. Second went to Wyatt Farmer with Sphero coding “Super Sphero Smackdown” and third place was Galicia Novelo with Bridge hydrolics “Hydrolic Bridges”.
The Community Service award winners are Lynette and Les McNally. Pictured from the left are Luke Grubbs, Lynette, Les and Ron Honig. Congratulations Les and Lynette!!!
The Stevens County Conservation District Board celebrated their 75 years of Conservation service with their annual meeting Saturday, February 1. Introductions were made by Luke Grubbs and Invocation was given by Loren Seaman.
Citizens State Bank sponsored the delicious meal prepared by Hunny’s. Hugoton FFA members helped with the serving of the refreshments. The Hugoton High School Show Choir entertained during the meal. Guest Speaker was Ron Wilson Cowboy Poet.
Loren Seaman introduced the Windbreak, Grassland and Soil Conservation winners for 2024. The awards were presented to the winners by Grubbs and James Murray. Brian and Aymee Harper were the Windbreak winners. The Grassland winner was McClure Farms Partnership (Joel and Karen McClure) and Mid America Cattle (Walter, Estella, Don and Walle Beesley) won the Soil Conservation award.
The conservation poster winners were introduced and given their awards by Nick Martin and Tom Lahey. Door prizes were handed out by Martin and Lahey.
Les and Lynette McNally were chosen this year to receive the Community Service Award.
Les and Lynette have been involved in their communities all of their lives. As with many married couples, one may have been on the board or in the leadership role, but they both “served and supported”.
Les and Lynette both grew up in Hardtner which is south of Medicine Lodge. They both received degrees from Kansas State University. Les received his BS in Agriculture Education in 1979 and Lynette received a BS in Animal Science in 1977 and a MS in Animal Nutrition in 1979.
Les was an Agriculture Education Teacher for Garden City High School from 1979 to 1982. He was a farmer and rancher and had a custom hay business in Barber County from 1982 to 2007. He then became the Ag teacher for Hugoton High School and Middle School from 2007 to 2024.
Lynette was a farm and ranch wife and homemaker from 1979 to 2007. She became a substitute teacher for South Barber School District. She was the secretary for the United Methodist Church from 1994 to 2007 and an office manager for Farm Bureau Insurance until 2007. She became a substitute teacher for Hugoton, Moscow, Elkhart, Rolla and Satanta Schools from 2007 to 2024.
In the Hugoton Community via the FFA Les has been involved in several projects. Projects included annually from 2007 to 2023 Fair Fun Night at the Stevens County Fair; 2009 to 2024 provided portable bleachers on a trailer to view corn and wheat crop test plots; 2014 to 2024 Project Hope Food Bank ($750 average from profit sharing); 2023 and 2024 High Plains Movie Theatre – FFA Chapter sponsored an Ag themed movie during FFA Week and the buyout of $1500 each year (all attendees got in free, 378 people); and 2024 $13,500 relief for Texas wildfires sent to canadian FFA Chapter, and Boys Ranch FFA Chapter.
Lynette has been busy in 4-H. She served as Stateline 4-H Club Leader 1987-2007, activities included picking up trash after the Hardtner 4th of July, Fair clean-up days, bake sales and 4-H week activities. Les has been the goat superintendent and on the Fair Board for the Stevens County Fair for the last 18 years.
Les was honored as a finalist in the Gold Owl Award in 2024. Both have been honored with Honorary Chapter FFA awards and Friends of 4-H awards in previous years.
Les and Lynette have three children, daughter Colleen and Allen Trater of Glen Carbon, Il.; two sons, Caleb and Janae McNally of Quenemo and their children Braelyn, Grady, Gentry and Paden and son Lucas and Toni McNally of Hesston and their children Sophia and Titus.
Worth 1,000 Words
The Hugoton High School powerlifting team proudly shows their medals won at State.
Pictured left to right in back are Genesis Landa, Aleah Farnum and Valeria Valerio. In front are Soe Lin Heger, Mark Williams, Robert Williams, Jorge Hernandez, Josue Monroy, Emily Saucedo, Adriel Camacho, Josephe Hernandez, Aquiles Aguilera, Brandon Lopez, Diego Novelo, Kevin Mendez, Xavier Santoya, Coach Jay Witt and Reaghan Witt. Photo courtesy of Nancy Hernandez.
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