Aneta Morris, Hugoton eighth grade art student, has won the prestigious national level Scholastic Gold Medal Award for 2023. Aneta is the daughter of Josh and Keri Morris of Hugoton. Her art teacher is Mr. Terrill at Hugoton Middle School.

The Scholastic Gold Medal is the national honor presented to winning artworks for students in the National Scholastic Art Com- petition level in New York City.

Hugoton has had five such national winners in this competition in the last 23 years, the last three of these winners in the last five years. Aneta was one of just three Gold Medal students from the state of Kansas who achieved this award this year.

Aneta’s winning lifecast found object sculpture entitled “A New Chapter.”  A visual of Aneta’s work will be on display in New York at the Scholastic Headquarters gallery and at the cooperating galleries in the Manhattan Island Times Square regional area in June.   Her work will then travel about the United States for the next two years as well as appear in Scholastic magazines, publications and national art news outlets.

Governor Laura Kelly attended the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, April 12 to celebrate upcoming improvements to the Cimarron Valley Railroad in Southwest Kansas from Dodge City to Hugoton. The railway was awarded nearly $15 million from both private and public sources, including the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) fund and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), to complete the Southwest Kansas Infrastructure Upgrade Project.

Governor Kelly directly advocated for the project’s grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration.

“These upgrades are not just an investment in our infrastructure, but an investment in our agriculture industry – and our economy as a whole,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By rehabilitating over 85 miles of an essential rail line in southwest Kansas, this project will make it easier and more efficient for local businesses to transport biodiesel and other agricultural products.”

“The Cimarron Valley Railroad has been committed to transporting Kansas-grown goods across the country and the world in a safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient way for over two decades. These funds will help us continue to do that,” said Nathan Champion, President of the Cimarron Valley Railroad. “We are thankful for the partnerships – both public and private – that have helped make these upgrades happen to ensure uninterrupted transportation of essential goods throughout local, national, and international markets.”

State legislators also attended the event.

“Upgrading the Cimarron Valley Railroad is essential to keeping our communities connected and their economies thriving,” said Representative David Younger. “Investing in our rural areas will improve rail operations, our economic competitiveness, and safety in the region and statewide. This is a great day for Southwest Kansas and our state as a whole.”

The upgrades are particularly beneficial to our agriculture communities: these funds will transform the line into an efficient agricultural thoroughfare that will connect Kansas to more markets. Freight is crucial to Kansas agricultural communities, and these upgrades ensure it remains one of the safest, most efficient modes of transportation at their disposal.

Hugoton High School Choir members board the Eagle Bus for 4A Regional Music Competition where they ALL received a I Rating!!!

The seventh grade Civics class says ”Thanks for our copies of the Hermes – we are having fun finding local current events in and around our great town!” Photo courtesy of Jill Skinner seventh grade Civics Class instructor. Thank you so much for teaching and learning about the advantages of reading the newspaper!!!

The Hugoton Wrestling Club takes 38 wrestlers to Hays to compete in the District 4 Championship. Cain Gomez, Brett James, Jerrick Gonzales and Kaison Pate participated in the 6 and Under championship in Wichita.

The Hugoton High School Eagles Basketball Boys bring home the State title for the first time!!! The HHS boy’s and girl’s teams headed to State last week in Salina. The Eagles battled Clay Center 80-63, Eudora 55-35 and McPherson 67-58 to win the title of State Champions. The Lady Eagles battled Independence 53-40, Bishop-Miege 37-59 and then Andale 44-38 for a third place finish in State. Coach Trey O’Neil and Coach Emmanuel Adigun have been named to the 4A Coaches of the Year Finalists list. Winner’s names will be announced next weekend. Hugoton’s starting five cleaned up honors within the GWAC league. Carson Bennett and Ryle Riddlesperger were named to the GWAC All-League First Team. Dasean Lewis was named to the GWAC All-League Second Team and Emmett Gaskill and Isaac Martin were named Honorable Mention. The Lady Eagles Gianna Vos, Summya Adigun and Mikyn Hamlin were all named First Team All-GWAC. Riddlesperger and Adigun were both honored with 1000 high school career points during the tournament. Congratulations to both teams for an excellent season!!!

The Distinguished Community Service Award is presented to High Plains Theatre at the annual Conservation Banquet Saturday night. Accepting the award from the left are Theatre board members Diane Crawford, Debbie Nordling, Davonna Daharsh, Yvonne Jackson, Tiffany Reust and Jan Leonard. Presenting the award is Chairman of the Board for the Stevens County Conservation – Luke Grubbs – to the right. Not pictured is board member Bill Losey.