The Annual Memorial Day services were met with beautiful weather at Moscow and Hugoton Monday morning.

As usual, families from near and far came together to remember and honor our Veterans and passed family members.

At Moscow, Worship Leader Patty Lahey gave a small service. Coffee, juice, donuts, cinnamon rolls and fruit were enjoyed after the ceremony by all that attended.

At Hugoton, Pastor Gary Stafford gave a small service. The Hugoton Masonic Lodge also had a small service. Bugler for the event was Alexis Hastey. Veterans gathered for the morning at the cemetery for Memorial Day.

The community is so very thankful for our Veterans, Ministers and Grounds Keepers that make these services extra special.

Congratulations to Hugoton Middle School students Grant Goode and Aubree Pate for receiving their Citizenship Awards. This award was given to two deserving eighth graders using the criteria below.

RESPECT

• Shows respect at all times for the Flag, our National Anthem and the Constitution.

• Shows respect for students and citizens of the school and community.

• Respects both public and private property.

• Shows respect for student and adult leaders in school and community.

• Demonstrates a tolerance and respect for the beliefs and convictions of others.

RESPONSIBILITY

• Demonstrates the willingness to assume citizenship responsibilities in school and community.

• Works to build school pride through active participation in those projects which publicize, honor, or beautify the school.

• Displays good sportsmanship whether as a participant or spectator.

• Is friendly toward new students and encourages them to become involved in school activities.

REVERENCE

• Shows reverence, concern, and respect for the well-being of others.

The Jester Awards, a program designed to celebrate excellence in high school musical theatre took place Sunday, May 5 in Wichita. Hugoton High School’s Production of Guys and Dolls was nominated for 13 Regional Awards:

Direction of a Show-Sarah Kitzke

Leading Performer-Jewels Noland

Supporting Performer-Tobias Grubbs

Cameo Performer-Katya Wolters

Small Ensemble-”Crap Shooter’s Ballet”

Dancers Ensemble Production Number- Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat

Vocal Music Direction-Katie Jimenez

Choreography-Holly Grubbs

Scenic Design-Sarah Kitzke

Costume Design-Sarah Kitzke

Lighting Design-Sarah Kitzke

Sound Design-Tyler Parkridge

Of those regional awards, HHS was nominated for five Jester Awards:

Leading Performer-Jewels Noland

Supporting Performer-Tobias Grubbs

Choreography-Holly Grubbs

Lighting Design-Sarah Kitzke

Sound Design-Tyler Parkridge

With the Leading Performer nomination, Jewels had the honor of performing at the awards ceremony with the other leading performer nominees. (The top 20 high school musical performers in the entire state.)

The Jester Awards showcase the next generation of musical theatre talent in Kansas. Each year, trained volunteer judges attend and evaluate dozens of performances. This year, 62 judges viewed 134 performances of 44 productions, involving more than 2,700 students and 44 schools across the state of Kansas.

The Hugoton High School Forensics students are wrapping up a very successful season. They have had three first place finishes, two second place finishes and one third place finish as a team. They have also had countless individual medals. Forensics even had its first foreign exchange student, Alex Thougaard qualify for State. The students’ hard work has paid off and they have 23 State qualifying entries for the 2024 KSHSAA 4A State Tournament in Topeka May 4. Unfortunately, teams are only allowed to bring 16 entries. The team was coached by Head Coach Idamarie Piper and Assistant Coach Nathan Piper. Way to go Eagles!

The following students qualified in the following categories:

• Tristan Kiley (Senior): Poetry, Prose and Serious Solo Acting

• Hailey Maldonado (Senior): Humorous Solo Acting, Improvised Duet Acting, Duet Acting and Impromptu

• Mel Lundy (Senior): Humorous Solo Acting

• Chris Kiley (Senior): Extemporaneous Speaking

• Axel Cowser (Senior): Poetry • Austin Hewitt (Junior): Humorous Solo Acting, Improvised Duet Acting, Prose and Impromptu

• Mia Singer (Junior): Humorous Solo Acting and Duet Acting

• Kaden Johnson (Junior): Prose

• Tobias Grubbs (Junior): Prose and Impromptu

• Alex Thougaard (Junior): Prose • Kayla Milhon (Junior): Poetry

• Lupe Hernandez (Sophomore): Serious Solo Acting, Impromptu and Duet Acting

• Tanya Juardo (Freshman): Duet Acting

• Jenna Schmidt also qualified for the State Festival in Poetry.

The Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet is planned for Saturday, April 27. Entertainment for the evening will be Dennis Laffoon.

Dennis Laffoon is a Keyboardist, vocalist and recording artist with over 35 years of experience. He has performed with Heart, Journey, Cheap Trick, REO, Night Ranger and Kansas to name a few and heard and known around the world with his versatile and unique style of playing keyboards.

Dennis started playing piano at the age of 10 and got his first portable organ at the age of 12 along with playing in his first rock band in grade school. He then played saxophone in the high school band, but his love for playing keyboards over shadowed the sax. He performed in area rock bands through high school and went to college for a short time for music but left early to travel, performing in night clubs all across the country.

At the age of 20 Dennis put together “Powerglide” who performed for 15 years, and released his first album “Glide On” with 12 original songs all written by Dennis Laffoon. He then joined national recording artist “Shooting Star” and released their first charting single “Touch Me Tonight” which went to the Number 2 spot on MTV and since then released three albums “It’s Not Over”, “Leap Of Faith” and “Circles”.

Dennis has also released two solo albums with all original songs “Nothing Left Unsaid” and “Always Christmas” that are also available on iTunes. He also had the honor of being inducted to the Kansas Music Hall of Fame March 9, 2009.

Dennis has a favorite saying that he adapted from the movie “The Rookie”: “Guess what we get to do today? We get to play music!”

Performing his Elton John Experience tribute along with The Piano Man tribute to Billy Joel and Great Balls of Fire tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, Dennis has received high praise from his peers and audiences everywhere.

You definitely don’t want to miss it! Slim Pickins will be catering. The HALO organization will be serving this year. there are tables available to be decorated for the evening. Theme for the evening is Promote Your Business. You do not have to be a Chamber member to decorate a table or attend this event. Tickets are $30 per person and can be obtained at the Chamber Office, 630 S. Main, or by calling Tina at 620-544-4305 or email hugotonchamber@gmail.com. Meet and Greet begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner and entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Hall. Please RSVP soon to ensure a seat!

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 2023 Distinguished Service Award will be announced. Make your reservations now!

John Doll       Dave Younger   Bill Clifford

Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce, Stevens County Economic Development and Stevens County Farm Bureau Association will host a Legislative Update this coming Saturday, April 20 starting at 3:00 p.m. in the Senior Center.

The Update offers a great opportunity to speak with government representatives and to hear about goings-on in the Kansas State Capitol. State Senator John Doll, State Representative Dave Younger and State Representative Dr. Bill Clifford will speak briefly about their accomplishments and ongoing projects.

The public is invited to attend, listen and ask questions. So please mark your calendars to attend the Update Saturday afternoon.

The Hugoton High School Choir directed by Renee Beesley and accompanied by Angela Heger, were invited to travel to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall April 6, 2024 with National Concerts. The group of 25 students traveled to New York April 3 to begin rehearsals with Dr. Julie YU and Dr Cari Earnhart.

While in NYC the students visited the 911 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, visited several museums, viewed Manhattan from the top of 30 Rockefeller, took in a Broadway musical “Wicked”, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, experienced New York’s largest earthquake in 100 years , and of course performed on the infamous stage of Carnegie Hall, where Hugoton’s very own Bryan Montoya was selected to perform a solo in one of the pieces.

This trip taught Hugoton’s students many life lessons, leadership lessons, and a knowledge of the world around them. The group would like to thank USD 210 for supporting and encouraging this trip, also the community that so generously, financially helped support the travels. The music students learned many life lessons that will shape them for many years.

The Hugoton FFA hosted their 2024 Banquet Tuesday, March 26 in the high school cafeteria. The State Degree recipients for 2024 were Nicole Bustillos, Torrin King, Zane Poulsen, Jayce Heger, Tobias Grubbs, Carter McClure and John Shelton.

Hugoton FFA Alumni scholarships were awarded to Bustillos, Heger, King, Carter McClure and Poulsen. Poulsen and McClure were awarded their plaques for District Star at the banquet.

Dream First Bank was presented the Distinguished Service Award.

Community Service activity for the FFA members included Stevens County Conservation District supper, Food for Project Hope; High Plains Movie Theatre free movie night and new seats sponsor; fair fun night at the Stevens County Fair; Ag Education programs; first grade pumpkin carving and second grade “From Farm to Lunch Box” and for the 2024 wildfire relief calf milk replacer/range cubes to Canadian FFA and 45 tons of hay to Boys Ranch FFA.