By Randy Fogg

The Ledger Staff

INMAN – Kyler Blank - one of three valedictorians for Inman High School’s Class of 2016, who spoke during commencement exercises – admitted most of his classmates only heard “three words at a time” from him during his high school years.

“Today, you will hear 360 words from me – probably a record for me,” Blank said.

Besides Blank, Inman’s other valedictorians were Caleb Renner and Courtney Bashore. Inman’s commencement exercises were Saturday, May 14, at the IHS gymnasium.

“This is an amazing opportunity and I will remember it always,” Blank said.

He noted as he and his classmates started high school, they soon realized classes were tougher and athletic competitions were more difficult.

“High school is a stepping stone for whatever challenges you want to do next,” Blank said. “I’m excited for next year as we continue our education or enter the workforce.”

Inman Superintendent Kevin Case led commencement this year. He said Inman Junior/Senior High School Principal Scott Friesen, who usually leads the ceremony, had to miss it this year because he was receiving his doctorate degree in education the same day, in Wichita.

Jacob Doerksen, class president, gave the greeting.

He noted he often thought about what it would be like to attend a larger high school.

“I’m really thankful to grow up with all of you,” Doerksen said. “I’m so blessed to graduate from Inman High School.”

By Randy Fogg

The Ledger Staff

MOUNDRIDGE – Mylaya Bell-Martinez and Cassidy Finley, students at Moundridge High School, said they were enjoying the opportunity to work in the sunshine during the annual Moundridge Community Cleanup Day, Thursday, May 12.

The two teens were part of a group that washed windows, pulled weeds and swept sidewalks in the downtown area.

“It gives us a chance to give back to our community,” Finley said.

Bell-Martinez added, “We can take pride in our community.”

Finley said the day allows MHS students – from ninth to 12^th graders - to work with fellow students they might not know well.

“We can find new friends,” she added.

MHS teacher Connie Kaufman said she had nine students working in her group.

After starting out washing the windows at the Moundridge Food Market, the group moved to the downtown area.

“We’re getting as much done as we can,” Kaufman said.

Students left the high school shortly after 8 a.m. and worked at their projects until noon.

“We had kids all over Moundridge,” MHS Principal Hilarie Hecox said.

Hecox said students went to Pine Village and washed residents’ cars and windows. They also washed windows at Moundridge Manor.

At Northridge, students washed windows on 54 duplexes and pulled weeds.

Students painted playground equipment and did landscaping work at Black Kettle Park.

Students went to Cradle To Crayons Childcare Center and Moundridge Senior Center to do some painting, dusting and other cleanup work.

In addition, students cleaned the Outdoor Wildlife Area, located behind the high school practice field.

Students picked up debris that had blown into the Moundridge Municipal Swimming Pool, at Wheatridge Park.

The concession stand at the ball fields was painted and students also prepped the fields.

“It was awesome,” Hecox said. “The kids showed good citizenship.

“It was an awesome day to give back to the Moundridge community for all they do for the schools,” she added.

Hecox said she appreciated MHS teacher Melanie Krehbiel for organizing the activities and for the staff members, who led the students on their projects.

She noted the Moundridge Chamber of Commerce provided doughnuts and orange drink for a midmorning break for students.

Members of the Moundridge Lions Club grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for students’ lunch, which was served at Black Kettle Park.

By Randy Fogg

The Ledger Staff

INMAN – Dave Schneider, who has owned Dave’s Auto Repair in Inman for 35 years, was chosen to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery when he went on a Kansas Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in late April.

The 82-year-old Schneider, a U.S. Navy veteran, said his group also watched the changing of the guard at the tomb.

“It was very meaningful,” Schneider said.

He added his son, Mitch Schneider, accompanied him on the trip and assisted him during the wreath-laying ceremony.

Schneider served in the Navy from 1953-57 during the Korean War. He was an engineman on a naval minesweeper.

“I knew I was going to go somewhere in the military,” Schneider said. “I wanted to be in the Navy.

“I enjoyed it,” he said of his stay in the military. “It was good.”

Schneider’s honor flight left Wichita April 27, and returned April 29. A veteran does not have to pay anything to go on an honor flight. All veterans were required to have someone accompany them, Schneider added

“It was great,” Schneider said of the trip.

In his group, Schneider said there were 14 Korean War veterans and 12 from World War II.

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