The Class of 2019 (l-r) back row: Matilyn Riley, Raegan Boden, Elizabeth Hardacre, Leah Bienhoff, Blaine Eller, Brice Hendryx, Landon Gering, Britt Bauman, Kenda Reimer; front row: Mrs. Yoxall, Katelynn Fowler, Mariah Stauffer, Karen Torres, Layne Pettijohn, Destiny Shook, Wysteria Corbett, Brandon Grauerholz, Dalton Christensen, Tharen Salner, Brandon Shaw.

TRHS Graduation Ceremony

The Thunder Ridge High School Graduation will be held this coming Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 3:00pm in the high school gymnasium. The Senior class had their last day of school on Friday, April 26 and they left late Friday night traveling to Arlington, TX for Senior Sneak from April 27 through May 1st. They had fun plans and activities lined up. Friday, they will rehearse for graduation and Sunday they will dorn their caps and gowns. Best of Luck to the Class of 2019!

TR School Activities/Dates  

MAY

Wed. 1- MS Achievement Assembly and Art Open House/5th grade Wax Museum 8:30am; 5th-8th Physicals @ Phillips County Me...

Thunder Ridge Grads Play Once More

Elizabeth Hardacre was selected as one of 24 graduating senior volleyball players in the state to play in the  2019 Kansas Volleyball Association All Star Match in Topeka on Saturday, June 1.

Libby and Paige Baird from Northern Valley- photo by Amber Hardacre.

Layne Pettijohn and Brandon Grauerholz represented the Thunder Ridge Longhorns in the State Line All-Star basketball games on Saturday, June 1, in Red Cloud Nebraska. Darren Grauerholz was coach for the girls team. Elizabeth Hardacre was chosen to play as well but also chosen to play at the KVA Volleyball All Star games at Topeka.

Layne and Brandon- photo by Nicki Grauerholz.

Elizabeth Hardacre and Layne Pettijohn played together one last time on Friday night, June 7, at Red Cloud High School when the Kansas meets Nebraska in the State Line Volleyball All-Star Game.  Bruce Hardacre was head coach for the NPL All-Stars.

Layne, Bruce Hardacre and his daughter Libby- photo by Amber Hardacre.

Landon Gering...

The church with the tiny house they used to promote the tiny houses of Veterans' Community Project.

Pastor Lorna giving Brandonn Mixon, one of the CEOs of Veterans' Community Project, the church's $25,000 donation.

Donation Given to Veterans' Community Project

Each year, St. John Lutheran Church selects an organization to support as a mission project. A year ago, they selected Veterans' Community Project, from Kansas City as their mission. The church's youth group even worked there last summer and will again in a couple weeks. The church held various fund raisers and collect donations throughout the year. Both the community and church rallied around this amazing cause. This past Sunday, Brandonn Mixon and his wife Alexa, came to Kensington to present a short program and receive the church's donation. Brandonn is the co-founder and Chief Project Officer at Veterans' Community Project. VCP is an privately funded organization that provides all encompassing services from mental health, dental...

Thunder Ridge Students traveled to Washington D.C.

Team Opportunity was honored to be a part of the National Geographic Challenge, competing at the national level. They were one of 16 teams in the Nation tackling plastic pollution with their ideas of innovation!

Meet Team Opportunity: Ryan Epple, Ava Wiehman, Sydni Rust, Alex Keshmiry, and Zach Barnes. These five teenagers, recently promoted from 8th grade on May 6, and will be entering freshman year in the fall. With their robot TRASHI, and plan for battling plastic pollution, they made a grand trip to Washington D.C. the week of May 19-23, 2019.

Day 1 consisted of setting up their projects, team building and mentoring in their “pods”, a welcome meeting/reception, and short walk to the White House! There was a lot to take in on the National Geographic campus.

(L-r): Zach Barnes, Sydni Rust, Ava Wiehman, Alex Keshmiry, Ryan Epple.

Day 2: There were mentoring sessions with a National Geographic cartographer and engineer. They were also given...

Reminder: if you haven’t RSVP’d for the 2019 Alumni Banquet please do!

Veterans Community Project

Special Presentation to be held at the St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington on Sunday, June 2, from 9:00-11:00am.

Our congregation is hosting Brandonn Mixon, co-founder of Veterans Community Project of Kansas City to present more about their group, what they have been doing and what the future looks like for them.  We invite anyone interested in hearing more about this great endeavor to join us for worship service at 9:00am followed by a brunch meet and greet in the parish hall.

Plan to join us for the Veterans Community Project Mission Presentation on Sunday, June 2, from 9:00-11:00am at St. John Lutheran Church-Elca Kensington, KS.

AN INCREDIBLE RACE!

Kensington Community Vacation Bible School will be May 28-31 from 9:00 am-11:30 am.

VBS locations:

PreK-K (must be potty trained) @1st St John

1st-3rd @United Church

4th-6th @North St John

Program to be held at the United Church on Friday, May 31, a...

Riley Reneberg Memorial Archery Shoot

Mark your calendar and spread the word!

Riley's memorial archery shoot will be Friday May 24th at the park in Kensington. This is going to be the last one.

KCS Potato Bar Fundraiser

As a quarterly fundraiser for the Kensington Community (grocery) Store, Wendy’s of Hays is sponsoring a Baked Potato Bar. Plan to join us at the American Legion Hall in Kensington on Sunday, May 19 from 11:00am to 1:00pm for a baked potato bar with all the fixings. Free will donations accepted.

2019 Wanda May Vinson Scholarship Recipient

The recipients of the Wanda May Vinson Scholarships for 2019 have been announced by Cheryl Gleason, Director of the Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) program, sponsored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. The scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in the Kansas Association for Youth, achieved high scholastic standing and have made contributions of service to the...

Congrats to the Class of 2019!

On Sunday afternoon, May 5, 2019, Thunder Ridge High School held the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2019. Those students graduating included: Britt Bauman, Leah Bienhoff (Valedictorian), Raegan Boden, Dalton Christensen, Wysteria Corbett, Blaine Eller, Katelynn Fowler, Landon Gering, Brandon Grauerholz, Jeran Hale, Elizabeth Hardacre, Brice Hendryx (Salutatorian), Layne Pettijohn, Kenda Reimer, Matilyn Riley, Tharen Salner, Brandon Shaw, Destiny Shook, Mariah Stauffer, and Karen Torres Jovel.

Congratulations on your graduation from high school and wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.

“Chase your dreams, but always know the road that will lead you home again.” -Tim McGraw

Photos by Robin Billings.

Leah Bienhoff, the Valedictorian of the Class of 2019, delivering her speech to the audience.

Salutatorian Brice Hendryx giving his speech of the past and memories made.

Unrolling the traditional ribbon down the line. Pictured left to right: Elizabet...

You’re Invited!

The bell and chime choirs of the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, Norton United Methodist Church and the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Stuttgart will be presenting a Spring Concert this Sunday April 28 at 4:00pm at the Huck Boyd Center. The choirs will perform individually and as a group. The concert is free for the public to enjoy.

Mark Your Calendars

Alumni of Kensington and Thunder Ridge- The invites have been mailed out for the Annual Alumni Banquet. The banquet is scheduled for May 25 at the American Legion Hall in Kensington honoring all years ending in 4 and 9. If you are a graduate of West Smith County or Thunder Ridge High School and you have had a change of address, please contact Staci Foreman at the District Office to make your reservations and update your info. Call 785-476-2218 or email sforeman@usd110.net.

Athol Homecoming Get Together Planned

Everyone with Athol ties is invited to attend an Athol Homecoming Get Together on Sunday May 26, 2019 at the Athol Co...

Easter Egg Hunt!

The annual Easter Egg Hunt is planned for Saturday, April 20th at the old Prairie Haven location. The hunt will start at 1:30pm and children will be divided into three different age groups. Local businesses please deliver your eggs to the Kensington Community Store by April 18th at 4:00pm.

Hark, Hear the Bells

The bell and chime choirs of the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, Norton United Methodist Church and the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Stuttgart will be presenting a Spring Concert on Sunday April 28 at 4:00pm at the Huck Boyd Center. The choirs will perform individually and as a group. The concert is free for the public to enjoy.

Alumni Banquet Coming Soon!

Alumni of Kensington and Thunder Ridge- The invites have been mailed out for the Annual Alumni Banquet. The banquet is scheduled for May 25 at the American Legion Hall in Kensington honoring all years ending in 4 and 9. If you are a graduate of West Smith County or Thunder Ridge High School and you have had a cha...

Alumni Banquet Coming Soon!

Alumni of Kensington and Thunder Ridge- The Annual Alumni Banquet is scheduled for May 25 at the American Legion Hall in Kensington honoring all years ending in 4 and 9. If you are a graduate of West Smith County or Thunder Ridge High School and you have had a change of address, please contact Staci Foreman at the District Office to update your info. We will soon be mailing out invites for the annual alumni banquet and we want to ensure you receive it! Call 785-476-2218 or email sforeman@usd110.net.

North Church News

Fifty-five people were in attendance March 24, 2019 at the St. John Lutheran Church parish hall in Kensington for the Parent Appreciation potluck; formerly called Spring Tea or Mother-Daughter Tea. After the doxology was sung, people filed by three tables filled with cooks delight. Once everyone was seated, all were welcomed by Mary Struckhoff, WELCA Justice officer.

The WELCA Anniversary dinner on February 24, was cancelled due to inclement weather...