News for 1/15/2020

HOME Foundation 

The annual meeting of the Kensington HOME Foundation will be at 4:00 p.m., January 26th, at First St. John Lutheran Church in the parish hall.  All members of the community are welcome to attend this meeting and get involved with this community organization.  

The HOME Foundation was founded in 1997 with the goal of supporting community organizations.  The foundation currently has approximately $25,000 endowed in the greater Salina Community Foundation.  Generous donations along with interest off the endowment have enabled 26 grants totaling $12,000 since 2015.  The Foundation is seeking input on fundraising opportunities; all feedback is welcome.  

Back row: Mike Isom, Adam Synoground, Don Wiens, Jeff Nech, Gary Hainke, Sam Rice, Dave Wahl, Galen Larsen, Lisa and Tom James

Front row: President Greg Billings, District Governor Tom Baumann, Darold Grauerholz, Kenny Ratliff, Becky Isom, and Robin Billings

Lions Recognized Peace Poster Contestants 

The Kensington lions sponsored a local peace poster contest. Five junior high students participated in it, and each student entered an amazing poster. Participants were Brooklyn Stauffer, Gigi Horesdig, Jennifer Cochrun, PJ Van der Linden, and Rueben Steenkamp. Rueben won the local contest, and his poster was mailed to be entered in the district contest. The winner of the district contest was then entered into the international contest. Rueben's poster did not win at the district level, but he will be recognized at the district Lion's meeting in Hays this coming March with an honorable mention award. 

All the students who entered the local contest were recognized at the club’s January meeting. Parents and students were both invited to share a meal and be recognized. The club was excited to have five students interested in entering the contest. The Thunder Ridge art teacher, Patty Lowe, was very instrumental in getting the contest organized at the local level. A huge thank you to her for her help. The club was very proud of their local talent!!

After the students were honored with their award certificates, the club resumed their regular meeting and had the privilege of having our district governor speak to the club and their guests. He promoted upcoming events, including the district convention, and encouraged us all to invite new people to join our local club. Lions can only serve if they have enough able hands to do the service. Growing our membership is essential for the club to stay strong and active. Tom also told the group that the Lion's focus this year is specifically "We serve through diversity." Lions always strive to serve, but this year's focus is to be more diverse. 

Next, the club addressed local business at hand. They voted to make the Lion's Band Foundation the recipient of their tail twister money for the coming year. Last year, they donated their collected money to the Sight Foundation. The club received recognition for this and awarded two award pins to be given to two members who helped in the area of sight. One "Knight for Sight" pin was given to Mike Isom for his efforts in writing grant to the Smith County Foundation that resulted in a new screener for the county. The other pin went to Darold Grauerholz for his many years of service and efforts to increase and improve vision screenings and awareness. Darold has been dedicated to this cause and has served in many capacities.

In other business, the club voted to pay for part of a leadership registration fee for a student and to purchase a ping pong table for the Senior Center. The club's next meeting will be February 2nd, at 7:00 at the Kensington Senior Center. Please consider becoming a Lion!!

Picture caption: Rueben Steenkamp, Brooklyn Stauffer, Jennifer Cochrun, and PJ Van der Linden, not present was Gigi Hoesdig.

TRMS Honors Program

Each quarter students are recognized for their academic achievements during an Honors Program held for family and friends to attend. Straight A students from each class receive Honors, stating Academic Excellence on the certificate. Students who have made gains are also recognized with a certificate stating Academic Improvement.

The Honors Program for 2nd quarter was held on Wednesday, January 8.

8th Grade Honors (back to front, left to right): Austin Barnes, Joshua Ferguson, Mason Baker; Brooklyn Stauffer, Starla Cochrun; Kamyrn Rietzke, Gianna Hoersdig; Samara Bapat, Dashawn Eller.

7th Grade Honors (back to front; left to right): Ezekiel McGuire; PJ Van der Linden, Jimmy Escobar Orellana; Teaghan Hendryx, Ruben Steenkamp, Jennifer Cochrun; Jenna Barnes, Jennifer Galicia-Banuelos, Allison Rhea.

6th Grade Honors(back to front; left to right): Jackson Dunlap, Evan Slavik; Michael Ferguson, Khloe Reimer.

5th Grade Honors (back to front; left to right): Lukas Dayhuff, Brillon McDowell; Declan Tweedy; Jasmine Ferguson, Hannah Nelson; Alanna Schroeter, Samuel Baker, Konner Wagenblast.

4th Grade Honors (back to front; left to right): Addison Molzahn, Cameron Hardacre, Lexi Rust; Tate Foreman, AJ Dunlap; Shae Baker.

Thunder Ridge Calendar Events

JANUARY

Wed. 15- MS In-School Spelling Bee 9:30am in Auditorium (Agra)

Thur. 16- MS BB @ Rock Hills (Mankato) 4:00pm/ lv 2:30

Fri. 17- HS BB vs Wilson 4:00pm

Sat. 18- Varsity & JV Scholars Bowl @ St. John’s Beloit

NO SCHOOL Monday Jan. 20- Teacher Inservice

Tue. 21- HS NPL Tournament @ Lincoln-Tescott

Thur. 23- MS BB @ Pike Valley (Courtland) 4:00pm/ lv 2:00; HS NPL Tournament

Fri. 24- HS NPL Tournament continues at Lincoln-Tescott

Sat. 25- MS BB Teams to K-State to watch Women’s BB 2:00pm/ lv HS @ 8:45

Mon. 27- MS PTL BB Tournament @ Mankato 11:00am; No TR Academy

Tue. 28- HS BB vs Pike Valley 4:00pm

Wed. 29- 4th/5th to Eagle Day @ Camp Hansen 9:30am/ lv 9:10

Thur. 30- County Spelling Bee @ Phillipsburg Huck Boyd Center 9:00am/ lv 8:40; MS PTL BB Tournament @ Mankato 11:00am

Fri. 31- HS BB @ Southern Cloud (Glasco) 4:00pm

FEBRUARY

Sat. 1-  MS PTL BB Tourney @ Mankato

Weekly Inspiration 

Inhale. Exhale. Everything is going to be ok. Actually, it's going to turn out better than okay, you'll see. - Unknown

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. - Henry David Thoreau

Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far. - Jodi Picoult

ISO NEWS

Send your info to Erica Barnes at ebarnes8185@gmail.com with subject line: NEWS; or feel free to call 785-476-8185. For the full, in color edition, visit www.kensingtonks.net.