News for 4/1/2026

Overall winner, Lexi Rust, photo courtesy of Michelle Rust.

Hannah Nelson, photo courtesy of Eberle Studios.

L-r: Konner Wagenblast, Luke McNary, Brillon McDowell, teacher Bobbi Basart, Henryk Watkins, Morgan Brownwood, Lexi Rust, Hannah Nelson, Jasmine Ferguson.

All the entrepreneurs that participated in the Smith County Youth Entrepreneur Competition on March 10, 2026.   Photo credit to Eberle Studios

YEC Challenge Results

The Smith County Youth Entrepreneur Challenge (YEC) was held on March 10, 2026 at Thunder Ridge High School.  Students from Thunder Ridge and Smith Center participated in the event by developing and pitching a business idea or actual business plan a student has already in place.   

This year 50 student entrepreneurs presented 39 businesses to judges from the community.  Each entrepreneur developed an executive summary, formal presentation and a trade show booth to showcase their conceptual or actual business.

This year over 10,000.00 was given away to the participants and winners.  The following are results from the YEC competition:

Overall Winner:  Lexi Rust with Happy Fins Swim Lessons

2nd place Overall Winner: Kaydyne Armknecht with KK’s Bakery

1st Place Actual Business  - Happy Fins Swim Lessons, Lexi Rust

2nd Place Actual Business - KK’s Bakery, Kaydyne Armknecht

3rd Place Actual Business - Big B’s Boards, Brillon McDowell

4th Place Actual Business - Kids Camp Co., Ruby Smith & Laila Warner

5th Place Actual Business - Hippie Haven Apparel, Alanna Schroeter

1st Place Conceptual Business - Old to Bold, Breckyn McDowell

2nd Place Conceptual Business - RPM Glow, Morgan Brownwood & Henryk Watkins

3rd Place Conceptual Business - Precision Spark, Konner Wagenblast

4th Place Conceptual Business - Hannah’s Freeze Dried Treats, Hannah Nelson

5th Place Conceptual Business - Happy Roll Co., Jasmine Ferguson

Best Junior High Business USD 110  - Old to Bold, Breckyn McDowell

Best Junior High Business USD 237 - Kids Camp Co., Ruby Smith & Laila Warner

Happy Fins Swim Lessons by Lexi Rust will represent Smith County at the Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in Manhattan on April 28 and 29th. 

Mark your calendar for May 23rd, 2026 

Mark your calendar for the annual Alumni Banquet! Saturday, May 23, in Kensington. If you need to update your address, please email dstmforeman@gmail.com!

Easter Eggs Needed

The annual Easter Egg Hunt will be April 4, 2026 at 1pm. If any businesses or individuals would like to donate filled eggs, please leave them at Kensington Community Store by NOON on April 3. Thank you for your contribution to make this event possible for the kids!

TR Schedule of Events

Thunder Ridge TR KAYS will host their spring blood drive on Tuesday, April 21.It will be held in the high school FACS room. Please book your appointment online or contact Robin Billings for assistance.

APRIL

Wed. 1- 10th grade KS Math Assessments; 11th grade KS Science Assessments

Thu. 2- 10th grade KS Math Assessments; 11th grade KS Science Assessments

Fri. 3- Good Friday-No school

Mon. 6- No School-Easter Break

Tue. 7- 3pm HS Track w/Beloit St. Johns

Thu. 9- 9:30am MS Track Meet @ Norton

Fri. 10- Kindergarten Roundup

Sat. 11- HS Regional Solo & Small Ensemble @ Concordia

Tue. 14- 10am MS Track @ Stockton; 3pm HS Track Redmen Relays @ SC

Fri. 17- 11am HS Hill City Invite @ Hill City

Sat. 18- 8:30am HS State Powerlifting @ Claflin

Tue. 21- KAY Blood Drive; 3pm HS Logan Invitational @ Logan

Fri. 24- 9:30am MS Track @ Osborne; 3pm HS Kaser Relays @ Osborne

Sat. 25- PROM

Condolences

Sympathy and prayers for the family and friends of the late Julie Grauerholz. Julie, daughter of Darold and Joyce, passed away on March 23, 2026 at the age of 62.

News Items Needed

You are invited to share your good news! Submit to Erica Barnes at ebarnes8185@gmail.com by Sunday afternoon please. Put NEWS in the subject line.