Hands in Clay Studio Opens Online Store
Hands in Clay Studio is excited to announce its NEW ONLINE store!
(Courtney was born and raised in Scott City, and is the daughter of Bruce and Jonny Bill Wilkens.)
"I am finally plugged in to the 21st century and selling my work ONLINE at http://www.etsy.com/shop/HiCStudio
I am hosting my online store through an exciting company that specializes in selling 'all things handmade,' ETSY.com. Currently I am showcasing my jewelry collection and will soon have my NEW Sculptural work for sale online!
As I am a small and low frequency studio, I would greatly appreciate it if you would help me with advertising my new ONLINE venture by sending this announcement to any of your friends and family that you may feel would enjoy my work! It would be greatly appreciated, as the cost of online advertisement can be very costly for a small studio such as Hands in Clay Studio!
You can access my work through the above mentioned website or through the main page of ETSY by clicking on the toggle in the middle of the page and scrolling to 'sellers' and typing in HiCStudio. The site is fun and interactive. Feel free to send me a message through the site or even make me a favorite! Thank you so much for sharing in my excitement for this new step for Hands in Clay Studio! Check back soon to see new arrivals to the store."
Kind Regards, Courtney Wilkens, artist and owner of Hands in Clay Studio *** If you would like to be taken of my email list for future updates or have an alternate email you would like me to use, please email me and I will update my list. (3.9.10)
Ed Beckley Adventures!---Class of 1968
I had a nice e-mail from Ed Beckley, born and raised in Scott City! Here are several links to catch up on his exploits and adventures. This is all very fun to watch and read. Thank you, Ed, for sharing with scottcity.info! (1.28.10)
"Scott City born and raised Class of 1968! Thought you might like to pass this on………
Seeya!"
Ed Beckley
Beckley's Checkered Flag Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box 1198
Bridgeport, TX 76426
Office Phone 940-683-4742
Fax 940-683-3935
www.checkeredflagproductions.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridgeport-TX/Checkered-Flag-Productions/215487994070
Video of jump in Evansville, Indiana from Espn tv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOqzoZBkQnU
Cycle Jumpers website
http://www.cyclejumpers.com/biged.html
Front Cover and write up from Fortune Small Business Magazine
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2005/04/01/8256506/index.htm
NAMED 2009 World of Outlaw Sprint Car Promoter of the Year
http://www.tjslideways.com/2009/11/11/dodge-city-ed-beckley-named-2009-world-of-outlaws-promoter-of-the-year/
Scott Citian Earns Prestigious Academic Award
William Rane Nolan, 2005 graduate of Scott Community High School and 2009 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been awarded a Cambridge International Scholarship from the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England. Nolan is a mechanical engineer whose interests have always been focused toward aerospace endeavors. His award is under the direction of Dr. Holger Babinsky, a fellow in the ThermoFluids division of the department of engineering. The CIS allows Nolan to pursue his doctorate degree in engineering with full funding, with his research concentrating on high-speed aerodynamics and supersonic flight. He is also a recipient of additional funding through the generosity of the Scott Community Foundation. Rane is the son of Bill and Marian Nolan of Scott City.
Rane Nolan was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship and Gates Scholarship in 2009. After interviewing for both awards, he was notified of the award from the University of Cambridge. While the other scholarships fund two years of studies in England, with the option of renewing for an additional year if qualified, the CIS provides the vehicle to complete a doctorate in 3-4 years.
Nolan had a successful career at MIT. In addition to be a four-year starter and three-year varsity member of the Men's Heavyweight 8+ rowing team, he was named into Tau Beta Pi, The Engineering Honor Society in the spring of 2008, Pi Kappa Chapter of Pi Tau Sigma, the International Mechanical Engineering Honors Society in the fall of 2007, as well as the MIT chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in 2007.
He researched powdered metals for Drexel University in Philadelphia during the summer of 2008, under the direction of Dr. Mitra Taheri, and presented his paper at the TMS 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibition in San Francisco in February of 2009.
Nolan was matriculated into the University of Cambridge and Trinity Hall College in October of 2009. He is currently rowing in the heavyweight 8+ for his college. Below is a photo of Rane at his matriculation ceremony.
Kathy (Christy) Harkness on the P.R.O.W.L.
My sister, Kathy (Christy) Harkness is a vice principal in the Wichita, Kansas school district, USD 259. She currently works at Colema Middle School. Not only is she a fantastic educator, the kids have always especially loved her. She is fearless, so you never know what she'll come up with next! This time she returns to her yearly role as a witch! Watch the video...
Follow this link to a newstory from USD 259, Wichita, Kansas. Click on Coleman Middle School, P.R.O.W.L. project: P.R.O.W.L.
Lance Brittan and "Thunder Equigames"
Lance Brittan, our very own World Champion Bullfighter, is participating in the 2009 Thunder Equigames. Please follow this link to find out more about this event. Go, Lance! (Provided by Jana Brittan 11.11.09)
Dr. Wilkens on "FoxNews.com"
This is an interview that Carrie did with Alan Colmes of Fox News on obsessive behavior and addiction. 11.11.09
http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/22295711/am-i-motivated.htm#q=wilkens
Heather Crist to Exhibit at Security State Bank
Heather Crist is bringing her western Kansas photography home from L.A. to exhibit at the Security State Bank from 23-27 November 2009. An "Artist's Reception" will be held on 23 November from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the bank. Please come to welcome Heather home and to appreciate her efforts to photograph her childhood home and share it with other parts of the country. Heather is the daughter of Ted and Pam Crist.
(Provided by Louise Berning 11.11.09)
Dr. Gerrad Speer Opens Lenexa Clinic
I'm proud to announce that Dr. Gerrad Speer, SCHS Class of 2001, has opened a new chiropractic clinic in Lenexa, Kansas. He is the son of Lark and Gary Speer, Scott City. If you remember, Gerrad was a champion wrestler for the SCHS wrestling team, later playing football for Baker University.
Check out the link http://www.lenexa.org/news/gallery/SpeerChiroRC9-09/SpeerChiroRC9-09.htm to see the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce coverage of his clinic opening. Congratulations Gerrad!!! 10.02.09
Pastor Galen Huck and "Program Oxen"
Pastor Galen Huck of Cheyenne, Wyoming was recently featured in "Around Cheyenne" magazine. This is a wonderful article, detailing Galen's mission work in Africa and his relationship with another pastor who has developed a ministry. There is also a mission bent to the story, sharing Galen's vision to provide oxen for agriculture to farmers (through their pastors).
Follow this link to the article.
(Galen graduated from Scott Community High School in 1981. He is married to May Kay (Hess) Huck. They have two children, Cory and Shaylyn. 7.18.09)
Taheri and Colleagues to Present at TMS
Taheri and Colleagues to Present at TMS (Drexel University Press Release---2.3.09)
Dr. Mitra Taheri, Hoeganaes Assistant Professor of Metallurgy, and colleagues will present three papers at the TMS 2009 Annual Meeting & Exhibition, February 15-19, in San Francisco. Two of the papers report on work made possible by the dynamic transmission electron microscope (DTEM) developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. DTEM provides the highest temporal resolution ever, using single shot electron beam imaging of ultrafast processes with nanometer spatial resolution. (TMS---The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society)
The third paper describes work performed in part by Rane Nolan, a participant in the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site DREAM: Drexel Research Experience in Advanced Materials. The paper is titled “Electrically insulating phosphate coatings for iron powder based electromagnetic core applications.” Colleagues from Hoeganaes Corporation also contributed to this work.
Research Abstract (The topic is: "Electrically Insulating Phosphate Coatings for Iron Powder Based Electromagnetic Core Applications", in case you have to scroll down the list to find the link.)
Nolan Wins DREAM Poster Session 2008 DREAM Fellow---Rane Nolan
Becky (Greenlee) Stoppel Awarded Finney County "Crystal Apple"
Congratulations to Becky Stoppel, SCHS alumni, for being awarded the "Crystal Apple". Becky taught both 5th and 6th grade here in Scott City for many years before transferring to Holcomb Middle School. She has always been an outstanding educator and I know that this award is more than deserved! 2.16.09
Crystal Apple RecipientsOn Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the Clarion Inn in Garden City, three teachers were named 2008 Crystal Apple Teacher of Finney County. The three teachers that won the highly honored distinction include: George Caine, Garden City High School; Sherry Nelson, Jennie Barker Elementary School; and Rebecca Stoppel, Holcomb Middle School.
Each Crystal Apple Teacher was presented with a $1,000 cash award. They also received an engraved crystal apple, a lapel pin, and a certificate for their honor.
The Crystal Apple Teacher Recognition Program was developed, organized and implemented by the Community Awareness and Recognition (C.A.R.E.) Committee, a Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce task force representing Garden City Public Schools, Holcomb Public Schools and the Chamber of Commerce. The program honors outstanding teachers in Finney County for their efforts in teaching children.
Curtis Simons---Class of 1978
It is especially nice to bring news of one of my classmates, Curtis Simons. Curtis is a 2008 inductee into the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. He has spent the last eleven years coaching at Emporia High School, being at Hoisington and Wichita County previously. Curtis was an excellent wrestler during high school. Scott City should be very proud of Curtis' accomplishments; I know the Class of 78 is! I have also listed this achievement on the "Notables" page of this website. 11.2.08
Nate Kaczor Coaching Special Teams in Jacksonville
SCHS alumni football player Nate Kaczor is now an assitant special teams coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has coached collegiate football ever since he finished his college playing career. Now he has made the ultimate step to the National Football League. Great job, Nate!!! 9.26.08
Go to this link to see his Coache's Bio on the Jaguar website:
www.jaguars.com/team/coach.aspx?id=2780
Dr. Wilkens Makes Second CBS Appearance
Carrie Wilkens, PhD, has made another appearance on the CBS Morning News. She is interviewed over the topic "Drunkarexia". We are all very proud of her! 2.5.08
This will take you to the same page as the previous link. Type either "Carrie Wilkens" or "Drunkarexia" in the Search box. It will bring up the video on that topic.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3691682n
(When you view each clip, you have to watch the advertisement first...)
Scott McGonagle Shares Website (Class of 1975)
Scott McGonagle has shared his website with viewers of scottcity.info. Scott is the son of Joe and the late Reba McGonagle and graduated from SCHS in 1975. He is the current Director of Athletic Training at the University of Miami (FL). You can go to the "Letters" page to read his letter to me. We both hope you enjoy his photography! Thank you, Scott!!! 2.5.08
Dr. Carrie Wilkens Featured on CBS Morning News
This past week, Carrie Wilkens, PhD, was featured on the CBS Morning News. Carrie is the daughter of Bruce and Jonny Bill Wilkens. She graduated from Scott Community High School in 1987. Carrie is the founder of The Center for Motivation and Change in New York City. Her emphasis in psychological treatment is on addiction. Watch the video clip by following this link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3691682n
The Center for Motivation and Change has a website at this link: www.motivationandchange.com
(1.19.08)
Tessie Barrett, MD~~~Class of 1995
Dr. Tess Barrett, 1995 SCHS graduate, completed her four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Minnesota. Graduation from the residency program was held on June 8, 2007. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1999, and from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2003. Tessie has joined the Riverway Group in Coon Rapids, MN, where she will begin working August 1, 2007 as one of nine Ob-Gyn doctors. She continues to live in Vadnais Heights, MN. Tessie is the daughter of Jim and Hannah Barrett of Scott City. 9.9.07
(What an outstanding young lady! Tessie was a part of our church choir, along with her brothers, Jordan and Sam. The Barretts are especially blessed with vocal chords! We are certainly proud of Tessie's achievements---and not at all surprised!)
Update on the USS Boise (Max Jones' Submarine!)
Boise Comes Home After Trip 'Round the World
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christina M. Shaw, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs NORFOLK (NNS)
The fast-attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764), homeported in Norfolk, returned home May 30 from a seven-month deployment around the world. The crew demonstrated the submarine force's ability to make full use of every asset they have in the most productive way possible.
Boise deployed Oct. 30 and transited under the Arctic ice to the Pacific to begin what became an almost 37,000-mile voyage. Boise completed a wide range of joint requirements supporting national security in the U.S. Pacific and Central Command areas of responsibility before passing through the Suez Canal and returning home via the Mediterranean and Atlantic to complete a nuclear-powered circumnavigation of the globe. Throughout the cruise, Boise also completed national security missions along with global war on terrorism and maritime security operations missions. "The original plan was to do a Western Pacific cruise and return through the Panama Canal, but we were reassigned to the Indian Ocean. The crew responded well to the change and I'm proud of them," said Boise Commanding Officer Cmdr. Rod Mills. "They did a great job and we had a lot of fun doing it with no problems."
While deployed, Boise's crew members served as ambassadors for the United States Navy during port visits to Yokosuka, Japan; Guam; Singapore; Limassol, Cyprus; and Toulon, France. For several of the crew this deployment was new in many ways. "The crew in general does not have a lot of deployment experience. Some have served on other subs but we have a lot of younger crew members," said Mills. "It's not my first deployment and I'm sure it won't be my last. I'm just happy to be home and to see my family," said Yeoman 1st Class (SS) Buddy Shiltz, Boise's leading yeoman.
With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, fast-attack submarines like Boise are multimission capable to deploy and support special forces operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity and ensure undersea superiority. Boise is 360 feet long, displaces 6,900 tons of water and can travel in excess of 25 knots. For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/sublant/.
(Provided by Travis Jones---Thanks, Travis!!!---6.18.07)
Dwight Stoppel~~~Class of 1973
Stoppel Inducted into FHSU Tiger Sports Hall of Fame
Scott City has another graduate who was recently recognized for his contributions to the sport of Track and Field---Dwight Stoppel. Dwight was a member of the SCHS Class of 1973, excelling in all athletics at the high school level. He competed for Fort Hays State University in Track and Field, achieving some great honors while a member of their team. Dwight was a three time All-American in the high jump, a four-year letter award winner, and also the winner of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor High Jump title. Many of you may also remember that Dwight was our high school Athletic Director, as well as coaching the SCHS Track team to numerous state titles.
Dwight is currently the principal of the Osage City K-8 school. His wife, Sheree, is the Choral Director at Emporia High School. They have three sons: Kaleb, who is on a Track and Field scholarship for The University of Missouri-Kansas City; Nick, who is on a Track and Field scholarship at Butler County Community College; and Blake, a sophomore at Osage City High School and an up-and-coming Cross Country runner. (1.23.07)
X-Factor Sets Guinness World Record Watching 70 Hours of Football
(This is from Ty Rowton,The X Factor! He wrote this about his record for watching 70 straight hours of football. I love to hear from Ty. He is a true vision of what opportunities America provides for its citizens. Where else could you make a living and provide wonderful charity projects by being an "ultimate fan"?!?! More power to Ty and all of the wonderful things he does.)
"X-Factor recently won an ultimate fan contest hosted by 610am, Dish Network, and the NFL Network. For winning the Kansas City region, X-Factor won a big screen TV, a Lazy Boy, and a years paid Dish Network. The second part of the contest was that X-Factor was flown out to the land of the enemy---Denver, Colorado---to complete against 7 other contestants to try to break the Guinness World Record for watching 69 hours 43 minutes of continuous football.
X-Factor flew out to Denver on Saturday and got to spend that evening trying to psych his competition out. After a good nights sleep the contest officially began at 11am, but X-Factor was so excited that he woke up at 5am. The rules of the contest were that X-Factor couldn't take his eyes off of the TV, not even for a second, he couldn't close his eyes or rub his eyes excessively. Each contestant had 2 personal assistants that had to stare at the contestants for 4 hours shifts to ensure that they never took their eyes off of the TV. These assistants also got the competitors anything that they needed such as food, drinks, etc. Each contestant received a 5 minute break every hour and the competitors could chose to skip their break and bank their time.
X-Factor began the contest wearing his away game X-Factor outfit, and had brought along some good luck charms such as pictures of X-Factor with various (KC) players, including Priest, LJ, Roaf, Lamar, Trent and, of course, Jared Allen, whose number 69 was the magic number X-Factor was shooting for. X also brought along his Hall of Fame plaque and then his My Little Pony, whose name is John Elway, to entertain the Broncos fans.
X-Factor's game plan was to skip as many breaks as possible to save the time for the end of the competition when it would be needed most. So X-Factor went the first 17 hrs without taking a break, and even when he did take a break, it only took 3 minutes 58 seconds to change out of the X outfit, pull out his contacts and use the restroom. X-Factor then went another 13 hrs before his next break, which was only for 2 minutes 20 seconds, so after 30 hrs he had only used a little over 6 minutes. Once the competition began there was another competition going on with the assistants to see who was going to get to sit with X. X-Factor kept telling them that we were going to party for their 4 hr shift and that was the case the whole contest.
To help X on his conquest, the Superfans banded together to post X's phone number to Chiefs fans across the nation. RedXtreme, WeirdWolf, Michelle, and Justin posted it on numerous Chiefs websites and various other sites. This became the biggest thing that helped X persevere, as the calls started coming in from everywhere and at all hours of the day and night. X received calls from Florida, New York, California, and just about every state in between. The support from family and the Chiefs family was just absolutely phenomenal. X ended up answering 2,853 calls and missed thousands of more. The calls were so overwhelming that (they) started answering the calls by saying you have reached X's Telethon how much would you like to donate.
With 10 hrs left in the competition, 7 out of the 8 contestants were left, with X in the lead cause he had around 5 and half hrs of break time left and was the only competitor not to have slept during his breaks. X suggested that since he had become such good friends with the other competitors, and that (since) it was a Canadian that owned the record, that they work together and set the record together. X said let's show the world friendship, sportsmanship, compassion, and teamwork and attack this Canadian and bring the record back to America where it belongs, (be)cause we are the couch potato, TV, remote control, and football kings.
X's assistants convinced him that, since he was attempting to set the record without sleeping, that he go out on the town. So a bunch of X's assistance came to the bar and took him out on the town. X was amazed (at) the reaction that he got from Broncos fans, they had went from giving him a hard time at the beginning to supporting and congratulating him. How this had happened was, during the competition X-Factor was the only Superfan, so he was asked to do most of the interviews across the nation and especially in Denver.
The last few hours were spent working to keep each other going. X spent the time helping (keep) his new friend from Indy going. Indy's assistants would say "X he is fading", so X would grab his arm and make him stand up and do exercises and drink a Monster Energy drink. X, in fact, went the first 64 hrs without any caffeine and only drank a Monster as a celebration drink with his assistants. Finally at 8:43 am, all 7 of the contestants broke the record together and then went another 17 minutes to make the record be 70 hrs. Once the NFL network heard what the competitors had done, they announced that there wouldn't be just 1 fan getting the 5 day all expense paid trip for 2 to Hawaii for the 2007 Pro Bowl, but all 7 would get to go!!"
Look for X-Factor on Leno, Letterman, Conan and the morning shows as soon as the record is verified within a couple months. Keep checking back to latest news for updates.
Brad Anderson~~~Class of 1967
Louise Berning sent in this imformation on an SCHS classmate of hers---Brad Anderson. Brad and Louise graduated in 1967. I have linked this site to a page on the University of Kentucky website. You will find a bio on Brad's work in pharmaceuticals, plus his publications, etc. He was raised in Scott City and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Anderson. Mr. Anderson was known for his volunteer work and ran the McDonald's clothing store (which was located where the pharmacy is now). (10.1.06)
(As I learn more about what people who were raised in Scott City have accomplished, I am ever more impressed with what a provincial town in middle America has accomplished. We are the backbone of the nation---the producers which are the main engine of the economy. Having ties with the academies and the military, it is important to note that we produce the kind of young men and women that they strive to recruit. Scott City is full of "good things".)
Jarrod Herbers "Lives Strong" for Others~~~Class of 1995
Jarrod Herbers, son of Tom Herbers and the late Sharon Herbers, is featured in this article by the Kansas City Star. He is riding for charity to help the Lance Armstrong Foundation raise money for cancer research. I think you will find this link interesting. Jarrod has always been an exceptional young man.
(My personal thanks to Natasha Rodenburg Rice for this information.---8.10.06)
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/15226747.htm
If you wish to donate to Jarrod's Livestrong Challenge, please visit his personal website: Jarrod's Challenge Website
Former Scott City Track Star Honored
Deandra (Doubrava) McBride was inducted into the NCAA Division II Track and Field Hall of Fame on May 24, 2006.
The banquet was held in the Memorial Union at Emporia State University on the evening prior to the Division II National Track Meet. This is the third time that Emporia State has hosted the National Meet. Deandra ran at nationals for the first time in 1994. Also honored was Brian Moorman, who ran track for Pittsburg State University (currently with the NFL Buffalo Bills) and three other athletes, Steve Gordon of the University of South Dakota, Sarah Parkey Meyer of Adams State University, and Jeff Sander of Central Missouri University. (6/27/06)
Max Jones, United States Navy~~~Class of 2002
(I ran into Max while he was home on leave and asked him to share about his life on a nuclear submarine. It is an interesting career, to say the least. Max was the captain of my very first Scholars' Bowl team. He set the standard for all of those who followed. The subsequent captains never forgot how and why he managed the team the way he did. He is a brilliant and fascinating young man---and a leader in service to this wonderful country. Thanks, Max!) (5/25/06)
Well... since high school, I had about 11 days off, then it was off to boot camp on May 28, 2002. Boot camp is a wonderful 8-week summer camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, where everyone spends lots of quality time together doing push-ups, sit-ups, 8-counts, jumping jacks, and running, as well as several hours of classroom training and learning how to fold laundry the Navy way. Drill instruction is fairly limited and is primarily useful during the graduation from boot camp. After boot camp, the Navy sent me down to Charleston, South Carolina (Goose Creek, actually) for nuclear field machinist mate A-school, where I learned how to use hammers, screw drivers, various measurement devices, stroboscopes (those can be fun), and various other tools and materials to perform maintenance on both the reactor plant and steam plant, as well as all the supporting systems. (13 weeks)
Also in Charleston, I attended Nuclear Power school, where I learned about reactor plant physics, characteristics, nuclear theory, steam plant theory, steam plant operational characteristics, and most importantly, how the uranium trash can really works. (28 weeks)
After Power school, half of the guys transfer to New York prototype, however I was one of the guys that stayed in Charleston to qualify on one of the two S5W reactor plants moored in the Cooper River. At prototype, we learned in depth how to operate systems associated with reactor control, propulsion, and electric power generation. Also, at prototype, we learn how to handle radioactive materials, so that we don't get it everywhere in order to protect the general population, as well as ourselves. (26 weeks)
Charleston was an interesting place to live. Downtown Charleston has Market Street, which is a daily event in and of itself (although much more popular in summer and spring). Market Street is an open market with all sorts of crafty things to buy. On the sides of Market Street are more little shops, and several local restaurants. About a block over on King Street there are many more restaurants, primarily featuring traditional Southern food and seafood.
Although prototype allowed me to qualify to operate the plant, the Navy decided to send me to Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operation Weld school, which was fantastic because I already knew how to weld thanks to Mr. Davis and Mr. Ellis back in high school. Although winter in Groton, Connecticut wasn't the most fun, we managed to find good ways to have fun, such as taking a guy from Texas sledding on base (the MA's---Masters at Arms---apparently don't see that too often), playing lazer tag on base (again, something the MA's apparently don't see too often) and frequenting a little Greek restaurant, where finally we figured out what a "Grinder" was. Close to Groton is the Mohegan Sun, which is a casino, but more importantly, most of their concerts and such are free for military. (12 weeks)
After weld school I took about a month of leave, which I spent in Kansas, then ended up in Norfolk, Virginia, or so I thought. Come to find out, the USS Boise (SSN 764) was in dry dock in Portsmouth, Virginia. While in shipyard, there was lots of nuclear testing, qualifying, nuclear testing, painting, nuclear testing, re-work, nuclear testing, and nuclear testing. The ship received a new reactor control system, which was recently tested on the Virginia Class submarines. After shipyard, we transited back to Pier 3 at Norfolk Operations Base (NOB) in Norfolk. At about that same time, I was qualified engine room lower level, engine room forward, and engine room upper level, as well as sonar operator, master preservation specialist, and tactical defense team.
We started spending lots of time at sea for a while, working up to our next Operation Reactor Safeguard Examination (ORSE) and plagued by shipyard "Repairs", we made several stops to Port Canaveral, Florida, Kings Bay, Georgia, Androse Island in the Bahamas, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Shortly after ORSE, we were back into another availability period with Sonar, Firecontrol, Radio, and Navigation systems. I finished my Submarine Warfare qualification, as well as Engine Room Supervisor qualification, and then they sent me to R-114 Air conditioning plant school and EPA refrigerant school, where I learned all about how air conditioning plants work, and how to safely handle all sorts of refrigerants, as well as a brief history of refrigerant (most of the latter I have forgotten). Through the availability, other schools included were advanced fire fighting training, flooding trainers, and small arms training.
After all those forward systems were installed and "tested" we headed back out to sea, and amazingly enough stopped in Florida and Kings Bay again. After sound trials and continuation of the never-ending testing in the Autech sound range that's nestled into the Bahama Islands, we came back to Norfolk and loaded insane amounts of test equipment for testing of the new B-4 Type C Tomahawk Missiles (with no warheads). After successfully launching one vertical launch, and one torpedo tube launched Tomahawk at Florida, as well as launching one torpedo tube launched missile that was exploded in mid-air due to an unknown engine failure, and one vertical launch Tomahawk that was shot down due to an error on the contractor's part---the testing was considered a success. Currently, we have just come out of an availability, called Pre-Overseas Movement 1, which prepares our systems for the upcoming deployment to the Pacific, via the North Pole.
I guess I can tell you a little about the submarine, and the way we actually live on it, while we're at sea. We use an 18-hour schedule instead of a 24-hour schedule for our days. A typical day is getting woken up (Racked Out) about half an hour before a meal, eating, then, relieving the watch. Typically I stand either engine room lower level (ERLL), or engine room supervisor (ERS). During my 6 hours on watch as ERLL, I monitor and maintain lube oil systems, seawater cooling systems, hydraulics, air-conditioning plants, and freshwater cooling systems. As ERS, I supervise the ERLL watch, engine room upper level (ERUL) (who maintains turbine generations), propulsion turbines and equipment, and reverse osmosis plants, engine room forward (ERF) (who is normally an engineering laboratory technician (ELT) and maintains steam plant parameters), and some reactor plant parameters, as well as low pressure air systems, the Reactor Technician (RT) (who monitors reactor parameters outside maneuvering, and runs the high pressure air compressors). Watch is pretty mundane on a nuclear submarine. It sounds like we do a lot, but really most of the time, everything maintains itself, especially when doing 3 knots to nowhere, so we tend to break out the aviation polish and make things shinier than they should be, which keeps us busy most of the time. During drills we actually get to do stuff such as shut sides down, start them up, go into and out of abnormal equipment line-ups, which helps to break up the monotony. After watch, we have another meal, then go and take care of whatever maintenance needs to get done (unless we did it all on watch), then what's left of that 6 hours is free time to read, watch movies, play video games, work on college courses, do laundry, or whatever else we find to do. The next 6 hours is normally when we sleep, unless we decided just to go to the rack on our free time, but that would make us miss our 6 hour feeding, so some guys stay up for a meal right before bed. On drill days, the on-watch guys, and the off-going guys play in the drill, and the on-coming guys are "Drill Team", which provide simulations used in the drills. Drills range from fires, to system failures, to tactical situations. Drill days are the days we'll miss out on any sleep for about a day and a half, so when drill days are back to back, we start getting a little worn down, but at least we have coffee, the sweet nectar of life.
(Max is currently an E-5, Petty Officer Second Class. He is the son of Shelby and Travis Jones.)
For all the fun facts about nuclear submarines you can go to http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ships/subs/subs.asp .
"The X Factor" Ty Rowton~~~Class of 1993
Sports Illustrated calls Arrowhead Stadium the most difficult venue in the NFL in which to play. See who is on their cover story! CNN/SI Headlines
You've probably read about what Ty Rowton does for a living! This graduate is known as "The X Factor" to Kansas City Chiefs fans. His devotion to the team is so strong that he was chosen as the "ultimate fan" in 2003 and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio! He has shared his story with his home town in the past, but now he would like to share more about his other activities---things which his unique career has allowed him participate in. Ty has started a group called The KC Superfans and they are doing much more than just yelling for the Chiefs. They are a charity organization that Ty started. They have combined with other charity groups and have raised over $3 million for different causes. The superfans developed a kids' calendar to raise funds for Ronald McDonald's Houses and Eddie Kennison's Quick Start, which aids in the fight against Lupus. The current project is a comic book, with the KC Superfans as the heroes, which will help teach schoolchildren about sportsmanship/fairplay, hygiene, discrimination, drugs/alcohol, reading, and other important life skills. Ty has also generously reached out to his hometown to help fund-raising for Project Graduation, in addition to helping Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City. His desire is for organizations in Scott City to know that he is willing to help with other projects. I think this young man should be applauded for taking his 'game' to another, very caring, level. You can contact Ty at kcxfactor@yahoo.com . Make sure you check out the KC Superfans website! (4/4/06)
Dr. Amanda (Evins) Tauscher, M.D.~~~Class of 1992
Amanda (Evins) Tauscher, 1992 SCHS graduate, attended KSU from 1992-1996. While at Kansas State, she met her husband Jeff Tauscher, a 1991 graduate from Hays High School. Amanda received a B.S. in Nutritional Science and subsequently attended medical school at the University of Kansas Medical School, graduating in 2002. During medical school Amanda completed a post-sophomore fellowship in pathology and ultimately decided on a career in dermatology. She will complete her dermatology residency at the University of Colorado in June of 2006 and will then begin work as a private practice dermatologist in the Kansas City metro area. Her husband, Jeff, practices estate and tax law. They are expecting their first child this spring. Amanda is the daughter of Lewis and Audrey Evins. Her brother is J.L. Evins. (3/21/06)
A personal note: I first met Amanda when Bill and I moved back to Scott City in 1984. I became the director of the middle school choir at the First Methodist Church and Amanda, Jennifer Gruver, Nicole Gruver, and Shellie Randall were all in the 5th grade. What a great group to work with. They are all very special and now accomplished young women, whether as professionals or mothers.
Features on former Scott Citians---where they are and what they are doing---are coming soon. If you have anyone you would like us to contact, use the e-mail box on the "Home" page and provide us with the information. (3/19/06)