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GBHS Class of 58 purchases seven seats for BCC Auditorium
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Members of the class of 1958 (from left) Alvin Haberman, Larry Klusener, Carol Hawk, Jody Eller and Linda Sisson present a check to Foundation Director Darnell Holopirek along with their fellow classmates Kathy Schugart, Marcia Ochs, Janis Blakey and Donna Kimber. Not shown are Ann Schenkel, Lores Appel and Phil Bartholomew. The class members came out in person Wednesday to deliver an $875 check and take a look at the auditorium renovation progress so far. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

It seems Great Bend High School graduates have a competitive nature.
In July, the Great Bend High School class of 1957 purchased two seats via the Barton Foundation’s “Take a Seat” fundraiser, which was designed to help fund the Barton Fine Arts Auditorium renovation.
They then challenged other classes to donate to the cause, and the class of 1958 answered their predecessors’ challenge, then raised them five seats for a total donation of $875 going to the cause.
“When we saw the challenge, we were about to have our 55th reunion and we invited people to bring some money,” said class of ’58 member Linda Sisson. “Now, we’re issuing a double challenge to all the other classes.”
The big push for the “Take a Seat” campaign technically ended in August, but the option to add a plaque to the donor wall is still available and will be into the foreseeable future. The foundation has now exceeded its initial goal of 232 seats.

Take a Seat details
The campaign allows community members to sponsor an auditorium seat for $125, which will get their name, or the name of an honoree, inscribed on a plaque and placed in the lobby area. Seat sponsors will have at their disposal two lines at 30 characters each. Learn more at TAKEASEAT.bartonccc.edu. Donations will be accepted online or by cash, check or credit card by calling Coleen Cape at the Foundation Office, 620-786-1136