Two Great Bend High School students recently successfully completed the June 2010 Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy at the University of Kansas. Those taking part were senior Jennifer Allende and junior Stephany Aguirre.  Some activity highlights from the academy include:
• Academic enrichment courses in civics, language arts, biology, ACT prep-math, and technology
• Language Arts PASS Unit (Preparing for College) through Gardner-Edgerton, USD 231
• Campus visits to KU, K-State, Johnson County Community College and Avila University
• Cultural and recreational field trips
• Leadership development activities through seminars, evening and weekend events and residential life
According to the program’s Web site, through the program, they will continue to get encouragement throughout the school year through on-site workshops, mailings, and phone advising.
HHLA is a free, three-week summer academic enrichment program on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence. Taking place each June, HHLA provides 50 migrant-eligible high school students the opportunity to live, learn and work together to strengthen learning strategies, explore and practice leadership skills, gain knowledge and skills to graduate from high school and pursue a college education.
The HHLA mission is to inspire, support and empower migrant high school students to graduate from high school, take leadership roles in their communities, and pursue a college education and to familiarize students with the college environment.
Migrant students in ninth through 12th grades are eligible. Migrants are those who have moved from one school district to another in the past three years as family members sought temporary or seasonal agricultural work. Only 50 Kansas students are selected  based on academic need, as well as motivation and potential.
Two GBHS students participated in the program in June 2008.