McPHERSON – Nine members of the Great Bend High School KAYs and 15 KAYETTEs attended the Area 6 KAY Regional Conference on Friday, Nov. 5, at McPherson High School. The clubs returned with the highest state award possible. The Kays and Kayettes each received the Gold Award, recognizing their student leadership and service to their school, community, nation and world for the 2009-2010 school year.

The Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) is a character-building, leadership training program directed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. This nationally acclaimed organization provides students an opportunity to learn to assume their citizenship responsibilities and to enrich their personalities through well organized programs. These programs emphasize four areas of service: school, community, nation and world.

The theme for the 2010 Regional Conference was "There’s No Place Like Kansas!" This conference affords opportunities for student leaders and sponsors from neighboring clubs to share successes and challenges, as well as exchange ideas. Sessions in leadership training and organizational skills are also offered. These conferences inspire delegates to return to their clubs to challenge their local members.

Local members attending the Regional Conference were: Greg Hildebrand, Austin Morgan, Louis Burley, Kennedy Williams, Dakota Ellis, Danen Levingston, Tristan Yount, Brady Buehler, Braden Jones, Bonnie Boultinghouse, Tasha Davis, Haley Deines, Kaylie Doll, Kelsie Doll, Samantha Dreiling, Taylor Fry, Morgan Gauby, Alby Harris, Hannah Hildebrand, Holly Mosier, Sylvia Ofama, MaKenzie Sauder, Michaela Stephenson and Hannah Wondra.

Accompanying the group were Tina Hiss, KAY sponsor and Barbara Harris, Kayette sponsor.