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Kansas Supreme Court Justice delivers opening remarks at annual rodeo
Biles reflects on success of equine therapy programs, Rosewood success
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Saturday morning, Kansas Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles delivered the opening remarks at the 13th annual Rosewood Rodeo. It has been nearly two decades since Rosewood Services Founder and Executive Director Tammy Hammond asked Biles,then a practicing lawyer, to represent the organization. - photo by VERONICA COONS, Great Bend Tribune

Kansas Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles visited Great Bend Saturday, in order to deliver the opening remarks at the 13th Annual Rosewood Rodeo for the second time in two years. His relationship with Rosewood Services dates back nearly 19 years, when he was asked to represent the organization as a practicing lawyer. The opportunity allowed him to get to know some of the nearly 50 participants competing in the annual rodeo, and he took a moment to reflect on his years of advocacy with people with disabilities.
In 1989, Biles was asked to represent a Johnson County organization, Community Living Opportunities, Inc., in a construction lawsuit. His service led to an invitation to serve on CLO’s board of directors, which he did for 20 years. In the late 1990s, Tammy Hammond asked him to represent Rosewood Services as they negotiated some of their first contracts with Sunflower Diversified Services.
He has also represented five other organizations that provide services for people of disabilities.
In that time, he’s witnessed the growth of Equine Therapy programs.
“Here’s the fun part for me. When I was a lawyer for the program, I got to know some of these clients from other settings, and I’ve watched them improve over the years,” he said. “I haven’t been to the rodeo every year, but I’ve been a lot of the years. Some of these folks, I remember from the early days, and I’ve witnessed how they’ve developed better balance, and ways to care for themselves, all because they are riding on a horse.”
Last year, Biles spent the day at the Rosewood Rodeo, and was there to hand out awards to winners. The experience touched him.
“Watching these people win stuff is really cool,” he said. “They understand competition. They understand they are being recognized.”
Looking back, Biles remembers when providing day services was tough for organizations like Rosewood.
“When I first got into (advocacy), trying to do day services sort of meant sitting around a table, and having a contract to tie garden hoses together, something rather menial,” he said. Getting contracts from outside sources wasn’t easy either. He sees value in the way Rosewood Services approaches day services. They identify and build a market, bypassing outside parties.
When Biles became a Kansas Supreme Court Justice in 2009, he stepped away from his CLO chairmanship in order to avoid any potential conflicts of interest that could arise in the course of carrying out his duties. Still, he has a place in his heart for those with disabilities and the people who serve them, he said.

GBHS students bring home top honors at Job Olympics
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Great Bend High School students and teachers pose for a photo following the annual Job Olympics, held March 26 in Hays. From left: Brandi Suchy, interpreter and coach; Payton Edwards, 10th grade; Jamie Patton, 12th grade; MaKayla Cross, 11th grade; Faith Mead, 10th grade; Rhonda Glenn, special education teacher and coach; and Trish Berger, special education teacher, work Study coordinator and coach.
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MaKayla Cross competes in a grocery packing event at the Job Olympics.

Four students from Great Bend High School put their skills to the test and brought home top honors during the annual Job Olympics, held March 26 in Hays.

Representing GBHS at this day-long event were students MaKayla Cross, Jamie Patton, Payton Edwards and Faith Mead. These outstanding students competed in a variety of hands-on events designed to build employability skills and boost confidence for future career success. Their hard work and preparation paid off with impressive results:

• 1st Place – Small Gas Engines, Rolling Silverware

• 2nd Place – Sorting Recyclables, Kids Meals Packaging

The Job Olympics provides students with opportunities to practice real-world job tasks, connect with employers, and engage in meaningful social experiences. The event aims to build motivation to learn job skills, improve social interactions, foster new friendships, and develop self-confidence. Participants also receive valuable feedback on their personal employability skills.

“The students not only gained practical skills that will serve them throughout their lives, but also built friendships with students from other schools and communities,” shared Trish Berger, Vocational Program Coordinator and Special Education Teacher at GBHS. “It’s inspiring to see their growth and enthusiasm during this event.”

Accompanied by three dedicated coaches, the GBHS team embraced every opportunity the Job Olympics had to offer, demonstrating perseverance and a positive attitude in each competition. Events like these reinforce the importance of community partnerships and showcase the talents and abilities of students with special needs.

For more information about the vocational programs at Great Bend High School, contact Trish Berger at 620-793-1521.

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Payton Edwards competes in the grocery stocking event at the Job Olympics.