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Local company puts finishing touches on Habitat for Humanity house
Volunteers invited to barbecue
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Stanion Wholesales manager Ron Harms takes inventory of all the light fixtures needed to complete the latest Habitat for Humanity house. The retail value of all the donated fixtures was over $500. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

Stanion Wholesale Electric is responsible for one of the final finishing touches on the Habitat for Humanity house being completed at 1906 Hubbard in Great Bend. The local business donated all of the light fixtures needed to complete the three-bedroom home.
“Our company philosophy revolves around serving others,” said Ron Harms, manager of Stanion Wholesale. “Habitat for Humanity’s cause is noble, and we are proud to support their endeavors by pitching in where we can.”
The non-profit organization plans to recognize Stanion Wholesale, and the dozens of other businesses and volunteers who contributed to the construction of the house, with a community barbecue celebration at 5 p.m. Sunday. All sponsors, donors, supporters, and volunteers area encouraged to attend, said Rachel Mawhirter, Habitat board president. Food and drinks will be provided.
“The reason we hold a ceremony like this is dual purpose,” Mawhirter said. “First, we want to give thanks where thanks is due, but also, it’s a rite of passage for the new homeowners. When we hand over the keys to the house, we’re also giving them the financial and emotional stability they may not have been able to achieve on their own.”
This house home is the fifth project completed in Barton County since the organization was founded in 2001 after the Hoisington tornado. Habitat for Humanity builds homes at drastically reduced costs, due to the savings created by donated supplies and materials. The homes are built with almost all volunteer labor, which also cuts costs significantly. Each home is sold to a low income family on a 25-year, zero-interest mortgage, making payments more affordable than renting in many cases. “Along with a new home, we also equip our partner families with financial and parenting classes necessary to provide a better life for their children,” Mawhirter said. “Our goal is to give them the tools they need to budget, save and build equity in personal property, which they can then teach to future generations.”
During Sunday’s community barbecue, guests can tour the new home and witness the “handing of the keys” to the new homeowners. For more information about Habitat for Humanity or about the community barbecue, visit www.facebook.com/BartonCountyHabitat.

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.