The Great Bend High School Kayettes sponsored a “black-out” for United Way of Central Kansas during the mist-soaked Oct. 12 football game against arch rival Hays at GBHS’s Memorial Stadium. The event generated $5,094, said UWCK Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith.
Kayettes will  present UWCK with a check for that amount at the halftime of the GBHS football game against Salina South High School tonight at GBHS’s Memorial Stadium. The Kayettes will be represented by Co-Presidents Bonny Boultinghouse and Samatha Dreiling, Vice-President Taylor Fry, Secretary Sylvia Ofoma and Board member Stephanie Morrison, along with sponsors Karen Clark and Barbi Harris .
The shirts sold for $10 and $15. Orders were taken at GBHS or the United Way office. In addition, money came from businesses who sponsored the effort and got their logos on the backs of the shirts.
 “The board of directors, co-chairs were thrilled that the Kayettes stepped up to help the United Way,” Smith said. “This is an example of young people getting involved in their community and reflects positively on our youth.”
“They did a great job,” Harris said of the students. What started out as a pet project for Boultinghouse and Dreiling soon involved others in the organization.
“They took it and ran with it,” Harris said.
Two years ago, the Student Council sponsored a black-out and sold 40 shirts. This year, 513 shirts were sold.
All the money raised via the black-out will go to benefit the 21 agencies served by UWCK.  
“We all have to pitch in and help each other,” Smith said. “Leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses.”
Sponsors for Kayettes are Karen Clark and Barbara Harris. Smith thanked them along with Unified School District 428 Activities Director David Meter for supporting the fundraiser and the Kayettes for all their hard work.
The goal for the 2013 campaign is of $235,00. Of that, Smith stressed that 99 percent stays in the community.