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Shafer Gallery's Vortex Exhibit for feature area high school artists
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Ash Wieland from Great Bend won the Directors Award for his painting Left for Dead.
Updated: Mar 10, 2012, 7:49 PM
Published: Mar 10, 2012, 7:52 PM

Area high school artists will have a chance to sample the life of a professional artist when their work is featured during a special reception for the Shafer Gallery’s Vortex High School Exhibit.

The event is free and is open to the public from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 11. The exhibit, which opened on Feb. 26, runs through March 15.

Gallery Director David Barnes said the Vortex show is a way to put one of the Gallery’s missions into effect in a real-time manner.

"One of the most important goals of the Shafer Gallery is to provide an artistic venue for artists in our community, and the high school shows are one of the best opportunities we have to showcase the talent we have here," Barnes said. "It also shows the people in our surrounding communities that the gallery belongs to them."

Barnes said exhibiting the art of younger people from the area creates a unique style and energy for the gallery.

"The Vortex Exhibit is great because it presents a very youthful and adventurous point of view," Barnes said. "We really get to see young creative minds at work."

The students had an opportunity to visit campus Friday to participate in Vortex Day, which consisted of various hands-on workshops and an awards ceremony. The annual competition was judged by art professionals from Barton’s Art Department. Award winning students received scholarship awards from the Barton Foundation.

Regular viewing hours for the Shafer Gallery are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is always free.
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.
Published: Apr 8, 2025, 2:31 PM
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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.