A Look Back to 2019 and Our Beginning
It was a great day for GBL Friends to gather and share our 5K Run, Friendship Walk and Kids Fest (check out all the photos here). Yep, back then the term “social distancing” never existed. Hugs and handshakes were enjoyed by all. How quickly things have temporarily changed.
Before moving forward….let’s look back one more time and be grateful for all that the GBL Friends have been able to do these past 10 years.
54 Crawford County Scholarships have been issued to local students.
27 Youth Volunteer Grants have allowed our young students to experience the feeling of helping others.
12 High School Seniors have traveled to Costa Rica and Guatemala to represent SEK as GBL volunteers abroad assisting the elderly and youth in these rural settings.
8 Kprep Get Busy Livin’ Player of the Year Award winners from all over Kansas were honored.
9 PHS Purple Dragon Football Player of the Year award winners were recognized.
1 Pittsburg High School GBL Club was formed and for the past 3 years has been completing numerous volunteer efforts throughout the community.
1500 pairs of shoes have found welcoming feet through our collection efforts with the local Southeast Kansas Recycling Center and the national Soles for Souls program.
As presented herein let’s honor one more time our 2019 groups and scholarships award winners.
GBL Scholarship Awards
These 9 outstanding seniors were selected from a very large group of Crawford County high schools applicants. They illustrate that “unique value” of personal motivation as shown by their strong academic achievements, school accomplishments and community involvement. GBL wishes our 2019 group the very best.
Kreed Curran – 2019 graduate of Girard High School – son of Joe and Kim Curran – attends Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Kreed’s appreciation of the land and environment makes him wiser beyond his years. His strong family values will steer him in the right direction. No matter his destination, he will make the world a better place.
Tejay Cleland – 2019 graduate of Northeast high School – son of J.P. and Terry Cleland – attends Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. Living and learning is what Tejay is doing his redshirt baseball year. His hard work will pay off and as he accumulates travel memories, there will be no place like home.
Madison Nagel – 2019 graduate of Pittsburg High School- daughter of Pat and Tammy Nagel – attends Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. Not only being a student, Madison has taken on many leadership roles in her freshman year. What a wonderful way to serve others than through medicine. She will represent herself and Southeast Kansas with a smile and strong character.
Rachel Ruiz – 2019 graduate of Pittsburg High School- daughter of Jose and Anotolia Ruiz – attends University of Minnesota in Rochester, Minnesota. Setting her goals to be a family doctor sums up Rachel’s story. Her faith, family and happiness will make this dream come true. She’s a beautiful example of our Get Busy Livin’ philosophy.
Caroline McKnight – 2019 graduate of Pittsburg High School-daughter of Todd and Kelli McKnight-attends Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. Caroline’s classes in corporate and non-profit work sound perfect for her. Being grateful for her opportunities thus far only seems to take her one step further. Get Busy Livin’ is proud to support Caroline in this exciting time of her life.
Cecelia Stockard – 2019 graduate of St. Mary’s - Colgan High School – daughter of Steve and Beth Stockard – attends Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. With strong family influence and education, Cecelia will discover her own path in life. She already has learned it’s not “who you know, but what you know” that matters. Near or far from her hometown she will represent our Get Busy Livin’ family well.
Morgan Noe – 2019 graduate of Pittsburg High School-guardian parent is Bob Torbett – attends Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Morgan is a perfect example of why our foundation was established. Her mental and physical strength is a result of her hard work from birth to the present. Her love and talent in photography and graphic design will make our/her world a more beautiful place to live.
Katelyn Radell – 2019 graduate of St. Mary’s - Colgan High School – daughter of Jim and Debra Radell – attends Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Katelyn will patiently wait for her perfect profession to appear and in the meantime gratefully savor everything along the way. It’s no wonder she is a perfect example of our 2020 slogan Think-Act-Live.
Amanda Becker – 2019 graduate of Southeast High School – daughter of Erick and Pollyanne Becker - attends Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Regardless if it’s her team, friends, or family; Amanda knows how positive impacts strengthen growth both physically and mentally. When she applies her given talents to accounting or another path, amazing things will happen to not only Amanda, but everyone around her.
Youth Volunteerism Grants
For the past several years the GBL has provided matching funds to various Southeast Kansas local organizations to support youth volunteerism. The following 10 recipient’s received this year’s grants.
Boy Scouts/Labette County Fair – Trash and recyclables were picked up by the Boy Scouts for the 5 nights of the Labette County Fair.
Pitt Chapel Church of God – “Easter Changed Everything” door to door Easter basket deliveries were completed by the Pitt Chapel youth group.
Erie High School Leadership – Sponsored and coordinated a southeast Kansas regional Special Olympics track and field event.
Fostering Connections – Sponsored a “Kids Night Out” to provide a fun experience at The Cheer Pit and Frontenac Swimming Pool for foster and adopted children.
Northeast Arma 8th Grade – Created and will help maintain a book box for the City of Arma.
Northeast Arma 4th Grade – Sponsored a penny war to collect money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Special Olympics – Helped sponsor the SEK Track and Field Day to support peer mentors.
SEK Humane Society – Created a Jr. Humane Society resulting in enrichment activities for the SEK Humane Society animals and education for their youth volunteers.
Wildcat Extension Foundation – Made and donated cage comforters for the SEK Humane Society through the Kids Care Sewing Camp.
Wildcat Extension Foundation – Sponsored a Leadership Day for youth across the SEK Wildcat District to learn how to organize and provide leadership for local volunteer activities.
GBL Club at Pittsburg High School
With over 30 active members, the Club has become one of the largest groups at the high school. They have been very active participating as partners for Special Olympic athletes, raised money for the PHS Food Pantry and helped with the Wesley House Christmas food and supply distributions. Each year this group continues to find and participate in various events where volunteerism plays an important role for local projects.
Pittsburg High School Purple Dragon Senior Award – Joel Kafka
For all 4 years of high school Joel Kafka, son of Jennifer Wilson Kafka was an all-state player and leader for the Purple Dragons football and track/field teams. During his senior year he was also a GBL Club President and a student of the month. Joel is currently enrolled at Pittsburg State University, is pursuing a general education program and considering getting into coaching.
Kpreps Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ – Kansas Player of the Year
Jace Friesen, Basehor Linwood High School
GBL and Kpreps has sponsored this annual award for the past several years. Numerous coaches from across the State, and at all classifications; submit extremely qualified football player applicants that exemplify leadership and altruistic motives in their community.
Jace is the son of Andy and Julie Friesen and was an All-State defensive end and team captain. He is currently attending Kansas State where he red shirted his freshman year and hopes to contribute to the Wildcat’s success this coming year. For a detailed story about Jace see the Kpreps.com web page.
CCS Volunteers Abroad to Tecpan’ Guatemala
For the fourth year we have sent GBL representatives to a foreign country to immerse into the local culture and enjoy a life changing experience.
This year Katelyn Radell (SMS), Caroline McKnight (FHS), Tejay Cleland (NEHS) and Morgan Noe (PHS) traveled to the Mayan highlands of Guatemala to experience Get Busy Livin’ moments and share their talents with the local community. Although they all worried about the language barrier; they soon found out that smiles and good deeds are all that you need to communicate.
We are extremely proud to be able to send these representatives abroad and then be able to have them return and share their stories with our community. See our Facebook to view more photos of their rewarding trip.