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PITTSBURG —
Kenneth Garrett Kays, St. Mary’s Colgan High School senior, has won honors for a program designed to educate city youngsters on the basics of where their food comes from.
On May 2 Kays received a Distinguished Finalist medallion naming him one of the top runners-up in Kansas for the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Prudential representative Michael Roughton, Joplin, presented the award during a ceremony in the SMC commons area.
Roughton said the awards recognize people for making a difference in the community and making an impact on those around them. It is the largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service in the United States.
“This is quite an accomplishment for a young man,” he said.
Kays said he was honored to receive the award.
“When I saw what some of the other finalists had done, I was very honored to be considered on that list,” he said.
Kays was recognized for his work on for “PreK Agricultural Literacy,” a preschool agriculture education program that has so far reached more than 1,500 preschool youngsters. It was started at the Family Resource Center, but the learning materials have been shared with 16 school districts in eastern Kansas.
Kays said that the program was implemented three or four years ago by his older brother, Reagan Kays.
“My brother and I both have an inordinate interest in agriculture,” Kays said.
His brother approached Monica Murnan, Family Resource Center director and asked about developing a community service project. Murnan, whose children were in Success Express 4-H Club with the Kays brothers, was enthusiastic about the idea.
The brothers presented sessions to the pre-school children on the basic concepts of agriculture, using posters, feed samples and, of course, live animals.
Kays has brought some of his own animals, including sheep, and 4-H friends have helped by bringing some of their livestock, including pigs and poultry. He also worked to be sure the program curriculum was in keeping with Kansas guidelines for the age group of the youngsters.
They’ve learned a lot of basic facts about agriculture, but Kays says he’s also learned a lot through the program.
“The program has taught me the importance of being active in the community and finding where you can help the most,” Kays said. “I give credit to St. Mary’s Colgan as well because one of the school’s things is to be as committed as possible to the community.”
Kenneth Garrett Kays, St. Mary’s Colgan High School senior, has won honors for a program designed to educate city youngsters on the basics of where their food comes from.
On May 2 Kays received a Distinguished Finalist medallion naming him one of the top runners-up in Kansas for the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Prudential representative Michael Roughton, Joplin, presented the award during a ceremony in the SMC commons area.
Roughton said the awards recognize people for making a difference in the community and making an impact on those around them. It is the largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service in the United States.
“This is quite an accomplishment for a young man,” he said.
Kays said he was honored to receive the award.
“When I saw what some of the other finalists had done, I was very honored to be considered on that list,” he said.
Kays was recognized for his work on for “PreK Agricultural Literacy,” a preschool agriculture education program that has so far reached more than 1,500 preschool youngsters. It was started at the Family Resource Center, but the learning materials have been shared with 16 school districts in eastern Kansas.
Kays said that the program was implemented three or four years ago by his older brother, Reagan Kays.
“My brother and I both have an inordinate interest in agriculture,” Kays said.
His brother approached Monica Murnan, Family Resource Center director and asked about developing a community service project. Murnan, whose children were in Success Express 4-H Club with the Kays brothers, was enthusiastic about the idea.
The brothers presented sessions to the pre-school children on the basic concepts of agriculture, using posters, feed samples and, of course, live animals.
Kays has brought some of his own animals, including sheep, and 4-H friends have helped by bringing some of their livestock, including pigs and poultry. He also worked to be sure the program curriculum was in keeping with Kansas guidelines for the age group of the youngsters.
They’ve learned a lot of basic facts about agriculture, but Kays says he’s also learned a lot through the program.
“The program has taught me the importance of being active in the community and finding where you can help the most,” Kays said. “I give credit to St. Mary’s Colgan as well because one of the school’s things is to be as committed as possible to the community.”
He added that his parents, Kelly and Connie Kays, have always been community driven.
His older brother is attending Kansas State University, and that’s where Kays will be heading as well. However, he hopes that PreK Agricultural Literacy will continue through the instructional materials that have been compiled.
“My brother and I plan on leaving the program at the Center to allow other teachers across southeast Kansas to pick what they want to teach about animals, crop production and so on,” Kays said.
He also qualified for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.
Kays was also named “Mr. Colgan” and Anna Drenick “Ms. Colgan,” awards which recognize the SMC seniors who best represent the values and mission of St. Mary’s Colgan.
At K-State he plans to major in international agri-business, and is interested in possibly some day working with the Foreign Agriculture Service, an agency which supports U.S. trade policies with other countries.
“That would be awesome,” Kays said.
But he doesn’t see himself ever losing touch with the hands-on part of agriculture.
“My brother and I still maintain an Angus herd,” Kays said. “We get a lot of family unity from raising cattle.”
