2015 4th Annual Constitution Bee

The 4th Annual “YES for Liberty” Constitution Bee was held Sunday, March 1st at 2:00pm in the KSU Alumni Center.  Twenty of the original twenty-nine finalists braved the winter elements to compete for the top scholarship award of $3500.00, ultimately awarded to Chandler Huddleston, a senior at Rolla High School in far southwestern KS.  Chandler was the 2014-first place award winner and 2013-second place award winner bringing his award totals to $8500.00.

Laura Nicolae, junior at Washburn Rural High School, Topeka, KS, will receive the second place scholarship of $1500.00 and as a junior will be eligible to compete again in her senior year.   Third place honors and $750.00 will go to senior Sean Grossnickle, of Springhill, Gardner Edgerton High School, Gardner.  The awards apply to tuition at any accredited 2 or 4-year public or private college or university; vocational-technical school or trade school located anywhere in the United States.  For more details visit www.YESforLiberty.org.

Other qualifying finalists from across the state included: 

• Justus Knox, Opportunity Knox Home School, Altoona;
• Grayce McAllister, Wisdom Academy, Americus;
• Mark McAllister, Wisdom Academy, Americus;
• Jacob Nicolet (2014 – 2^nd Place winner), Burlington HS, Burlington;
• Joshua Wolf, El Dorado HS, El Dorado;
• Matthew Mindrup, Thomas More Prep-Marian HS, Hays;
• Natalie Wareham; Mikaela Mayhew; Elia Saucedo; Ian McAsey & Tel Wittmer, Holton HS, Holton;
• Allison Basore & Katrina Basore, Centre HS, Lost Springs;
• Ashlyn Gillispie, Manhattan HS, Manhattan;
• Hannah Upshaw, Solid Rock Academy, Manhattan;
• Nelsa Beckman, Manhattan, Riley County HS, Riley;
• Michaella Wahl, Riley County HS, Riley

The event was co-hosted by the Flint Hills Tea Party Educational Fund, Inc. and the KSU College Republicans.  “Mystical”, A Sweet Adeline Barbershop Quartet, featuring Cathy Dawes Scroggs along with Jessica & Shannon Fritz and Deanna Barleen welcomed the audience and students with their patriotic renditions.

Invocation performed by Rev. Dr. Paul Barkey, US Army Ret.

Keynote speaker 31^st Kansas Secretary of State, Kris Kobach, introduced by John Matta, City of Manhattan Commissioner and former Mayor of Manhattan.

Judging the competition were Joe Miller, West Point Graduate, former US Magistrate Judge, currently practicing law in Fairbanks, Alaska, founder of Restoring Liberty; Richard Fry, General Counsel, JD, VP Oath Keepers, Co-Founder Defend Not Amend; and Brenda Bowser, Co-Founder of Central Kansas Patriots, State Director Kansas Patriot Action Network.

Special guests in attendance included:  US Senator Jerry Moran; KS Senator Forrest Knox; KS Rep. Ron Highland and his wife, Linda, of Wamego; Wynn Butler, Mayor, Manhattan.

Invitations were mailed to more than 400 high school principals and counselors across Kansas, including all known public, private, military & home-schools.  Applications for the school year 2014-2015, from eligible Kansas 9-12 graders, opened on Constitution Day, September 17, 2014 and closed on December 31, 2014.

 FHTP-Educational Fund Board Chairman Robert Deemie hosted the event, ably assisted by his wife Linda and FHTP-EF Board members, John Ford, Tom & Sylda Nichols, Marvin & Vicki Rodriguez, Larry & Chris Tawney along with former board members Judy and John Ball with Celebrity Statesman Master of Ceremonies "George Washington" to oversee the proceedings.

Bockers II of Manhattan provided terrific and splendid catering for the reception after the awards.

Videography provided by Bob & Brenda Bowser of Salina KS.  Still photography provided by Evan Parsons of Manhattan.  Graphic design provided by Carolyn Wells of Manhattan. 

Various volunteer assistance provided by Nick Strecker of KSU-College Republicans; Willis & Helen Poppe of Olsburg KS; Sharon Greene of Riley KS; Rex Miller, Manhattan; Heather Miller of Westmoreland; Jerry Ukena of Manhattan; Darrel Wilson, Manhattan; Karla Parsons of Manhattan; Courtney Solberg, Manhattan; Nick Dyer, Manhattan and many others throughout the year...

Our deepest gratitude also to the Operations Management & Staff of the KSU Alumni Center for their wonderful assistance in making our event at their venue the complete success we all enjoyed.

Other generous considerations provided by Thomas Outdoor Advertising & Sign Co., EP Printsource and GTM Sportswear, all of Manhattan; Consolidated Printing of Salina, KS, Kris Anne Hall, Constitutional Attorney, founder of www.krisannehall.com

We gratefully acknowledge funding and support contributed by volunteers and enhanced by these donors: 

• Benefactor Level - R-Tech Tool & Machine, Inc., Wamego; Advanced Dermatology, John Adams, MD, Manhattan
• Sponsor Level - Parsons Communication, Inc., Manhattan; Dr. Gerald L. Kinman, Bryan, TX 
• Contributor Level – Lee & Theresa Niblock, Stockton KS; Myron & Nancy Calhoun, Manhattan; Michael Mullin, via Company Matching Funds, Detroit, MI; Rep. Dr. Ron Highland and wife Linda, Wamego
• Memorial Honors - Robert I. Chard, Manhattan; Dr. George R. Watson, Jr., Wichita; LTC. John Patrick Mackin, Jr. (USA, Ret.), Wakefield

Donors and volunteers are always welcome.  For additional information about the program, to confirm your school’s contact information is on our mailing list, or to add your name for direct notification for the 2015-2016 program, contact us at info@YesforLiberty.org.