2020 9th Annual Constitution Bee

The 9th Annual “YES for Liberty” Constitution Bee was held Sunday, March 8th, 2020 at 2:00 pm in the KSU Alumni Center. 18 of the original 20 students confirmed to participate from across Kansas competed for the top scholarship award of $3500.00,  ultimately awarded to Carson Cargill of Isabel, a junior at Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, KS. Competing in 2019, Carson was awarded the second place scholarship and as a junior remains eligible to compete in 2021.

Bernadette Rutledge, a sophomore at St. Mary’s Academy, St. Marys, KS, received the second place scholarship of $1500.00. Third place honors and $750.00 was awarded to Loretta Lopez of Belvue, KS, also a sophomore at St. Mary's Academy, St. Marys, KS. As sophomores both will remain eligible to compete in 2021 and 2022.

Scholarship awards apply to tuition at any accredited or board approved 2 or 4-year public or private college or university; vocational-technical school or trade school located anywhere in the United States.

Other qualifying finalists from across the state included:

• Emily Bunel, Helena Childs, Maria Cortes, Grace Jacas, Abigail Palmer, Adrianna Rada, Natalia Rada, Bernadette Szemborski, Katelyn Watts, Bailey Wiemann, Martina Zapp, St. Mary's Academy, St. Marys;
• Jalyn Griffith, Burlington HS, Burlington;
• Isaac Mettling, Spearville HS, Spearville;
• Jacqueline Nguyen, Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS, Wichita;
• Madison Taylor, Circle HS, Towanda;

The event was co-hosted by the Flint Hills Tea Party Educational Fund, Inc. and the KSU College Republicans.

Invocation given by Dr. Paul Barkey, retired Army Chaplain.

Trail Life USA Troop KS-0057, a ministry of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, presented the Colors.

Keynote speaker Mark McAllister, 2019 “YES for Liberty” 1st Place Award Winner and 2019 American Legion Constitutional Oratorical Contest State Champion. Mark is a junior at Washburn University studying Business Administration-Economics and  marketing. In addition to school, Mark is currently interning for the Office of the Kansas State Treasurer. He has been active in Kansas politics since 2016. Mark has spoken on behalf of political non-profits across the eastern part of the state and has testified before the Kansas House Federal and State Affairs committee. He participated in “YES for Liberty” Constitution Bee all four years of his high school and strongly believes in Constitutional originalism. Mark plans to stay active in Kansas and national politics  looking to run for office when the time comes.

Judging the competition Dr. Paul Barkey, retired Army Chaplin, currently Pastor of Ashland Community Church, Manhattan, KS and author; Wynn Butler, retired administrator, faculty member Barton County Community College Ft. Riley Campus, former Mayor, and current sitting City Commissioner, Manhattan, KS; and John Ford, Riley Co. Commissioner. 

Special guests in attendance included: KS Rep. Dr. Ron Highland and wife Linda, of Wamego; Marvin Rodriquez, Riley Co. Commissioner; Wynn Butler, City Commissioner, Manhattan, John M. Ford, Riley Co. Commissioner.

This year’s announcement to participate was readily posted on the www.yesforliberty.org website alerting all Kansas public, private, military & home-schools of the opportunity to apply. We, also, partnered with a scholarship service, www.goingmerry.com, which provided awareness of additional opportunities for potential applicants regarding our scholarship and others. “GoingMerry” provided for the timely submission of applications for the students. Our presence on social media, such as Facebook is in its
budding stage. Applications for the school year 2019-2020 were received from eligible Kansas 9-12 graders. Annually the application process opens on September 17, Constitution Day, and closes with postmarked and/or received applications no later than December 31.

FHTP Educational Fund Board Chairman, John Matta, hosted the event, ably assisted by FHTPEF Board members, Rex Miller, Tom & Sylda Nichols, Vicki Rodriguez, Glen Hawkins, Larry & Chris Tawney along with former board members, Marvin Rodriquez, Judy and John Ball with Celebrity Statesman Master of Ceremonies "George Washington" overseeing the proceedings.

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

Videography provided by Jerry Hutchinson, AngelFM95. Still photography provided by Evan Parsons of Manhattan. Graphic design provided by Carolyn Wells of Manhattan. Technology directed by Judy Ball assisted by Kevin Howser.

Various volunteer assistance provided by Sharon Greene of Riley KS; Heather Miller of Westmoreland; Carolyn Wells, Darrel Wilson, Chuck & Linda Henderson, Robert Deemie, and Karla Parsons all of Manhattan along with 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 enjoyed by all.

Other generous considerations provided by Thomas Outdoor Advertising & Sign Co.; EP Printsource; Outdoor Resources, LLC; Manhattan Stamp and Awards; Champion (formerly GTM) Sportswear; Convention & Visitors Bureau of Manhattan; and Holiday Inn at Campus all of Manhattan, KS.

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

• Benefactor Level – Memorial Gift honoring Aaron Barkey son of Dr. Paul and Jan Barkey, St. George; Memorial Gift honoring Wm. & Mildred Deemie, parents of Robert Deemie, Manhattan; Awerkamp Family Foundation, a Donor Advised Fund of  enaissance Charitable Foundation, St. Marys;
• Sponsor Level - Parsons Communication, Inc., Manhattan;
• Contributor Level – Memorial Gift honoring Lenora R. Buie, by brother Dan H. Buie, MD and his children, Wellesley, MA; Myron & Nancy Calhoun, Manhattan; Rep. Dr. Ron Highland and wife Linda, Wamego; Dave Schafer, Manhattan; Courtney & Clare Solberg, Fargo, ND; R-Tech Tool & Machine, Wamego; John and JoAnn D’Aloia, St. Marys, KS

Donors and volunteers are always welcome. For additional information about the program, to confirm your school’s contact information, or to add your name for direct notification for the 2020-2021 program,
contact us at info@YesforLiberty.org.