Rodney Fleming, a Labette County High School senior, was notified last Saturday that he won the state level “Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Competition.”
The award guarantees Rodney of $4,000 in scholarships ($1,000 for four years) and advances him to the national level of competition that will place him in the running to win a $60,000 scholarship.
The national level takes the top 500 applicants from across the nation and narrows them to a final winner.
Tony Nash, local representative for the Elks Scholarship Program, along with Paula Ash of the Kansas Association of Elks Scholarship Program, said this was the first time anyone from the Parsons Elks Lodge has made it to the national level.
Nash said this program is very competitive and required Rodney to spend many hours of preparation, combining a portfolio that gives an overview of the applicant’s accomplishments, achievements, leadership, community service, letters of recommendation, photos and an essay on an assignment topic.
“What a wonderful picture that his essay and portfolio painted of this young man,” said Nash. “His essay response hit home, as well.”
As a state level winner, Rodney will speak at a state meeting of the Elks  on Sunday, May 3.
He will be notified of his status in the national competition on March 15.
Stacy Smith, college orientation instructor at LCHS, commented, “I knew after reading his essay that Rodney was going to impress many with his view, but when we realized the magnitude of what he was in the running for, the room was ecstatic. He is truly deserving of this type of award.”
Rodney’s essay was on the subject of equality and the importance for society to exert a bit more effort in everything they do. “…we need to quit bringing other people, other countries, down and start building everything again from the ground up,” he wrote in the conclusion of his award-winning essay.
Rodney is the son of Rod and Denise Fleming and he plans to attend Syracuse University in New York with a major in public relations and broadcast journalism.

Brannon Green of Labette County High School has been nominated as an Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.
Green is now eligible to be selected as a national Red Zone Player of the Year and be honored in a full-page feature in USA Today in February.
High school coaches across the country are naming one player from their team as their Player of the Year.
Green is also eligible to be named one of 50 national Players of the Year. The top 50 players nationwide will be named Red Zone Players of the Year and will receive a plaque and other awards.

LCHS Senior Katelyn Penner signed letter of intent with the University of Oklahoma on Wednesday, April 28 at the LCHS Cafeteria, with the whole student body attending. Cake and cookies were served following the signing.

Look in next week’s Labette Avenue for a complete story of her accomplishments at LCHS.

Justin McKee, a native of Edna who now resides on a ranch near Lenahpah, Okla., will serve as the speaker for this year’s Labette County High School baccalaureate services on May 11.

The service which serves to honor and encourage the class of 2008, will also feature student participation from members of the graduating class.

McKee has over the years became a household name, coming into your home each week as the voice of the Professional Bull Riders. For the last six years he has been the host and play-by-play announcer of the Professional Bull Riders tour which airs weekly on VERSUS (formerly known as OLN) and several times a year on NBC. His knowledge of the bull riders and the bulls they ride has given him a reputation in the business few announcers can match.

Besides being the “Voice of the PBR” McKee announces many rodeos including some of the biggest rodeos on the circuit, like Cheyenne, Pendleton and Ellensburg. During these rodeos Justin has been known to disappear from the announcer’s booth for a portion of the performance only to pop up in the arena as a contestant in the Steer Roping. When not announcing PBR events, Justin also has his PRCA announcers card and often is found at top PRCA events as well.

In his spare time you will find him team roping, a sport he has excelled at as well.

The ranch raised cowboy not only talks about bulls a lot, he raises his own. With the help of his wife, Jeannie, and young daughter, Kassidy, McKee Ranch raises purebred bucking stock selling bucking bull futurity prospects.

“I thank God everyday for blessing me with the opportunity to make a living at something I enjoy so much.” Justin’s enthusiasm for rodeo and life is contagious and genuine. He admits, “I am one of the biggest fans in rodeo, when I’m behind the mic, I’m having a great time and one of my main goals is that everyone there is having fun too.”

The public is invited to attend the event which is sponsored by the Citizen’s Baccalaureate Committee for USD 506.