Frank White touts importance of education, work ethic to Lee’s Summit North students

Jackson County Executive Frank White recently spoke to students in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at Lee’s Summit North High School.

White — a Royals Hall of Famer, Gold Glove second baseman, and major league former coach — focused on the importance of education and developing a good work ethic.

He told his own story of baseball success, which came despite a late start. White did not play competitive baseball growing up nor in high school or college. Instead, his major league dream started with a tryout at the now-defunct Royals Baseball Academy.

Playing his way through the minor leagues, he switched positions several times while navigating slumps and tough times.

Eventually, he was named the American League Championship Series MVP in 1980 and helped the Royals when the franchise’s first World Series title in 1985.

White also talked about passion and a drive to be the best, even if it means missing out on some leisure, as well as the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge themselves and also want the best.

AVID is a global nonprofit that aims to close the achievement gap by preparing students for college and other opportunities after high school.

Hats off to local veterans

Meadow Lane Elementary School recognized more than 70 veterans from all branches of the military Nov. 10 at its annual Veterans Assembly.

The veterans were invited by their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives as well as family friends. Veterans within the Lee’s Summit Police Department also were honored along with veterans on Meadow Lane’s faculty and staff.

Theater students collect food for needy kids

Theater students from four Lee’s Summit high schools collected more than 7,700 pounds of nonperishable food for Lee’s Summit Social Services through the Trick-or-Treat So Kids Can Eat program.

International Thespian Society troupes from Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit North, Lee’s Summit West, and Summit Christian Academy were involved in the endeavor, which has become an annual tradition in Lee’s Summit.

The theater students collected about 1,400 pounds more than they did a year ago.

During 2016, the three R-7 high schools received the National Cornucopia Award from Educational Theatre Association for their Lee’s Summit United Team. That award went to the one team in the nation with the highest average collection total per troupe.

Summit Tech to host open house

Prospective students, parents, and patrons are invited Nov. 16 to Summit Technology Academy’s open house. Summit Tech, 1101 N.W. Innovation Parkway, is part of the Missouri Innovation Campus program, which puts students on a fast track toward a college degree.

An early-planners session starts at 6 p.m. for middle school students.

Other students interested in STEM-related careers in a global environment are encouraged to visit between from 6:30 to 7:55 p.m. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathelatics.

RSVPs are encouraged and may be completed at sta.lsr7.org/rsvp, where a schedule of breakout sessions is listed.

Food, turkeys for 400 families

The annual Summit Christian Academy Elementary Food Drive brought in 8,410 items.

SCA joined forces with Turning Point, Belton Assembly of God, and Courageous Life Churches to collect food items and turkeys.

On the final day of the drive, sixth-graders students packed the canned items into boxes and loaded them onto trucks.

“The SCA students will help 400 families this Thanksgiving,” Turning Point Executive Pastor Tim Krabiel said. “We are so thankful for their partnership.”

Cosentino’s Price Chopper in Belton donated several cases of vegetables and fruit.

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Decorator pumpkins raise money for Trailridge library

Fourth-graders at Trailridge Elementary School raised $285.53 for their school library through a pumpkin decorating contest.

Students and staff members at the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District school voted for their favorite pumpkin by making a donation.

Tuned in to broadcast excellence

Lee’s Summit High School students captured some of the top awards at the Four-State Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting Competition on Nov. 4-6 in Springfield.

Eighteen high-school broadcast and film programs competed. Lee’s Summit High’s winners included:

▪  First place — Anchor Team: Jaclyn Berry, Hope Kelsey, Emma Oesterly and Abbigael Follis; and Edit the Scene: Jaclyn Berry and Gabby Eyre.

▪ Second place — 77-Hour Movie Challenge: Jackson Brouillette and Grant Heizer; PSA: Mya Patten, Kendall Reuhling and Jeff Livingston; and, News Feature-Long: Jaclyn Berry and Erica Milligan.

▪ Third place — 77-Hour Music Video Challenge: Jaclyn Berry, Taylor Sallis, Hope Kelsey, Kierstin LaRue, Isabel Howayek and Jeremy Souders; and Five-Second Film: Alyssa Eyre, Taylor Sallis and Mike Smith.

This story was originally published November 13, 2017 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Frank White touts importance of education, work ethic to Lee’s Summit North students."