Ark Valley News - Looking Back

Looking Back
Last Updated: April 12, 2018

55 years ago

The senior boys "Dal-Chris-Woods" act took first place at Stunt Night with their interpretive dance titled "Two-timing Love." The Valley Victors 4-H Club wanted a lollipop but instead got three suckers and second place. The Faculty Dames "Sang along with Itch," a doggie act that came in third.

Frances Burdette, a sophomore at Emporia State College and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Burdette of rural Valley Center, was one of 40 biology students and professors to go on a one-week spring field trip that included a cruise on the Gulf of Mexico and a visit to the San Antonio Zoo.

45 years ago

Brian Westerfield, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Westerfield of Valley Center, was the recipient of the $100 Carl D. Searcy memorial scholarship that was awarded at the annual All-Sports banquet.

Kim Harrison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Harrison of Valley Center and a 1970 graduate of Valley Center High School, was selected to perform in the musical comedy "Once Upon a Mattress" at Pratt Community Junior College.

40 years ago

Lisa Berwick, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Berwick, and Janelle Hester, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hester, were selected as finalists in the 1978 Miss Kansas National Teenager Pageant. This was the official state finals to the Miss National Teenager Pageant in Atlanta.

Jeanne Daniels set a Kansas high school girls shot put record with a toss of 45 feet, 11 inches at the El Dorado Invitational track and field meet. She helped lead the Hornet girls to their second first-place showing in three meets.

35 years ago

Stacy Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Robinson, and Sonja Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Moore, qualified for the Kansas City Youth for Christ group at the Youth Evangelism Association's National Quiz Tournament in Bath, N.Y. Robinson was a member of the Wichita Warriors Youth for Christ team. Moore was a member of the TFC Champions.

Ruth Bahr, daughter of Calvin and Esther Bahr, and Rhonda Brewer, daughter of Harold and Alma Brewer, both of Valley Center, were awarded scholarships by McPherson College.

30 years ago

Kevin Plush, son of Gerald and Charlene Plush of Valley Center, a senior in construction science, was one of 47 Kansas State University students performing community service projects in Barnes, Enterprise and Cottonwood Falls.

Receiving "I" ratings at the regional solo and ensemble contest in Hutchinson were Angela Bridgewater, flute solo; Marcy Oliverius and Paula Shaw, trumpet solos; soloist Shawn Bass, and the woodwind trio and brass choir. Brass choir members were: Darren Fowler, Marcy Oliverius, Chris Boyd, Matt Sharpe, Heath Kintzel, Paula Shaw, Aaron Wiechman, Shayne Fraser, Steve Grove, David Goering and Mark Kintzel. Woodwind trio members were Angela Bridgewater, Rachel Anderson and Kristi Flinn.

25 years ago

Randall Herbel, son of Don and Rita Herbel of Valley Center, was named to the fall semester dean's honor roll at Oklahoma Baptist University. He was a senior biology major.

Marcella Oliverious of Valley Center received a $20 gift certificate as runner-up for Student Employee of the Year at Pittsburg State University. She was a senior elementary education major.

20 years ago

Les and Betty Robinson sold their mobile home park in Valley Center to Max and Doris Rickerson of Chanute. The Rickersons planned to construct a Sonic Drive-In at the corner of Allen and Meridian.

Paige Vannaman, daughter of Doug and Gay Vannaman and a swimmer at Wichita Northwest, was honored as KAKE-TV's Student Athlete of the Week.

15 years ago

Melissa Allison, daughter of Chris and Dennis Allison of Valley Center, accepted an $800 Hays city silver academic award and a $500 award of excellence in art from Fort Hays State University. She planned to major in interior design.

Valley Center High School senior Tyler Beeton signed to play soccer for the Baker Wildcats. Beeton played four years of varsity soccer in high school.

10 years ago

Barton Solvents officials were reluctant to publicly discuss their plans to relocate the company's Valley Center operations after last year's explosion and fire. It was holding out the possibility of relocating to either Bel Aire or El Dorado.

The U.S. Postal Service announced that stamp vending machines were being taken out of all Post Offices because they were not getting enough traffic to justify their cost. Becky Foth, postmaster for Valley Center, said a note had been on its stamp machine for a few weeks telling customers of the change.

5 years ago

Madison Wedekind and Larry Hall were named Valley Center High School prom king and queen. Other candidates were Morgan Wedekind, Korrie Raney, Keaton Canaday and Ryan Scheibmeir.

Valley Center graduate Mitchell Crow, son of Randy and Colleen Crow of rural Valley Center, was the third of their five children to pick up a musical instrument at a young age and learn to play it. Crow was a junior at Wichita State and played trumpet with the Shocker Sound, the Wichita State pep band during WSU's run in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.