These nine students earned seven college credits in Environmental Water Technology in the topic area of Wastewater Plant Operation. The classes apply toward an associate degree in Applied Science in Environmental Water Technology for any student who wishes to further their training through FSCC.

FSCC President Clayton Tatro gave the keynote address of the ceremony, with additional comments provided by KJCC Superintendent, Kyle Rohr, and FSCC Environmental Water Technology instructor, Bob Sample.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Fort Scott Community College and these KJCC students,” said Tatro. “They are the first group of KJCC residents to achieve these college course credits and Environmental Water Technology credential.”

“I’ve been very impressed with the hard work and dedication the students have displayed in the class.” said Sample. “The students have developed valuable skills through classroom work including hands on activities that actually allowed them to perform the operations of a wastewater treatment facility in a controlled setting. I am truly excited about the future of this program, the students, and elevating the professionalism in this profession. ”

Fort Scott Community College will implement this program until December, 2014, and will provide four different Environmental Water Technology credentialing courses: Water Plant Operation, Wastewater Plant Operation, Water Plant Distribution System Operation & Maintenance, and Wastewater Collections System Operation & Maintenance. Each course prepares students to successfully pass a state licensing exam required by each state upon the completion of required on-the-job work experience.

“This is one of the first programs like this in any juvenile correctional facility in the nation,” said KJCC Superintendent Kyle Rohr. “This provides a great opportunity for the youth of our facility, and we are excited for what this partnership with FSCC will become.”

Tom Blankenship, Karen Chmidling, Dara Heineken, Ashley Wilson, and team captain David Vennell all
work the night shift as corrections officers at the women’s correctional facility in Topeka. They decided to accept the governor’s challenge and held each other accountable to a healthier diet and increased exercise.

“I’m so proud of you for the work you’ve done,” Brownback told the members of the Wolf Pack at a reception in the state capitol Tuesday. “You’re a good, inspiring group and you’ve obviously helped each other along the way.”

The Wolf Pack edged out the Fort Scott Finishers of the Department of Transportation, who dropped 291.7 pounds, but came in second with 18.98% lost.

KDOC was well represented in the competition. In 6^th place was the Healthy HCF C.O.’s. They lost 172 pounds/14.18%. In 10^th place was the team Clearly Motivated, which combined to lose 125 pounds/12.01%.

In all, KDOC and JJA entered 72 teams, which lost a combined 4,593.29 pounds. The agency’s teams averaged a loss of 63.8 pounds.

The state as a whole lost 44,409 pounds – more than 22 tons. KDOC teams were especially successful in the contest. Though KDOC teams made up just 7 percent of teams in the competition, they outpaced the state average by losing 10.34 percent of the state’s total weight lost.

“I want to congratulate the teams that showed the discipline to finish so well in the challenge,” said KDOC Secretary Ray Roberts. “They will reap the rewards not only in their professional lives, but in their personal lives for years to come.”

The members of the Wolf Pack discussed the keys to their success, as well as their greatest challenges, with Brownback, whose own team was bested by 183 other teams in the state. They said they motivated each other to put their memberships at exercise facilities to use, and they challenged each other to avoid unhealthy food options.

“For me, it was hard at first to change what I was eating, and I didn’t like that,” Brownback told the group. “But once I got used to that part of it, I adjusted and it wasn’t so bad.”

In addition to cash prizes to the top two finishers, there were drawings for the teams that finished ahead of Brownback’s team. Prizes worth $44,500 were donated by Coventry Health Care, UnitedHealth Group and Kansas Beverage Association.

Brownback and Kansas Health and Environment Secretary Robert Moser, M.D., who is also the State Health Officer, announced that a new challenge is forthcoming – “Move Across Kansas.” The program will encourage activity as a follow-up to the weight loss challenge.

“I hope this is a turning point for a lot of people’s lives,” said Brownback.

The group of corrections officers faced a particular obstacle in that they work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the women’s facility. They admitted that they were in the habit of snacking throughout the night. Some members of the team had become accustomed to drinking several energy drinks during their shifts.

“After I changed my eating habits, the weight came off fast for a while,” said Chmidling. “But then I hit a plateau where just eating healthy wasn’t doing it, and that was hard to work through.”

The members of the Wolf Pack said that the challenge has changed their lives.

Chmidling said that she will have to use some of the prize money to buy new clothes, because much of her current wardrobe no longer fits. Vennell said he may use the prize money to purchase a second car for his family.

“It’s given us the ability to respond to the things we have to do in our jobs better,” said Vennell, who along with Blankenship, works in a segregation unit that has lots of stairs. “We’re able to be a better presence because we feel better and we look more fit.”

“I have a lot more energy, which allows me to keep up better with my child,” said a smiling Wilson.

The road to graduation took some challenging turns for Christopher Erker and Zachery Best, who were recently released from Ellsworth Correctional Facility, and for Dustin Myers, who was formerly a resident of Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility.

Governor Brownback provided the commencement address at BCCC Friday, May 17. During his address, he specifically mentioned that three former offenders were among the graduates. The governor met with the three men after the ceremony to offer his words of encouragement.

“Congratulations to these men for the effort they put forth to better their lives and to prepare themselves for success in the future,” said Brownback following the ceremony. “The goal of the Department of Corrections is not only to provide for public safety, but to help set individuals like these three men on a different course. For them to receive these degrees speaks to the potential for all offenders.”

Each of the three graduates seized upon opportunities offered within the correctional facilities to begin their college education. All three paid their college tuition fees.  This was done through using wages earned in facility industry programs or with family assistance.

The college provided the following summary of each the men’s path to graduation:

Christopher Erker

• Chris began his Associate of General Studies at Ellsworth Correctional Facility.  He released in August and spent the spring 2013 semester living in the dorms and attending class on a full time basis.  He completed 19 hours this semester – three of which were through Bartonline and the other 16 face-to-face on the Great Bend Campus.  He graduates with his Associate in General Studies.  He plans to attend K-State at Salina and complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Engineering.

Zachery Best

• Zach began his Associate of General Studies at Ellsworth Correctional Facility.  He released in August and began attending Sterling College.  He completed his last three credit hours with Barton to receive his degree.  He plans to continue his studies at Sterling College and receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

Dustin Myers

• Dustin began his college coursework at Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility. He has been living on campus and attending class during both the fall 2012 and spring 2013 semester.  Dustin graduates with an Associate of Science in Business.  He plans to take a year off school to work.  He has a business building custom motorcycles.  After his year off to accumulate funds, he plans to attend Washburn University.

On-site registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on the south lawn of the Capitol (online pre-registration is strongly encouraged to minimize delays at the event). A group photo will be taken with the Governor at 9:30, followed by a Blessing of the Bikes and Riders at 9:45. Kickstands Up is at 10:00. This year, the ride includes a bike show, which will begin setting up at 11:30 when the first riders arrive at Council Grove High School. At 2:00, Governor Brownback will honor veterans, Fort Riley soldiers and families for their dedication to freedom. The bike show, games, and entertainment will follow. The bikes will be judged from 2:00 to 3:00, and awards will be given out at 4:00. The public is encouraged to attend this family-friendly, alcohol-free event.

Online pre-registration is strongly encouraged. A $25 fee per person is required to participate, and those pre-registered by May 15 will receive a Flint Hills Freedom Ride t-shirt with their registration fee. Additional t-shirts will be available the day of the ride on a first come, first served basis. Complete ride details and registration are available online at fhfreedomride.ksoutdoors.com. Participants are asked to keep their receipts for gas and purchases the day of the ride and turn them in at Council Grove to be eligible for prizes.   

Vendors are invited to set up at Council Grove High School. Electricity will not be available, but generators will be allowed. Corporate partnerships opportunities are also available. Visit the website above for vendor and sponsorship information.

The partner groups organizing the ride include the Governor’s Office, Fort Riley; Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism; Kansas Department of Corrections; Kansas Department of Transportation; Brothers in Blue Re-entry; members of the Council Grove community and community leaders; ABATE of Kansas; Wabaunsee County Economic Development; and Christian Motorcycle Alliance.

“Peggy has done an excellent job heading one of our two parole regions, and she has a superior knowledge of parolees and what their experience is like,” said Roberts. “That intimate knowledge will serve her well on the board as she helps make determinations for the safety and security of Kansans.”

Lero replaces Kathleen Graves, who was a member of the board since its inception in 2011. Lero’s addition is the first change to the board since it was created by Governor Sam Brownback. Graves recently was named Deputy Secretary of the Community and Field Services Division of KDOC.

Currently the parole director in the Northern Parole Region office in Topeka, Lero will continue to handle duties in the regional office until a replacement is named.

Based on legally mandated sentencing guidelines, most offenders in the KDOC system are given a defined sentence at their time of sentencing. Some, however, were handed “off-grid” sentences, meaning their opportunity for parole would be determined by a governing body, which is now the Prisoner Review Board.

The board conducts public comment sessions and solicits input from advocates for the offenders, victims of crimes and legal professionals when considering parole cases. They also consider revocation of parole or post-release violations.

Lero holds master’s degrees in administration of justice from Wichita State and in correctional psychology from Emporia State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Pittsburg State University.