Pictured are the representatives from the Hillsboro High School TSA chapter that traveled to Florida this summer for national competitions: front row (from left) instructor Mickey Harvey, Nicholas Mueller, Brandon McMillen, instructor Creigh Bell; back row, Neal Kaiser, Evan Just and Dakota Langley.

Five members of the Hills­boro High School chapter of Technology Students Associa­tion from the 2007-08 school year competed at the national level at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Fla., June 28 to July 2.

The students placed in six different events, including a high placement in four events.

In Flight Endurance, Nicholas Mueller placed second and Brandon McMillen eighth among 132 entries.

In Structural Engineering, the team of Neal Kaiser and Evan Just placed fourth out of 163 teams.

For Dragster Design, Mueller placed sixth and Kaiser made the Top 20 out of 194 competitors. A picture of Mueller’s “The Inevitable” dragster can be seen at www.Science-of-Speed.com, under “Showroom,” “TSA 2008,” and “High School.”

Under “TSA 2007” and “High School,” Isaac Leihy’s seventh-place dragster can be seen.

In Radio Controlled Trans­por­t­ation, the team of Dakota Langley and Brandon McMillen placed first out of 54 teams with the robot called El-Rey that they designed with SolidWorks and built with the help of community, parents and instructors.

The team expressed appreciation specifically to local businessman Todd Jost for his inspiration and support with building El-Rey.

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INITIAL GRADUATE, MASCOT CREATOR

Renetta Helen Schulz has the distinction of being a member of the first graduating class of Tabor College (1910), presumably the two-year program. Described as “a bright, innovative woman,” Renetta received her B.A. from Tabor in 1914 and went on to earn her master’s degree from Kansas University, then returned to Tabor as an assistant professor of English. The first Tabor College annual was published in 1916 and covered in summary fashion the first eight years of the school’s operation. Schulz supervised the production of this first yearbook. Schulz was the one responsible for selecting the Tabor mascot and yearbook name—the Blue Jay.

This anecdote is included in “Tabor College: A Century of Transformation 1908-2008,” the history of the college commissioned for this year’s centennial celebration. The book can be purchased for $48.39 (tax included) plus $5 for shipping. Call 620-947-3121 ext. 1212 for information or orders.

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Willy Penner, who experienced starvation as a child captive in a World War II refugee camp in Poland, will tell his story at the Tabor College 60+ Learning in Retirement program on Monday, Sept. 22.

Titled “Great is Thy Faithfulness: The Story Begins with World War II,” the presentation will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

“Willy Penner has a dramatic story of escape that he has told many times in various group settings,” said Connie Issac, director of the Learning in Retire­ment program.

“We’re glad that he is willing to tell his story one more time so we can learn from him what life was like for many during World War II, and also give thanks to God for sparing his life.”

Penner is a retired public school administrator who lives in North Newton with his wife, Gerry. He was only 8 years old when he was caught in the fighting between Russian and German forces.

Separated from his parents, Penner was held captive for four years in Poland before he escaped to a Red Cross refugee camp. He credits God’s faithfulness for caring and providing for him.

Penner was reunited with his parents and placed in a Menno­nite Central Committee refugee camp in Germany. He and his mother later came to Cordell, Okla., after a sponsor paid their way to America.

Penner was determined that he would learn English so well that no one could detect he was German. His high school years were at Corn (Okla.) Bible Academy.

After attending Tabor College for two years, Penner graduated from Southwestern State University in Weatherford, Okla. He retired in 2001 from a career in elementary school education, which included more than 30 years as principal at Cimarron.

The Penners have three married children and eight grandchildren.

The public is welcome to attend all Learning in Retire­ment programs. Fees are $3 per session or $15 per semester ($28 per couple).

Registration and discount cards for lunch in the cafeteria will be available at the door during the half hour before the meeting.

For more information, contact Isaac at 947-3121, 947-5964, or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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The Unified School District 410 Board of Education approved purchase of property to house the transportation facility and central office space at Monday’s regular meeting.

After meeting in executive session, the district voted to pay $395,000 to J.K.L., LLC for facilities at 415 and 416 S. Date, formerly the home of the Irv Schroeder County Motors dealership, recently acquired by Midway Motors.

The money will come from bond proceeds, said Rod Koons, board president.

A timeline for the move hasn’t been established, and depends on the completion of a new facility to be built by Mid­way Motors along U.S. Highway 56.

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