Connie Smith, director of the Hershey Track & Field Program for Kansas, presents the state?s Outstand?ing Program Volunteer Award to Mike Moran, who organizes the local meet through his role as counselor at Hillsboro Elementary School. Moran said HES has been involved in the program since at least 2000. This past spring, the HES meet was the third largest event in the state with 82 participants, second only to John?son County and Pittsburg, according to Smith. Moran said local participation has grown since moving the meet from an after-school event to the annual ?play day? event during school hours. He credited several local volunteers for making the event possible, including HES principal Evan Yoder, meet announcer Becki Yoder, meet starter Dennis Boldt, physical education instructor Doug Dick, and Tabor College instructor Amy Ratzlaff, who recruits her students to help run events. Moran also cited the generous financial support of the local Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and Hillsboro Community Foundation. Since launching the Hershey program, two Hillsboro athletes have made it all the way to the national meet in Hershey, Pa. Nathan Vogel ran the 800 meters in 2004 and Jorge Hanschu competed last summer in softball throw.
Moran receives state?s Hershey award
