Letters to the editor
To the Editor:
I am writing in regards to the article "And the Winner is
To begin with, this is the sixth year for the contest, not the fifth as you stated in the article. Upon being selected in 1999 as Tri-County 4-H Queen, I decided to start a similar program in Marion County. My goal was to provide a similar opportunity to the Marion County 4-Her's, due to the wonderful experiences I had while competing over a period of four years in Herington. With the help of Stephanie (Goossen) Richmond, 1996 Tri-Co. 4-H First Attendant and 4-H alumni, we have been able to keep the contest running now for six years.
My biggest disappointment with the article was that it did not mention a lot about the 4-H royalty contest. Instead, it seemed to focus on when it was a beauty pageant.
The Marion County 4-H Queen Contest is NOT a beauty pageant. These girls are judged on their past and present involvement in 4-H based on responsibilities, leadership, and community service.
Candidates are required to meet the following provisions: submit an application form; complete a self evaluation and ask an adult to complete a source evaluation; ask two outside sources to write letters of recommendation; complete a two-page essay based on a different theme each year; submit their up-to-date record book; and finally collect sponsors to help cover the costs incurred (I.E. Judging fees, building rent, tiara/sashes/flowers/cash prizes, decorations, etc.) Additionally, they are required to complete a 10-to-15 minute interview with a panel of three judges over the information submitted.
The greatest part about this competition is helping the girls prepare for the future. Not only are they challenged to set and meet goals, but they are highly encouraged to run again the following year if not selected as queen. This contest helps them learn how to fill out applications, whether it be for a job or college, as well as listing their strengths, weakness, and involvement in activities. The interview process teaches the girls poise, develops communication skills and prepares them for questions that may be asked during a job or college interview.
Stephanie and I have worked very hard to make this program successful. We are both committed to helping grow this contest even though we live outside of Marion County.
I hope everyone now understands the importance and greatness of this competition, as it is far removed from the beauty pageant that it once was. We extend great appreciation to the Marion County Fair Board and would like to thank to all of our current and former sponsors.
If there is anyone interested in supporting the royalty contest in the future, please contact the Marion County Extension Office.
Sincerely,
Lindsay (Matz) Morgan & Stephanie (Goossen) Richmond
To the Editor:
I moved from Kansas in 1955 to take a job and returned to Kansas 42 years later in 1997. As a boy born into and reared in a Mennonite home, I remember when I left Kansas churches preached holiness, righteous living, and repentance of sin. I returned finding many churches preaching the false religion of diversity and tolerance.
Intellectualism has become the religion of Kansas. As the Bible says in Romans 1, "They have exchanged God's truth for a lie."
Kansas state government spends 80 percent of its money on public schools and social programs. I associate these two because they are allied together. A hypocritical justification of this out-of-control expenditure is "let's do it for the kids."
Yet, Kansas hates the child so much it teaches the lie of evolution in public schools. No father who loves his child would teach him a lie. The state of Kansas despises the child so much we are known as the abortion capital of the U.S. No father who loves his child would allow his wife to destroy that gift of God that grows in her womb.
Have had persons ask me, "How do you like being back in Kansas?" To which I reply, "I'm not comfortable here." Some say, "Give it time and you will adjust." I reply, "I do not intend to adjust. Why should I lower my standards to fit Kansas?"
The way the state, counties, cities, and schools levy and raise property taxes and other fees without a vote of the people is unconscionable. They do it because they have the enforcement power. And a warning of our nation's founding fathers was "Do not let the purse and the sword fall into the same hand."
Remember people, there are three boxes by which we control our leaders. The ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. The police and the military are the enforcement arm of the government to control the people. Who then do the people have should we need an armed force to control our leaders? It is the constitutionally protected militia.
And why do we have a militia in Kansas? Because the men of Kansas have allowed themselves over decades to be gelded. We have been stripped of the control of our homes, schools, and government institutions, yes even many church boards no longer know what their Godly mission is. And now, we paid a severe price through a public school lawsuit, and we deserved it, if we are not going to be men of high moral standards and take control of our schools and other institutions.
The state of Kansas is committing suicide. We are killing ourselves through an excess of welfare, a love of riches and material things, and a lack of moral and spiritual values. People, when you give up your principles and values, you are dead, your culture is dead, your civilization is dead. Period.
I call upon Christian men of high moral character. Rally to me. We need to stand united in prayer, encouragement, and with a threat of armed force, defeat the Satanic powers, and take back our institutions.
What we need in Kansas is a real man for governor. A man who knows right from wrong, knows how to read his Bible and pray. A man that will lead the people to return to what is right.
I may be that man. Pray for revival.
Anton Epp
Goessel
