News

February 21, 2020
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

Great Bend High Schooler Lawton Smith isn’t your average teenager. He already runs his own business called Mid-America Fabrication and is taking welding at Barton Community College. While his true passion is designing parts, having skills as a welder is what helps hold it all together.

“I like making parts more than welding,” he said. “I spend most of my time cutting, preparing, grinding and fitting, but it all goes hand-in-hand when you’re working with metal.”

February 18, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by Brandon Steinert

The nursing program at Barton Community College has announced a secondary deadline accepting student applications for the 20-21 academic year until March 1. Those who applied during the first round of applications will receive priority status. Additional applicants from the secondary deadline will fill seats as available for both the Practical Nursing Certificate and the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing.

Great Bend Tribune
Published February 16, 2020

February 14, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska

Barton Community College’s Center for Adult Education will soon begin its nine-week GED Preparation Class. Orientation classes are the first step to obtaining the Kansas State High School Diploma through the GED Prep Program. Students must attend all orientation classes March 9-11 to qualify for classes. The first day of actual classes is March 16. The center is located at 1025 Main St. in Great Bend.

February 15, 2020
Story and photo by Brandon Steinert

Sam Henke of Great Bend, is a 30-year-old single mother to five boys ages three to 14, is determined to rise out of poverty and create a brand-new life for herself and her children.  She is pursuing an education in Automotive Technology at Barton with her sights set on running her own auto repair business. A program called Journey to Resolve Poverty, formerly known as Circles, inspired her to take action and enroll.

February 11, 2020
Story by Brandon Steinert & Luis Palacios

Barton Community Colleges is calling all alumni of its instrumental music groups to participate in a reunion and performance celebrating the college’s 50th anniversary. Attendees are invited to play in the Pep Band at a basketball game on February 22, which will be the last home game performance of the season.

February 6, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska

Anyone looking to start a career after high school or switch careers will find a myriad of opportunities at the Education and Employment Expo hosted by Barton Community College from 3-7 p.m. March 3. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to reserve a free booth space for your business, contact Agriculture Instructor Maggie Tracy at (620) 786-1120.

February 6, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska

The Barton Dance Theatre will host its “Animal Creative Camp” fundraiser from 2-5 p.m., Feb. 16 in the Kirkman Gymnasium at Barton Community College. Children ages 4-10 will enjoy activities with the Barton Dance Theatre dancers. They will learn a dance, make an animal craft, act out a story and participate in a playful tumbling class. The time will conclude with a short family-friendly movie. Cost per child is $20 and $10 per each additional sibling (all camp supplies included in cost). 

February 6, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska

February 4, 2020
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

Sophomore Toni Reese of Hoisington is no stranger to adversity. She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at the age of 13. She is the daughter of a single mother who was in the Navy through much of her childhood. However, she hasn’t let any of that get in the way of following her dream of becoming a private investigator.