Free complimentary copy April 22, 2016 • Volume 3, No. 26
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Raytown High, Raytown South’s ‘Hairspray’ a success By Kris Collins The investment of time and hard work more than 100 students and 13 faculty members put into the production of “Hairspray” paid off handsomely as the show was warmly received over a four-day run this past week. This was the first time in recent memory Raytown High School and Raytown South High School partnered for a production. The final showing was at 2 p.m. this past Sunday. “All directors have a different process so we have to link our processes together to make it a successful show,” Brent Martin, Raytown South High School theater director, said of working with Raytown High’s Theater Director Katie Kolster. “Luckily, Mrs. Kolster and I come from very similar back-
it. Ultimately, I think we overcame and put on a very successful production.” The schools’ theater departments had worked together in the past, but not on such a large scale production. More than 100 students were required to contribute to the production, which included work backstage, onstage, on hair and makeup, front of house, publicity, box office, and rehearsal. “I think it went really well. It’s bittersweet, but I think it went super well,” said Raytown South junior Gabrielle McDuffy, who played Tracy Turnblad for two of the four performances. “Some of our seniors, it’s their last show, and also since it’s a combined show we won’t be able to see Raytown again because we’re not doing another combined show next year, but it was a good experience. I’m glad.”
Raytown High School senior Dykota Sprinkle as Edna Turnblad in the production of “Hairspray,” put on in cooperation between the theater departments from Raytown High School and Raytown South High School April 14-17.
grounds and so we have similar thoughts and ideas of how a show should be run. It was a big show and there was a lot that went into
“I think working with Raytown was probably my favorite part because I didn’t really know them that well and then when we came here
Jackson County OKs $52M for trail bonds
Photos by Kris Collins Elliott White, front row, Raytown South High School senior, as Velma Von Tussel.
I got to know them super well and I’ve made so many good friends. It was just such a fun process.” The show as just plain good. The humorous lines were delivered gracefully and with impeccable timing, the musical numbers were grand and well executed, and the casting choices for lead roles couldn’t be disputed. The vocal talent in the leads ranged from “very good” to “OK, now, that’s a recording.” Sure, those in attendance saw impressive performances on stage from talented students from both high schools, but equally impressive were the hair and makeup, costumes, sets, lighting, and overall production value. It was abundantly apparent that every one of the 100 students needed to make the play tick was pulling his or her weight. Lauren Douglas, a senior at Raytown South High School who played Penny Pingleton, said she enjoyed working with students from across town for the final performance of her high school career.
“It’s hard to eloquently describe the amount of love and support you find in a program like this,” she said. “And it’s sad to leave, but being around these people has made me so excited because I’m studying theater after high school so it has made me really excited to study in the professional setting, as well.” Zach Kujath, Raytown High School senior who played Tracy’s love interest, Link Larkin, added, “Bittersweet is the perfect word for it. This was I think the perfect show to go out on. It’s definitely fun and to be able to combine the two schools for the first time ever — as far as anybody can remember — is a really cool experience. “We really got to build this community that’s not just within a school but within a whole district, and it’s a town-based community pride even more than it is school pride.”
is being sought by six candidates. The Raytown-Brooking Eagle wrote the following candidate profiles based on a brief
questionnaire. Bill Van Buskirk did not respond to the questionnaire.
See Raytown Arts Council’s David Fast’s review of ‘Hairspray’ in the Entertainment Guide on page 7 of this issue
6 candidates seeking Dist. 28 House seat
Editor’s Note: Candidate responses may have been reduced down for length, but have not been otherwise edited.
Jerome Barnes, 59, is a retired labor relations specialist for the U.S. Postal Service and a sport official for basketball, volleyball and football. “I am running for State Representative to help hard working families and senior citizens here in Raytown and the State of Missouri,” said Barnes, a Raytown resident for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of Longview Community College and went through U.S. Army Non-Commission Of-
Rep. Tom McDonald is termlimited this year. His seat in the 28th district of the Missouri State House of Representatives
Jim Aziere is the head coach for the boys swimming team for the Raytown C-2 School District and a retired teacher. “I believe the middle class needs a strong voice in Jefferson City that will stand up to the Republicans who failed to bring economic growth to Missouri, attempted to destroy the teacher retirement system and destroy teacher tenure; decreased social services; failed to improve major highways in Missouri, and tried to de-
Josh Greene, 26, is an account supervisor for 4M Building Solutions. “In these tumultuous times, when ‘politics as usual’ too frequently get in the way of progress, it would be a disservice to our community if we only had the choice of proven rubber stamps to represent us,” Greene said. “Our community needs representation that will speak up in the face of adversity and do the right thing, even when it risks losing his/her political capital. On the Ray-
Pat Riehle, 61, works in fishing and fly fishing sales for Bass Pro Shops. This is the second time he has run for state office. “I am running for this seat to ensure that Raytown, and the 28th District as a whole, has a homegrown, vocal proponent in Jefferson City,” he said. “My #1 priority will be to see that the legislative issues identified by the City of Raytown, the Raytown School District, the business community and the citizens of the 28th are ad-
The Jackson County Legislature approved $52 million in bonds April 4 to purchase 17 miles of track from the Union Pacific Railroad. The main objective of the purchase is to offer increased connectivity through bike and pedestrian trails, specifically connecting the Kansas City Metro Area to the Katy Trail, but the purchase could prove crucial in plans to eventually incorporate commuter rail service. The tracks, which span from near Arrowhead and Kaufman stadiums, through Raytown and to Lee’s Summit, haven’t had a train on them since 1981. “Union Pacific has been an incredible partner,” said former Jackson County executive Mike Sanders. “They were under no obligation to sit down with us, they did seven years ago and based upon their hard work, their incredible partnership, their diligence we are here today.” The bonds are to be paid off over a 30-year period at 3.75 percent interest, which amounts to an annual payment of $2.9 million. The county and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority are splitting the bill. It’s not yet clear when bicyclists or hikers could enjoy the trail. In previous conversations it has been said the project will take years to complete. The project has been of major interest for bicyclists and hikers, according to Brent Hugh, executive director of Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation, a group that represents 2 million Missourians. “Connecting the Katy Trail to that Kansas City area has been a top priority for our federation for the past 20 years, so we’re very pleased to see this moving forward. This is something people have wanted,” Hugh said. Eric Rogers, executive director of BikeWalkKC, said there is healthy economic impact to be enjoyed as well. “We are excited for all of the economic, health and mobility benefits that this project will bring,” he said. “We believe that projects like these are essential for making this community successful in the future in competing for the workforce of the 21st century and employers that are following that workforce.”
Raytown communications director receives leadership award
Diane Krizek, 63, owns two small businesses, an importer and global retailer of motorcycle parts and a community newspaper. She began her career by working for the federal government and later worked for KCPL for 20 years. “My primary objective is to do my part in finding solutions for moving the state forward economically without impinging on the constitutional rights of any Missourian,” she said. Krizek is a native Kansas
James Brafford, director of communications for the Raytown Police Department, received the Outstanding Public Safety Answering Point Leader
Barnes continued on page 4 Aziere continued on page 5 Greene continued on page 6 Riehle continued on page 6 Krizek continued on page 6
Award continued on page 3
Mayor Pro Tem Page 2
Easy, Delicious Apple Pie Page 7
Photo courtesy Raytown Police Department Raytown Police Chief Jim Lynch, left, poses with James Brafford, Raytown Police Department director of communications, who received the Outstanding Public Safety Answering Point Leader Award April 15 from the Mid-America Regional Council during its 19th Annual Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration.
Raytown Soccer Page 8