Local Events

The Black Card Experience at the The Bird Comedy Theater in the Crossroads Art District

When: Saturday, Feb. 24 from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Price: $12-$15

Regarding this event, The Bird Comedy Theater said, “Fresh from performing live at SF SketchFest, Katherene Garry, (Let Me Explain My Blackness, It’s A Cultural Thing, The Anarchy Fun Time Show) brings back KC Fringe 2023’s Best of Venue show about the stereotypes of black culture for one night.” 

BLK + BRWN MOVIE NIGHT! @ Stray Cat Film Center on Broadway Blvd.

When: Sunday, Feb. 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Price: $ Free

The Stray Cat Film Center, partnering with BLK + BRWN, is screening “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” in honor of Black History Month.

Jewell Kitchen in YGCU Room 221/222

When: Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Price: $10 

Here is a description obtained from the BSA Brightspace Page: “Bring your appetite to enjoy some soul food! This event will feature a raffle for a campus parking space and trivia where you can win prizes like a Nintendo Switch or a massage gun! Sponsored by BSA.”

Reading and Local Businesses:

For a quick read, hop on over to the Kansas City Black History website and download this year’s pamphlet. This booklet highlights Black historical figures, including a musician, a teacher, a physician, a politician and many more. Some of the famous names include Samuel U. Rodgers, Vincent O. Carter, Myrtle Foster Cook and Annetta Washington. For a longer read, check out Goodreads’s Black History Month List that recommends books such as “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou and “Beloved” by Toni Morrison.

KC Black Owned created several lists that include Black-owned small businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bakeries, retail stores and much more. There are even some bookstores included, so check out the Goodreads list and pick up your next read at one of these Black-owned bookstores! Black History Month is an important celebration and commemoration of Black history. If you feel inspired by this list, consider using your voice to elevate Black voices.

Were you invited to a Super Bowl party but don’t know who’s playing? Maybe your best friend is a huge fan of the Baltimore… Bills? Don’t know who Patrick Mahomes is and at this point you’re too afraid to ask? Look no further, this is the article for you. 

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest television events of the year. It’s the one day when it seems like everyone, even those who don’t care about football the other 364 days, suddenly come out with very strong opinions about what a bunch of millionaire men do or don’t do with a ball. I’m not here to turn you into a die-hard fan. If you’re tired of “Superb Owl” jokes, or saying you only watch for the commercials, or having nothing to talk to your friends about until the halftime show, then I’m here to help. 

These tips are applicable to most sports, but particularly to team sports, and can be adapted at your own discretion. Here are my top five things to say while watching a sporting event to convince others that you totally understand what’s going on: 

1. “Consistency”
How to use it:
“So long as we stay consistent…”
“If we can just stay consistent…”
“I’ve been saying it all season. It’s in the consistency.”
When to use it: When the conversation turns to discussing performance or strategy, also known as couch coaching or armchair quarterbacking. It’s particularly useful when the team your friends are cheering for messes up. This kind of talk is typically critical, but this is a good and versatile phrase to use. It’s also unique enough that you shouldn’t be suspected of simply parroting buzzwords. 

2. “Stay healthy”
How to use it:
“The players need to stay healthy.”
“We need to play smart and not get hurt.”
“There’s been a lot of injuries this season.”
Keep your tone light while still sounding like what you’re saying means something. Don’t be so serious as to let them think that you have strong feelings about a particular player or incident.
When to use it: Like talking about consistency, this is a good neutral option. You can throw this one out during small talk pretty much anytime. During a game, you can say this whenever someone on your team gets hurt. 

3. “Let’s hold on to it”
How to use it:
“Let’s see if we can hold on to the lead.”
“We need to hold on to the lead.”
“Alright, in the lead, let’s hold on to it.”
When to use it: This one requires you to be sure that the team you (or your friends) want to win is the one currently winning. Toss this out during the celebration moment after they’ve taken a lead, or when the other team scores and gets close to overtaking your team. This is a good one to use when your team is winning near the end of the game. 

4. “Big plays”
How to use it:
“Let’s see some big plays out there.”
“We’re playing too much small ball.”
“We need a big play. Make something happen.”
Repeatable. 
When to use it: When things are getting boring and your team isn’t doing great. At some point past the halfway mark, there’s bound to be a lull in the proceedings. This is a good thing to say to kindly pump some energy back into the room. You can also use this one anytime your team hasn’t done anything exciting in a while, especially when losing. Some games are just bad to watch, and this is a nice, optimistic contribution. 

5. Pick a non-score number on the screen and say it like it means something. 
How to use it: 
“Only eight minutes left!”
“Fourth-and-5.”
“52 passing yards already?”
Repeatable.
When to use it: This tip requires you to pay attention a bit to the function of the scoreboard. The score should be easy to find. Don’t say that one. There might also be a small number that keeps counting down separate from the game clock that starts at either 40 or 25. Don’t say that one either unless it’s about to hit zero. For all other numbers, you’re probably safe. The game time is a good one because it’s easy to find on the screen and will make it look like you’re staying invested in following the game. If you still aren’t sure, take note of what numbers everyone else is saying and use those. 

6. Extra: Just ask questions 
How to use it:
We all love to talk about the stuff we like. Sports fans love to talk about sports. Odds are that whoever you’re watching with won’t care if you don’t know a touchback from a technical foul, and if they do, they probably won’t be fun to watch a game with anyway.

Let yourself be curious, but don’t expect them to walk you through every single second. Ask about words you don’t understand, rules that you can’t figure out, or what a statistic is measuring. Try guessing what the referee is going to call or complain if they make a call against your team. Throw in your two cents about the slow-motion replay. 

Whatever you do, remember that at the end of the day, it’s just a game and games are supposed to be fun. Get out there and have a good time!

On-Campus Events

FIJI Halloween on Oct. 28 starting 8:30 p.m.

FIJI is hosting an event with a concert and their annual Halloween party, proceeds from tickets will go to philanthropy. Come by in your costume to the FIJI house to enjoy the night.

GIFT Halloween Movie Night on Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

GIFT is hosting their annual Halloween movie night in YGCU 221/222. They will be putting on an Interactive Rocky Horror Picture Show experience. There will be snacks and a raffle with sweet and spicy prizes. Come dressed in your costume for the chance to win a costume prize! The movie will begin at 8 p.m. Interactive viewings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show have a unique culture of challenging gender norms, which is especially important in light of anti-drag legislature that has swept the US in recent times. Student Life will also be hosting a Happy Hour during the event with alcoholic beverages for A-approved students, along with nonalcoholic options. 

KA Fall Fest on November 4 at 7 p.m.

KA is hosting their 4th annual Fall Fest with bonfires, pumpkin painting, barbecue and live music! Tickets are $6 and the event is at the KA house.

Kansas City Events

Haunted Houses in West Bottoms

Kansas City is called “The Haunted House Capital of the World” for good reason! The West Bottoms has some of the best haunted houses for those of you that enjoy the adrenaline rush and an immersive experience. If you’re interested in visiting several of the haunted houses, there are discounts available for multi-house tickets.

The Edge of Hell is a nationally acclaimed haunted house, featuring five stories of haunts, heaven-to-hell-themed frights and the world’s largest living snake. If you’re brave enough to enter The Edge of Hell, tickets are $35. Open select dates Sept. 22 through Nov. 11. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. every weeknight and 6:30 p.m. every Saturday. Closing times vary. 

The Beast is one of the most frightening haunted houses in Kansas City and is also nationally ranked. This attraction has four flours of terrors awaiting those who enter, from the Louisiana Bayou swamp, Jack the Ripper’s foggy London, a medieval castle and a forest full of werewolves. Tickets are $35 and Doors open at 7:30 p.m. every weeknight and 6:30 p.m. every Saturday.

If you’re a horror movie enthusiast, you might like to take a trip to Macabre Cinema during the spooky season. This haunted house features spooky attractions from famous classic and modern horror movies through a 1930s movie theater with four floors. The haunted house also has actual movie sets from famous horror movies. Doors open at 8 p.m. every weeknight and 7 p.m. every Saturday. 

Outdoor Scary Experiences 

If you’re looking for an outdoor haunted house, Exiled in Bonner Springs, KS is the place for you. This secluded haunted forest tour leaves visitors in the middle of the forest and must navigate their way to safety while avoiding creeps, freaks and more. This experience does require you to be willing to get down and dirty in the outdoors, so beware if this is not for you! Tickets for the Trail of Horrors tour are $49, the first tour is at 7 p.m. and the last one is at 10:30 p.m.

Worlds of Fun’s annual Halloween Haunt transforms the amusement park into the ultimate Halloween attraction. There are over 400 monsters in the fog-filled park, many different scary attractions, mazes and of course the rush of the typical rides. If you enjoy shows, there are a variety of live performances to get you in the Halloween spirit. Tickets start from $39.99 and the hours are 6 p.m. to midnight. 

Less-Scary Options 

If you’re more of a history buff or interested in less-sensationalized spooky events, check out Wornall Majors House Museums. During October, they are offering paranormal investigations and tours of the Alexander Majors house, one of the most haunted locations in KC, led by professional investigators. If you’re interested in history, but not ghost stories, you can check out their tour, the “Anatomy of a Haunted House,” which will explore the origins of the Victorian-style haunted house and life in the Victorian era. Check out their tours here.

Powell Gardens is hosting an immersive, multi-media 1-mile trail walk through the woods called, Dark Forest, in October. It takes you through the mysterious and mythical woods that have unexplainable paranormal forces and supernatural beings. There are no scary actors, but there are eerie performances, fog, strobe lights and more. In addition to spooky fall displays, they also have Halloween-inspired drinks and shopping. Dark Forest is on Oct. 13-15, 20-22 and 26-29 from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.

If you’re a fan of cocktails, check out the variety of pop-up Halloween-themed bars in KC. In North KC, Apparition- Spook Easy at the Vignettes Bar has spine-curdling spirits and a spooky ambiance. The Ghosts of Baseball Past is a haunted cocktail experience at the Legends Stadium featuring a spooky version of baseball history. If you’re a fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, check out the Rocky Horror Pop-Up Bar at the Time-Warp Club.

Whatever you decide to do, whether it’s braving a haunted house or checking out a Halloween-inspired speakeasy, have a Happy Halloween! Make sure to check out some of the events on campus to support philanthropy and student organizations, too.

On Apr. 21, The Celebration of Honors took place. This event honors student achievement at William Jewell College. Specifically, the names of students who have won departmental, service, and publication awards are read out loud and students are presented with certificates at the end of the ceremony. The winner of the Faculty Award – the highest award given to a graduating senior at William Jewell – is announced at the Celebration of Honors. 

This year, the winner of the faculty award was Agatha Echenique, senior Oxbridge History of Ideas and Philosophy double major.

The following is a list of the other awards announced at the ceremony.

Awards in Biology 

Dr. Burdette L. Wagenknecht Award for an outstanding first-year biology major – Molly Jillian McBratney

Charles F. J. Newlon Award for an outstanding sophomore biology major – Kate Hillyer

Monte Harmon Award for an outstanding junior biology major – Alexis D. Harper

Dr. Burnell Landers Award for an outstanding senior biology major – Elizabeth Wilson
Dr. Judith A. Dilts for an outstanding senior biology major – Paige Liston 

Awards in Business and Leadership 

Hastings L. Schies Memorial Scholarship to a junior or senior female student majoring in business administration or finance who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement – Camille Anderson

Walter J. Stark Award for development in business studies – Will Brant

John W. Boatwright Scholar to a student majoring in economics – Karis P. Saplys
Boatwright Economics Leadership Scholars – Camille Anderson and Noah C. Mayo

Otis and Florence Miller Academic Award to a senior graduating with the highest GPA in accounting, business, or economics – Mary Catherine Capron

Accounting Faculty Award for an outstanding senior in accounting – Mary Catherine Capron

Business Faculty Award for an outstanding senior in business administration – Hayden Barrett Armour

Economics Faculty Award for an outstanding senior in economics – Samuel D. Burkart

E. Anne Earnest Nonprofit Leadership Award for an outstanding senior in nonprofit leadership – Emily Mae King

Awards in Chemistry and Biochemistry 

Outstanding First-Years in Chemistry or Biochemistry – Theodore Johnson, Jr. and Irene J. Taboada
James R. Eaton Memorial Scholarship for achievement as a chemistry major – Sarah G. Foot, Scott Jolly, Luke Morrill, Ethan R. Nichols and Samantha Thompson
Frank J. Fristoe Scholarship for achievement in chemistry – Lucille M. Beattie, Jorey A. Luebbert, Juliann Smith, Traeten A. Thorell and Joseph E. Tetlow

Outstanding Senior in Chemistry – Megan E. Hall 

Outstanding Senior in Biochemistry – Rachel Ann Schon 

Awards in Communication

The Department of Communication Award for Internship Excellence – Abigail Elizabeth Vandiver 

The Kim and Lois Anne Harris Department of Communication Outstanding Senior Award – Michelle Mee Distefano 

Awards in Education 

Chad Farrison “Reach Out and Touch Someone” Award to an education major who has demonstrated sensitivity and compassion for others through volunteer service – Elisabeth Hampl 

Lutie Chiles Elementary Education Award to an outstanding sophomore in elementary education – Lorna Swink 

Ida Coffman Education Award to an outstanding junior in elementary education – Naomi Rickard 

Outstanding Junior in Secondary Education – Brynesha A. Griffin-Bey 

Outstanding Senior in Elementary Education – Charlene Audrey Bautista Noble 

Outstanding Senior in Secondary Education – Drew Daniel Reed

Master of Arts in Teaching Awards – Jacob Clark and Kaitlin Marie Edwards 

Award in Engineering 

Outstanding Senior in Civil Engineering – Brandon Daniel Homan

Awards in English
Pinkerton-Rick Scholarship to an English major entering the senior year who has contributed to the English Department through creative thinking and helpfulness – Gunnar Gudehaus 

Outstanding Senior English Major Award – Emily Mae King and Kathryn Elise Villarreal 

Awards in History
Kenneth Chatlos Award for best capstone essay in the Department of History – Christian Santiago 

U. R. Pugh Memorial Scholarship for achievement as a history major – Hallie D. Lindsey 

Award in Languages
Outstanding Senior in Spanish for a graduating major with a record of excellence – Gabrielle Rae Fournier 

Award in Mathematics
George A. Ross Mathematics Award to senior mathematics majors with the highest academic record in mathematics – Grant Whitingham Latina and Kaitlyn Elizabeth Simms 

Awards in Nursing 

Award for Integrity (BSN) – Gabrielle G. Gudehus 

Award for Integrity (BSN-AT) – Samantha M. Gonzalez

Award for Compassion (BSN) – Heather Danielle Pangborn 

Award for Compassion (BSN-AT) – Kristin B. Osborn 

Awards for Scholarship (BSN) – Devin Ashley Hampton 

Awards for Scholarship (BSN-AT) – Jessica Kane 

Anne Bax Ozbolt Award for Servant Leadership (BSN) – Jolee Grace McMullin 

Anne Bax Ozbolt Award for Servant Leadership (BSN-AT) – Kole Alexander Hummel 

Award for Excellence in Practice (BSN) – Noah Joseph-Glen Bruce
Award for Excellence in Practice (BSN-AT) – Raven Jones 

Mary Grant Seacole Award for Service (BSN) – Caitlyn Michelle Webb 

Mary Grant Seacole Award for Service (BSN-AT) – Clinton T. Gillespie 

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (BSN) – Alexandra Entz 

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (BSN-AT) – Dana Ruth Chiesa 

Outstanding Nursing Student Award (BSN) – Sarah Rosalia Bono
Outstanding Nursing Student Award (BSN-AT) – Elizabeth Ann Feller

Dr. Leesa A. McBroom Spirit of Nursing Book Award (BSN-AT) – Ellie Schroeder 

Awards in the Performing Arts 

Austin Cooper Edwards Acting Awards – Ivan Calderon and Suzanne Paige Wright 

Virginia D. Rice Award for excellence in theatre throughout the year – Breanna Kristian 

Kim Harries Golden Hammer Award for excellence in technical theatre – Kaden Rowe 

Alpha Psi Omega Key Award for four years of service to the Jewell Theatre Company – Isabel M. Warden 

Richard L. Harriman Theatre Scholarship established in 1994 by the Fine Arts Guild for outstanding theatre students – Ivan Calderon and Kassidy A. Schmidt 

Ida and Maybelle Glenn Music Scholarship for outstanding achievement by someone preparing to teach music – Brynesha A. Griffin-Bey 

Edward Lakin Music Theory Award to the student with the highest GPA in the first year of music theory courses – Irene J. Taboada

Linda L. Thomssen Award for an outstanding string player – Kathleen Eliza Winters

The Wes and Ginger Forbis Award for rising seniors in music – Cameron Wayne Huett, Brynesha A. Griffin-Bey and Kylie Schuster 

The Dean Wilder Voice Award for music majors with special consideration for students who study or participate in vocal performance and who demonstrate leadership qualities – Kailynn Byrne and Elijah Kenneth Tang-Spigelman 

The Collegiate Artists Competition winners of this annual competition perform a solo with the Liberty Symphony Orchestra – Syd Edie and Carolyn Schrock 

Awards in Physics
The Charles Don Geillker Feynman Lectures Award to an outstanding first-year in physics – Adam Hoffman 

James R. Eaton Memorial Scholarships for achievement as a sophomore or junior physics major – Riley Williams and Kaden Gammon 

John E. Davis Sigma Pi Sigma Award for a senior physics major with the highest level of achievement in physics – Ellesa R. Henning 

Outstanding Senior Physics Major Award – William Laycock 

Awards in Political Science 

Outstanding First-Year Students in Political Science – Makenna M. Gray, Ethan E. Naber and Riley E. Frasure-Smith 

Outstanding Sophomores in Political Science – Jamie L. Schenck, McKinzie Thompson and Alexander Walls

Outstanding Juniors in Political Science – Calvin Joseph Heit, Jacqueline Grace Hensley and Mary Katherine Leniton

Outstanding Seniors in Political Science – Hattie Miller and Madalyn Newton 

Dr. Will Adams Scholarship for an outstanding political science major – Luke L. Zahnd 

Pi Sigma Alpha – Matthew Oliver Senior Scholar Award – Hattie Miller 

Awards in Psychological Science 

Distinguished Graduates in Psychological Science – Kaci V. Behrens, Adel Freitek and Charlene Audrey Bautista Noble 

Premier Graduate in Psychological Science – Michelle Mee Distefano 

Student Publication Awards
The Hilltop Monitor Newcomer Awards – Zach Gilmore and Jolia Bernal 

The Hilltop Monitor Community Outreach and Engagement Awards – Trenton David Brink, Alexis D. Harper and Koda Payton

The Hilltop Monitor Editorial Leadership Awards – Brian Jordan Bartels, Trenton David Brink, Agatha Echenique, Alexis D. Harper, Claire Henry, Koda Payton and Liz Payton

Inscape Poem of the Year – Marquis E. Whitmire 

Inscape Fiction of the Year – John Anderson
Inscape Creative Nonfiction of the Year – Morgan Tuttle 

Inscape Fine Art of the Year (Visual Art, Digital Art, or Music) – Ashlynn Steller

Inscape Outstanding Editor Award – Allison J. Hillman

The John and Mary Pritchard Award Humanitarian Service Award
The Pritchard Humanitarian Service Award is given annually to a William Jewell Student who commits to engaging with persons in need and to supporting the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Cameron Wayne Huett

Mortar Board 

Mortar Board is a national senior honor society demonstrating the ideals of leadership, scholarship and service. Members are selected through an application process and must meet the ideals of the society and have a grade point average in the top 35% of their junior class.

Miriam R. Allen 

Kaci V. Behrens 

Mary Catherine Capron
D’Asya Renee Coller-Williams 

Eli River Engledow

Grace Olivia Faulkner 

Megan E. Hall 

Alyssa Hash 

Claire Emma Hays 

Claire Henry 

Jenna Nicole Hultgren 

Carly Mantia 

Jolee Grace McMullin 

Heather Danielle Pangborn 

Rachel Reaves

Megan Monroe 

Rachel Ann Schon 

Payton Sarah Totzke 

Morgan Marie Tuttle 

Kathryn E. Wagenheim 

Caitlyn Michelle Webb
 

Phi Epsilon Society
Students qualify for induction into Phi Epsilon if they are among the top 10% of the graduates with a minimum of 60 credit hours at William Jewell College. 

Kaci V. Behrens 

Mary Catherine Capron 

Jayme Coon 

Mallory Jo Dickerson 

Michelle Mee Distefano 

Alexandra Entz 

Agatha Echenique 

Megan E. Hall 

Frida Hammarlund 

Claire Emma Hays 

Paige Liston 

Hattie Evelyn Marks Miller 

Madalyn Newton 

Charlene Audrey Bautista 

Rachell Ann Schon 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Simms 

Graduating with Honors 

For students who complete a project either within their declared major – and thus graduate with honors – or outside their declared major – and thus graduate with distinction. Eligible students must have a minimum institutional grade point average of 3.5 at the time of graduation and must have completed A-level work on a research or creative project over two or more semesters. Finished projects are rigorously evaluated by specially appointed faculty committees 

Graduating with Honors in Philosophy – Agatha Echenique 

Graduating with Honors in Digital Media Communication – Claire Henry 

Oxbridge Honors Program
For completion of the Oxbridge Honors Program, an honors program of tutorials and examinations through which a small number of selected outstanding students pursue chosen areas of concentration. As its name implies, it is an American adaptation of the educational method of the great English universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Oxbridge students typically spend their junior year studying at Oxford University. 

Agatha Echenique 

William Laycock 

Kathleen Winters