Newkirk Junior Main Street

Newkirk Junior Main Street. . , Newkirk's Junior Main Street program was organized March 27, 1997 with four middle school students , Michael Bannister, Jed Hartley, Sarah Speanburg, and Crystal Robinson. Michael, Sarah, and Crystal were all eighth grade students in Laura Ross's social studies class. Jed was a seventh grade student. These students formed the first Junior Main Street program in the nation. All because according to Michael, "This is our town, too; and we want to have a say in it." Adult sponsors for this group were Jana Shafer and Karen Dye. Other sponsors have included Janet Williams and Maxine Stiles. , Meghan Hutchason, a fifth grader at the time, wrote their slogan, "Living in the future to repair the past." Their mission statement is, "To improve and preserve the future of Newkirk's downtown heritage and keep the pride the town has developed in the last 100 years." , Several of the members brought younger siblings, and soon the group consisted of students from fifth through eighth grade. The group grew so rapidly that membership was limited to twenty students. , From the beginning, one of the focus areas of the group was to keep litter in the downtown to a minimum. They then expanded this goal to directing the community wide clean-up annually in the spring. They became a part of the SOS , Save Outdoor Sculpture, and they wash and wax the Land of Hope and the Kay County War Memorial. Other items on their work plans include folding table tent calendars, passing out business newsletters and flyers, wrapping presents at the Children's Christmas Shop, assisting with the annual banquet, weeding the pocket parks, assisting with Charlie Adams Day, and folding brochures. They also prepared a coloring book for fourth grade students and wrote a Fun and Almost Free Things to Do in Newkirk. The group has worked on character development and presented a puppet show for elementary students on that subject. They believe in supporting local business and have a knowledge and understanding of the importance of preservation of the historical district. They are, indeed, a good representation of our community. , In the ten years between 1997 and 2007, this group of students has volunteered over 17,000 hours for the community of Newkirk. , This phenomenal group has been recognized on both a state and national level receiving many awards through the years for their efforts in working for the community.