MANHATTAN&nbsp;– Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;and select players met with members of the media on Tuesday at the Vanier Family Football Complex as Wildcats prepare for their home opener this Saturday against Southern Illinois inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 

The Wildcats and Salukis kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium in a game shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS. CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH

“Good to see everybody. Good to have everybody back. We're excited to get a chance to play at home after a big win last Saturday at AT&amp;T (Stadium). Thought our guys came out and played really hard, played physical, did some really good things on both sides of the ball. Some areas that we need to clean up, some penalties that hurt us a little bit and some things on defense with some of our techniques within coverages and things that we'll work on. Some of the first game things that I thought maybe would happen, and then offensively, just trying to get into a rhythm a little bit. We struggled in the second half getting into a rhythm and then had probably too many third and extra longs, although one of those resulted in a 60-yard touchdown. So, it was positive there, but guys are excited to play at home. Guys know that we have a really good opponent coming in here and got to play our best football to have a chance.”

On the ability to break big plays on third and long...

“Well, it throws off tendencies for sure as far as being able to just throw vertical games or drop back games or screen games on your third and extra long that you can hand the ball off and block it up well. Once again, I give our offensive staff and offensive line credit for picking up the kind of stunt that they had, and we're able to wall everybody off and make a big play but for us, trying to get the football into 22’s hands is important. That was one of those ways that we're able to get him the ball and had him in space. He made a big play.”&nbsp;

On the success of FCS teams in week one...

“I just think there's a lot of parity in college football and there's a lot of good football teams out there. There were a number of games that probably could have been won by FCS teams as well. Being at that level for a while myself, those are big games and big opportunities to make a statement and prove that you belong with the Power 5 schools. Briley Moore was a really good football player for us last year, and you get a bunch of guys like Briley Moore on your football team, you have a chance to win because of the belief that they have. Southern Illinois is no different. Nick (Hill) has done a tremendous job there, so it'll be a really good football game.”

On initial thoughts of Southern Illinois...

“Experience, experience, experience. Got a ton of guys back – 17 or 18 six-year guys. Nick's done a really good job. Only competed against him once, but you can see what he's done over the last four years with that program. Tremendous, tremendous skill on offense, really good quarterback. Probably the best reverse team in the country. You're going to see some reverses out of different formations and reverse passes and gadgets and Wildcat. They make you defend sideline to sideline with everybody. You better not just key in on a couple of guys. They've got some tremendous players, but they hit reverses on everybody. So, we've got to make sure and have discipline within our defense. Then their defense, they're older, experienced guys. Have played a lot of football and had success last year, making it long ways in the playoffs and had a big road win.”

On being prepared defensively for Southern Illinois...

“Well, we were so prepared to play the run against Stanford and we had guys coming downhill. There were some times in big people that they'd have that we had everybody with the corner coming downhill at the run, and we can't do that this week because of the amount of gadgets and trick plays and double moves and just really variety of offense. Stanford didn't give us that variety that Southern Illinois is going to. So, I think it's more of just the discipline of doing your technique and discipline of getting back to more spread-out football. Stanford wasn't as much spread-out football. These guys are going to run RPOs, and we're going to have all different personnel groupings. So it’s kind of back to what we did in fall camp versus our own offense that does so many different things. We have to get back to that because we had 12 full practices of nothing but Stanford. That's a different mindset playing those guys than it is playing a lot of teams.”

On how the Wildcats were able to stop the run against Stanford...

“Played fast and we worked both our three-down and four-down extensively for those 12-14 practices and had a good plan on both. Probably some of the personnel substitutions back and forth like everybody saw that we'd sub three, they'd sub two. We'd sub three. We got caught a couple times of playing the three-down when we wanted to get to four-down and had some success. So, then we just stuck with it, because sometimes they were bringing in so many people we didn't know all the time what the personnel was. So, we end up playing a little bit more three-down than we probably even thought we would.”

On the nerves with running a new defense for the first time in a game…

“Absolutely. Without question. We had a lot of things drawn up on the sidelines if it were Plan B and Plan C. Part of that was just not knowing what some of the solutions were to the problems that we were going to have. Fortunately, we didn't have as many problems this week, and we're still learning on some of this. That's why we still need to keep playing what our staff knows as well, so who knows? This week, maybe, we'll play more four-down, because there's some comfort level that we have in four-down against some of the personnel groupings that they have. We're just starting to dig into that as a staff. Yesterday we probably split it 50/50 just because we were just showing what our guys were doing offensively, or what they would do offensively. So, each week maybe a little bit different.”

On Reggie Stubblefield’s big pass breakup...

“​​I was excited for Reggie. Made a great play. He has a really good knack of just being a good, solid player of getting his eyes back around at the right time to knock it away. The guy had a step on him, but Reggie flipped his head around, saw the quarterback throw it and was able to undercut it and get a big, big hand out and that was kind of a theme throughout the day. There were a number of guys that only played a handful of snaps but were really impactful on those handful of snaps. He was one. Tee Denson was another one. Even Keenan Garber played really fast. So, I'm excited about the guys that maybe played on eight to 14 or 15 snaps but had an impact on the game.”

“We need to do a better job in some of our techniques and in coverage on defense. On offense, I thought we blocked well downfield with our receivers and tight ends. We just had too many negative plays that put us behind the sticks and had so many of those third and long. We were hoping for a lot more third and three, four or five and six and we end up getting a lot of third and 11-plus. There's not a lot of great calls on third and 11-plus unless you just hand the ball to Deuce, which we were able to the one time. They had some good success, so we need to be more productive on early downs. Some of that was some first-game mistakes and some of that was the fact that we only played 40-some plays. We didn't get a chance to really play a lot of offensive football.”

“Continues to progress and he's practicing. He's healthier and we'll find out, but we think he's healthier. Yesterday did some good things. He's not missing any practice time. It just takes a while to come back from the injury that he had. His time will come. There's no setbacks or anything like that. It's just making sure that he feels comfortable and we feel comfortable that he can play fast like Chabastin typically does.”

On getting the ball to Malik Knowles...

“Well, we need to get everybody the ball a little bit more. But that's part of the issue. We got to hang on to the ball and have the ball and not have it for 40 snaps or 45 snaps. It's one of the things we talked about as a staff, and there's a lot of guys who wish they would have played more. Coach Mess (Courtney Messingham) wishes he would have been able to call more plays, but that was the nature of the game. I've never seen a game in college football like that. Haven't been a part of one where there's so few plays and probably will never happen again. I wish it would. That's fun when it's over within three hours and it's 52 plays and 45 plays. That's just not common. We have to continue to sustain drives so we can have more plays and more opportunities for a lot of guys.”

On the play of the defensive line…

“Depth and strength. Coach Tru (Trumain Carroll) and his staff, Coach Tui (Mike Tuiasosopo), Coach (Buddy) Wyatt. We're bigger. We're stronger. We're more athletic. We have more depth. We played with an awful lot of guys. I think somebody told me we ended up playing 59 guys in that game, but on the defensive line we rotated so many guys. That's what we have to be able to do, whether we're playing three down or four down, is to make sure that we keep those guys fresh. We keep rolling guys in and out, and we feel comfortable doing that. We have four and five defensive tackles that can play, and we probably have six and seven defensive ends that can play. That's a benefit to have.”

On who popped out after watching the tape…

“Daniel Green played really, really well, and it was unfortunate that he had the targeting and he'll have to sit this first half. But he’ll learn from it. You'll learn from it. It was not a malicious play. It was a bang-bang play that is going to be called right now in college football. We understand that, but he played really well. I thought Felix Anudike (-Uzomah) played really well. I thought Ekow Boye-Doe played really well. And we were able to get some good play out of a lot of guys. Like I said, the most we had somebody play maybe was 30 snaps on defense. That's pretty good. We're playing a lot of guys, and who knows what it will be this week? We could end up playing 70 to 80 plays, so we have to continue to get contributions from a lot of people.”

On if Skylar Thompson showed any hesitancy…

“It's just still difficult to answer that when there's 40 plays and that's the hard thing. I thought early on we had a great rhythm offensively. That first drive was exceptional throwing the ball, running the ball. We went a little tempo. Their kid makes a great play, and they got a pick. So, then we get the ball back and we didn't bat an eye. We didn't flinch. We moved it right back down and scored, one was a big pass play to Phillip (Brooks) and that really good run by Skylar. So, I was so excited with the start of our game offensively. We didn't get off the field on defense a couple of times that extended drives. When you're running the ball like, then they're chewing up the clock. You're not having as many opportunities. Where I was a little disappointed, in general, offensively, we sputtered to start the second half. Give Stanford credit. They had some really good adjustments they made in the second half. Then once we threw the one quick three-step route to Malik (Knowles), everybody kind of loosened up and we end up getting points on that drive. Then we ended up getting another touchdown off of a turnover, but we just didn't have the ball very much on offense. Skylar is going to be great. He's going to be fine. I think he played really well for the limited snaps that we had. Had a couple of drops. If not, his stats are even better. He was not afraid to run the football, and that was good. We don't want him to run 25 times, but he may have run it six to 15 times a game just based on the team.”

On if the Arkansas State game last year better prepared K-State for this week…

“I never even thought about that until you brought it up. I think all of our staff haven't spent some time or majority of our staff haven't spent some time in FCS, in particular that league, the Missouri Valley, is a really good league. I think a lot of teams in our league in the Big 12 knew it going into this week, but last week there were a lot of good games in the Missouri Valley against Big 12 schools, and this is going to be no different. Wish you guys had the appreciation that I did for the eight years I spent at NDSU of how good football really is. Iowa State knows. I've talked to Matt Campbell. Iowa State knows how good Northern Iowa is year in and year out. South Dakota State’s as good as a lot of teams year in and year out. Colorado State found that out, then you go on down the line. We watched Washington. I thought Washington was a phenomenal team playing Stanford, and Montana found a way to beat those guys. Those things aren't flukes, maybe some teams didn't play as well. But that's not a fluke to beat a Power 5 team. Those are good football teams, and we're going to face another one that's got 16 six-year guys. A bunch of guys have played a lot of football there, and they have confidence in what they're doing, and they're well coached.”

On who is in charge of substitutions…

“Well, my kid (Devin Klieman) is one of them on defense. We screwed up a couple things, and I'll get him for that. But he is, Coach (Van) Malone is, and Coach Tui (Mike Tuiasosopo) and Coach (Buddy) Wyatt are on defense. Coach (Brian) Anderson and J-Ray (Jason Ray) are on offense. There's a lot of guys, but we have some things labeled out that we know who's going in the game. Then there's some things on defense that often you try to slow the game down a little bit when an offense substitutes. Stanford wasn't going tempo, but if they subbed, especially late in the play clock, we were going to sub. Ultimately, they end up having to take two timeouts because of it. That's the thing we've learned that we've been beat on it ourselves. We substituted late last year against somebody, and then they jog somebody out. That's part of the game of college football right now. So, there's a little bit of cat and mouse going on. Why did we take that kid out? Well, it's nothing that the kid did. We just substituted a guy so that play clock would keep turning. You get to the line of scrimmage, he looks saying, ‘Oh shoot, there's six seconds left, I’ll call a play.’ That's the substitution rule in college football and people are taking advantage of it right now.”

On who the leader of the secondary when Jahron McPherson is off the field…

“Well, Ross (Elder) is really good. TJ (Smith) is really good. Russ (Yeast) is getting better, just because he's new to the system. He's getting better. There's without question J-Mac is the guy, but we also know we need to do a great job with Jahron so he can play 12 games this year. Last year Jahron wore down playing 70 to 80 snaps a game and playing some special teams. We need to be smart so that we have guys that can play at a high, high level for the amount of plays. Jahron could play more. Wasn't many plays in that game, so each week will be a little bit different. But, probably TJ and Ross Elder would be the two.”

On the play of the young players on defense…

“I was excited for TJ. To have his season cut short last year after the Texas Tech game when he kind of had a coming out party and played really well and then the next week in practice, he was injured, to be able to come back and play at the high level. I think you can tell watching TJ he loves to play the game. This kid’s a fiery guy. He's energetic. He can strike. He covers well. He runs well. He understands what we're doing. I was really pleased with TJ and I think his best football is going to continue to come as he gets more and more reps and snaps.

Tee (Denson) was really good in the limited snaps he played. He made a couple of really good tackles. He's bigger. He's stronger. He's more confident this year, and I was excited to see him make some of the plays that he made. Austin Moore did some good things in a limited amount of snaps. Nate Matlack did some things in a limited amount of snaps. There's a lot of guys that we played that are younger that gets us excited because the foundation of our future is really good, but those guys have to be an impact this year.”

“Revo was the player of the game on the offensive line for us. Josh played one of his best games he's played. It was consistent. He's stronger. He's more athletic. He's more confident. Excited for what he's going to be able to do this year. He's one of those veteran guys now. He's played a lot of ball for us, and it's kind of the expectation we have for Revo is to play at that high level. I think his expectation is that as well that he could be a kid that can be an All-Big 12 player. I like the kid's work ethic and his mindset right now.”

On Jaylen Pickle playing outside in a 3-man front…

“He liked it. He was playing some defensive end, and he'll play d-end and d-tackle based on the fronts we're in. That's a big, long athletic body that can get his hands up that can be disruptive, and that’s the benefit. We can play Pick in a number of different spots as well as Eli (Huggins). He can do that, as well, but excited about the amount of guys we have that can play inside.”

“Well, it's still a work in progress in my mind because we still have a lot of new players that are playing significant roles. I would have said we're getting there. Defensively, for example, playing against our offense, you better be really smart because our offense in fall camp and spring ball is going to give you every formation known to mankind, and all the sudden 14 days, we go play Stanford where it's just a few formations. Then we flip the script yesterday and it was like it was brand new football again. So, we have to always continue to educate our guys and continue to talk about their base rules and fundamentals. That's the thing we visit about a lot offensively and defensively. When stuff hits the fan, go back to your rules and principles, and this is a week where we need to get back to our rules and principles.”

On if there are coaches in the profession he leaned on to learn the 3-3-5 defense…

“There is, and I'll keep them to myself.”

On what factor self-scouting was in the changes on defense…

“Not until after the season, and we were into January. Coach (Joe) Klanderman and I had a number of long conversations about what we needed to do to be better on defense. We had a lot of kids miss last year and a lot of COVID issues, but bottom line we needed to be better on defense. This was one way that we thought we could improve our defense. We didn't know if we would be playing it. We still don't know if we're going play it 50, 80%, 90% of the snaps. Last game we played an awful lot. I don't know what will happen this game, in the next game, but something that we've talked about, we still need to continue to get better on defense. That's how we have to win in this league is make sure that we can prevent big plays. That was the thing that they have a couple of nice throws on fade routes, and they have some really good wide receivers, but we can keep the ball in front of us and prevent the explosive runs and explosive screenplays, which we gave up last year that that'll help us in itself.”

On what Southern Illinois presents defensively…

“They're a mix between a four down and a three down. They like to pressure an awful lot. I think they've got a really, really good inside linebacker – number 54 (Bryce Notree) I think is a terrific football player. They have experience in the secondary, and they rotate some defensive linemen. They're good up front. They play their base stuff really well, but then they press you and get after you. They had just one game this year, and then we're going back and looking at games. We take it with a grain of salt of looking at the games in the past because nobody knows what people had last spring. When they play, I don't know how many guys were out. I don't know how many guys didn't practice very much. That’s the hard thing for the next three or four weeks as you prepare for games. Nobody really knows what people did. We’re not the same football team in 2020 from a personnel standpoint, all those things. I don't know if anybody is. They're very active and really experienced on defense.”

On the depth at skill positions for Southern Illinois…

“It helps this year with the kids that are able to come back. I think that's going to be the constant theme that we've talked about is there's going to be a lot of experienced teams this year. Then there's probably going to be more experienced teams next year just because of the roster management concerns that we all have. This is a group that to me was pretty evident, they had a bunch of guys in the spring. If they’re NFL kids, they didn't go on to the draft, so they played this spring season. They had a lot of success. They had one of their best seasons, made it to the playoffs, beat a really good Weber State team, and I've got a lot of respect for Weber State. Went to South Dakota State, probably should have beat South Dakota State, and I'm sure those kids think we've got a chance to make a run at a national championship. Let's all come back, and I think I firmly believe that what Nick’s got on his mind, and he should, because they’re as good a team as I've seen in the Missouri Valley, as far as those upper echelon three or four teams. I think they're one of them.”

On the impact of graduate-transfers…

“I felt really, really positive that they're going to make an impact throughout the whole season. I was glad that a number of them played a fair amount of snaps. As they continue to learn our system, continue to feel more comfortable, more and more of them will play and more will have a bigger role, but the guys that we anticipated having a big impact did.”

On Joe Klanderman being on the sidelines this year…

“Just listening in and hearing some of the conversations. As I flip back and forth between offense and defense during the game and then seeing the sound after timeouts and stuff, I was really pleased with the communication and some of the things that we were able to iron out on the sideline, better than we were last year with some of the adjustments. So, after week one, it was a good move, and I think we'll get better. I think we'll get better with him feeling more comfortable because he was upstairs with me in the past, too. So, this is the first year for a while that I know he's been on the sideline.”

On Skylar Thompson lowering his shoulder for the first touchdown…

“Let him play football. I'm with you, let him play football. He was excited to get in the end zone and get in there a couple times. I’m excited to continue to watch him progress because I've seen him play right now to really high level against our defense throughout all of fall camp. The more snaps he gets, the more comfortable he is going to be getting back to his old self, but the guy’s playing with a lot of confidence.”

On how the amount of graduate-transfers affects college football…

“That's a good question. I don't really know. I know that our older guys have played a lot of football, no matter if it's here, at another institution that you probably can tell them something once and they figure it out a little bit easier than a younger player. This isn't going to probably go any place, and this is kind of the new normal. We'll find out this offseason. You know how that cycle goes again, but we're pleased with the guys that we brought in right now. Who knows where we'll be next year with the transfer portal?”

On K-State players in graduate school…

“Yeah, a lot of kids are working on their masters. I know that we have so many kids when we're looking at class schedules. There are a lot of them working on MBAs, and it's pretty neat to see that there's going to be some kids who are going to be able to leave here not only with a degree but with a masters. I think that's pretty awesome for those kids.”

On Aamaris Brown’s playing time…

“We’ll find out. He played very similar to Reggie (Stubblefield) and Tee (Denson), had some productive plays, and he continues to feel comfortable with our scheme. Aamaris is really good football player. He just has to eliminate the mental mistakes, and that's what he and I are talking about every day. I know he cares, and he knows he's trying his tail off, but he's an exceptional athlete that will have an impact this season.”

On having the ability to stop great offensive plays…

“A little bit of both. We could have played those plays with a little bit better technique. In the same respect, one of the things that we noticed going into that game, it didn't matter who Stanford was playing was kids were coming up with those back shoulder fade routes really well. They connected and found a way to hang on to the football. So, probably a little bit of a combination of both. We could probably play it a little bit better technique, but let's give those Stanford wide receivers credit. They're really good players.”

SENIOR QUARTERBACK SKYLAR THOMPSON

On areas to improve moving forward...

“I going back and watching the film and talking to Coach (Collin) Klein and Coach Klieman afterwards, I think there was about four plays that I could have been better at. The interception, there's a play that I checked. Saw something I liked, and they played a little bit differently in the game than what we saw on film. Going into the game, I was obviously playing aggressive, but I should just came outside and thrown my slant to Malik (Knowles) underneath. Had a throw to Daniel (Imatorbhebhe) down the middle of the field. I just got to put a little more on it. He was there playing a coverage there that they hadn't shown on film, but I knew what they were in, and knew that he was probably going to be the guy who was going to pop. I just got to step into the fade off my throw a little bit just because it was so, so open. Then there was one read in the run game that if I pull it and probably run for about 40 yards there at the end of the game. Those four plays really were the ones, and even watching on my own after the game on the way home wishing I could have back. There's always going to be plays in the game that you're going to wish you could have back. But, for the most part, I felt like I took what the defense gave me. Whatever the coaches called, I executed well. I strived to be perfect, but also understand that's not reality. It was a good game to get underneath our belts in a setting like that versus a really good football team and kind of shake those first-game jitters out a little bit. I'm looking forward to getting back out there again this weekend.”

On if there was any rust or jitters in the first game...

“Yeah, I don't think it was, I don't think it was rust. I think it was just me not executing on those four plays. I don't think it really had to do with anything like that.”

On the feeling of being back on the field...

“I'll tell you what I had a lot of fun. I felt like, going into that game, was more calm than I've ever been going into a game. I didn't really feel nervous. I was just so anxious to get out there again. I'd been preparing for that game for 10 months and running what that would look like through my head for a long time. So, I was always ready for the moment. The first drive there, I mean we were clicking. We were moving the ball in big chunks besides the interception. I thought well we did a really good job as a unit, and me personally is, after the interception, I felt like we stayed attacking. We didn't take our foot off the gas and kind of let that hold us back a little bit. We put it behind us and move forward, which is big for us on offense. Just to get out there with my teammates again, it was it was special. That's what I missed the most about being out last year was, being up in a box and being kind of removed from my teammates on game day and not being with them and when the bullets are flying, you know, good and bad, I feel like that's a part of my game and me personally that I provide a lot to this team in leadership in those difficult times through adversity and being able to help this team, work through those things. When I was removed from that last year. It hurt me a lot, not being there for my guys. So, what I what I enjoyed the most and going back and watch the film you see when guys are making plays, you see the entire team celebrating run down the field. Noah Johnson almost caught up to Deuce (Vaughn) on one of those run plays… obviously joking. But that's fun to see, and guys are having fun. We're playing for each other, playing unselfish football, and that's what we got to continue to do moving forward.”

On Deuce Vaughn’s 59-yard touchdown run...

“​​Yeah that was a game plan thing that we saw in third and long, just the way that they lined up and played. Now, we saw a play on film from the previous season against them that a team had success, running inside zone versus them in third and long, and if we targeted it right that we could get Deuce one-on-one with a guy. We like our matchup in that aspect to get loose. So, we executed it really well. I saw the way they lined up was very similar to what we saw on film. They brought a pressure and away from the run, which is what we want. I knew presnap that we had a good shot to convert on it. Deuce won his one-on-one with a guy in the open field, and we liked that matchup a lot. So, it worked out.”

On the Arkansas State game from last year being a lesson...

“Yeah, tremendously, looking at Southern Illinois and the conference that they play in, the Missouri Valley. Yyou go look at the scores from last week. Everybody was competitive. South Dakota State beat Colorado State. Missouri State lost by seven Oklahoma State, UNI lost by six to Iowa State. It's a competitive conference, that's the real deal. What we were talking about is just watching them on film, it's a team full of Briley Moore’s. Guys that have chips on their shoulders that are talented players that have something to prove. They have 18 Super Seniors on their team. Guys that have played a lot of football, that play hard and play fast. So it's definitely something that we have to be ready for, and it's going to be a very tough test for us. First game at home, we know it's going to be a great atmosphere. We know they're going to be fired up and have something to prove. So we definitely are focused in on that. They're going to be a good team, and we just have to prepare this week like we did last week. Once again, it's about us. It's about, the Powercat logo on our chest. that's what is important, and we’re focused on that and getting better each and every day.”

On playing in front of a full stadium again...

“Yeah, well I'll tell you what, considering how last year was. We had a pep rally a couple weeks ago with the freshmen here, and I've been a part a couple of those since I've been here. You could just feel the energy of people just missing being at games and miss being in the atmosphere here at K-State. That's a huge part of K-State football is our fan base. Adding the band back to the to the student section is going to be big time there. You know we have the best band in the entire country and having those guys back in the student section and leading the way in that aspect is going to be phenomenal and so fun. Obviously I can't speak on it because I haven't experienced yet, but I envision that it's going to feel like running out of the tunnel for the first time my freshman year, and that's very exciting for guys like me and J-Mac (Jahron McPherson) and Noah (Johnson) guys that have been around and played a lot of football. Kind of have that recharge of what it feels like to run out of the stadium here and have a packed crowd. So, we're excited for it. We're looking forward to it, and we know that it's going to be a home field advantage for us, which is what we want.”

On the experience of playing in Arlington at AT&amp;T Stadium...

“I thought it was awesome. I thought our fan base traveled really, really well. It's definitely loud in there. Our student section was going crazy, which is awesome to see again. Once again, our band, just everybody that made the effort to get down there and support us, it meant a lot to us as a team and in our program. To get to play in a setting like that in the Dallas Cowboys stadium is a dream come true for a lot of us. So, it was a really great experience, and I'm glad our program got the experience that was big time for us. It was a really cool experience, and I enjoyed it.”

On Tyrone Howell embracing the game...

“I thought he did a really good job. The one catch he caught got called back from a chop block, which is unfortunate. But since Tyrone's got here, he's been a guy that we knew that could help our football team and could contribute, whatever that may look like. He creates separation. He has really good hands. What I love about him is in practice or whatnot, if he drops a ball, he gets really mad. He'll do push ups, and all of our guys will, but you can tell it really bothers him when he doesn't catch the ball. That just shows me that he's really competitive and wants to be great. Whenever he gets the ball in his hand, he doesn't want to just go down whenever he catches it. He's trying to fight and get more yards, and you saw that firsthand whenever he got his opportunity this weekend. So, we have, as a unit – the receivers and myself because we're all this together – we have to continue to grow and improve, and build confidence in that aspect of our offense.”

“I enjoy it a lot just because of the position that I'm at. It allows me to be more free, be closer to the box, which I really like. It just allows me to play fast. So, I really enjoyed it.”

On the plays made by linebacker Daniel Green...

“I expected that from him. It wasn't a surprise to me because we talk about that all the time. I thought he had a great game. He was flying around, tackling, just everything. It wasn't a surprise to me.”

“Since fall camp, I could just tell we have so much talent on the defensive side, and watching us fly around since spring ball, I kind of expected us to have a good game. We were flying around and playing fast. That's what I enjoy watching the most.”

On the transition to linebacker…

“I think it's been good to get used to being in the box more. I think the biggest thing for me is just dealing with the linemen. Coming from safety, you know you're 10 yards away from them. I think I'm transitioning well, but I have a lot of work to do. I think I'm getting the hang of it.”

On holding Stanford under 50 rushing yards…

“I think we got a nice group, a good group of guys. We kind of want you to know what our coaches want, and we were just out there flying around because we got so many guys in the backend. So, it allows the back end to just have more freedom to fly around and be in on more tackles and making more plays.”

On running out into a full stadium again…

“It's going to be, for sure. Probably get you some butterflies, but I think we're ready for it just because without the fans, it's kind of hard to play. But, now that we've got that full capacity, it'll be a big impact on us this year.”

“I did my best not to focus too much on the crowd. Obviously, Dallas Cowboys stadium is huge, so I know we weren't going to fill it up, but I can say fans did an amazing job of showing out. They made it feel like a home atmosphere. So, it was great.”

Klieman, players discuss home opener at weekly presser

<a href="https://yazelmeglifh.com/obituaries/eleanor-wiebe-1">Eleanor Wiebe Obituary 2021 - Yazel - Megli Funeral Homes (yazelmeglifh.com)</a>

Eleanor was born on December 20, 1938, along with twin brother, Edwin, in Newton, Kansas. The twins, born approximately two months early, were a surprise to their parents, Albert H. and Bertha R. (Regier) Busenitz, who were expecting only one beautiful baby. Eleanor grew up in a godly home and trusted Christ as her savior at an early age. Her decision to follow Christ became the center of how she viewed and practiced life.

Eleanor attended the rural one-room District 85 grammar school and went on to graduate from Berean Academy High School in 1957. During her high school years, she began dating Delmer Wiebe, but due to his upcoming commitment to spend two years in Paraguay for voluntary service, she attended Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Upon Delmer‘s return from Paraguay, Eleanor and Delmer married on November 27, 1959 and settled in the local area. Together, they were blessed with four children and eventually, the family expanded to nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren at the time of her death. Eleanor was a promoter of hard work and discipline, never shying away from the responsibilities and obligations that come with being the oldest of eight children growing up on a farm. She often shared and repeated slogans which she learned during her childhood years. These “mom-isms” were short and simple but important messages which helped shape her children during their years at home. A less than energetic look during a chore or task was met with the phrase “Work is a blessing,” or a spilled glass of milk would initiate “Haste makes waste.” Eleanor loved to challenge others with riddles, and enjoyed writing poems that she delivered to each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on their birthdays. She also had a real heart for elderly people. On Halloween, we children went trick or treating to the homes of elderly people in the community, and she required us to sing a hymn for them before they gave us a treat.

Baking was something Eleanor really enjoyed too. She loved baking yeast breads and often shared her delicious baked goods with her family and friends, which became her way of encouraging others. She enjoyed looking through cookbooks to find new recipes that sounded fun to make. 

Eleanor also loved the radio, listening to hymns and Christian programming while she worked. The radio was on from morning to night, allowing her to keep up with the news and to be encouraged by Christian radio speakers and good music. Many times she took notes of things she wanted to remember. Eleanor developed a mental toughness dealing with a variety of health issues that included lifetime effects of seizures from scarlet fever at age seven, type I diabetes at age 26, breast cancer, triple bypass surgery, near blindness, as well as the recent effects of dementia, but she never lost her faith or joy in living life. Eleanor passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

She is preceded in death by her parents, infant sister Eldena Busenitz and grandson Kameron Wiebe.

Eleanor’s greatest joy was her family, who will carry with them her example of living life with contentment and strong character. Her family includes husband Delmer of Newton; children Lenora (Lyle) Wiebe of Whitewater, Wesley ( Sandy) Wiebe of Willis, TX, Dale (Cheryl) Wiebe of Woodland, TX and Deloise Wiebe of Wichita; grandchildren Krista (Kevin) Friesen, Kendal (Denise) Wiebe, Kayla ( Daniel ) Kornfeld, Karlin Wiebe, Jack Wiebe, Bradley Wiebe, David Wiebe, and John Wiebe; great grandchildren Wyatt, Garrett, Addison, McKenna, Jake, Thea, Ariana and Caden; her siblings Edwin Busenitz of Peabody, Velma (Donavan) Claassen of Whitewater, Willis (Nadine) Busenitz of Busby, MT, Gladys (Tom) Bender of Gilmer, TX, Frieda ( William) Pitts of Org Valley, AZ, Irvin (Karen) Busenitz of Santa Clarita, CA, and Verna ( Delmer) Unruh, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. where family will gather with friends at the Emmaus Church. Eleanor’s graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Old Emmaus Cemetery. Her funeral will follow at 11 a.m. at the Emmaus Church. Lamb Funeral Home is serving the family.

Memorial contributions in Eleanor’s name may be directed to Berean Academy or Schowalter Villa. 

Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Eleanor at www.yazelmeglifh.com.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Eleanor Wiebe, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://condolences.com/Lamb-Funeral-Home/flowers/?bgs=N95%2B%2FDq1zu5ggH9SNid6jQbs7NmW0Ctuz2ASpbr3Ak29iAGj5SPm3HPGjxdowSjIez%2FnDo2ZVQaOkM1x5QGGke%2FEpcAybJLWbzJZ4BNYrhRiUAMrUaDctE%2BT2viH0toZwmxw%2BqlOGfQJXFO4CU84bN3DuCnJ2f3VUj1f2Mrxi1UT4AN7o9gJCeQPjjwQkmxqiD%2FChzStOGRplYE5Pllx8jbgoowpDc%2BQqlR40K5I%2B781obyZZcanR0vlby3pyKOAfXgMwqgIm82MGdCNbQoq1YPKwz%2BXr91mWboXYyiUfRzSAYzz0NLK1ppLfHct9DQFgeDaftkbvvS4ePQQ0b0yxBGjxNxRtPWp25aVr6LyCT09A6Em04CJRfDfqFPOzmTsdccCPwL59F%2BDb%2FH1nAlfJNyLRaSIfAPGBr6gk4o%2B3Elgk%2F%2BYZZenMl1Wc9puInPc2%2F4v7OkNYOlDWemJrUT4Thjs%2F7lkviuyzoRDEpUTyT3krpKM0tUARDB2vtafzUWJK9yx9RadhHVrfdftpXD3cogvbbwPeERlZC5sxLRnozbAFIdIopR7WaiCRhCadCpsCnB31uhV4fyO6%2FwxGwPnJAtO1awD1yu1hCCYtXxwu6yr7By4meAbN%2FLSFlXKth8fw9Gm62sVmx%2FK%2BWSK5W9aP7OJlNQfabh3f3d2wxsHMWe%2BTGB767ERciGE5%2BcPHQ0NzkDSCbMb6YG4hGD3KiOR%2B6wCqZBDPQv7vs%2BiXP5aS3ivudsYC57RWoAB0g1VlXp4ZSOhKFh6C09lVCQVuFyKo2Wl%2B%2BY8k0efKIJBHXVnuTB0vBk9QwFARr4U9kbYiJv8GorOvwkf4ubFMRGEvYLTPNiT1g5UHEr13ynA%2FD9jQSaB1jNmjnQ%2BSg%2FysJHavxfNuAeBxr6xYPAXnJBHvtQ%2FhKjhZKPlCAvDGrm%2BSJkA4O%2Fw6paQnuXs%2FxXGJJkklpwRl0D7iWvMUIWbh1m64teKokX8KBBq%2FMcf49s8iGDd0wREyiypMVRzD7Njh7EsHT96P55ltSPwdTFT%2BHMlUOW3ODfA7bmyGB3o9wF1S7FDgd1QmENivCjCawSlh250aLaQjp9Tv%2Fa4VgpfXifNum5ay8LFW0GRd2by1DALkFEqOJLjCBk39lxQEOdz38IsHdf5ZgAFU3sVmEvX%2ByPSJ5y3xrF2BkgAeWQDRxCT7hHEyhL1aZpI0Ajcj8vkCrcaiQL0gxOCnnurGYbsNcf4h7GtfR1CVHxAeXYvSSSqRNwsiVLKD4eYvplt3T5%2FBsdZRrfs8l1WjTowth6vRDo70KXzvuflF4Zm4M4qNSa5NZQSuTlEZcWI6Juxy7CzHMtZtliF811DUkyBbkwCmlxDcvjRQMTsQ1J9gpeZiqvO69dCp7%2FlRmK1Hynd6wO1z%2BL5QjfXkVcXw85eAXWPm6NYrGY%2FCb7sZLYiVkXYK%2BiGL2ztoW%2Fbw4qW1vphktKZ8Caz%2FCLSwSOCuOqPZsSxHHt%2F4LZynRHWrWeH23qy2ArVv%2F%2FQaXQ1Zc96gH7yxRJTJAjbxNDCnftS8QQ1XOTbfv8eD7UjgGZVr5ylxgtwiq0IiO8Q60WSoQA9WshotnNdnxt2f%2Fuhraq324uJGE0ihNDqRE23yYkEqZiBbhdsZQYobUka7lQ4eXWT48%2FVbRyeYqG5dvPtgDJZWY4tl8Fts49c0BaEpxNQLpKMLRzk5YTYGoOvylF2t1KxXsu9LKIvTQ786AKLUiRuokehsE%2FEmZtWuZSOnw%3D%3D">flower store</a>.

<h2>Eleanor Ruth Wiebe</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630956705361.png" alt="Eleanor Ruth Wiebe" />
 <figcaption>Eleanor Ruth Wiebe</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://yazelmeglifh.com/obituaries/eleanor-wiebe-1">Eleanor Wiebe Obituary 2021 - Yazel - Megli Funeral Homes (yazelmeglifh.com)</a>December 20, 1938 - September 3, 2021Eleanor was born on December 20, 1938, along with twin brother, Edwin, in Newton, Kansas. The twins, born approximately two months early, were a surprise to their parents, Albert H. and Bertha R. (Regier) Busenitz, who were expecting only one beautiful baby. Eleanor grew up in a godly home and trusted Christ as her savior at an early age. Her decision to follow Christ became the center of how she viewed and practiced life.Eleanor attended the rural one-room District 85 grammar school and went on to graduate from Berean Academy High School in 1957. During her high school years, she began dating Delmer Wiebe, but due to his upcoming commitment to spend two years in Paraguay for voluntary service, she attended Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska. Upon Delmer‘s return from Paraguay, Eleanor and Delmer married on November 27, 1959 and settled in the local area. Together, they were blessed with four children and eventually, the family expanded to nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren at the time of her death. Eleanor was a promoter of hard work and discipline, never shying away from the responsibilities and obligations that come with being the oldest of eight children growing up on a farm. She often shared and repeated slogans which she learned during her childhood years. These “mom-isms” were short and simple but important messages which helped shape her children during their years at home. A less than energetic look during a chore or task was met with the phrase “Work is a blessing,” or a spilled glass of milk would initiate “Haste makes waste.” Eleanor loved to challenge others with riddles, and enjoyed writing poems that she delivered to each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on their birthdays. She also had a real heart for elderly people. On Halloween, we children went trick or treating to the homes of elderly people in the community, and she required us to sing a hymn for them before they gave us a treat. Baking was something Eleanor really enjoyed too. She loved baking yeast breads and often shared her delicious baked goods with her family and friends, which became her way of encouraging others. She enjoyed looking through cookbooks to find new recipes that sounded fun to make. Eleanor also loved the radio, listening to hymns and Christian programming while she worked. The radio was on from morning to night, allowing her to keep up with the news and to be encouraged by Christian radio speakers and good music. Many times she took notes of things she wanted to remember. Eleanor developed a mental toughness dealing with a variety of health issues that included lifetime effects of seizures from scarlet fever at age seven, type I diabetes at age 26, breast cancer, triple bypass surgery, near blindness, as well as the recent effects of dementia, but she never lost her faith or joy in living life. Eleanor passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. She is preceded in death by her parents, infant sister Eldena Busenitz and grandson Kameron Wiebe.Eleanor’s greatest joy was her family, who will carry with them her example of living life with contentment and strong character. Her family includes husband Delmer of Newton; children Lenora (Lyle) Wiebe of Whitewater, Wesley ( Sandy) Wiebe of Willis, TX, Dale (Cheryl) Wiebe of Woodland, TX and Deloise Wiebe of Wichita; grandchildren Krista (Kevin) Friesen, Kendal (Denise) Wiebe, Kayla ( Daniel ) Kornfeld, Karlin Wiebe, Jack Wiebe, Bradley Wiebe, David Wiebe, and John Wiebe; great grandchildren Wyatt, Garrett, Addison, McKenna, Jake, Thea, Ariana and Caden; her siblings Edwin Busenitz of Peabody, Velma (Donavan) Claassen of Whitewater, Willis (Nadine) Busenitz of Busby, MT, Gladys (Tom) Bender of Gilmer, TX, Frieda ( William) Pitts of Org Valley, AZ, Irvin (Karen) Busenitz of Santa Clarita, CA, and Verna ( Delmer) Unruh, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. where family will gather with friends at the Emmaus Church. Eleanor’s graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Old Emmaus Cemetery. Her funeral will follow at 11 a.m. at the Emmaus Church. Lamb Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Eleanor’s name may be directed to Berean Academy or Schowalter Villa. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Eleanor at www.yazelmeglifh.com.To send flowers to the family in memory of Eleanor Wiebe, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://condolences.com/Lamb-Funeral-Home/flowers/?bgs=N95%2B%2FDq1zu5ggH9SNid6jQbs7NmW0Ctuz2ASpbr3Ak29iAGj5SPm3HPGjxdowSjIez%2FnDo2ZVQaOkM1x5QGGke%2FEpcAybJLWbzJZ4BNYrhRiUAMrUaDctE%2BT2viH0toZwmxw%2BqlOGfQJXFO4CU84bN3DuCnJ2f3VUj1f2Mrxi1UT4AN7o9gJCeQPjjwQkmxqiD%2FChzStOGRplYE5Pllx8jbgoowpDc%2BQqlR40K5I%2B781obyZZcanR0vlby3pyKOAfXgMwqgIm82MGdCNbQoq1YPKwz%2BXr91mWboXYyiUfRzSAYzz0NLK1ppLfHct9DQFgeDaftkbvvS4ePQQ0b0yxBGjxNxRtPWp25aVr6LyCT09A6Em04CJRfDfqFPOzmTsdccCPwL59F%2BDb%2FH1nAlfJNyLRaSIfAPGBr6gk4o%2B3Elgk%2F%2BYZZenMl1Wc9puInPc2%2F4v7OkNYOlDWemJrUT4Thjs%2F7lkviuyzoRDEpUTyT3krpKM0tUARDB2vtafzUWJK9yx9RadhHVrfdftpXD3cogvbbwPeERlZC5sxLRnozbAFIdIopR7WaiCRhCadCpsCnB31uhV4fyO6%2FwxGwPnJAtO1awD1yu1hCCYtXxwu6yr7By4meAbN%2FLSFlXKth8fw9Gm62sVmx%2FK%2BWSK5W9aP7OJlNQfabh3f3d2wxsHMWe%2BTGB767ERciGE5%2BcPHQ0NzkDSCbMb6YG4hGD3KiOR%2B6wCqZBDPQv7vs%2BiXP5aS3ivudsYC57RWoAB0g1VlXp4ZSOhKFh6C09lVCQVuFyKo2Wl%2B%2BY8k0efKIJBHXVnuTB0vBk9QwFARr4U9kbYiJv8GorOvwkf4ubFMRGEvYLTPNiT1g5UHEr13ynA%2FD9jQSaB1jNmjnQ%2BSg%2FysJHavxfNuAeBxr6xYPAXnJBHvtQ%2FhKjhZKPlCAvDGrm%2BSJkA4O%2Fw6paQnuXs%2FxXGJJkklpwRl0D7iWvMUIWbh1m64teKokX8KBBq%2FMcf49s8iGDd0wREyiypMVRzD7Njh7EsHT96P55ltSPwdTFT%2BHMlUOW3ODfA7bmyGB3o9wF1S7FDgd1QmENivCjCawSlh250aLaQjp9Tv%2Fa4VgpfXifNum5ay8LFW0GRd2by1DALkFEqOJLjCBk39lxQEOdz38IsHdf5ZgAFU3sVmEvX%2ByPSJ5y3xrF2BkgAeWQDRxCT7hHEyhL1aZpI0Ajcj8vkCrcaiQL0gxOCnnurGYbsNcf4h7GtfR1CVHxAeXYvSSSqRNwsiVLKD4eYvplt3T5%2FBsdZRrfs8l1WjTowth6vRDo70KXzvuflF4Zm4M4qNSa5NZQSuTlEZcWI6Juxy7CzHMtZtliF811DUkyBbkwCmlxDcvjRQMTsQ1J9gpeZiqvO69dCp7%2FlRmK1Hynd6wO1z%2BL5QjfXkVcXw85eAXWPm6NYrGY%2FCb7sZLYiVkXYK%2BiGL2ztoW%2Fbw4qW1vphktKZ8Caz%2FCLSwSOCuOqPZsSxHHt%2F4LZynRHWrWeH23qy2ArVv%2F%2FQaXQ1Zc96gH7yxRJTJAjbxNDCnftS8QQ1XOTbfv8eD7UjgGZVr5ylxgtwiq0IiO8Q60WSoQA9WshotnNdnxt2f%2Fuhraq324uJGE0ihNDqRE23yYkEqZiBbhdsZQYobUka7lQ4eXWT48%2FVbRyeYqG5dvPtgDJZWY4tl8Fts49c0BaEpxNQLpKMLRzk5YTYGoOvylF2t1KxXsu9LKIvTQ786AKLUiRuokehsE%2FEmZtWuZSOnw%3D%3D">flower store</a>.

Eleanor Ruth Wiebe

Empathy and sympathy are both ways we respond to the suffering of people around us.&nbsp;But there’s a crucial difference:&nbsp;Sympathy is&nbsp;acknowledging&nbsp;someone else’s pain, but empathy is&nbsp;choosing&nbsp;to feel the pain&nbsp;with them. Sympathy says, “I care about you,” while empathy says, “I’m hurting with you.”&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sympathy is being aware of and sensitive to the needs and suffering of others. It’s recognizing—or even honoring—the reality of a tough situation. But although you’re expressing sadness, you still have an emotional boundary around yourself to keep from feeling what the sufferer is feeling. &nbsp;

Empathy is understanding and vicariously experiencing what others are going through. It’s sitting in their pain. It takes creativity to empathize, because you’ve got to&nbsp;imagine&nbsp;yourself&nbsp;in the situation of the other person and feel the heaviness of their burden.

Both sympathy and empathy are important relational and emotional skills and are helpful in different contexts. However, empathy is a&nbsp;must-have&nbsp;for relationships because empathy fuels connection. It’s not enough for the people we care about to acknowledge our experiences. It’s not enough that people know&nbsp;about us. People aren’t living Wikipedia pages. We long to&nbsp;share&nbsp;our experiences.

Empathy is necessary, but it’s exhausting. It’s commitment. It’s deep connection. As citizens of a wired world, we are living under an onslaught of horrific news, sad stories and chaotic events that are out of our control. We can’t practice empathy for every single person on the planet—we would eventually burn out.

Sympathy can be helpful. It allows us to learn about the oppression, pain and tragedy running rampant in our world and then make decisions about how we can intentionally influence our community. Sympathy makes sure our eyes are open and aware, and it informs our actions.

But when it comes to the people we are given to love and care for—our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, church community—empathy is&nbsp;essential. &nbsp;

Empathy, like other relationship skills, is a choice. It’s choosing to sit next to hurting people, and keeping your mouth shut. You can only learn empathy by listening to other people’s stories and witnessing their pain. But it is also something you can learn and practice. Here are a few tools to add to your belt:&nbsp;

Practicing empathy starts with just showing up. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of showing up to sit with people in the darkest moments of their lives. I sat with parents who had just discovered their dead child in the next room. I sat with wives whose husbands would never walk through the door again. I met with parents of young people who had taken their lives.

There’s nothing to say in those moments. But presence is&nbsp;everything. When people are gasping for air, they need to feel they’re&nbsp;not alone.&nbsp;Show up. Hug tight. Sit on the couch. Go to the funeral. Buy the plane ticket. When people are grieving, they don’t need your advice or your explanations. They need your presence. &nbsp;

Empathetic people are good listeners. They look people in the eye and nod. They ask follow-up questions. And they’re not listening for their turn to tell a 2.0 version of the story that this person is telling.

When you’re in a conversation with someone you care about, be intentional with your focus. Demonstrate physically and verbally that the person you’re with is the most important thing in your world at that moment.

Mirroring is the act of reflecting someone to themselves. It’s a tremendous way to help people feel seen and validated. If your partner comes home and shares a story about their terrible boss, you could say something like, “That’s awful. It sounds like you’re feeling tired and frustrated. I can understand why you’d be discouraged.”

Connect with people by using phrases like “Tell me how that feels” or “Tell me more about that.” Both statements are invitations for the person you’re with to connect on a deeper level.

It’s not your job to fix everything&nbsp;

Another way to practice empathy is to resist the urge to jump into problem-solving mode. Most of us think&nbsp;way&nbsp;too highly of ourselves, and are&nbsp;way&nbsp;too quick to offer our opinions. People rarely need our rants about what they&nbsp;should&nbsp;have done, or what you would have done.

Most people—most of the time—just need to be heard. When we tell people how they should fix their problems, they’ll only feel incompetent or out of control.

The experience of tragedy is confusing and disorienting. One of the things we often do when we’re hurting is try to make sense of our pain by comparing our situation with someone who is better or worse off than we are. This is called comparative grief. It’s pointless&nbsp;and&nbsp;damaging.

When someone is suffering, don’t point out the silver lining. Don’t remind them things could be worse. They’ll make sense of it over time, but that comes later in the grieving process. This is a&nbsp;big&nbsp;one:&nbsp;Do not&nbsp;tell them about a time when you (or your cousin’s roommate) had a way bigger tragedy. Simply acknowledge their pain.

Yes, you read that right. Getting lost in a good novel could make you better at relationships. Stories allow us to practice empathy because they transport you emotionally into someone else’s experience. Fiction gives us a window into what the characters&nbsp;are thinking and feeling, and how they’re processing the world. A good book can be a reality simulator for real life.

Remember, empathy is a lifelong skill. And we are all in process.

John Delony&nbsp;is a mental health expert with&nbsp;PhDs in counselor education and supervision and higher education administration&nbsp;from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Ramsey Solutions in 2020, John worked as a senior leader, professor, and researcher at multiple universities. He also spent two decades in crisis response, walking with people through severe trauma. Now as a Ramsey Personality, he teaches on relationships and emotional wellness.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618625696051.jpeg" alt="John Delony" />
 <figcaption>John Delony</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN DELONYEmpathy and sympathy are both ways we respond to the suffering of people around us.&nbsp;But there’s a crucial difference:&nbsp;Sympathy is&nbsp;acknowledging&nbsp;someone else’s pain, but empathy is&nbsp;choosing&nbsp;to feel the pain&nbsp;with them. Sympathy says, “I care about you,” while empathy says, “I’m hurting with you.”&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sympathy is being aware of and sensitive to the needs and suffering of others. It’s recognizing—or even honoring—the reality of a tough situation. But although you’re expressing sadness, you still have an emotional boundary around yourself to keep from feeling what the sufferer is feeling. &nbsp;Empathy is understanding and vicariously experiencing what others are going through. It’s sitting in their pain. It takes creativity to empathize, because you’ve got to&nbsp;imagine&nbsp;yourself&nbsp;in the situation of the other person and feel the heaviness of their burden.Which is Better?&nbsp;Both sympathy and empathy are important relational and emotional skills and are helpful in different contexts. However, empathy is a&nbsp;must-have&nbsp;for relationships because empathy fuels connection. It’s not enough for the people we care about to acknowledge our experiences. It’s not enough that people know&nbsp;about us. People aren’t living Wikipedia pages. We long to&nbsp;share&nbsp;our experiences.Empathy is necessary, but it’s exhausting. It’s commitment. It’s deep connection. As citizens of a wired world, we are living under an onslaught of horrific news, sad stories and chaotic events that are out of our control. We can’t practice empathy for every single person on the planet—we would eventually burn out.Sympathy can be helpful. It allows us to learn about the oppression, pain and tragedy running rampant in our world and then make decisions about how we can intentionally influence our community. Sympathy makes sure our eyes are open and aware, and it informs our actions.But when it comes to the people we are given to love and care for—our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, church community—empathy is&nbsp;essential. &nbsp;Practicing Empathy&nbsp;Empathy, like other relationship skills, is a choice. It’s choosing to sit next to hurting people, and keeping your mouth shut. You can only learn empathy by listening to other people’s stories and witnessing their pain. But it is also something you can learn and practice. Here are a few tools to add to your belt:&nbsp;Show up&nbsp;Practicing empathy starts with just showing up. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of showing up to sit with people in the darkest moments of their lives. I sat with parents who had just discovered their dead child in the next room. I sat with wives whose husbands would never walk through the door again. I met with parents of young people who had taken their lives.There’s nothing to say in those moments. But presence is&nbsp;everything. When people are gasping for air, they need to feel they’re&nbsp;not alone.&nbsp;Show up. Hug tight. Sit on the couch. Go to the funeral. Buy the plane ticket. When people are grieving, they don’t need your advice or your explanations. They need your presence. &nbsp;Be a good listener&nbsp;Empathetic people are good listeners. They look people in the eye and nod. They ask follow-up questions. And they’re not listening for their turn to tell a 2.0 version of the story that this person is telling.When you’re in a conversation with someone you care about, be intentional with your focus. Demonstrate physically and verbally that the person you’re with is the most important thing in your world at that moment.Practice mirroring&nbsp;Mirroring is the act of reflecting someone to themselves. It’s a tremendous way to help people feel seen and validated. If your partner comes home and shares a story about their terrible boss, you could say something like, “That’s awful. It sounds like you’re feeling tired and frustrated. I can understand why you’d be discouraged.”Connect with people by using phrases like “Tell me how that feels” or “Tell me more about that.” Both statements are invitations for the person you’re with to connect on a deeper level.It’s not your job to fix everything&nbsp;Another way to practice empathy is to resist the urge to jump into problem-solving mode. Most of us think&nbsp;way&nbsp;too highly of ourselves, and are&nbsp;way&nbsp;too quick to offer our opinions. People rarely need our rants about what they&nbsp;should&nbsp;have done, or what you would have done.Most people—most of the time—just need to be heard. When we tell people how they should fix their problems, they’ll only feel incompetent or out of control.Don’t make comparisonsThe experience of tragedy is confusing and disorienting. One of the things we often do when we’re hurting is try to make sense of our pain by comparing our situation with someone who is better or worse off than we are. This is called comparative grief. It’s pointless&nbsp;and&nbsp;damaging.When someone is suffering, don’t point out the silver lining. Don’t remind them things could be worse. They’ll make sense of it over time, but that comes later in the grieving process. This is a&nbsp;big&nbsp;one:&nbsp;Do not&nbsp;tell them about a time when you (or your cousin’s roommate) had a way bigger tragedy. Simply acknowledge their pain.Read fiction&nbsp;Yes, you read that right. Getting lost in a good novel could make you better at relationships. Stories allow us to practice empathy because they transport you emotionally into someone else’s experience. Fiction gives us a window into what the characters&nbsp;are thinking and feeling, and how they’re processing the world. A good book can be a reality simulator for real life.Remember, empathy is a lifelong skill. And we are all in process.John Delony&nbsp;is a mental health expert with&nbsp;PhDs in counselor education and supervision and higher education administration&nbsp;from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Ramsey Solutions in 2020, John worked as a senior leader, professor, and researcher at multiple universities. He also spent two decades in crisis response, walking with people through severe trauma. Now as a Ramsey Personality, he teaches on relationships and emotional wellness.&nbsp;&nbsp;

DELONY: Empathy vs. sympathy

What are your views on teaching children good work habits? Many of our friends don’t require their kids to help out or work around the house, but we both strongly feel that instilling a strong work ethic early in life is one of the best things you can do as a parent for your children.

I’m so glad you both feel that way. Our culture has made many great advances to ensure the happiness and well-being of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/relationships/how-to-be-a-good-dad" target="_blank">children</a>. But too many parents today are so centered on what their children&nbsp;want&nbsp;that they have lost perspective on what their children&nbsp;need.

Perspective, or looking at life over time, demands that you teach children to work.&nbsp;Teaching a child to work is not child abuse.&nbsp;We teach them to work not for our benefit, but because it gives them dignity in a job well done&nbsp;today&nbsp;and&nbsp;the tools and character to win as adults in the future.

In my mind, children should be taught to work just like you’d teach them to bathe or brush their teeth—as a necessary life skill. An adult who has no clue how to tackle a job and finish it with pride is every bit as debilitated as an adult with body odor or green teeth. If your child graduates from high school, and his or her only skill set consists of playing video games, eating fast food and believing the world owes them something, you’ve set up your child to fail.

Another&nbsp;benefit of teaching a child the wonder of work&nbsp;is they may grow to&nbsp;lose a little respect for those who refuse to work. I’m not talking about folks who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/insurance/health-insurance-for-unemployed" target="_blank">lost jobs</a>&nbsp;due to unforeseen circumstances and are trying to get back on their feet, or someone who genuinely cannot work. I’m talking about folks who&nbsp;refuse&nbsp;to look for, or accept, gainful employment.

My wife and I noticed that our kids, as they grew older, didn’t pursue&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/relationships/helping-your-child-develop-healthy-relationships" target="_blank">relationships</a>&nbsp;with people who didn’t understand the value of work and demonstrate the character traits of mature, hardworking people. And that was wonderful news to us!

<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. Hehas appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596845065840.jpeg" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,What are your views on teaching children good work habits? Many of our friends don’t require their kids to help out or work around the house, but we both strongly feel that instilling a strong work ethic early in life is one of the best things you can do as a parent for your children.DeshayDear Deshay,I’m so glad you both feel that way. Our culture has made many great advances to ensure the happiness and well-being of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/relationships/how-to-be-a-good-dad" target="_blank">children</a>. But too many parents today are so centered on what their children&nbsp;want&nbsp;that they have lost perspective on what their children&nbsp;need.Perspective, or looking at life over time, demands that you teach children to work.&nbsp;Teaching a child to work is not child abuse.&nbsp;We teach them to work not for our benefit, but because it gives them dignity in a job well done&nbsp;today&nbsp;and&nbsp;the tools and character to win as adults in the future.In my mind, children should be taught to work just like you’d teach them to bathe or brush their teeth—as a necessary life skill. An adult who has no clue how to tackle a job and finish it with pride is every bit as debilitated as an adult with body odor or green teeth. If your child graduates from high school, and his or her only skill set consists of playing video games, eating fast food and believing the world owes them something, you’ve set up your child to fail.Another&nbsp;benefit of teaching a child the wonder of work&nbsp;is they may grow to&nbsp;lose a little respect for those who refuse to work. I’m not talking about folks who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/insurance/health-insurance-for-unemployed" target="_blank">lost jobs</a>&nbsp;due to unforeseen circumstances and are trying to get back on their feet, or someone who genuinely cannot work. I’m talking about folks who&nbsp;refuse&nbsp;to look for, or accept, gainful employment.My wife and I noticed that our kids, as they grew older, didn’t pursue&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/relationships/helping-your-child-develop-healthy-relationships" target="_blank">relationships</a>&nbsp;with people who didn’t understand the value of work and demonstrate the character traits of mature, hardworking people. And that was wonderful news to us!Dave<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. Hehas appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

DAVE SAYS: Teaching the value of work

<a href="https://www.wilsonfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/meryl-e-grosshans">Obituary | Meryl E. Grosshans of Minneapolis, Kansas | Wilson Family Funeral Home</a>

Meryl Elmer Grosshans, 82, of Minneapolis passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

Meryl was born May 21, 1939, to Elmer and Clara Grosshans in the family farmhouse near Ruskin, Neb.&nbsp; As a toddler, Meryl’s family moved to Scott City, Kan., where he spent his formative years.&nbsp; He graduated from Scott City High School in 1957 and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Fort Hays State University in 1962.&nbsp;

While at FHSU, he met and fell in love with Patricia Ann “Pat” Scheck, and the two were united in marriage on August 25, 1962. He spent 43 years teaching middle school and high school students in Bunker Hill (1963-65), Garden City (1967-68) and for USD 239 (1965-67, 1968-2008).&nbsp; Meryl taught students, then their children, and then the grandchildren of his first students.

It was during his first teaching job in Bunker Hill that he was asked to teach French because of his three semesters of French in college.&nbsp; He told his class of five girls that he would be learning right along with them and ended up discovering a love of foreign language.&nbsp;

Meryl completed two French immersion programs through the government-based National Defense Education Act (NDEA), first studying at Oakland University in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1968 and in France, in 1969.&nbsp; He earned a Master’s Degree in French from Emporia State University in 1970.

His school days were filled teaching United States history and government, current events, English, French and Spanish.&nbsp; He also served as high school principal for five years before returning to the classroom in order to spend more hands-on time with students.&nbsp; After his “retirement” in 1995, he spent the next 13 years teaching high school French and Spanish on a part-time basis.&nbsp; He also volunteered to teach foreign language to area pre-school children and adults.&nbsp; Monsieur Grosshans, or Señor Grosshans to some, took great pleasure in seeing students light up when an idea “clicked.”&nbsp; He was selected as one of Teen Ink’s Teachers of the Year for 2001-2002 and was inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in 2002.

He was passionate about learning at every opportunity.&nbsp; A favorite family story is when one of his young granddaughters realized she was actually learning when she thought she was simply playing with Grandpa.&nbsp; She threw up her hands and said, “Everything with Grandpa is learn, learn, learn!”&nbsp; He always chuckled when that story was retold.&nbsp;

Meryl enjoyed anything to do with sports, whether it be as a spectator, player or coach.&nbsp; He was a member of an undefeated Scott City High School football team and played semi-pro baseball as a young adult. He also spent many years playing recreational basketball and fast-pitch softball.&nbsp; There were also countless hours of backyard baseball and football games with his children that neighbors would enjoy as they drove by the house. His kids would tease him during road trips when everyone in the car would be forced to listen to whatever sporting event he could find on the radio, whether it was coming in clearly or not! He spent many years as the Director of the Ottawa County Recreation Commission, as well as the Athletic Director for Minneapolis High School.&nbsp; In addition, he devoted countless hours to coaching baseball in the summer.&nbsp; He also volunteered as an assistant baseball coach as MHS launched its baseball program.

Meryl loved history, a good book, playing cards, crossword puzzles and dancing.&nbsp; After the kids were out of the house, he and Pat spent many years country dancing and would arrange their schedule so as not to miss Friday night outings at the dance club.&nbsp; They also participated in a group that would entertain at rest homes and various events in the area.&nbsp; He loved adding a little extra pizzazz to his moves on the dance floor when his family and friends were there to watch!

More than anything, Meryl enjoyed being a father.&nbsp; His two children - Alan and Lora - were blessed to have such a supportive and loving dad.&nbsp; He was always at their concerts, in the stands, asking about their day and picking them up when they needed a lift.&nbsp; His grandchildren always received the same affection.

He was a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for more than 55 years, where he served as a lector, usher and then altar server when he was able to attend daily Mass during retirement. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Meryl was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings who died in childhood.&nbsp;

He is survived by Pat, his wife of 59 years; two children; Alan (Tracy) of Aurora, CO, and Lora (Alan) Woolever of Kansas City, MO; four adoring grandchildren, Delanee, Camryn and Kendall Grosshans and Andrew Woolever; sister Iona “Onie” Grosshans of Salt Lake City, UT, and brother James (Karen) Grosshans of Sidney, NE.

Visitation will be Friday, September 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.&nbsp; Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.&nbsp; 

The family is requesting masks to be worn at all events.&nbsp; 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Minneapolis Public Library, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or the Minneapolis Community Foundation.&nbsp; The memorials may be mailed to the Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Meryl E. Grosshans, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wilsonfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/meryl-e-grosshans/gifts?campaign=obituaryThemed-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Meryl E. Grosshans, Minneapolis</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630623607632.jpeg" alt="Meryl E. Grosshans" />
 <figcaption>Meryl E. Grosshans</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.wilsonfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/meryl-e-grosshans">Obituary | Meryl E. Grosshans of Minneapolis, Kansas | Wilson Family Funeral Home</a>May 21, 1939 - August 31, 2021Meryl Elmer Grosshans, 82, of Minneapolis passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 31, 2021.Meryl was born May 21, 1939, to Elmer and Clara Grosshans in the family farmhouse near Ruskin, Neb.&nbsp; As a toddler, Meryl’s family moved to Scott City, Kan., where he spent his formative years.&nbsp; He graduated from Scott City High School in 1957 and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Fort Hays State University in 1962.&nbsp;While at FHSU, he met and fell in love with Patricia Ann “Pat” Scheck, and the two were united in marriage on August 25, 1962. He spent 43 years teaching middle school and high school students in Bunker Hill (1963-65), Garden City (1967-68) and for USD 239 (1965-67, 1968-2008).&nbsp; Meryl taught students, then their children, and then the grandchildren of his first students.It was during his first teaching job in Bunker Hill that he was asked to teach French because of his three semesters of French in college.&nbsp; He told his class of five girls that he would be learning right along with them and ended up discovering a love of foreign language.&nbsp;Meryl completed two French immersion programs through the government-based National Defense Education Act (NDEA), first studying at Oakland University in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1968 and in France, in 1969.&nbsp; He earned a Master’s Degree in French from Emporia State University in 1970.His school days were filled teaching United States history and government, current events, English, French and Spanish.&nbsp; He also served as high school principal for five years before returning to the classroom in order to spend more hands-on time with students.&nbsp; After his “retirement” in 1995, he spent the next 13 years teaching high school French and Spanish on a part-time basis.&nbsp; He also volunteered to teach foreign language to area pre-school children and adults.&nbsp; Monsieur Grosshans, or Señor Grosshans to some, took great pleasure in seeing students light up when an idea “clicked.”&nbsp; He was selected as one of Teen Ink’s Teachers of the Year for 2001-2002 and was inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in 2002.He was passionate about learning at every opportunity.&nbsp; A favorite family story is when one of his young granddaughters realized she was actually learning when she thought she was simply playing with Grandpa.&nbsp; She threw up her hands and said, “Everything with Grandpa is learn, learn, learn!”&nbsp; He always chuckled when that story was retold.&nbsp;Meryl enjoyed anything to do with sports, whether it be as a spectator, player or coach.&nbsp; He was a member of an undefeated Scott City High School football team and played semi-pro baseball as a young adult. He also spent many years playing recreational basketball and fast-pitch softball.&nbsp; There were also countless hours of backyard baseball and football games with his children that neighbors would enjoy as they drove by the house. His kids would tease him during road trips when everyone in the car would be forced to listen to whatever sporting event he could find on the radio, whether it was coming in clearly or not! He spent many years as the Director of the Ottawa County Recreation Commission, as well as the Athletic Director for Minneapolis High School.&nbsp; In addition, he devoted countless hours to coaching baseball in the summer.&nbsp; He also volunteered as an assistant baseball coach as MHS launched its baseball program.Meryl loved history, a good book, playing cards, crossword puzzles and dancing.&nbsp; After the kids were out of the house, he and Pat spent many years country dancing and would arrange their schedule so as not to miss Friday night outings at the dance club.&nbsp; They also participated in a group that would entertain at rest homes and various events in the area.&nbsp; He loved adding a little extra pizzazz to his moves on the dance floor when his family and friends were there to watch!More than anything, Meryl enjoyed being a father.&nbsp; His two children - Alan and Lora - were blessed to have such a supportive and loving dad.&nbsp; He was always at their concerts, in the stands, asking about their day and picking them up when they needed a lift.&nbsp; His grandchildren always received the same affection.He was a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for more than 55 years, where he served as a lector, usher and then altar server when he was able to attend daily Mass during retirement. &nbsp;&nbsp;Meryl was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings who died in childhood.&nbsp;He is survived by Pat, his wife of 59 years; two children; Alan (Tracy) of Aurora, CO, and Lora (Alan) Woolever of Kansas City, MO; four adoring grandchildren, Delanee, Camryn and Kendall Grosshans and Andrew Woolever; sister Iona “Onie” Grosshans of Salt Lake City, UT, and brother James (Karen) Grosshans of Sidney, NE.Visitation will be Friday, September 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.&nbsp; Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.&nbsp; The family is requesting masks to be worn at all events.&nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Minneapolis Public Library, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or the Minneapolis Community Foundation.&nbsp; The memorials may be mailed to the Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Meryl E. Grosshans, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wilsonfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/meryl-e-grosshans/gifts?campaign=obituaryThemed-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

Meryl E. Grosshans

TOPEKA (AP) —Kansas will soon release more information on school COVID-19 outbreaks and youth vaccination rates as many districts begin the year without masks, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.

Kelly said a new working group of pediatricians, school nurses and other health care providers will meet weekly to discuss how schools can operate safely amid the pandemic. She said the group will release a weekly report that will provide a list of schools with active outbreaks and best practices on masking, testing and quarantining.

The report also will include a county-by-county breakdown on youth vaccination rates, cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

“There is nothing more important than keeping students healthy and alive,” Kelly said at Wesley Children’s Hospital in Wichita, which has had more children hospitalized with COVID-19 in August than in any other month of the pandemic.

Kelly has repeatedly urged schools to add mask mandates, and many have.

An Associated Press analysis found that as of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-kansas-5381a26a3c11c49a7830bdeaa3f19c71">Friday</a>, 30 of the state’s 50 largest districts have mask mandates in place, with most passed in the last month during often heated meetings and protests. Those 30 districts educate a combined 262,585 of the state’s 476,435 public schoolchildren.

Many of those that started the year without masks have struggled, including the Wellington district, which closed down Friday because of an outbreak. Several other mask-optional district added mandates after having to quarantine large numbers of students.

Kelly said she hoped the “reality on the ground” would drive school boards to require masks.

“But in the event that the school board does not take that step and require masking, then I would turn to every parent in the state of Kansas and just say, ’You can. It is your kid. If you want to put a mask on your kid, regardless of whether or not it is required, please do,’” she said.

Kelly also has urged more people to get vaccinated as the state rate lags behind the national rate by about 10 percentage points. She said some of the vaccine lotteries in other states are “flashy” but that when you look at the data they “really don’t move the needle.”

She said she hoped that the state would have more success with its partnership with the Dillons grocery store chain. Through the program, people can get $50 per dose or a total of $100 to get vaccinated.

Dr. Jennifer Bacani-McKenney, who is a member of the new school pandemic workgroup, said the COVID-19 situation is dire. The family physician in Fredonia said a colleague recently had to call 35 different hospitals to find an intensive care unit bed for a patient. The transfer took 28 hours to arrange.

“We are not in one of the most challenging times we have ever experienced,” said Bacani-McKenney, who also is the mother of an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old.

She said the children like hers who are too young to be vaccinated depend on the community to protect them by getting vaccinated, wearing masks and social distancing.

“Unfortunately we are seeing people not do these basic things to protect each other,” she said, adding that: “The same science we teach our kids in our schools is being ignored in our communities.”

TOPEKA&nbsp;– To protect Kansas students, teachers, and staff from the threat of the contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday, the Safer Classrooms Workgroup.

The workgroup, composed of highly skilled health professionals from across Kansas, will highlight the urgency of protecting kids from COVID-19 and use the best available science and information to support Governor Kelly’s administration, local governments, and school districts to promote health and safety in our schools.&nbsp;

“Children are catching the virus, being hospitalized, and dying from COVID at increasingly higher rates. There’s nothing more important than keeping our students healthy and in the classroom,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“The Safer Classrooms Workgroup will provide information and guidance to give parents, teachers, school boards, and others the tools they need to make informed decisions to protect our students and our communities.”

The Safer Classrooms Workgroup will be composed of pediatricians, family physicians, school nurses, pharmacists, school psychologists, and other health professionals. They will meet weekly to highlight the urgency of protecting our kids from the delta variant, speaking with educators, parents, and advocates about their experiences as schools work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. &nbsp;

Every week, the workgroup will release a “School Safety Report” to serve as a resource for media, parents, schools, communities, and policymakers.&nbsp;

Information in this weekly report will include:

“We got our kids back in school by listening to health professionals, wearing masks, implementing stringent public health protocol, and getting vaccinated,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We’ll keep them there by continuing to follow the best health practices. I encourage all Kansans to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630527713684.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly announced the workgroup plan during a Wednesday press conference in Wichita-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly announced the workgroup plan during a Wednesday press conference in Wichita-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) —Kansas will soon release more information on school COVID-19 outbreaks and youth vaccination rates as many districts begin the year without masks, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.Kelly said a new working group of pediatricians, school nurses and other health care providers will meet weekly to discuss how schools can operate safely amid the pandemic. She said the group will release a weekly report that will provide a list of schools with active outbreaks and best practices on masking, testing and quarantining.The report also will include a county-by-county breakdown on youth vaccination rates, cases, hospitalizations and deaths.“There is nothing more important than keeping students healthy and alive,” Kelly said at Wesley Children’s Hospital in Wichita, which has had more children hospitalized with COVID-19 in August than in any other month of the pandemic.Kelly has repeatedly urged schools to add mask mandates, and many have.An Associated Press analysis found that as of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-kansas-5381a26a3c11c49a7830bdeaa3f19c71">Friday</a>, 30 of the state’s 50 largest districts have mask mandates in place, with most passed in the last month during often heated meetings and protests. Those 30 districts educate a combined 262,585 of the state’s 476,435 public schoolchildren.Many of those that started the year without masks have struggled, including the Wellington district, which closed down Friday because of an outbreak. Several other mask-optional district added mandates after having to quarantine large numbers of students.Kelly said she hoped the “reality on the ground” would drive school boards to require masks.“But in the event that the school board does not take that step and require masking, then I would turn to every parent in the state of Kansas and just say, ’You can. It is your kid. If you want to put a mask on your kid, regardless of whether or not it is required, please do,’” she said.Kelly also has urged more people to get vaccinated as the state rate lags behind the national rate by about 10 percentage points. She said some of the vaccine lotteries in other states are “flashy” but that when you look at the data they “really don’t move the needle.”She said she hoped that the state would have more success with its partnership with the Dillons grocery store chain. Through the program, people can get $50 per dose or a total of $100 to get vaccinated.Dr. Jennifer Bacani-McKenney, who is a member of the new school pandemic workgroup, said the COVID-19 situation is dire. The family physician in Fredonia said a colleague recently had to call 35 different hospitals to find an intensive care unit bed for a patient. The transfer took 28 hours to arrange.“We are not in one of the most challenging times we have ever experienced,” said Bacani-McKenney, who also is the mother of an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old.She said the children like hers who are too young to be vaccinated depend on the community to protect them by getting vaccinated, wearing masks and social distancing.“Unfortunately we are seeing people not do these basic things to protect each other,” she said, adding that: “The same science we teach our kids in our schools is being ignored in our communities.”-------------TOPEKA&nbsp;– To protect Kansas students, teachers, and staff from the threat of the contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday, the Safer Classrooms Workgroup.The workgroup, composed of highly skilled health professionals from across Kansas, will highlight the urgency of protecting kids from COVID-19 and use the best available science and information to support Governor Kelly’s administration, local governments, and school districts to promote health and safety in our schools.&nbsp;“Children are catching the virus, being hospitalized, and dying from COVID at increasingly higher rates. There’s nothing more important than keeping our students healthy and in the classroom,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“The Safer Classrooms Workgroup will provide information and guidance to give parents, teachers, school boards, and others the tools they need to make informed decisions to protect our students and our communities.”The Safer Classrooms Workgroup will be composed of pediatricians, family physicians, school nurses, pharmacists, school psychologists, and other health professionals. They will meet weekly to highlight the urgency of protecting our kids from the delta variant, speaking with educators, parents, and advocates about their experiences as schools work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. &nbsp;Every week, the workgroup will release a “School Safety Report” to serve as a resource for media, parents, schools, communities, and policymakers.&nbsp;Information in this weekly report will include:<ul>
 <li>Timely and relevant policies on testing and masking in schools, and best practices that can be shared across school districts.</li><li>Updates on school districts with clearly communicated quarantine, testing, and masking policies, to ensure parents and families have what they need to know to keep their children safe.</li><li>Information on school district vaccination and testing events – with resources to help schools plan, publicize, and implement.</li><li>County-level data on youth vaccinations, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.&nbsp;</li><li>Schools with active outbreaks.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>“We got our kids back in school by listening to health professionals, wearing masks, implementing stringent public health protocol, and getting vaccinated,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We’ll keep them there by continuing to follow the best health practices. I encourage all Kansans to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Kansas to release more information on COVID school outbreaks

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau

There were no surprises in the recently released 2020 census numbers that will be used to draw new lines for congressional and state senate and house districts. Kansas grew, but at a rate slower than the nation overall. Rural areas largely saw their populations dwindle while metros swelled, an ongoing trend since the industrial revolution. Overall, rural parts of the country lost 226,000 people in the past decade to urban and suburban places, which grew by more than 20 million. As a state, we’re slightly older and more diverse, overall. Beyond the obvious demographic shifts, the census numbers mean political power is shifting, too. This is worrisome not because the issues facing cities and towns are all that different from the challenges across the countryside. It’s because far too often a policy or program that works in one area is a total bust when expanded to another. Many of the challenges we face across the state are the same, from housing and childcare to taxes and labor shortages. The solutions to these are nearly as varied as the more than 2.9 million people who call Kansas home. But with fewer folks walking in the statehouse or the halls of Congress with rural backgrounds means there’s less understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in communities where the nearest neighbor might be a quarter-mile or more away. The rules and regulations that make sense in cities where people interact with one another more frequently are often ineffective or even counterproductive in less populated areas. While the proportional political power flowing to cities carries real risks for those of us who enjoy rural lifestyles, we still have a lot of capacity to shape the outcomes of laws. I don’t expect our big city citizens to wield their growing power over their country cousins with malice. But there’s only so many issues we have the time to fully grasp. Self-interest being what it is, we usually don’t stray too far outside our immediate neighborhood when trying to solve a problem. That’s why it’s so important to tell the story of farming and ranching, the benefits of rural living and, most importantly, why people who do none of those should listen. They’re not going to agree with you on everything, but through conversations with friends, family and business partners, greater understanding of rural issues and their solutions is possible. It’s also a good opportunity to talk about the quality of life available in the country and small towns. Most aren’t looking to give up their lives in the city, but in a world where it’s increasingly common to work anywhere, the choice of where workers live is everywhere. That means one of the primary drivers of urbanization is perhaps at its weakest point since the steam engine was invented. Technology alone won’t undo centuries of change quickly, but it’s certainly a welcome tool in reviving rural living. Not only does this mean access to jobs that allow people to stay in rural areas, but benefits like clean air and water, less stress and traffic and more privacy are certainly going to be enticing to some city folks as well. By the time the next census comes around, there’s a real chance the story will be about the dawning of the next rural migration.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;Copyright © 2021 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering. Photo courtesy Kansas Farm Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering. Photo courtesy Kansas Farm Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm BureauThere were no surprises in the recently released 2020 census numbers that will be used to draw new lines for congressional and state senate and house districts. Kansas grew, but at a rate slower than the nation overall. Rural areas largely saw their populations dwindle while metros swelled, an ongoing trend since the industrial revolution. Overall, rural parts of the country lost 226,000 people in the past decade to urban and suburban places, which grew by more than 20 million. As a state, we’re slightly older and more diverse, overall. Beyond the obvious demographic shifts, the census numbers mean political power is shifting, too. This is worrisome not because the issues facing cities and towns are all that different from the challenges across the countryside. It’s because far too often a policy or program that works in one area is a total bust when expanded to another. Many of the challenges we face across the state are the same, from housing and childcare to taxes and labor shortages. The solutions to these are nearly as varied as the more than 2.9 million people who call Kansas home. But with fewer folks walking in the statehouse or the halls of Congress with rural backgrounds means there’s less understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in communities where the nearest neighbor might be a quarter-mile or more away. The rules and regulations that make sense in cities where people interact with one another more frequently are often ineffective or even counterproductive in less populated areas. While the proportional political power flowing to cities carries real risks for those of us who enjoy rural lifestyles, we still have a lot of capacity to shape the outcomes of laws. I don’t expect our big city citizens to wield their growing power over their country cousins with malice. But there’s only so many issues we have the time to fully grasp. Self-interest being what it is, we usually don’t stray too far outside our immediate neighborhood when trying to solve a problem. That’s why it’s so important to tell the story of farming and ranching, the benefits of rural living and, most importantly, why people who do none of those should listen. They’re not going to agree with you on everything, but through conversations with friends, family and business partners, greater understanding of rural issues and their solutions is possible. It’s also a good opportunity to talk about the quality of life available in the country and small towns. Most aren’t looking to give up their lives in the city, but in a world where it’s increasingly common to work anywhere, the choice of where workers live is everywhere. That means one of the primary drivers of urbanization is perhaps at its weakest point since the steam engine was invented. Technology alone won’t undo centuries of change quickly, but it’s certainly a welcome tool in reviving rural living. Not only does this mean access to jobs that allow people to stay in rural areas, but benefits like clean air and water, less stress and traffic and more privacy are certainly going to be enticing to some city folks as well. By the time the next census comes around, there’s a real chance the story will be about the dawning of the next rural migration."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;Copyright © 2021 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

INSIGHT: The next rural migration

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/30/kansas-mother-grapples-with-sucker-punch-of-4-year-olds-covid-19-infection/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Jenna Sutter Brown’s 4-year-old daughter couldn’t sleep last week.

Hazel had bad congestion, a barking cough, a fever, and allergy-like 
symptoms. Her parents didn’t yet know the girl had COVID-19.

“I try hard to listen to her and give her the chance to tell me what 
is wrong. And so I said, ‘What’s wrong? Does anything hurt?’ And she 
just looked at me sobbing and said, ‘I don’t know.’ And that’s never 
happened,” Sutter Brown said. “That’s the night before she was 
diagnosed. That was one of those, ‘Do I need to call 911? Is she 
breathing enough?’ ”

Sutter Brown paused in that moment as she realized the need to stay 
calm and avoid unsettling her daughter. The mother said during a news 
briefing Monday with the University of Kansas Health System that it felt
 like a movie. She and her husband, who are both fully vaccinated and 
live in the Kansas City metro area, had tried so hard for 18 months to 
keep their child away from the virus, and federal approval of a 
pediatric vaccine seems so close.

Hazel’s illness developed after attending an unmasked preschool.

“That was a sucker punch that we were not really prepared for,” Sutter Brown said.

The girl is feeling better now, but her illness underscores the threat the virus poses for young children.

Angela Myers, director of the infectious diseases division at 
Children’s Mercy, said the hospital has treated COVID-19 patients in 
ages ranging from newborns through 18 years old. There are currently 11 
children hospitalized with COVID-19 at Children’s Mercy, including three
 in the intensive care unit.

Many parents assume if a child is hospitalized, the child must have 
some sort of pre-existing condition, but that isn’t the case. Myers also
 pointed out that asthma and obesity “are pretty common these days.”

“We have kids that get admitted to the hospital who have underlying 
conditions, but also kids that are otherwise healthy with really no huge
 risk factors,” Myers said.

Already, school districts have had to alter operations because of 
widespread outbreaks upon the return to school. At the Turner school 
district in Kansas City, Kan., 23 students and four staff members tested
 positive in the first week of class. On Friday, the Wellington school 
district announced it was shutting down until Sept. 7 because of three 
outbreaks that infected more than 40 students and staff.

Last year, Myers said, there was no question that if kids were in 
school they were going to wear a mask. Now, she said, people are being 
less careful and the delta strain of COVID-19 is far more contagious 
than the original virus.

“Hopefully, kids are being helped with wearing their mask 
appropriately — by the teachers, by the school staff and administrators,
 and hopefully by other kids,” Myers said. “Hopefully other kids feel 
feel competent enough to say, ‘Hey, you need to pull your mask up.’ ”

Some school boards across the state have refused to require face 
coverings indoors, despite the advice of local, state, federal and 
international medical experts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630352462110.jpeg" alt="Jenna Sutter Brown appears with her 4-year-old daughter, Hazel, during Monday’s online news briefing with the University of Kansas Health System. Hazel became sick with COVID-19 after attending preschool, the mother said. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Jenna Sutter Brown appears with her 4-year-old daughter, Hazel, during Monday’s online news briefing with the University of Kansas Health System. Hazel became sick with COVID-19 after attending preschool, the mother said. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/30/kansas-mother-grapples-with-sucker-punch-of-4-year-olds-covid-19-infection/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Jenna Sutter Brown’s 4-year-old daughter couldn’t sleep last week.Hazel had bad congestion, a barking cough, a fever, and allergy-like 
symptoms. Her parents didn’t yet know the girl had COVID-19.“I try hard to listen to her and give her the chance to tell me what 
is wrong. And so I said, ‘What’s wrong? Does anything hurt?’ And she 
just looked at me sobbing and said, ‘I don’t know.’ And that’s never 
happened,” Sutter Brown said. “That’s the night before she was 
diagnosed. That was one of those, ‘Do I need to call 911? Is she 
breathing enough?’ ”Sutter Brown paused in that moment as she realized the need to stay 
calm and avoid unsettling her daughter. The mother said during a news 
briefing Monday with the University of Kansas Health System that it felt
 like a movie. She and her husband, who are both fully vaccinated and 
live in the Kansas City metro area, had tried so hard for 18 months to 
keep their child away from the virus, and federal approval of a 
pediatric vaccine seems so close.Hazel’s illness developed after attending an unmasked preschool.“That was a sucker punch that we were not really prepared for,” Sutter Brown said.The girl is feeling better now, but her illness underscores the threat the virus poses for young children.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630352530151.jpeg" alt="Angela Myers, director of the infectious diseases division at Children’s Mercy, says kids are vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19, even if they have no risk factors. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Angela Myers, director of the infectious diseases division at Children’s Mercy, says kids are vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19, even if they have no risk factors. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Angela Myers, director of the infectious diseases division at 
Children’s Mercy, said the hospital has treated COVID-19 patients in 
ages ranging from newborns through 18 years old. There are currently 11 
children hospitalized with COVID-19 at Children’s Mercy, including three
 in the intensive care unit.Many parents assume if a child is hospitalized, the child must have 
some sort of pre-existing condition, but that isn’t the case. Myers also
 pointed out that asthma and obesity “are pretty common these days.”“We have kids that get admitted to the hospital who have underlying 
conditions, but also kids that are otherwise healthy with really no huge
 risk factors,” Myers said.Already, school districts have had to alter operations because of 
widespread outbreaks upon the return to school. At the Turner school 
district in Kansas City, Kan., 23 students and four staff members tested
 positive in the first week of class. On Friday, the Wellington school 
district announced it was shutting down until Sept. 7 because of three 
outbreaks that infected more than 40 students and staff.Last year, Myers said, there was no question that if kids were in 
school they were going to wear a mask. Now, she said, people are being 
less careful and the delta strain of COVID-19 is far more contagious 
than the original virus.“Hopefully, kids are being helped with wearing their mask 
appropriately — by the teachers, by the school staff and administrators,
 and hopefully by other kids,” Myers said. “Hopefully other kids feel 
feel competent enough to say, ‘Hey, you need to pull your mask up.’ ”Some school boards across the state have refused to require face 
coverings indoors, despite the advice of local, state, federal and 
international medical experts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630352557049.jpeg" alt=" Dana Hawkinson, of KU Health, says a failure to wear masks at school results in home isolation and the further spread of disease in children and their communities. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Dana Hawkinson, of KU Health, says a failure to wear masks at school results in home isolation and the further spread of disease in children and their communities. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control 
at KU Health, said conversations about mitigating the spread of COVID-19
 have become about politics and emotions instead of medicine. He said 
people should consider whether schools can carry on without masking.“Certainly, from the available peer-reviewed consistent evidence, 
that answer would be no. A lot of these schools are being shut down now,
 and quarantined,” Hawkinson said. “That puts kids at home. That 
increases isolation. So I think it’s just a matter of some people really
 have to see the changes and the results for themselves. Unfortunately, 
it will lead to further spread of disease in those kids, but also in 
that community.”Myers said children, like adults, can suffer long-term health 
problems after contracting COVID-19. In rare cases of multisystem 
inflammatory syndrome, children show mild symptoms from the initial 
infection, then end up in a hospital four to six weeks later with heart 
dysfunction. The Kansas Department for Health and Environment has 
recorded 18 of those cases since the start of the pandemic.Sutter Brown said the decision to wear a mask is “a lesson in authority.”“This is what you’re being asked to do,” she said. “It’s not blind 
obedience, but it’s the best for your community. I want to instill that 
in my daughter.”Parents, Sutter Brown said, should know that their choices affect their neighborhood and beyond.“It’s really important right now to think critically, and to just be 
empathetic and kind and come to people from a place of understanding and
 wanting to move forward,” Sutter Brown said.After her daughter was sick, she engaged a coworker who had refused 
to get vaccinated in a “nice conversation.” The coworker then went and 
got one of the free, safe and effective vaccines.“I count that as a win,” Sutter Brown said, “and if that’s what this was all for, then it was worth it.”