January 19 , 2006

Hedges chosen as January Student of the Month

It took coming to Cowley College to get Kelly Hedges to come out of her shell. Now that she is in the middle of her sophomore year, Hedges seems like a different person compared to the shy girl that graduated from Valley Center in 2004.

Hedges, the daughter of Ben and Betty Hedges, has been named Cowley’s January Student of the Month. She has an older sister named Katie, and four younger brothers. Her brothers’ names are, Brad, Benny, Blair, and Blaine. Grandparents are, Tom Hedges and the late LaVon Hedges from Topeka, and Darlene Shoemaker and Jack Johnson of Fort Scott.

Hedges, a theatre major, was involved in the school newspaper and band at Valley Center High School, but was not involved in theatre. However, the theatre program is what brought Hedges to Cowley, as she knew she wanted to be involved with the school’s theatre productions.

Hedges turned out to be a natural as in her first performance at the school she won a Best Supporting Actress “Woody Award” for her role as Betty Meeks in the school play “The Foreigner”. 

“I guess I kind of waited to come here to bloom,” Hedges said. “I was too shy in high school to try out for a show, and now I can’t wait to meet new people and try new things. Here I can be myself and not be afraid of being myself.”

Hedges currently serves as the President of Phi Theta Kappa and the Act One Drama Club. She is also a Student Ambassador, and carries a 4.0 GPA. 

Being named Student of the Month was something Hedges had been striving for since she became aware of the award.

“As soon as I walked by the display case as a freshman and saw the first student of the month, which was Lory Turney, I didn’t know freshmen couldn’t get the award, but I knew I wanted it,” Hedges said. “I wanted to be in a show and be the Student of the month, and I have been able to accomplish both of my goals.”

Hedges, who is currently involved in tryouts for the spring play “Proposals”, is described as highly energetic, involved, and dedicated. Being involved in so many campus activities leaves Hedges with little free time.

“I would not have it any other way,” Hedges said. “This has been the best two years of my life. I knew I made the right choice my very first day on campus.”

After Cowley, Hedges plans to transfer to the University of Kansas and major in film/theatre. However, she will miss working with the members of the theatre department.

“Scott (MacLaughlin) and Jamison (Rhoads) are great, if they were not here I don’t think I would be either,” Hedges said. “Everyone in humanities is awesome. I will really miss the theatre, it is outstanding.”