02/16/11 kkh

HAYS, Kan. -- Works by 11 Fort Hays State University students were recently recognized and adopted by the Kansas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, an organization that works with the courts to protect the rights of abused children. The state non-profit organization is using the works in its 20th anniversary celebration campaign this year.

The students were enrolled in classes in the Department of Communication Studies in the fall 2010 semester. Through group projects, they designed logos, advertisements and campaign plans for Kansas CASA.

Among the students' works, a campaign logo with the slogan "Celebrating 20 years of child advocacy in Kansas" and a dozen campaign ideas were selected.

"The students I have met with have created many great ideas and concepts," said Janette Meis, Kansas CASA state director.

Dr. Qingjiang Yao, assistant professor of communication studies, instructed each of the three classes.

A group consisting of Randall Flowers, Wichita senior; Kaley Klaus, Hays junior, and Lindsey Stieben, Jetmore junior, created the logo and slogan.

Campaign ideas from two other groups were also adopted. Students are listed by hometown and classification.

HAYS: Christy Gerstner, senior.

LAKIN: Cesar Villa, senior.

NESS CITY: Lauren Healzer, senior.

STERLING, Colo.: John Walraven, senior.

VICTORIA: Sheena Herl, senior.

TULSA, Okla.: Brian Humphrey, senior.

BEIJING, China: Xibei Qi, senior.

ZHUHAI, China: Jamie Bai, senior.

CASA is a national non-governmental organization. Its Kansas headquarters, located in Hays, was launched in 1991. It has local programs in 24 of Kansas' 31 judicial districts.

Each year, Kansas CASA works with about 900 volunteers who advocate for about 2,000 abused children in courts, half of the total number of children reported as being abused and fostered each year in Kansas.

Meis said she believes the FHSU students' works and ideas will help Kansas CASA recruit more volunteers to help children in need.

To view the logo and slogan or for more information, go to Kansas CASA's website at www.kansascasa.org/.