Topeka — Hundreds of schoolchildren swarmed into the Statehouse rotunda Friday, competing for a piece of cake and a glimpse of the latest winner of television's "Survivor" contest as they marked Kansas' 145th birthday.
Senators took time to rededicate their newly renovated chamber, restored to look as it might have around 1917. Evening festivities included the annual banquet of the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas, which honored country singer Martina McBride as Kansan of the Year. She was born in Medicine Lodge and grew up in Sharon.
The actual anniversary of statehood in 1861 is Sunday.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius led the rotunda ceremony, which included singing and an American Indian hoop dance by Dennis Rogers, a Navajo. Another honored guest was Danni Boatwright, the 30-year-old Tonganoxie native who outlasted 17 other "Survivor" contestants, spending more than a month last year in Guatemala.
Boatwright told the students that while participating in the TV show, she heard comments about how she talked up the state. She called Kansas "the greatest place in the world."
"I am so happy to be a Kansan, and I am so proud of my state," she said. "You guys are so blessed to be from Kansas."
The chamber's restoration is part of the ongoing $162 million renovation of the Statehouse, scheduled to be done in 2011.
"It's almost like starting out with a new chamber," said Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton. "It's beautiful."
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Shardwurm (anonymous) says…
I'm happy for Boatwright but it's not like she cured cancer or even went to Iraq for a year to serve her country.
I'd rather see a Spec 4 from Liberal get honored than a millionaire game-show winner.
JHAWKGURL (anonymous) says…
I agree...good Lord she is a freaking human being who played a game and knows how to manipulate others to win. OH wait, she always went with her heart I forgot. OH WELL...what about the people fighting in IRAQ...survive that Miss Danny!!!