Bush honors Lawrence native's service / LJWorld.com

Archive for Friday, May 30, 2008

UMKC dental school student recognized for volunteer activities

Bush presented 25-year-old Ashley Knight with the Volunteer Service Award during a ceremony in Gardner this afternoon.

May 30, 2008

AP Photo

President Bush speaks with Ashley Knight, a Lawrence native, after giving her a Volunteer Service Award Thursday at New Century Air Center near Gardner. Knight is a dental student at the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

AP Photo

President Bush greets military personnel before departing New Century Air Center near Gardner Thursday after he attended a private campaign fundraising event for Kansas State Sen. Nick Jordan in Bucyrus. While in Kansas, Bush presented a Volunteer Service Award to Ashley Knight, a Lawrence native.

As President Bush walked off Air Force One at New Century Air Center near Gardner, a 25-year-old Lawrence native waited in awe.

Ashley Knight, graduate of Lawrence High School and Kansas University, on Thursday was honored personally by the president with the Volunteer Service Award for her dedication to community service.

"I was so floored and honored to be there and have that opportunity," said Knight, a senior at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. "It was amazing, and I was thrilled."

Knight was accompanied by Michael McCunniff, dentist and interim chairman of the dental public health and behavioral science department, who nominated her for the honor.

"We were so proud of her," he said. "What she is doing is representing a dental school organization of volunteerism."

McCunniff is responsible for starting Students Take Action at UMKC, a community service outreach program for dental students. And in his classroom, McCunniff said, he stresses beneficence.

"We talk about these things in school, but then to watch the students pick it up and take off with these ideas about volunteerism, it's amazing," he said.

Knight was president of Students Take Action last academic year. McCunniff said she redesigned the Web site and, thanks to that change, White House staffers took notice of the school.

In 2002, Bush created USA Freedom Corps, an office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Through his travels across the country, the president has recognized 600 volunteers. On Thursday, Bush was on his way to a Republican fundraiser in Bucyrus.

McCunniff said Knight also stands apart because of a grant she wrote to receive funding for a new project called Tots-N-Teeth. Knight said it was important to her to start a program to offer screenings for children ages 1 to 3 and to educate parents about taking their children to the dentist early.

And Knight spearheaded Shear Madness, an annual fundraiser to send children with cancer to Camp Quality summer camp at no charge. Through the program, dental students, faculty and staff raised funds by accepting bids to cut their hair or shave their heads. This year, the program collected $11,000, and Knight donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love.

"I feel like if you have the time and the energy to devote to helping others in need, that is something that I want to do," Knight said.

McCunniff, Knight and Knight's sister Alyssa, 21, also got a tour of Air Force One - after Ashley Knight requested a peek from the president.

"I got to sit in the co-pilot's seat," she said.

Knight's parents, Tom and Michele Knight, who live in Lawrence, were out of town for the event, but they communicated with their daughter by phone throughout the day.

"We're thrilled to death about it," said Tom Knight, of Knight Enterprises Inc. "It was quite a surprise, and she's quite a gal."

Discussion

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30 May 2008
at 10:23 a.m.

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Manda2831 (Anonymous) says…

Congratulations Ashley! I know it was well deserved!
30 May 2008
at 10:25 a.m.

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fleeba (Anonymous) says…

Good for you, Ashley! We need more people like you on this earth!
30 May 2008
at 11:08 a.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

She sounds like she's deserving of some sort of an award, but getting one from Bush is a bit of a dubious distinction. I wonder if she'll be like a lot of people who got an award from Bush— in a few years, it'll be stashed in a box in the attic.
30 May 2008
at 11:39 a.m.

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Take_a_letter_Maria (Anonymous) says…

Glad to hear she's doing better things in life than the “lessons” she learned at home.
30 May 2008
at 11:39 a.m.

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TheOriginalCA (Anonymous) says…

bozo, I feel sorry for you and for those who have to be around you and your cynical comments on a daily basis.
30 May 2008
at 11:44 a.m.

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beatrice (Anonymous) says…

Bozo, you are wrong on this one. She received an award for her volunteerism from the President of the United States. This is a great honor, and she and her family will no doubt cherish it for their entire lives.Way to go Ashley!
30 May 2008
at 11:50 a.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

“She received an award for her volunteerism from the President of the United States.”Yes, it's sad he has to diminish the value of her efforts.

30 May 2008
at noon

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cowgomoo (Anonymous) says…

Ignore the trolls who have nothing better to do than to post 1000's upon 1000's of spite filled posts to a small town newspaper.Congrats on this award.
30 May 2008
at 12:01 p.m.

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TheOriginalCA (Anonymous) says…

Yes, it's sad he has to diminish the value of her efforts.____________________________________It's even more sad that you have to diminish this board's credibility and the efforts of those who try to be civil.
30 May 2008
at 12:27 p.m.

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Pogo (Anonymous) says…

Joke.VERY few dentists in the state of Kansas accept Healthwave (welfare) children. At last count, I believe, there were NONE in Lawrence. And, if that has changed, there are only one or two out of the many, many “pediatric dentists” in our fair community as well as across the state.Dentists are tight fisted; do very little to make a lot of money (for those of you that have dental insurance, you know how long that dentist spends with you after having your teeth cleaned….and yet look at the charge for that….what….all of five minute exam? Close to $90.00 is what.Further, NONE of the dentists will see adult welfare recipients. Oh, once a year they have a massive cattle call where they don't practice dentistry (as in crowns or root canals); they simple pull the teeth of the people who can't afford their “regular” service. Money grubbers.
30 May 2008
at 12:30 p.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

I already said that she appears to be very deserving of recognition. How is it uncivil to point out that an award from Bush is a dubious distinction?
30 May 2008
at 12:46 p.m.

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Esq2eB (Anonymous) says…

Would rather get an award from Bush than either of the Clinton's or Obama.
30 May 2008
at 12:49 p.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

Well, if you want your BushCo secret decoder ring, it's a limited time offer, Esq2eB.
30 May 2008
at 12:59 p.m.

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acg (Anonymous) says…

I could give a crap about Bush, the man. But you have to respect the office of the President of the United States. Regardless of one's politics it's extremely cool to receive an award from him personally. Way to go Ashley. Congrats to you and thanks for your hard work.
30 May 2008
at 1:03 p.m.

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classclown (Anonymous) says…

The problem with your logic Bozo, is that she wasn't being given the award by Bush. She was was given the award by the President of the United States. There is a difference. Think of the institution rather than the man.Your logic is akin to someone saying that a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient's award has been diminished because Pelosi is the current speaker of the house. Quite frankly, most people in Congress are bums, but that doesn't tarnish or diminish what the recipient did by them awarding the medal. The same thing goes for any award given out by the President whether it was Bush, Clinton, O'bama, McCain, or whoever.If you can't tell the difference, then the only sad thing here is you.

30 May 2008
at 1:12 p.m.

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Esq2eB (Anonymous) says…

Classclown, you are asking Bozo to use logic and think for himself. Not likely to happen. Guy still talks about decoder rings…
30 May 2008
at 1:27 p.m.

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classclown (Anonymous) says…

Esq2eBI don't know if you were just being snotty with Bozo or not, but it would appear you basically did the same thing.I can understand preferring to get an award from a president you actually like, but if you were to receive an award from say President Clinton or President Obama would you feel as if it was somehow diminished or would you feel honored to have gotten an award from the President of the United States?
30 May 2008
at 1:41 p.m.

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Esq2eB (Anonymous) says…

First off Obama is not the President, so it would not be as big of a deal to recieve an award from a junior Senator from another state. Same thing with Hillary, she is not, nor will she ever be the President, so why would I want to recieve an award from her?
30 May 2008
at 1:42 p.m.

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endtimes (Anonymous) says…

I agree with what Pogo said!
30 May 2008
at 1:47 p.m.

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classclown (Anonymous) says…

It was a hypothetical question.
30 May 2008
at 1:52 p.m.

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Phillbert (Anonymous) says…

Congrats to Ms. Knight for her volunteer work and for being recognized for her service. Regardless of who presented the award, it is good to see this sort of work recognized, as dental health is an under appreciated part of overall health.Congrats also to congressional candidate Nick Jordan, who will get taxpayers to pick up part of the cost of the President's campaign visit since this presentation was “official business.”From the Kansas City Star today:The president shakes hands and signs a license plate. He turns to greet 25-year old Ashley Knight, a local dental school student being honored for her volunteer work.”How you doing?” Bush appears to say. Your pool reporter isn't sure; the jet engines are pretty loud.But he knows this: Performing an official act on a campaign trip can allow the sponsoring campaign to move some of the costs onto U.S. taxpayers. Official business, you know.http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/641999.html
30 May 2008
at 2:27 p.m.

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jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…

She received an award from the President which is a high honor. Please don't make this about Bush folks.
30 May 2008
at 2:33 p.m.

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janeyb (Anonymous) says…

The last person I read about getting a volunteer award from Bush is now the Vice-chair of the Kansas Republican Party. I wondered at the time how much it cost her husband to get the award for her. The husband is a Topeka dentist who ran against Bill Wagnon for State Board of Education on the platform that he would listen to both sides of the evolution argument. However, the wife and he were also included in the Phill Kline exclusive chuch meetings, so I guess we know what his vote would have been. However it does appear Ashley received a deserving nomination and it gives hope that not all those receiving the award are politically connected.

30 May 2008
at 3:02 p.m.

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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…

Classclown, the Medal of Honor is not given out by Congress, nor is it called the “Congressional Medal of Honor.” Look it up. You've obviously never been in the military. (I have.)The Medal of Honor goes through the same vetting process any other military decoration goes through, and the US Congress has no part in that process.Also, to others on this board, the office of POTUS is not an institution. It is an elected office. He is not king; we (or at least some of us) hired him for the job.
30 May 2008
at 4:05 p.m.

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Baille (Anonymous) says…

Ashley definitely did a good thing. There is an startling lack of dental care available to poor families nationwide and Lawrence is no exception. Kids in state custody and in foster and pre-adoptive homes have a very hard time finding dentists that will provide services - as do families on medical cards or those without dental insurance. Dentists just won't see them.
30 May 2008
at 4:36 p.m.

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acg (Anonymous) says…

Not only is there a congressional medal of honor, but there's a congressional honor of medal website. Look it up!
30 May 2008
at 4:50 p.m.

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Haiku_Cuckoo (Anonymous) says…

I wonder if she'll be like a lot of people who got an award from Bush- in a few years, it'll be stashed in a box in the attic.========Maybe not. I remember an elderly reporter in Ohio who used to boast that she once interviewed Hitler. Sometimes it can be a bragging point to say that you once shook hands with the man who brought down an empire.
30 May 2008
at 6:34 p.m.

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twaldaisy (Anonymous) says…

As I was going to work driving on I35 these 2 trucks pulled out and made everyone stay behind them and we were going about 10 mph and I thought what the heck…Then I got to see Air Force One coming in. It was pretty cool, even if it was carrying Pres. Bush. Very awesome sighting, even though it made me late to work. I am no means a Bush fan, but I think it is great that he takes time out of his schedule to honor these great volunteers. He did the same thing a few months ago to Sam Turner CEO of SMMC.
30 May 2008
at 11:36 p.m.

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cowgomoo (Anonymous) says…

Seriously…to the folks who have 1000's of posts…do you have nothing better to do than to spew hate and bile in a small town newspaper comment section on an inspirational story? Pathetic.Go clean your gutters, read to your children, volunteer for meals on wheels, good Lord, something other than typing your life away here.
31 May 2008
at 12:59 a.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

“Seriously:to the folks who have 1000's of posts:do you have nothing better to do than to spew hate and bile in a small town newspaper comment section on an inspirational story? Pathetic.”No, I was completely deprived of the intensive cheerleader training you enjoyed. I can but only aspire to be similarly blissfully brain dead.
1 August 2008
at 1:18 a.m.

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TopJayhawk (Anonymous) says…

Bozo, You are going to die a crusty, bitter old fool.