KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010 / NEWS / 3
HENRY (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
Jake always stood out as a smart kid when he was growing up. While other boys his age were playing with Buzz Lightyear action figures, Jake carried around and read from his family's giant atlas of road maps.
"He would just sit and study the lines and places," said Joyce Fuentes, one of Jake's aunts. "That was very like him."
As he got older, Jake began to apply his love of learning and knowledge to the world of sports.
"He could tell you about poli in Britain and just give you the most obscure statistic about any sport," Fuentes said. "He was a sports nut."
Never one for the sidelines, Jake had an interest in sports that carried him onto the field, where he dabbled in games such as soccer, tennis and intramural softball. He
In high school Jake played with the varsity team and often went to the area golf course to hit around with friends.
"He was and will always be the true definition of a friend."
Jake Henry, a senior from Edwardsville and Stephanie Conn, a senior from Bonner Springs, died in a car crash Oct. 10. The two had been dating since seventh grade.
even planned to build a career around athletics as he pursued a major in sports management at the University. For all of his interest in sports, golf was one in which jake truly found his niche.
"There was a big group of us on the team and we all just sort of hung out together," Hackney said. "We were kind of the nerds whom people liked because we had a sense of humor."
Jake himself possessed a strong sense of humor. Friends described him as a goofy, animated guy who could take a joke as well as he could
LUKE TERRELL
Jake Henry's co-worker
give it.
"If any of you ever got burned by his or someone else's joke Jake would always shout 'hey-oh' and just make fun of the situation," Hackney said.
Of all the
traits that Jake embodied, his genuine kindness was the one that stood out most.
"He always took time out of the day to talk to me or help me out if needed," said Luke Terrell, Jake's co-worker at the Nike Factory Outlet in Kansas City, Kan.
"He was and will always be the true definition of a friend."
Jake is survived by his mom Connie, his dad Steven and his younger brother Collin.
CONN (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
Edited by Michael Bednar
after he left work.
The couple began dating in middle school and continued to date during high school at Bonner Springs High. They were voted "cutest couple" in their graduating class.
"They both became pretty famous around high school for their awesome relationship," said Rikkiann Burns, a friend from Bonner Springs. "They just seemed to complete each other."
Mortensen said Stephanie was artistic and creative, and she impressed everyone with her paintings and drawings. Stephanie also sang with the KU Concert Choir and played guitar and saxophone. Music was always important to Stephanie and she was a huge fan of both Ben Folds and Elton John, Mortensen said. Mortensen said she wouldn't go anywhere without some form of music.
"She lit up the whole choir with her enthusiasm," said choir director Paul Tucker.
Stephanie changed her major many times but intended to graduate in May with a degree in psychology.
"She just wanted to be everything and do everything," Wallace said. "And she had the drive and motivation to do it."
On the day of the crash Stephanie had dinner with her grandmother. She had never been to the Olive Garden before, and when she looked at the prices, she apologized to her grandmother.
"She was the brightest star in our family," the Conn family wrote in Stephanie's eulogy. "If you met her, you liked her. If you knew her, you loved her."
Stephanie's interests inevitably mixed with Henry's. Anywhere Henry went, Stephanie went too, said Cameron Buck, a senior from Edwardsville and a close friend of the couple.
"She and Jake were perfect together and I'm happy they're together now," said Evelyn Conn, Stephanie's grandmother.
"It would only make sense that they left this world together," Mortensen said. "They wouldn't have been able to live without one another."
"She loved Jake with everything she had," Buck said. "When shed hang out with us she was one of the guys."
Stephanie and Jake were the ideal couple, Mortensen said. They intended to get married after graduation.
Stephanie is survived by her parents Steve Conn and Shellie DeCock; her grandparents Evelyn Conn, Vernon Conn and William
Contributed Photo
and Linda DeCock; and her aunts and uncles, Vernon W. Conn,
Cindy Conn and Don Seymour,
Kim DeCock and Danny DeCock.
Stephanie Conn, left, loved painting and music. She was on track to graduate with a degree in psychology in May.
Edited by Michael Bednar
That's how you debate!
Sarah Hockel/KANSAN
Jasmin Talbert, an Overland Park Libertarian, participates in a 3rd District congressional debate Wednesday night at the Lawrence Art Center. Talbert hopes to be voted in to recongress Democrat Dennis Moore.
Debate brings U.S. House candidates
people. The question's topics ranged from opinions on terrorism to state taxes.
The Chamber invited three candidates from the 3rd District who seek to replace the retiring
The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce hosted a political debate Wednesday night at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire.
The 3rd District includes eastern Douglas, Johnson and Wyandotte counties. The general election is Nov. 2. The last day for voter registration in Kansas for the election is today.
U. S. Rep. Dennis Moore. The scheduled candidates included Jasmin Talbert, a Libertarian from Overland Park; Kevin Yoder, a Republican from Overland Park; and Stephene Moore, a Democrat from Lenexa. However, Yoder canceled his appearance on Tuesday.
The other candidates answered written questions from the audience of about 30
Samantha Collins
1505 WESTBOOK ST
WEST CAMPUS
785.864.3902
sasmith@ku.edu
DON'T ADD MILES TO YOUR OWN RIDE, TAKE OURS!
The Washington Post's Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Broder
Come join The Muncy Journalism & Politics Lecture.Audience members may participate in a Q&A session that will conclude the forum.
18
2010
7:30 PM
Monday October