Ray Nolting/Sun photo Parsons Fire Department Battalion Chief Brett Heady makes final rope adjustments before rappelling down the football stadium wall at Marvel Park Wednesday afternoon. Battalion Chief Jay Hawks waited more than 25 feet below. Parsons firefighters and Labette Health Ambulance Service personnel conducted ropes training most of the afternoon.

Noah McIntosh pushes his fellow preschoolers on the merry-go-round at Forest Park Tuesday morning. He and other preschoolers from St. Patrick Catholic School had their fun day, with lots of play time, organized activities and snacks. The students then ate at Parsons Roadhouse.

Colleen Surridge/Sun photo W.D. Pete Hughes of Parsons, who received the first Distinguished Viking Alumnus Award, speaks to the 2012 class during the commencement ceremony.

Colleen Surridge/Sun photo Kandi Danielle Voorhees, who was among the top 10 percent of the Class of 2012, shakes hands with Altamont USD 506 superintendent Chuck Stockton after receiving her diploma at Saturday’s Labette County High School graduation ceremony.

Colleen Surridge/Sun photo Terry Karlin receives a watch as a retirement gift from USD 504 Board of Education president Lewis “Skip” Riley during Karlin’s retirement reception Friday at Oswego High School. Karlin has been with the school district for 21 years.

Colleen Surridge/Sun photo Lincoln School kindergartners enjoy Field Day on Friday in Forest Park while building with large foam blocks from the Parsons Recreation Commission’s Imagination Playground in a Cart.