Story by CLARE THOLSTRUP Photos by BREANNA HOY and EDEN STAPLES
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State University hosted its Family and Friends Day on Saturday. Throughout the day, Student Engagement hosted activities on the quad and around town for students’ families and friends.
“The purpose of Family and Friends Weekend is to support students, families, friends, and the University by creating opportunities for connection, engagement, and shared experiences across campus,” said Rhyann Powers, assistant director of strategy and operations for Student Engagement. “The weekend celebrates the importance of a student’s support network while helping families and friends become more connected to the FHSU community.”
Family and Friends Day began with the Downtown Hays Market to connect the campus with the community. The market is open 7:30-11 a.m. on Saturdays with a variety of vendors selling fresh produce, crafts, flowers, and more.
Many family members noted the different activities and made plans to attend as many as possible. Pat McCarthy, parent of a freshman at FHSU, said their family went to the market before going to the quad for games and button-making.
The crafts-on-the-lawn event allowed families to make game-day buttons or customized hats. Alongside those activities, lawn games such as volleyball were set up, and a cornhole tournament took place.
“It’s good to spend time with family, have fun and make new connections and meet more people this way,” FHSU student Kennadi Dreiling said. “I get to show my parents what I’m doing here and what it’s like here (at FHSU).”
One part of student life at FHSU is attending football games. FHSU Athletics sold discounted tickets in the quad for Saturday’s game.
Jack Hileman, who worked the ticket table, said that Family and Friends Day brought in many people, not only purchasing tickets for the game that day but also showing interest in FHSU athletics overall.
“Family and Friends Day is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the vibrant campus community at FHSU,” Powers said. “It allows families and friends to experience firsthand the people, programs, and activities that contribute to student success.”
Story submitted as part of Convergent Media Lab, a course within the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at Fort Hays State University
Movie on the Lawn
Fishing Derby
Group fishing in Hammond Pond. 
Girls running registration table for Fishing Derby event. 
Makenna Horn holding up prizes after winning the ‘fist fish caught’ and the ‘most fish caught (10 fish) ‘ prizes. 
Kenan Staples enjoying recently caught and fried catfish. 
Line of poles to choose from when signing up for the event. 
Participant holding up a resent catch. 
Different booths to grab poles, bait, and other fishing necessities. 
Ava Little holding up recently caught fish. 
Twins Kyrain and Kyrstan Perez fish in pond. 
Participant fishing in pond. 
Prizes to win when signing up for event. 
JP Morgan and Rylie Johnson fries chosen fish for people to eat at the fry station. 
Grady Galloway showing his prize after winning the smallest fish caught at 1.0 ounces. 
Girls enjoying recently caught and fried catfish. 
Participants weigh fish before deciding to fry or release their catch. 
Participant holding up a recent catch. 
Group hosting the event fries chosen fish for people to eat. 
Participant fishes in pond. 
Participants help pull out hook from fishes mouth. 
Fried caught fish and fries for people to eat. 
Participant holding up a recent catch. 
Participant fishing in pond. 
Makenna Horn fishing in pond.
Student Engagement Picnic
Family and Friends Crafts
