Now that their goal is realized-renaming a portion of Kansas Highway 79 in honor of two baseball-playing brothers from Circleville-a group of Royal Valley Middle School 8th graders now move on to the next step of their project.

Signed into law by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, the bill, sponsored by State Representative Trent LeDoux, of Holton, renames the highway, in Jackson County,  from the junction of K-79 and K-16 to the junction of K-79 and County Road 254, to memorialize Jesse and Virgil Barnes, both Major League ball players during the early 1900's. 

Now, the students from social studies teacher Nate McAlister's class begin the necessary fund-raising to see signs put into place along the highway indicating the designation to the Barnes Brothers. 

With a goal of 2-thousand-280 dollars to see the signs made and placed along the highway, 8th grade student Jenna Thurman says fund raising activities are getting underway(Play Audio) 

Shirts can be ordered using the proper entry form, with an area bank offering that opportunity, as well as the form being posted online(Play Audio)

A link to the order form can be found here. 

Meanwhile, McAlister says a tax-deductible donation, for those wanting to support the effort but not purchase a shirt, is also in place(Play Audio)

The students need to reach their 2-thousand-280 dollar goal by September 29th. 

Thurman, and her fellow students, remain enthusiastic about the success of their highway renaming project, which actually began when they were in 7th grade. 

Due to the details involved, it carried over to their 8th grade year, which included Barnes Brother related student testimony provided to the Kansas Legislature(Play Audio) 

The project was met with no debate, or controversy, with fast approval granted, leading to the Governor placing his signature on the bill in late March.