Flint Hills Job Corps Center bounces back from stormy summer

A disastrous tornado that struck the MTC-operated Flint Hills Job Corps Center this summer had some people thinking the Manhattan, Kansas site would have to be completely shut down for months.  But those pessimists apparently weren’t familiar with the ‘can-do’ attitude of Midwesterners.

Just a couple of months later – with repairs still underway – the center hosted a student graduation.  It was back to business as usual.

When tornado sirens sounded in June, students didn’t know what to expect.  The storm caused a half-million dollars worth of damage to the Flint Hills center.  That’s when students and faculty stepped up to the challenge of restoring the buildings.

The hard work paid off.  But the tornado was not the end of the summer’s weather problems.   Flint Hills students and staff also had to deal with both an ice storm and hail storm.  They say the experiences drew them together and made them stronger.

Repair work continues at the 250-student center now.

(Posted 10/10/08)

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