Two’s Throwback: April 2, 2026

(From the April 2, 1976 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

Edward Bigus, the Youth Adard Honoree for April, of the Jewish Chronicle, will one day be a highly successful lawyer and/or politician, we predict. This is the direction in which his activities and achievements point, and these are the ambitious plans which fill the mind of the attractive and assured young man.

Now a senior at Shawnee Mission East High School, Ed has already gathered an impressive variety of honors from the Jewish and the general community. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Bigus, he will enter the University of Kansas in the fall, following his high school graduation next month, to major in business. Ultimately, he plans to enter law school and pursue a career in law and politics.

Ed has served twice as president of AZA #2, as well as holding virtually every other office in the chapter, including Yom Kippur Dance chairman. His BBYO activities extend the Council level, where he has been secretary and parliamentarian, and has led two training institutes.

In the Midwest Region BBYO, Ed has served as vice president, attended four conventions, and three training institutes. He now holds a life membership in the regional BBYO. In District Two, Ed has been a regional delegation leader, holds life membership and has attended three district conventions.

Following in his lawyer-father’s footsteps, Ed has received numerous awards for oratory from BBYO, including placing first in the international oratory contest at the International Leadership Training Conference which he attended.

Recently Ed was named the city-wide annual Youth Award honoree by the Heart of America B’nai B’rith Lodge.

A member of the Jewish Youth Council, Ed drew on his legal expertise and experience to help draft the constitution for that organization, which he now serves as parliamentarian.

The Bigus family, including Ed’s older, 21-year-old brother Larry, are members of Temple B’nai Jehudah, where Ed became a Bar Mitzvah and a confirmand.

Further expanding his horizons, Ed was a member of Boy Scout Troop 61, sponsored by Beth Shalom Synagogue, where he became an Eagle Scout. This well-rounded young man doesn’t limit his interests. He loves the outdoors, and has attended the Philmont Scout Ranch, where he enjoyed backpacking in the New Mexico mountains. His favorite sport is sailing, which he has done for most of his life. When he was in 9th  grade, he built a 14-foot sailboat in woodshop class, and has been “hooked” on sailing ever since.

At Shawnee Mission East, Ed is on the honor roll, is vice president of the Student Congress, and serves as student welfare chairman. He is active in forensics and debate, and was a winner of the Optimist Club’s oratorical contest.

He attended Boys’ State. Sponsored by the American Legion, where he was elected lieutenant governor in a mock political process for top high school junior students throughout Kansas. Ed plans to be a spectator at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City this summer, and also plants to exercise his right to vote in the Democratic county convention to choose delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

What else does this handsome young future lawyer like? “Dating,” or course – and the smile comes naturally.

We congratulate Ed and his family, as he adds still another laurel to his many achievements. We look forward to chronicling his future rise.