Each Friday, The Gazette salutes those who make Emporia and the surrounding area a better place to live and work. Give these folks a pat on the back ...
Eric Dorsey, Joshua East, Kyle de Blonk, Bryce Shaver, Cole Armitage, Staci Tabares, Hannah Schneider, Jessica Muckenthaler, Stephanie Ternes, and Lacee Hanson, who were candidates for Emporia High School Winter Sports King and Queen.
• The Olpe Junior High School Lady Eagles, who finished their regular season undefeated with a record of 11-0. Team members include Natalie Kuhlmann, Jill Cole, Angela Bartley, Kathryn Flott, Katelyn Henderson, Joann Bieker, Emmy Redeker, Paige Gurley, Jennifer Bechtel, Candice Schreiner, Rachel Hall and Beth Traher.
• City Commissioner Tom Myers, who was appointed to the National League of Cities steering committee for public safety and crime prevention. He is the only Kansan appointed to the national committee.
• Paula Sauder, who has given nearly a half a million dollars to ESU to set up a scholarship for single parents.
• Emporia High school students who are holding a canned food drive — Project Emporia — to help the Salvation Army.
• Tanya and Ted Ulan, Steve Higgs and Steve and Bernadette Ihde, who have joined forces to turn the former National Teachers Hall of Fame into C of E Professional Plaza. A new call center that will employ 30 to 50 people will occupy the third floor.
• Hallie Kretsinger, who was named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship program.