Emporia’s top 10 favorites are chosen
Special to The Gazette
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Emporia State University has been voted the top “favorite thing” in the city, according to an informal poll taken by the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Jeanine McKenna announced balloting results Wednesday afternoon, at the end of the chamber’s Emporia Building Futures Top 10 Contest.
Approximately 225 people from the community submitted entry forms to the contest to describe their top 10 favorite things about the city, she said. Students of ESU professor Rob Catlett helped with the survey, and more than 500 ESU students also voted in the contest.
“The variety of types of responses demonstrated tremendous appreciation for what is available in Emporia,” McKenna said in a news release. “The response we got from this contest was very exciting. People of all ages responded, sharing a wide range of things they love and appreciate about our city.”
A drawing from contest submissions was held to determine three winners, who won Emporia-themed gift baskets that included prizes and coupons from area businesses.
Winners from the community were: Melissa Bailey, grand prize; Jessica Headley, second; and Mary Ann Blaufuss, third. Names of winning ESU students, who received T-shirts and canvas bags, were not available.
Other Top 10 favorites were:
• Inviting parks
• Selection of churches
• Accessible zoo
• Friendly people
• Variety of restaurants
• High-quality public schools
• Vibrant downtown
• Offering of movies
• Engaging library
“The feedback shows we have a community that cares, and is genuinely proud and positive about our city,” McKenna said.
For more information on the Building Futures campaign, call the chamber, 342-1600, or visit the Web site at www.emporiabuildingfutures.com.