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 ...
EMPORIA HIGH SCHOOL students Anton Zouplna, Bryan Sandoval and Diedra Waller, who advanced to the second stage of the National Geographic Bee.
• The Hopkins Foundation, which will give away $30,000 to Emporia public-school teachers and support staff to recognize outstanding performance. To make a nomination, call Kristy Turner at 341-2201.
• Newman Home Health, which earned a spot among the top 25 percent of the nation’s Medicare-certified home health-care providers and received a 2008 Home Care Elite award.
• Jeline Harclerode, who was named a 2009 Kansas Master Teacher. Harclerode teaches the “Connect” program at the Emporia Middle School.
• Walnut Elementary teacher Kay Schmidt, who was selected as January’s “Teacher of the Month” by Gambino’s Pizza and 96.1 The Wave.
• The Emporia Rescue Mission and Abundant Harvest Food Kitchen, which are offering free clothing for infants, children and adults. The giveaway will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
• Pet Sitting Pal of Emporia and Eagle Creek Vineyards of Olpe, which were honored as Emerging and Existing Businesses of the Year by the Kansas Small Business Development Center.
• Elizabeth Bechtel, who celebrated her 101st birthday.
• The Emporia State University baseball team, which was picked to finish second in the MIAA in the preseason coaches’ poll.
Chris Walker
Editor & Publisher