Don Lowe

Seneca Early Childhood School Teacher of the Year Kristi Tate switched from social work to special education after witnessing a blind student miss a Halloween pumpkin lesson, now teaching children ages 3-5 with developmental delays.

Seneca High School's Teacher of the Year Leah Throneberry switched from vocal performance major to history teacher after European backpacking inspired her love for historical landmarks, now teaching US history and AP US history to juniors and seniors.

Retired Seneca teacher Lee Hall, inspired by Sarcoxie's veterans memorial in 2019, coordinated the creation of Seneca's impressive veterans memorial featuring eight flagpoles, benches, and lighting that took over two years to complete.

Seneca R-7 School District is completing a $3 million athletic complex with fully turfed baseball/softball fields and an eight-lane track, funded by a bond issue that passed with overwhelming 3-to-1 community support.

Dr. Chett Daniel leads Sho Up 36˚ 94˚, a volunteer grassroots initiative focused on making the Neosho area more attractive to talent and families through strategic community development and placemaking efforts.

Neosho native and high school English teacher Karen Daugherty fulfilled her lifelong dream by publishing her first novel "Sugar Creek," a story about a woman's journey through life that took 20 years to develop.

Founded in 1973, this nonprofit provides early intervention services for children with disabilities in Barry and Lawrence counties, serving ages birth to 5 with conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism through physical, speech, and occupational therapies plus a reverse mainstreaming program. Director Lynda Painter, who has worked there 31 years, supports families from devastating diagnoses through celebrating small milestones, while the organization fundraises for a new 6,000-square-foot facility to replace their cramped 1981 building, needing an additional $300,000 to complete the project.

The Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce organizes a two-day KCBS (Kansas City Barbecue Society) Master Series barbecue competition featuring 40 teams competing for $4,500 in prizes, with judging based on taste, appearance, and texture. The year-long planning effort involves numerous sponsors including Vernon County Commission, City of Nevada, and Smithfield Foods, creating a regional spotlight that brings the community together while featuring both competitive barbecue and a "People's Choice" public tasting event.

After a fire destroyed a rental property, Lendonwood Gardens built a new welcome center staffed by volunteers to enhance visitor experience with amenities like a garden shop, restrooms, and meeting space. The 8-acre botanical garden near Grand Lake features over 1,200 plant varieties arranged in Japanese garden design with koi ponds, bridges, and specialized collections including azaleas, rhododendrons, and a new Monarch Waystation. The volunteer-run facility serves as both an educational resource and popular venue for weddings and special events in Northeast Oklahoma.