Savanah Mandeville

Kristin Whitton, a special education teacher at Lamar High School, founded the district’s first Special Olympics team in 2019 to give students a chance to compete and be celebrated. She expanded the program to include younger students through unified bowling events and created a coffee stand work program to develop her students’ job and social skills. Whitton’s passion centers on empowering her students to overcome challenges and be recognized for their abilities.

The community of Lamar raised over $40,000 to replace the broken projector at the 71-year-old Barco Drive-In Theater, ensuring the beloved local landmark could reopen. Fundraising efforts included online campaigns, local bank support, and direct donations from patrons. A new state-of-the-art 4K projector was installed, and the drive-in proudly reopened on July 4, with donations still coming in from loyal moviegoers.

Ten years ago, Julie Reams could barely run a mile — now she’s completed seven marathons, countless 5k races, and epic 200-mile relay runs across the country. What started as a leap out of her comfort zone turned into a lifelong passion for running, driven by determination, her kids’ cheers, and a growing love for the sport. Her journey proves that with grit and consistency, anyone — even a self-proclaimed non-athlete — can become a runner.

Jim Wysocki, who lost his right leg below the knee after complications from diabetes and an earlier industrial injury, finds joy and freedom at MidAmerica Outdoors in Oklahoma. With strong faith, determination, and support from family and his prosthetics team, he overcame emotional and physical challenges to reclaim his active life. Wysocki’s message is one of self-belief and choosing to stay engaged in life despite adversity.

Zena Suri Alpacas, run by Kathleen and Tom Callan, raises prize-winning Suri alpacas and hosts over 1,000 visitors annually for tours and events. Their alpacas compete nationally for breeding quality, with recent success at the AOA National Alpaca Show. The ranch also produces valuable Suri fiber, prized for its softness and luster.

Joplin Empire Market offers fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods, and meats sourced within 150 miles. During COVID-19, it shifted to online ordering with curbside pickup. Shopping local supports community farmers and reduces environmental impact.

Billy Wade is a dedicated photographer specializing in emergency and disaster scenes across the Four States region. Over the past decade, he has documented nearly 1,000 incidents, capturing powerful moments that highlight the work of first responders. Balancing creativity with the emotional challenges of his job, Wade uses his photography to raise awareness and appreciation for public safety personnel. He advises caution for amateurs and encourages community support for emergency workers.

Mike Conway, known as the “Bob Ross of Nevada, Missouri,” teaches fun and relaxed painting classes for all ages, embracing the philosophy of “happy little mistakes.” He offers popular Paint and Pour events for adults and lively art camps for kids, inspiring creativity and confidence. A prolific acrylic artist, Conway creates and sells a wide range of custom and seasonal artworks, sharing his joyful approach to painting with the community.

Jon and Sarah Abernathy have grown Abernathy Roofing and Construction from a small, word-of-mouth operation into a thriving company with nearly 30 employees and two locations. As business partners and spouses, they balance each other’s strengths while staying united in vision, faith, and purpose. Though challenging at times, working together has strengthened their marriage and deepened their commitment to both business and community.