UnlockingFutures
INDIGO GIRL
Turning basic denim into unique designs
ABIDING BLOOMS
Finding beauty, meaning in flower farming
MISSION-ORIENTED
Kansas to Kenya, improving lives of young girls
“Aha Moments”
One of the best parts of putting Sallie together is discovering the stories themselves that will go on the pages each year. There is always that “Aha” moment when we find a story that we feel like fits Sallie Magazine.
One of those moments happened last fall when I was sitting around a table for lunch at a local restaurant in town with a group of ladies who had just come from a morning of classes at the Adult Education Center just around the corner. I was invited by a friend to tag along for lunch that day, and she was certain I would really enjoy it.
She was absolutely right. It was a joy; and I didn’t want it to end. For an hour or two (I really don’t know…we lost track of time) listening to these women talk and laugh about things going on in their lives – and through varying degrees and levels of English and Spanish – I discovered something that was happening in our little town
that I honestly had never given much thought to.
Here in Emporia we welcome hundreds and hundreds of migrants and immigrants from all over the world every single year for reasons as wide and varied as the world itself. Some come to reunite with family; some to escape extreme hardship in their home country; some in search of higher education; and some longing for the proverbial “American Dream.” But many of them land here in the middle of the United States with little or no English language skills. And without English, life in the U.S. can be tough and opportunity is limited. The ladies I had the privilege of meeting that day, from Mexico, The Philippines, Columbia and Venezuela were no exception. They each had their own story about how they ended up in Emporia, Kansas, but they all had one thing in common: a deep desire to learn English and call this place their home.
I won’t give anything else away because this year’s Sallie cover story was born out of that lunch and you definitely don’t want to miss it. It is an inspirational story of hope, unrelenting determination and what is possible when someone really believes in you.
Of course, there’s much more on the pages to follow; and we hope you have your own “Aha” moments when you read each of the stories inside this year’s edition. Indeed, Emporia and the surrounding area is a special place to live, work and play and it’s all because of the people, like those featured in Sallie each year, that call this place home.
Welcome to Sallie 2024!
Now, sit back, relax and enjoy this year’s edition of Sallie. It’s nice to see you again.
Ashley Walker Editor and Publisher
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Chicago native cultivates beauty, purpose and livelihood in flower farming.
Most people might consider a move from the big city of Chicago to a small town in Kansas as “downsizing.” But for Kristin Cochran, it was just the opposite. Her husband was offered a position as a pastor at Peniel Bible Church in Waverly, Kansas, in 2018, and her family of seven moved west. That marked the beginning of not only the life she had always dreamed of, but of the beginning of a growing small business.
STORY BY RYANN BROOKS AND ASHLEY WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON DAILEY AND THOMAS FELTS
Tulips were my ‘gateway drug’ to flower farming for
The heart and hands behind a locally-sourced, cut-flower business just outside of Emporia, Kristin has found a unique avenue to create a fulfilling and meaningful life all the while earning an income.
It’s called Abiding Blooms, and it offers fresh cut seasonal market bouquets, specialty bouquets and even weekly flower subscriptions — for those who enjoy fresh blooms on a regular basis.
It all started with one flower: the tulip.
“Tulips were my ‘gateway drug’ to flower farming for me,” she said, laughing.
“When I was pregnant with my daughter in Chicago, I remember the day before she was born, I planted a bunch of tulips,” she said. “And that next spring when they started coming up, it was just like such a beautiful reminder of the day before I gave birth.”
me.
And that’s when “Abiding Blooms” started taking root. For Kristin, those tulips symbolized more than just the arrival of spring—they represented the beauty that can emerge from even the most unexpected places.
“It’s amazing how flowers can do that,” she said. “They can be such a powerful reminder of hope and new beginnings.”
Each blossom is a symbol of hope and a reminder of God’s perfect timing in her life.
Growing space was limited in Chicago. Besides a few tulip bulbs on the front porch of her city house, she couldn’t grow much more.
“We had just never had land. We have never had a backyard,” she said. “It has always been very minimal, and so I’d always dreamed about being able to grow our own stuff.”
Once in Kansas, the opportunity to do just that exploded. She finally had the space to really dig into flower farming.
The first year was just an experiment, she said, as she needed to learn what grows when in this part of the country. But slowly, Kristin studied, researched and learned what she needed to know about flower farming in rural Kansas.
As Kristin’s garden bloomed, so did her business. Abiding Blooms grew from a personal passion project to a thriving enterprise, offering Emporia and surrounding communities a vibrant array of flowers for purchase, including daffodils, ranunculus, sweet William, peonies, sunflowers, zinnias, celosia…and of course, lots of tulips.
The name of her business comes from a well-known passage in the Bible, she said.
“My company is called Abiding Blooms because there’s a passage that talks about abiding in the vine, and how there’s no life outside of Christ. Gardening has been one of the ways that God has said yes to me in my life.”
Each blossom is a symbol of hope and a reminder of God’s perfect timing in her life.
“Flowers can be that way, too,” she mused. “Remember when we only had a front porch? And then we only had like two bags of tulips, and now we can plant 2,000, and it’s not even a big deal. It barely takes up any of the yard—that’s crazy.”
“He gives you exactly when you need it.”
Similarly, Abiding Blooms has taught her a lot about embracing the seasons of life. Just as seasons are a purposeful part of life, so are they important for growing flowers.
“Some like to be planted in the cold and some in the warm weather,” she said. And a good gardener can’t rush it.
For example, tulips and daffodils are planted in the fall for a spring harvest. Kristin starts the ranunculus indoors in February and transplants them outside in late winter, to be harvested in May. And zinnias, celosia and dahlias all need to be planted when the soil warms up, so that’s usually in late May for a summer harvest.
Just as in life, she said, the seasons of flowers serve a purpose. She appreciates the reminder flower farming gives her to not rush ahead.
“There’s a mentality that I didn’t realize was ingrained in me,” she said, reflecting on her own life and her bent towards always being busy and productive. “To keep pushing hard…But there’s something that makes you slow down with flowers because you have to wait til the right time to harvest. Every flower you have to harvest in its own season.”
And in the meantime, she said, she tries to be present in the current season she’s in, which includes raising five children ages 4 to 13.
“To be able to sit in your season and wait for what is provided makes you slow down and makes you feel like you don’t have to work all the time in order to have what you need. It allows me to have more balance.”
Today, Abiding Blooms flowers can be ordered directly from her website, picked up in a self-serve cooler on her porch, or purchased through a subscription. For those who enjoy a regular delivery of blooms, visit www.abiding-blooms.com.
Since flowers and chocolates seem like a natural pairing, The Sweet Granada in downtown Emporia has welcomed Abiding Blooms into the chocolate store as a location for subscriber pick-ups as well as single purchases.
Kim Redeker, owner of Sweet Granada, said Kristin just walked into
the chocolate shop one day and asked if she could sell her flowers there.
“She has such a great passion about what she’s doing with her flowers and that came across like in 30 seconds,” Redeker said. “I always love that about a small business owner, so it was really an easy decision to partner with her.”
Kim said Kristin’s bouquets are beautifully put together. It’s special, she said, that they’re all home grown.
“She has the small business, handmade feel that I believe that we’re all attracted to,” Kim said. “It’s a great
pair for us here. We’re handmade batch chocolates, and that’s exactly what she’s doing with her flower farm business.”
While Kristin doesn’t have dreams to grow her business much beyond what she’s capable of handling in this season of life, as a mother and wife, she does hope to expand through educational workshops and other community partnerships as they arise.
“Tulip Talks,” floral arranging and wreath-making classes may be on the horizon.
Emporia’s weight loss clinic
If you’ve struggled with weight loss and felt defeated by one-size-fits-all diets, it’s time to discover a path to lasting change at High Plains Weight Management. Founded by Dr. Charisse Symmonds, this ground-breaking clinic takes an empathetic, personalized approach to overcoming obesity and developing sustainable nutrition habits.
What sets High Plains apart is their focus on treating obesity as a chronic disease that goes beyond simplistic “diet and exercise” advice. As an Obesity Medicine Certified physician — a distinction held by only 8,500 doctors in the U.S. and Canada - Dr. Symmonds digs deeper.
“My role is to identify and address the root causes through comprehensive testing, then create customized nutrition and lifestyle plans for each individual,” she explains.
That plan could include medicine for weight loss, but the overall goal is to create a long term plan that is sustainable and effective for the client, she said.
Nutrition Coaching for Real Life
One size never fits all, which is why High Plains emphasizes nutrition coaching over rigid diets. High Plains offers a nutrition counter with delicious, highprotein drinks and other nutritious meal replacements and snacks. “These products are great for increasing protein in a way that is convenient, delicious, and easy. The nutrition counter and our new salad bar is open to anyone and is not just for clients or patients at High Plains.”
Men and women can select meal replacement protein drinks as well as refreshing, high-protein “pick me ups” instead of sugary sodas, and purchase single drinks or in packs.
Dr Symmonds has perfected her protein coffee that is not only a delicious but great option for anyone looking to cut down on added sugars in their daily routine or morning coffee. “I can make this amazing cafe mocha or cafe latte and even add in flavored collagen and I can make a great morning coffee that has 39 grams of protein and 9 grams
of carbs and only 6 grams of fat and no added sugars and it tastes delicious.”
Symmonds also showcases real-life meal guidance on the HP Wellness Facebook page, and shares simple, family-friendly recipes to establish better eating patterns at home.
If you find High Plains Wellness on facebook and follow our posts - Dr Symmonds will share options at local Emporia restaurants so people know that eating healthy and being healthy doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive and can be fun trying out new things and checking out some great local restaurants.
A Holistic, Empowering Approach
While nutrition is the foundation, High Plains’s holistic weight management program addresses the whole person. Your customized plan may also include medical weight loss aids, fitness plans, mental health support, and even innovative treatments like non-surgical fat removal. “It’s an open conversation to understand what will work best for your unique body, lifestyle, and mindset,” Dr. Symmonds says.
High Plains simplifies your journey by offering:
• Private workout rooms for building confidence
• IV therapies to enhance fat flushing
• Skin tightening treatments to address concerns as you slim down
Above all, you’ll find an empathetic, judgment-free environment at High Plains. “My role isn’t to lecture but to listen and be your coach,” Dr. Symmonds states. “I want to make this the easy button for sustainable change.”
If you’re ready to overcome years of struggle with unhealthy diets, take that first step toward better nutrition and total-body wellness. Call High Plains Weight Management for an appointment today (620-208-9888) or visit highplainswellness.com. Your path to renewed vitality begins now.
UnlockingFutures
STORY BY ASHLEY WALKER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JASON DAILEY AND THOMAS FELTS
Adult Education Teacher is Key to Helping Local Immigrants Realize Their Dreams
It is a Thursday evening in downtown Emporia, and one by one more than a few dozen people trickle into the Adult Education Center located at 620 Congress Street. On a typical night, they would likely be showing up to practice their English grammar, pronunciation or learn U.S. history, but this night was different, it's an evening filled with food, games – and of course plenty of conversation. These former and current students gathered at the AEC for a reunion with each other and with one person in particular: their teacher, Beth Kornowski.
To every student in attendance – each from a country other than the United States – Beth has been the single biggest influence in helping them achieve some of the biggest dreams and goals of their lifetime. She may be small in stature, but their teacher at the AEC is a giant in the eyes of each one.
When Sonia Perez moved to the United States in 2016, she was like most immigrants. She was coming to the States in search of a better life. A single mom, she left her job as a high school math teacher in El Salvador in search of the “American Dream” for herself and her two young children.
But as a non-English speaker, she quickly realized her American Dream may not just be sitting there waiting for her on this side of the border.
When she arrived in Emporia, she got hired at a local industrial plant on the canning line, packing boxes of pet food and loading pallets 10 hours a day, 60 hours a week. It was about the only place she could work where she wouldn’t be forced to speak English, something that she tried to avoid doing at all costs.
But while her job at the plant didn’t require her to speak English, it did require much of her physically. It was difficult and demanding on her body, and something she knew she couldn’t do the rest of her life.
Then she met Beth.
BETH
Beth Kornowski grew up in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. in 2009 after meeting her husband on an online Christian dating website. The two of them moved to Emporia for her husband’s teaching job at Emporia State University.
Soon after, Beth was hired by the Flint Hills Technical College to teach English as a Second Language at the Adult Education Center in downtown Emporia. And for the last 12 years she has been helping students, like Sonia, not only learn English, but reach goals for themselves that they never thought were possible in a new country.
“I just love seeing my students succeed and reach their American Dream. Living out their best selves and their potential.”
Today, there are nurses, teachers, master electricians, business owners, chefs, college graduates and many others in Emporia and beyond whose steps toward their “American Dream” all started with Beth, one person who saw their potential, believed in each one’s ability to reach their goals and then pushed them to achieve them.
“’What’s your dream job?’ is one of the first questions I ask them when they come here,” Beth said.
Every student’s answer is a little different, but what they all have in common is the same obstacle to getting there: speaking English.
Learning English is the key that unlocks everything for these students, Beth said. It can make the difference between achieving their dreams in the U.S. and staying stuck in a job that isn’t for them.
A self-proclaimed lover of language, Beth knows first-hand the difference learning English can make in a person’s life.
“It’s only because of English that I am able to do the job I love,” she said, reflecting on her own journey to where she is today.
Growing up in the Philippines she was fortunate enough to learn English – in addition to four other Filipino languages –and it opened doors for her that otherwise would never have been possible.
Now, with a master’s in ESL from Emporia State University, Beth was able to achieve her own dream: teaching adult students the same language that changed her life.
She’s walked in their shoes and knows the challenges they are facing. She has struggled with learning those pesky short-vowel sounds; felt the fear of speaking out loud; and knows the constant battle of translating in her head first before speaking a word.
But she also knows the joy, confidence and unequivocal freedom that comes with finally mastering the language. And that’s what keeps her coming back year after year, helping these adult learners find the confidence to obtain the skills to speak English.
“I hope my example serves as an inspiration to my students…and I tell my students, ‘ If i can do it then you can do it, too.”
And Sonia was one of those students:
SONIA
Telling her story, Beth’s face beamed with pride.
Despite the higher education Sonia received in El Salvador, she was virtually starting from scratch when she moved to the States in 2016. With very limited English language skills, the former math teacher had to find a job that didn’t depend on her ability to speak English well.
That wasn’t hard to find. She was immediately hired at a local industry to work 10 hours a day sorting cans, packing boxes and loading pallets. No English required.
“My problem was always English,” she said.
The job paid the bills, but that was it. It wasn’t a job she could see herself doing long-term.
“My mind is set to teach,” she said. “And what can I teach the cans that are going in front of me? It was not me.”
That’s when Beth entered the picture. After some encouragement from a friend, Sonia enrolled at the Adult Education Center for $30 and met Beth for the first time.
It didn’t take long for the teacher to realize that her new student was very bright and capable of much more than working on a factory floor. So she asked her:
“Sonia, do you want to work in the factory the rest of your life? What is your dream job?”
Reluctantly, Sonia expressed interest in being a licensed practical nurse someday, a job that not only allowed her to help others, but also an opportunity to teach. The only things she lacked were English language skills…and a load of confidence.
Fortunately, Beth had both of those to offer the young woman.
So, like a coach preparing her player for a match of a lifetime, Beth not only told her she could reach her dream… but that she knew she could accomplish even more than that.
“I really believed in her and that she could go beyond an LPN and become a registered nurse,” Beth said. “I knew she could do it. I saw the potential right away that she could do it.”
Becoming an RN wasn’t going to happen overnight; and it was not going to be easy for Sonia. Beth knew she had every ability if she put her smart mind to it.
“She just needed an extra kick!” Beth said, demonstratively kicking her foot in the air with a chuckle.
And Sonia’s first step was to learn English. Her confidence would come with time.
For the next two years Sonia attended the 2-hour ESL class in downtown Emporia every day after work, often with her dinner and daughter in tow. Little by little she learned not only how to speak, read and write a language she had always been terrified of, but she also learned all about this country that she now called home.
“She would sit right here…hurrying up to eat her dinner… to attend my class,” Beth said, pointing to a desk in the back of the room.
Sonia was all in.
More than anything, she wanted to learn the language and finally be able to communicate with her English-speaking friends and, ultimately, unlock the job that fit her passions and abilities best.
It meant long days, late nights, and many sacrifices to reach her goal. But eventually she got there.
“Beth would give me chocolates and candy to keep me awake during class,” she said, laughing, remembering those evenings trying to make it through an English grammar class after an exhausting day at work.
Over the two years in Beth’s class, Sonia earned her GED, obtained her U.S. Citizenship and gained competency in the English language—huge accomplishments in their own right.
But then came Sonia’s biggest challenge yet. Once again, like a good coach, Beth was there to tell her she could do it:
“Sonia, it’s time to move to the university and pursue your dream,” Beth remembers saying to her student. “You are done here.”
With guarded confidence (after all, she was the oldest student in her classes on top of the challenges of being a former ESL student), Sonia enrolled in a full load of courses at ESU and the nursing school that included classes like biology, math – even public speaking – everything she needed to reach her goal.
She passed with straight A’s.
At 43 years old, the immigrant from El Salvador who was once terrified to speak a word of English just six years earlier, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Today, Sonia is an R.N. in the critical decision unit at Newman Regional Health, doing what she had always dreamed: helping others and teaching patients how to take good care of themselves.
Her favorite part, she says, is the one-on-one time with the patients, helping them with hygiene, for example, or just talking with them.
“Sometimes they just want to talk about life or their children,” she said. “I like listening to them and giving them the time to talk about whatever they want.”
A few years ago, she wouldn’t have been able to do that … at least not in English.
While her job as a nurse can be mentally and emotionally taxing, she said, she loves the life it has given her. She works 3648 hours a week (as opposed to 60 in her previous job) and she is finally doing what she loves.
She’s also finally enjoying a level of independence and freedom that she only dreamed of when she first arrived in the U.S.
“I tell my friends, go to school. You are going to sacrifice a lot, but it’s worth it. Then you don’t have to go to [an appointment] and bring your translator and say, ‘Translate for me.’
“You can do it yourself!”
Achieving this dream has not only put Sonia on a path of making a good living for herself and her family, but more importantly, she’s finally doing what she feels like she was made to do.
“It’s not that I despised the job at [the factory],” she said, “but it wasn’t me.”
Looking back on her journey, she gives Beth all the credit for providing her what she needed at the time to achieve her goals.
“I always compare her to my foundation,” Sonia said. “Like if you have a good foundation then you have a good building.”
“So, for me she’s like my foundation because my plans were not always the best and she was guiding me.”
Beth was also not afraid to push Sonia when she needed it most.
“I truly, truly care for my students and I really, really want to see them successful,” Beth said. “And if I really see their potential, I’m not afraid to push.”
“Yeah, she’s not afraid to push,” Sonia chuckled, agreeing with her teacher’s assessment.
THE CLASSES
The Adult Education Center serves an important purpose in the Emporia area. Whether it’s to obtain a high school diploma, English skills or even citizenship, the AEC is a place for adult students who, for one reason or another, did not have a traditional U.S. educational background but who desire to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to reach personal and/or professional goals.
Vicki Schweinler, the director of the center, sees students enroll for a number of reasons, but the purpose of the center remains the same.
“When life has been interrupted, this is an opportunity for them to move forward in their career, in their lives and be able to do the things that they really want to do.”
“We want to be the pipeline for them to get those things done.”
On average the enrollment on the ESL side of the Adult Education Center averages between 15-20 students a year. It wouldn’t be uncommon to have students from Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Bangladesh all together in the classroom practicing English pronunciation or studying the Louisiana Purchase together. The students come from across the globe.
And they all want to be there.
Beth recognizes the level of commitment it takes for these adult students – most with long work hours and often with families to take care of – to enroll in the classes.
“But I show up because they show up,” she said.
To accommodate for work schedules, the center offers three different sessions throughout the day – morning, afternoon or evening classes.
It's not just English that the students learn. Woven throughout the ESL curriculum is American history and civics. Beth’s goal is not only to teach the students English, but to teach them what it means to be a good American citizen.
“It’s really very important,” Beth said. “Since my students have adopted the U.S. as their home ,I want them to get to know their country and be good citizens, knowing their civic duties and the great men and women of our history.”
“I want them to be patriotic and to love this country as much as they love their home country.”
From the privilege of voting in elections, to being informed about America’s history – for good and the bad – Beth wants her students to know that living in the U.S. is about more than just speaking the language.
“I came to America with rose-colored glasses,” she said of her own experience moving here. “But there are still a lot of reasons to love America.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Beth has served as an invaluable catalyst for many immigrants in Emporia, but she knows there are still many more out there whose lives could be changed with just making a decision to learn English.
“There are so many ‘Sonias’ in the factories,” she said. “There are dentists, there are psychologists…there are so many people who have careers, white-collared jobs in their home countries, but prefer to work in the factory because of the language.”
“We need these people,” she said.
She hopes Sonia’s story, along with the others who have gone through the classes at the AEC, will encourage more to enroll. It’s a win-win. Their lives are changed for the better and the community is much stronger as a result.
Clearly, Beth’s job is more than just a job to her. It’s her calling.
There's nothing else she wants to do…except help more students find their American dream.
SPOTLIGHT
The CALM Standard
Perhaps one of Emporia’s best kept secrets, the Calm agency has carved out a niche reputation throughout the state of Kansas for its service to its foster families and the children they serve. With a decade of service under their belts, the women behind Emporia’s Calm agency have dedicated their lives to placing Kansas children with experienced foster homes.
CALM, named after the first initials of its founding members, is a private child placing agency - working to place foster children, especially within the Intellectually Developmentally Delayed (IDD) population, with experienced foster parents and families throughout the state of Kansas.
“As a team, we have been around since the late 1990s,” Amy Harmon, CEO and founding member of CALM, explained.
Ten years ago, Christine Arndt, Amy Harmon, Laura Tennal and Michelle Ayers stepped up to fill a need in the Emporia community after the Topeka-diocese-based Catholic Charities changed its mission, leaving behind a gap in the community for foster care services.
With an already established roster of foster families and well over 75 years of experience combined among them, working with children in the Kansas foster care system, the women have been able to create not only a niche, well-oiled agency serving the foster care system’s most challenging populations - but also a family.
“We have a great team - that’s what makes us unique,” Harmon said. “We are a small agency, small family feeling. It’s somewhat by design.”
As a child placement agency, CALM licenses and supports foster homes, working with their families to place Kansas foster children with the right homes. CALM families have had a long experience in the foster care system, with an average family having nine years of foster care experience each. CALM serves Kansas children from 0-22 until they either reintegrate with their biological families, get adopted, or transition out of the foster care system and beyond.
“What we do is we recruit families, we train our families and we support our families,” Harmon said. “If a family calls, they get one of us. It’s not an on-call person, it’s not after
hours. We are 24/7/365 days a year.”
With Janell Carter as the team’s dedicated IDD Specialist, CALM has the specialized training, unique skill sets and highly experienced families necessary to provide the highest quality care for the foster children they serve.
“We have a higher standard of continuing education hours for our families. Whereas the state standard would be eight hours, ours is 20,” Carter said. “We make sure that we spend the time with our foster parents to be ready for the children they care for, and then fully support them throughout the course of each child’s stay.”
With the smaller nature of the agency, CALM can commit to a higher standard of education and training for its staff - in fact, all CALM employees are licensed, certified social workers, trauma-informed and trained educational advocates.
“Specifically, we are fortunate to have the experience, the knowledge and the understanding of the programming and services available to the IDD population,” Carter said.
“We always say in our staff meetings, ‘We want to keep a CALM standard,’ Harmon added. “It’s not easy. It takes a lot of work. Because we have such a great
team, we rely on each other to be able to hold ourselves to those standards.”
CALM currently works with around 35 foster families throughout the state - and is continuing to expand. The care and commitment to their families has translated into lifelong relationships, which last far beyond a family’s or child’s time in foster care. CALM employees walk the journey with their families, an unofficial motto for the dedicated agency.
“I just had a call from a family that I was a part of their adoption process,” Harmon recalled. “They had a finalized adoption, but for about two years, they still called if they had a question about something. So, even after our services are done, we still remain connected to our families and hope that they know they can call us. Through the births of their grandchildren or passing of their spouses, we are right there in the trenches with them as they go through their own life journeys.
“It’s humbling to watch them. The families teach our children how to be in a family, and that’s so rewarding to see. These aren’t foster children. They are a brother, a sister, a daughter, a son. We get the opportunity to be a part of many amazing people’s lives.”
Amy Harmon, LMSW
About Amy: Amy received her Bachelor’s from Emporia State University in 1996 and her LMSW from Washburn University in 1998. Starting out as a student intern, Amy worked for Catholic Charities in Emporia until 2013, when she and her team opened the CALM agency.
“I love our CALM work serving families who serve the children in Kansas. We walk the journey of a child placed in their home along with the families we serve.”
Laura Tennal, Office Manager
Laura was the store manager at the Emporia Hallmark for 25 years. Laura
and her husband, Clif, are past foster parents who adopted two children out of care. Years later, Laura reconnected with her previous foster care worker, Christine Arndt and became co-founder and office manager with CALM.
“I’m proud of the agency and the wonderful ladies I work with. We are a small agency and get to know our families and have a quick response to them.”
Michelle Ayers, LBSW
Michelle received her Bachelor’s from Bethany College. She has worked in the social work field for 42 years, during which time she worked as a counselor in a group home, a child protection worker, social worker, foster care worker and supervisor of Level 4 group homes.
“We are a small agency and strive to meet the needs of foster families and children. The staff are experienced and we have a strong working relationship. Most of our CALM homes are experienced in fostering and know that the CALM agency is on call 24 hours to help them if needed.”
LaDeen Allen, LBSW
About LaDeen: LaDeen earned her Bachelor’s degree in social work from Pittsburg State University. She has since spent her entire 46-year career in child welfare, including the past 10 years with the CALM agency.
“I’ve never seen a more dedicated group of women and it’s been so rewarding to watch us grow. Our CALM families are advocates through and through. We are there for them 24/7 as they dedicate their lives to children, many with special issues and needs; our families don’t give up.”
Cindy Kinyon, LMSW
Cindy is a former foster and adoptive parent who received her BSW from Fort Hays State University
in 2002 and her MSW in 2010 from Washburn University. She has been with the CALM agency for 3 years.
“CALM is smaller, more personal, more ‘real.’ My co-workers love what they do, and it shows in their dedication and enthusiasm - the best team I have ever been a part of.”
Janell Carter, IDD Specialist
Janell attended Emporia State University, then spent 20 years progressing through a career serving in multiple capacities for IDD adults and children, spending 7 of those years as Director of Operations for her own HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) agency. Janell is also a currently licensed foster parent. She has been CALM’s IDD Specialist for the past 1.5 years.
“Our families have a reputation for being able to work with some of the most difficult kids in the state of Kansas. They know that they are supported by their workers around the clock, and because of that they are able to put in the hard work; we journey with them through the good and the bad, from start to finish, day in and day out.”
Missy Floyd, LBSW
Missy received her Bachelor’s in social work from Pittsburg State University. She has worked in child welfare for the past 23 years, became a licensed social worker 20 years ago and has worked in child placement for the past 12 years before joining CALM at the beginning of this year.
“I love that the agency aligns with my morals, values and professionalism. Foster families open their hearts and homes fully to love kids who come from difficult places. They truly give so much of themselves and it warms my heart.”
This Old House
Four generations steward one of Emporia’s oldest homes.
STORY BY ASHLEY WALKER
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY JASON DAILEY
Just
a few hundred yards before the south edge of town sits a home that almost looks like it doesn’t belong there. All dressed up in shades of cerulean blue, the pristine three-story Victorian home nearly melts into the sky above. Passers-by can’t help but look its way.
But, in fact, the home – often referred to as “The Kretsinger House” – was one of the first structures built in the area, well outside the city limits at the time.
With the passage of more than 100 years, the dirt road out front that was once traveled by horse and buggy became paved for automobiles and is what we know today as South Commercial Street, or Highway 99. The city expanded, neighborhoods were zoned, the nearby zoo was built and Emporia slowly grew up around it.
Today, it stands tall and pretty (there’s just no better word to describe it) as a snapshot of the very early days of Emporia’s past.
A picture-perfect example of the en vogue Victorian architecture of the time, the home was designed by architect Charles W. Squires and built for William Theodore Soden in 1893 (only 40 years after Emporia was founded) as a wedding gift for Soden’s daughter, Halcyon (Hallie) Britomart Soden Laws.
One hundred and thirty one years have passed and 802 South Commercial is not only one of the oldest homes in Emporia, but the only home that has been passed down through four generations and is occupied by the family still today.
Naturally, with a long generational lineage, the family tree can get a little complicated to follow. So, here is the Cliff's notes version:
• W.T. Soden built the home for his daughter, Halcyon (Hallie) Soden Laws.
• Halcyon (and David F. Laws) left the home to her daughter, Jane Soden Laws.
• Jane (and Herschel Glenn Brockhouse) left the home to their daughter, Kathryn Jane Brockhouse Kretsinger.
• Kathryn (and Bill Kretsinger) left the home to their son, John Kretsinger.
Since 1999, John and Claudia Kretsinger, both Emporia natives – born and raised here – have resided at 802 Commercial, taking their turn at stewarding this special family home.
All in original form—save a few minor alterations over the years, like a screened-in side porch and an expanded kitchen and attached garage, to accommodate some modern conveniences—the home still boasts the classic design elements of Victorian architecture and has been maintained to a T. The fancy and intricate trim and moldings around the porch, windows and gables, dress up the entry, and sets the stage for the elegant interior that was clearly built for entertaining.
The focal point of the house is a round stained-glass window directly above the front door on the second story; and one more just above that on the third story because … why not? It was the Victorian era, after all, more is always more!
A step inside the foyer and a guest might expect to be greeted by Hallie Soden herself. Not much has changed. From the exquisite antique furnishings – each with its own story to tell – to the elaborate period wall
“All things change as the years pass away, save love is the same forever and aye.”
coverings, according to John Kretsinger, 90 percent of the interior has remained the same despite the generations of families who have called it their home over the years.
Out of respect to the home and its rich history, it wouldn’t be right to change it, John said. Although, he did renovate the kitchen when he moved in, he did it all himself, carefully crafting each cabinet and detail as an exact replica of an original built-in armoir in the master bedroom.
In fact, a testament to the strong tie to the home’s history, just inside the front door sits a round lidded China dish that has called the foyer its home for over 100 years. Inside are a variety of small trinkets gathered over the years from around the house, including the keys to the old chicken house that John remembers as a boy his grandmother grabbing from time to time to retrieve items that were being stored out there.
Inside the lid is inscribed the following: “All things change as the years pass away, save love is the same forever and aye.”
In this year’s Home Sweet Home catch a glimpse of some other highlights that have not changed as the years have passed away inside this historic Emporia home.
SPOTLIGHT
Experience the Excitement at Champions Landing
Summer is here and have you experienced Champions Landing yet?
Champions Landing, Emporia’s newest community hotspot, recently opened its doors to a wave of enthusiastic patrons. Nestled within the heart of Emporia at 1801 Rural Street, Champions Landing offers an array of activities from dinning, to pickleball, golf disc, ball golf, walking trails fishing and more.
Under the visionary leadership of owner Jeremy Rusco, Champions Landing has undergone a remarkable transformation, revitalizing the former Emporia Country Club into a vibrant hub of entertainment and leisure. From the moment you step foot onto the property, you’ll be greeted by an atmosphere brimming with excitement and possibility.
“It really is just a beautiful piece of property and a great location,” Rusco said. “I want to make it a place that is welcoming and inviting for the entire community and it’s been exciting to see just how many people are coming in for the first time and are blown away by it. They’ve lived in Emporia their whole life and they had no idea what was here.”
Champions Landing has already played host to a variety of events, from
sports watch parties to the Dynamic Discs Open disc golf tournament. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with visitors flocking to experience everything this dynamic venue has to offer.
At Champs Bar & Grill, sports enthusiasts can catch all the action on upgraded TVs while indulging in a delectable menu of pub favorites. For those seeking a more refined dining experience, The Landing offers panoramic views of the golf course and a menu of fine dining options sure to tantalize the taste buds.
But the excitement doesn’t end there. Champions Landing is also home to Champs Coffee, where guests can sip on their favorite brews while soaking in the breathtaking sunrise views from The Landing. It’s the perfect spot to start your day or unwind after a round of golf. Rusco remarked on the enthusiasm the venue has generated.
“Quite a few comments about this time and time again about how the parking lot has been empty for so many years or not full very often, and it’s refreshing to see lots of cars, lots of people on the property in the building,” he said. “So it really is cool to see.”
As Champions Landing continues to evolve, Rusco and his team are actively engaging with community partners to promote the venue as a regional destination. Thanks to the support of the Emporia community and the City of Emporia, Champions Landing is poised to become a cornerstone of Midwest entertainment.
With plans for future expansion, including the addition of an amphitheater stage and multi-sport complex, the possibilities are endless at Champions Landing. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor from afar, Champions Landing invites you to experience the excitement for yourself.
Rusco highlighted the plans for continued growth, saying, “We are having our first wedding in a couple of weeks. We host Rotary every week. We host different clubs and organizations for lunches or dinners. Private dinners, meetings, corporate dinners. Dances for fraternity. So, you know, anything and everything now in the summer there’ll be an outdoor wedding there. And hoping to bring the Halfway to Everywhere music festival there next year.”
Rusco invites the community to come up and experience Champions Landing and all it has to offer.
MissionOriented
From Kansas to Kenya, Kris Larkin helps improve the lives of young girls
STORY BY SHAYLA GAULDING
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JASON DAILEY AND DAN HUGHES
“Oh gosh, when you say it like that, I do do a lot,” Kris Larkin chuckled over a steamy cup of coffee at HeBrews CoffeeHouse in downtown Cottonwood Falls. The air paid tribute to the freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries – all scratch-made by Kris herself just that morning – as the 69-year-old Oklahoma-native made herself at home in the nonprofit business.
… her life is full “on purpose.”
In fact, Cottonwood Falls is indeed her home and a place close to her heart. It would be difficult to find anyone in the community who didn’t know Kris (and her husband Pat) Larkin. With her hands in just about everything it seems in the historic Flint Hills town – and beyond – she’s a very busy woman.
But she’s not busy just for the sake of being busy. In fact, if asked, she would consider herself “on a mission” for another dot on the map that has also become close to her heart: Kenya.
From brewing coffee to hosting cooking classes to managing local guest homes, her life is full “on purpose” as she uses her gifts and local businesses to improve the lives of young girls living almost 9,000 miles away.
HOW IT BEGAN
Kris met Pat while the two were attending college
at the University of Tulsa, eventually marrying and setting off for the west coast. Before moving to Chase County, the Larkins resided in California for 20 years, where they both held corporate positions that left them little time for much else.
In 2007, some Chase County friends encouraged them to visit the area.
“After we got back from visiting her, we said ‘Oh yeah, this is really beautiful,’” Kris said. “… we really looked at a lot of places because we thought we wanted to do something fun like we do with the Lark Inn.”
The timing was right. Shortly after returning to California, the Larkins received an unsolicited offer for their property management business. Ready to live a “simpler” and more purposeful life, the Larkins accepted the offer for their business and moved to Cottonwood Falls in 2010.
Once in Cottonwood Falls, it didn’t take long for the Larkins to start investing in the small Kansas town.
One of the first things they did was buy a small home for a vacation rental. Slowly, they acquired more and more and eventually their group of 10 homes became their business, fittingly called – “The Lark Inn.”
“My friend who lived here, she rented out our home for that summer we were in Kenya,” Kris explained. “We realized that there was a need for guest houses, so that's kind of how it started.”
Although they now called the Flint Hills home, they still remained closely tied to a special project overseas that began years earlier.
Since a mission trip to Kenya in 2006, when Kris developed a close connection to the people there – particularly the young girls – she has returned numerous times and continually found ways to help meet the unique needs there. Through a series of connections and circumstances, Kris (and her friend, Velda) began their work to help young girls and impoverished Kenyans to create a better life.
“We always knew that when we would do outreaches we would take cartons of sanitary pads out with us,” Kris said. “Women went crazy for them.”
Then one day she and Velda were approached with the idea of starting a sewing school in the village, a school that would not only help provide a very necessary item for the young girls, but would provide a means for the locals to make a living.
THE MISSION
In remote parts of Kenya, Kris explained, young girls are often faced with a choice - buy sanitary pads or eat.
With the added stress of facing ridicule at school, even by female teachers, when it comes to the subject of menstruation, girls in Kenya often miss a week of school a month. The topic of menstruation is so taboo, Kris added, that girls have committed suicide because of the bullying from others when they start their periods at school.
“This is what our main mission is, making these sanitary pads,” Kris said.
The pads are made from acrylic flannel, often sourced from bales of donated clothes dropped off in Kenyan markets, as well as a traditional African fabric to help make the girls more comfortable with the sanitary napkins.
The pads come in kits, which also contain Bibles, soaps, creams and necessary hygiene products, and are distributed for free at schools throughout the country. For the boys, they receive soccer balls and Bibles. Younger students - known in Kenya as the “baby class” - get sweets.
For young girls in Kenya, the reusable pads can be the difference between continuing their education or entering the workforce after eighth grade.
“Even if they can stay in school, there are so many smart women and girls; and if they are missing a week of school a month, they aren’t getting their testing done,” Kris said. “If they are missing a week out of every month, then they are obviously
not going to keep up with the boys, when you know that there are women out there that are just as smart as the boys. So that’s why it is so important that they have some way to not miss school.”
Kris said she and her fellow missionaries have spoken with principals and teachers to see if the girls are actually using the pads and if they are making a difference in reducing delinquency among Kenyan girls. So far, Kris said they have seen positive results. Last year alone, missionaries handed out over 8,800 kits in remote areas.
The work to provide the sanitary napkins is largely made possible by the Larkins' investment in two sewing schools - both managed and staffed by locals. In 2016, the Larkins opened Sew What — Kasarani School of Sewing Arts, located in Kasarani, Kenya. They returned in 2019, opening Stitches and Beads in Marigot, Kenya.
Local tailors work as educators and producers of uniforms, table cloths and more. In addition to providing tailoring services, the schools also help teach the art of sewing to others, helping provide Kenyans' a way to support themselves and their families.
Students of the Larkin’s sewing schools are required to pass testing by the government in order to obtain their license. Following the testing, students can open their own shops, giving them a better chance at supporting their loved ones.
“When they graduate from our schools they do have to pass testing done by the government, but once they pass that then they do have that certificate showing that they could start a business,” Kris said. “Our directors and people that run [the sewing schools] for us, two of them, Sophie and Josephine, were street kids. In 2006, we met them at an orphanage called the Mercy Orphanage, so we ended up calling them the Mercy Kids. It was kind of a weird thing — a God thing, I’m sure — but we met them then and in 2010, Pat and I lived in Kenya for three months for the summer…and those kids that we had met in 2006, they were in the same compound.”
So far, the schools have graduated around 80 tailors from Sew What and around 30 from Stitches and Beads.
CONTINUING THE WORK
Meanwhile, back in Cottonwood Falls, The Larkins are using what they have in Kansas to help their friends in Kenya.
“We started with the guest houses and that kind of evolved into the cooking classes,” Kris explained. “We did the first [house], we bought it from the bank for $5,000 — the one on Main — and when we were doing it, I said ‘Oh honey, I really would like to do cooking classes. Let’s make it so everyone can sit around this main island.’”
Pulling attendees from Chase County and beyond, today the cooking classes are packed. With limited capacity due to space, they fill up quickly.
“It’s funny. If I advertise them, they're always full,” Kris said. “We finished the house in 2012, which is when I started doing them. I just would do them like once a month because the house wasn't that booked and it was great. It was a great way to show off the house, and so I did them like once a month or once every six weeks, and they were always full.”
Now classes are mostly held during the winter months, when properties are booked less often, and 100 percent of the proceeds go toward supporting the Kenyan sewing classes. At each class, Kris pulls from her years of experience and culinary education, presenting a variety of seasonal menus from which to choose.
Emporian Sharon Finley attended one of Kris’s classes for her birthday, taking along a group of girlfriends and her daughter. When they arrived, the women were greeted with winter sangria, roasted grapes, fresh baked bread, assorted cheeses and various compote butters. While they snacked, Kris began to prepare their meal. The ladies stepped in to help cut bread, lettuce, tomatoes and more to make a BLT salad, followed by a meal of brown butter mashed potatoes, braised broccoli rabe and brisket bourguignon - all polished off by an apple pie cake.
“It was really fun,” Finley shared. “I would definitely do it again with another menu … maybe an annual birthday tradition.”
“It’s hands-on and I teach them all kinds of things. And they teach me, I’m not the end all, for sure,” Kris chuckled. “My gift is, I don’t come up with all of these recipes, but I’m really good at putting together a menu.”
The cooking classes aren’t the only avenue the Larkins use to support the sewing school. Through their church, Fire on the Prairie (an H2OChurch.TV campus) — where Pat serves as pastor — patrons and parishioners are able to make donations or purchase items made by the sewing schools — from backpacks to clothes.
“We will have a little market here for them and just help sustain the school,” Kris said. “Anything we can do to help them.”
The proceeds from the church are fitting, as the Larkins said none of the many cogs in their well-oiled machine would be possible without their faith in God.
“It’s only possible through God,” Kris said. “Believe me when you go over there, it’s so overwhelming. You think ‘Oh, my gosh! I can’t do this,’ but I can. I wouldn’t be able to do it without God’s help.”
SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Thomas Kriss has been “rockin’” dentistry in Emporia, Kansas for nearly 30 years. Just one step inside the office, located at 1212 Chestnut Street, and you know Kriss Dental isn’t your average dental practice. Known for their personalized, attentive and comprehensive dental care, “Team Kriss” is there to welcome each patient and make sure that not only are their dental needs met, but they’re comfortable and confident with the care they will receive.
From general dentistry, like crowns and bridges, to cosmetic procedures, like veneers, SureSmile and even Botox, Team Kriss is committed to providing a full scope of dental care to their patients. Meet the doctor and staff that make up “Team Kriss:”
Dr. Kriss, Dentist
Dr. Kriss has been a part of Team Kriss since 1997.
What do you like most about being a part of Team Kriss? The team we have and the passion the staff brings to caring for our patients. Without them we could not do what we do.
About Dr. Kriss: I grew up farming with my dad and brothers in Colby, KS. However, at a young age, I was inspired by my uncle, Dr. Jay Kriss, DDS, to become a dentist. I started at Colby Community College, then KU, and finally, the Univ of NE dental school. In 1997, after graduating, I embarked on a road trip to find a practice to purchase. I ended up buying the practice I am currently in. My wife, Michelle, and I married on 08/08/08, 20 years after our first meeting on 08/88. We put our hearts, heads, and hands together to build Team Kriss at home with our three children, Tayler, Tessa, and Emary, and ultimately at our business. My interests are vast, but I enjoy music, playing the guitar, going to the lake, yo-yos, traveling, and spending time with my family.
Michelle Kriss, Office Manager
Michelle has been a part of Team Kriss since August 2008.
What do you like most about being a part of Team Kriss?
Although I never imagined I’d be running a dental office, much less enjoy it: it has been the greatest experience to build this practice and Team Kriss alongside the person I love in all dimensions, Thomas Kriss.
About Michelle: Tom and I met in 1988 at Colby Community College. We were study partners and wonderful friends for 2 years. After CCC, I studied Civil Engineering at Colorado State University. After earning my BS, I was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy. After 4 years of active duty, I transferred to the Naval Reserve. I worked as an engineer at General Motors in OKC. In 2003 I earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. In 04-05 and 05-06 I was recalled to active duty for service in Iraq. Following my second tour, Tom and I reconnected as the OKC GM plant was closing permanently. That opened the door for me to move to Emporia and begin building the original Team Kriss with Tom and our kids. The Team Kriss concept spilled over into the dentist’s office and has taken root. I enjoy traveling, scuba diving, wake surfing, reading, and performing improv.
Chelcie Mahan, Dental Assistant
Chelcie has been a part of Team Kriss since November 2022.
What do you like most about being a part of Team Kriss?
I love the team chemistry and all the laughs we share with each other everyday! Also, how appreciative our boss is of us.
About Chelcie: I grew up in Madison, KS. I have been a dental assistant for 9 ½ years and love what I do. My husband, Michael, and I have one child, Ryker. In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family and friends, watch sports, and spend time outside.
Ashley Fehr, Assistant Office Manager
Ashley has been part of Team Kriss since March 2021.
What do you like most about being a part of Team Kriss? Coming to a fun environment and working as a team to make the day successful!
About Ashley: I attended FHTC in 2004 for dental assisting and worked for many years as an assistant. Currently, I am the assistant office manager and can help with all your billing, insurance, and scheduling needs! In my spare time, I help my husband, Mike, on the family farm. We have two beautiful daughters, Clara and Violet.
Sydney
Gould, Patient Care Coordinator
Sydney has been a part of Team Kriss since March 2023.
What do you like most about being a part of Team Kriss?
I like how fun it is to work here, and how appreciative our boss is of us.
About Sydney: I am married to my high school sweetheart, Jake. Together, we have a son named Brody, and we are dog parents to our mini Aussie, Milo. I enjoy arts and crafts, cleaning, shopping at Home Goods stores, and doing basically anything outdoors. I also enjoy being around family and friends and being a Chiefs fan!
Ashley Hernandez, Dental Assistant
Ashley has been a part of Team Kriss since March 2022.
What do you like most about being a part of Team Kriss?
I love how close of a family we are, the laughs and tears, and the support we get from every member of Team Kriss.
About Ashley: I’m originally from Abilene, KS. I live in the country with my husband, Austin, and our 2 dogs, Buck and Jaxon! In my free time, I enjoy anything outdoors, traveling, lake/camping season, hanging with my family/ friends/dogs, watching the Chiefs, and managing my own small business of making car freshies.
Jenna Morris, Hygienist
Jenna has been a part of Team Kriss since June 2020.
What do you like most about being a part of Team Kriss?
I like that we can all have fun, be serious when needed, and we are all willing to work together to make our work days easier. I also love building patient relationships and promoting good oral health along the way!
About Jenna: I am originally from Great Bend, KS. I graduated FHTC with my associate’s in dental hygiene in 2020. My husband, Dagan, and I have one son and two dogs. In my free time, I love to travel and spend time with family!
Kasey Besack, Hygienist
Kasey has been part of Team Kriss since March 2024.
What do you like most about being part of Team Kriss?
Being a lifelong local it’s been really nice seeing familiar faces and making connections with people in my local community.
About Kasey: I went to Lebo High and graduated from Flint Hills Technical with my dental hygiene degree. I live out in the country between Olpe and Hartford with my boyfriend. We have two dogs, three cats, chickens, and honeybees.
Stevie Kriss
What do you like most about being part of Team Kriss?
Working here is the best because I get scratches and “What a good girl!” all day long.
About Stevie: Besides being a part of Team Kriss, if there’s one thing I can’t live without it’s my family. My favorite song is “Beer in Mexico,” by Kenny Chesney and I dream of one day getting to share a beer with KC Wolf.
They always cared about the players and our families but also they taught us all a sense of pride about wherever we were playing no matter how young we were, the importance of representing our community and the town of Emporia.
—Gracie Gilpin
STORY BY ASHLEY WALKER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON
DAILEY
DOUBLE-TEAMING DOUBLE-TEAMING DOUBLETEAMING
emporia brothers invest in local youth athletes and community
If you or your child has lived in Emporia long – and has been even remotely involved in youth sports – it’s very likely that you have run into “Coach Stew” on the court, the field, or both.
If you didn’t know any better, you might think that he is a very busy man, coaching both middle school and high school basketball, middle school and high school football and even more club teams during the “off season.”
But, lucky for Emporia (and lucky for him) he’s not the only “Coach Stew” in town. There are two — Brett and Brad — and the 53-year-old brothers not only share a birthday, (they are identical twins) but they share a passion for sports and youth and have used that passion to give back to their community through coaching Emporia school sports teams and club/recreational leagues, nearly since the time they were high school athletes themselves.
For our 2024 Hey Mister, we want to introduce you (in case you are one of the few in town who haven’t met them) to Brett and Brad Stewart. Born on September 18, 1970 in Emporia, Brad and Brett attended William Allen White Elementary School and graduated from Emporia High School in 1989. They both attended Emporia State University and the twin brothers have spent the last 20 years investing in young athletes by coaching (basketball, football, soccer and softball); teaching good skills and sportsmanship, modeling what it means to be a part of
a team and more. At one time or another, most young athletes in town have had the privilege to play under one or both Coach Stews, and are better players — and people — because of it.
On the following pages we hope you learn a little more about the “Coach Stews,” how they’ve seen youth sports change over the years; what they want to teach their athletes; what they wish every parent of a young athlete knew; and even some fun facts about growing up as a twin in a small town.
He always just wanted what was best for the girls and worked hard trying to get us better. He treated me like I was his own daughter. He worked hard trying to get us better for every better. He knew when to get on you but also knew when to give you a break. He taught me how to control my emotions and that helped me get better.
—Addie Kirmer
Growing up playing youth sports, Brett and Brad, besides my parents, were probably the most influential people in the community supporting and encouraging us to be the best we could be. I love those twins and their families!
—Gracie Gilpin
BRAD
Brad is a business account executive at ValuNet Fiber. He is married to Jennifer and father to Spencer, 23; Skyler, 21; and Sheldon, 18.
BRETT
Brett is a sales director at Trustpoint Insurance. He is married to Michelle and father to Braxtyn, 25; Broderick, 23; and Maddyn, 20.
What is it like growing up in a small town as twins?
Brad: Not that much different than having other siblings. We may have been a little more well known just because we were different.
Brett: It gave a lot of people something to talk about with us.
We know you are identical twins, but what are some differences between Brett and Brad?
Brad: Not a lot. We usually like the same things, have similar interests. I may be a little more outgoing than Brett…but not much.
Brett: Not sure there are a lot of differences. People would probably say we act the same, speak the same. We have a lot of the same friends and interests. I am sure most people would say I am way cooler than him.
Any funny stories about being a twin growing up in a small town?
Brad: Not really…we were pretty boring.
Brett: I can’t remember any from growing up, but it still happens to this day. We meet someone and they say…”Didn’t I just meet you??”
What sports were you involved in as a kid?
Brad: As a youth, we played soccer, baseball, basketball and flag football.
Brett: We played them all: basketball, football, baseball, soccer. We would even play some tennis here and there.
Why did you stay in Emporia?
Brad: I really enjoyed Emporia growing up and ESU was a good fit for what I wanted to do and experience. We are fortunate that we can live in a smaller town, but still have access to bigger city options with a quick drive to Wichita, Topeka or Kansas City. Then I met my future wife here and we started building our family here.
Brett: That’s a good question. I always felt that Emporia was a big enough town to give my family enough opportunities that we were looking for. My wife and I felt it was a great town to raise our kids.
What is it about Emporia that makes it a great place to raise a family?
Brad: I think it's the people.You can see that with how they have embraced the community events like the different bike races and the disc golf events. I have many examples of people from all over moving to Emporia because of those events and what makes those events go…it’s our community.
Brett: I feel that Emporia is not just a town. It’s a community. Just look at how this town embraces causes and events. People get involved. Whether it’s the Unbound Gravel events, Flint Hills Tech Auctions, zoo fundraisers, ESU events etc. … that is one thing I take pride in for Emporia; is to watch how we rally together for things.
How do you give back/invest in your hometown? Why is that important to you?
Brad: I think you get out of your community what you put into it. I have been an SOS Board Member, a part of the SOS Strong Ambassador campaign, I am an Elder in our church. I have been involved with Emporia Basketball Academy and have helped coach youth in the Emporia Recreation programs.
Brett: I think it's very important. This is what makes our community better. Getting involved. I am a current elder and member of Emporia Presbyterian Church; board member for the Flint Hills Optimist Club; and board member of Emporia Basketball Academy. I have been involved with Lyon County Crime Stoppers, USD 253 Committees and numerous others.
How have you seen youth sports change (for better or for worse) since you were growing up here?
Brad: The biggest change that I have seen for youth sports is the different levels you can play. You can choose your schedule based on the level of play that you want to see. It can be anywhere from Rec leagues to several different competition levels in all sports. That is a positive thing.
Brett: The specialization of sports is one of the biggest changes. A lot of kids don’t play multiple sports growing up anymore. In my opinion, this hurts their development as an athlete. Different sports utilize different skill sets. Improving all these skills help kids become better athletes. The good is that there are more opportunities for kids than ever before. Whatever level of competitiveness a kid is looking for, it’s out there.
As coaches, what is the most important thing you want your kids to come away with after a season?
Brad: As a middle school coach, I have two main goals. The first is to try to get them prepared for what they are going to see at the high school level so when they get there, they are ready to step in and start to contribute right away. The second is to help them realize that representing your school and community in any organization is a big deal.
Brett: That winning is nice, but how did you compete? Did you compete to your best abilities in every game? Did you compete for every loose ball? Every rebound? Every tackle, every block? No matter the sport, I want kids to learn
to compete. And most importantly, be a good teammate. There is nothing worse than a selfish player on a team in a team sport. There is nothing like being part of a team.
What is something you wish every parent of a high school athlete knew?
Brad: Whether your son or daughter is getting two minutes a game or 20 minutes a game…enjoy the ride of watching them play and complete ....it goes by fast.
Brett: What it takes to be a competitive athlete in the sports in high school. You have to work at it! Kids cannot sit around all summer and then when their sport starts up, think they are ready to go. I am not saying kids need to spend 12 months a year on each sport, I am just saying you have to continually work to improve your skills.
What is something you wish every high school athlete knew?
Brad: That playing any sport in high school is a privilege…don't take it for granted.
Brett: How fast it goes. Kids only have four years to play with their friends. It's going to go quick. Enjoy it and appreciate it. Because it will be some of the best times or your lives and you will miss it.
What are you most proud of as a coach?
Brad: I think I am most proud of the fact that when I see a former player and I get a smile, handshake or a hug, it makes me feel good about the relationship we were able to have together.
Brett: Probably establishing relationships with the kids. I can’t tell you how much pride I feel when kids come up to me after I am done coaching them with a smile on their face and they seem happy to see me.
Turning basic denim into beautiful designs
STORY BY SHAYLA GAULDING AND ASHLEY WALKER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JASON DAILEY
Katie Langrehr was always told she couldn’t make a living as an artist. As a young girl right out of high school, she believed it. For several years she pursued a college degree and a “real” job that she was told would pay the bills while she did her art as a hobby.
Fast-forward a few years and thanks to some unusual circumstances and a few strokes of luck, Katie is proving – mostly to herself – that with some hard work, a willingness to try new things, and (obviously) a lot of natural talent, a career doing what she loves just may not be out of the question.
Paint brushes in all sizes and styles spill out on top of her desk, and bottles of acrylic paints, in rainbow order of color, neatly stand at attention. Katie gently arranges her canvas as she prepares to get to work. Some faint outlines have already been made to act as guides for her brushes. This time, it’s a large arrowhead and the letters “C-H-I-E-F-S.”
She’s been commissioned to do a special piece in celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win. The canvas of choice? Denim.
Designing and painting on a denim jean jacket may not be what most people immediately think of when considering artwork. But Katie has found a special niche in the world of art and she’s winning the game of becoming an independent artist and business woman in her own right.
In fact, it was the Chief’s Super Bowl win that was one of those strokes of luck that helped propel her “hobby” into a thriving “business.” The 27-year-old was commissioned by a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader to design a custom white denim jacket to take with her to the championship game in Las Vegas in January. Including a variety of details such as the years the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, the Chief’s lucky #4 and even the winning plays from each Super Bowl victory.
The jacket took 35 hours to complete, and even required an all-nighter to get the piece finished in time for the cheerleader’s trip to Las Vegas.
The Super Bowl jacket was an unexpected opportunity for the young artist/businesswoman and is among one of her favorite projects so far, she said.
“It was so cool because she took pictures at a party. I was like ‘That’s crazy.’”
An interesting combination of street graffiti and tole painting, Katie’s bright and bold jackets have not only been shipped out to more than 20 states across the country, but have also been purchased by local clients. For sports teams, musical groups, brides, special events, even for teacher appreciation gifts, Katie has painted jean jackets for a wide range of people and occasions.
Katie’s Artistries, as she calls her business, began “accidentally” during the COVID-19 pandemic, after a request
from a friend of a friend who had seen some of her work on glassware and traditional canvas.
“The first [jacket] I ever did was for this girl who messaged me and said, ‘Hey, have you ever painted on a jacket,’” Katie recalled. “And I was like ‘No, but I’m sure I could do it.’”
After many tutorial videos and some practice, Katie had found a new “canvas” for her art.
“It turned out really cool; and from there I just kept getting orders,” she said.
While her custom-painted denim jackets are now Katie’s best sellers, the lifelong artist said she never imagined painting would be in her future. In fact, she had never enjoyed painting at all.
“When I was in high school and I took advanced art classes, I only ever drew,” she said. “I refused to paint. … I literally never thought I would be painting at all. It’s just funny how everything works out.”
Katie comes by her love of art honestly, with many of her family members also using their creativity in their professions and hobbies.
“My whole family is really artistic. My grandma, she does portraits. My dad paints houses and my sister graduated from ESU with a graphic design degree and my other sister does hair,” Katie said. “So, we are all super creative. It just always ran in our family.”
Katie herself never imagined she would be able to actually earn some money on her art. In fact, she was often told otherwise. When her sister moved to attend Emporia State University, Katie soon followed after, in search of a profession that fit her interests.
“I’ve always been really creative. When I was in high school, I took AP art classes and advanced stuff. People always told me ‘You can’t make money off of art. You have to go to college for something else,’” she said. “I couldn’t really decide what I wanted to do. I was doing elementary education and then I changed and I was thinking art therapy, but people told me I wouldn’t make any money, so basically I just didn’t go back.”
After three semesters at ESU, Katie started working, eventually landing a position at the Newman Regional Health at the emergency room desk. Three 12-hour shifts per week allow her to help supplement her income while still focusing on her art.
“It allows me to do this more often,” Katie said. “It’s really picked up the last six months. Right now I have seven orders, which is the most I’ve ever had. Usually, I only have like two at the most.”
Although Katie enjoys the artistic process of designing and painting the jackets, what she loves even more are the people she meets along the way:
“What I enjoy most is actually not the artwork itself,” she said. “It’s been meeting and interacting with people all over the world, and being a part of such special events even though I’m so far away. My jackets have been gifts to many… “
One of her most memorable jackets was made for a local woman, Emporian Yesenia Vazquez, wife of Tumbados Car Club founder Arturo Vazquez-Flores. Vazquez heard about Katie through coworkers who had also ordered custom jackets.
“She has a jacket that was made by Katie and I thought it was just very unique, very different,” Vazquez said. “I just started
asking her ‘Did you purchase it that way or where did you get it?’ And she told me about Katie.”
Vazquez had been trying to get the logo of her husband’s car club printed on her clothes, with no luck. When she pitched the idea to Katie, Vazquez said she jumped on the opportunity.
“He has this passion for his cars and tries to pass on his knowledge onto our kids and the people around him that also enjoy low riders. He takes a lot of pride in his Cadillac,” Vazquez said. “I’ve been wanting to have my husband’s car club logo on something of mine. … And oh, my God, I loved it.”
“I wasn’t very sure because it’s so detailed. The logo has so many little details that I’ve tried other places to have shirts made but have been turned down because of the detailing on this logo,” Vazquez added. “And she said, ‘Yeah, let me give it a try.’ She told me she hasn’t really done something like this and so she would give me a little here and there and, I mean, I loved it.”
After receiving the jacket, Vazquez has ordered two more items from Katie — custom cups for her friends. Vazquez said she gave Katie some facts about her friends and let her work her magic.
“I asked can you just put something together for me, and she nailed it,” Vazquez said. “She goes above and beyond and she’s listening. She’s paying attention to every little detail you tell her and she nails every order she does. I’m definitely coming back.”
Vazquez said Katie went above and beyond, rushing the orders for her friends and taking the painstaking time to capture every detail of her husband’s logo.
“I get so many compliments,” Vazquez added. “It’s just so pretty.”
To make her jacket designs, Katie uses acrylic paint mixed with a fabric medium to make the jackets flexible. She either freehands or uses stencils from the Cricut machine to help make her designs clean and high-quality.
Every jacket is customizable, even the design that you see on her Etsy page, though her Chiefs designs are some of her bestsellers, she added. Customers can either supply their own jackets or Katie can source a jacket for them for an extra $30.
“I always prefer people to bring their own or mail it, just so I can be sure it fits,” Katie added.
On average, Katie said her denim designs take around 20-25 hours. In addition to the cost of paint and supplies, memberships to Cricut and everything else she needs to run her small business, Katie said she hopes to someday be busy enough to truly do art fulltime.
“I remember my high school art teacher said ‘I think you are going to go to college and you are not going to like it and then you’re going to do something with art.’ And it was just so funny because now that’s exactly what I am doing,” she laughed.
You can find Katie’s Artistries at @katies. artistries on Etsy, TikTok and Instagram.
SPOTLIGHT
