The Independent’s 2020 Top Ten Party
Each of the individuals selected to be honored in The Independent’s 2020 Class of Rising Stars were big dreamers about professional success, but more importantly about giving back to our community. Heartfelt congratulations were given to the seven honorees, Ruth Brackney, Jason Carter-Solomon, Chuck Cuda, Chris Miller, Bess Wallerstein Huff, India Williams, and Jason Wright, at a festive gathering at the 1900 Building on February 20th. Partygoers dined on fantastic fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions. Also recognized were Our Town’s non-profit organizations that were honored during The Top Ten Events of 2019 presentation.
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Alpha-Lit KC lit up the 1900 Building. |
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Hannah Neel and Paige Engle, Big Brothers Big Sisters KC; flanked India Williams, 2020 Rising Star. |
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Joan Cabell, Alzheimer’s Association; and Joanne Schafer |
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Brick Huffman, Boy Scouts of America; Eric Chinnery, and Ryan Shriver |
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Anne and Norbert Russ with Lisa Shea |
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Kirk Williams and Jo Anne Gabbert with Julie Kaul and Jason Roth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City |
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Missy Accurso and David Accurso, featured artist |
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Chuck Cuda, 2020 Rising Star; with Denise Wiese and Megan Clemens, |
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Shawn and Holly Mihal, Ruth Brackney, 2020 Rising Star; and Joyce Layman |
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Nancy and Ed Wallerstein |
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Lara Klover and Jessica Kerrigan, Jackson County CASA |
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Vincent Anch, Catholic Education Foundation; and Enrique Chavez, Diamonds Direct |
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Theresa Gaul, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas; and Kerry Gentry Hartnett |
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Polly Kramer, Erik Bergrud, and Kassie Sands, MOCSA |
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Sarah Pence Bloss, Amy Castillo, and Gemma Zook, Ability KC |
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Tracy Mattis, KidsTLC, Jenny and Jason Wright, 2020 Rising Star; Dr. Erin Dugan, KidsTLC; and Bob Dunn |
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Kimberly Wilkerson and Micheal Lawrence, Big Brothers Big Sisters KC |
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Laurence Freeman, Rockhurst High School; and Dr. Patrick and Shannon Lillis |
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Maddy McClure, Big Brothers Big Sisters KC; and Jill Harlan |
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Robin Levine, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; and Julie Schlueter, JDRF |
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Olga Elmanovich, Diamonds Direct; with Ruth Brackney, 2020 Rising Star |
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Erin McNamara and Paige Seidel, ALS Association |
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Paola Rivera and Erica Kiehnhoff, American Heart Association |
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Amanda Nichols and Shelli Jaye, American Heart Association |
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Jessica Kerrigan, Lara Klover, Tahir Atwater, and Angie Blumel, Jackson County CASA; flanked Mira Mdivani. |
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Dr. Dred Scott, Boys & Girls Clubs of GKC; and Jo Anne Gabbert with Julie Kaul and Jason Roth, |
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Polly Kramer, Kassie Sands, MOCSA; and Erik Bergrud and Kimberlee Ried |
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Kelsie Fell and Lynette Wheeler, TMC Foundation |
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Allison Malott, Ronald McDonald House Charities |
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Ashley Osborn and Allison Chael, First Hand Foundation |
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Kristy Ladd Culp, CCVI |
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Olga Elmanovich, Diamonds Direct; and India Williams, 2020 Rising Star |
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Tammy Butterfield and Victoria Bezzole, The University of Kansas Health System |
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Vincent Anch and Amy Meara, Catholic Education Foundation; Shannon and Dr. Patrick Lillis, and Derek Teeter |
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Olga Elmanovich, Diamonds Direct; and Jason Wright, 2020 Rising Star |
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2020 Class of Rising Stars: Ruth Brackney, Jason Carter-Solomon, Chuck Cuda, |
Additional photos featured in the March 7, 2020 issue of The Independent
Photo Credit: Bailey Pianalto Photography
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