For over 30 years, Stormont Vail Health has proudly served the Emporia community, and we’re just getting started.
Set to open in 2028, our new, state-of-the-art campus at 18th and Road G, will bring expanded access and services, advanced technology, and a more comfortable experience for our patients. This new facility is more than a building — it’s a promise to continue growing with Emporia and investing in your health.
The Providers You Know. The Care You Trust.
Until our new campus opens, our dedicated team will continue to provide high-quality care at our current clinic location at 1301 W. 12th Avenue.
Schedule your appointment today, call (620) 343-2900.
www.stormontvail.org/emporia-clinic
Cy Anderson, M.D. Internal Medicine
Todd Detwiler, M.D. Family Medicine
Tim Duncan, M.D. Internal Medicine
Rachel Duncan, M.D. Internal Medicine
Joan Grother, APRN Family Medicine
Pam Harrison, M.D. Family Medicine
Christy Jansen, M.D. Pediatric General
W Kretsinger, D.O. Internal Medicine
Lauren Miller, D.O. Internal Medicine
Tabatha Morgan, APRN Internal Medicine
Jennifer Murphy, APRN Family Medicine
Angela Price, APRN Internal Medicine
Scott Smiley, M.D. Internal Medicine
Robert Stewart, M.D. Family Medicine
J Samuel Tovar, M.D. Family Medicine
Be part of the Hornet Nation!
Thanks to the Emporia State University Year of Celebration, all ESU home athletic events during 2025-2026 offer free general admission. Just show up and show off your Hornet spirit!
Plus, other events throughout the university offer you and your family the chance to connect with the community and engage with events like Science Saturdays at PAROC, youth sports clinics, music recitals and more.
See the full list of ESU events!
Learn more about the Year of Celebration
FROM the EDITOR
What’s next.
In August, we squeezed our son goodbye as he started college—the last of our children to leave “the nest.” It was the end of a chapter for us, for sure—although sometimes it felt more like turning the last page of a favorite book. I wasn’t quite ready for it to end.
In the middle of that strange season, a friend gently reminded me, “Healthy birds leave the nest.” So true. I think about those words often, especially when I’m tempted to look back instead of ahead. They’re a comforting reminder that this new chapter, while different, is exactly as it should be—and that there are even better things ahead.
And like good friends also do – to add a little levity to the moment – she reminded me that we really aren’t empty-nesters just yet. Our stubborn, silly, lazy, big-hearted, hopelessly affectionate, 60-pound English bulldog, Jack, who joined our family just in time for the “empty nest” is still around and very much in need of our unconditional love and gentle guidance (if you know bulldogs, you know). He’s done his best to fill Will’s empty chair at the table and stands as proof that new seasons can bring their own kind of joy. It was just what I needed to hear to lean into what’s next.
The truth is, every new chapter—no matter how it begins—asks something of us. It asks us to loosen our grip, to look forward, and to imagine what might come next. And maybe that’s what this issue of Sallie is really about: the quiet courage it takes to begin –or begin again. Whether that means starting something new (“Home Sweet Home”), pushing toward new goals (“Sharp Shooter”), rediscovering an old passion (“Drawn by Fire”), or simply seeing familiar places and faces in a new light (“Because of Elleana”), these stories remind us that change holds its own kind of beauty.
We just need eyes to see it….and good friends to point us in the right direction sometimes.
Thank you to our advertisers who support Sallie and allow us to tell the stories of our community year after year. Without you, we could not publish this magazine.
Welcome to Sallie 2025! We hope you enjoy this year’s story selections.
Now sit back, relax, and enjoy this year’s edition of Sallie Magazine. It’s nice to see you again!
Ashley Walker Editor and Publisher
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wood
THE unique art of Laura Spencer when THE Speaks
Most people wouldn’t expect to “hear” what a slab of wood has to say. But for one local artist it’s the very first step in the creative process.
STORY BY AUSTIN HOAGLAND | PHOTOS BY JASON DAILEY
Before the first line is drawn, wood artist Laura Spencer spends months— sometimes even years—waiting for the right piece of wood to “speak” to her. Her canvases, found at sawmills, online, or even hauled in from out of state, are each as unique as the art that is destined to be burned upon it.
But once inspiration strikes, the burning begins. A small machine heats the wire tip of her pen, which she holds like a pencil. But unlike graphite, this pen demands a great deal of patience and precision.
“People go too fast, like it’s a marker,” she says. “But no—you have to slow down.”
Too much pressure can create burn holes that have to be meticulously corrected in the sanding process. Instead, pyrography (the technical name for the ancient craft) requires a gentle hand—and, perhaps most importantly, a calm spirit.
You’ve got to be in a good ‘lack of control’ mindset...”
“You’ve got to be in a good ‘lack of control’ mindset,” Laura explains. “Let it happen. If it works, great. If not, that’s okay. The wood is always gonna win.”
Pyrography
Laura’s medium is pyrography, otherwise known as wood burning, which is the ancient art of “writing with fire.”
Laura is able to transform plain slabs of maple, cherry, and box elder into richly detailed works of art.
Her subjects range from vivid Kansas sunflowers and sweeping Flint Hills landscapes to whimsical birds and scenes that look as though they’ve stepped off the pages of a storybook.
A Path Forged in Fire
Laura’s artistic DNA runs deep. Her mother is a gifted painter; her older brother has a talent for watercolors; her father, she laughs, “could draw Fred Flintstone like no other.” Family dinners often ended with the table covered in sketches.
Laura decided to follow in her family’s footsteps and study visual arts at the University of North Dakota, but quickly realized that her studies weren’t what she continued on page 16
continued on page 18
expected. This sent Laura on a journey to find her calling—taking a gap year, going to school for theatre set design, and even traveling overseas for studies.
It was during this time that a friend casually asked Laura a question that would change her life: “Have you ever used a wood burner before?”
The answer, at the time, was no, but that’s when Laura remembered something: a wood-burning pen in her mom’s garage. “I just started making little presents for people,” she says.
Her fun “side hobby” of wood burning wouldn’t become a real business until several years later during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I picked up wood burning as the world shut down,” she said. “I thought I could open an Etsy and just do this for fun.”
It wasn’t perfect at first. Laura had a lot to learn about which wood to use and
how to “listen” to the wood—burning designs that matched the grain of each piece.
“When you have a blank canvas, it can be anything you want it to be, and with that comes intimidation, but wood encourages and pushes you,” she said.
Finding Kansas
When love brought her to Kansas from North Carolina, she quickly adapted her art to reflect Kansas landscapes and wildlife: bison, prairie birds, and the sweeping Flint Hills. Her husband, a biology graduate, even helped her identify and color her avian subjects with scientific accuracy.
“When people are in awe of a piece and say, ‘It feels like it was supposed to be there’—that’s what I really love,” she says.
To help sell her works, Laura began showing off and selling her pieces at art fairs.
Laura enjoys seeing people’s reactions to her work. “People assume it’s laser-cut,” she says. “But no, I’m literally drawing this with a hot pen.”
While she saw a fair amount of success up north selling her wood burnings at mountain art shows, Laura had to adjust to only selling at a small number of big city shows when she moved to Kansas.
continued on page 22
“When you’re only doing two shows a year, there’s so much pressure to do good at those two shows,” she said. “It became a numbers game for me instead of enjoying it.”
A laundry list of fees and expenses required just to be a vendor at an art show meant that Laura spent some shows worrying about breaking even, much less making a profit. That took away from all of the time, effort, and emotion she put into every piece she would put up for sale.
“It’s really gross when you’ve made something you’re so proud of, and then you go, ‘Did I make money? Or is that my gas money?’” she said.
These days, Laura sticks to her Etsy and sells at local events like the First Friday Art Walks. This way, she can sell her art in a much more casual way while not having to worry as much about how to pay for all her expenses.
Community and Connection
In addition to exhibiting and selling her art across Kansas, Laura teaches lessons, mentors young artists, and lends her talents to local nonprofits.
To help raise awareness of the foster care system Laura created a unique piece for Radical Life, a local nonprofit for atrisk families, depicting a boy sleeping peacefully in his bed.
“She was the perfect answer to our prayer request,” recalls director Lindsay Smith. “She just brings so much joy to everything.”
Looking Forward
Much like the blank wooden canvases she regularly faces, each holding the potential for something beautiful, now with a baby on the way, the next season of life Laura is entering also holds something unexpected.
“When you have a blank canvas, it can be intimidating—you don’t know what it’s going to be,” she reflects. “But with wood, it encourages you and pushes you. You just let it happen.”
For Laura, that philosophy applies not only to her art but to her life: a steady hand, an open heart, and the patience to see beauty in unexpected places.
Just as each stroke of the wood-burning pen is one step closer to a completed piece, Laura continues to evolve her craft—collaborating with others, fostering the next generation, and taking time to find the next piece of inspiration.
STRAIGHT SHOOTER:
How a Kansas Girl Became a World-Class Sharpshooter
Megan Hilbish steadies her breath, locks her sights on the 10x target, and squeezes the trigger. The crack of her rifle echoes across the Bisley Century Range in Great Britain. A perfect shot. Moments later, the U.S. Goodwill Randle Team clinches the British National Smallbore Rifle Association Championship — and Megan, a young woman from Emporia, Kansas, realizes she has just helped secure an international victory thousands of miles from home.
STORY BY JESSIE WAGONER | PHOTOS BY JASON DAILEY
From Basement Practice to Big Stages
Megan’s journey began at just seven years old, when she joined 4-H and fired her first BB gun. From that moment, she was hooked. She spent hours on her parents’ land outside Emporia — and even in her basement — perfecting her aim. She logged every shot in a notebook, determined to improve.
“Every shot I take, I’m not just improving as a shooter — I’m improving as a person,” Megan said.
Her determination carried her from BB guns to smallbore rifles, then to the Junior Olympics, and on to collegiate competition at Ohio State University. In 2018, she won the Intercollegiate National Championship. When her college career ended, she set her sights even higher: the international stage.
Earning Her Place on Team USA
At the U.S. National Matches last summer, Megan proved she belonged among the best. Ranking second among all American sharpshooters — and the top civilian in the field — she secured her spot on Team USA.
“I believe I have a God-given natural talent at it, and I worked really hard and practiced every day,” she said.
In August, Megan and her mom, Bev, traveled with the U.S. team to Great Britain. Competing in the British National Championships, she shot for both the women’s and combined men’s and women’s teams. The women took first place, while the combined team placed third.
“It was an honor to get selected and then to get to go,” Megan said. “We shot against their top ten women, in the same weather conditions, same course of fire — everything. It was an incredible experience.”
“Every shot I take, I’m not just improving as a shooter — I’m improving as a person.”
– Megan Hilbish
Life Lessons from the Firing Line
From her earliest days with a BB gun to competing internationally, Megan says shooting has given her far more than medals. It has taught her self-discipline, leadership, sportsmanship, and the value of hard work. Her parents never imagined that giving their daughter a BB gun would one day lead to global competitions — or to their daughter becoming a fierce advocate for Second Amendment rights.
Giving Back Through Instruction
Megan’s commitment to the sport extends beyond her own success. At 14, she became a Junior Instructor with 4-H, helping other youth build their skills. Today, she is a certified firearms, pistol, archery, and rifle instructor. Alongside her parents, she continues to volunteer as a 4-H leader in Lyon County, paying forward the opportunities she was given.
Advocacy at the Capitol
Megan’s passion has also taken her to the Kansas State Capitol. As executive director of the Kansas State Rifle Association (KSRA), which serves more than 3,000 members, she acted as a registered lobbyist during the last legislative session. She testified in committee hearings, spoke at the Capitol, and advocated for the protection of firearm rights.
“I think everyone deserves the right to protect themselves and their loved ones,” she said. “Shooting taught me so many
valuable life skills. It’s important to defend, protect, and preserve this right for future generations.”
Building the 10X Chick Foundation
In addition to competing and instructing, Megan founded the 10X Chick Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting firearms in a positive light and training youth and adults in marksmanship.
Recently, the foundation purchased a mobile hoverball archery range, which Megan takes to events across Kansas. Using recurve bows, she introduces people of all ages to archery, giving them a safe and welcoming first experience.
“My goal is to help grow the 10X Chick Foundation so I can continue giving back to the shooting sports community that has given me so much,” Megan said.
Shooting for the Future
Megan has no plans of slowing down. She continues to travel across the U.S. for competitions and is eager to expand her international experience. Already, she has represented the U.S. in Great Britain and Azerbaijan — and she hopes to add many more countries to that list.
“To have the opportunity to represent the U.S. and compete against people from all over the world…it’s really neat to develop those friendships and fellowships,” she said.
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What would Dad do?
Second-generation family-owned business carries on legacy of uncompromised customer care and attention to excellence
Family-oriented. Friendly. Hard-working. Kind. Highest of standards.
These are just a few of the words that described the late Danny Giefer, former owner of Mr. G’s car washes. But now, in the hands of the next generation of owners, Jeff Giefer and Kacey Schick, the things that made Mr. G’s Emporia’s favorite place to make your vehicle gleaming again remain the same today. It’s a place where high standards and excellent customer care come first and where the question is always asked, “What would dad do?”
Danny’s son, Jeff, recognizes the unparalleled legacy his dad passed on to him and his sister. “We are a family-owned business that cares and supports the community,” he said.
“We love interacting with customers and welcome their suggestions. We’re continuing to work towards my Dad’s goals of making Mr. G’s something the community is proud of.”
A family business
Mr. G’s has always been built on family values. Jeff and Kacey spent their childhood growing up in the car washes, watching their father work, but learning the tools of the trade along the way.
After having children of their own, one of Danny’s dreams was to see his grandchildren work there one day.
“He loved bringing them over here, taking them to scoop mud, or just trying to get them involved as much as he could,” said Kacey.
When tasked with what to do with the business moving forward after their father’s passing, Jeff and Kacey listed that dream as a big part of their decision to continue running the washes, wanting to fulfill that wish.
Now, with the children ranging from ages 8-12, they have grown an interest in joining the family business. From putting on the signature Mr. G’s polo shirt to learning how to run the
register, it’s only a matter of time before the next generation of the Giefer family is providing the same excellent service that has made them a cornerstone of the community.
“They’ve already talked about how their friends are gonna work here,” said Kacey. “It’ll be interesting.”
Excellent customer service for all
It isn’t just the Giefer family who will go above and beyond to ensure your experience at Mr. G’s is top-notch.
A big part of service is attitude, and one of Danny’s biggest points to his employees was how long simple acts of kindness went towards ensuring customers leave satisfied.
“For him, the biggest part of the business is kindness,” said Kacey. “He always reminded everyone to smile at the customers.”
The easiest way to ensure that level of service is met is by creating
an atmosphere where employees want to smile. Jeff and Kacey, working with a staff of about 15, always ensure their staff are made aware of any compliments that they receive and are told when they are doing a good job.
Doing the work
Anyone who knew Danny Giefer knew just how hard he worked. Between his jobs with the city and Mr. G’s, giving back to the community, and spending time with his family, it would be hard to find someone with a better work ethic.
“I was with him when he fell off a ladder, off a tree, and I had to drive him home. But you know what? The next day, he’s back up, going again, back to normal,” said Jeff.
Now, Kacey and Jeff take on that work for themselves. From keeping the car washes functional and operating in great condition to making sure every customer and employee is happy when they exit the doors, you will see the same drive for greatness when you come to Mr. G’s.
Always giving back
Mr. G’s is more than a car wash. It is a part of the community of Emporia, and that can be seen through their tireless commitment to giving back.
Danny made numerous donations to local nonprofit organizations, gave free washes to local bus drivers, and ensured that the buildings themselves were worked on by local contractors.
“He was big on supporting different organizations and events in Emporia. They’d reach out to him when he was at something, and ask for a donation,” said Kacey. “We continue to do that to this day.”
Kacey and Jeff have continued to donate to different organizations, with recent contributions made to SOS and the Gary Fuller Memorial Shootout.
Nothing but the best for Emporia
Mr. G’s has won numerous awards since the opening of its first car wash in the early 80s.
Danny always strove to innovate and bring the latest cutting-edge technology to Emporia, scouting at car wash shows to find out how he could make the next improvements to his locations.
“Even though Emporia is just a small town, he wanted everyone to have the same opportunities or options as the bigger cities,” said Kacey.
Kacey and Jeff have made it their mission to ensure that through consistent service, maintenance, and care, Mr. G’s continues to be the standard for car washes in Emporia and beyond.
Mr. G’s Car Wash 2032 W 6th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801 (620) 208-9274 mrgs-express.com
From left to right, Danny’s grandchildren Tenley, Karter, Kennedy, Arrie & Leighton
PLUMB Perfect: ¢
The revival of an Emporia icon
.
Chris Stanley turned a crumbling Emporia landmark into a place of history, healing, and hospitality.
“I think that this place has actually saved me.”
Chris Stanley never expected to find salvation in a decaying Tudor-style mansion wedged between a gas station and a liquor store. But after countless friends and advisors warned her not to, she placed a last-minute bid on the 1894 estate once owned by Emporia founder Preston Plumb. Against all odds — and $244,000 later — she became the new owner of what is now known as The Regal Plumb.
STORY BY AUSTIN HOAGLAND PHOTOS BY JASON DAILEY
wWhat followed was more than a restoration project. It became therapy, purpose, and a way to reconnect with her community.
A Historic Past, A Fragile Present
The Regal Plumb has seen many lives. Originally home to Preston and Carrie Plumb — whose penchant for “no budget” additions gave the house its grand library and second-floor ballroom — the mansion later became a YWCA residence for single women. For a century, it served as a place of safety and belonging, until it fell into disrepair and narrowly escaped demolition. When Chris stepped inside, ceilings sagged, black mold crept behind wallpaper, and remnants of old fires lingered. “This place was a pit,” she admitted. “I wanted it to be old and mysterious and wonderful, but I wanted it to be safe and updated.”
Challenges, Quirks, and Character
Renovating within historical preservation guidelines was anything but simple. Disputes over doors, lighting, and paint slowed progress, but the house’s quirks became part of its charm. Non-functioning fireplaces remain intact. Antique bathtubs now serve as flower beds and drink coolers. And one “water closet” may well be the smallest bathroom in Emporia’s history. Perhaps the most striking feature is the octagonal law library, still filled with Plumb’s original books. A re-felted antique Brunswick pool table anchors the billiards room, surrounded by portraits that honor the home’s history. Chris added her own sparkle, too. Family heirlooms from
The mansion became more than a project. It gave her purpose, joy, and a place to welcome others.
Renovating within historical preservation guidelines was anything but simple.
Stanley Jewelry, the downtown store her family operated for nearly 70 years, now adorn the home — silver cabinets, glittering antiques, and her beloved Waterford crystal chandeliers. “I’ve lived with these chandeliers my entire life,” she said. “They’re part of me.”
A Family Affair
Just as her family once worked side by side in the jewelry business, they now pitch in at The Regal Plumb. Her daughter-in-law, Tina, helps design events; her granddaughter Lily lends a hand at parties; and her son Eric coined the home’s elegant new name.
Since reopening, The Regal Plumb has hosted weddings, showers, reunions, and
“I wanted it to be old and mysterious and wonderful, but I wanted it to be safe and updated.”
anniversaries. Many of its rooms are also available on Airbnb, blending its historic grandeur with modern hospitality. Looking ahead, Chris dreams of planning her own parties — including a masquerade ball that nods to Plumb’s legendary soirées.
A Place of Healing
For Chris, who had recently closed her family business and was recovering from Multiple Myeloma remission, the mansion became more than a project. It gave her purpose, joy, and a place to welcome others.
“Every day is a blessing, and I want to use mine making people happy,” she said. “This place has saved me — and I think I’ve saved it, too.”
Dan Hughes THE ORIGINAL Gravel GRINDER
Meet this year’s “Hey Mister”: Dan
Hughes
For nearly two decades, Dan Hughes has been the Gravel Cycling sport’s constant: a four-time winner, bike shop owner who helped design the first gravel-specific bikes, Gravel Hall of Fame inductee and a storyteller who’s lived every phase of the gravel movement from fringe beginning to mainstream. And now, he calls Emporia home.
STORY BY CHRIS WALKER
PHOTOS BY JASON DAILEY
A Shop, A Laboratory, A Canvas
Dan’s long arc in gravel begins not at a race start line, but behind the counter of Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, a store in Lawrence, Kansas he owned. The shop—half outdoor outfitter, half cycling hub— wasn’t just a business. It was a laboratory. In the early 2000s, before “gravel” existed as a category, Dan was experimenting with setups that could handle the region’s roads: wide-clearance steel frames, cyclocross geometry, tires big enough to float over the chunk but efficient enough to carry speed. He worked with framebuilder Brent Steelman to push the idea further. The result wasn’t quite road and wasn’t quite mountain. It was something new, something that could sustain long rides on Kansas backroads. On weekend “hundies,” Dan floated
away from friends wrestling mountain bikes through the rough. What he was riding was, in effect, the first gravel bike.
“Back then, people looked at what we were doing and said, ‘Why would you want a bike for that?’” Dan recalls. “The answer was simple: because that’s where we ride. We didn’t need a name for it. We just needed bikes that could survive Kansas.”
The First Race
In 2006, when word reached Lawrence that a couple of riders in Emporia were organizing a 200-mile race on gravel, Dan didn’t hesitate. He loaded his experimental bike, showed up at a modest hotel off Industrial Road, and joined a field of thirty-four riders.
That first morning was nothing like today’s UNBOUND start chute. There were no announcers, no gantries, no cowbells. Just a handful of riders in mismatched kit, scribbling their names on waiver sheets under the flickering lights of a roadside motel. Cue sheets—not GPS—were the only navigation, and the Flint Hills were the judge. Half the riders finished. Dan won.
“No one thought this was a thing,” Dan says, laughing. “It wasn’t gravel then—it was just a bunch of weirdos seeing if they could ride all day without dying. But something about it clicked. The roads, the distance, the Flint Hills— they humbled you.”
Growing With the Sport
Dan came back every year, collecting four wins between 2006 and 2013 and every year the event swelled—first to hundreds, then to thousands. Emporia itself shifted, moving the finish downtown, turning what was once a curiosity into a community festival. Gravel wasn’t just surviving; it was thriving.
As the sport grew, so did Dan’s involvement. Bike brands noticed. He worked closely with Specialized and other manufacturers, offering insight on how to build bikes and gear that could handle the unique demands of Kansas gravel. “It wasn’t just about selling bikes,” Dan says. “It was about shaping the bikes so riders could actually finish. You had to think about bigger tires, stronger wheels, and gearing that could keep you moving when the wind came for you.”
Gravel wasn’t just surviving; it was thriving.
That advice extended to riders too. New pros entering the sport sought him out, trying to understand what the Flint Hills would throw at them. Dan became both competitor and guide, explaining the quirks of Kansas gravel—how to ration water in the long stretches between checkpoints, how to read the wind, how to stay calm when the flint shredded a tire thirty miles from help.
A New Chapter: StorytelliNg
After decades in the bike business, Dan eventually sold Sunflower. “It was bittersweet,” he admits. “That shop was my identity for so long. But I also knew gravel had given me something new.”
He wasn’t left wondering for long. Within days, the team at Life Time, which owns UNBOUND and other continued on page 62
endurance events, invited him into a new role: helping tell gravel’s stories.
Now, Dan covers events as a writer and photographer. His eye is trained less on wattage and podiums than on the human side of gravel—the expressions in a rider’s face at mile 190, the dust-caked embrace at the finish line, the quiet moments at checkpoints where dreams are saved or shattered.
“Everyone sees the winners,” Dan says. “But the real stories are in the middle and the back of the pack. That’s where gravel lives—people pushing further than they thought possible. That’s what I love to capture.”
The Gravel Hall of Fame
In 2022, Dan was among the first group inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame—an honor that recognized not just his victories, but his role in shaping the culture and identity of the sport. For Dan, it was more than a plaque on the wall; it was a validation of gravel’s journey from backroads curiosity to global phenomenon.
And its location mattered. “If you’re going to have a hall of fame for gravel,” Dan says, “it has to be in Emporia. This is continued on page 65
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Emporia is the beating heart of gravel.
where it all came together—the roads, the people, the spirit. Emporia is the beating heart of gravel. Anywhere else wouldn’t make sense.”
Calling Emporia Home
Eventually, the pull of the Flint Hills became permanent. After decades in Lawrence, Dan got married to Paulina and moved to Emporia. Their story was forged in the infamous 2015 “mud year.” Together they built a life around the community that had embraced gravel as its identity.
At home, cycling isn’t just Dan’s obsession— it’s theirs. Between them they have close to 30 bikes, enough to turn moving day into a logistical puzzle. Dan laughed about how finding a house wasn’t about square footage or countertops—it was about garage space. Of course, Dan insists the overcrowding isn’t because of his bikes. “It’s not my twenty bikes that are the problem,” he says with a grin. “It’s Paulina’s ten.”
“Because of E
Elleana: ”
HOW ONE EXTRAORDINARY CHANGED
EVERYTHING gift
STORY BY JESSIE WAGONER | PHOTOS BY JASON DAILEY
Six months ago, The Emporia Gazette sat down with Elleana Bennett just days after she had donated a kidney to her dad, Robert. At the time, she was still in pain, processing the enormity of what she had done—something few young adults could imagine.
Now, half a year later, both Elleana and her father have made full recoveries. He has a new lease on life, and she has gained a perspective that will shape her future forever.
SMALL SCARS, LASTING IMPACT
Today, the only outward signs of Elleana’s donation are a few faint scars.
“I feel so good, sometimes I forget it even happened,” she says with a laugh.
But while the scars may fade, the impact of donating a kidney to her dad will remain with her forever.
Locals often recognize her as “the kidney girl,” a nickname she takes in stride. But Elleana is quick to point out that she is much more: a daughter, sister, athlete, roommate, sorority member at the University of Kansas, and a future dental student.
“Donating a kidney is something I did for my dad, and I’m so thankful I did it,” she explains. “But it’s not the only thing I’ve done, and it isn’t my whole personality.”
Still, the experience has shifted how she views medicine, mental health, and what really matters in life.
Lessons in Medicine and Mental Health
Elleana has dreamed of becoming a dentist since childhood. After completing her third year at KU, she recently sat for her dental school entrance exam. The transplant gave her a firsthand look at healthcare teamwork in action.
“Everyone had a role to play—the nurses, the doctors, the people cleaning the rooms and sterilizing the equipment,” she recalls. “That collaboration was a good lesson for me for when I become a dentist.”
The process also underscored the importance of mental health. The screening to become a donor was grueling, and while she passed both medical and psychological evaluations, she was surprised by the lack of emotional support after surgery.
“It was so hard—I was emotional, in pain, and worried about falling behind in school,” Elleana says. “Anyone who donates a kidney should have a therapist. I was sent home with no resources, and it shouldn’t be that way.”
Thankfully, she found one on her own—someone who continues to help her navigate the emotions of being both a donor and a college student.
A Father Restored
Before the transplant, Robert Bennett’s health was declining rapidly. Fatigue, weight loss, and frequent illness made it difficult to travel
continued on page 76
“Because of Elleana, and how healthy and young she is, it’s unlikely I’ll ever need another kidney transplant.”
— ROBERT
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Larry Finley Laci Hansen Robert Davis Brian Tackitt
for work or enjoy time with his family. Dialysis loomed on the horizon.
The transplant changed everything. Today, he’s back to traveling, baking sourdough bread, spending time with his wife Shalla and daughters Elleana and Emeil, and enjoying family activities that once felt impossible.
“Because of Elleana, and how healthy and young she is, it’s unlikely I’ll ever need another kidney transplant,” Robert says. “This kidney should last the rest of my life.”
For Elleana, the transformation is deeply rewarding. She recalls moving out of her Lawrence apartment this summer, smiling as her dad carried heavy boxes.
“He would have never been able to do this before,” she says. “It’s like we have our dad back. He can cook, work, and just be part of our everyday life again. I’m just glad he’s here with us.”
Strengthening a Bond
Elleana describes her dad as a “total girl dad.” He made breakfasts, attended events, and cheered his daughters on in school and sports.
After the transplant, that bond deepened. They shared hospital meals, endured recovery side by side, and spent two weeks together in an Airbnb near the hospital— synchronizing their medication schedules, talking late into the night, and even enjoying his signature breakfasts again.
These days, Elleana treasures their evening walks.
“I just like walking and talking with him,” she says. “We talk about everything, and I’m so thankful we can do that together.”
Advice for Future Donors
For those considering kidney donation, Elleana has practical advice:
• Be realistic about recovery.
“I underestimated the pain,” she continued on page 78
admits. “It hurt more than I expected, and I probably went back to school too soon.”
• Ask for help. She leaned on friends, professors, and family during recovery. “Most people want to help, but you have to let them know what you need.”
• Prioritize rest. “Be prepared to nap,” she says. “I didn’t take recovery seriously enough, and it probably made mine longer.”
Despite the challenges, she has zero regrets.
Looking Ahead
Elleana is now back at KU, busy with classes and dental school applications. She recently returned from Honduras, where she helped staff a dental clinic and reconnected with friends. Robert continues follow-up care but is back to a full life with his family.
The Bennetts are making up for lost time—traveling, cooking, and simply being together.
“We have a lot of good stuff ahead,” Elleana says. “I didn’t have to do this. I wanted to, because I wanted my dad to be part of our family for as long as possible.”
“Inspiring the Future; Honoring the Past”
The NTHF recognizes career teachers, preserves educational history with a museum, and inspires current and future educators to make education their career.
In 2014, The NTHF established the Memorial to Fallen Educators, a permanent tribute to educators who literally “gave their all” for their profession. It became the first national memorial in the state of Kansas in April of 2018, and is now the National Memorial to Fallen Educators, located at 18th and Merchant.
Find Directions and Discover more at www.nthf.org
Leading with Purpose
Photo by Kenny Rodriguez, 2Squared Media
When Tayler Wash stepped into the role of Assistant City Manager in August 2024, she brought with her a deep commitment to service, a background in education and government, and a passion for strengthening communities. A year into the position, her impact is already being felt across the City of Emporia from economic development to internal leadership to community engagement.
Wash has played a key role in advancing programs that fuel growth and revitalization throughout the city Her leadership in securing and managing funding tools such as Rural Housing Incentive Districts (RHIDs), Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs), Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), and
Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) has opened the door for new business opportunities, expanded housing options, and infrastructure investment. She also collaborates across departments to pursue grants that directly support quality of life in Emporia, ensuring that these resources are strategically aligned with long-term community goals.
In addition to her work on the development side, Wash is spearheading the Civic Leadership Institute, an innovative outreach program designed to help residents better understand the inner workings of city government Now in its second year, the Institute connects community members with city departments, giving them an inside look at the services, decisionmaking, and systems that keep Emporia moving The program has become a valuable bridge between City Hall and the people it serves fostering transparency, trust, and civic pride
Internally, Wash also serves as the direct supervisor of the City’s Communications, Information Technology (IT), and Human Resources teams. Under her guidance, these departments have strengthened their collaboration, improved citywide support systems, and enhanced employee resources and outreach. Her work behind the scenes has helped modernize internal operations while ensuring staff have the tools they need to serve the public effectively.
Wash earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Emporia State and a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri She began as a teacher in Kansas City, then transitioned to local government roles, including Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Organizational Effectiveness Coordinator, building a strong foundation for public administration Raised in Wyandotte County, her leadership is shaped by hard work, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive impact In Emporia, she’s found a place to put those values into action and she’s just getting started.
