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a hello from us.
President and CEO Stephanie Meyer Vice President of Programming & Communications Taylor Limoges Director of Membership Pamela Yonker
Editor Jean Teller jteller@sunflowerpub.com Designer/Art Director Shelly Bryant Advertising Executive Connie Roberts croberts@sunflowerpub.com Copy Editor Leslie Clugston Andres Contributing Writers Corinn Ayers Jackie Hostetler Pamela Mahajan Rachel C. Murphy Kari Williams Contributing Photographers Kevin Anderson Brooke Buck Molly Kuplen Strauss Peyton Portrait Studio Publisher Bill Uhler Director Bob Cucciniello
On the Cover Alexsa Sinco, 12, now splits her time at Bach to Rock between private lessons in voice and guitar and the band Static Stars. Photo by Strauss Peyton Portrait Studio
Dear Leawood Community and Business Associates, School buses are back on our streets, and the familiar hustle of a new school year has returned—all unmistakable signs that fall is approaching in Leawood. I want to welcome our students, teachers, school staff, and families back for another great year. The quality of our schools is an important part of what draws families to Leawood and keeps them here. In turn, our work as a city—from maintaining safe streets and infrastructure to providing parks, recreation opportunities, and public safety services—helps create a community where families and students can thrive. That connection makes the education focus of this issue of Leawood Magazine especially meaningful. We are fortunate to have outstanding schools and educators, along with businesses and organizations, that give young people opportunities to learn, explore, and grow beyond the classroom. That same commitment to the future guides our work as a city. Safe Streets Leawood is examining how we can make travel safer for everyone, including by creating safer routes to school. You can see that commitment taking shape along 83rd Street, where improvements include new walking paths and bike lanes, expected to be completed in spring 2027. The comprehensive plan update process, Leawood Rooted and Reaching, and the Leawood Development Ordinance update are also helping us plan thoughtfully for Leawood’s future while preserving what our community values. Each of these efforts is ultimately about looking ahead and making informed decisions today for the generations that will call Leawood home tomorrow. Follow their progress at leawood.org. I hope you enjoy learning more about the schools, organizations, and businesses featured in this issue. To everyone beginning a new school year, I wish you a successful year and a wonderful fall in Leawood. Mayor Marc Elkins Mayor, City of Leawood
There is something energizing about the start of a new school year. Backpacks are packed, calendars fill up again, and families across our metro are settling back into familiar routines. We are especially fortunate to be served by two exceptional public school districts: Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission, which are both consistently recognized among the best in Kansas and the country. Leawood families also benefit from excellent private and parochial schools, adding to the range of highquality educational opportunities available in our community. Strong schools are about far more than academics. They are a key part of Leawood’s quality of life and economic vitality. Great schools help attract and retain families, strengthen our workforce pipeline, support property values, and make our community more attractive to businesses and employees alike. And learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. Leawood businesses such as Bach to Rock and Code Ninjas give students opportunities to explore music, technology, and new interests outside the classroom: They are great examples of how our business community helps support local families and the next generation. As another school year begins, it’s a good reminder that some of Leawood’s greatest assets are the people, institutions, and businesses that create opportunity here. To our students, educators, and school staff: Welcome back! And to the businesses helping young people learn, grow, and discover what they love, thank you for being part of what makes Leawood such a special place to call home. Stephanie Meyer President & CEO, Leawood Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council leawood | 5
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inside the pages. 8
Chamber’s ‘Best of Johnson County’ a Boon for Local Businesses Networking helps small business owners find their place in Leawood.
14 Firm Educational Foundations Blue Valley Educational and Shawnee Mission Education foundations create opportunities for students and teachers alike.
20 Coding and Life Lessons Code Ninjas Leawood allows youngsters to learn STEM skills while expanding creativity and confidence.
24 Bach to Rock Franchise expands owners’ love of music.
34 Leaders Look to Expand Opportunity Johnson County’s colleges welcome new leadership and bold investment.
PHOTO Molly Kuplen
42 Leawood Events
Making coding a fun exercise is key to children’s success at Code Ninjas.
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Taylor Limoges (from left), Pamela Yonker, and Stephanie Meyer staff the Leawood Chamber of Commerce office.
Chamber’s ‘Best of Johnson County’ a Boon for Local Businesses Networking helps small business owners find their place in Leawood. By Kari Williams
Photographs by Molly Kuplen
More members. More events. More recognition. Since Stephanie Meyer was named president in October 2022, that’s been the Leawood Chamber of Commerce’s theme. Now sitting at 400+ members—a 27% increase from when Meyer joined—and hosting nearly 100 events last calendar year, the chamber is a two-time recipient of the Johnson County Post’s Best of Johnson County award. The accolade, according to Meyer, validated the work the team has put in over the years for the Leawood community. “We’ve gone through a number of changes within the chamber, including the structure and overall dynamic,” she says. “We’ve walked out on a bit of a limb with some of these decisions, so it’s heartening to hear that it’s being so well-received that we’d be considered for something like this once, let alone twice in the last three years. It’s a good feeling.” And for businesses to be associated with a chamber that has received the accolade is further validation, Meyer says. Chamber, Business Partnership Robin Krause, owner of Billie’s Grocery, 3614 W. 95th St., joined the Leawood Chamber of Commerce “almost immediately” after the gluten-free store opened in 2023. She says that involvement has helped them connect with businesses they otherwise may not
have known about and introduced Billie’s Grocery to a broader audience. Meyer, only the second president in the chamber’s history, conducted surveys and held listening sessions with members once she assumed the role. Those interactions revealed an interest in reviving networking events that had gone dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, Meyer and her team got to work. The chamber established its Leawood Business Series, a free continuing education event in which experts speak on various business-related topics, and Leadership Leawood (leawoodchamber. org/events/leadership-leawood), a “five-month immersive leadership development journey,” according to the chamber. Since its inception a —STEPHANIE MEYER few years ago, each leadership class has been full and had a waitlist.
People like to end the day talking to fellow business (owners) and friends in a casual setting, making those business connections and that’s been the case since before I came. Now that we’ve ramped those up, they’re even more popular.
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FIFA
and the Leawood Chamber The Leawood Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Marc Elkins partnered in a citywide effort to help businesses and residents succeed when the FIFA World Cup came to town earlier this year. A $50,000 Small Business Readiness Grant Program helped several businesses prepare for the World Cup tourism spike, with assistance ranging from translating menus to helping restaurants upgrade or revamp their spaces. Of the 36 applications, eight received funding: Revocup
Brown Suga
$10,000
$6,000
Ice Cream Bae
Summer Salt Ice Cream
$6,000 The Boba Club/ Bruú Café
$8,000
$4,500 Lalli’s Boutique
$4,250
Creative Culture Talk of the Town
$7,000
$4,250
PHOTOS Brooke Buck
A three-on-three recreational youth soccer tournament was held at Leawood City Park as part of the city’s kickoff festivities. At the end of the tournament, the winners competed against Sporting KC alumni Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, and Tim Melia. “It created all this fun buzz,” Meyer says. “To watch these kids play former professional soccer players was really, really cool. The kids were so excited.”
90+ 27% 26 By the 1,800 Numbers: 250+ 400+ 5 months networking events held in 2025
increase in membership since October 2022
restaurants expected to participate in the 2026 Taste of Leawood
invested business leaders
small businesses represented
chamber members as of August 2026
PHOTO Ryan Coody
duration for Leadership Leawood, the immersive leadership development program
attend, giving small business owners the opportunity to interact with C-suite executives. “I think that split here in Leawood is pretty unique,” she says. “And having the ability to reach across that spectrum and really network, target and get to know people who are in businesses that you would not interact with in any other setting, I think is really nice.” Putting Out the Welcome Mat The chamber network also is welcoming when new businesses enter the fold. Sometimes walking into a networking event can be “momentarily terrifying,” but Meyer says it’s fun to watch current members immediately involve new businesses and take a genuine interest in them. “We see these relationships grow and flourish, and they’re all really working to help each other, not just their own business, which is remarkable to see,” Meyer says.
The latest accolade for the Leawood Chamber of Commerce: First place in the Best of Johnson County contest.
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But the biggest improvement, according to Meyer, has been the growth of the Young Professionals programming. “Taylor (Limoges, vice president of programming and communications) on our team really took the Young Professionals—a piece that dovetails nicely with the leadership program—and really just ran with it,” Meyer says. “And we have 60 or 80 people at Young Professionals events consistently.” Overall, the annual restaurant-focused Taste of Leawood is the most popular community event, while networking events are especially popular with chamber members. “People like to end the day talking to fellow business (owners) and friends in a casual setting, making those business connections,” Meyer says, “and that’s been the case since before I came. Now that we’ve ramped those up, they’re even more popular. It’s not unusual to get 100 people at one of those events.” Attendees represent the business diversity in Leawood’s “chamber ecosystem,” which Meyer says is about 56% small businesses, plus several corporate headquarters. That dynamic, according to Meyer, makes the chamber events interesting and fun to
Best of Johnson County: Chamber of Commerce WINNER Leawood Chamber of Commerce FINALISTS Lenexa Chamber of Commerce Olathe Chamber of Commerce Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
Krause, a Shawnee Mission East High School alumna, says opening Billie’s Grocery in Leawood and working with the chamber made it feel like coming home. Chamber representatives attended the grocery store’s ribbon-cutting, and Krause met her photographer through a chamber event. “They have a good way of bringing people together and putting you in the know … They’re like your cheerleaders,” Krause says. For more information about upcoming events, or to join the Leawood Chamber of Commerce, visit leawoodchamber.org.
Find us in Ranch Mart, down the sidewalk from Dewey’s Pizza and Fry’s Car Care.
Everyone has a story. What will be yours? Visit Story Boutique for your next unique find. • Designer, vintage and gently pre-loved clothing • Fine jewelry and statement fashion pieces Shop for a cause! Each purchase, donation and volunteer hour makes a difference in our community. Learn more at StoryB.org Boutique Hours Monday from 11 am to 4 pm Tuesday – Friday from 10 am to 6 pm Saturday 10 am to 5 pm Sunday Closed Ranch Mart Shopping Center 95th Street & Mission Road 913.642.2292 | Storyb@KCHospice.org @StoryKCH
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Firm Educational Foundations Blue Valley Educational and Shawnee Mission Education foundations create opportunities for students and teachers alike. By Rachel C. Murphy
Photographs by Brooke Buck
Susan Tideman and Kimberly Hinkle live for moments of realization—moments when a student learns about a scholarship that puts college within reach or when a teacher receives the grant that makes a new program possible. As executive directors of the Blue Valley Educational Foundation and the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, respectively, they have witnessed many of these moments over the years, and their work continues to create more opportunities. These moments are made possible through a host of robust programs designed to enhance the support the school districts already provide. Partnering with corporations and fundraising through special events help the foundations fund the next step in learning. While their missions are similar, each foundation takes a different approach to creating opportunities in its district. Foundation Bridges the Gap to College For the roughly 4,000 Shawnee Mission juniors and seniors, navigating the application process and then finding ways to pay for college can feel overwhelming. In 2019, the Scholarship Shawnee Mission program started breaking down those barriers through direct partnerships with colleges around the country. The program is free and requires no minimum grade point average or test scores, leveling the playing field for students from all backgrounds and academic records. Hinkle says the program has not only matched students with billions in scholarship dollars since 2019 but also introduced students to colleges they might not have otherwise considered. “It really flips the admissions process to look more like it does for athletes. If you’re a star basketball player, colleges are coming to you and saying, ‘Here’s what we want to offer you,’” Hinkle says. “That’s what’s happening for our Shawnee Mission students.” Students who opt into the program are presented to more than 80 college and university partners.
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Students at Mission Trail Elementary react to announcements of the Blue Valley Educational Foundation’s Surprise Squad grants. Photograph courtesy Blue Valley Educational Foundation
Many are offered scholarships based on their transcripts and demographic data, and in-person events in September allow students to decide which schools might be the right fit for them. Last year, program partners awarded $7.7 billion to Shawnee Mission students. Hinkle says the money gets the headlines, but the program also helps break down administrative barriers to accessing college. “The college admissions process is incredibly difficult, even for families where both parents went to college. It’s even more pronounced for first-generation college applicants whose parents have never navigated this process,” Hinkle says. Long before college scholarships enter the conversation, the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation fosters opportunities with corporate partners through projects and internships that develop market-ready skills. Hinkle says internships may be available only in upper grades, but career exploration starts in pre-kindergarten and continues through a student’s educational journey. The foundation works closely with the district to support their real-world learning focus, and Dr. Michael Schumacher, Shawnee Mission superintendent, says their support is essential for student success. “Our students and staff are highly appreciative of the ongoing support of the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation,” Schumacher says. “We have an excellent working relationship with them that has helped to enhance the district’s ability to provide real-world learning opportunities and offer invaluable experiences for our students. SMSD’s theme for this school year is Building Tomorrow Together, and the partnership we have with our education foundation is a powerful example of what is possible when communities collaborate and work effectively together.” Stoking Passions for Education When teachers want to go further than the standard curriculum, Blue Valley Educational Foundation executive
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director Susan Tideman says they make it happen. Their Grants of Educational Excellence program bestows 160 to 180 classroom grants to help enrich the classroom experience or create an innovative program. Over the past five years, the grant budget has increased from $150,000 to $290,000, and all qualifying grants have been funded. With additional fundraising through events, they awarded $423,000 last year alone. Tideman and the foundation circulate and alert teachers of their funding on a day she calls Surprise Squad. “We go to every school in the district, and we leave money behind, and it’s full of every emotion you can imagine,” Tideman says. Teachers write grants that must adhere to state standards, but they can range from inviting guest speakers like graphic novelist Jerry Craft to speak to 4,000 middle schoolers to funding Cole’s Coffee Crew, a program for special education students to run a coffee service for teachers. The funds raised by the coffee sales then pay for a Thanksgiving celebration for the special education students and their families. Last year, the foundation started a new district-wide grant fund of $35,000 for projects that help more than one school. The initiative was so successful that it’s been renewed for the future. Dr. Gillian Chapman, Blue Valley superintendent, credits the foundation for giving teachers the fuel and funding they need to succeed. “The Blue Valley Educational Foundation is an incredible partner in helping us turn ideas into opportunities for students. Through investments in our educators, innovative learning experiences, and programs that support students’ academic and personal growth, the foundation helps us do things public funding alone cannot always accomplish,” Chapman says. “Their support opens doors for students to discover new interests, solve real-world problems, and see possibilities for their futures they may not have imagined before. I am proud to support an organization committed to providing exceptional opportunities for all students.” From top: The staffs at the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation and the Blue Valley Educational Foundation help students and teachers reach for the stars.
Top right: The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation staff discusses fundraising opportunities. Bottom left: Members of the Blue Valley Educational Foundation talk about upcoming events. Bottom right: Susan Tideman leads the Blue Valley foundation.
Cutline will go here.
Teachers and students at Prairie Star Elementary School celebrate visits by the Blue Valley Educational Foundation’s Surprise Squad. Photographs courtesy Blue Valley Educational Foundation
Tideman says the foundation and the community are gratified to find ways to let Blue Valley’s talented teachers shine. Grants are typically applied for and funded within two months, creating momentum when teachers need it most. “These are all cases of teachers asking to do more work. When teachers have a vision, and they receive funding almost immediately after they apply, they can put it to work (right away),” Tideman says. “But it’s more than just the money. It’s also the joy of receiving the recognition and acknowledgment that you have a great idea, and we want to make it happen.” Tideman says classroom grants do more than just fund projects. They also help increase retention and reduce burnout in a notoriously high-stress profession. The model has become so popular that the Leawood Rotary Club just made a $100,000 gift over four years, while also committing time to mentorships, career exploration avenues for students, and interviewing practices for middle and high school students. Public education continues to battle for funding and the space to cultivate educational talent in its teachers and students. Foundations like Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission are the key to expanding opportunities for educational success.
Who Has Time to Help? You Do. Parents and community members often cite busy schedules as a barrier to helping local schools, but Blue Valley Educational Foundation executive director Susan Tideman says you can make an impact in as little as five minutes. IF YOU HAVE: Five minutes: Make a financial gift. Support the school in your neighborhood or give to your school district’s public school foundation. One hour: Educate yourself on how public schools work, how they’re funded, who is leading, and how decisions are made. It’s worth the time and investment to understand how your district is supporting teachers and students. One day: Talk to your legislators. Find out what they are doing to help your public schools. Meet the principal in your neighborhood and find out what the needs are right there in your community. Getting to know your neighbors, your public schools, and your legislators will deepen your understanding of what is at stake and how you can help. leawood | 19
Students explore their creativity, gain confidence, and learn coding and STEM skills at Code Ninjas Leawood.
Coding and Life Lessons Code Ninjas Leawood allows youngsters to learn STEM skills while expanding creativity and confidence. By Corinn Ayers
Photographs by Molly Kuplen
Code Ninjas Leawood is the only Code Ninjas location in the Kansas City area, and owners Danny Polson, Alyssa Parlier, and Anthony Hall have made it their purpose to give local families a strong option for building STEM skills close to home. A little over a year ago, the three took over the business together and have been building it into a center for the community. Code Ninjas is a coding and STEM center for youngsters ages five to 14, built around a martial arts–style belt system. Students, or “ninjas,” work with instructors, the “senseis,” in a classroom dojo, building games, apps, and robots as they progress from white belt to black belt. None of the three owners came into Code Ninjas through a background in computer science. Danny spent 35 years in theater performance and management, touring internationally with a puppet theatre company, performing in murdermystery dinner shows, and teaching children’s theater, mostly in the Tampa Bay area. In 2018, he moved to Chicago to continue that work, and along the way, he took on a role with Mad Science of Chicago. By 2021, that path led him to Code Ninjas Arlington Heights, where he started as a part-time Jr program instructor, teaching coding to students ages 4.5 to 7. Within three months, he had grown that program from four students to six full cohorts of 15 each. He was eventually promoted to full-time instructor, then manager, then center director. By 2025, he had accomplished his goals at that location and reached out to Code Ninjas corporate headquarters to ask about openings elsewhere. There were none, but there was a location for sale. He said yes, and now he’s owner of Code Ninjas Leawood. Alyssa’s path ran alongside his. With a background in graphic design and marketing, she worked as an afterschool art instructor, brought her design skills into each job she held, and eventually landed at Mad Science of Chicago, where Danny —ANTHONY HALL was her mentor. When Danny needed instructors at Code Ninjas Arlington Heights, he called her, and she became lead sensei for the Create, JR and
So many of the kids that come in are a little nervous about doing coding. It can sound very scary. But after a few sessions, they are much more confident in their abilities.
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afterschool programs, stepping into front-desk duties whenever Danny needed the help. Anthony, Alyssa’s partner, brought a different set of skills. He had worked in customer service and sales, so when Danny offered him the front desk job at the new Leawood location, he knew it would be a good fit. He now serves as assistant center director. Together, the three split responsibilities that play to what each does best. Danny runs the center and oversees overall direction. Alyssa oversees curriculum and marketing. Anthony keeps things moving up front for families who walk through the door each day. The center runs two main programs. JR students, ages 4.5 to 7, work through ScratchJR and CodeSpark in a structured weekly
More Info Code Ninjas Leawood
3622 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224 913-444-9448 www.codeninjas.com/ks-leawood
class, along with basic circuitry and Ozobot robotics. Create students, ages 8 to 14, start with block-based coding and work up through JavaScript, then C++ and 3D game design in Godot as they climb the belt ranks. The center also offers academies focused on AI and robotics, clubs built around Minecraft, Roblox, and Lego robotics, plus seasonal camps and a recurring Parents’ Night Out. Code Ninjas founder David Graham came up with the idea of the belt system while watching his son in a martial arts class. As Danny explains it, a ninja, in the traditional sense, is someone who perseveres, and the dojo is meant to be a place where children build that skill one level at a time. New families usually start with a free 30-minute game-building session booked through the center’s website. A prospective ninja works one on one with a sensei on age-appropriate curriculum while a parent asks questions, and the child leaves with something small they built themselves. Families who enroll get a login for the online learning portal, a planning packet, and five dollars in Ninja Bucks to spend at the dojo. Every session includes a short screen break, and every ninja leaves with a piece of candy. Anthony says confidence is the biggest change he sees. “So many of the kids that come in are a little nervous about doing coding. It can sound very scary,” he says. “But after a few sessions, they are much more confident in their abilities.” Alyssa has seen that shift up close with individual students. One boy used to get so frustrated when he could not solve a problem on the first try that he would call himself stupid. “Every session we worked with him,” she says. “We reminded him that everything is new to everyone at one point in their life.” He now works through problems without shame and often helps other ninjas with theirs. The center has also been building relationships around Leawood. They belong to the Leawood Chamber of Commerce, partner with Johnson County Parks and Recreation District on summer camps, and show up at school STEM nights and science fairs. This month, they are hosting a fundraiser for Extra Life to benefit the University of Kansas Medical Center, with a goal of raising $500, something they hope to turn into a regular event. Danny, Alyssa, and Anthony have owned the Leawood location for a little over a year, so they describe themselves as the new kids on the block. Their focus is less on growing quickly and more on building something the community needs. Their message to Leawood families is straightforward. Code Ninjas is not only for youngsters who are already into computers. “It’s simply a different avenue of exploring creativity, which all kinds of kids can benefit from,” Alyssa says. For more information about Code Ninjas Leawood, including how to book a free game-building session, visit the center’s website or stop by in person.
Code Ninjas Leawood staff and senseis assist students in building skills for the future.
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A little one-on-one teaching goes a long way when it comes to coding skills and confidence.
By Pamela Spradlin Mahajan
Photographs by Strauss Peyton Portrait Studio
h c a B to k c o R Franchise expands owners’ love of music.
Bach to Rock in Leawood is a “modern music school for future stars” with a “fun first” motto. The name plays on the transition from classical to modern music, combining the classics with rock ’n’ roll for a wellrounded, genre-spanning music education. Students learn to play their instruments using custom arrangements of songs by their favorite artists, old or new, making learning an instrument fresh and fun. Growing up in Baltimore, Bach to Rock co-owner and site director Angela Hill knew from a young age she wanted to attend college and start her own business. She witnessed the financial struggles her parents faced because they didn’t have high school diplomas and was determined to take a different path. After attending Green Day’s Dookie concert at age 16, she fell in love with the world of music. Angela went on to have a successful career in sales and eventually met and married her husband, Dave, who was the program director for the No. 1 rock radio station in Baltimore. “Listening to music all day, every day,
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and going to live shows was literally his job, so by osmosis it became a huge part of my life,” Angela says. Dave’s radio career eventually prompted the couple and their two children to relocate. “After our second move across the country,” Angela explains, “Dave and I began the conversation of ‘what is next’ for us. Radio can be a volatile career path, and we needed not only to invest in something but something we cared about.” Encouragement to Expand Dave’s friend Rick Schmidt also worked in radio and owned a Bach to Rock franchise. He encouraged the couple to investigate opening one of their own. As it turns out, their friend was onto something. Angela’s management and operational background combined with Dave’s career in radio—along with their love for children—made Bach to Rock just what they were looking for.
Eleven-year-old Liam Hussey joined Bach to Rock in 2023 to take private lessons on drums. He’s a former member of the band Lightning Boltz, which won the first Battle of the Bands in spring 2025, and he’s currently a member of Rip Off, which won the second annual Battle of the Bands this spring.
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The B2R band Static Stars gets in some rehearsal time. From left, Alexsa Sinco, 12, on guitar; Leon Bell, 11, on drums; Elliot Williams, 12, on guitar; and Nora Ashcraft, 12, on guitar. Alexsa also takes voice lessons, Levon takes additional guitar lessons, and Elliot plays piano in addition to guitar. In front at left is Lucas Pherigo, band coach, who began teaching in fall of 2024.
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It took several years of research before everything finally clicked. After relocating to Overland Park in 2020 and waiting out the pandemic, they were finally able to open their Bach to Rock franchise in Leawood in June 2022. Bach to Rock offers private lessons for children ages seven and older. Students can participate in year-round camps and group lessons in guitar, piano, ukulele, voice, beat making, and songwriting. Students can also choose the rock band option, where they join other students of varying experience levels and perform on stage at Bach to Rock events. Other options include training for DJs and producers, classes for preschoolers, birthday parties, and corporate events. “We pretty much teach everything to everyone,” Angela says. Theresa Keenan’s son switched to Bach to Rock from another music school and is thrilled with the results. “My son
has been taking DJ lessons for about a year and a half at another music school, but after starting at Bach to Rock just a month ago, the difference has been incredible,” Keenan says. “In a very short time, he has learned more than he did at his previous school and has become even more excited about DJing. My son genuinely looks forward to his lessons every week, and it’s been wonderful to see his confidence and skills grow so quickly.” Her students’ joy and excitement are Angela’s favorite part of being a business owner. As she writes on the website: “It truly warms my heart when I hear our students telling their parents how much fun they had and that they cannot wait to come back. We are big on culture here, and just knowing I am providing a space for kids to not only have fun but feel like they have a place where they belong with other like-minded individuals is so important to me.”
Left: Brodi Schlagel, 13, takes private DJ lessons as well as classes in music production. Since he joined B2R in 2023, Brodi has expanded his repertoire, now releasing his music on Spotify and Apple Music, all created and recorded at Bach to Rock Leawood. Right: Stella Hale, 8, recently came to B2R for private flute lessons. Her instructor, Hannah Pembleton, also teaches private lessons in voice and piano.
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FOR MORE BACH TO ROCK 3630 W. 135th St., Leawood Phone: 913-600-7824 bachtorock.com/leawood Austin Hill, 12, takes private lessens in voice and on drums. He’s a former member of Lightning Boltz and currently performs with Rip Off. He is the son of owners Angela and David Hill, and as a result was one of the Leawood site’s first students in 2022.
Curriculum PRIVATE LESSONS (ages 7+) Gives students the chance to learn one-on-one with talented music teachers. Semi-private lessons are also available for small groups. CAMPS (ages 4+) Learn music and have fun with peers; no experience necessary. Whether it’s for summer, spring, fall, winter, or school-day breaks, the full- or half-day camps are fun for all ages. GROUP CLASSES (ages 7+) Ideal for creating well-rounded musicians through a combination of individualized attention and group direction. Available for guitar, piano, ukulele, voice, beat making, and songwriting. ROCK BAND (ages 7+) Students practice with peers of various skill levels, receive coaching from experienced musicians, and perform onstage at Bach to Rock events. Ideal alongside private lessons. GLEE CLUB (ages 7+) Gives kids and teens the chance to practice and perform top hits with coaching from voice and choreography experts. Best combined with private lessons. BEAT REFINERY® (ages 10+) Bach to Rock’s Serato-certified DJ school combines practical and artistic training for aspiring DJs and producers. The program helps students master the turntables.
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ROCK CITY (ages 3–5) Teaches preschoolers musical concepts through story and play. This class includes dynamic musical and movement-based activities, exposure to instruments, and musically inspired story time. KIDS N KEYS (ages 5–7) Great introduction to piano lessons for kids. Students build a strong foundation for piano and learn the basics of finger placement, playing techniques, and beginning music theory. FUN WITH MUSIC (ages 6–7) Gives students a strong foundation of early music skills and core musical concepts. Kids are introduced to singing and get hands-on practice with the piano, guitar, ukulele, and drums. BIRTHDAY PARTIES (ages 4+) Bach to Rock offers fun, musical birthday parties for all ages. No experience necessary. SOCIAL/CORPORATE PARTIES (adults) Host a party with Bach on the Rocks and, in less than an hour, your guests will learn to play as a band. No experience necessary. Our talented instructors will coach them to end the night with a performance. STUDIOS Bach to Rock Studios offers a range of audio recording courses, workshops and recording production services in professional, state-of-the-art facilities. Studio rentals are also available.
Angela Hill is owner and site director of Bach to Rock Leawood.
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L L E O
By Jackie Hostetler Photographs by Kevin Anderson
Leaders Look to Expand Opportunity Johnson County’s colleges welcome new leadership and bold investment.
J
ohnson County’s largest institutions of higher education are both under new leadership this year, and, though their missions differ, their momentum points in a similar direction. At Johnson County Community College (JCCC), Dr. Tony Miksa recently completed his first year as president. At the University of Saint Mary, Dr. Ann Marie Fallon stepped into the role in July, becoming the 10th president in the university’s history. Both leaders bring decades of higher-education experience and are steering their institutions toward the same horizon: expanded access, stronger student support, and major new investment in regional healthcare training.
A Fresh Start at JCCC Miksa did not come to JCCC by accident. He first learned of the college years ago, when he was a young math instructor in Illinois and saw an advertisement for a conference held on the Johnson County campus. That early impression stayed with him through years as a dean, a vice president, and eventually president of Walters State Community College in Tennessee. He served as president for almost a decade, during which the school was twice named Tennessee’s College of the Year. When the JCCC presidency opened, he and his wife decided it was time for a new chapter. “I’d been at my last place for nine years,” Miksa says. “We accomplished a lot of wonderful things, but I was also ready for something new.” A year in, he says the transition has been smooth, largely because of the strength of the team already in place. He has made a habit of staying visible on campus, sitting in on classes, joining student events, and even having nursing students check his blood pressure as part of their training. What has surprised him most, he says, is the range of opportunities available to students, from undergraduate research projects to a busy calendar of clubs and organizations. “This idea that you can find your people, you can find your place,” Miksa says, “[is] one of the things that is great about JCCC.” Looking ahead, Miksa is focused on a goal he calls 40 by 40 by 30, an effort to increase enrollment to 40,000 students, split evenly between credit and noncredit programs, by 2030. He ties the plan back to the college’s core mission. “Our job is to inspire, transform, and strengthen the community,” he says. Central to that plan is a new health professions building, part of JCCC’s overall 10-year Facilities Master Plan. The building will expand enrollment capacity in some of the college’s most competitive programs, including nursing, dental hygiene, respiratory care, emergency medical services, and practical nursing, all fields facing real workforce shortages in the region. Demand already outpaces space. Last year, JCCC had to turn away 52% of qualified nursing applicants and 78% of dental hygiene applicants due to limited capacity. The new facility will include advanced
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Counterclockwise from upper right: Johnson County Community College is now led by Dr. Tony Miksa; Miksa stops to talk with Kaitlin Krumsick, director of JCCC’s Academic Achievement and Language Resource Centers, as she walks around campus with her children; Seth Mullis, JCCC police chief, and Miksa ham it up together.
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simulation labs and integrated healthcare technology designed to mirror real clinical settings. It could eventually support new programs in surgical technology, sonography, and radiographic technology. As planning continues, community members and organizations interested in supporting the future of healthcare education at JCCC are encouraged to connect with the JCCC Foundation. On the arts side, JCCC’s Midwest Trust Center kicks off a new performing arts season this fall in Yardley Hall. Miksa is proud that the venue is accessible to the whole community. “It’s not just a theater that’s designed to generate revenue,” he says. “It’s a theater designed to bring theater and arts to Johnson County.” Asked what he wants Johnson County residents to know, Miksa pointed to the college’s role in helping every student reach their goal, whatever that goal looks like. “This is a leading institution in the country. Our faculty and staff are here, and we’re ready to help students be successful and reach their educational goals. No matter what it is,” he says.
New Beginnings at the University of Saint Mary Dr. Fallon’s path to the University of Saint Mary (USM) began with a single campus visit. Interviewing for the role, she was struck by how diverse and dynamic the student body felt and by the university’s mission around social mobility and access to education. “The students were so diverse, so dynamic,” Fallon says. “It really has an incredible mission in terms of thinking about social mobility and providing excellent education for everybody.” That mission, rooted in the legacy of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, is what ultimately drew her to the position. Though she grew up in Oregon and most recently served as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, Fallon has an unexpected family tie to Kansas. Her great-great-greatgrandfather, a German immigrant, fought for the Union at Gettysburg and later settled in western Kansas. Since arriving in July, Fallon has spent much of her time meeting students, faculty, and community leaders across both the Leavenworth and Johnson County campuses. One discovery that stuck with her was USM’s old campus theater, where she found decades of playbills documenting generations of student performances. That same spirit of history meeting innovation defines one of the university’s biggest current projects: the new Seelos Interdisciplinary Simulation Center for nursing and healthcare training, set to open in January 2027. The center will feature advanced equipment along with artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality tools. It will also include a mural by a Kansas City artist honoring the Sisters’ long history in regional healthcare, dating back to their founding of Leavenworth’s first hospital in 1864.
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Clockwise from top left: Campus of the University of Saint Mary Leawood; Dr. Ann Marie Fallon, president of the University of Saint Mary; Fallon chats with Tyrone Bates, adjunct professor at USM.
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According to Fallon, USM’s strengths include a human anatomy lab, a nationally competitive track and field program, and a student body that is nearly half online or degree-completion students. She also highlights a distinction few universities can claim: USM is the only institution in the country offering degree programs to incarcerated students across all three types of correctional facilities—state, federal, and military—giving people who might not otherwise have the opportunity access to education. That commitment is reflected in how the university marks each student’s journey. USM is one of the few universities that welcomes students with a matriculation ceremony at the beginning of the fall semester. Then, at graduation, each student is called individually and given a chance to share their own story with the community around them. JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE “Everybody’s story matters here,” Founded: 1969 Fallon says. Type: Public community college This small, individual ritual is one Location: Overland Park, KS more way the university lives out its Campus size: Over 200 acres mission of treating each student’s path Enrollment: Roughly 19,000 to a degree as worth recognizing. President: Dr. Tony Miksa, the college’s Looking ahead, Fallon is 7th president, in office since July 2025 focused on growing USM’s broadcast journalism program, expanding UNIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY healthcare offerings in physical Founded: 1923 as Saint Mary College and occupational therapy, and Type: Private Catholic university building more direct pathways from Location: Leavenworth, KS, with a location undergraduate to graduate study. in Johnson County She is also leading efforts to prepare Campus size: 200 acres both faculty and students for the Enrollment: About 1,450 students, split between opportunities and challenges of AI in undergraduate and graduate programs the classroom. President: Dr. Ann Marie Fallon, the university’s Above all, Fallon hopes more of 10th president, in office since July 2026 the community will come to know what USM has built over the last century. “I think that the university is incredible. It is kind of a hidden gem in our region. I really want people to know about the university, to know the tremendous work that the university has been doing for over 100 years,” she says.
A quick look at how Johnson County’s two largest institutions of higher education stack up.
Different Institutions, Common Priorities Johnson County Community College and University of Saint Mary are vastly different institutions, shaped by quite different histories, yet both are moving toward the same future under new leadership—a future where more students, from more backgrounds, can find their place.
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Leawood Events OCTOBER
October 4 Rock Chalk Run: 10K, 5K, & 1K Fun Run/Walk 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. | KU Edwards Campus, 12604 Quivira Road, Overland Park The 4th Annual Rock Chalk Run raises money for student grants and scholarships. For more information, contact Mary Dykmann, (913) 897-8439, mdykmann@ku.edu October 7–8, 9–10 How to Snag a Sea Monster Presented by What if Puppets School matinees, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 8. Public shows at 6 p.m. Friday, October 9, and 10 a.m. Saturday, October 10 Polsky Theatre in the Midwest Trust Center, JCCC, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park Tickets for school shows start at $5; public shows are $10 for youth (3–18) and $20 for adults Fearing the worst, inhabitants of Barnacle Bay on Cape Cod are leery of a seaweed-covered creature that washes ashore. No, it’s not a sea monster; it’s a baby as big as a house! The villagers adopt the giant baby and name him Stormalong, or Stormy for short. Stormy struggles to fit in—after all, he’s 24 feet tall— and chooses a life aboard a merchant ship to find his place in the world. When a REAL sea monster torments the villagers, Stormy is the only one big enough to save everyone in the village! www.jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events/2026-2027/ arts-ed-sea-monster.html October 11 The Billy Joel Legacy 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. | Yardley Hall in the Midwest Trust
Center, JCCC, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park Tickets start at $25. Learn more about Billy Joel and his legendary career during this concert experience. From his humble beginnings to his fame as one of the greatest songwriters and performers of all time, the production recreates Joel’s music and, with stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, lets audience members discover how his enduring music has shaped generations. www.jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events/2026-2027/billy-joellegacy.html October 14 ‘The Who’s Tommy’ 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. | Yardley Hall in the Midwest Trust Center, JCCC, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park Tickets start at $25. A new presentation of the classic composed by The Who’s Pete Townshend and directed by Des McAnuff brings the musical to the stage for today’s generation. The musical follows the journey of the ‘Pinball Wizard,’ Tommy Walker, as he goes from adolescent to celebrity. www.jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events/2026-2027/thewhos-tommy.html October 18 Author Paul Heacock 1 p.m. | Leawood City Hall - Oak Room, 4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood Free; donations to the Leawood Veterans Memorial accepted Heacock’s book, 50 Missions to Dawn: A WWII B-24 Pilot’s War, is an air combat memoir based on the experiences of his father-in-law, Lt. John S. ‘Bud’ Hertrich, who flew 50 combat missions over Nazi-held Europe during World War II. Heacock drew on Hertrich’s wartime diary, flight logs, letters, and after-action reports in this gripping first-person narrative.
October 23 Leawood Lions Pancake Breakfast 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Leawood City Hall - Oak Room, 4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood $10 per adult, $5 per child 12 and under, $30 per family Veterans eat free when accompanied by a paying guest. Serving pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee and juice. www.lionskc.club
estate expert Trent Gallagher. Special features include Decade of Design, a look at home trends from 2016 and 2026, and Cheers to 10 Years, an autumn-inspired show entrance created by Harrington Family Farm. Guests can also participate in Visit, Stamp & Win for a chance to win prizes valued up to $650. Event contact: Laurie Morrissey, laurie@greatskinkc. com; www.johnsoncountyhomeandremodelingshow.com
October 23 ‘Outlander in Concert’ 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. | Yardley Hall in the Midwest Trust Center, JCCC, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park Tickets start at $25. This concert brings the global television phenomenon to the stage, as a live orchestra performs the music Bear McCreary wrote for all eight seasons of Outlander. Scenes from the series provide a backdrop for the soaring score. www.jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events/2026-2027/ outlander-in-concert.html
October 24 MTC Kids Jam - Matt Heaton 11 a.m. to noon | Polsky Theatre in the Midwest Trust Center, JCCC, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park Free; reservations recommended. The Midwest Trust Center Kids Jam concert series is designed for families! Join the fun in the MTC lobby at 10 a.m. for art activities, followed by an hour-long concert with acclaimed children’s musician Matt Heaton. His songs blend the mid-century rockabilly, surf, soul, Western swing, and country music he loves with a sense of humor that works for children of all ages. www.jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events/2026-2027/artsed-kids-jam-matt-heaton.html
October 23–25 2026 JOCO Home + Remodeling Show 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, October 23; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, October 24; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, October 25 | Overland Park Convention Center Tickets are $8 online; $10 at the door; kids 12 and under are free. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the JOCO Home + Remodeling Show returns with three days of home inspiration, expert advice, new products, and trusted local professionals. This year’s special guests, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, custom home designers and stars of HGTV’s 100 Day Dream Home, will appear live at 6 p.m. Friday and at noon on Saturday. Moderated by Kansas City real
October 25 Ryan & Ryan ‘Kickin’ the Clouds Away’ 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Polsky Theatre in the Midwest Trust Center, JCCC, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park Tickets start at $25. Enjoy the piano music of this dynamic father-son duo as they perform their own arrangements of jazz, ragtime, classical, and even gospel songs. It’s entertainment sure to strike a chord with any audience. www.jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events/2026-2027/ ryan-and-ryan.html
JOHNSON COUNTY
The University of Saint Mary offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs online and in Johnson County for working adults to earn their degrees and take the next step in their careers.
A ff o r d a b l e . F l e x i b l e . C o n v e n i e n t .
s t m a r y. e d u / s u c c e s s
Leawood EDC Investors DIRECTORY OF
Stephanie Meyer President and CEO | StephanieM@leawoodchamber.org
AdventHealth www.adventhealthkc.com 913-676-2000
Johnson County Management www.jcmre.com/wp 913-649-0123
Affinis Corp www.affinis.us 913-239-1100
Martin Pringle Attorneys at Law www.martinpringle.com 913-491-5500
Block Real Estate Services LLC www.blockllc.com 816-756-1400
Menorah Medical Center www.hcamidwest.com/locations/ menorah-medical-center 913-498-6000
Busey Bank www.busey.com 800-672-8739 CBIZ www.cbiz.com 913-345-0500 City of Leawood www.leawood.org 913-339-6700 Taylor Limoges Vice President of Programming & Communications TaylorL@leawoodchamber.org
Commerce Bank www.commercebank.com 816-234-1759
PHOTOS Strauss Peyton Portrait Studio, www.strausspeytonkc.com
Country Club Bank, A Division of FNBO www.ccbfinancial.com/ countryclubbank 816-931-4060
Pamela Yonker Director of Membership | PamelaY@LeawoodChamber.org
Leawood Chamber Staff
Musselman & Hall Contractors www.musselmanandhall.com 816-861-1234 Oddo Development www.oddodevelopment.com 913-894-6336 Olsson www.olsson.com 913-748-2574 Saint Luke’s Health System www.saintlukeskc.org 816-932-5100 Security Bank of Kansas City www.securitybankkc.com 913-281-3165
Cuvée KC www.cuveekc.com
StrongBox Wealth www.strongboxwealth.com 816-607-5410
DEMDACO www.demdaco.com 888-336-3226
Sunflower Bank www.sunflowerbank.com 913-232-7100
Evergy www.evergy.com 800-383-1183 (Customer Service)
Town Center Plaza • Crossing www.towncenterplaza.com 913-693-4156
JE Dunn Construction www.jedunn.com 816-474-8600
UMB Bank www.umb.com Walnut Lobby 816-860-7930 Gladstone 816-459-5730 Plaza 816-960-3200 State Line 816-508-1000 Historic NE 816-245-8510 18th & Grand 816-218-2210 Northland 816-587-8700 Wornall 816-276-8150
Johnson County Community College www.jccc.edu 913-469-8500
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City Resources WHAT EVERY NEW LEAWOOD RESIDENT NEEDS TO KNOW.
City of Leawood
Sewer
Municipal Government 4800 Town Center Drive Leawood, KS 66211 913-339-6700 www.leawood.org
Johnson County Wastewater 913-715-8500 www.jocogov.org/department/wastewater
Internet
Public Works 913-663-9131 publicworks@leawood.org www.leawood.org/207/Public-Works Home Owners Association 913-339-6700, ext. 103 is@leawood.org www.leawood.org/312/Home-Owners-Association Animal Licenses 913-663-9123 www.leawood.org/364/Animal-Licenses
UTILITIES Electric
Evergy 816-471-5275 www.evergy.com
Natural Gas
Kansas Gas Service 800-794-4780 www.kansasgasservice.com
Water
WaterOne 913-895-1800 www.waterone.org
AT&T 833-404-0279 www.att.com/local/internet/kansas/leawood Google Fiber 844-363-4237 www.fiber.google.com Spectrum 855-366-7132 www.spectrum.com/internet-service/kansas/leawood
Home Telephone
AT&T 800-288-2020 www.att.com/home-phone/landline Spectrum 855-366-7132 www.spectrum.com/home-phone
Cable
AT&T 800-288-2020 Spectrum 855-366-7132
Trash
Home Owners Associations contract and coordinate trash services for residents. Visit the HOA section of the City of Leawood website or call City Hall at 913-339-6700 or Public Works at 913-663-9130.
BY KARI WILLIAMS
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Braces and Clear Al igners for Chi ldren, Teens and Adults Scan the QR code to learn more and schedule your complimentary evaluation with Dr. Bergman
4425 INDIAN CREEK PARKWAY | OVERLAND PARK, KS 66207 913.529.8620 | WWW.CREEKSIDE-ORTHODONTICS.COM
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