Truman Heartland Community Foundation names these ‘rock stars’ Citizens of the Year

We all know someone who is an amazing citizen — someone who serves on civic boards and planning committees, volunteers for special projects on evenings and weekends, and uses their position to make big changes in communities throughout the region. It’s not often that these community rock stars are recognized.

Many prefer just to do their work quietly in the background, making their mark without any accolades or admiration. But Truman Heartland Community Foundation admires the efforts of these amazing citizens, and we strive to sing their praises throughout Eastern Jackson County and beyond.

Area mayors have selected a slate of impressive individuals to receive the Citizen of the Year award. These individuals have made a significant impact on their local communities. Honorees will be recognized at the 27th Annual Toast to Our Towns Gala, presented by Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Company, on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Although their areas of impact are varied, all the Citizens of the Year are united by common goals: improving and enriching their local communities.

Following is a list of those who will be awarded:

▪ Elaine Metcalf: Lee’s Summit. Nominated by Mayor Bill Baird

Elaine Metcalf deserves recognition for her work educating, supporting and mentoring the youth in the Lee’s Summit community. She has dedicated more than 34 years to inspiring and educating youth in the City of Lee’s Summit.

After retiring from teaching, Metcalf joined the Pro Deo Youth Center as executive director, continuing to create opportunities and positive outcomes for youth. She spends her free time volunteering for various organizations in Lee’s Summit, including the Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club, where she serves as president, and the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce. When so many teens find themselves disconnected, Metcalf is stepping up to provide a safe, healthy environment where teens are encouraged to be their best selves.

▪ Keith Hannaman: Blue Springs. Nominated by Mayor Carson Ross

Hannaman is a retired schoolteacher who spent 40 years in education working for the Kansas City and Blue Springs school districts. His work with the Blue Springs School District, Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, students, the community and the Missouri Department of Conservation helped to establish an Outdoor Classroom in Wilbur Young Park, complete with a stocked fishing pond. Because of various student-driven projects, he was given the Presidential Environmental Youth Award from the EPA. In 2017, Hannaman was part of the committee that developed the first Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan and he worked to pass the five-year dedicated parks sales tax successfully. He has been on the Blue Springs Park Commission for 19 years and is currently the commission’s chairman.

Karen DeLuccie (posthumous): Independence. Nominated by Mayor Rory Rowland

DeLuccie graduated in 1982 from the Juris Doctorate program at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and would later return as an adjunct professor at the UMKC School of Law. She spent her 40-year legal career on The Independence Square, practicing law as a Family Law specialist. She was a member and past president of the Eastern Jackson County Bar Association, a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and co-founder of the Independence Youth Court.

DeLuccie was a mentor to numerous young lawyers. Perhaps the greatest achievement of her legal career occurred when she helped author and pass the law that created the Family Court of Missouri, signed by then-Governor Mel Carnahan. The law completely transformed the Family Law Court system for the benefit of all parties by streamlining divorce and child custody cases. DeLuccie also served 17 years on the City of Independence Planning Commission before her election to the City Council. She was a member of the Independence Square Tax Board, a trustee of Gold Bank, and the Advanced Reading Program director for eight years at her children’s school. Those who knew DeLuccie know that every day with her was a true gift.

▪ Allan Markley: Raytown. Nominated by Mayor Mike McDonough

Allan Markley has been the superintendent of Raytown C-2 School District for 14 years. Because of his belief that education starts early in children’s lives, he established Three Trails Preschool, open to all district children, ages 4 and 5. He headed the development of a community wellness center, led two bond campaigns for district-wide improvements, and was named the 2018 recipient of The Missouri Association of School Administrators Robert L. Award. He has led many educational groups in the Greater Kansas City area, most recently as chairman of the Board of the Greater KC Suburban Conference and Missouri Securities Investment Program. Markley has also been continually active in the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce, Raytown Kiwanis, Raytown Rotary clubs (past president), and the Raytown Educational Foundation.

▪ Other Citizens of the Year include Bob Headley of Grain Valley (nominated by Mayor Mike Todd); Jayme Dean of Lake Tapawingo (nominated by John Sellars); The Fidler Family of Oak Grove (nominated by Mayor Dana Webb); and Jeff Shawhan of Sugar Creek (nominated by Mayor Mike Larson).

The 2022 Toast to Our Towns Cocktail Reception Sponsor is Truckmovers, and Community America Credit Union is the sponsor of the Mix, Mingle, and Music after party. Centerpoint is the sponsor of the private Citizen’s Reception which will take place a few weeks before the gala at the Swan Dive at Vivilore.

Table sponsorships and individual tickets are still available for this year’s Toast to Our Towns gala. Last year tickets sold out two weeks before the event, so get your tickets now before they’re gone. www.thcf.org/toast-to-our-towns-gala or 816-836-8189.