2019 Honorees

The daughter of veteran KCKPS educators Alvin and Loretta Mobley, Amber Buck is a Kansas City, Kansas native. She attended Hazel Grove Elementary School and Coronado Middle School before graduating from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in 2000. She went on to graduate early and with honors from Howard University in Washington, DC.

After five years working as a print journalist covering education in Shreveport, Louisiana and Tampa, Florida, she earned her master's in Specialized Journalism from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Instead of heading back to the newsroom, Amber entered the classroom as a part of Teach For America. She taught 6th through 10th grade English in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for three and a half years before returning to the KC Metro area.

 Since moving back in 2012 she’s been a Writing teacher and English Department Head at Alta Vista Charter Middle School in KCMO, a freshman English teacher at J.C. Harmon High School, and a College & Career Coordinator at F.L. Schlagle High School. She currently teaches Social Emotional Learning, African-American Literature, and 10th grade English at Piper High School in KCK. She is a proud member of the Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in KCK. Her husband Dillon Buck also teaches at F.L. Schlagle High School. They’ve been married for seven years and have a 5-year old daughter. Amber is currently enrolled at Emporia State University where she is working on her master's in Educational Administration.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of Amber Buck.

Carolyn L. Cofield is a native of Kansas City, Kansas, where she and her husband, Charles, currently reside.  She is a wife, mother of seven children, a grandmother ("Nana") of 21 grands (still counting), a teacher, mentor and author.

She is the founder and director of Rachel's Tea House PRC, an outreach organization to assist teen and single moms and their children.  Rachel's Tea house was birthed in 2000 after the loss of one of her daughters.  She is also founder of Daughters of the Dawn, a citywide prayer ministry for women.  She and her husband currently pastor Capitol City Church in Topeka, Kansas.  For several years Carolyn has volunteered in the public schools through Caring for Kids and desires to continue making a difference one day at a time, one life at time, one child at a time.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of Carolyn Cofield.

“Whenever I see a blank wall…I see an opportunity to communicate.”  JT Daniels started pursuing art as a teenager, becoming the designated artist for school projects, painting custom skateboards and selling illustrations to friends and mentors. Currently, he uses his art to support and uplift the community. His murals can be seen all over Kansas City, adorning the walls of small businesses, street car stops, galleries and local neighborhoods. 

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of JT Daniels.

Chris Dunlap is a 2000 graduate of J.C. Harmon H.S. Other USD500 schools attended include White Church Elementary, Coronado Middle, and Sumner Academy of Arts and Science.

Following high school, Chris attended Pittsburg State University where he obtained his Bachelors of Business Administration and Economics.  He would later go on to complete his M.B.A at Keller Graduate School of Management.

Chris attributes his success in life to his parents allowing him to “quit. ”, In his words, “As counterintuitive as this may sound, by quitting things that I did not feel were a fit for me, allowed me to identify my own passions and develop what I deemed a success.

Chris has spent his career in sales, with the last decade within software and technology.  He also owns and runs Dunlap Venture Group which holds under its umbrella an investment group, web development and application design firm, a social awareness clothing company, and an import and export entity.

Outside of work and business his community involvement includes lending his web and graphics design talents to various non-profits such as Beloved Community Outreach and the Love Fellowship Men’s Shelter.

Chris is also heavily vested in helping others by volunteering his time to small business consulting and teaching individuals about stock market fundamentals and investment strategy.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of Chris Dunlap.

Melanie French – F.L. Schlagle 1997, Arrowhead Middle School, Stony Point South Elementary

I graduated from Schlagle High School in 1997 as valedictorian.  I went to Emporia State University to study education where I was a Hubbard scholar and Board of Regents scholarship recipient.  Upon graduation I was honored to return home to serve in the community when I attended elementary through high school. I went on to earn a master’s degree in special education from the University of Kansas and master’s degree in building leadership from Baker University.

For 17 years I served USD 500 in various roles including teacher for elementary students with an emotional disturbance, behavior consultant and special education teacher leader. Over that time, I supported students, teachers, and families from Pre-K – Age 21.  I have also served kids and families as an active member of Landmark Baptist church.  I have been a Sunday School Teacher, Children’s Church Director, and managed communications as Clerk.   

My husband, Brian and I are proud parents of our 14-year-old daughter, Ava.  We also have 4 nieces and 4 nephews who keep us busy.  Together we enjoy traveling and spending time with our family.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of Melanie French.

Dr. Rusty Hawkins is a Professor of Humanities and History in the John Wesley Honors College at Indiana Wesleyan University.  A graduate at every level from Kansas City Kansas public schools (White Church Elementary, Eisenhower Middle School, Sumner Academy), Hawkins also holds degrees from Wheaton College (B.A.), Montana State University (M.A.), and Rice University (M.A.; Ph.D.). Hawkins has been at Indiana Wesleyan since 2009 and teaches  courses on the intersection of religion and race in American history.  He was selected professor of the year by IWU students in 2012.  Hawkins has published books on race and American Christianity with Oxford University Press, and has received research grants for his scholarship from the Southern Baptist Library and Archives, Baylor University's Institute for Oral History, the University of South Carolina's Institute for Southern Studies and Indiana Wesleyan University's Lilly Scholarship Fund.  Hawkins and his wife, Kristi, have two sons, Caleb and Micah, and live in Marion, Indiana. Hawkins is thankful for the wonderful education he received in Kansas City Kansas public schools and is thrilled to be included in the Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of Dr. Rusty Hawkins.

Chief Letcher is a 21year veteran of the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department, working his way through the ranks of Driver, Captain, and presently Assistant Chief. Chief Letcher works in the administration branch of the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department, where he leads the Public Information and Recruitment division. This division works with the state and local media outlets in regards to fires, major incidents, public education and recruitment. Chief Letcher holds a Bachelor’s degree in Universal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University, Associates of Arts from Coffeyville Community College, and Associates of Fire Science from Kansas City Kansas Community College. Chief Letcher has been accepted to the National Fire Academy Executive Officer Program. This program researches and examines how to exercise leadership when dealing with difficult or unique problems within communities.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of James Morris Letcher.

Wendell is a graduate/Valedictorian of Sumner Class of 1974 and received bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas; master’s degree from United Theological Seminary; and a Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University.

A retired Colonel with a distinguished career of 30+ years in the U.S. Army, he had an array of diverse assignments in preventive medicine/public health, medical intelligence, and healthcare operations worldwide. His last assignments included serving as Military Deputy for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army - Pentagon, and as Deputy Brigade Commander and Chief of Staff for the Army Medical Command in Korea.  He notably coordinated U.S. efforts on behalf of the government, NATO, and World Health Organization to facilitate emergency relief assistance, peacekeeping, and humanitarian programs in Bosnia, Kosovo, Cuba, Afghanistan, and Haiti. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Legion of Merit and Defense Meritorious Service Award.

He holds professional health certifications, has authored several papers and articles, and served on Boards for various national non-profit organizations; currently serves as Chairman, American Academy of Sanitarians.

A minister for more than 40 years, he has served in various positions, including pastor, deacon, minister of education, campus ministry director, and police chaplain.  He founded Moore Ministries International and is Executive Pastor for Agape Deliverance Ministries, Millersville, MD; focused on serving the community spiritual and physical health needs and overall family quality of life.

He presently serves with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, as a Health Executive responsible for organizational strategic planning and coordination for future healthcare delivery operations.

Wendell is a 2016 Harvard Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellow and holds Life Memberships with Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc., ROCKS, Inc., Military Officers Association of America, Blacks in Government, and Disabled American Veterans.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of Dr. Wendell A. Moore.

Dr. Carol (Graham) Pitchlyn, Sumner High School, class of 1974 was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, Wyandotte County. She attended elementary school at Dunbar South, Stowe, Major Hudson (briefly), and Grant. She attended Junior High at Northeast. Some memorable quotes from teachers were as such: “Use your head for more than a hat rack.” Mrs. Mable Lee, 4th grade teacher. “Never stretch in public.” Mrs. Loris Jones, 6th grade teacher. “You’re a pretty sharp cookie.” Mr. Henry Parker, 7th grade art teacher. “I can’t hear what’cha say.” Mr. Craig Hall, 11th grade Black History teacher.

Dr. Pitchlyn’s undergraduate work was completed at the following institutions: Donnelly College, Wichita State University and University of Saint Mary (formerly Saint Mary College). Her graduate work was completed at the University of Kansas.

She is a wife to Vernon E. Pitchlyn for over 30 years, parents of a blended family of six children, 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Dr. Pitchlyn is an active member of the historic Walnut Boulevard Missionary Baptist Church, serving in the Mission and Music ministries. Chairperson of our book scholarship ministry. She is involved with KCK Special Olympics, Sumner High School Alumni Association and with the KU Alumni Association.

Dr. Pitchlyn has enjoyed a 30-year career with this renown KCK School District, of which she is a proud product. She is humbled and honored to be numbered among such distinguished KCKPS alumni. To God be the Glory.

Click here to donate to the Reasons to Believe Campaign on behalf of Carolyn Pitchlyn.