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LeLan Danes is the executive director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between Spanish- and English-speaking communities across the state. Based in Emporia, his organization provides advocacy, education, and resources—from helping individuals navigate immigration and healthcare systems to equipping businesses and communities with the tools to communicate across language barriers. A Lyon County native, LeLan’s path has been anything but con

Sarah VanLanduyt is a Kansas-based arts leader and advocate dedicated to strengthening creative communities across the state. A Topeka native, she serves as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Johnson County, where she works at the intersection of nonprofits, government, and artists to support and grow a vibrant and sustainable arts ecosystem. In this role, she focuses on identifying community needs, advancing policy, and developing initiatives that expand access to the

Recognized as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography, this tiny park offers big views, unusual formations, and a quick but memorable stop in the Smoky Hills.