Dr. Elaine Metcalf Named Citizen of the Year
The City of Lee’s Summit is excited to announce Mayor Bill Baird has selected Dr. Elaine Metcalf as the 2022 Citizen of the Year recipient in recognition of her work educating, supporting and mentoring the youth in the Lee’s Summit community. She will be honored at the July 28 Missouri Municipal League’s Civic Leadership Banquet, Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Annual Citizen’s Reception in early September and its “Toast to Our Towns” Gala in late September.
Metcalf has dedicated over 34 years to inspiring and educating youth in the City of Lee’s Summit. During her tenure at the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, her focus was on preparing students for their future as a business teacher/internship coordinator, career and technical coordinator, and principal of the Lee’s Summit R-7 Summit Technology Academy (STA). Metcalf led STA for seven years providing students the opportunity to seek academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers and become lifelong learners.
Following her retirement from the school district, Metcalf joined the Pro Deo Youth Center as its executive director where she is continuing to create opportunities and positive outcomes for youth. Under her leadership, at-risk teens are empowered through mentoring and one-on-one support to achieve goals they might not have realized without the program.
Metcalf’s passion and dedication to the community are evident in the time she spends volunteering for various organizations in Lee’s Summit. She is a member of the Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club where she will begin a term as its president on July 1. Metcalf is an active member of the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce and is a three-year term member of the board of directors.
“Elaine has tirelessly and unselfishly committed herself to the education and well-being of the young people in our community for over 34 years,” said Mayor Bill Baird. “At a time when so many teens find themselves disconnected, Elaine is stepping up to provide a safe, healthy environment where teens are encouraged to be their best selves. She is an inspiration to us all and an example of what makes our city great.”
The prestigious Citizen of the Year award recognizes exceptional citizens whose work and service to the community have significantly improved the quality of life for the citizens of Lee’s Summit. The City has been recognizing its outstanding citizens since 1996.