Susan McKenzie, White City city clerk, was surprised with a We Kan! award November 18 in the city office.
The presentation was made by Marci Penner, director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The Inman-based non-profit has been choosing recipients every year since 1993 to show appreciation for dedicated work in helping preserve and sustain rural culture.
Deputy city clerk Jennifer McCullough helped plan the surprise. Keith Britt, Kelsey Erichsen, and Mayor Young were also in attendance.
McKenzie’s award featured a colorful round plate handmade by Greensburg artist Stacy Barnes — engraved with the fitting title “Whatever is needed.” Penner said, “I've known Susan now for a couple of decades and the main thing I know about her is that she'll do whatever is needed to help her community. She excels as a city clerk but if needed to go help cook at the local bar during a noon rush, she'll do it. If everyone had a community doer like Susan, rural Kansas would be in great shape."
McKenzie is the fifth of ten to receive the We Kan! award in 2025. The first four were Caryl Hale, Norton; Shelly Hansel, Harper County; Sarah Kessinger, Marysville; and Nick Levendofsky, Courtland.
To see a list of all previous We Kan! award winners go to kansassampler.org.
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