Kindest Kansas Citian Essay Contest
Who is your Kindest Kansas Citian? Tell us!
Thirty-six years ago, students in Greater Kansas City wrote essays about the kindest people they knew and entered them into a contest for the first time. Today, thousands of students still participate in this Kansas City tradition.
Regardless of whether you have been a part of this tradition for years, or you are new to the contest, we invite all students grades K-12 to submit an essay!
To participate, simply submit a one-page essay or drawing (for younger students) nominating an individual, couple, or group you feel deserves the “Kindest Kansas Citian” distinction.
When the contest closes, community committee will select the top student essay winner in each grade level to be honored at Synergy Service’s Kindest Kansas Citian Awards Celebration in April 2026.
We must receive all entries by Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
2025 Student Winners & Nominees
Frequently Asked Questions
Students, grades K-12, are welcome to participate and submit an essay or piece of artwork that shares about the Kindest Kansas Citian in their life!
Individuals, couples, or groups may be nominated for the Kindest Kansas Citian Contest. We encourage students to think outside the box and nominate someone they know who is over 18 years old, not related to them, and lives in Kansas City. Famous individuals will NOT qualify in the top honorees unless that have personal relationships with the nominating students.
The top essay winner in each grade level will be contacted the week of February 16th!
One of the many reasons this essay contest is so special its ability to be integrated into a classroom and/or lesson in a variety of ways! See below for some ways other schools have done so:
- Introduce the contest at the beginning of the school year as expectations and classroom culture are being established
- Utilize “World Kindness Day” on Thursday, November 13th to focus in on a building-wide initiative of spreading kindness, or better yet, extend it to a full week of activities that culminate on World Kindness Day, like Chinn Elementary did here.Â
- Close out the 1st semester asking students to reflect on who has made an impact in their life or even their experience since the beginning of the school year, before they all head out to Winter Break.
HELP US SELECT THE KINDEST IN KC
Once the essay contest closes, we will need your help selecting the top student essayist in each grade level. Save the date and join us on Friday, February 6, 2026, for our Read-a-Thon!
Kindest Kansas Citian Committee
The Kindest Kansas Citian Essay Contest would not be possible without the help of our Committee!
1st Row (Left to Right): Bonnie Smith, Teri Laverty, Jamie Crawford, Jim Caniglia
2nd Row (Left to Right): Michelle Personelli, Tiffany Massey, JeNaya Robbs, Enza Brancato, Laura Jones, Cassidey Collins
Not Pictured: Mary Barnes, Jessica DiBernardo, Suzanne Licata, Mary Stewart, Barbara and Robert Unell.
Make Plans to Attend
When you join us, not only are you celebrating the Kansas City Kindness we all know and love, but your ticket purchase goes to support all of Synergy’s critical care programs.
Thank you for your kindness in action!
Contact: Tiffany Grazda Massey at:
tgrazdamassey
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Rita Blitt Kindest School
Awarded annually, the recipient of the Rita Blitt Kindest School Award creates a culture of acceptance and kindness within their school community.Â
This year we are honored to recognize Thomas B. Chinn Elementary (Park Hill School District) as our Rita Blitt Kindest School.
A Special Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors
Meet Our Honorary Stars
This year to celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we are recognizing all past Honorary Stars with the Lifetime of Kindness Award.Â
These individuals continue to embody the spirit of philanthropy, leadership, and kindness and we are so excited to welcome them back.
Sponsor our Kindest Kansas Citian Awards Ceremony
Check back later for our 2026 sponsorship opportunities!
Trailblazer - $20,000
- Four premiere tables for eight (32 guests)
- Logo in the printed program and event slideshow
- Logo with link to company website on event webpage
- Logo included on one social media post pre-event
- Full-page ad in the event program
- Verbal on-stage recognition during the program
- Champagne set at tables
Changemaker - $10,000
- Two premiere tables for eight (16 guests)
- Logo in the printed program and event slideshow
- Logo with link to company website on event webpage
- Logo included on one social media post pre-event
- Half-page ad in the event program
- Verbal on-stage recognition during the program
Guardian - $5,000
- One premiere table for six (8 guests)
- Name in the printed program and event slideshow
- Name included on event webpage
- Name included on one social media post pre-event
- Quarter-page ad in the event program
Champion - $3,000
- One table for six (8 guests)
- Name in the printed program and event slideshow​
- Name included on event webpage
- Name included on one social media post pre-event​
Friend - $600
- Seating for two
- Name included in the printed program