Latest Event

A look at our first annual event to
crown the next titleholder...

Stacy Ritt
Garden City, KS

Miss. Stacy Ritt, 29, is no stranger to the disability community. Stacy, who has had Cerebral Palsy since birth, has worked in the disability field and participated in various advocacy groups for the past ten years. While living in Wisconsin, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in 1999 from the University of Wisconsin. Also while in Wisconsin, Stacy worked as a WDRC Coordinator for Wisconsin Coalition for Centers for Independent Living, a Voter Education Project Coordinator for IndependenceFirst, and a Volunteer Instructor for United Cerebral Palsy. Stacy moved to Kansas five years ago and currently lives in Garden City. She has worked as a Project Coordinator/IL coordinator for the Center for Independent Living of Southwest Kansas since 2002. Stacy has been involved with ADAPT, the National Council on Independent Living, the Big Tent Coalition, the Voter Registration Project, and has volunteered at the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum for four years. She has attended two gubernatorial inaugurations and has met President and Nancy Reagan on the White House lawn. Stacy describes herself as a self-starter, creative, a leader from the middle, an idealist, and goal-oriented. She is the oldest of four children and enjoys working on the computer, creating websites and other graphic designs. Her current goals are to return to school to work on a Master’s degree in Disability Studies and to eventually pursue a law degree to fight the injustices that prevent people from full participation in our society. Stacy states that she has always wanted to make a difference in the world and has been drawn to fight for the under dog.

Angel Shaver
Satanta, KS

First Runner-Up!

Mrs. Angel Shaver, 31, considers being a mother as one of her greatest achievements. Angel, who currently lives in Satanta, is a wife and mother of two children. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science and Bible and Theology from Mid-America Bible College, as well as a Master’s degree in Family Therapy from Friends University. Angel previously lived in Pennsylvania and worked as a family therapist and mobile therapist. In 2004 she sustained nerve damage and traumatic brain injury from an accident, but still gave birth to her second child that very night of the accident. Angel has lived in Kansas for one year and spends her time volunteering with the youth and with Bible School at her church. She loves music and scrapbooking, and describes herself as a mom, smart, a Christian, determined, and organized. Angel has many future goals which include getting her kids raised to be productive, independent adults; working as a family therapist after her kids are in school; helping others get organized; learning violin; and reading a book a month.

Amanda Trei
Lawrence, KS

Miss. Amanda Trei, 28, believes in setting goals to reach your dreams. Amanda, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 1992, has accomplished many goals over the years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education K-9, Special Education K-9, and English as a Second Language K-9 from Emporia State University. Amanda, who currently lives in Lawrence, has worked as a K-2 Special Education and English as a Second Language teacher in the Lawrence Public School system since 2003. She has a passion for educating others about teachers with disabilities teaching students with disabilities. Amanda lists many other accomplishments over the years including being a speaker at her high school graduation, graduating from an accredited university with honors, living in her own house, and owning her own vehicle. Amanda describes herself as determined, passionate, happy, dedicated, and inspiring. She says that she lives everyday to inform people about living with a spinal cord injury and letting them know that living with this disability is not the end of life, but only the beginning.

Ranita Wilks
Lawrence, KS

Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2006!

*see Current Titleholder for biography

  Zach Coble

Mr. Zach Coble is from Winfield, KS and currently attends the University of Kansas where he is studying political science and applied behavioral science. At KU, he is Vice-President of the campus disability group AbleHawks. Zach has also been involved with the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum where he was a delegate in 2002 and presently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy’s Board of Directors.

  Melissa Ortiz

Mrs. Melissa Ortiz, a resident of Queens, New York, was diagnosed at age three with Cerebral Palsy as a result of birth trauma and contracted meningal coxal disease at the age of nine months. She was re-diagnosed in 2003 as having congenital neurological malformation rather than Cerebral Palsy.

Melissa is active in raising disability awareness on local, state and national levels and was named Ms. Wheelchair New York 2005 in October 2004 in Albany, New York. She has also managed political campaigns since the age of 19 on the local, state assembly, and Congressional levels.

Melissa was born in Atlanta, GA, and resided there until 1975 when she moved with her mother to Jerusalem, Israel. She returned to Atlanta in 1977 for a brief period then moved to the Nashville, TN, area where she lived most consistently until relocating to Queens in 2002.

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice/Broadcast Communications from Belmont University and teaching certification from Union University. She was a schoolteacher for the Tennessee Public School System and private schools in NYC from 1995 to 2003. Melissa is currently employed as a voice artist with On Air Voices.

Melissa’s mother was lead soprano for the Atlanta Opera Company and Fletcher Wolfe Chorale. Her father was president of Rudy’s Farm Sausage of Georgia. Melissa married Tony Ortiz, of Queens, New York, in 2002. Her hobbies include volunteering for various organizations, reading, scrap booking, cooking, playing board games, entertaining friends, and conquering crossword puzzles. She is a fiercely competitive Scrabble player and loves playing with her Dachshund, Lucy.

  Jaryl Perkins

Mr. Jaryl Perkins has over 21 years with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.  Most of those years were with Rehabilitation Services, serving in several capacities.  He is currently the Assistant Director of Integrated Services for the South Central region of SRS, a 17 county area around Sedgwick County.

Jaryl has a bachelor’s degree from Bethany College, Lindsborg in Psychology and Sociology.  He has a master’s degree in Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, specializing in rehabilitation counseling.

Jaryl is currently on the board of the United Way of the Flint Hills, the Topeka AIDS Project, the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, and on advisory councils for the University of Arkansas and Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness.

Jaryl’s avocation is community theatre.  He has received four Renna Hunter acting awards from Topeka Civic Theatre.  He has also been fortunate to perform abroad in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway with a Swedish dance group, in Sweden and Germany with a choir, and in the St. Petersburg, Russia region with a musical performing group.  Jaryl is also an avid Wizard of Oz fan. He lives in Emporia with his eighteen year-old daughter Danielle, and his fourteen year-old son, Grant.

  JiaoJiao Shen

Ms. JiaoJiao Shen is the anchor for 27 News Early Today and 27 News Today. JiaoJiao first came to Topeka as a general assignment reporter in July 2003.  She was promoted to weekend anchor a year later, then promoted to morning anchor in January 2005.  JiaoJiao graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Journalism with a Bachelors in Journalism in May 2003.

JiaoJiao is very active in the community.  She is the co-PR Chair for the Arthritis Walk 2006.  JiaoJiao is also a Youthfriend for Topeka 501. She has also worked with Junior Achievement and will start volunteering with the Capper Foundation this spring.  JiaoJiao is also a proud member of the Leadership Greater Topeka class of 2006.

JiaoJiao's family is spread out all over the country, and the world! Her parents and little brother live in Littleton, CO, where JiaoJiao went to Wheat Ridge High School.  She also has family on both coasts, and in China!  JiaoJiao was born in Xi'an, China and came to the United States when she was only two-years-old.  Even though she was not originally from the Mid-West, JiaoJiao now considers Topeka her home and is proud to be a part of such a caring community.

Rebecca Branam
Ogden, KS

Mrs. Rebecca Branam, 39, lives her life as an example of independence. Rebecca, who was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome, has used her independence through the many activities that she has participated in over the years. She has been a member of the family selection committee for Habitat Humanity, worked as an ILC at Three Rivers Independent Living Center for two years, and currently works as a Sales Representative for Social Security Administration in Manhattan. In 2002 Rebecca won the Social Security Regional Commissioners Outstanding Customer Service Award. Rebecca is married and has one son, DeMarco. When she is not working, Rebecca is active at her son’s school and enjoys volunteering from time to time. She describes herself as a mother, wife, humorous, spiritual, and honest. Her goal is to keep her family healthy and happy. Rebecca also enjoys making speeches on a variety of topics including disability, sexuality, transition, faith, and much more. Rebecca, who lives in Ogden, KS, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services from Emporia State University.

Clarissa Cooper
Independence, KS

Miss. Clarissa Cooper, 30, wants to make a difference in the world and live life to the fullest! Since the onset of quadriplegia caused from a spinal cord injury in 1995, she has done just that. Clarissa, who currently lives in Independence, KS, enjoys sharing her story and has spoken to various groups including an education class at Emporia State University and an RCIA class at her church. Clarissa attended Emporia State University from 1992 to 1999 where she graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Independent Studies and an emphasis in Elementary Education. She currently works as a Sales Associate at Bath and Body Works and enjoys volunteering at St. Andrew’s Catholic School where she helps out in the 3rd and 4th grade classes. Clarissa also recently became a board member for the Resource Center for Independent Living and spends time promoting Durrie Vision’s “Focus on Independence” program through her website and a video. Clarissa describes herself as family oriented, honest, compassionate, inspired, sincere, and enthusiastic. Some of her future ambitions include becoming a counselor, traveling, and enjoying all that life has to offer.

JoAnne Fluke
Ottawa, KS

Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2005!

*see Current Titleholder for biography

Stacy Ritt
Garden City, KS

First Runner-Up!

Miss. Stacy Ritt, 28, has had many years of experience in the disability field. Stacy was born with Cerebral Palsy. For many years, she lived in Wisconsin where she obtained her Bachelors degree in 1999 from the University of Wisconsin. She worked in the Services for Students with Disabilities Office and was a student senator for two years. Also while in Wisconsin, Stacy worked as a WDRC Coordinator for Wisconsin Coalition for Centers for Independent Living, a Voter Education Project Coordinator for IndependenceFirst, a Volunteer Instructor for United Cerebral Palsy, and Partner of Scanning Ink. Stacy currently lives in Garden City, KS and has lived in this state for four years. She worked at LINK, Inc. as a Systems Change Specialist for two years, and now works for the Center for Independent Living of Southwest Kansas as a Project / Peer Coordinator. Stacy is currently involved with the Working Healthy Board, was a member of the National Council for Independent Living (NCIL) for two years, has been an organizer for ADAPT for the past five years, and has volunteered for the Kansas Youth Leaership Forum as a Group Counselor for three years. She has always been strong advocate and describes herself as having integrity, being determined, empowering, honest, and trustworthy. Stacy enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and playing computer games. She would one day like to own her own business and see the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

  Sanford Alexander

Mr. Alexander holds a Masters of Science Degree in Guidance & Counseling (1970) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English (1967), both from Long Island University, Brooklyn campus. He has had a life long direct acquaintance with services for the blind with the first half of his life as a full time consumer and the second half as a consumer and provider in the field of work with the blind. Mr. Alexander was born in Wichita, KS, but spent his early years in Philadelphia and New York. Since returning to Kansas, Mr. Alexander has worked with a number of community agencies and held several appointed or elected positions including a board member of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas; President of the Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired; President of Guide Dog Users of Kansas; member of the Advisory Committee for the Department of Services for the Blind, Kansas SRS; and advisor to Kansas Specialty Dog Services (KSDS). Currently, he serves as president of The Wichita Association for the Visually Handicapped; member of the State Rehabilitation Council; member of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Board of Directors, Smithtown NY; and member of the Assistive Technology Project site three advisory committees.

  Michele Leahy

Miss. Leahy understands disability from three unique perspectives. She was born with Spina Bifida, was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis at age 11 (a form of Muscular Dystrophy), and was hit by a tow truck at age 23. Michele recently completed her reign as Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2004, where she promoted disability awareness throughout the Commonwealth and even had the opportunity to speak on the PA Senate floor. Michele is currently a Service Coordinator for Liberty Resources, Inc. (a Center for Independent Living in Philadelphia, PA). As a freelance writer, Michele has written for such publications as the feminist magazine “Off Our Backs” and the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Financing Program quarterly newsletter. Until 2004, she wrote the monthly column “Chelly In the City” for Disabled Dealer Magazine. She campaigned for independence through sales of accessible and adaptive equipment by being a Certified Mobility Consultant. Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Penn State University. She has independently traveled throughout the United States and Western Europe, and has even had a private audience with the Pope.

  Rob Peppers

Mr. Peppers was born in Salina, KS. In May of 1988, he graduated, with honors, from the University of Kansas. Rob is currently a meteorologist for WIBW-TV in Topeka, KS and has served in this position for the past 17 years. He was named to the “Best of Topeka” list by the Topeka Capital-Journal in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Rob serves on the Board of Directors for the NE Kansas Parkinson’s Association. He also has been a co-host of the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration in 2002 and 2003, and was the keynote speaker for the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum in 2002 and 2003.

  George Vega

Mr. Vega has worked for the State Government for over 30 years. He currently holds the position of Director of Human Resources for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. George also holds an adjunct position at Friends University and Mid-America Nazarene University, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate business courses. George was born and raised in Topeka, KS. He holds a Bachelors degree in History from Washburn University and a Masters degree in Management from Baker University. George is married with four children and two grandchildren.