People

Although Columbia may be considered a small town by many, it has no shortage of people bettering the community. There are far more than 10 people making a difference in Columbia, but we chose to include the following ones because they are…

Stephen Paul Sayers became a bestselling author on the dare of a teenager — specifically, the prodding of his own daughter. An associate professor of physical therapy in the School of Health Professions at MU, Sayers didn’t seem a natural…

Melanie Prather Studer was sick of what she didn’t know. The Columbia native and mother of three sons had just successfully shuttled her eldest into his first year of high school, and already she could feel the pressures of college,…

A tiger cannot change its stripes — and that’s certainly true for Kelly Bryant, a former Clemson Tiger and now MU football’s senior quarterback. Bryant committed to University of Missouri on Dec. 5 and this fall will be his first season…

If greatness is born and not made, don’t tell Max Scherzer. The most decorated professional baseball player Mizzou has ever produced won’t believe you. “This is the place where I realized that work ethic is more important than talent,”…

There is something magical about the combination of crisp December air and twinkling lights that makes the holiday season special for many Columbians. That magic is felt when darkness falls over the Village of Cherry Hill shopping center.…

Stephen Johnson has been playing Santa Claus during the holiday season for 25 years, but the 65-year-old says he has looked the part since he was 40. The only difference between then and now is the amount of theatrical dye necessary for him…

When doctors released Joshua Williams Sr. from the hospital in December 2017 — after an almost fatal gunshot wound — he immediately started cooking. Despite orders to rest, the 30-year-old chef-owner of Papadoo’s Soul Food & BBQ says…

In 2017, Jennifer Hecker began noticing fatigue and pain in her leg. With a little massage, it would go away, so she dismissed it as perhaps a developing cardiovascular issue or diabetes. The pain began to migrate to her arms — first…

Emmett Russell pulls on his worn gloves and slides clear plastic safety glasses over his eyes before picking out a sheet of metal and plugging in the welder. His gray “Russellbilt” sweatshirt keeps him warm as he works in the coolness of…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - Brian Buchheit never intended to go into the family business. As a child, Buchheit’s father, All Star Automotive owner Bob Buchheit, would bring him to work on Saturdays as a way to spend time together. Those…

Springfield, Missouri-born Scott Buis served in the Army for four years and four months. During that time as a network switching systems operator and maintainer, Buis was stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona and Camp Red Cloud in South…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - Veronica Herzing was discovered by her profession. Before she joined her husband at Fortified Roofing and Siding, Herzing worked for the state for 20 years. Herzing knew her experience and skills would be an asset…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - Justin Riley is a legacy at Dryer’s Shoe Store. His grandfather and Dryer’s founder, Newton Riley, taught him from an early age how to be a sucessful businessman and treat customers with gratitude and respect.…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - Lisa Byrd has worked as a nurse and a family nurse practitioner in cardiovascular surgery for Missouri Heart Center for the past 19 years. Throughout that time, she has assisted Dr. Richard Mellitt with cardiac and…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - Kenda Bond never intended to have a career in the automotive industry. Twenty years ago, Bond met fate when she started with All Star Automotive, and instantly hit it off with the owner, Bob Buchheit, and her…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - Veterans United Home Loans has a huge heart for veterans in our community. So much, in fact, that two employees, Joan Govero and James Chapman, have led the way in their commitment and passion for making a…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - For Tim Rich, serving others is a way of life. Born into The Salvation Army as a home church, Rich was a third-generation member of the organization and spent many holiday seasons working the Red Kettles with his…

Anna Drake has lived in Columbia since the 1990s, long enough to consider herself an “honorary native.” She has always enjoyed creating art and took every class available to her throughout her school years. “Art has never not been a part…

- PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - Megan Teck’s determination lead her to her career at All Star Automotive. At a young age, Teck worked on cars with her father and enjoyed taking trips to the demolition derby and dirt tracks. Her interest in…