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LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Lee’s Summit is home to one of the 243 spellers who will gather in Washington, D.C. in late May to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Beckett Griffin, 11, attends William Joseph Underwood Elementary. She described her feelings of excitement multiple times during our interview.

“I know I’m saying excited a lot. I’m just really excited, that’s all,” she said. “I'm elated right now. I’m really honored that I get to go to the National Spelling Bee.”

The fifth grader studies two to three hours a day in between volleyball, Girl Scouts and student council meetings.

“I always try to go full on, 100%, when I do stuff,” Beckett said. “I like to persevere, move on and keep trying no matter what.”

Beckett said she particularly likes to study words that sound different from how they appear on paper.

“I really like spelling words that sound different than how they are spelled, like Ouagadougou," she said.

Beckett’s former teacher, Kristen Whipple, and KSHB 41's Abby Dodge did not pass her spelling test.

“Even though Beckett has very strong academic skills, she always wanted to learn more, always wanted to know more," Whipple said.

Beckett said her experience in her local spelling bee had a profound impact on her.

“I think the spelling bee journey has really lifted me up and given me confidence,” she said.

Whipple said she anticipates a large cheering section for Beckett back in Kansas City.

“It is such an important lesson to show and an example to show her classmates that hard work pays off and to persevere when things get hard,” Whipple said. "If you set your mind to something and you put in the work, you can make it happen.”

The Scripps National Spelling Bee airs on ION starting May 28.

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Vanilla and birthday cake are just a couple of the flavors offered at Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in Lee’s Summit.

The shop, which just opened Friday, May 16, also has one extra special ingredient: inclusion.

Tommy Webb was hired a couple of weeks ago for what he calls his “first real job.”

Diagnosed with autism, he now has co-workers with whom he can relate.

He’s one of the 12 “heroes” — as the shop refers to employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Since the opening, they’ve been busy.

One of the reasons for the many new clients is the sense of belonging that goes beyond the counter.

Kayla Daugherty took her 5-year-old daughter for some ice cream. Penelope also has an autism diagnosis.

"That is something that we think about as special needs parents: Are my kids going to be able to hold down a job?” Daugherty said.

This was a fear Tommy's mom also had.

“There are so few opportunities for kids and young adults like Tommy to succeed,” said Sharona Wood, Tommy's mother.

But now, watching him get his first paycheck, she feels like she can breathe easier.

"He's doing all the wonderful things that we had hoped for,” Wood said.

Tyreka Smith, one of the minds behind the nonprofit TNC Community, said her employees can "do anything."

"Sometimes you don't want to just be the minority in a business or in a room. Sometimes you want to be part of the majority," Smith said.

Howdy is a franchise, but in Lee’s Summit, the shop is owned and operated by TNC Community. The nonprofit works to create opportunities for the future, one scoop at a time.

"Maybe when she turns whatever age, she can come and work here too,” Daugherty said of her daughter.

Judy Marlene (Haines) Duncan, one of the most precious people you’d ever hope to meet, was elevated to the status of a heavenly angel on May 1,2025. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Judy was the first child and eldest daughter of O. Kenneth Haines and Bernice (Rethorst) Haines. She shared her parents love with younger sister, Janet, and younger brother, Ken. It was at the time of her brother Ken’s birth that her momma unexpectedly passed and Judy at 10 years old became “the big girl,” rising to the challenge of doing her very best in all that was asked of her. St. Jerome, a theologian, writer and historian, had a quote, “Good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is your best.” This could be said of Judy throughout her life. She was a loving daughter to Tresa Bettis Haines Smith, who became the wife of Judy’s father and brought a mother’s touch to Judy, Janet, and “Kenny” following her mother’s passing.

Judy was bride and best friend to her husband, Willis (Dunk) Duncan, for 67 of her 85 years. Like a pair of cardinals, you could be sure that if you spotted one, the other was nearby. Hand in hand, Judy and Willis navigated life with care, courage, and excitement. Two sons were blessed to have Judy as their mom. Robert and Aaron. Both have grown into exceptional men and are a beautiful reflection of the dedication, nurturing, and steadfast love afforded to them by Judy and Willis. She will rest easy knowing the care given to their sons is given to Willis, who will always know love and security. Judy shared a special bond with her niece, Donna Gustafson, who became like a daughter to Judy after her younger sister’s passing.

Judy became mother-in-law to Aaron’s wife, Leah Licausi, and grandmother of the heart to Leah’s four children, Matthew Licausi (Cara), Emily Holmes, Kevin Holmes (Starla) and Ethan Holmes (Sabrina). She became great grandmother or “Mimi” as she was called by her 12 great grandchildren. In order of age, they are Christian Hardin, Mavrick Legrande, Jeremiah Huffstutler, Jude Anthony Licausi, Cecilia Licausi, Gemma Licausi, Annakah Holmes, Charlotte Holmes, Janiaya Huffstutler, Justice Holmes, Oliver Holmes, Joseph Holmes and honorary granddaughter, Sage Hagerty.

Judy lived a life of abundance. Her friendships were overflowing, and each was handled with care. She was a storyteller and music filled her soul. Her art was incredible. Detailing her life real and imagined. Judy enthusiastically wore “Red hats,” walked with neighbors, lunched with “lips ladies,” became an active member of P.E.O, loved joining friends for dinner theater, loved her bunko gang, traveled throughout the United States and Europe, and volunteered at St. Luke’s East hospital gift shop. To say she was a busy gal was an understatement.

She was a faithful member of her church community and showed her faith through her open heart, her compassion, and listening without judgement. Most of all she was human. She laughed, cried, cussed and discussed, never losing her curiosity or her sense of adventure. She was organized to a fault. Anything you needed to know in her absence was documented and categorized with no detail left out. However, there was no information that told us how we are to be without her. We love you baby momma, our Mimi, Willis’s partner in love and life, our friend and our confidant. You were, and are treasured here, there and everywhere. Until we are together again, keep your eyes on us and know you are always in our hearts.

Celebration of Life will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Lee’s Summit, May 15, 2025.Visitation at 10:00 am. Service at 11:00 am.

Lee’s Summit, MO — Cynda Rader was the first to publicly announce her candidacy to be the next mayor of Lee’s Summit. A city councilwoman, Rader has a strong record of public service, including time on the city’s Planning Commission, Water Utility Board, and the Tax Review Board.

“I am excited to meet with voters across the city to hear their ideas on how to keep Lee’s Summit on the right path to prosperity,” stated Rader. “During my first term on city council, I’ve realized there is so much work that needs to be done at the mayoral level.”

Highlighted in Rader’s announcement video, support for first responders is a top priority for the campaign, alongside improved infrastructure of major highways. With a determined effort involving cooperation with the city’s business and civic leaders, she plans to foster sustainable job growth and responsible economic development in Lee’s Summit. She also aims to bring a vision of inclusion with all facets of public and private entities coming together to strengthen the future of our city.

“We must carefully consider the long term impacts the city government’s decisions have on our citizens. There’s no room for big egos or entitled mindsets in the mayor’s office. Lee’s Summit needs civic-minded, people-oriented leadership that will listen to and respect constituents and work together as a city council to provide quality service to our city.”

Outside of public service, Rader is a proud mother of three and grandmother of four. As an accomplished local Realtor, builder and developer, and owner of The Cynda Sells Real Estate Company, she knows how to navigate the red tape of doing business in the city and hopes to alleviate the struggles families are facing in the current housing market. Additionally, she aims to attract new industry, manufacturing, and Class A business to create jobs which will allow our citizens to really Live, Work and Stay in Lee’s Summit.

The election for mayor will take place in April 2026.