Editorial

Mary Kasten: The 2014 Spirit of America award winner

Mary Kasten is a former Missouri legislator, education advocate and active member of this community. Her passion for the community and nation is well chronicled.

On Friday night, at the Cape Girardeau Fourth of July program held at the foot of the Common Please Courthouse, Kasten will be recognized as the 12th recipient of the Southeast Missourian's Spirit of America Award.

During the spring each year we look to you, our readers, to nominate individuals deserving of this award. It's an award this newspaper is honored to bestow. Past recipients include John "Doc" Yallaly, Dr. Dan Cotner, Melvin Gateley, Neal Edwards, James Harnes Sr., Jane Randol Jackson, Harry Rediger, Rob Callahan, David Hitt, Kent Zickfield and Ken Bender.

In today's Southeast Missourian each of the 13 nominees is recognized with the respective nominations and photo. They include Jess Bolen, Nancy Caldwell, Eva Dunn, Tom Higgins, Dr. John K. Holcomb, Billy Humphries, Kasten, Deloris Meyr, Viney Mosley, Glenneta Vogelsang, Dennis Vollink, Dr. Charles Wiles and Shirley Young.

Each person is deserving of recognition.

Kasten, nominated by two organizations, has a legacy of service that spans several areas. She has been passionate about education, serving on the school board and advocating for related legislation in the Missouri House of Representatives. Kasten was instrumental in starting the Community Caring Council.

Kasten served in the Missouri House of Representatives for 18 years, opting not to run again for a another term in 2000 to care for her husband Mel. But in 2008, when the local House seat was left vacant, Kasten, then 79, accepted the opportunity to represent the district.

Always patriotic, Kasten continues to lead the charge for good government. Her list of current or past community involvement is extensive and includes St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Community Caring Council, Pachyderm Club, Cape Girardeau school board, Missouri School Board Association, Vocational State Advisory Council, Cape Girardeau Civic Center board, Cape Vision 2000 Committee, Visitation Board of Jails and Teen Challenge Auxiliary charter member, among other organizations.

Thank you to each person and organization who submitted a nomination. We hope you consider resubmitting the nomination next year.

Congratulations to Mary Kasten, the 2014 Spirit of America award recipient.

Have a wonderful Independence Day.

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