Imperial’s ‘21 Outstanding Citizens active in community, school

    When residents read the names of this year’s Outstanding Citizen selections in Imperial, most won’t be saying, “Who’s that?”
    That’s because the pair is very active in the community and school.
    Johnny Miller and Markenna Terryberry earned this year’s Outstanding Citizen honors after they were nominated by fellow residents.
    From the nominations received, the Imperial city council chose the two winners following the Jan. 18 council meeting.
    This year marks the fifth year for the Outstanding Citizen selections.
    The individual nominating Miller wrote: “The one thing that has stood out all these years is he is always willing to volunteer or help someone in need, even if it means sacrificing his own things.”
    The nomination continued, “He’s one of those guys that always has a smile on his face and waves to everyone.”
    “He is a rare breed,” it added. “In this day and age it’s hard to trust people, but you know you can always count on him.”
    Miller is currently a member of Imperial EMS, VFW, Eagles Club, American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE), Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited.
    Regarding ABATE, Miller said, “I’ve been helping them forever but decided to join six years ago.” It sounded similar with Ducks Unlimited.
    He served 15 years on the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department, and is also a former Imperial Jaycee.
    Miller has lived in Imperial nearly 39 years. He will mark his 25th year with Great Plains Communications this fall, and also worked 12 1/2 years for the city of Imperial.
    It was his public works position with the city that led to 35 years as the Chase County Fair’s “cleanup man.” He retired from that added job following the 2019 fair.
    Miller said his selection was a surprise, and thanked his nominator, adding, “There are probably other people more deserving.”
    Together, he and his wife, Roxane, have nine grown children and 21 grandchildren.
    The person nominating Terryberry wrote, “Markenna is a young lady that is quiet and sticks to the shadows, but is always busy and working toward a goal or helping others.”
    The CCS junior when not in the classroom is busy with CCS organizations, sports and student government.
    She’s been an Imperial FFA member since seventh grade, and is the chapter’s historian this year. She started her own succulent plant business as her FFA Supervised Ag Experience project.
    Her three years on the Lady Longhorn softball team was preceded by several years in Imperial city leagues. She is considering joining the CCS golf team this spring.
    Her fellow students elected her junior class treasurer and she’s also involved in the youth group at Imperial’s First United Methodist Church.
    TeamMates is also an organization in which she’s involved. Terryberry has been a mentee since the program organized at CCS.
    She works part-time at 509 Broadway, and is the daughter of Matt and Carrie Terryberry.
    Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland said the honorees will be formally recognized at the city’s appreciation dinner this spring.
    The pair will also have a special place of recognition in the Chase County Fair Parade in August.