Sixth Grader Wins "Kindest Kansas Citian" Essay Contest
Elliot McCarty, grade 6, won the sixth-grade division of the 2026 Kindest Kansas Citian Essay Contest.
Organized by Synergy Services, the contest is open to students in grades K–12. Each year, a committee of volunteers reviews submissions and selects one winner from each grade level. Now in its 36th year, Barstow students have been recognized in past years as well.
This year, more than 4,000 students from across the Kansas City area submitted essays describing someone in the Kansas city community who embodies kindness.
In his essay, Elliot nominated Annika Aquino, a local business owner who supports the community through volunteer work helping those in need. Aquino fosters dogs for rescue organizations, provides free meals to patrons in need at her brewery and is a U.S. military veteran.
Elliot and the other grade-level winners will be recognized at the Kindest Kansas Citian awards celebration on Friday, April 17, at Union Station.
