Quality Citizen Award

The Belle Plaine Community Foundation is pleased to announce James (Jim) Stambaugh as the 2024 Quality Citizen of the Year. Jim Stambaugh was born and raised in Macksville, Kansas. He graduated high school with a love for music, speech, drama and football. He received a degree in music education with an emphasis in vocal, speech and drama from Fort Hays State University. His love for football also continued at Fort Hays where he was the head drum major for the all-male, marching football Tigers.

After graduating, Stambaugh joined the Army National Guard and taught vocal music for grades 6-12 in Kensington, KS for 4 years followed by 8 years at Wichita County High School. He then taught for the first time at Belle Plaine High School for 4 years. At each location, he shared his passion for show choir and musicals as well as teaching all students that they can succeed if the desire is there.

In 1984 Stambaugh took a break from education and opened his own business, the “Hair Director”, where he was for the next 15 years. He became an active member of the Belle Plaine community and joined the local Chamber of Commerce where he was one of the founding members of the development of Tulip Time. Jim and his wife, Deanna, were the organizers of all talent presentations for Tulip Time for many years. They started the Duke and Duchess contest that still continues to this day. Stambaugh began and was the Director of the Belle Plaine Community Singers, a group that performed a Christmas and Spring program every year. They started a tradition of performing a full production for the community during Tulip Time, which was always held in an empty downtown building. After every show, the empty building would end up being rented, some of which included Gambino’s, the auction house, the restaurant and the body shop. Their final performance was a hit production of “Hello Dolly!”.

Stambaugh became a member of the Belle Plaine City Council and served on the Board of Education during his break from teaching. With Council he was part of the development of better roads, improvements to the swimming pool and downtown development that included outlining downtown buildings with Christmas lights for the first time. He was passionate about advocating for the students in all areas of education and extracurricular activities during his time with the Board of Education.

Jim was asked to return to teaching at Belle Plaine schools around 1999 as the vocal music teacher. Over the next 10 years he developed what were known as “Stambaugh Productions”. Students in grades 6th-8th were required to take vocal music, hoping that this would spark their interest to continue through high school. Many students did continue during their high school years and the Middle School and High School students participated in 10 incredible musicals to sellout crowds. The students found pride in their work and far surpassed all expectations with their performances of shows like “Music Man”, “South Pacific”, “Good News”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Oliver!” and his favorite “Oklahoma!”.

Stambaugh's favorite accomplishment with the BP High School Singers was being chosen to perform 4 times during Magic Music Days in Disney World, 3 times on a cruise ship to the Bahamas and selected for a pre-show for Showstoppers in Branson, Missouri. His experience as a teacher brought more than just musical accolades, he proved that students can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. His students were able to go places and do things they may not have been able to do without their music participation.

After retiring in 2010, Stambaugh spent time as a para in the Elementary School, a member of the School Board, a member of the Belle Plaine Community Foundation and the Belle Plaine Education Foundation. He has also been involved as an Emcee for Tulip Time and the Downtown Festival for the past approximately 9 years.

Most importantly, Stambaugh sees one of his greatest accomplishments as being married to his wife Deanna Stambaugh. He describes her as the best wife and an outstanding teacher. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year in Wellington, KS and was a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year. She was an incredible wife and mother to two wonderful boys, but was also considered ‘Mom 2’ to all of their students. Stambaugh is also extremely proud of his sons, Eric (Director of Bands at Hutchinson Community College) and Dru (Operation Manager for Walmart). Jim tries to live by Deanna’s motto of Live, Laugh, Love. Live each day as we never know when it will be our last. Laugh and enjoy your life to the fullest. Love your life and the accomplishments you have made.