Stephanie DeSpain graduated from J.C. Harmon High School in
2009 and began attending Kansas State University immediately afterward. While she enjoyed the experience on campus, finances
dictated that she needed to return home to Kansas City, Kansas. Stephanie started taking courses at Johnson
County Community College, working toward a business degree. However, she soon discovered a new passion
and path: cooking.
2009 and began attending Kansas State University immediately afterward. While she enjoyed the experience on campus, finances
dictated that she needed to return home to Kansas City, Kansas. Stephanie started taking courses at Johnson
County Community College, working toward a business degree. However, she soon discovered a new passion
and path: cooking.
Almost 10 years after completing high school, Stephanie is
now an entrepreneur and owner of Pyet’s Plate.
She says the most rewarding part is the ability to be as creative as she
wants. “My name is behind my food,
talent, sweat and tears,” she said. She
recognizes the challenges that come with building clientele, but overall, she
is happy with her decision to start her own business.
now an entrepreneur and owner of Pyet’s Plate.
She says the most rewarding part is the ability to be as creative as she
wants. “My name is behind my food,
talent, sweat and tears,” she said. She
recognizes the challenges that come with building clientele, but overall, she
is happy with her decision to start her own business.
Recognizing, understanding and overcoming challenges is
something that Stephanie says she learned from her two years as a 20/20
Leadership participant. “My favorite
part is that we didn’t just see successful people. We saw what happens when you make mistakes or
don’t meet your full potential,” she said.
something that Stephanie says she learned from her two years as a 20/20
Leadership participant. “My favorite
part is that we didn’t just see successful people. We saw what happens when you make mistakes or
don’t meet your full potential,” she said.
Stephanie was introduced to the program by her high school
advisor and at first, she was unsure of what the experience would bring. She
says her peers thought it was just a program to get out of school, but she saw
it as an additional learning opportunity.
“I was surprised, impressed and I truly enjoyed everything,” she
remembers.
advisor and at first, she was unsure of what the experience would bring. She
says her peers thought it was just a program to get out of school, but she saw
it as an additional learning opportunity.
“I was surprised, impressed and I truly enjoyed everything,” she
remembers.
She was part of the group that started the discussion about
the Harmon Hub, a ½ mile trail that was built in 2014. Stephanie and the other 20/20 Leadership
students were interested in leaving a legacy at their school, even after they
graduated. As a 20/20 alumna, Stephanie
regularly gives of her time and talents to the organization. Most notably, she has served on the
scholarship selection committee for the past few years, assisting other alumni
with evaluating scholarship applications and naming winners.
the Harmon Hub, a ½ mile trail that was built in 2014. Stephanie and the other 20/20 Leadership
students were interested in leaving a legacy at their school, even after they
graduated. As a 20/20 alumna, Stephanie
regularly gives of her time and talents to the organization. Most notably, she has served on the
scholarship selection committee for the past few years, assisting other alumni
with evaluating scholarship applications and naming winners.
