In 1968 Debra Barnes won the Miss America contest as a young Miss Kansas hailing from the southeast corner of the state.

The accomplishments have been growing ever since for Debra Barnes Snodgrass, now a Missouri Southern music professor from Carthage.

The latest came when the Business and Professional Women chapter in Carthage named Snodgrass a, "Woman of Achievement," for 2008.

Cleo Westbay, president of the local BPW chapter, said Snodgrass earned her new title with numerous achievements over many years.

Snodgrass said she appreciated the honor.

"I love living in a community where people respect each other," Snodgrass said. "I have been here since 1981 and it's a real honor to be selected out of all the people I know in Carthage who are outstanding."

In the past 35 years, Snodgrass has traveled as a motivational speaker for elementary and secondary schools, colleges, civic organizations, and women's retreats.

"She has given her Christian testimony to churches of all denominations," according to a written release from the BPW. "She has appeared on the '700 Club,' 'Kraft Music Hall,' many talk shows on cable television and was a judge for the 1996 Miss America Pageant."

The BPW said Snodgrass has been teaching piano since she was 12 and is currently an assistant professor of music at Missouri Southern State University.

"Debbie used the scholarship she received from the local, state and national finals of the Miss America Pageant to finish her bachelors and masters degrees in piano performance from Pittsburg State University," the BPW said in a written release. "In January 2007, Debbie won the Concerto competition at Pittsburg State and was the soloist in the April 2008 concert of the Southeast Kansas Symphony.

"Now Mrs. Bill Snodgrass, Debbie and her husband live in Carthage. She is the mother of two grown daughters and the proud grandmother of five grandchildren. Debbie is the music director and teaches adult Sunday school for their church."

In a ceremony in his office on Tuesday, Carthage Mayor Jim Woestman proclaimed Oct. 19-25 National Business Women's Week.

The Carthage BPW chapter will get together at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 at Ziggy's Restaurant in Carthage for a dinner to honor Snodgrass.

Fast Fact

The Carthage chapter of the Business and Professional Women group is looking for new members. Women and men interested in joining the group will pay a $79 annual fee to join.