Awards 2022
In 2022, the Kansas Professional Communicators selected the two columns:
William's story continues and The Tommy we didn't know
for a First Place award.
Judges' comments included:
Your dedication to this touching story is admirable. Great job in honoring this young man and his loved-ones. Your writing is
emotional and pulls the reader in.
A second column published in the Kansas Reflector also received a First Place award. Judges' comments included:
You've done an excellent job taking what could be simply an interesting chapter in your family's history and putting it into
a larger context of the Depression and United States society during that time.
The article also appeared in Kansas Snapshots and can be seen at Grandpa's ledger.
The Kansas Professional Communicators also selected an article that appeared in the Kansas Reflector on the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
Judges' comments included:
You have a gift for weaving individual stories with larger history to set the stage while bringing the reader back to a local
event (the exhibit) they can attend. Well done.
The article also appeared in Kansas Snapshots and can be seen at Happy Birthday, ADA.
The KPC also recognized a column published in the Kansas Reflector with a First Place award for a personality profile
about the local director of the historical society who had recently died. Judges' comments included:
Well-written and emotional piece. I feel like I know Cheryl just by reading this article. Brilliant storytelling.
That article was also published in Kansas Snapshots and can be seen at History sister.
The KPC also selected an article that appeared in the Kansas Reflector about the use of murals in small towns to encourage
local spirit and tourism. Judges' comments included:
A fun article to read filled with useful information. I expect you have inspired others to visit these towns or others to
fund public murals.
This article was also published in Kansas Snapshots and can be seen at Mural magic.
First-Place KPC winners were automatically entered into the National Federation of Press Women national contest. The
columns "William's story continues" and "The Tommy we didn't know" received an Honorable Mention.
Judges' comments about the columns included:
Important topic. Well-researched and supported throughout the column. Great opening. Descriptive and moving. Personal, yet relates
to everyone. Nicely organized.
In addition, the column "Mural magic" received a Second Place.
Judges' comments about the columns included:
The reader is drawn into the story with a tease and explanatory information. The story broadens, providing further context for the
readers. Well done.
The NFPW selected "Happy Birthday, ADA" for an Honorable Mention.
Judges' comments included:
I like that the writer found specific examples of people both affected by ADA compliance, or lack thereof, and who are serving
as change-makers. Adding how the ADA complience pieces help able-bodied individuals was a great tie-in as well. I would have liked
to know more about the changes still needed that were mentioned in the last paragraph. It might have also been nice to know a few
more specific items that were addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act.