The Great Bend Tribune news staff earned eight first-place awards in the 2022 Awards of Excellence contest sponsored by the Kansas Press Association. 

Hugo Gonzalez won Best Graphic Designer, an award category in which all divisions were combined. His work is featured prominently in both news and advertising content.

The Tribune competed in Division IV, for newspapers with a circulation of 3,501 to 5,600, including the Emporia Gazette, Pittsburg Morning Sun and Wichita Business Journal. 

The Tribune also won first place in its division in the following news categories:

• Sports Photo - “Running Wild,” by Hugo Gonzalez

• General News - “To Your Health,” by Dale Hogg

• Best Environmental Portrait - “One Step at a Time,” by Hugo Gonzalez

• Best Story/Picture Combination - “First Responders Battle Wind,” by Mike Gilmore

• Religion Story - “Building the Kingdom Campus,” by Susan Thacker

• Seniors Story - “One Amazing Lady,” by Susan Thacker

• Spot News - “Not So Mobile,” by Dale Hogg

Encompassing work by the entire news staff, the Tribune also earned six second-place awards and four third-place awards.

Second-place awards:

• Best Use of Photos - by staff

• Best Online Video (Sports) - 2021 Spring Sports Preview promo video by Hugo Gonzalez

• Sports Pages - by Josh Keller and James Misunas

• Editorial Writing - “The Great Divide,” “Mend Bridges,” “Share the Vaccine,” by Susan Thacker

• Headline writing - “Seventh Heaven,” “ Bye Bye Chiefs,” “A Legend is Born,” by James Misunas

• News Story - “PCSO Battle,” by Mike Gilmore

Third-place awards:

• General News - “Not So Mobile,” by Dale Hogg

• Editorial Pages - Great Bend Tribune front pages, by staff

• Religion Story - “Blessed Bike Rally Rocks Downtown,” by Susan Thacker

• Sports Story - “7th Heaven Running Wild,” by James Misunas

The Kansas Press Association’s 2022 Awards of Excellence (AOE) Celebration and Learning Event will take place June 9-10 at Newton.

“I am so proud of everyone here at the Tribune,” said Publisher Judy Duryee. “What they do on a daily basis never ceases to amaze me.”

The Tribune is a premier newspaper and local news source, “but we are more than that, and this year’s awards earned by the Tribune team highlight this,” Duryee said. “From online advertising to videos to special promotions, we are capable of being a multi-media provider that can deliver news and other content in a variety of ways.”

Managing Editor Dale Hogg also commented on the awards.

“The strength of the Tribune has always been its people and every issue is a team effort,” Hogg said. “This is demonstrated by the fact that everyone on our news, advertising and production staff had a mention in the awards earned.”  

The readers are the true beneficiaries of this, Hogg said. “With every edition, we strive to give those who rely on us for news and information the best product we can.”