WRPA is proud to announce this year's award recipients, scholarship winners, and newly elected board members. These outstanding individuals were recognized during our annual Awards Banquet at the WRPA Conference.

Hall of Fame Inductee

We are pleased to welcome Richard Bridger (Sheridan) to the WRPA Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame represents the highest honor bestowed by WRPA, recognizing outstanding service and dedication to parks and recreation in Wyoming.

Professional Awards

Congratulations to our 2024 award recipients:

• Fellow Award: Seth Ulvestad (Sheridan)
• Outstanding Professional: Edwin Luers (Casper)
• Young Professional: McKoy Feland (Sheridan)
• Citation - Organization: High West Energy (Pine Bluffs)
• Presidential Award: Brad Hatch (Evanston)

Scholarship Recipients

We're proud to support the continued education and professional development of our members through the following scholarships:

• Great Western Recreation ($1,000): Deanna Fildey (Pinedale)
• Star Playground ($1,000): Curtis Hofrock (Platte County)
• Paul Petzoldt Memorial ($500): Brittany Williams (Pinedale)
• Scott Sessions Memorial ($500): Chrissy Batt (Casper)
• WRPA Conference Scholarship: Wendy Club (Laramie)

Newly Elected Board Members

We welcome our newest board members who will help guide WRPA's future:

• President-Elect: Amber Anderson (2024-2025)
• Treasurer: Zach Stewart (2024-2026)
• Board Members at Large:
  • Katie Blood (2024-2026)
  • Alicia Melchior (2024-2026)

These individuals represent the best of Wyoming's parks and recreation profession. Their dedication to improving our communities through parks and recreation services exemplifies the mission and values of WRPA.

Nominate for 2025

Do you know a parks and recreation professional making a difference in your community? Consider nominating them for a 2025 WRPA award! We're looking for outstanding individuals who:

• Demonstrate exceptional leadership in parks and recreation
• Show innovation in program development
• Contribute to the advancement of our profession
• Make significant impacts in their communities

How to Submit Nominations

For Hall of Fame and WRPA Scholarship:

• Complete the nomination form: Hall of Fame & WRPA Scholarship Form
• Deadline: May 31, 2025

For All Other Awards, Scholarships, and Board Positions:

• Complete the nomination form: Awards & Scholarships Form
• Deadline: September 1, 2025

Supporting Documentation:
Please submit all supporting documentation to both:

Kat Vialpando
Awards Chair
Laramie Recreation Center
920 Boulder Drive
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
Email: katv@cityoflaramie.org AND wyorpa00@gmail.com
Phone: (307) 721-5253

Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged!

For detailed information about awards criteria, scholarship opportunities, and nomination requirements, please visit our website: WRPA Awards & Scholarships

Don't miss this opportunity to recognize excellence in our field or apply for professional development funding. If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact our Awards Chair.

AWARDS

WRPA is proud to annually recognize outstanding park and recreation professionals from around the state for the exceptional work they provide to their local communities. These recipients are nominated for these awards by their professional peers based on the qualifying criteria relative to each award. An awards selection committee reviews nominations received and makes the final award decision. Each year, these professional awards are presented during the WRPA Awards Banquet at the WRPA Conference.  

• Citation - Individual
• Citation - Organization
• Young Professional
• Outstanding Professional
• Fellow

WRPA BOARD

Elections will be held at the annual WRPA Conference in Cheyenne. The following board member positions will expire at that time:

• President Elect
• Treasurer
• Board Member (2 Vacancies)

SCHOLARSHIPS

With the help of business partnerships like the Great Western Playgrounds and Star Playground, WRPA has been able to provide scholarships to assist professionals with continuing education in the field of Recreation and Parks. The Scott Sessions and Paul Petzoldt Memorial Scholarships are funded by the WRPA through the silent auction held each year at the State Conference. 

• Scott Sessions Memorial ($500)
• Paul Petzoldt Memorial ($500)
• Great Western Recreation ($1000)
• Star Playground ($500)

To apply for scholarships or nominate a deserving peer for an award, submit the following form: https://forms.gle/eCTnXtAHNBg5ZsiM9. Self nominations are accepted.

For additional information or to see past winners, visit the Awards & Scholarship page on the website.

It was an absolute privilege to welcome you all to Pinedale last week for the annual WRPA conference! We hope you enjoyed the hospitality of conference and our small mountain town. We ordered, and mother nature delivered, perfect fall weather, beautiful sunrises, and even the local town moose were on que with their performance!

Visit our new site on the web page Scholarships & Awards. Congratulations to ALL 2023 recipients on their awards and recognitions - well earned!

When we started planning conference, it was our goal to offer sessions and keynote speakers that shared information, content, and messages relevant to each and every person in the Park & Recreation industry. While there were dozens of amazing moments and memories from this year's conference, here are a few of our favorites:

• "Section Meetings & department specific breakout sessions; when you have everyone with similar passions and experiences together you can positively commiserate to find solutions and share ideas" - Kirby Walker (PAC Aquatic Supervisor)
• "Networking; so many knowledgeable folks in one area willing to share their expertise" - Klief Guenther (PAC Maintenance Supervisor)
• "Awards Banquet; excellent food and even better company coming together to recognize our peers in the industry. It was extra special to share the honor of inducting JJ Huntley into the WRPA Hall of Fame in her home community where she has made such a difference." - Joe Steege (PAC Athletic Manager)
• "Shared Cause; after everyone received their Jae Boots, it was rewarding to watch the acceptance of the message and the growing excitement and appreciation behind the Jae Foundation. Each one of us has the power to make a difference." - Brandi Crockett (PAC Office Manager)
• "BOOTS. We were so excited to be a part of each of your Jae experience! We hope you as an individual and as agencies shout this message throughout the state and are creative in your methods to implement the power of the boots in your community. As a PAC staff we wear our boots with honor and proudly open conversations with others. Since receiving our boots, we have dedicated Wednesdays as Boot Day in the office. Take those moments, It's Boot Check Time!" - The Entire PAC Team

We hope you thoroughly enjoyed conference and returned to your hometowns reenergized and inspired to continue making the difference! Keep up the exceptional work friends, you make our towns and our state a better place to live, work, and play! See in you 2024!

Save-the-Date: 2024 Conference

With the Annual Conference in Pinedale fast approaching in October, please consider nominating a co-worker or other person, including yourself, for one of the many awards, vacant board positions and/or scholarships that WRPA has to offer:

Awards:

• Citation-Individual
• Citation-Organization
• Young Professional
• Outstanding Professional
• Fellow Award
• Hall of Fame

Vacancies on the Board:

• Secretary
• Board Member at Large (3 vacancies)

Scholarships:

• Scott Sessions Memorial ($500)
• Paul Petzoldt Memorial ($500)
• Great Western Recreation ($500)
• Star Playgrounds ($500)

We all know someone who is deserving of all of these opportunities! Get someone recognized! Get involved! Get some money to learn!

Completed applications are due to Awards Chair Sherry Schumacher (sschumacher@cityofgreenriver.org) by Friday, September 1. 

CRITERIA - Awards & Scholarships

NOMINATION FORM