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WY RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION

WRPA Awards History

Introduction

The Wyoming Recreation and Parks Association has maintained a distinguished tradition of recognizing excellence in parks and recreation since 1975. Our awards program serves as both a celebration of achievement and a catalyst for continued professional growth throughout Wyoming's parks and recreation community. From the prestigious Fellow Award to scholarships supporting emerging professionals, WRPA's recognition programs reflect our commitment to advancing the profession and honoring those who dedicate their careers to enhancing recreational opportunities for Wyoming residents.

The Fellow Award: WRPA's Highest Honor

The Fellow Award represents the pinnacle of recognition within WRPA, honoring professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made lasting contributions to Wyoming's parks and recreation field. Since Paul Westedt became our first Fellow in 1975, this award has recognized 49 individuals who exemplify the highest standards of professional excellence. Notable patterns emerge from our Fellow recipients: many have served in multiple leadership roles, contributed to professional education and training, and demonstrated sustained commitment to advancing the field. The geographic distribution of Fellows reflects Wyoming's statewide commitment to excellence, with recipients from communities ranging from Green River and Evanston to Sheridan and Pinedale, demonstrating that outstanding leadership exists throughout our state.

Professional Development Through Recognition

WRPA's Outstanding Professional and New Professional (formerly known as Young Professional) awards create a comprehensive framework for recognizing excellence at different career stages. The Outstanding Professional Award acknowledges seasoned practitioners who have made significant contributions through continued education, active involvement in professional organizations, and innovative program development. Recent recipients like Edwin Luers, Monte Thayer, and Catherine Duncombe represent the diverse expertise within our profession. Meanwhile, the New Professional Award identifies emerging leaders early in their careers, with recipients like McKoy Feland, Angelina Stancampiano, and Joe Steege representing the future of Wyoming's parks and recreation field. This two-tiered approach ensures that both established excellence and emerging talent receive appropriate recognition.

Community Partnerships and Citation Awards

WRPA's Citation Awards recognize the vital partnerships that strengthen our profession through community support. These awards honor individuals and organizations outside the parks and recreation field who have made outstanding contributions to recreational opportunities in Wyoming. Recent recipients include the Hladky Family of Gillette, High West Energy of Pine Bluffs, and the American Legion Post 42 Baseball program, demonstrating the diverse ways community partners support our mission. These awards highlight a fundamental truth about successful parks and recreation programs: they thrive through collaborative relationships with civic organizations, businesses, and dedicated community volunteers who share our commitment to enhancing quality of life.

Investment in Future Professionals

WRPA's scholarship programs represent a strategic investment in the profession's future, providing financial support for continued education and professional development. The five scholarship programs—including the Scott Sessions Memorial Scholarship, Paul Petzoldt Memorial Scholarship, and industry-sponsored awards from Great Western Recreation and Star Playgrounds—reflect both our commitment to honoring past leaders and supporting current professionals. These scholarships have enabled countless professionals to attend conferences, pursue additional training, and advance their expertise in specialized areas. The WRPA Conference Scholarship specifically ensures that financial barriers don't prevent dedicated professionals from participating in our annual educational and networking opportunities.

Geographic Representation and Statewide Impact

Analysis of award recipients reveals strong geographic representation across Wyoming, with communities like Green River, Sheridan, Evanston, Pinedale, Cheyenne, and Casper producing multiple award recipients over the decades. This distribution reflects WRPA's success in fostering excellence throughout the state, regardless of community size or location. The pattern demonstrates that outstanding parks and recreation leadership exists in both urban centers and smaller communities, and that WRPA's recognition programs successfully identify and celebrate excellence wherever it occurs. This statewide representation strengthens our association by ensuring that best practices and innovative approaches are shared across geographic boundaries.

NRPA AWARD HISTORY

National Recognition and Professional Excellence

Wyoming's parks and recreation professionals have earned significant recognition at the national level through the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). Eleven WRPA members have achieved the distinction of NRPA Midwest Fellow, including notable professionals like Dale Boedeker, Donnie Bjorhus, and Carol McCoy. The City of Green River's 2020 NRPA Gold Medal Award represents perhaps the highest organizational achievement, recognizing excellence in park and recreation management that serves as a model for communities nationwide. These national recognitions validate the quality of Wyoming's parks and recreation programs and demonstrate that excellence in our state meets and exceeds standards established by our national professional organization.

Conclusion

WRPA's awards history represents nearly five decades of celebrating excellence, fostering professional development, and building the partnerships essential to successful parks and recreation programs. From recognizing career achievements through the Fellow Award to supporting emerging professionals through scholarship programs, our annual recognition efforts create a comprehensive framework for advancing the profession. Combined with our Hall of Fame recognition for lifetime achievement, WRPA provides meaningful recognition opportunities for professionals at every career stage. The national recognition earned by Wyoming professionals and organizations validates the quality of our state's parks and recreation programs while inspiring continued excellence. As WRPA looks toward the future, our awards program will continue serving as both a celebration of achievement and a catalyst for the professional growth that ensures Wyoming residents have access to exceptional recreational opportunities for generations to come.

Last updated: September 6, 2025 Historical records compiled from WRPA archives and organizational documents


CONTACT


PO Box 6308

Sheridan, WY 82901


(307)245-3301

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