Throughout my 30-year media career, I‘ve won numerous accolades, including the Huck Boyd Leader of the Year Award, the Midwest Travel Network’s Rising Star Award, the Kansas Sampler Foundation WeKan Award, and many more. I’ve written three books about Kansas and co-authored two others.
Join a winning team with the services below for negotiable fees. Please get in touch with me for more information.
Would you like an expert’s credibility? Then, hire me to write in your newsletter or print publication. For example, I wrote about dragon boating and designed a scavenger hunt for the 2024-25 Visit Fort Dodge (Iowa) Destination Guide.
Public relations
If you need press releases or other media needs, we can provide them. We write numerous releases annually for our activities, and we can take care of yours.
Public speaking
As a four-time published author of Kansas-themed books, I tell Kansas stories throughout the state. I can speak with or without audiovisual equipment.
2024 — Received a Mover and Shaker recognition from TravMedia.com, the “travel industry’s global media network.”
Roadie cat guards the second STE Superstar award certificate.
2024 — Received a second STE Superstar Award from Southern Travelers Explore in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Recipients present at the 2023 Midwest Travel Network Conference were (from left): Roxie Yonkey, Amy Piper, Dusty and Kelly Ratcliff, Sara Broers, Lisa Trudell, Jamie Ward, Theresa Goodrich, and Veronica Bareman.
2023 — Received Collaboration of the Year from Midwest Travel Network. The citation reads, “When the pandemic hit, many of us were stuck at home. What we did have was content. Dannelle Gay of Wisconsin came up with the idea, “Let’s write a book featuring Midwest Road Trips.” It quickly came to fruition, as the Midwest Travel Network had connections to people from each Midwest state. Fast forward two years later, Midwest Road Trip Adventures & Midwest State Park Adventures are both #1 selling books. After a struggle with the first publisher, Theresa Goodrich took over as the publisher. Together, Dannelle & Theresa are leading a huge collaboration through this series of books.”
2022 — Authored the book Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Signed contracts to write Historic Roadside Kansas and Amazing Kansas.
Kansas State University President Richard Linton (center) and the Huck Boyd Leader of the Year Award recipients.
2022 — Received the Kansas Leader of the Year Award in the Creative Arts category from the Huck Boyd Institute for Rural Development.
Join the party and collect the 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die!
2021 — Authored the book 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die. Signed a contract to write the book Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.
Roxie (right) with Land and Sky Scenic Byway Committee members Donna Price and Mona Carver (center).
2020 — Named honorable mention Visitor Experience Award from National Scenic Byway Foundation for featuring Land and Sky Scenic Byway’s communities and points of interest during the Big Kansas Road Trip in May 2019.
2020 — Named honorable mention Interpretation Award as part of the Kansas Byways Program’s new kiosks and interpretive panels. Many of Roxie’s photos were included on Land and Sky’s panels.
Roxie (second from left) is stunned to receive the once-in-a-lifetime WeKan! Award from Marci Penner of Kansas Sampler Foundation. Steve and Jane Fry of Elk Falls Pottery (at right) handcrafted the WeKan! Award plate.
2017 — Won the WeKan! Award from Kansas Sampler Foundation. WeKan! recipients “have a cooperative spirit, show enthusiasm and dedication for their community, and [their] efforts have made a real difference in rural Kansas.” The award has no nomination process and is given once in a lifetime.
2016 — Won TIAK Print Marketing for Kansas I-70 Association’s Seventy on Kansas I-70 (PDF) campaign brochure.
Roxie won first and second place in the Summer category in the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s 2016 contest.
2016 — Placed first and second in the Summer category in the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s photo contest.
Roxie Yonkey and Donna Price with their marketing award.
2011 — Won TIAK Print Marketing Award for The Ultimate Guide to Northwest Kansas. The Ultimate Guide is about travel in the 18 Northwest Kansas counties.
1998 — Received Official Certificate of Congratulations from the Kansas House of Representatives.
1998 — Placed third in Sports Photography in Kansas Press Association‘s (KPA) Weekly Division II.
1998 — Placed third in Spot News in KPA’s Weekly Division II.
1998 — Placed third in Sports Photography in KPA’s Weekly Division II.
1998 — Placed honorable mention in Sports Writing in KPA’s Weekly Division II.
1997 — Won Sports Column Writing in KPA’s Weekly Division II.
1997 — Placed third in Sports Writing in KPA’s Weekly Division II.
1997 — Recognized for Distinguished Media Publicity from the Goodland Ambassadors Club.
1996 — Named Woman of the Year by Goodland (Kan.) Business & Professional Women.
1996 — Placed third in Spot News for KPA’s Weekly Division II.
1996 — Placed third in Editorial Pages for KPA’s Weekly Division II.
1996 — Placed second in Best Use of More Than One Color’s Weekly Division from the Kansas Newspaper Advertising Association (KNAA).
1996 — Placed honorable mention in Best Single Ad – Black and White in Weekly Division II from the KNAA.
1995 — Won General Excellence Award in KPA’s Weekly Division I. The award is given to the best newspaper in the category.
1995 — Placed second in KPA’s Weekly Division I’s Editorial Page contest.
1991 — Received Black & Gold Award from Goodland High’s Girls Athletic Association. The award is given “for support and service to Goodland High School activities.”
1991 — Placed third in the Commentary category in KPA’s Daily Division I.
1991 — Earned honorable mention for Sportswriting in KPA’s Daily Division I.