Each month, Eagle Radio in Great Bend will recognize groups or individuals that make a big impact on our community. This Appreciation Month is highlighting the Great Bend City Council.
By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Driving from Elkhart to Lawrence is a more than 400-mile, six-hour haul.
Originally from the Southwest Kansas town and going to the University of Kansas
for his undergraduate degree, Kevyn Soupiset made this trip several times. The
City of Great Bend is just about the midway point during the long trip.
“I drove through Great Bend dozens of times during my college career,” said
Soupiset. “I always took the Railroad Avenue route because I was in a hurry to
get through town.”
Little did Soupiset know at the time, he would fall in love with the community
later in life once he actually went through and looked at the town. Before
Soupiset and his family settled into the Great Bend, the physical
therapist went to graduate school at the University of St. Augustine for Health
Sciences in Florida. He then moved to East Texas for his first job and spent
over a year in Wichita.
“My wife is originally from Larned,” said Soupiset. “We decided we wanted to
get back to Central Kansas to be near some family.”
While wanting to see as much of the country as possible at a younger age, Soupiset
says your hometown roots pull you back.
“Rural communities are where my heart and soul are,” said Soupiset. “We wanted
to be in a rural setting that still provided enough amenities we desired.”
Taking a curriculum test in junior high school that provides careers of
possible interest, Soupiset’s first results showed he should look into becoming
a postmaster.
“I spent two weeks my freshman year of high school stuffing mailboxes in our
hometown post office,” said Soupiset. “I found out real quick that was not meant for
me.”
Next on the list of the curriculum results was physical therapy.
After completing his schooling and working in Texas and Wichita, Soupiset
started working for then Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend in 2003.
Knowing he enjoyed making many of the business decisions, creativity and independence
of private practice, Soupiset had a chance to open branch clinics through
Advanced Therapy & Sports Medicine in 2008. He now owns three clinics in
Great Bend, Larned and Hays.
“I always told myself if an opportunity comes along that is driving you or
helps you get to the next step, do everything in your power to make it
happen,” Soupiset said. “I have been fortunate. There has been some luck along
the way and mentorship and good leaders I have called upon.”
Once firmly settled into the area, Soupiset took an interest in local government.
"My dad was on the city council in Elkhart, so I was able to get an inside
peek,” Soupiset said. “Last summer, I was approached by a few individuals
encouraging me to run for the Great Bend City Council. I chewed on the idea for
a few weeks before making the decision.”
Soupiset won an uncontested race this past November for the Ward 2 seat on the
city council and took his oath of office in January.
“My approach has been to figure out what I do not know. All the councilmembers
have been great getting me up to speed on past issues.”
Soupiset plans stay on the board as long as he is effective and a positive
influence on the community.
There are no more six-hour drives that skirt around Great Bend anymore to get
somewhere else for Soupiset. Central Kansas is now the ultimate destination.
“I have fallen in love with this community. I have been living in the Great
Bend area for nearly 20 years and have never sniffed a doubt looking back on
it. I have no regrets.”