By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Christina Hayes left some big shoes to fill in February when she announced her departure as community coordinator and director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau in Great Bend. Her role is now being filled by new CVB Director Amanda Gaddis and Addison Crites, who is taking on a newly minted position as Great Bend's public relations director.
"I think Amanda and I are still trying to figure out what that will look between the two of us," Crites said. "Christina was very talented. That was definitely her thing. Amanda and I have different skill sets, but we're definitely going to do what we can to help provide events around the city because we know people enjoy them. People enjoy the tradition."
Crites was a multi-sport standout athlete at Central Plains High School in Claflin. After graduation, she played for the Barton Community College basketball and volleyball teams before continuing her education at the University of Kansas. Last December, she graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communication and a minor in sports management. She got her start in media while in high school.
"I loved going to football games and cheering on my friends, but I also loved being down on the sidelines and taking photos," she said. "We would even help write some recaps for the Ellsworth Reporter at times. That was my introduction into media was doing yearbook.
"The benefit of going to a small school with that is I had to be the page designer. I had to be the editor. I had to take the photos. In bigger schools, they might have someone who is strictly doing the design, the photos, or the writing. Those skills helped."
Crites had options upon graduating from KU, but the biggest choice was continuing her education or beginning a career.
"I kind of always wanted to get a little bit closer to home," she said. "My family is here. My brother is still in high school. I loved my time in Lawrence. It was super fun, but being three hours away, I was hoping to get a little bit closer."
One of Crites' early roles is rebranding the city of Great Bend's social media pages and website. The city previously used a Great Bend City Council Facebook page. That has been changed to a more generic city of Great Bend page. The goal is to streamline information into fewer locations and provide that information in a user-friendly, American Disabilities Act-compliant format.
Crites said the digital reboot should take approximately six to eight months. After that, she plans to work more with Gaddis to provide information and entertainment to the citizens of Great Bend.