As we near the end of 2022 and reflect on this past year, we are so grateful to be a news provider in these amazing communities of Southwest Arkansas! For our 2022 year-end review, viewers will get to hear from your favorite SWARKansans about their favorite projects of the year and what made them so special! Today's staff pick is from Shelly!

While there are a multitude of projects and productions that I look forward to each year, one of my favorites is the Readers Choice awards. I love that the communities get to vote for the best of the best in Hempstead and Nevada Counties. I am thrilled to see the looks on citizens’ and business owners’ faces when I hand them their awards. It is so exciting and fulfilling for me. They, in turn, have the opportunity to know that they are doing an outstanding job in their profession. It is so important that these people are recognized along with the businesses that go through their everyday lives giving it their all. I believe it is absolutely vital that someone says, “Hey, you’re doing amazing, great job” and SWARK.Today’s Reader’s Choice Poll is the perfect way to acknowledge that. I know a ton of you vote each year, but if you missed it this year, you can check out our 2022 Reader’s Choice Winners here- https://swark.today/its-time-to-find-out-the-best-of-the-best-in-nevada-county-2022-readers-choice-results-are-here/ and https://swark.today/its-time-to-find-out-the-best-of-the-best-in-nevada-county-2021-readers-choice-results-are-here/  Be sure to stay tuned for next year’s 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards! 

Another one of my most loved print publications has to be our Design an Ad contest. It is a competition we hold for the 5th grade area students each year. The children get to create their own ad per businesses that sponsor the contest. The kiddos really get into it with cute drawings, sayings and all the colors! I am impressed each year by their talent and creativity. We definitely have some mini graphic designers on our hands! The overall winner out of all the schools receives a bicycle from Hope Auto. Every year when I see those little faces light up, it makes my heart happy. I am proud to include the local children in many of our projects. I know that keeping them involved and giving them the opportunity to engage with the community is an important part of our service. If you would like to take a look at our Design an Ad Contest, you can do so here -https://swark.today/hope-auto-and-swark-today-announce-design-an-ad-contest-overall-winner/

There are so many other projects that I love, truly there isn’t a single one that I don’t look forward to each year: the Watermelon Festival, our Red Ribbon Week Coloring Book, The First Annual United Way Gala, Christmas Open House, the list goes on. I have such a great experience interacting with our community, our friends and moreover, our family, because that is what you all are. Whether it be print, video or live-streaming, I love being a part of the SWARK team. That being said, please know how much we appreciate all of your support, your involvement and your love. Stay tuned, we have so much more to come in 2023!