Shawnee Dispatch reporter Chris Duderstadt interviews head boys basketball coach Michael Bennet after a game on Friday Nov. 1. Duderstadt is one of two full time employees at the Dispatch.
The Shawnee Dispatch unites readers in Shawnee
Reporter Chris Duderstadt is just a part of Shawnee Dispatch's news team
The Shawnee Dispatch, its office located at 6301 Pflumm Rd., serves as a way for the citizens of Shawnee to stay updated on what’s going on in the area, as well as what is going on in the world of high school sports.
Shawnee Dispatch reporter Chris Duderstadt covers six different high schools for the newspaper, including Mill Valley, St. James, De Soto, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission North and Maranatha Christian Academy.
Duderstadt says “it’s a blast” working for the Shawnee Dispatch and that his favorite part of the job is informing people about the experiences of others. In the community.
Shawnee Dispatch reporter Chris Duderstadt waits for the perfect opportunity to take a picture at a varsity boys basketball game on Friday, Nov. 1.
“I love just being able to share people’s stories,” Duderstadt said. “That’s really the main thing I love about working for the Shawnee Dispatch.”
Some students say that they enjoy reading the publication just as much as Duderstadt enjoys working for it. Among these students is senior Ethan Jacobs.
“I always get really excited when there is a new issue of the paper,” Jacobs said. “I also really enjoy reading Duderstadt’s work because he covers sports in a way that keeps the reader guessing as to what will happen next.”
Shawnee Dispatch sports reporter Chris Duderstadt interviews a SMNW player after a game at MV on Friday, Dec. 1.
According to Duderstadt, sometimes waiting around until the end of the game results in a big turnaround, which can often make for the best stories, as well good conversation amongst the readers in Shawnee.
Duderstadt says that when he is covering a game, a lot of the time he himself will have no idea what will happen next. He also says that the craziest things that bring his readers together can happen at games where you would least expect it.
“Some of the greatest stories I’ve had, have come at games where you wouldn’t be expecting something to happen,” Duderstadt said. “Like last year, for example, St. James played Rockhurst and they ended up scoring over 100 points, which was the most they had scored in school history.”
Duderstadt says that stories like this that unite the citizens of Shawnee are the best to share and are the main reason he loves working for the Shawnee Dispatch.
“Again, I’m just really grateful to be able to share stories like this,” Duderstadt said. “I’m really lucky to enjoy my work every day.”