Editor earns the Silver Quill Award from News Media Canada

By Frank McTighe and Amanda Zimmer

Rob Vogt was recognized for 25 years in journalism at the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association’s (AWNA) annual general meeting in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Media employment history
Rob Vogt started his journalism career at the Lethbridge Herald in 1999 working in the mail room, and taking on freelance assignments while he was a journalism student at Lethbridge Community College. At the college, Vogt was part of the student-produced newspaper, The Endeavour. He was a reporter/photographer and even sold ads for the publication.
During his second year of college, Vogt worked at The Macleod Gazette as a reporter-photographer. After graduating from college Vogt continued to work for The Macleod Gazette until he was laid off in the fall of 2001 following an ownership change.
Vogt became a reporter-photographer for the Claresholm Local Press under editor Rose Sanchez and publisher George Meyer. Vogt was promoted to editor of the Local Press in May 2004 and remains in that position today. Through the years Vogt has had at least 10 reporters under his wing, and his mentorship gave each of them a good start in the business.
Vogt has been involved with the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association as a member of the Better Newspapers Competition committee and the membership committee.
In addition to helping organize AWNA’s Better Newspapers Competition, Vogt has volunteered as a judge for numerous general excellence and writing awards competitions for other newspaper associations, including News Media Canada.
Vogt is a long-time member of the Lethbridge Polytechnic Communications Media advisory board, working to ensure the community newspaper industry’s needs are considered as the journalism program evolved.
A prolific writer, Vogt posts regularly on his personal blog and has written several books. Among his long-term projects is a textbook on community journalism.
In addition to his work for the Local Press, Vogt works as a freelance writer and has published his work in national publications and magazines.
Community activities
Vogt was a board member on the Willow Creek Community Adult Learning Society and offered writing and photography classes to community members in the early 2000s for about five years.
In 2018 Vogt joined the board of directors of the Prairie Winds Clubhouse Society and has filled various roles through the years, including chair.
Vogt, who has a bachelor of education from the University of Alberta, is invited each year to speak to students at the local elementary school. He talks to the students about journalism and his own work at the Local Press. Students at the Claresholm schools are always quick to greet the man they call ”Reporter Rob.”
Biographical data, awards, career highlights
Vogt was recognized by the Alberta Schools Athletic Association in 2023 with their Media Recognition Award for his outstanding commitment to coverage of high school sports. The submission included more than 80 pages of sports stories written by Vogt for the Local Press.
Vogt has received numerous awards from the AWNA in the General Excellence and BNC competitions. Most notable are AWNA Best Feature Story by a Local Writer 2021; Best Editorial Page 2021, 2nd place 2022; the Sue Gawlak Best Local Editorial Award in 2022; and CCNA Best Editorial Page 2023
For about 10 years Vogt was a one-man show, the only writer/photographer employed by the Local Press. I can’t image the number of stories and photos he has completed in this time. He’s been referred to as a workhorse, and that is no lie. He is a very dedicated employee.
Vogt is a true community man. He attends every event physically possible in the community. I don’t know when this man sleeps, or how he hasn’t succumbed to burnout. He is a testament to community journalism.