Kahnt, Joann

My name is Joann Kahnt, editor of The Prairie Post hometown newspaper. I was born and raised in White City, Kansas, ironically growing up in my parents insurance office next door to The White City Register newspaper. I never dreamed I would some day own that newspaper and occupy that office a few feet away.

I am a 1964 graduate of White City High School and my further education has been life itself. I married the love of my life, Keith Kahnt, when I was 19 during the Viet Nam War years when Keith was in the United States Air Force. Following those four Air Force years, we settled in White City where we raised our three sons.

I was fortunate to stay home and raise our boys and be bookkeeper and parts chaser for Keith’s automotive repair shop.

In 1993, I was asked if I could work part-time at the newspaper office. I continued to work at the newspaper when one of the owners, Debbie Blythe, bought out her partner and became the sole owner later that year. At that time, we published The White City Reporter and Alta Vista Journal but later in 1993, the two newspapers were combined and became The Prairie Post.

In 1995, when Debbie found she was pregnant with twins and already had three children under the age of 5, thinking she would be a little too busy to also publish a newspaper, she asked me if I would be interested in buying the newspaper. With my husband’s encouragement, and promise to be my silent partner, we purchased the newspaper on September 1 of that year.  Keith knew I needed something to put my energy into as that summer our oldest son, Jeff, had died after living with us during his four year battle with AIDS. Also, our middle son, who had lived at home that year to finish his college degree at Emporia State, was then able to join his wife, Stacy, who was a head coach at Neosho County Community College in Chanute and our youngest son had just graduated from high school and was headed to Ottawa University. Keith was right and my journey as a newspaper editor began.

I give credit for being able to take on that position to my high school English teacher, Norma Jeanne North. Also to my grandmother, who was totally deaf, and became a writer as her way of communication and my mom who carried on the ability to write. Also, thanks goes to my co-worker, Gloria Smith, who has been with me through thick and thin, many changes and some bumps in the road the entire 30 years I have owned the newspaper.

During the past many years, I have been a part of numerous clubs and organizations in White City and Morris County. I have also been very involved with my church in many capacities including being the treasurer for the past 40 years.

Keith and I were always involved with a variety of volunteer activities including summer ball association where he coached and I was a score keeper; our city centennial where I wrote the script for the pageant depicting various scenes in the city’s past; being instrumental in organizing a parent support group at the school and being a part of our city’s annual Independence Day Celebration where Keith was part of the pyro crew and I was in charge of feeding the crew, as well as many more volunteer opportunities. 

I was also very proud to be a military wife when Keith served 4 years in the Air Force and went back after a few years and was a member of the Kansas Air National Guard for 20 years. 

Being the local newspaper editor, along with publisher, photographer, sports reporter, janitor, etc.,  has allowed me so many opportunities and has given me so much joy. I have gotten to know so many outstanding young people while covering their sports and activities, and now I’m covering some of their children. I’ve met many incredible people and written their interesting stories, covered school board and city council meetings, community celebrations, church activities, plus so much more.

Although, being the local newspaper editor is a very important part of my life, my family is what I enjoy the most and am most proud of. My son, Joel, a teacher who is now an elementary principal; my daughter-in-law, Stacy, who is a special ed teacher; my son, Jay, retired as the head softball coach at Ottawa University and now works in an administrative position at the university; and my daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, who works as an athletic trainer at a medical facility in Lawrence. I am also blessed with five incredible grandchildren, Alexis is a KU graduate who lives and works in Houston; Madison is an Emporia State graduate who lives and works in Lawrence; Emma is a sophomore in high school; Cooper is an 8th grader and Theo is a third grader. Sadly, my husband passed away 10 years ago after his second battle with cancer.

I share this amazing award with each of my family members as they have always encouraged me although at times, I might have embarrassed them with a few of my personal editorials.

I certainly appreciate being nominated for the Hall of Fame by my amazing young friend, Marlys Shulda and very much appreciate and am humbled by the Kansas Press Association choosing to honor me.