My taste buds are still seeking out food from Central America, so I am visiting an El Salvadoran restaurant in Garden City to appease my pupusa craving.
As an avid world traveler and galivanter, Valarie never lost sight of which way was home. A Native to Western Kansas, she has been pursuing a life long career in the many forms of expressive arts including radio, photography, videography, graphics and design. Graduating from Western State College with a bachelors in Art, Valarie once again returns to percolate her love for High Plains Public Radio. Involved with HPPR since 2006, an inquiry about a drive way moment landed her a position as local host of Weekend Edition. Having worn many hats at HPPR, from Director of Development to regional program producer, Valarie is perhaps most known as the host of Songbirds, a one-hour folk show that concluded in 2025. However, she often leans in to cover the mic on High Plains Morning, sits in during HPPR Radio Readers Book Club events, and she's a regular during HPPR Membership Drives. Valarie now keeps quite busy as an in-demand mental health counselor, so stay tuned for more wonderful developments with this High Plains hero.