*CONVENTION AWARDS PRESENTATION*
*ANNUAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT*
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2022
The Indiana High School Press Association is challenging student journalists to go “All IN” at the 2023 state convention on the Franklin College campus Friday, Jan. 27.
In addition to its continuing mission to support scholastic media across the Hoosier state, the event will focus on the theme “All IN” and the significance of developing well-rounded journalists who are skilled in ALL areas.
“All Indiana student journalists and advisers are invited to join us at Franklin College for a day of celebration and connection,” said IHSPA President and Zionsville Community HS adviser Lauren Wagner. “I personally enjoy chatting with others throughout the day who understand the struggles and joys of student media.”
“My students who attend the IHSPA convention walk away with big ideas, little tips and tricks, and a renewed energy that helps them elevate their work in the new year,” Wagner said.

2023 IHSPA Convention Keynote Speaker
The day will feature a keynote presentation by veteran Chicago journalist David Haugh. Haugh is the co-host of the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score and was formerly the longtime “In the Wake of the News” columnist at the Chicago Tribune. Before becoming a full-time sports-talk show host in 2018, David spent 17 years at the Chicago Tribune after starting his career at the South Bend Tribune as a sports writer and columnist.
An Indiana native from North Judson, Haugh graduated from Ball State where he was an Academic All-American football player. He then earned a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Haugh has won several state and national awards for his reporting and writing and was just inducted into the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame last spring.
Following Haugh’s keynote, the remainder of the day will be filled with award presentations, educational sessions, and professional networking opportunities.
The convention planning team has produced a great event highlighted by:
• Keynote speaker David Haugh will run a podcasting workshop following the featured session
• There will be four featured speakers presenting breakouts:
–Stephen Beard, USA Today Graphics Journalist
–Lisa Renze, Ball State University Manager of Unified Media
• Here is a sampling of the other sessions that will be presented throughout the day:
-Having a Ball: Sports Coverage that Doesn’t Suck
-Building Your Journalism Program from Middle School On Up
-What Type is Your Type
-What Can You Do with a Public Relations Career?
-Doing Great Sports Play-By-Play
-The Concerned Photographer
-Editors Only!
-Thriving — Not Just Surviving — On Deadline
• The event will also highlight a student editor group chat, adviser luncheon/collaboration meeting, exhibitor booths of the state’s best universities and yearbook publishing companies, and so much more. At $10 per student, it will be difficult to find a better program at this value.
“We’ve got a great day lined up for you, focused on all the ways you can get into journalism — from writing to photography to design and more,” said IHSPA President-Elect and convention coordinator Michelle Burress.
Burress, who also serves as student media adviser at Plainfield HS, said the goal is for students to absorb convention material that is immediately applicable to the publications lab.
“Our hope is that all in attendance will find several sessions that cater to what you need, where you are right now,” Burress said.
More information about the 2023 convention will be shared on this page, so continue to check here and the IHSPA social media accounts to remain up to date on all of the festivities occurring Jan. 27 at Franklin College. Please email questions to ihspa@franklincollege.edu.
Ready to go All IN? Click here to register before the Jan. 13 deadline! IMPORTANT: Lunch cannot be ordered after this deadline, and there are no other food options on campus.
More information:
• Convention program & Session planning sheet
(Because we are expecting a large crowd, we recommend all students have a plan B for every round of breakout sessions.)
• IMPORTANT: Advisers will obviously eat during the luncheon, but it is in the Dietz Center now. Students will have lunch in the student center’s Branigin Room, and they MUST get their food during their assigned time. There will be IHSPA workers at the door serving as gatekeepers to ensure this doesn’t turn into a mess. Advisers are asked to encourage their students to stick to the schedule, and remind them that the student center cafeteria is completely off limits to convention attendees. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
• Click here to see the T-shirts that will be on sale for just $10!
• Campus map
(park in Hamilton Lot; registration table in Spurlock lobby; breakout sessions in Hamilton Library, Napolitan Student Center, Science Center, Richardson Chapel, and Dietz Center)
• Click here to see hotel options near Franklin College!
• Thank you to our event sponsors: Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism; The Media School at Indiana University; Ball State University College of Communication, Information, and Media; Walsworth Yearbooks; Herff Jones; Jostens; and Lost Lake Cottage Publishing. IHSPA is fortunate to have them as partners to help make this all happen!
Page last updated: Thursday, Feb. 9