Ella Sengenberger Student Media Adviser of the Year

The Indiana High School Press Association annually recognizes an adviser who has made outstanding contributions to scholastic journalism both in their own classroom and across the state. The award honors the memory of journalism educator Ella Sengenberger, a nationally recognized adviser at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis and one of IHSPA’s founding members. Each recipient must possess the qualities of an outstanding secondary educator and exhibit commitment, leadership, and sound ethical practices while supporting their students and community.

The Ella Sengenberger Indiana Student Media Adviser of the Year award is presented in January during the annual IHSPA high school journalism convention at Franklin College. Recipients receive a $500 stipend and plaque, and their nomination material is submitted in consideration for one of the following national competitions: H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year, JEA Broadcast Adviser of the Year, or Dow Jones News Fund National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year.

Entries for Ella Sengenberger Indiana Student Media Adviser of the Year are due Dec. 15 and can be submitted here: Ella Sengenberger Award Nomination Form

PAST WINNERS
1964 — Mary Benedict, Arlington HS
1965 — Ruth Marie Griggs, Broad Ripple HS
1966 — Norma Thiele, Fort Wayne North Side HS
1967 — Jane Gable, Manual HS
1968 — Ed Henderson, Blackford HS
1969 — C.J. Hopkins, Lafayette Jefferson HS
1970 — Lois Claus, Jackson HS
1971 — Anne White, Fort Wayne South Side HS
1972 — James Ray, Indianapolis Northwest HS
1973 — George Muir, Hammond Clark HS
1974 — Robert Rhude, Columbus East HS
1975 — Pat Clark, Griffith HS
1976 — Daniel Niles, Kokomo Haworth HS
1977 — Rosalind Harrel, Madison HS
1978 — Gwen Hiett, Indianapolis Northwest HS
1979 — Janice Dean, Elkhart Memorial HS
1980 — Joanna Mariner, Gary Roosevelt HS
1981 — Wilma Taylor, Warren Central HS
1982 — Nancy Hastings, Munster HS
1983 — Dennis Cripe, Ben Davis HS
1983 — Norma Thiele, Fort Wayne North Side HS
1984 — John Snyder, Kokomo HS
1985 — Debra Heitmann, Portage HS
1986 — Diana Hadley, Mooresville HS
1986 — Dan Diercks, Hagerstown HS
1987 — Mark Shoup, Carmel HS
1988 — Valerie Tanke, Merillville HS
1989 — Marilyn Athmann, Ben Davis HS
1990 — Terry Nelson, Yorktown HS
1991 — Joseph Jungblut, South Newton HS
1992 — Ed Poe, Lawrence Central HS
1992 — Tony Willis, Carmel HS
1993 — Ann Bingaman, Kokomo HS
1994 — Terry McCartin, Silver Creek HS
1995 — Pam Essex, Avon HS
1996 — Mark Haab, Warren Central HS
1997 — Marilyn Kelsey, Bloomington HS South
1998 — Butch Robbins, Noblesville HS
1999 — Janet McKinney, Ben Davis HS
2000 — Denise Roberts, Greenwood Community HS
2001 — Mike Frazier, Hanover Central HS
2002 — Ann Herrman, Richmond HS
2003 — Lisa Morris, Connersville HS
2004 — Kim Green, Columbus North HS
2005 — Judy Neilan, Pioneer Jr.-Sr. HS
2006 — Teresa White, Noblesville HS
2006 — James Lang, Floyd Central HS
2007 — Tom Gayda, North Central HS
2008 — Elizabeth Granger, Lawrence Central HS
2009 — Ryan Gunterman, Bloomington HS North
2010 — Meredith Bledsoe, Hamilton Southeastern HS
2011 — Jim Streisel, Carmel HS
2012 — Julie Elston, Crown Point HS
2013 — Sarah Verpooten & Carrie Wadycki, Lake Central HS
2014 — Robin Bilinski, NorthWood HS
2015 — Melissa Deavers-Lowie, Portage HS
2016 — April Moss, Pike HS
2017 — Rachel McCarver, Columbus North HS
2018 — Mike Klopfenstein, Southport HS
2019 — Michelle Burress, Plainfield HS
2020 — Heather Klopfenstein, Lawrence North HS
2022 — Ada Clark, Mooresville HS
2023 — Sam Hanley, Southport HS
2024 — Joe Akers, Noblesville HS
2025 — David Young, Hamilton Southeastern HS