Deadline: Oct. 15
About the Award
The National Yearbook Adviser of the Year program is designed to honor outstanding high school advisers and their exemplary work from the previous year, as well as throughout their careers.
Applicants must be a member of the Journalism Education Association to be eligible for this award.
The application process will be an all-digital submission.
A selection panel, made up of the most recently selected Yearbook Adviser of the Year and a team of four student-media experts, will review the entries immediately following the submission deadline. Points will be awarded based on a rubric, and the top advisers will be named the H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year, Distinguished Yearbook Adviser or Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser.
Announcement of winners will be made in December. Winners will be recognized during the Saturday awards luncheon at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention where the Yearbook Adviser of the Year will speak. The Yearbook Adviser of the Year and Distinguished Yearbook Advisers will be featured in the convention program and will be part of a panel discussion about yearbooks.
A $500 award for the winner's school, and up to four $500 awards for Distinguished Yearbook Advisers' schools may be used to buy equipment for the yearbook classroom or to fund student scholarships to summer workshops. The Yearbook Adviser of the Year will have his or her travel and hotel paid for the convention when he or she receives the award. In addition, the recipient also will receive a personal $1,000 prize.
The Yearbook Adviser of the Year competition is underwritten by
- Balfour Yearbooks, Herff Jones Inc., Jostens Inc., Walsworth Yearbooks
Application Checklist
All entries must be digital. It is suggested that the applicant prepare and save all answers to the essay questions on a separate document then copy and paste into the digital application in case of interruption or computer error. You will need to upload the following materials in addition to answering qualifying questions:
- An updated resume (PDF, maximum 500k).
- No more than five letters of recommendation from administrators, colleagues, current/former students or others who are familiar with your work. (PDF, maximum 500k each)
- Two JPEG photos of at least 200 ppi each: 1. A high-quality color head shot. 2. A candid photo of you teaching/working with students.
- PDFs of the following pages/spreads from the most recently published yearbook. Maximum 10 files at 10 MB each. Facing pages (a double-page spread) must be exported as one spread, not two single pages, for viewing/judging purposes.
- Cover
- Front Endsheet (include Table of Contents, wherever they appear)
- Title Page
- Opening Spread(s)
- One Divider
- One Index Spread
- One People Spread
- Colophon
- Closing or Parting
- Up to five spreads from inside coverage of your choosing (saved in one file).
Recipients
2023
H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year
C. Dow Tate, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers:
Makena Busch, CJE, Mead High School, Spokane, Washington
Jim McCrossen, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
Barbara Tholen, MJE, Lawrence (Kansas) High School
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers:
Jason Davis, CJE, Apache Junction (Arizona) High School and Cactus Canyon Junior High School
Glenn Krake, CJE, West Linn (Oregon) High School
Sharon Kubicek, Round Rock (Texas) High School
Christina Manolis, MJE, Oakville High School, St. Louis
2022
H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Kristi Rathbun, MJE, Rock Canyon High School, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Robin Christopher, CJE, Del Norte High School, San Diego
Andrea Negri, MJE, Bellaire (Texas) High School
Daniel Reinish, CJE, George C. Marshall High School, Falls Church, Virginia
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Sarah Kirksey, MJE, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis
Emily Pyeatt Arnold, CJE, Aledo (Texas) High Schoo
Jayna Rumble, MJE, University of Chicago Laboratory High School
Sergio Luis Yanes, CJE, Arvada (Colorado) High School
2021
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Michael Simons, MJE, Corning-Painted Post High School, Corning, New York
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Annie Gorenstein-Falkenberg, CJE, Longmont (Colorado) High School
Debra Klevens, CJE, Parkway West High School, Ballwin, Missouri
Britton Taylor, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Florida
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Makena Busch, CJE, Mead High School, Spokane, Washington
Annie Green, MJE, Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, Washington
Sarah-Anne Lanman, CJE, Munster (Indiana) High School
Laura Negri, CJE, Alief Kerr High School, Houston
Andrew Young, CJE, Woodland Junior High School, Fayetteville, Arkansas
2020
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Mitchell Ziegler, CJE, Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Phillip Caston, CJE, Wando High School, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Matthew LaPorte, CJE, Southwest Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas
Yvette J. Manculich, CJE, Powell Middle School, Littleton, Colorado
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Suzanne E. Abdelrazaq, John Champe High School, Aldie, Virginia
Robin Christopher, Del Norte High School, San Diego
Kelly J. Huddleston, MJE, Franklin Road Academy, Nashville, Tennessee
Tiffany Kopcak, CJE, Colonial Forge High School, Stafford, Virginia
2019
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Becky Lucas Tate, CJE, Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park, Kan.
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Heather Nagel, CJE, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville, Tenn.
Margie Raper, MJE, Highland Park High School, Dallas, Texas
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Logan Aimone, MJE, University of Chicago (Ill.) Laboratory High School
Jessica Hunziker, MJE, Castle View High School, Castle Rock, Colo.
Daniel Reinish, CJE, George C. Marshall High School, Falls Church, Va.
Kristen Scott, Kealing Middle School, Austin, Texas
Brit Taylor, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Florida
2018
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Charla Harris, CJE, Pleasant Grove High School, Texarkana, Texas
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Rebecca Pollard, MJE, Lovejoy High School, Lucas, Texas
Leslie Shipp, MJE, Johnston (Iowa) High School
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Ava Butzu, Grand Blanc (Mich.) High School
Bernadette Cranmer, MJE, Granite Bay (Calif.) High School
Annie Gorenstein Falkenberg, CJE, Longmont (Colo.) High School
Carrie Hendrix, CJE, Lewis-Palmer High School, Monument, Colo.
Debra Klevens, CJE, Parkway West High School, Ballwin, Mo.
2017
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Brenda Field, MJE, Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, Ill.
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Leland Mallett, CJE, Legacy High School, Mansfield, Texas
Allison Staub, CJE, Westfield (Ind.) Middle School
Laura Zhu, CJE, Toby Johnson Middle School, Elk Grove, Calif.
Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser
Rebecca Pollard, MJE, Lovejoy High School, Lucas, Texas
2016
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Nancy Y. Smith, MJE, Lafayette High School, Wildwood, Mo.
Distinguished Yearbook Adviser
Justin Daigle, CJE, Brighton (Colo.) High School
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Adrienne Forgette, MJE, Darlington School, Rome, Ga.
Leland Mallett, CJE, Legacy High School, Mansfield, Texas
2015
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Renee Burke, MJE, William R. Boone High School, Orlando, Fla.
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Erinn Harris, MJE, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Va.
Michael Simons, MJE, Corning-Painted Post High School, Corning, N.Y.
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Leslie Shipp, MJE, Johnston (Iowa) High School
Sarah Verpooten, MJE, Lake Central High School, St. John, Ind.
Laura Zhu, CJE, Toby Johnson Middle School, Elk Grove, Calif.
2014
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Margaret Sorrows, CJE, Bryant (Ark.) High School
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Renee Burke, MJE, William R. Boone High School, Orlando, Fla.
Kristi Rathbun, CJE, Rock Canyon High School, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Pamela Bunka, Fenton (Mich.) High School
Justin Daigle, CJE, Brighton (Colo.) High School
Amy Morgan, MJE, Shawnee Mission West High School, Overland Park, Kan.
2013
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Brenda Gorsuch, West Henderson High School in Hendersonville, N.C.
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Brenda Field, Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, Ill.
Jed Palmer, Sierra Middle School, Parker, Colo.
Meghan Percival, McLean (Va.) High School
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Thomas Gayda, North Central High School, Indianapolis
Patricia Monroe, Burges High School, El Paso, Texas
Erinn Harris, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Va.
Nicole Wilson, Carmel (Ind.) High School.
2012
H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Cindy Todd, Westlake High School in Austin, Texas
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Michele Dunaway, MJE, from Francis Howell High School in Saint Charles, Mo.
Tamra McCarthy, CJE, from James C. Enochs High School in Modesto, Calif.
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Judy Cannaday from Palm Harbor University High School in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Margie DiCesare, from Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz.
Heather Nagel from Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tenn.
Elizabeth Palmer, CJE, from duPont Manual High School in Louisville, Ky.
2011
Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Kim Green, MJE, Columbus (Ind.) North High School
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Lizabeth Walsh, MJE, Reno (Nev.) High School
Brian Wilson, CJE, Waterford (Mich.) Kettering High School
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Michael Simons, CJE, West High School, Painted Post, N.Y.
Eric Thomas, MJE, St. Teresa’s Academy, Kansas City, Mo.
2010
Yearbook Adviser of the Year
Sarah J. Nichols, MJE, Whitney High School, Rocklin, Calif. (Details)
Distinguished Advisers
Mary Patrick, CJE, Maize South Middle School, Wichita, Kan. (Eagle)
Mitch Ziegler, CJE, Redondo Union High School, Redondo Beach, Calif. (The Pilot)
Charla A. Harris, CJE, Pleasant Grove High School, Texarkana, Texas (The Hawk)
Special Recognition
Michele M. Dunaway, MJE, Francis Howell High School, St. Charles, Mo. (Howelltonian)
Brenda Field, CJE, Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, Ill. (Etruscan)
Meghan J. Percival, CJE, McLean (Va.) High School (The Clan)
2009
Adviser of the Year
Lori Oglesbee, CJE, McKinney (Texas) High School
Distinguished Advisers
Carrie Faust, MJE, Smoky Hill High School, Aurora, Colo.
Tim Morley, CJE, Inland Lake High School, Indian River, Mich.
Nancy Y. Smith, MJE, Lafayette High School, Wildwood, Mo.
Special Recognition
Charla Harris, Pleasant Grove High School, Texarkana, Texas
Pat Hinman, Robinson Secondary School, Fairfax, Va.
Jeff Moffitt, CJE, Olympia High School, Orlando, Fla.
Chad Rummel, CJE, Oakton High School, Vienna, Va.
2008
Adviser of the Year
Linda Drake, Chase County High School (Kansas)
Distinguished Yearbook Adviser
Kim Green, Columbus North High School (Indiana)
Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser
Gary Bender, Westfield High School (Virginia)
2007
Adviser of the Year
Mary Kay Downes, Chantilly High School (Chantilly, Va.)
Distinguished Yearbook Advisers
Kathy Habiger (Mill Valley High School, Shawnee, Kan.)
Margaret Sorrows (Bryant High School, Bryant, Ark.)
C. Dow Tate (Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kan.)
Special Recognition Yearbook Advisers
Nancy Y. Smith (Lafayette High School, Wildwood, Mo.)
Mitch Ziegler (Redondo Union High School, Redondo Beach, Calif.)
2006
Advisers of the year
Dan Austin, Casa Roble High School (Orangevale, Calif.)
Pete LeBlanc, Center High School (Antelope, Calif.)
Distinguished Yearbook Adviser
Sarah Nichols, Whitney High School (Rocklin, Calif.)
Special Recognition
Kim Hocott, Deer Park (Texas) High School
2005
Adviser of the Year
Martha Akers, VA
Distinguished Adviser
Linda Ballew, MT
Special Recognition
Aaron Manfull, MO
Ruby Dyer, WV
2004
Adviser of the Year
Casey Nichols, CA
Distinguished Advisers
Lori Oglesbee, TX
Margaret Watters, OK
2003
Adviser of the Year
Kathy Craghead, MO
Distinguished Advisers
Mark Child, CA
Sandra Jacoby, WI
Sandra Strall, MI
Cindy Todd, TX
Special Recognition
Lisa Morris, IN
Margaret Watters, OK
2002
Adviser of the Year
Judi Coolidge, OH
Distinguished Advisers
Kathy Craghead, MO
Pete LeBlanc, CA
Wayna Polk, TX
Special Recognition
Linda Ballew, MT
Jane Blystone, PA
Mark Child, CA
Kathy Habiger, KS
Sandy Jacoby, WI
Micki Remos, AZ
Cindy Todd, TX
2001
Adviser of the Year
Lynn Strause, MI
Distinguished Advisers
Judi Coolidge, OH
Mary Kay Downes, VA
Linda Drake, KS
Brenda Gorsuch, NC
2000
Adviser of the Year
Crystal Kazmierski, CA
Distinguished Advisers
Michael Dunlap, KS
Lynn Strause, MI
Anne Whitt, FL
Special Recognition
Mary Ann Barton, MO
Mary Kay Downes, VA
Marci Pieper, MO
Wayna Polk, TX
1999
Adviser of the Year
Susan Massy, KS
Distinguished Advisers
Martha Akers, VA
Dan Austin, CA
John Gilmour, NV
Becky Lucas, KS
Special Recognition
Linda Drake, KS
Mike Dunlap, KS
Pam Smith, TX
David Zinsmeister, IN
1998
Adviser of the Year
Kathy Daly, CO
Distinguished Advisers
Judy Babb, TX
Ron Cueba, CA
Casey Nichols, CA
Special Recognition
Lana Hampton, AR
1997
Advisers of the Year
Paul Ender, CA
Nancy Hastings, IN
Distinguished Advisers
Michael Frazier, IN
Brady Smekens, IN
Special Recognition Advisers
Jan Hensel, MO
Bill Leece, IL
1996
Adviser of the Year
Jim Jordan, CA
Distinguished Advisers
Kathy Daly, CO
Susan Massy, KS
Special Recognition Advisers
Ann Horner, CO
Carol Neal, FL
1995
Adviser of the Year
H.L. Hall, MO
Distinguished Advisers
Sam Effinger, OK
Paul Ender, CA
Terry Nelson, IN
Paul Schweiger, PA
Special Recognition Advisers
David Cosgrove, AZ
Brenda Gorsuch, NC
Becky Lucas, KS
Kathleen Zwiebel, PA