Featured image: CPHS Crown Town Media at IHSPA
Front Row: Madison Duffy, Alyssa Torres, Annabella Angarone, Ma’Rae Wallace, Evangeline Montanez, Samantha Uren
Second Row: Elyse Anderson, Adyson Graegin, Iris Estrada, Ashley Johnson, Maylani Velazquez, Abigail Conway, Abby Vester
Third Row: Chris Gloff, Rachel Herman, Jordan Manojlovic, Rico Arduster, Marissa Durko, Makenna Carmichael, Raquel Ruffin, Dan Dommer, Katie Mahle, Aadil Khan, Isabella Valenzuela, Duaa Khan, Aubria Harris
Fourth Row: Cameron Qualls, Trent Joselyn, Ryan Welsh, Brandon Boling, Braydon Zamojski, Brent Barber, Jennifer Bianchi
Fifth Row: Aiden Hielma, Mirey Fernandez, Mason Erbini, Thalen Stiener, RJ Swiedols
The student journalists of Crown Point High School have once again distinguished themselves as some of the best in Indiana, bringing home multiple top awards at the Indiana High School Press Association’s (IHSPA) 2025 State Convention.
Crown Point’s Inklings newsmagazine and Excalibur yearbook were both named Hoosier Star winners, the IHSPA’s highest holistic honor recognizing overall excellence in scholastic journalism. Additionally, the Crown Town Media website was a Hoosier Star finalist, underscoring the school’s commitment to producing high-quality student journalism across a variety of platforms.
“Our students are passionate about telling real stories with impact,” said teacher Jennifer Bianchi, who advises Inklings. “These awards are a reflection of their dedication, hard work, and the strong communication skills they’re developing every day.”
In addition to the Hoosier Star accolades, the Excalibur yearbook earned a First Class Honor Rating from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), one of the nation’s premier organizations for student journalism. This rating recognizes the 2024 yearbook for its strong design, writing, photography, and overall presentation.
The IHSPA also honored Crown Point’s publications with several Harvey Awards, which celebrate individual achievements across specific areas of journalism. Awards included:
Yearbook Division III Rowena Harvey Awards
• 1st Place – Advertising
• 2nd Place – Academics
• 2nd Place – Clubs/Organizations
• 3rd Place – Multi-Page Design
Multimedia Division III Rowena Harvey Awards
• 2nd Place – Website (Crown Town Media)
• 3rd Place – Social Media
Senior and Inklings Editor-in-Chief Ashley Johnson reflected on what the Hoosier Star recognition meant to the staff: “Winning the Hoosier Star this year drove home that we are more than a simple high school publication. We are writing on a higher level that deserves to be awarded, and the Hoosier Star has validated our efforts throughout the year.”
More than 70 students are enrolled in the journalism co-cirricular courses at CPHS, two of which are part of Career and Technical Education pathways. Students in these programs collaborate as writers, photographers, designers, broadcasters, and editors, gaining valuable experience that can lead to college scholarships, internships, and careers in media and communications.
The CPHS Journalism/Publications teachers are:
• Lisa Keene, Crown Town Media & Excalibur Yearbook Adviser
• Jennifer Bianchi, Crown Town Media & Inklings Newspaper Adviser
• Chris Gloff, Crown Town Media, CPTV & the DOG Radio Adviser
• Brent Barber, Crown Town Media, CPTV & the DOG Radio Adviser