Recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has marked a historic moment for The Clarion, as the student newsroom continues building momentum through statewide and national achievements.
This year, Clarion advisor Jessica Graue was awarded the Emil Dansker Award for Outstanding Achievement in Journalism, one of the highest honors presented by SPJ’s Cincinnati chapter.
Awarded annually to an individual for exceptional leadership, dedication and contributions to journalism, it has also honored the legacy of Emil Dansker. Dansker served as a longtime journalist, educator and mentor who helped shape generations of reporters.
For many outside the media field, SPJ may not be a familiar name. Since its founding in 1909, the Society of Professional Journalists has become one of the nation’s oldest and broadest journalism organizations, focused on protecting press freedom, promoting ethical reporting and recognizing journalistic excellence. Within the industry, receiving an SPJ award is considered a major professional achievement, as it reflects both credibility and impact.
While the award highlights professional excellence, for those inside The Clarion’s newsroom it also tells a personal story.
“I felt like crying. I didn’t expect to win,” Graue said. “It was hard to believe, and I had to send the email to my bosses and my husband just to make sure it was real.”
Graue’s journey into journalism began with a simple love for writing. Although she did not originally plan to become a journalist, an internship during her senior year of college changed the course of her career. Since then, she has built experience across newspapers, radio, television and digital media. These experiences now shape the way she mentors students at Sinclair.
She describes The Clarion not just as a campus publication, but as a “learning lab” where students develop skills that stretch far beyond journalism itself. Writing, interviewing, meeting deadlines and adapting to digital platforms, she said, are tools that apply across all professions.
Under Graue’s leadership, The Clarion has grown significantly. Over the past year, the newsroom has earned multiple Ohio News Media Association awards, the A-Mark Student Journalism Award, and was named the second-best student media outlet in Ohio.
This momentum has also translated into student success. Executive editor Noah Schlarman earned Best News Writing honors, making him one of the latest students to gain recognition for his work.
For Schlarman, the award was more than just a title; it became proof that his path into journalism was the right one.
“It didn’t feel real,” Schlarman said. “It was surreal, especially knowing the Clarion had never won an SPJ award before. For me, it was a sense of validation. I spent years doubting myself, wondering if this was really the right path. Getting recognized like this made me realize that maybe I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Unlike many traditional journalism students, Noah’s journey started far outside the newsroom. Before returning to school, he spent five years working in construction, following family expectations. But his passion for writing eventually brought him back into the classroom and into The Clarion’s office — a place he now credits with changing his life.
Both Graue and Schlarman agree that what makes the Clarion unique is its ability to give students freedom while also teaching accountability. Whether students plan to become journalists, nurses, business professionals or educators, the experience teaches them how to communicate, research and tell stories that matter.
As The Clarion continues its rise, both believe this recognition is only the beginning. More than awards, they see it as evidence that student journalism has power — not just to inform campus communities, but to shape future storytellers.
For Graue, that remains the heart of it all: preparing students to understand that journalism is not just a career, but a public responsibility. And for the students behind the bylines, this moment stands as proof that even in a college newsroom, their voices can carry farther than they ever imagined.
“It’s probably the biggest honor I’ve received in my professional life so far, and I hope to continue my work in journalism and education for many years to come,” said Graue.
Monsoon Koirala, Reporter
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