LuAnn Schindler of Clearwater, Neb., has received the 2022 Communicator of Achievement Award from the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW). This prestigious award has been given for 65 years.
Schindler received the award during a celebration at the organization’s annual conference, held June 23-25, 2022, in Fargo, N.D. Now in its 85th year, NFPW is a nationwide organization of professional women and men pursuing careers across the spectrum of journalism and communications.
The Communicator of Achievement award is the highest honor bestowed by NFPW upon those members who have distinguished themselves within and beyond their field. The recipient, chosen from nominees selected by state affiliates from around the country, is recognized for exceptional achievement in the communications field, as well as service to NFPW, the affiliate organization and the community.
Schindler, a member of Nebraska Press Women, is co-publisher (along with her husband, Scott) and editor-in-chief of the weekly Summerland Advocate-Messenger, serving the communities of Clearwater, Orchard, Ewing, Page and Royal.
Schindler grew up in Clay Center, Neb., and graduated from Hastings College, then taught journalism, English and speech in Wauneta/Palisade, Wausa, O’Neill and Norfolk. Her students regularly competed for state speech championships and placed in the top 10 in journalism contests. After 25 years of teaching, Schindler became managing editor at the Clearwater Record/Ewing News, also writing a column for the Creighton News.
In 2019, LuAnn and Scott Schindler founded the Summerland Advocate-Messenger, which prints a broadsheet edition and offers news online. Schindler’s reporting in the Advocate-Messenger is widely credited with helping the new Summerland school district’s bond issue to pass, as Schindler and her staff fulfilled a newspaper’s aim of providing details, accurate information to citizens.
Schindler is an active member of Nebraska Press Women (NPW), co-directing its high school communications contest, editing the organization’s newsletter, and winning numerous awards in NPW and NFPW communications contests. She is also a frequent presenter at NPW conferences and events.
Recently named Clearwater’s Volunteer of the Year. Schindler has been an officer of the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, president of the Clearwater Public Library Trustees, and a founding member of the Clearwater Historical Society.
