During her senior year in 2005, Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman, publications adviser,  spent most of her time in room N155’s publication lab as Paragon staff’s editor-in-chief. At that time, the yearbook was distributed after graduation, causing the lingering yearbook deadline to be on Ms. Lanman’s mind during her commencement ceremony. When she returned to work on the book,  Ms. Lanman thought, “I could just do yearbook my whole life.” She ended up coming back in 2012 to teach and advise in the same room she was once a student in.

After 11 years working here, and advising 11 yearbooks and at least 10 issues of Crier each year, Ms. Lanman now prepares for her departure from MHS. Next school year, Ms. Alexandra Sulewski, Crown Point student teacher,  will be taking Ms. Lanman’s position.

Ms. Lanman reflects on her time and dedication toward the school and publications program.

“Before I even got the job here, my time as a publications student with Ms. Nancy Hastings (former publications adviser) shaped my ability to do things which I will carry with me beyond this job,” Ms. Lanman said. “I really want my students to carry that with them as well. This program is the ongoing process of students teaching each other and learning these lessons, such as just figuring things out.”

Ms. Lanman continued to learn, from her own students, when she started her first year advising in 2013. However, Crier editor-in-chief at that time, Cassie Eberle, was hesitant to a new adviser coming in after adjusting to several new advisers before Ms. Lanman’s arrival.

“I remember thinking, ‘oh my gosh, I don’t think I can handle a new advisor,’” Cassie said. “But when she came in and told me about her past history with publications, I slowly put my guard down and ended up having a lot of fun that year. Her inexperience in advising was kind of nice too because we kind of learned and navigated the school year together.”

Along with Cassie, Paragon’s editor-in-chief that year, Mia Torres, found her time in publications to be valuable. Mia has now been able to work at Washington Post and Grist News, in which she feels her time with the publications program and Ms. Lanman’s teachings have greatly influenced her career path.

“Paragon is really a crash course in publication production and this field,” Mia said. “It can really be taxing to work in this field, but I feel like Ms. Lanman was a perfect reminder of keeping it fun, but also working hard. I just remember all of us dancing in the hallways and taking dance breaks. I think that’s something Ms. Lanman has taught me and I try to hold onto in this field.”

After observing Ms. Lanman’s work as an adviser a couple classrooms down from his own, Mr. Kevin Clyne, English teacher, made an effort to be an active supporter of the publications here.

“I started going to the banquets and stopping by during Crier and Paragon’s build days because she would keep talking to me about how much students could do, and I thought that message was something that most Munster teachers do not always believe,” Mr. Clyne said. “It was amazing to see her give students the right to make whatever newspaper or yearbook they wanted.”

Throughout her time advising, Ms. Lanman and the publication staffs under her advising have been recognized both locally and nationally for their personal and collaborative achievements.

“When we go to the national conventions, its nice to see her out there and active,” Ms. Hastings said. “She’s out there doing her thing, being recognized, and is very involved. She has made her mark, and I think that makes me feel great to know that she has established who she is.”

an awarded adviser

1 newspaper pacemaker

3 yearbook pacemakers

1 gold crown for Crier

6 silver crowns for Crier

10 consecutive Hoosier Stars for newspaper and yearbook

personal awards

• Yearbook Adviser
• JEA Rising Star
• CSPA Distinguished Adviser in the National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year

noteable student awards

• IHSPA 2023 Journalist of the Year Runner-Up: Reena Alsakaji, former Crier editor-in-chief
• 1st place CSPA yearbook cover 2023: Lita Cleary and Gia Cvitkovich
• IHSPA 2022 Journalist of the Year: Atarah Israel, former Crier editor-in-chief
• Quill and Scroll 1st place feature photo in 2021: Francis Hovland, former publications student
• Gallup Award winner all 10 years
• Best of Show placements for Crier or Paragon at every national competition attended
• at least 5 IHSPA Rowena Harvey state-winners each year