Remembering Howard Spanogle’s lifetime commitment: 2022 distinguished service award recipient

By Isaac Janiak Stein, Riverside High School ’23

Howard Spanogle dedicated his life to scholastic journalism, as a high school journalism teacher, and as adviser, donor and volunteer to the NC Scholastic Media Association (NCSMA).

Spanogle, who died June 4, is being honored posthumously with the Kay Phillips Distinguished Service Award alongside Emma Davis. The award, named after former NCSMA director Kay Phillips, honors recipients for their contributions to NCSMA and scholastic journalism in North Carolina.

Spanogle is remembered as a passionate, giving and devoted supporter and proprietor of NCMSA and scholastic journalism.

Spanogle taught high school journalism for many years, including at Durham’s Jordan High, and his various staffs won more than 100 state and national awards, including the Pacemaker and Columbia Gold Crown Award. He had retired to Asheville with his wife Juanita. He served as a teacher and adviser at NCSMA events for years, including hosting regional workshops in Asheville.

Many former students and friends remembered Spanogle on online obituary sites and blogs, reflecting on how important he was in their lives.

A picture of Spanogle posted by a former student on his legacy.com obituary.

“Mr. Span was a brilliant teacher and leader,” former student Marva Mech Petty commented on an online obituary for Spanogle.

“He was by far the most effective teacher I had in high school,” Jennifer Weil commented online. “He taught us so much – and was such an inspiration! He was very supportive of his students. He made a mark in his field.”

On top of memories of Howard and his wife Juanita’s great dedication and hospitality to NCMSA, Hill remembers Spanogle best with a story of a regional workshop he taught in Asheville.

“He was sitting at the front of the room,” Hill said. “There was a roomful of students at the Student Union at UNC Asheville… He had their rapt attention the entire time. He finished the session on opinion writing, and they stood up and gave him a standing ovation.”

NCSMA accepts nominations annually. Students, advisers, associates or other school officials wishing to nominate someone with five years of service to scholastic journalism can send in their pick to ncsma@unc.edu.