Sophomore Ashlyn Myers and junior Xain Ballenger spent the spring semester working full time at the Indiana Statehouse press corps, reporting on everything from school censorship to throwing stars, as part of the immersive program that has helped send FC Pulliam School of Journalism grads everywhere from Indianapolis Business Journal to CNN.

Franklin is one of just 20 colleges or universities maintaining a student newsroom in a state capitol. It’s also among the smallest and one of just two private schools. Previously sharing its coverage with 35 paying media outlets, The Statehouse File is now able to offer its content for free to any professional outlet thanks to a fall 2022 grant from Lumina Foundation.

“Our students learn by doing under tremendous pressure, and they rise to the occasion every time,” said Executive Editor Colleen Steffen. “It’s a unique and really effective way to learn, and I’m always impressed with their tenacity and determination.

“At the same time, they are filling gaps in state news coverage and helping give Hoosiers the information they need, so I’m very proud of them and what they’re able to accomplish in a short time.”

Myers, of Franklin, ended her semester at the Statehouse in time to start an internship at The Daily Journal. This spring, she won the Jerry Miller Memorial Scholarship and the Marilyn Leap Student Fund Scholarship, with which she traveled to Atlanta this month to speak at the Education Writers Association National Seminar. She was also named incoming editor-in-chief for campus news outlet The Franklin.

A feature writer by inclination, Myers learned to love hard news at the Statehouse, writing stories about the state budget and the efforts to restrict trans health care.

“My semester with TheStatehouseFile.com was fully transformative,” said Myers. “Prior to this spring, I felt that I only had real skill when it came to human interest and feature stories, but the Indiana Statehouse quickly pushed me out of my comfort zone. Digging through legislative jargon and finding out the causes and effects of different political decisions made me realize that any topic is fundamentally human interest. You just have to find the right humans and give them a voice.

“I pushed myself, and it was hard, but I’m a different and better journalist because of my experience. With the help of my colleague, Xain Ballenger, we put faces and names to the Hoosiers that really depend on their lawmakers to make educated choices, and I’m so proud of our work.”

Ballenger, originally from Mooresville, will continue to work for The Statehouse File this summer as a freelancer. He received the TSF Transformation Award at May’s Pulliam School of Journalism annual banquet for his dramatic growth over the spring semester. A photographer and videographer, he came to the Statehouse wanting to improve his abilities as a writer.

“My time at the Statehouse was very unique,” said Ballenger. “The thing I really wanted to work on was writing. I felt it was not up to par with some of my other skills, so the Statehouse helped me develop that skill.

“However, it wasn’t just in writing. I learned how to really prepare, take notes, ask questions, and how to really focus even if the information isn’t the most exciting. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be good enough, but with the help of my editors Colleen, Kevin and Marilyn, and my colleague Ashlyn, I was able to grow my confidence as the semester went on.

“This was the best experience a journalism major could have because even though you aren’t thrown into shark-infested waters, it still gives you a real look into being a journalist and what it takes to be a professional. This semester solidified that this is what I want to do.”

Kevin Morgan, former editor of The Indiana Citizen, helped edit student work as part of a partnership with The Statehouse File before retiring earlier this year. Taking over for him in both capacities is longtime Indianapolis reporter Marilyn Odendahl.

This spring also saw The Statehouse File collect a spate of awards in both student and professional journalism contests—most recently, when four students were tapped as 2022 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence National Winners.

Taylor Wooten, a 2022 graduate from Clarksville, captured first place in the Breaking News Category for her story on the 2022 transgender sports bill before the Indiana General Assembly. Alexa Shrake, a 2022 graduate from Martinsville, Isaac Gleitz, a 2023 graduate from Corydon, and Sydney Byerly, a senior from New Albany, claimed first place in the General News Category for their series on the criminal case involving former Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar.

Other awards recognizing Statehouse File work from 2022: 

Society of Professional Journalists Regional Mark of Excellence Awards

• Winner, breaking news reporting: “Transgender sports bill receives further testimony at Senate Education Committee” by Taylor Wooten

• Finalist, breaking news reporting: “Anticipating state abortion ban, protesters descend on Statehouse” by Zachary Roberts

• Winner, general news reporting: “Thomas Minar series” by Alexa Shrake, Isaac Gleitz and Sydney Byerly

• Finalist, general news reporting: “Twitter beef raises the specter of Lucas’ 2020 divorce hearing” by Jack Sells

• Finalist, in-depth reporting: “Hoosiers see lasting effects from time KKK dominated state politics” by Taylor Wooten

• Finalist, in-depth reporting: “The social symptom: Educators worry about the pandemic impact that has not healed” by Zachary Roberts

IndyPro Society of Professional Journalists

• Column writing: John Krull

• Medical or science reporting: “More pregnancies will mean more deaths—but numbers are difficult to pin down” by Jack Sells

• Best use of social media: Election Night 2022 by Maggie McGuire, Sydney Byerly, Jack Sells, Tabby Fitzgerald

• Breaking news: “Impending abortion ban fills Statehouse with voices desperate to be heard” by Haley Pritchett

Indiana Collegiate Press Association Contest

• Second place, overall website

• Third place, use of social media: Election Night 2022 by Maggie McGuire, Sydney Byerly, Jack Sells, Tabby Fitzgerald

• Third place, breaking news reporting online: “Anticipating state abortion ban, protesters descend on Statehouse” by Zachary Roberts

• Second place, news/feature reporting online: “Uncovering Thomas Minar” by Isaac Gleitz

The Statehouse File publishes year-round. This summer, a small team will follow up on many of the new Indiana laws set to take effect July 1, and reporters also will spend three weeks creating feature content at the Indiana State Fair before the fall semester ushers in a new class.

For more information or to support TSF’s work, contact Steffen at csteffen@franklincollege.edu.