The Friend of NIE Award is presented annually by FPES in recognition of an individual or organization that has helped to further FPES’ goal of promoting literacy by using the newspaper as an educational resource.
The Friend of NIE Award is presented at the annual Florida Media Convention.
2023: Dawn Ali-Carr, Weeki Wachee High School, Hernando County School District
Weeki Wachee High School journalism teacher Dawn Ali-Carr, pictured with FPES Vice President Julie Maglio, accepted the 2023 Friend of NIE award.
2022: Pasco County Recycling Division
Pasco County Solid Waste Director Dr. Justin Roessler, pictured with (L-R) FPES board members Sue Bedry, Jackie Lytton and Jodi Pushkin, accepted the 2022 Friend of NIE award.
2021: Dr. Rick Wilber
Award-winning writer, editor and teacher Rick Wilber accepted the 2021 Friend of NIE award from FPES President Jodi Pushkin.
2020: Florida Humanities
Steve Seibert, Florida Humanities Executive Director, accepted the 2020 Friend of NIE Award.
2019: Jan Grabowski, President, NIEonline
Jan Grabowski, President of NIEonline, accepted the 2019 Friend of NIE award.
2018: Mary Miller, Education Services Director, The New York Newspaper Publishers Association
Mary Miller, Education Services Director for The New York Newspaper Publishers Association, accepted the 2018 Friend of NIE Award from FPES President Jodi Pushkin (L) and Executive Director Karen Tower (R).
2017: Dr. Deborah Kozdras, Chief Creative Officer, The Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education
Deborah Kozdras of The Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education accepted the 2017 Friend of NIE Award.
2016: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Sky Roberts and Kellie Gilmore of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital accepted the 2016 Friend of NIE Award from FPES President Jodi Pushkin.
2015: Tampa Bay Rays
David Egles and Jamie Patterson of the Tampa Bay Rays accepted the 2015 Friend of NIE Award on behalf of the team.
2014: Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Laura Gardner, Manager of Retail Marketing Communications at Publix Super Markets (center), accepted the 2014 Friend of NIE Award from FPES President Jodi Pushkin (L) and Executive Director Karen Tower (R).
2013: Dean Ridings, President & CEO, Florida Press Association/Intersect Media Solutions
Dean Ridings, Florida Press Association President & CEO, accepted the 2013 Friend of NIE Award.