A working journalist from age 10, Hannah first started writing her column “School Rules” in 2001. In 2009 she graduated from Odessa High School, and in 2013 graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism. She has been news editor of The Odessan and Focus on Oak Grove since 2014.

The Odessan and Focus on Oak Grove

The Odessan and Focus on Oak Grove are two small, weekly newspapers in Lafayette and Eastern Jackson Counties just outside the Kansas City area. The Odessan has been in the Spaar family since 1960 when it was purchased by Hannah’s grandmother, Betty S. Spaar. Focus on Oak Grove was started by the Spaar family at the encouragement of the Oak Grove community in 1995. Hannah’s father, Joe Spaar, and uncle, John Spaar, are currently co-publishers for both papers. The Odessan is the largest newspaper in Lafayette County, Missouri.

Notable achievements

• Member of the Missouri Press Association Board of Directors, 2019-present.

• 2016 William E. James Outstanding Young Journalist Award

• First place recognitions from the Missouri Press Association’s annual statewide Better Newspaper Contest for Breaking News Story, Breaking News Photography, Coverage of Government, Information Graphic, Best Editorial and Best Sports Package.

• Numerous additional second place, third place and honorable mention recognitions for reporting, editorial writing, design and photography.