Contact: contests@studentpress.org
Three scholastic newspaper journalists will receive scholarships from the National Scholastic Press Association for their accomplishments in academics and journalism.
Michael Cheung of Venice High School in Los Angeles has been selected as the winner of the $1,000 NSPA Wikoff Scholarship for Editorial Leadership out of 65 total entrants.
In recognition of his service to the National Scholastic Press Association as its executive director in the 1970s, NSPA has offered the Wally Wikoff Scholarship for Editorial Leadership since 1998. Entrants must submit three published editorials and must also possess at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. A recommendation letter from the publication adviser is also required.
Cheung served in varied roles for the Oarsman newspaper, including co-editor in chief. The Wikoff scholarship judge made the following remarks about his entry: “All of Michael’s editorials were cerebral without being pretentious. He’s a strong writer who can turn a phrase creatively. He showed that he isn’t afraid to speak truth to power, to call out school administrators by name and deed when they abused their authority. His editorial slamming prior review was especially outstanding.”
Linley Sanders, editor in chief of The Express newspaper at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kan., has been named the winner of the $1,000 NSPA Journalism Honor Roll Scholarship out of 77 entries. The judge cited her writing ability, evident in the essay, which used dialog to bring the reader to the scene as she prepared to interview a student dying of cancer. “Linley wrote that she learned … to keep fighting even when life isn’t fair. She used this moving experience to bolster her own self confidence as a journalist and to improve her interviewing skills by asking, waiting, listening and repeating the question if need be.”
Mitchell Handler, managing editor of the Oarsman at Venice High School in Los Angeles, was chosen as runner-up in the Journalism Honor Roll scholarship contest and will receive a $500 scholarship to the college or university he plans to attend.
Journalism Honor Roll scholarship applicants must possess a cumulative 3.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and also submit an essay on why they plan to pursue a career in journalism. The publication adviser must recommend the applicant.
Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention on Saturday, April 14, in Seattle.
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