The Hoosier State Press Association Foundation announces the recipients of its annual scholarships for high school seniors planning to major in print journalism.
Micheala Sosby, a senior at Chesterton High School, won the large school division (enrollment of 2,000 students or more).
Hannah Alani, a senior at Bloomington High School South, won the small school division (enrollment of less than 2,000).
Both student journalists will receive $1,500 scholarships from the HSPA Foundation.
They received the awards at the Indiana High School Press Association’s First Amendment Symposium at the Indiana Statehouse March 6.
They may use the funds for books, tuition, fees, housing or any other legitimate expense related to their college education.
The students were chosen among those who entered the Indiana High School Press Association’s Student Journalist of the Year competition.
“It is so encouraging and energizing to read these students’ portfolios,” said Karen T. Braeckel, director of the HSPA Foundation. “The talent, passion and hard work shown in their work holds great promise for the future of our industry.”
Sosby also won the IHSPA Student Journalist of the Year award, while Alani was runner-up.
Sosby will represent Indiana in the Journalism Education Association’s National Student Journalist of the Year competition. The national winner receives a $3,000 scholarship. Runners-up – usually six – earn $1,000.
Both Sosby and Alani work in leadership positions at their school newspapers and have their work published monthly in their professional community papers.
And both have appeared before their local school boards – Sosby to ensure the future of a student press at her school, Alani to fight proposed restrictions on student media.
Braeckel said part of the HSPA Foundation’s mission – along with defending the principles of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution – is to enhance the ability of Indiana newspapers to fully educate and inform the public.
“Awarding scholarships to talented Indiana students interested in print journalism helps us fulfill our mission,” she said.
