The New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) continues its tradition of supporting aspiring journalists by awarding several scholarships each year through the Journalism Education Foundation of New England (JEFNE). This initiative is designed to foster and encourage young talent dedicated to pursuing a career in journalism.
Eligible applicants include college students and high school seniors from New England who are actively studying and gaining work experience in journalism. These scholarships are a valuable resource for students committed to the field, providing financial support as they prepare for their careers.
In a special highlight, 2024 marks the continuation of the MacGregor Fiske Scholarship, first incorporated into the Journalism Education Foundation of New England Scholarship awards in 2023. This scholarship honors the legacy of Mac Fiske, a respected fourth-generation newspaperman who passed away in 2009 at 75.
We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Journalism Education Foundation of New England Scholarships, each recipient will receive $2,500.
- Lila Hempel-Edgers, Northeastern University – MacGregor Fiske Scholarship recipient
- Sara Bedigian, University of Connecticut
- Sonel Cutler, Northeastern University
- Charlotte Oliver, University of Vermont
This year’s recipients exemplify the dedication and promise that JEFNE aims to support, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to fostering the next generation of journalistic excellence in New England.
“Through working for student publications and in a professional newsroom, I have reported on a multitude of important issues within the communities I am a part of. I am endlessly inspired by the perseverance of my peers, colleagues, and mentors in a field that faces limited funding and increasing instability, and I am very grateful to JEFNE and the New England Newspaper & Press Association for supporting my career. This scholarship will fund a five-week trip where I will be reporting on economic disparities in Perú. It will also allow me to accept unpaid assignments from newspapers that can’t compensate me.”
“I am honored and grateful to have received the JEFNE Scholarship for the second year in a row! As I enter my third year at the University of Connecticut, I aspire to become a journalist where I can inform others and educate the community about important issues. I want to tell stories for those who do not have a voice and report news for those to better understand what is happening around them. Through my experiences working for my college newspaper, I have found a passion for journalism, and I look forward to the day when I can become a journalist and make a difference in my community. I am beyond grateful for the generosity of JEFNE and the New England Newspaper & Press Association for their continued support, as their financial assistance is a tremendous asset to the future of my journalism career.”
“I am immensely grateful and excited to receive the Journalism Education Foundation of New England’s 2024 journalism scholarship! As I begin my senior year of college, I am deeply appreciative and humbled to be supported in my journalistic endeavors while I prepare to graduate and enter the job field. Although the field of journalism can be challenging and intimidating as it becomes increasingly competitive, it is evident that encouraging young people to pursue journalism is critical now more than ever. This scholarship will go a long way to helping me finish my education in journalism and political science at Northeastern.”
“I’m overjoyed that in my last year of college, I have the opportunity to meet more people, hear their stories, and get better at writing them for the news. This scholarship helps me to become a better journalist and do the things I love.”