FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, 317-920-4791, awards@spj.org
Taylor Carlier, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, tcarlier@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association are pleased to announce three scholarship winners in the 2015 SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest.

First Place, $1,000 Scholarship Winner:
Matthew Zipf, Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, Maryland

Second Place, $500 Scholarship Winner:
Philip Kim, Paramus High School, Paramus, New Jersey

Third Place, $300 Scholarship Winner:
Sania Chandrani, Parkview High School, Liburn, Georgia

Students in grades 9-12 could enter the contest by submitting an essay addressing this statement: “Why is it important for journalists to seek the news and report it?” Of the 275 entries received, professional educations judged and selected 15 finalists. Those essays were judged by members of JEA’s Scholastic Journalism Week committee.

The purpose of the contest is to increase high school students’ knowledge and understanding of the importance of independent media to our lives. The national winners receive scholarships funded by the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Complete essays from the winners can be read on the SPJ or JEA websites.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit spj.org.

Founded in 1924, the Journalism Education Association supports free and responsible scholastic journalism by providing resources and educational opportunities, by promoting professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and by fostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity. It is headquartered at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. For further information about JEA, please visit www.jea.org.

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