NSPA OFFICE: 2829 University Ave. SE, Su. 720, Minneapolis 55414

info@studentpress.org

(612) 200-9254

Journalist of the Year

Open to seniors, the JOY scholarship program provides recognition to Minnesota student journalists. It requires a personal narrative, letters of recommendation, and portfolio of work that demonstrates the candidate’s skills with:

  • Reporting and Writing
  • Editing, Leadership and Team Building
  • Web and Social Media
  • Design
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Photojournalism
  • Law, Ethics, and News Literacy
  • Marketing and Audience Engagement
  • Commitment to Diversity

This competition is sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and recognizes the best student journalists from each state. The Minnesota winner receives a $600 scholarship from Journalism Educators of Minnesota (JEM), and up to two finalists will also be honored.

DEADLINE: Applications will open in December with a due date in mid-January

RESOURCES:

The JEA website gives directions and tips to make the digital portfolio. Encourage your interested seniors to follow us on social media for tips leading up to the deadline. E-mail questions to Kathryn Campbell (kcampbell@spa.edu) JEM Interim President

All state winners are honored at the spring JEA/NSPA National Convention, and national winners are announced at the convention. The state winner does not have to attend the national convention to receive the state honor and the scholarship, but their adviser does need to be a JEA member.

Past JOY honorees

2024
Rita Li
St. Paul Academy and Summit School

2023
Mady Leick
Eastview HS

2022
Elizabeth Trevathan
St. Paul Academy and Summit School

2021
Talia Lissauer
St. Louis Park HS

2020
Marta Hill
St. Louis Park HS

2019
Mimi Geller
St. Paul Academy and Summit School

2018
Michael Korsch
Hopkins HS

2017
Ethan Brown
St. Louis Park HS

2015
Maddie Binning
Minnehaha Academy

2013
Aditi Kulkarni
St. Paul Academy and Summit School

2012
Anna Morris
Stillwater Area HS

2010
Lauren Dezenski
Eden Prairie HS