The Journalism Education Association and the Society of Professional Journalists announce three scholarship winners in the 2018 SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest. Over 220 students participated in the nationwide contest, which was judged by 28 journalism educators. Established in 1998, the contest is a project of both JEA and SPJ. The topic for the 2018 contest (“Why do we — as consumers of media — need to obtain news from multiple feeds and not just one or two outlets?”) was selected by members of the Scholastic Press Rights Committee of JEA and a representative of SPJ.

“It’s inspiring and encouraging to see the next generation of journalists recognizes the crucial role that accurate, fair and thorough journalism plays in our democratic society,” SPJ National President Rebecca Baker said.

“It proves that journalists, no matter their age or experience, can use their talents to protect the free exchange of information across media outlets. SPJ is proud that so many high school students are taking an interest in promoting responsible, ethical journalism.”

“Successful essays demonstrated sound understanding of today’s media environment and how consumers are uniquely positioned to take control of their own consumption habits,” JEA Executive Director Kelly Glasscock, CJE, said. “The winning essays also excelled grammatically with focused, concise and well-organized arguments backed by research.”

2018 SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest award winners:

First Place, $1,000 Scholarship Winner:
Alexandria Kim, Marlborough School – Los Angeles, California

Second Place, $500 Scholarship Winner:
Madeleine Bernardeau, Hunter College High School – New York, New York

Third Place, $300 Scholarship Winner:
Emili Kovell, East Brunswick High School – East Brunswick, New Jersey

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

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.