“In her senior year, Sonja took a hard look at the decisions being made by our school district and wrote some very eye-opening pieces,” said Kennedy High School Principal Jason Kline. “As a conscientious student, this was very brave, to say the least. But Sonja knows that in journalism, truth is the most important thing.”
Other recommendation letters from her teachers and supervisors praised her academic prowess, outstanding leadership, and talent for finding compelling stories.
“I have worked with great editors, but I have never seen a leader like Sonja at such a young age,” said Steven Tolly, language arts teacher, technical director, and journalism adviser at Kennedy High School. “Our coverage of the district changes rocketed our website and Sonja’s leadership into the public eye. She is the first high school journalist I have worked with to establish a reputation in the district as an advocate for our students and school.”
“Sonja has demonstrated a profound commitment to investigative journalism, editorial leadership, and advocacy for the issues that matter most to students, parents, and educators alike,” said Dana Burger, English language arts and composition teacher at Kennedy High School.
The Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship is named for a long-time National Press Club member who endowed a scholarship in aid of high school seniors who wish to pursue a career in journalism.
“Sonja is a promising emerging journalist who has shown fearlessness in pursuit of truth,” said Mike Balsamo, National Press Club president. “We are honored to support her as she starts college in the fall and look forward to seeing her continue holding power to account.”
In addition to funding, scholarship winners are awarded one-year complimentary membership to the National Press Club. National Press Club scholarships are administered by its nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute.
Scholarship winners are selected by a group of Scholarship Team volunteer judges, led by Team Leads Erin Looney and Caitlin Mullaney. Thank you to the judges for the Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship: Herb Jackson, Hilary Saunders, Nicole Schuman, and Steff Thomas.
About the Institute
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. NPCJI is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club. Support the Institute’s student-focused programming with a donation today.
About the Club
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members from nearly every leading news organization, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.
