WJEA Journalist of the Year

WJEA STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (J.O.Y.)
Robin Morris Memorial Scholarship: $2,000

Apply by Feb 15, 2024
Submit Your Application Here

Robin Morris

The WJEA J.O.Y. Scholarship is in memory of Robin Morris, who began funding the WJEA Journalist of the Year Award in 2010, continuing until losing her long fight with cancer in 2017. Her husband, Jim, has continued to provide  funds for the Robin Morris Memorial Scholarship since then.

Robin, originally from Georgia, took the role of advisor for the Richland High newspaper, The Sandstorm (1987-2005), and then later the yearbook, The Columbian (1995-2005). She also worked tirelessly to add journalism classes to the school curriculum. Robin joined the Washington Journalism Education Association (WJEA) and Journalism Education Association (JEA) in 1987, serving as WJEA president from 1994-1996. She retired from Richland High School in 2005, but continued to be an active member in WJEA and JEA.

Robin was recognized many times for her energy and dedication that she poured into each and every project that she was involved in: two Golden Acorn Awards; Outstanding Journalism Educator Richland High School 1986-2005; All American Adviser Award 2005- National Scholastic Press Association; Lifetime Achievement Award -2005 The Journalism Education Association; Dorothy McPhillips Award – 2005- WJEA recognition for tireless dedication to scholastic journalism, Master Journalism Educator 1992-2017.

Her awards from Washington Journalism Education Association and Journalism Education Association are a reflection of her commitment to help students rise to their best and for her to walk alongside them, supporting as she could in so many ways.

About the Award: The student named Washington’s Journalist of the Year will be our state’s entry into the national Journalism Education Association’s Journalist of the Year contest. Submission materials must meet all national Journalism Education Association requirements when submitted to WJEA. The state level submission form requests all the same materials as the national registration form, so applicants need not complete the national online form.  The national form for the state winner will be prepared and submitted to JEA by the Washington State’s JEA Director, Anne Hayman, MJE.

Requirements:
1. Applicant is a graduating high school senior.
2. Applicant has participated in student media for at least two years.
3. Applicant has earned a 3.0 GPA minimum on a 4.0 scale.
4. Adviser is a current WJEA and JEA member.
5. Applicant has submitted an online portfolio according to JEA guidelines.

The online submission form will ask you to upload the following materials:
• your portfolio of accomplished work must follow JEA J.O.Y. GUIDELINES. Please follow all instructions exactly. To see what judges will be looking for, read through the J.O.Y. JUDGING RUBRIC and SCORING GUIDE.
• a high school transcript or counselor’s statement including journalism classes taken, grades and current GPA (PDF of 2MB or less)
• an action photo of you involved in some aspect of student media (JPEG of 1 MB or less)
• three letters of recommendation from those who know you well and understand the impact of the journalistic experience on your life (each as a PDF of 2MB or less)
• an essay of up to 500-words that:
1. is a personal narrative reflecting on your scholastic media experience and how it shaped both current success and future goals
2. addresses challenges you’ve faced along the way and how these were solved
3. exhibits your strong, vibrant voice.

Submission deadline: Feb. 15, 2024
Winner announced: March 9, 2024 at the WJEA Spring State Conference at Arlington High School

WJEA will enter the Washington state winner’s online portfolio and application materials to the national committee for judging. The national winner will be announced at the JEA/NSPA national spring convention in April. Top national award is $3,000 in scholarship funds. Runners up are each awarded $850 scholarships.

Previous Award Winners

2022-23: Arushi Sharma, Inglemoor HS
2021-22: Alex Levin, Mercer Island HS
2020-21: Kelli Allen, Bellarmine Prep
2019-20: Nolan DeGarlais, Mountlake Terrace HS
2018-19: Annika Prom, Mountlake Terrace HS
2017-18: Haley Keizur, Puyallup HS
2016-17: Stephi Smith, Mountlake Terrace HS
2015-16: Jacoy Willis, Inglemoor HS

2014-15: Nicholas Fiorillo, Mountlake Terrace HS
2013-14: Anna Ferkingstad, Ballard HS
2012-13: Lyra Betels, Yelm HS
2011-12: Sarah Moore, Yelm HS
2010-11: Allie Rickard, Emerald Ridge HS
2009-10: Rebecca Harris, Puyallup HS
2008-09: Nicole Pinto, Peninsula HS
2007-08:
2006-07: Nick Feldman, Wenatchee HS
2005-06: Kelly MacDonald, Wenatchee HS
2004-05: Hilkka Ehlers, Richland HS
2003-04: Dan Talevich, Mount Si HS
2002-03: Ben Truscott, Wenatchee HS

If you were named a WJEA Journalist of the Year prior to 2002, please contact us so that we can update our records.