FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS: Dorothy Gilliam
April 8, 2013 202-994-0761; [email protected]
PRIME MOVERS MEDIA PARTNERS WITH WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' ASSOCIATION, AOL, TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS
WHCA, AOL Donate $30,000 to Scholarships for DC High School Journalists
WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 8, 2013 - The George Washington University's Prime Movers Media (PMM) program, Washington, DC's only intensive high school journalism mentoring program, is partnering with the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) and AOL to recognize outstanding DC high school journalism students.
WHCA and AOL will each give two high school seniors $15,000 scholarships to study mass media at the colleges of their choice. Representatives from PMM, WHCA and AOL judged the contest, which was based on applicants’ essays, participation in PMM programs and financial need.
Jabriel Ingram of Coolidge is the recipient of the WHCA scholarship and Brianna Little of Banneker will receive the AOL scholarship. The scholarships will be presented at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner on April 27.
"We are delighted to be able to support a program that has already mentored thousands of budding journalists in the DC area (and Philadelphia)," said Michael Scherer, TIME magazine White House correspondent and chair of the WHCA Scholarship Committee. "This is precisely the sort of work the White House Correspondents' Association was founded to support."
Based at The George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, PMM sends veteran journalists and GW students to mentor high school students and assist teachers, while revitalizing their media programs in television, radio, print and digital/online production. PMM has active programs in eight high schools in Washington, DC to promote ongoing journalism training and diversity among young journalists. PMM wrote the Mass Media Communications curriculum that is currently being used in three DC high schools. Since its inception in 2004, PMM has sent 83 George Washington University students into DC high schools. During that time, more than 100 professional journalists have worked with 4,000 high school students in greater Washington, DC, and Philadelphia.
"We are happy to have the support of this prestigious organization of the nation's top journalists," said Dorothy Gilliam, director of Prime Movers Media, an industry pioneer and former president of the National Association of Black Journalists. "The involvement of this association is exciting for our students. It will contribute to our goals of revitalizing media programs, mentoring future journalists and advancing media literacy and civic engagement of youth in urban and diverse high schools."
The School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) is dedicated to the rigorous study of journalism and political communication with a focus on understanding the impact media have on how societies inform and govern, connect and communicate. As media undergo transformational change, SMPA's goal is to advance both theoretical insight and innovative practice. SMPA conducts groundbreaking research, offers inspiring teaching, encourages hands-on work in the field and in our production facilities and engages directly with thought-leaders in Washington, DC, and around the world.