Month: December 2016

Taylor Campbell, a 2010 Graduate of Colony High School in Palmer will be a Freshman at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She will pursue a double major in Public Communications/Journalism and French. Taylor maintained a 3.9 GPA. She was active in the drama club, President in her Senior year and brings strong writing skills to along to her chosen major. She hopes to be “able to deliver the news of the world to Alaskans, no matter what corner of this great state they live in.”

Michael DeTerra, a 2007 Graduate of Chugiak High School will be a Junior at Washington State University, Edward R. Murrow School of Communications in Tacoma. Michael maintained a 3.96 GPA during his Sophomore year and is studying all areas of Television production. Michael has numerous on the job training experiences, including working for KTVA and KTUU in Anchorage.

Bryan Arnold, a 2009 Graduate of Steller High School will be a Freshman at the University of Alaska Anchorage and is majoring in Advertising and Graphic Design. Bryan has won several international writing awards and produced a five minute video project that aired locally on the MDA Telethon in 2008.

Jessica Agi, graduated from Alyeska Central School in May 2006. She is pursuing a degree in communications Arts at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Jessica was editor of the “Perfect World” section for the Anchorage Daily News and has a considerable resume for writing. She has interned with Sirius Radio and will be Station Manager for WMMC Griffin Radio (college) for 2008-2009 school year. She wants to pursue a career in writing, media production and talent relations.

Meena Ramayee Ganesan, graduated from Anchorage’s Dimond High on May 14, 2008 and will be studying Broadcast Journalism and Political Communications at Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts. Meena is a writer for “Perfect World” for the ADN and is a member of the Alaska Teen Media Institute where she has written and produced stories for a live monthly radio program. Meena has also interned with KTUU-TV’s news department. Meena’s interest in news production is intense. She can see herself as a field reporter and eventually as a TV news anchor. Meena is also considering a Masters program at Columbia that grants a combined Masters in Communications and Law.

Brenna Clair O’Tierney, graduated from South Anchorage High School May 2007 and is attending Northwestern’s University Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois. Brenna was Editor in Chief, Feature Editor and Entertainment Editor for her high school newspaper, Southside Story. She enjoys writing feature articles and is active in the YWCA and partners for Special Olympics. Brenna has won many awards for journalism and is active in community fund raising. She has been in the Gifted Mentorship program (2005) with Maria Downey at KTUU and will be an intern in 2008.

We again had many outstanding entries and choose two to receive our $2,000 award. But as the fall semester began it proved to be a bittersweet time for our Simmons Scholarship recipients. Both recipients were mentored by Augie Hiebert at Mirror Lake Middle school and had letters of recommendation from him in their application packets. Augie passed away on September 13, just as their fall semesters were beginning.

Christina Roper, Graduate of Chugiak High School, currently attending UAA majoring in Broadcast Journalism. Christina wants to be a new anchor here in Anchorage! You may have seen Christina at the Goldies banquet, she was helping with the awards ceremony as our “Goldie Girl”.

Michael DeTerra, Graduate of Chugiak High School, currently attending Washington State University, Edward R. Murrow School of Communications in Tacoma. Michael wants to be involved in a major Television market as a news reporter.

Lucy Ross, Soldotna is a graduate of Skyview High School in Soldotna. She is studying Journalism at the University of Idaho-Moscow campus.

2005 was a very good year for applications for our annual scholarship. We only had nine submitted, but they were of such high caliber that our selection committee had a very difficult time selecting one winner. There were three students within 1 point of each other; all of them had excellent qualifications and goals for pursuing a career in Broadcasting. ABA Board of Directors voted to give three $2,000 awards for 2005 instead of just one.

Janus Abello, Graduate of Dimond High School, currently attending the University of Missouri – Columbia’s School of Journalism. Janus hopes to become a Sports Journalist.

Roxann Monzulla, Graduate of Bartlett High School, currently attending Macon State College in Georgia and has plans to transfer to the Art Institute of Atlanta to major in Radio Broadcasting and Production. Roxann worked for Sharon Leighow as an intern at KFQD-AM.

Melissa Smith, Graduate of Chugiak High School, is attending the University of Alaska Anchorage majoring in Broadcast Journalism. Melissa worked under a mentorship program with Megan Baldino and Justin Freeman at KTUU-TV during her senior year. Melissa is also a member of the Alaska Teen Media Institute, a group that produces a monthly half-hour radio new show.

Desiree Velez, Anchorage

Brielle Schaeffer, a Senior at Chugach High School received the Second Annual Linda Simmons Scholarship for $2,000.00. She is attending University of Washington and majoring in Broadcast Journalism. The award was presented by Darlene Simono, ABA Executive Director.

Jessica Lee Michaliszyn, Fairbanks