Linda Simmons Memorial Scholarship

Effective 2019 the Linda Simmons Scholarship is on hiatus and will not be awarded

Since its inception, The Alaska Broadcasters Association has dedicated significant resources to promoting education in the communications field. The Board of Directors of the Alaska Broadcasters Association, through the award of an annual scholarship, wishes to recognize the significant contributions made by Linda Simmons to the Alaska Broadcasters Association. Linda Simmons was a dynamic, creative and dedicated member of the Alaska broadcast community who lost her battle with cancer in 2001. At the time of her death, Linda was working on behalf of the ABA in her position of Executive Director.

This scholarship is offered to provide encouragement and financial assistance to students who have demonstrated their interest in the communications arts and their abilities in the area of academic performance, attendance, and discipline – and to encourage the students to expand, use, and strengthen their skills. The Board of Directors of The Alaska Broadcasters Association, Inc. intends that this scholarship be awarded annually. Further, the Board will, in consultation with industry leaders, periodically review and revise the criteria established for the scholarship.

Amount of Scholarship	$2,000.00
Availability	Annually for Fall Term
Application Deadline	April 1st

Minimum Academic Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of an accredited General Educational Development (GED) program and acceptance into a recognized post-secondary institution.

In Memorium

Linda Simmons was a dynamic, creative and dedicated member of the Alaska broadcasting community.

Scholarship Criteria

Candidate must be pursuing a degree or certified course of study in an accredited junior/community college, college, university or professional trade school. Candidate may be already attending a post-secondary institution. Graduate students are not eligible.

Candidates must be pursuing Radio and/or Television Broadcasting or Broadcast Engineering as a major course of study. Applications from candidates pursuing major studies in Journalism, Public relations, or Advertising, will be considered in the event there are no qualified candidates with Broadcast Communications or Broadcast Engineering Majors.
Candidates must be residents of the State of Alaska. The location of their institution is immaterial.
The student must demonstrate excellence in the following areas:
- Academic Performance
- Discipline/Attitude
- Attendance

Application Process

Formal Application Sheet
Three letters of reference that address the criteria: Academic Performance, Discipline/Attitude, and Attendance
A short written essay expressing applicant’s personal goals

A committee consisting of ABA’s Board of Directors and member station employees will review all the applications and determine the recipient(s). Alternates will also be selected at this time in the event that the chosen recipient(s) are unable to accept the scholarship.

Award Announcement & Distribution of the Scholarship Funds

The award of the scholarships will be announced during the month of May. Their name will be inscribed on a permanent plaque to be located at the Alaska Broadcasters Association offices as additional recognition of the award. The scholarship funds will mailed to the winner, with the Registrar of their chosen school as Co-Payee. Children of the employees and Board of Directors of Alaska Broadcasters Association are ineligible for this scholarship.

For More Information

Please contact the ABA directly at 907.258.2424, or any ABA Member Station.

We no longer offer this scholarship

2017 Recipient

Gabryel Kito, Juneau

2016 Recipient

Cheyenne Mathews, a 2016 graduate of Ketchikan High School and enrolled at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Some of her outstanding accomplishments include her ranking as first in her class of 132 students; maintaining membership in the National Honor Society for the past three years; taking First Place at the Alaska State Public Forum Debate in 2016; being School President for the Student Body Association and being a Rotary Youth Interact Member.

2015 Recipient

Christian Hartwell, a sophomore at the University of Oregon, Christian also graduated with honors in 2014 from Dimond High in Anchorage. He was a Spirit of Youth Award winner in the category of Media & Technology in 2014; received a Visual Communications Award from the Career Technology Dept. at Dimond High, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America in 2013.

2014 Recipient

Sara Wise, graduated from West Anchorage High School in 2014. She completed a Gifted Mentorship at the Alaska Teen Media Institute in video production. She also produced a document about girl wrestlers which play at the Bear Tooth Three as part of the King Career Center’s youth screening.

2013 Recipient

Anne Bartholomew

2012 Recipient

McLean Cannon, a 2011 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School. McLean was a news intern at KTOO FM in Juneau; this experience helped him to add broadcasting to his love of journalism. He is a sophomore studying Broadcast Journalism at the University of Oregon. He is specializing in sports journalism, is an anchorman on Duck-TV and is the editor of BeyondU a college sports blog site

2011 Recipient

No Scholarship Awarded

2010 Recipient

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.”

2009 Recipients

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.

2008 Recipients

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.

2007 Recipients

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.

2006 Recipient

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

2005 Recipients

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.

2004 Recipient

Desiree Velez, Anchorage

2003 Recipient

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.

2002 Recipient

Jessica Lee Michaliszyn, Fairbanks