RTDNA Announces Scholarship and Fellowship Recipients
The RTDNA Foundation announces the recipients of the 2025 scholarship and fellowship program that is awarding more than $35,000 to 14 students and early career journalists. Scholarship and fellowship winners will attend RTDNA25, taking place June 11-13 in New Orleans. RTDNA says, “Since its
establishment in 1970, the RTDNA Foundation has provided more than $1 million in scholarships and fellowships to about 600 aspiring journalists, fulfilling its role as the educational and charitable wing of the Radio Television Digital News Association. Some have gone on to become reporters, producers and news directors, covering local and national issues that matter to their communities. Others have ventured into related professions, such as White House speechwriters, media regulatory attorneys and journalism educators. Several former recipients have also contributed to RTDNA’s leadership by serving as board members, while many have been honored with prestigious Murrow Awards.” You can see more about the 14 winners here.
Shelley says, “It is our sacred duty to promote, protect and defend the First Amendment, which makes journalism the only vocation specifically protected in our Constitution. The individuals represented in this group of recipients embody the spirit of such journalism. And their work reminds us why it is so important to defend the First Amendment each and every day.” The honorees include: Gio Benitez, ABC News; Lauren Chooljian, New Hampshire Public Radio; Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews, CBS News; Evan Gershkovich, Wall Street Journal; Dylan Lyons, Spectrum News 13 “Citation of Courage”; Joan
Step” chronicles allegations of sexual abuse by the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment center. Several acts of vandalism followed the release of ‘The 13th Step’ at the homes of some of the NHPR journalists involved in that reporting, and their families. NHPR news director Dan Barrick says, “‘The 13th Step’ is an excellent example of the kind of journalism NHPR’s newsroom strives to produce every day: grounded in the issues facing New Hampshire, with the public’s interest at its heart. We’re very proud and grateful for this reporting to get national recognition.” 
as the sports director at WRHU-FM, Hempstead, New York on campus and holds positions as a weekend news anchor for WABC-AM, New York and is a sports department intern for WABC-TV, New York. RTDNA Foundation says, “Yaw’s impressive journey includes internships at prominent companies like NBC 4 New York, FOX News Channel, Turner Sports, NBA on TNT, and SiriusXM. He looks up to journalist Jeremy Schaap for his impactful storytelling beyond the field of play and aims to make a similar difference in communities. As someone who largely relies on loans to cover school costs, receiving this scholarship means the world to him.”