The competition begins at the state level with state winners going on to compete at the national level. A top winner and up to six runners-up will receive scholarships. Winners receiving scholarships are those who have a grade point average of 3.0 or above and win the competition at the state level. To enter, students must submit a portfolio of their work up to 50 single pages. All applicants are required to have a JEA advisor.
The contest is sponsored by The Journalism Education Association (JEA), a non-profit organization headquartered in Manhattan, Kansas, who promotes educational opportunities and professionalism in the field of journalism. The organization's members include teachers and advisers as well as media professionals, libraries and publishing companies.
The scholarship contest is named after JEA treasurer Sister Rita Jeanne. Judging takes place at the annual JEA/NSPA (National Scholastic Press Association) Spring National High School Journalism Convention where winners are announced.
The deadline for this scholarship is usually in MARCH of each year, and the award amount is usually $2,000 - $5,000.
For more details, visit jea.org/home/awards-honors/journalist-of-the-year/
