Sammamish Independent awards scholarships to five youth journalists
The Sammamish Independent provides annual scholarships to the youth who have given their time and energy to report the news for our community.
This year, five youth journalists are each receiving a $1,500 scholarship.
Each scholarship recipient has spent countless hours training, attending events, doing interviews, writing, and going through the editing process in order to perfect their craft. It is their dedication and hard work that fills the pages of our newspaper, and keeps our community informed with credible, fact-based news coverage.
We would like to recognize our five scholarship recipients, with their own words as they reflect on their community journalism experience.
Isabella Duan, Sports & Recreation Reporter
Eastlake High School, Class of 2022
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
“One advice I’d give is to not be afraid to reach out and ask questions, whether it be editors or people to interview. I would have wasted a lot of time researching if it weren’t for the detailed answers I got from Holly [sports & recreation editor].”
Sean Fan, Photojournalist
Skyline High School, Class of 2022
College: University of Washington
“What I definitively can say as advice to future photojournalists who wish to take on the role at the Indy is to not be afraid to borrow the Indy’s credibility to ask for a better shot! Whether that means talking to an athletic director for a press pass, or talking to a new business for special permission to shoot in secluded areas, it is usually worth it.”
Medhya Goel, Community Editor
Eastlake High School, Class of 2022
College: Stanford University
“The Indy has taught me almost everything I know about journalism — from winning trust in minutes to dredging federal court dockets, from addressing grief to addressing exaltation. But most importantly, the Indy has taught me how to build connections based on our fundamental similarities as humans, before delving into the nuances of our differences.”
Maria Langworthy, Education Editor
Eastside Catholic High School, Class of 2022
College: Trinity College Dublin
“I never thought that writing about the Burkhalters’ perfectly manicured lawn would start so much conversation or that my articles on city council elections would pop up on community Facebook pages and even in my own government class at school. My words have impact and power, which the Indy has helped me continuously cultivate.”
Adya Mohapatra, Community and Sports & Recreation Reporter
Issaquah High School, Class of 2021
College: University of Rochester
“During the peak of pandemic, I found a collaborative community not only within the Indy staff, but the Sammamish area itself. Articles about new events, overcoming the struggles of the pandemic, and how we were all moving forward created a great sense of belonging and unity. The Indy continues to extend that feeling throughout the community, and I am very glad to have been part of that mission.”
We are incredibly grateful for their service, and want to wish them success in college and beyond!
