The Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship Fund of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded $145,000 in scholarships to 16 students, all graduates of Maine high schools. Students receive financial support for graduate and undergraduate studies at schools across the U.S., including Bates College, Boston College, Syracuse University, and the University of Maine.
The new 2009 Gannett Scholars are Justin Chenette of Saco, Eliza Duggan of Belfast, Zoe Jennings of Hallowell, and Benjamin Pinette of Caribou.
Twelve students had their Gannett scholarships renewed: Benjamin Austin, Houlton; Julia Butler, Biddeford; Adam Clark, Bangor; Esmé Deprez, Portland; H’Rina DeTroy, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Patrick Doyle, Falmouth; Tyler Francke, Stillwater; Bridget Huber, Greene; Nicholas McCrea, Orrington; Kaydi Poirier, Biddeford; Dylan Riley, Blue Hill; and Kegan Zema, South Portland.
All 16 students have been pursuing journalism projects and careers in Maine and elsewhere, reporting for newspapers, radio and TV stations, and online news outlets. Deprez is enrolled in a dual-degree program with the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University and the Ecole de journalisme at Sciences Po in Paris. McCrea, who served as editor in chief of the Maine Campus newspaper during his senior year, will start graduate studies in journalism this fall at Syracuse University.
A volunteer review committee selected the students based on demonstrated interest in journalism, excellence in academic performance, and financial need. Applications for the 2010 Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship will be available in January at high school guidance offices and at MaineCF's website.
Before its sale to Blethen Communications in 1999, Guy Gannett Communications owned a Portland television station, three of Maine’s daily papers, and newspapers and TV stations elsewhere in the United States. Guy P. and Anne Gannett originally created the Guy P. Gannett Foundation to support the communities where the company operated businesses.
MaineCF manages more than 400 scholarship funds.
September 9, 2009