Maine Press Association awards scholarships to four UMaine students

The Maine Press Association is awarding scholarships to four University of Maine students and one University of Southern Maine student.

The UMaine students are: Hailey Bryant of Gorham, a senior and part-time employee of the Bangor Daily News; Olivia Shipsey of Bath, a senior and editor-in-chief of the Maine Campus; Leela Stockley of Chester, a junior and news editor of the Maine Campus; and Elizabeth Theriault of Madawaska, a senior and opinion section editor for the Maine Campus. The USM student is Amelia Bodge of Sanford, a junior and a staff writer for The Free Press.

Bryant also was a scholarship recipient in 2019. Nina Mahaleris, the other 2019 recipient, now reports for The Penobscot Times, a Maine Press Association member newspaper.

“We wish all of the recipients luck as they complete their studies and pursue careers in Maine journalism. It gives us special pride this year to award scholarships to several students who have connections to our member newspapers, as employees, interns, and even a newspaper carrier,” says J.W. Oliver, president of the Maine Press Association Board of Directors. 

“These students will start their careers at a challenging time for the industry, both from an economic standpoint and as newspapers come under attack daily from politicians who would like nothing more than to see us become extinct. We hope these scholarships encourage them as much as their passion for journalism encourages us for the future of our industry.”

The MPA annually awards at least one scholarship to a junior or senior with financial need who plans to pursue a career in journalism. The scholarships are possible through the generosity of bidders at the annual MPA scholarship auction and donors of the auction items. Established in 1864, the Maine Press Association works to protect the freedom of the press and the public’s right to know, and to promote and foster high ethical standards in journalism.

To inquire about the 2021 scholarship, contact Sindhu Manjesh at sindhu.manjesh@maine.edu.