Recipients of the Woman’s Press Club of Indiana’s scholarships and awards have used their funds in a variety of ways, from advancing their skills to learning new techniques to passing on their knowledge to others.
The Hortense Myers Scholarship, the Louise Eleanor Ross Kleinhenz and the Julie and Gene Slaymaker Public Service to Journalism Award each make cash awards to winners. WPCI hosts a fundraiser each year and receives outside contributions that support the program.
Meet some recent recipients:
Carley Lanich
Hortense Myers Scholarship recipient. She covers education in the Chicago area for the Times of Northwest Indiana.
“It’s not just a scholarship you get with WPCI, it’s a community of support, encouragement and friendship. Through my connection to WPCI, I found a lifelong mentor in my pursuit of journalism. Having the encouragement I needed at such an early age helped provide me the confidence I needed to pursue a successful career in newspaper reporting.
Since receiving my scholarship, I have edited an award-winning student newspaper, studied abroad in England and Japan, reported alongside a national corps of investigative journalists, fellowed with my hometown newspaper, and began my career with a full-time beat covering education in the news-rich suburbs of Chicago.
These experiences were only possible through the support of the great mentors and editors I’ve met early in my journalism education. I encourage anyone who can to support the young journalists in their community, and the WPCI scholarships are a great way to do that.”
Tom Hayes
Louise Eleanor Ross Kleinhenz recipient. He is a teacher and journalism adviser at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.
“The Kleinhenz award helped us improve our Photoshop skills in Ben Davis student media. I used that award to attend a Photoshop workshop that helped us refine our skills, which in turn helped us improve our design skills in both our newspaper and magazine classes.
The class also taught me several techniques that I was able to incorporate into our photography projects. We would not have been able to produce some of our designs without the help of Kleinhenz award.”
Amy Smelser
Louise Eleanor Ross Kleinhenz recipient. She is an assistant professor and journalism adviser at Indiana Wesleyan University. After receiving her award, she joined WPCI.
“In the summer of 2018, I faced my fifth year of teaching in higher education and my first summer since 2016 of not being in a newsroom. Stretching my writing skills and refreshing my teaching strategies required more intention than in years past.
My university agreed to send me to the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the organization’s annual Teachapalooza, but my meager budget exceeded the actual cost of attending the conference. Receiving the Kleinhenz scholarship provided the funding I needed.
During the three-day conference, I learned about data journalism and multimedia tools, discovered how PoltiFact handles fact checking procedures, heard Roy Peter Clark discuss writing while he tickled the ivories, and connected with journalism academics and practitioners. I even met a Pulitzer Prize winner whose work and humility influenced a class I taught the next spring.
Two years later, I continue to reflect on and apply what I learned. Receiving the Kleinhenz scholarship transformed my teaching, and I am grateful.”
Katie Billman
Hortense Myers Scholarship recipient. She is travel director at ITA Group, Inc., in Indianapolis.
“Receiving the WPCI scholarship allowed me to continue studying broadcast journalism at Indiana University and learn from some of the best faculty and professionals in the state. Studying journalism at this level allowed me to strengthen my interpersonal skills, develop a zest for learning new things, and build my confidence on and off camera. I am so grateful for WPCI for believing in me and giving back to the next generation of journalists.”
Kendal Miller
Louise Eleanor Ross Kleinhenz recipient. A longtime WPCI member, Miller now is a licensed auctioneer.
“My communications career has taken me in many directions, several of which still intertwine. Photojournalism, writing, public and media relations have all helped me as the executive director of a Tourism Commission. Having freelanced in photojournalism, I’ve had the opportunity to help organizations promote their events and destinations by providing both copy and images.
“A recent winner of the Louise Eleanor Ross Kleinhenz Scholarship, I used the award to put towards yet another communications outlet: auctioneer school. After completing the required course, I was eligible to take the Indiana Auctioneer’s exam. As of Sept. 11, 2020, I received an auctioneer license from the Indiana Auctioneer Commission.”
Natalie Hoefer
Louise Eleanor Ross Kleinhenz recipient. WPCI’s secretary, Hoefer is a writer/photographer at The Criterion in Indianapolis.
“When I started working for The Criterion, the weekly paper for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, I was over the moon. I loved to write and had occasionally freelanced for local newspapers. But I came to The Criterion with no degree in journalism. (Former WPCI member and fellow reporter) Margaret Nelson encouraged me to apply for the scholarship.
“As a recipient, I used the funds to take an online writing course through UC Berkeley Extension, where I learned about style, tips and tools for improving my writing, all of which led to awards from WPCI, NFPW and Catholic Media Association awards. I am grateful for the scholarship that helped me progress from writer to journalist.”
More:
Visit the Scholarships page to learn more about these opportunities.
Learn more about the Education Fund and annual fundraiser.