Bob Stevens Memorial Scholarship

The Bob Stevens Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding journalism student who has demonstrated dedication to their school newspaper or yearbook, though is not necessarily planning on majoring in journalism in college. The award is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Newspaper Foundation. The scholarship amount is $2,000 to be used towards college.

Bob Stevens was a dedicated teacher at Highland Park High School for many years, where he served as the adviser to the Highland Fling, the student newspaper. He was one of the founding members of the GSSPA, and he served as the first president of the organization. After his death, the GSSPA started this scholarship to honor his memory and to help an aspiring journalist who is a student of a GSSPA member.

The scholarship check of $2,000 will be issued after the winner provides the GSSPA with a copy of the first tuition payment to the college where the winner has enrolled.

Applications will be judged by a panel of independent judges, chosen by the New Jersey Newspaper Foundation.

The winner of the award is announced at the Spring Advisers’ Conference.

The faculty adviser should choose one student journalist who best qualifies to meet the standards set forth under the headings of Eligibility Requirements and Criteria. Nominee and adviser then prepare a portfolio of the student’s best work.

The deadline for entries for the scholarship is Feb. 7.

The student’s adviser must be a member of the GSSPA in order to be eligible for the awards. The membership fee is $25 per year. Please see our Membership page for more information.

Review the full application packet.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for the Bob Stevens Memorial Scholarship are:

1. Nominee must be a graduating senior with at least a 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale.
2. Nominees must have served at least two years in some capacity in high school journalism.
3. Only one nominee from each high school.
4. The applicant’s adviser must be a member of the GSSPA.
5. Entry must be received by or postmarked by the deadline.

Criteria

All nominees will be judged by the quality of their work in comparison with the other applicants. A successful applicant will exhibit:

1. Versatility (ability to handle a variety of subject areas with equal ability)
2. Responsibility (demonstrate thorough research and ethical reporting)
3. Inquisitiveness (ability to seek out and investigate topics of importance to the high school audience and the community)
4. Skill (produce quality work adeptly and creatively)

In addition to the above qualities, the nominee’s portfolio should also demonstrate a high school career dedicated to student journalism.