The New England Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce that Annie Bennett, a sophomore at Emerson College, is this year’s winner of the annual Bill Marcus Student Scholarship. 

Bennett will receive a $500 scholarship to help support her work, which she says “strives to use journalism as a tool for amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.” She also “feels strongly about restoring local news.” Originally from Maryland, Bennett’s work has been published in a number of local outlets and school publications, including Dig Boston, Cambridge Day and WEBN Boston. When she’s not writing she can be found watching sitcoms and playing quidditch.

A second scholarship was awarded to Matthew Grady, a journalism and political science student also at Emerson College, who will graduate next year. Grady has worked as an editor at WEBN.tv in Boston, and interned at Voice of America in Washington, D.C. Grady will receive a $200 scholarship to help fund his reporting on the intersection of technology and politics.

The Bill Marcus Student Scholarship was renamed this year to honor dedicated board member and veteran radio journalist Bill Marcus, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

The New England Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is proud to support these two aspiring journalists. We are excited to see their skills develop and wish them success as they embark on their careers.