One of the goals of the press club is to support journalists of the future through scholarships and mentoring. The club’s scholarship program was established in 2001 as a memorial tribute to the club’s founder, Terrence J. Miller.
Collier and Lee County high school grads who are majoring in the overall field of journalism may apply for the scholarships.
Five students will receive press club $1,500 scholarships for 2024-25, and one student will receive the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) endowed press club scholarship. Recipients are interviewed and chosen by the press club scholarship committee. Scholarship recipients will have student memberships in the club and each will be given a mentor, a press club member.
Maddie Laufer
MADELINE “MADDIE” LAUFER (Naples HS 2021 graduate) will again receive the press club scholarship for her senior year at Florida State University. Maddie’s mentor is Connie Kindsvater.
Sophia Lowrie
SOPHIA LOWRIE (Marco Island Academy 2023 graduate) will again receive the press club scholarship for her sophomore year at the South Florida University-St. Petersburg. Sophia’s mentor is Connie Kindsvater.
Jake Marks
JAKE MARKS (St. John Neumann HS 2024 graduate) will receive the press club scholarship for his freshman year at the University of Southern California. Jake’s mentor is Connie Kindsvater.
Layza Pinero Resto
LAYZA PINERO RESTO (North Fort Myers HS 2021 graduate) will again receive the press club scholarship for her senior year at Florida Gulf Coast University. Layza’s mentor is Karla Wheeler.
Emma Rodriguez
EMMA RODRIGUEZ (Gulf Coast HS 2022 graduate) will again receive the FGCU endowed press club scholarship for her junior year. Emma’s mentor is Glenn Miller.
Salma St. Surin
SALMA ST. SURIN (Lorenzo Walker Technical HS 2024 graduate) will receive the press club scholarship for her freshman year at Florida SW State College. Salma’s mentor is David Mink.
For more information about the press Club of Southwest Florida scholarship program, visit https://pressclubswfl.org/scholarships/