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 Next Summer Program Application Deadline is April 1, 2023

          Since 1998, more than $42,000 has been awarded to students who won Culpepper Journalism Foundation fellowships. During the early years, both the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald provided internships for deserving students. The Summer Journalism Institute (SJI) at the University of Florida funded several fellowships, and Comcast Communications provided fellowships specifically for talented television productions students. ​No CJF fellowship recipient was selected in 2022.
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Parker is First CJF Recipient to Study at American University

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Senior Emma Parker is the President/Webmaster of the Film and Tech Association at Pompano Beach High School.
       Digital media television student, Emma Parker from Pompano Beach High, used her CJF fellowship money to participate in  American University's Discover the World of Communication online summer program. She attended a professional news writing and international communications class.
     "The speakers were the best part of the communications class," she said, as students heard from a UN ambassador, the founder of a non-profit in Uganda and a Spain embassy representative.
     "They all shared different perspectives about the world and what the the people face on a daily basis."
     Parker is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Pompano's newspaper and the president/webmaster of the Film and Tech Association.
     AU's journalism classes will help her guide the Pompano staffs as they complete scripts through through writing comprehensive leads and headlines.
"In my news writing class, I had one-on-one guidance from my professor who expanded my knowledge of what I can accomplish as a student journalist."
     "I can help writers expand the way they complete the story starting with the answering of the 5 W's, and targeting the one that represents the rest of the story."
      Parker said that the program better prepared her for future college-level classes such as understanding a professor's expectations for their students and their work and meeting deadlines. At AU, students communicated with their classmates and professors using discussion posts on Canvas. "Honestly it was very similar to high school; the assignments were just more difficult."
     Since 1998 the CJF fellowships have provided funds for residential college summer study, but for the last two years online programs have been funded.

  2020 Pandemic Creates Virtual Summer Journalism Experience

     Grace Schwab, a senior from South Plantation High, won the 2020 Culpepper Journalism Foundation fellowship. Since she was the Sports Editor of the Sword and Shield newspaper and an accomplished athlete for four years on both the school soccer and lacrosse teams, she used her stipend to attend the University of North Carolina Virtual Sport Journalism Camp.
     Because of the pandemic, most on-campus university journalism programs were cancelled or converted to virtual institutes. “I think the online format of the institute worked very well,

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"I am excited to one day utilize the connections I made this summer to improve my craft and further my career.”
and I was still able to learn a lot as if I was on campus at UNC,” she said.
     One of the goals of the CJF summer fellowship is to provide students an opportunity to live on a college campus before actually being admitted to the university.  “The only downfall was that I couldn’t make as strong a connection with the other students as I would had if we were all staying on the campus for those few days.”

     Under the leadership of Timothy Crothers, a professor in the UNC School of Journalism, the online format prepared her for the new school year as students in Broward County went virtual for their classes.
     The Sword and Shield editor said that in 2020 “it was a bit of a struggle to run a newsroom through a video call” as she and the other senior staffer set up a newspaper website while school is virtual and utilize its existing social media contacts to post content.
    At the camp, u
sing Zoom, students first interviewed a UNC basketball player and heard how the media affects a student athlete. “One super interesting thing we talked about was how to approach a player after a loss,” she said.
     Students then had to write a story based on an Q & A with a fellow camper about his greatest sports achievement. The best two stories were critiqued with all the campers. “I learned we must take ourselves out of the story and look at the good and the bad to give an unbiased report.”​ 

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    The next day the students interviewed the woman who covers Clemson football explaining her tricks and tips on covering features. “One point I definitely will share is that when your are interviewing anyone, keep it conversational. Remember it is THEIR story to tell, not yours.” Then students interviewing the stand-out forward on the UNC women’s soccer team.
     Students also learned about sports photography, video and online media, especially ways to use social media in journalism and reporting. The UNC sports photographer said that photographers need to be paying attention to everything on the field and be a few steps ahead of the action in order to capture some of the best moments.
     ”Overall the camp not only helped me become a better sports writer but also taught me skills that I can take to any type of news,” she said.

Two Broward Teens Hone Their Journalism Skills at University Programs in 2019

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Ysa was the first student to represent the CJF at Yale and the University of North Carolina.
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Ysa worked with the college students to produce one issue of the Yale Daily News.
     Journalism Matters for two Broward teens who spent part of their summer at college. The Culpepper Journalism Foundation (CJF) provided a $900 stipend each to Ysabella De Lauro  and Munisha Doodnauth  for being CJF "Fellows" to attend journalism programs at universities and then return to their staffs in the fall to be mentors to their classmates.
Ysabella De Lauro, South Plantation
     De Lauro attended two programs: the first at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, a residential program, and the second at Yale University.  "I learned so much at UNC especially with Adobe programs Illustrator and In-Design," De Lauro said. The senior was Co-Editor of the Sword and Shield, the South Plantation newspaper.
     De Lauro's unique experience the Yale Daily News (YDN) was special to her. Not only was it not a residential program (she stayed in a hotel with her parents) her time was spent side-by-side college students as they produced the Yale Daily News.
     "I was a huge fan of the Gilmore Girls, and as I walked into the Yale building I felt like Rory Gilmore, a character in the show who went to Yale and was editor of the YDN."
     The lead graphic designer asked DeLauro to join the college staff to produce the Yale community paper. "I was the only high schooler there that night," she said. "I was surrounded by editors, graphic designers, column writers, artists and photographers."
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Munisha uses skills learned at the UF with her Digital Media classmates.
Munisha Doodnauth, Pompano Beach
     Munisha Doodnauth used her skills she learned at the University of Florida's Summer Media Institute (SMI) to teach her Digital Media Production classmates.
    She said that the best part of SMI was listening to Malick Mercier who is known as a 'next-gen storyteller.' "I learned a lot about finding my voice and using it to bring awareness to everyone on social media. He said social media can give students a voice using his positive energy."
     Her advice to attend a summer program and "to get to know those around you because the person next to you might be the one to hire you in the future."

   ​CJF Selects Leiter as 2018 Fellow to Attend UF's Summer Media Institute

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In 2018 Megan Leiter will be Editor-in-Chief of The Sword and Shield.
     Megan Leiter from South Plantation High has earned a $800 stipend to attend a summer university journalism program from the Culpepper Journalism Foundation (CJF).
​     The junior will attend the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) Summer Media Institute (SMI) in June 2018.  She is the 36th fellowship winner from SPHS to become a "fellow" since the award was first given 21 years ago.
     "During my three years on The Sword 
and Shield, the school paper has improved  ​and I hope to continue developing it as Editor-in-Chief," she said. "The things I learn at this program will go beyond newspaper and will help be succeed in college and the workforce."
     Leiter joined The Sword and Shield newspaper staff as a freshman and has held leadership roles as Sports Editor (sophomore) and Centerfold and Copy Editor (junior). As a fellowship recipient she is required to be on the staff the next year, so in 2018-2019 she will be Editor-in-Chief.

Winslow Learns at UF's Summer Media Institute in 2017

     In June 2017, Anna Winslow, a South Plantation High junior, attended the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) Summer Media Institute.
​      "The best part of the program for me was attending the classes taught by UF professors," she said. Mike Foley, her professor, was editor of the St. Pete Times before becoming a professor at the UF. "We were able to get on-on-one time with him to understand how we could improve our stories."
     She has been on the Sword and Shield newspaper staff for two year, and was ​the Features Editor.  In the fall, Winslow will be Editor-in-Chief.  "Although design, photography and organization are important in any publication," she said, " I feel writing is truly the foundation for communication." 
       Her work at the UF program included leadership skills as well. "I not only learned how to improve my writing, but also how to
work with others," she said. "I realize how 
important people skills are whether it is reporting on a story, interviewing a subject or editing another's work. Being able to communicate clearly with others in a respectful and comfortable way is extremely useful, and I will definitely use those skills in whatever field I choose to pursue."
​     She said she will share with her staff "how important it is to approach stories with a creative and interesting angle in order to engage readers throughout the school and community" while emphasizing the integrity of the school paper as "factual accuracy is the utmost importance in any publication." She added, "I know how as an editor I must be a good listener and give constructive criticism while still being firm."
      In addition to her journalism duties, Winslow is the current district champ of girls' tennis, is a classically trained pianist and has been honored as a member of the
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Winslow receives her award from Valerie McCarty at the SPHS Underclass Awards.
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Winslow attended UF's Summer Media Institute in June 2017..
Environmental Science and Everglades magnet program for several years.

  Fellows travel from Florida to California to attend summer journalism programs

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Brianna Horland will attend the Newsroom By the Bay program at Stanford University.
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Bayleigh Pearson will attend the CJC Summer Institute at the University of Florida.
​          Brianna Horland and Bayleigh Pearson from South Plantation High have earned $600 Culpepper Journalism Foundation fellowships to attend summer journalism programs at universities. Both students are on the Sword and Shield newspaper staff.
            Horland will travel to Stanford's (California) Newsroom By the Bay program while Pearson will attend the University of Florida's CJC (College of Journalism and Communications) Summer Institute.  As part of the CJF fellowship program, the rising seniors are required to return to the school to teach their newspaper staffers what they experienced during the college program.
            In the fall, Horland will be Editor in Chief of the Sword and Shield. "I hope to breathe new life into my school newspaper," she said. "When the quality of the paper declined, it forced me to find my voice in order to fight for articles or design choices that I believed improved the publication." 
            "Mentorship is extremely important to me," Horland added. "Therefore I would like my legacy to be that I put good practices in place, developing a knowledgeable and 
capable staff who will continue to take the paper to new heights after I graduate."
​            Bayleigh Pearson was involved in broadcasting at her former school where she was enrolled in two media courses that demanded weekly video productions and a professional-style documentary. As next year's News Editor, she said she hopes to learn more about print media, journalistic ethics, interviewing techniques and how to handle deadlines.  "I want to come back refreshed, knowledgeable and even more passionate about the art of journalism, and recognize my full potential as a journalist, whether it is print or digital media." 
            Pearson wants to provide a voice for students who are often forgotten in their school. In a special one-on-one interview she conducted with a student with Downs Syndrome she discovered that the research she did prior to the interview helped her write non-intrusive but well-made questions that did not offend the student but provided great answers. "From that experience I learned that a lot of specific research is needed," Pearson said.

  Carrasquilla is the CJF fellowship winner for 2015; to attend Florida's CJC  Institute

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Carrasquilla editing the SPHS newspaper.
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Valerie McCarty (CJF President) and Stephanie Polin (SPHS journalism adviser) with the winner.
      Alejandra Carrasquilla from South Plantation High School earned a Culpepper Journalism Foundation fellowship and attended the CJC (College of Journalism and Communications) Summer Institute at the University of Florida for June 2015. The $749 fellowship covered the tuition/room and board of the program. She returned to the school and taught her newspaper staff what she experienced during the college program. 
      "I want to learn writing strategies that will appeal to my peers so that they, too, will desire to learn the news," she said. "I also wish to be able to write in a more professional level while keeping a youthful voice in both my articles and personal essays needed for school and college applications."
     Additionally, she is involved in the school's award-winning drama program and was the Student Producer of  "The 25th Annual  Putnam County Spelling Bee," has used her  
writing skills to be a Cappies Critic (theater), is enrolled in the Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration magnet program, and already has logged 275 community service hours.
       Teacher Stephani Polin notes that Alejandra has been living in the United States for just six years and holds dual citizenship for Colombia and the U.S. "Her goals are evident, but it is her warm personality and eagerness to learn that is unprecedented."
       Over the last 18 years the CJF has assisted 78 students from 20 different Broward County public schools who wanted to continue their journalism work during the summer. 
     For more information contact the CJF at CulpepperJF@aol.com. The Broward Education Foundation, an arm of the School Board of Broward County, Florida, manages the CJF funds.

  Two fellowships winners attend the UF's Summer Journalism Institute

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Jack Levy
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Marissa Steinberg
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As a senior, Marissa also received the Alumni Association Scholarship from Didi Hoffman, a former SPHS journalist.
     For the 17th year, the executive board of the Culpepper Journalism Foundation rewarded high school students with fellowships for summer journalism study.
     Jack Levy and Marissa Steinberg are both on the newspaper staff at South Plantation High and will attend the 2014 Summer Journalism Institute at the University of Florida in June. They are required to return to their high school staffs and be mentors to their classmates or 2014-2015. Each will receive $695 to cover their SJI tuition.
     "Attending the summer program at U.F. will allow me to disseminate information to our staff so we can strengthen our culture and become the best school paper in the state," Levy said.
     As a junior, Levy is Entertainment Editor of the Sword and Shield. He explained that he wants to expand the readership of the paper, to create layouts that entice students to read, and to have the paper known for its outstanding quality. At ​rating for his Entertainment Page Design and an Honorable Mention for his review.  
     In addition to he journalism work, he is a member of the cross country, track and lacrosse teams. "Being an athlete has helped me in my sportswriting," he said. "I understand how the players feel after a nail-biting loss or after a blowout win which helps me capture the emotion of the game, the anger of the athlete or the elation of the coach."
     News Editor Marissa Steinberg is a sophomore. She said she wants "to improve my writing, especially of news stories, and return to teach my peers what I have learned to improve our paper." She received an Honorable Mention for her Profile Feature story in the FSPA Digital Contest, and she continues to enter writing contests and even submitted a proposal for a TV show to Cosmopolitan.
     Over the years the CJF has assisted 77 students from 20 different Broward County public schools in attending summer journalism programs at universities throughout the United States. 

  Foundation Awards Fellowships for Summer of 2013

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David Drucker from South Plantation High
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Ben Mitchell from Coral Springs High
          When school is out for the summer, some students still continue to take classes. Through the 15 years, the Culpepper Journalism Foundation has provided financial assistance for 75 students from 18 different public high schools to attend college media programs.. 
            In June 2013, David Drucker from South Plantation High and Benjamin Mitchell from Coral Springs High honed their skills at the Summer Journalism Institute (SJI) hosted by the University of Florida. Both juniors are now Editors-in-Chief of their school papers. 
            Drucker has been Sports Editor of the Sword and Shield for two years. He said he learned his most important lesson on the school's football Signing Day when the star athlete's mother seized the player's documents and left the campus with nothing signed. This created an event that was covered by the local media as well.  As Drucker considered the athlete whose "life was in a whirlwind," the editor learned that the sequence of events which followed, "taught me that although a great story is the goal, a journalist must keep in mind the consequences of his actions." 
            Benjamin Mitchell is Editor of his school paper, The Chronicle. He, too, was involved in a controversial issue: a new program the administration did not want covered. "I learned how to navigate the political side of the journalistic process," he said. "I also gained an understanding of the realities of the relationship between administration and student publications."
            Both students acquired skills and techniques that they will use to improve their papers. "My goal was to walk out of SJI with a new arsenal of editing techniques and a new angle upon which I can tell my story, which I did," Drucker said. 
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Lindsey Sigal from South Plantation High

Sigal wins in 2012

          In 2012, Lindsey Sigal (as a sophomore) from South Plantation High attended the yearbook section of the UF program. "At SJI I learned so many ways to complete a book that the general school population and educators of journalism will enjoy," she said. "The university experience showed us how independent we need to be to succeed in college." In the fall she will be Co-Editor of the yearbook, Prospectus.
          Applicants were required to answer several essay questions, obtain a letter of reference from their current journalism teacher, list their school and community activities and leadership roles, and include samples of their work.  The CJF Executive Board selected the winners.
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Culpepper Journalism 'Fellows' Through the Years 1998-2022
2022
No Applicants
​

2021
Emma Parker

Pompano Beach High

2020
Grace Schwab

South Plantation High

2019
Munisha Doodnauth

Pompano Beach High
Ysabella De Lauro
South Plantation High
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2018
Megan Leiter
South Plantation High

2017
Anna Winslow
South Plantation High

2016
Brianna Horland

South Plantation High
Bayleigh Pearson
South Plantation High

2015
Alejandra Carrasquilla

South Plantation High

2014
Jack Levy

South Plantation High
Marissa Steinberg
South Plantation High

2013
David Drucker

South Plantation High
Ben Mitchell
Coral Springs High

​2012
Lindsay Sigal

South Plantation High

2011

Andy Araya

Hallandale High
Faren Dalipram
South Plantation High
Tiana Dejesus
Everglades High
Alexia Marchetti
Cypress Bay High

​2010
Paige Abbondanzio

Monarch High
Colt Dodd
South Plantation High
Beatrice Dupuy
Cooper City High
Nicholas Levy
South Plantation High
Anna Parham
Flanagan High

2009
Angie Fowler

Monarch High
Alysha Khan
South Plantation High
Emily Miller
Cypress Bay High
Jessica Niestzche
South Plantation High
Jamie Sloan
Cooper City High
2008-10th Anniversary 
Aryeh Feldheim

South Plantation
Claire Aronson
Cypress Bay High
Kyra Berman-Gestring
South Plantation High
Betsy Castro
South Plantation High
Shaina Coughan
Cooper City High
Katie Gillen
​J. P. Taravella High
Meghan Johnson
Stoneman Douglas High
Catalina Quintana
Coral Springs High
Mariah Ridge-O'Brien
Hollywood Hills High
Stephen Sheehan
Everglades High

​2007
Danielle Syrop

South Plantation High
Veronica Gimenez
Hollywood Hills High
​
2006
Guillermo Bonilla

South Plantation High
Lawrence Cohen
Nova High
Laura Diaz de Arce
South Plantation High
Kelly Madey
Northeast High
Andrea Puente
Cypress Bay High
Farin Robinson
Deerfield Beach High
2005
Kristin Bjornsen

South Plantation High
Jennifer Campbell
Northeast High
Iviani Figueroa
McArthur High
Paul Greco
South Plantation High
Braylin Morales
South Plantation High
Brittany Morales
South Plantation High
Lane Nieset
South Plantation High

​2004
Laura Binder

Plantation High
Christine Brady
Coral Springs High
Abby Cunningham
Cypress Bay High
David Hanan
South Plantation High
Andrew Jacobsohn
South Plantation High
Evan Sax
Nova High
Austin Thaler
Hallandale High
Ellen Truex
Hollywood Hills High

2003
Nazish Ahmad

South Plantation High
Sabrina Bonaparte
Cypress Bay High
Brett Denou
South Plantation High
Tony Marfeka
Plantation High
Stephanie Rosenblatt
Coral Springs High
Amanda Steffan
Northeast High
2002
Zaynab Ali
Stranahan High
Bari Leiberman
Stoneman Douglas High
Bryan Mehaffey
Western High
Evelyn Rosas
​Hollywood Hills High
Amanda Smith
South Plantation High
Ashley Wilson
South Plantation High
Jessica Wasserman
Coral Springs High

​2001
Jessica Bleier

South Plantation High
Renee Campbell
South Plantation High
Vanesa Hernandez
South Plantation High
Desiree Zerguera
Northeast High

2000
Sean Fowler

Deerfield Beach High
Megan Gand
Stranahan High
Emma Levya
Hollywood Hills High
Justin Young
South Plantation High

1999
Yolene Dumarsais

Northeast High
Jenna Rhone
Boyd Anderson High
Beth Stone
South Plantation High

​1998
Julie Leventhal

South Plantation High
www.CulpepperJournalismFoundation.com  -  100 Southwest 75 Terrace, Plantation, Florida 33317
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