This year, AAJA Seattle received applications from many impressive high school and college students interested in the field of journalism. Of the applications, we’ve chosen four Northwest Journalists of Color scholarship winners and one Founders scholarship winner.

The Northwest Journalists of Color scholarship winners will each receive a $1,250 check and an assigned journalism mentor for the next school year. The Founders Scholarship winner will receive a registration and a stipend to the AAJA national convention in Las Vegas Aug. 10-13.

Join us in celebrating these students at our annual Northwest Journalists of Color reception on Thursday, June 2 at 6 p.m. RSVP here.

Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship Recipients

Ahlaam Ibraahim

Ahlaam Ibraahim is a student at Rainier Beach High School. She’s an aspiring journalist and wants to become the first ever Somali-news anchor on CNN. Ahlaam currently covers stories for KUOW/Occupy.com. She loves to discuss politics and religion in her free time! Also the founder of global initiative Global Islamophobia awareness day.

Mohammed Kloub

Mohammed Kloub is a junior at the University of Washington pursuing journalism and Middle East studies. He is the News Editor for The Daily of the UW and a hip-hop writer for the publication as well. Aside from his passion for hip-hop music, he is interested in stories concerning racial and social justice, equity, resistance and celebration. When he’s not writing he likes reading, cooking, and watching Game of Thrones.

Rhea Panela

Rhea Panela studies at the University of Washington, majoring in journalism with a minor in English. She is a staff reporter for The Daily of the University of Washington and was the diversity beat reporter for two consecutive quarters. Currently, she is also the digital media intern at the International Examiner. She was recently chosen as one of the Husky 100, a UW tri-campus award for students who have made the most out of their time on campus and beyond the classroom. She is from the Beacon Hill neighborhood of South Seattle.

Jasmine Pollard

Jasmine Pollard is a senior and co-editor of her student newspaper at Shorewood High School. In her free time she enjoys playing basketball and watching crime shows. This fall she will be attending the University of Washington. In the future she hopes to pursue a career in broadcast or sports journalism.

Founders Scholarship Recipient

Starla Sampaco

And this year’s Founders Scholarship goes to Starla Sampaco who is the digital projects editor at The Daily of the University of Washington, where she also produces videos for the university’s video news program. Starla is proud to be the daughter of Filipino immigrants, and her experience as a first-generation American influenced her passion for stories involving immigrants and underrepresented communities. This led her to double-major in journalism and law, societies and justice at the UW. Starla previously represented Washington state at Miss Teen USA and credits the experience for improving her interviewing and public speaking skills. As Miss Washington Teen USA 2014, she promoted a community platform titled “Diversity and Beauty Standards: Different is not defective” to initiate discussions on the lack of diverse female representation in the media.