Serving Western Massachusetts for 60 years
Who is Eligible
Who is Eligible
Who is Eligible
Any high school senior from the four counties in western Massachusetts, who has applied to college and is committed to pursuing journalism as their academic major or minor. Areas of journalism focus can including news, sports, investigative, photojournalism, social media, features, health, and entertainment.
How to Apply
Who is Eligible
Who is Eligible
Start by downloading the Scholarship Application, Checklist and Guide here, and discuss the process with your school guidance counselor. If you have questions after reading the application, email Noreen Tassinari at ntassinari@thebige.com for clarification.
Deadlines
Change the World
Change the World
Scholarship applications can be submitted anytime after January 15, but must be postmarked by April 15. Scholarship recipients are selected in May and the awards ceremony is held in June. Be sure your application is complete. Review the application "check-list" one more time!
Change the World
Change the World
Change the World
Deception, greed, abuse of power, and all forms of injustice, can only be challenged by exposing the truth. That is what journalists do. Journalism is a noble and rewarding profession. “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press." Thomas Jefferson 1786. Change your world!
Recent Scholarship Recipients
2020
2020
2020
Due to Covid-19, the Scholarship event was held remotely via Zoom and a group photo was not taken.
2020 recipients: Al Jaffe Scholarship—Peyton Doyle; 22News Scholarship-Aarti Lamberg, The Republican Scholarship—Gabrielle Daley; Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarships—Sinclair Samuels and Kande Charles; Valley Press Club Scholarships— Owen Tucker-Smith and Rebecca Osowski
2019
2020
2020
L-R: Brian Dillon - Valley Press Club Scholarship, Wesley Days, Jr. - Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship, Emilia Tamayo - Valley Press Club Scholarship, Olivia “Lulu” Kesin - Al Jaffe Scholarship, Joseph Klaus - 22News Scholarship, Alyssa Blair - The RepublicanScholarship
2018
2018
2018
L-R: Hailey MacDonald -22News Scholarship, Rory Tettemer - Albert Jaffe Scholarship, Martin Keane -Valley Press Club Scholarship, Skylar Case - Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship, Levi Civjan - Ed Malley Scholarship, Audrey Gamble - The Republican Scholarshi
2017
2018
2018
L-R: Xuan Truong -Valley Press Club Scholarship, Melissa Nieve-Torres -22News Scholarship, Hayley Procon - Albert Jaffe Scholarship, Al Jaffe, Elizabeth Turley - Valley Press Club Scholarship, Janey Beardsley - The Republican Scholarship
2016
VPC Board Members
2016
L-R: Melanie Kos - The Republican Scholarship, Leighanne Sullivan - 22News Scholarship, Cienna Hiersche - Valley Press Club Scholarship, Calvin Filson - Albert Jaffe Scholarship
“I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon.”
— Tom Stoppard
2015
VPC Board Members
2016
L-R Zoe Vital-WWLP 22News Scholarship, Cassandra Cloutier and Matthew Stump - Valley Press Club Scholarships.
Not pictured, Lauren Padilla - Republican Newspaper Scholarship and Nathaniel Stump - Al Jaffe Scholarship
“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” — Voltaire
VPC Board Members
VPC Board Members
VPC Board Members
Valley Press Club Board Members at Scholarship Awards Luncheon,
L-R Peter Goonan, Noreen Tassinari, Charlie Bennett and Mike Dobbs.
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” — Theodore Roosevelt