WOBURN, MA – Each year, the New England Newspaper and Press Association awards several scholarships to aspiring journalists through the Journalism Education Foundation of New England (JEFNE). The foundation aims to support and encourage young people who wish to pursue a career in journalism.
College students and high school seniors from New England who are studying and gaining work experience to prepare for a career in journalism are eligible to apply for JEFNE scholarships. This year, five students will receive $2,000 scholarships.
We are proud to introduce the recipients of the 2025 Journalism Scholarships:
Madeleine Goli Ahmadi, UNC-Chapel Hill
“I am honored to receive support from the JEFNE and the New England Newspaper & Press Association to continue pursuing my passion for journalism. Growing up in Vermont has shown me the importance of local media. Communities need people willing to share their stories – work that often begins in local high schools and universities. I am so grateful to my two favorite high school teachers who believe in this mission and are continuing to build journalists in Vermont, all my mentors at UNC-Chapel Hill who recognize the importance of innovative storytelling and the JEFNE who are generously supporting my mission to make a difference through impactful reporting.”
Cally Gudroe, University of New England
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the JEFNE Scholarship. Growing up in a rural town and tight-knit community, I saw firsthand how journalism can bring people together and how powerful it is when local stories are told with care and purpose. That early understanding shaped my commitment to sharing the voices and experiences that often go unheard. As a journalism student at the University of New England, I’ve reported for local news outlets on small businesses, school programs, and youth initiatives—stories that reflect the heart of a community. I’m also currently working on a documentary titled Rural Dreams, which focuses on rural teens and aims to empower their voices through storytelling. This scholarship allows me to continue doing the work I believe in by uplifting others, exploring underreported issues, and contributing to the future of local journalism. I’m deeply grateful to JEFNE and the New England Newspaper & Press Association for supporting my journey.”
Maren Halpin, Suffolk University
MacGregor Fiske Scholarship recipient
“Over the last three years of developing my skills as a journalist both in the classroom and student and professional newsrooms, I’ve gained such a deep passion for telling the stories and amplifying the voices of those in my community. At such a pivotal time, I am so honored to get to be part of such a talented and driven generation of journalists who are both defending a strong press and innovating what its future will look like. I am so grateful for this support from the Journalism Education Foundation of New England, the New England Newspaper and Press Association, and the Fiske family. I’ve been so lucky to have so much support from my family, friends, professors, mentors, and this industry at large, and this scholarship will further enable me to remain focused on my final year of my undergraduate degree and pursue more opportunities to learn in professional newsrooms across Boston and New England.”
The MacGregor Fiske Scholarship honors the late Mac Fiske, a fourth-generation newspaperman, who died in 2009 at the age of 75.
Jackson Kitts, Duke University
“The JEFNE scholarship will help me pursue my college education at Duke University. I plan to major in public policy and minor in journalism. I look forward to engaging more in the journalism community while in college through the Duke Chronicle and other opportunities.”
Emily Tarinelli, Stanford University
“I’m grateful to be one of JEFNE’s scholarship recipients. Next year, I will attend Stanford University and work towards my master’s degree in Journalism. JEFNE’s support will help me offset the cost of attendance. At Stanford, I intend to hone my skills in reporting stories about gender/LGBTQ+ issues and sports. After graduating in June 2026, I hope to return to New England and begin my professional journalism career.”
About the Journalism Education Foundation of New England
The Journalism Education Foundation of New England encourages and supports high school seniors and college students in the six-state region who aspire to pursue a career in journalism. The JEFNE scholarship is available to New England residents studying journalism or related fields at the college level.
Member newspapers of the New England Newspaper & Press Association join in sponsoring the scholarship program by promoting it to readers in their communities.
For more information about the JEFNE scholarship program, please contact Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com.