Ellis awarded Justin M. Druck Scholarship
Rebecca Ellis, an incoming freshman from New Market, Indiana, is the recipient of the Indiana University Media School’s Justin M. Druck Scholarship.
The scholarship awards an incoming freshman from Cass County or a surrounding county who is interested in pursuing a journalism degree $10,000 per year for four years.
“IU has by far the best journalism program in the state,” Ellis said. “I knew that it would best prepare me for my future career and allow me to complete my goals.”
Ellis plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in English.
Ellis’ path to this decision was formed through several of her extracurricular activities at Southmont High School, where she graduated in May. She was a member of National Honor Society; the Montgomery County Character Counts! Board of Directors; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Spanish Club; and the yearbook staff.
“I am most proud of being a part of the yearbook staff,” Ellis said. “I enjoyed so much of what I did in the organization, and it was the key to unlocking my life’s path.”
Ellis originally wanted to pursue dentistry, but her goals changed during her junior year of high school, she said.
“Shortly after I joined my high school’s yearbook staff, I developed a love of creating spreads and writing articles based on interviews that I had with my classmates,” Ellis said. “It was when I found this passion that I thought through all of the compliments I had received through the years on my writing and how much I loved doing it.”
The award was established by the Howard Charitable Foundation in honor of Justin M. Druck, the former owner of The Pharos-Tribune of Logansport, Indiana, and The Logansport Press. He was the publisher of the newspapers for more than 50 years and owned them for 30 years.
Ellis said she looks forward to pursuing a career in news.
“I am most excited about taking classes that will make me a better writer, and I am excited about the Indiana Daily Student, as I hope to become a part of the newspaper,” she said.
For Ellis, IU was the clear path to achieving her aspirations.
“There was just an overwhelming feeling in my chest at the time of my decision that IU is the place I will fit in and belong; that feeling is still there,” she said. “I have only become more sure of it as I am getting ready to start my journey at IU.”
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